Middle Path and the Plots of the Enemy !

When we talk about any of the cases of Islam, then we have to sense wholeheartedly that this religion that we are talking about, its matters are the religion of Allah, The Almighty. That awareness has a direct effect on the method of decision making when it comes to dealing with these matters, researching them and discussing them, because Islam – the whole of Islam – isn’t a theory on ground which we can go into discussing it in an unconfined way without restriction, rather it is: 
"(This is) a Book revealed to you, (O Muhammad) – so let there not be in your breast distress therefrom – that you may warn thereby and as a reminder to the believers. Follow, (O mankind), what has been revealed to you from your Lord and do not follow other than Him any allies. Little do you remember." [7:2-3] 

As long as the religion is the religion of Allah, therefore, in it there is no place for desires, no place for ideas or opinions, no place for accusations and analysis of the intellects, no place for craving after pleasing the souls, no place for compliance to this era’s calls of integration, no place for chanting about keeping in line with the nations’ inclination. Thus, the religion of Allah leads and it isn’t led, it renders the souls to be obedient and it isn’t subjected by them, it rules the nations and it isn’t ruled by them, it imposes restriction on whims and desires and it isn’t restricted by them, it controls the affairs of this age and it isn’t controlled by it, and it dominates over life entirely and it isn’t dominated by it. 

So, those who want to rescue the earth from corruption and take it out from the darkness of error merely by their recommendations or their opinions and desires under appealing slogans are in reality hollow, far away from the methodology of truth and the way of guidance; and they won’t reap out of their efforts anything except unhealthiness and insanity just as the Almighty Allah says: 
"But if the Truth (i.e., Allah) had followed their inclinations, the heavens and the earth and whoever is in them would have been ruined." [23:71]

As we are living in a time where worshiping ones desires has reached a climax which it had not reached before, it exploited recruited soldiers who have been employed to stand up for it, promote it and consolidate it. It sat up in numerous battlefronts against the lofty palace of Islam in order to demolish it and eradicate its principles. Thereupon, we are in a genuine need of a sincere stance which by we are firm facing whoever pursues to be a soldier among the soldiers of self-worship which has manifested itself in various ways, in many colors and a lot of people have thrown themselves at its feet, kneeling, prostrating and glorifying it, and they raise it to the status of a god knowingly or unknowingly. 

In order to march, having insight of our matter (of religion), to stand up for our principles, ‘Aqeedah and concepts, to protect them from violation and desecration, we have to purse the following: 

"Then We put you, (O Muhammad), on an ordained way concerning the matter (of religion); so follow it and do not follow the inclinations of those who do not know. Indeed, they will never avail you against Allah at all. And indeed, the wrongdoers are allies of one another; but Allah is the protector of the righteous. This (Qur’aan) is enlightenment for mankind and guidance and mercy for a people who are certain (in faith)." [45:18–20] 

O Ummah of Islam: Know that there is a cooperative partnership which is undertaken by the shayateen from among mankind as well as jinn; it has its men, its faculties, its resources, its institutions, its expenses, its plans and programs. It is based and founded on making every effort to mislead people from their religion, to suggest doubt to them with regard to their self-evident ‘Aqeedah, and to support every individual who fabricates lies against it as they wish. All of that takes place in the name of ijtihad, thinking, debating, enlightenment, analyzing, studying the state of affairs, open-mindedness and rationality, to the end of that familiar list. And this individual who speaks out isn’t facing any boundary to halt him nor does he have rules or principles to be wary of. As for him, he sees everybody as a permissible, fertile un-shamefully turns away from the absolute truth without apprehension. He – with total audacity – distorts words from their proper places (i.e., usages), and ascribes to Allah’s Law matters which old men and women of the desert know that it is exempt from. And he revokes what both the first and the latter generations knew and submitted to; you even see him discrediting and mocking them, looking down upon them. 

The Prophet (saws) explained the reality of this shaytanic corporation which is active at all times to perform its tasks, to lead astray whoever pays attention or listens to it. He (saws) did so in order that we are to be on the alert and vigilant so that we wouldn’t be deceived by its propaganda or its decorated speeches. It was related by ‘Abdullah Ibnu Mas’ood that he said, “the Prophet (saws) drew a straight line for us, an then said, ‘his is the path of Allah,’ and then he made lines on its right side and on its left side and then said, ‘these are paths, and on each path there is a shaytaan calling to it.’ Then he recited: 

"And thus we have made for every prophet an enemy – devils from mankind and jinn, inspiring to one another decorative speech in delusion. But if your Lord had willed, they would not have done it, so leave them and that which they invent." [6:112] 

And the Almighty says: 

"O children of Ādam, let not Shaytaan tempt you as he removed your parents from Paradise, stripping them of their clothing to show them their private parts. Indeed, he sees you, he and his tribe, from where you do not see them. Indeed, we have made the devils allies to those who do not believe." [7:27] 

Accordingly, this is the commandment of Allah and His Messenger (saws) to whomever wants to be on the middle way, following the truth, unconcerned with those who disagree with them. 

Since the beginning of this war on terror, it was said by the wise and bright ones that this war is a new crusade which wages war on Islam and Muslims. Their attempts will not stop at any border. This war aims at and makes the strongholds of Islam its objective. It invades lands, houses as well as intellects. The wicked ones that lead this campaign managed to plant people from within this ummah to take the rule of propagating their thoughts, ideology, beliefs and theories. In addition to that, spreading their terms and expressions, repeating their phrases and attempting to convince Muslims about them or at least reducing their feelings towards its (i.e., the West’s) hideousness and evil. So, after sometime, these concepts simultaneously became something acceptable. And because they knew that the key for success in their plans was driving people away from jihaad and mujaahideen along with eliminating them militarily and combating them intellectually, accordingly, as soon as an unknown individual mumbles or utters some words criticizing the mujaahideen, upon that their mass media is put on the alert. They present him to the masses, make him well-known, and have constant interviews and meetings with him to direct people to that unique thought which came out of an idiotic man that is hardly seen. 

Unfortunately, we have seen a lot of those who are affiliated with the leadership of Islamic groups or people of Da’wah, thinkers who hold one conference after another, a meeting after another and a seminar after the other. They move from one country to the other, consolidating many deviating concepts that have nothing to do with Islam; in actuality, it destroys its principles one after another. They ascribe their devious errors and diversions to the religion of Allah, adding evil to their evil. And the saying of Allah applies to them when He says: 

"And indeed, there is among them a party who alter the Scripture with their tongues so you may think it is from the Scripture, but it is not from the Scripture. And they say, “This is from Allah,” but it is not from Allah. And they speak untruth about Allah while they know." [3:78] 

Among the greatest ways of which they use to conceal their deviation and to propagate their errors is their claim of affiliation to the middle way, moderation and balance. They have coined meanings for these words which they become content with. Their meanings’ source is their thoughts. Their meanings’ structure is fabrication and compromise. Its essence and pulp is gladdening the West with what pleases it. So, what is this middle way that they call for and hum about day and night? And what is the middle way of which the religion of Allah came with, subscribed to us and praised his Prophet’s (saws) Ummah with Thereupon the Almighty said: 

"And thus We have made you a median (i.e., just) community that you will be witnesses over the people and the Messenger will be a witness over you…" [2:143] 

Indeed, defining the legitimate concepts must depend on the book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Prophet (saws). Because intellects are uneven, thoughts are disagreeing and desires sneak into this meaning or that. But if Allah says, then His saying is the truth. If He rules, then His rule is justice and this isn’t for anything but the book of Allah as the Almighty says: 

"But if the Truth [i.e., Allah] had followed their inclinations, the heavens and the earth and whoever is in them would have been ruined. Rather, We have brought them their message, but they, from their message, are turning away." [23:71] 

The middle way is a term which has been accepted by people without understanding its proper meaning. It means the complete adherence to Allah’s religion which He subscribed to all of the people. Even if it is disliked by whoever dislikes it, it has to be spread between them without distortion, falsification or deception. Rather, it is presented clearly as it is. The mission of the Muslim’s nation is not to match the disbelieving nations. It is not to seek the elements of convergence nor coexistence with them. And not to strive and spend in order to submit nor comply with the reality because we weren’t created for that neither did Allah order us to do so. On the contrary, Allah sent us to bring people out by His will from worshiping the creation to worship Allah alone. And out of the oppression of religions to the justice of Islam. So He sent us with His religion to His creation in order that we call them to it. Whoever accepts from us, we accept from him and whoever refuses, we fight him until we find the promise of Allah. This is how the Prophet’s companion Rabi’ ibn Aamir summarized the mission of the Muslim nation. This is the middle way in truth which the companions understood and called for. 

It is not for anyone to pick and choose from the religion of Allah what he loves and desires. Nor is it for him to call people to what he loves and desires and not to present Allah’s religion the way that he loves and desires. The Almighty Allah says: 

"Say, “This is my way; I invite to Allah with insight, I and those who follow me. And exalted is Allah; and I am not of those who associate others with Him." [12:108] 

In that case, it is a call to the way of Allah – which means the complete religion – not a call to get the results of mere opinions and the suitable innovations of thoughts. The middle way that we call for says: 

"You will not find a people who believe in Allah and the Last Day having affection for those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even if they were their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their kindred…" [58:22] Even if you consider that to be excessiveness. 

Our middle way that we march upon has at its foundations: "O you who have believed, do not take your fathers or your brothers as allies if they have preferred disbelief over belief. And whoever does so among you – then it is those who are the wrongdoers." [9:23] 

Our middle way is that we establish its principles, calling out: "O you who have believed, take not those who have taken your religion in ridicule and amusement among the ones who were given the Scripture before you nor the disbelievers as allies. And fear Allah, if you should (truly) be believers." [5:57] Even if you confront that with disgust or anger. 

Our middle way is the way of Ibrahim whom Allah says about: "There has already been for you an excellent pattern in Ibrahim and those with him, when they said to their people, Indeed, we are disassociated from you and from whatever you worship other than Allah. We have denied you, and there has appeared between us and you animosity and hatred forever until you believe in Allah alone’." [60:4] Even if you say that this is a call for hatred, intolerance and a form of battling against peace. 

Our middle way is that we adhere to and not deviate from the saying of Allah: "O you who have believed, do not take the jews and the christians as allies. They are (in fact) allies of one another. And whoever is an ally to them among you – then indeed, he is (one) of them. Indeed, Allah guides not the wrongdoing people." [5:51] Even if you consider that to be extremism and radicalism. 

Therefore, this is the religion of Islam with its middle way, complete justice and clear call. Not of that propagated by those who have defeated souls, diseased hearts and deceived minds even if millions of people applaud them. 

"And say, The truth is from your Lord, so whoever wills – let him believe; and whoever wills – let him disbelieve." [18:29] 

[By Shaykh Abu Yahya Al Libi (rahimahUllah)]