WEBVTT 00:00:00.210 --> 00:00:03.669 In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. 00:00:03.669 --> 00:00:08.619 Landmarks on the path of steadfastness. 00:00:08.619 --> 00:00:17.390 Fulfilling covenants and contracts. 00:00:17.390 --> 00:00:19.429 Among the means of steadfastness: 00:00:19.429 --> 00:00:22.629 Fulfilling covenants and contracts. 00:00:22.629 --> 00:00:24.890 In Sahih Muslim: 00:00:24.890 --> 00:00:28.649 The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 00:00:28.649 --> 00:00:31.739 "There has never been a prophet before me 00:00:32.060 --> 00:00:35.500 but that it was his duty to guide his Ummah 00:00:35.500 --> 00:00:38.299 to the best of what he knew for them, 00:00:38.299 --> 00:00:42.159 and to warn them against the worst of what he knew for them. 00:00:42.159 --> 00:00:44.240 And this Ummah of yours 00:00:44.240 --> 00:00:47.240 has its well-being placed in its beginning, 00:00:47.240 --> 00:00:52.439 but its latter part will be afflicted with trials and matters you will disapprove of. 00:00:52.439 --> 00:00:56.920 Then a trial will come, and one part of it will make the other seem light. 00:00:56.920 --> 00:00:58.840 A trial will come, 00:00:58.840 --> 00:01:00.520 and the believer will say, 00:01:00.520 --> 00:01:02.920 'This is what will destroy me.' 00:01:02.920 --> 00:01:04.680 Then it will pass. 00:01:04.680 --> 00:01:06.599 Then a trial will come, 00:01:06.599 --> 00:01:08.480 and the believer will say, 00:01:08.480 --> 00:01:10.620 'This is it, this is it.' 00:01:10.620 --> 00:01:13.420 So whoever wishes to be delivered from the Fire 00:01:13.420 --> 00:01:15.379 and admitted into Paradise, 00:01:15.379 --> 00:01:17.299 let death come to him 00:01:17.299 --> 00:01:20.780 while he believes in Allah and the Last Day, 00:01:20.780 --> 00:01:25.579 and let him treat people as he would love to be treated. 00:01:25.579 --> 00:01:27.379 And whoever pledges allegiance to an Imam, 00:01:27.379 --> 00:01:29.700 giving him the pledge of his hand 00:01:29.739 --> 00:01:31.659 and the fruit of his heart, 00:01:31.659 --> 00:01:34.530 let him obey him if he is able. 00:01:34.530 --> 00:01:37.329 But if another comes to dispute with him, 00:01:37.329 --> 00:01:40.150 then strike the neck of the latter." 00:01:40.150 --> 00:01:42.709 Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, 00:01:42.709 --> 00:01:47.469 leads astray those who break their covenants with Allah and with His creation, 00:01:47.469 --> 00:01:49.870 as He, the Exalted, says: 00:01:49.870 --> 00:01:57.750 "Indeed, Allah is not timid to present an example—that of a mosquito 00:01:57.750 --> 00:01:59.829 or what is smaller than it." 00:01:59.829 --> 00:02:02.829 "And as for those who believe, 00:02:02.829 --> 00:02:07.950 “Lo! Allah disdaineth not to coin the similitude even of a gnat. Those who believe know that it is the truth from their Lord; but those who disbelieve say: What doth Allah wish (to teach) by such a similitude? He misleadeth many thereby, and He guideth many thereby; and He misleadeth thereby only miscreants;” (2:26) 00:02:07.950 --> 00:02:10.629 But as for those who disbelieve, 00:02:10.629 --> 00:02:16.189 “Lo! Allah disdaineth not to coin the similitude even of a gnat. Those who believe know that it is the truth from their Lord; but those who disbelieve say: What doth Allah wish (to teach) by such a similitude? He misleadeth many thereby, and He guideth many thereby; and He misleadeth thereby only miscreants;” (2:26) 00:02:16.189 --> 00:02:18.990 He misleads many thereby 00:02:18.990 --> 00:02:22.189 and guides many thereby. 00:02:22.189 --> 00:02:26.949 “Lo! Allah disdaineth not to coin the similitude even of a gnat. Those who believe know that it is the truth from their Lord; but those who disbelieve say: What doth Allah wish (to teach) by such a similitude? He misleadeth many thereby, and He guideth many thereby; and He misleadeth thereby only miscreants;” (2:26) 00:02:26.949 --> 00:02:33.270 Those who break the covenant of Allah after its ratification, 00:02:33.270 --> 00:02:44.229 and sever that which Allah has ordered to be joined, 00:02:44.229 --> 00:02:46.870 and cause corruption on earth— 00:02:46.870 --> 00:02:51.509 it is they who are the losers." 00:02:52.719 --> 00:02:55.199 Al-Sa'di said in his Tafsir: 00:02:55.199 --> 00:02:57.080 The Exalted says: 00:02:57.120 --> 00:03:02.719 "Indeed, Allah is not timid to present an example—" 00:03:02.719 --> 00:03:08.879 meaning any example, whether a mosquito or something greater, 00:03:08.879 --> 00:03:13.099 because examples contain wisdom and clarify the truth. 00:03:13.099 --> 00:03:16.389 Allah is not timid regarding the truth. 00:03:16.389 --> 00:03:22.590 It is as if this is a response to those who objected to the use of examples involving lowly things 00:03:22.590 --> 00:03:25.270 and challenged Allah regarding that. 00:03:25.310 --> 00:03:28.469 There is no room for objection in this; 00:03:28.469 --> 00:03:33.030 rather, it is part of Allah’s teaching to His servants and His mercy toward them, 00:03:33.030 --> 00:03:36.750 so it must be received with acceptance and gratitude. 00:03:36.750 --> 00:03:38.669 That is why He said: 00:03:38.669 --> 00:03:44.629 “Lo! Allah disdaineth not to coin the similitude even of a gnat. Those who believe know that it is the truth from their Lord; but those who disbelieve say: What doth Allah wish (to teach) by such a similitude? He misleadeth many thereby, and He guideth many thereby; and He misleadeth thereby only miscreants;” (2:26) 00:03:44.629 --> 00:03:48.669 "So they understand them and reflect upon them." 00:03:48.669 --> 00:03:52.750 If they learn what they contain in detail, 00:03:52.750 --> 00:03:56.349 their knowledge and faith increase thereby. 00:03:56.349 --> 00:04:01.349 Otherwise, they know that they are true and that what they contain is true, 00:04:01.349 --> 00:04:04.750 even if the aspect of truth in them is hidden from them, 00:04:04.750 --> 00:04:08.750 because they know that Allah did not present them in vain, 00:04:08.750 --> 00:04:13.340 but for a profound wisdom and an abundant blessing. 00:04:13.340 --> 00:04:20.420 “Lo! Allah disdaineth not to coin the similitude even of a gnat. Those who believe know that it is the truth from their Lord; but those who disbelieve say: What doth Allah wish (to teach) by such a similitude? He misleadeth many thereby, and He guideth many thereby; and He misleadeth thereby only miscreants;” (2:26) 00:04:20.420 --> 00:04:23.220 So they object and become confused, 00:04:23.220 --> 00:04:26.420 and thus they increase in disbelief upon their disbelief, 00:04:26.420 --> 00:04:30.819 just as the believers increase in faith upon their faith. 00:04:30.819 --> 00:04:32.819 That is why He said: 00:04:32.819 --> 00:04:37.889 “Lo! Allah disdaineth not to coin the similitude even of a gnat. Those who believe know that it is the truth from their Lord; but those who disbelieve say: What doth Allah wish (to teach) by such a similitude? He misleadeth many thereby, and He guideth many thereby; and He misleadeth thereby only miscreants;” (2:26) 00:04:37.889 --> 00:04:40.889 This is the state of the believers and the disbelievers 00:04:40.889 --> 00:04:44.850 upon the revelation of Qur'anic verses. 00:04:44.850 --> 00:04:46.649 The Exalted says: 00:04:46.649 --> 00:04:54.250 “And whenever a surah is revealed there are some of them who say: Which one of you hath thus increased in faith? As for those who believe, it hath increased them in faith and they rejoice (therefor).” (9:124) 00:04:54.250 --> 00:05:01.850 “And whenever a surah is revealed there are some of them who say: Which one of you hath thus increased in faith? As for those who believe, it hath increased them in faith and they rejoice (therefor).” (9:124) 00:05:01.850 --> 00:05:10.649 “And whenever a surah is revealed there are some of them who say: Which one of you hath thus increased in faith? As for those who believe, it hath increased them in faith and they rejoice (therefor).” (9:124) 00:05:10.649 --> 00:05:26.050 “But as for those in whose hearts is disease, it only addeth wickedness to their wickedness, and they die while they are disbelievers.” (9:125) 00:05:26.050 --> 00:05:32.319 There is no greater blessing for the servants than the revelation of Qur'anic verses. 00:05:32.319 --> 00:05:36.949 Yet, for some people, they are a trial and a source of confusion, 00:05:36.949 --> 00:05:41.149 misguidance, and an increase of evil upon their evil, 00:05:41.149 --> 00:05:47.149 while for others, they are a gift, a mercy, and an increase of good upon their good. 00:05:47.149 --> 00:05:50.350 Exalted is He who differentiates between His servants, 00:05:50.350 --> 00:05:53.750 and is alone in guiding and leading astray. 00:05:53.750 --> 00:05:58.230 Then He mentioned His wisdom in leading astray those whom He leads astray, 00:05:58.230 --> 00:06:01.629 and that this is justice from Him, the Exalted. 00:06:01.629 --> 00:06:03.029 He said: 00:06:03.029 --> 00:06:07.029 “Lo! Allah disdaineth not to coin the similitude even of a gnat. Those who believe know that it is the truth from their Lord; but those who disbelieve say: What doth Allah wish (to teach) by such a similitude? He misleadeth many thereby, and He guideth many thereby; and He misleadeth thereby only miscreants;” (2:26) 00:06:07.029 --> 00:06:10.029 meaning those who depart from the obedience of Allah, 00:06:10.430 --> 00:06:13.029 those who are obstinate toward the messengers of Allah, 00:06:13.029 --> 00:06:16.029 those for whom defiance has become their defining trait, 00:06:16.029 --> 00:06:18.829 such that they seek no substitute for it. 00:06:18.829 --> 00:06:22.230 Thus, His wisdom, the Exalted, necessitated their misguidance 00:06:22.230 --> 00:06:25.230 due to their lack of fitness for guidance, 00:06:25.230 --> 00:06:27.430 just as His wisdom and grace necessitated 00:06:27.430 --> 00:06:30.430 the guidance of those who are characterized by faith 00:06:30.430 --> 00:06:33.790 and adorned with righteous deeds. 00:06:33.790 --> 00:06:35.790 Defiance (fisq) is of two types: 00:06:35.790 --> 00:06:38.189 A type that expels one from the religion, 00:06:38.189 --> 00:06:42.189 which is the defiance that necessitates exiting from faith, 00:06:42.189 --> 00:06:45.790 like that mentioned in this verse and its likes. 00:06:45.790 --> 00:06:49.189 And a type that does not expel one from faith, 00:06:49.189 --> 00:06:51.790 as in His saying, the Exalted: 00:06:51.790 --> 00:06:53.990 "O you who have believed, 00:06:53.990 --> 00:06:57.790 “O ye who believe! If an evil-liver bring you tidings, verify it, lest ye smite some folk in ignorance and afterward repent of what ye did.” (49:6) 00:06:57.790 --> 00:06:59.779 then investigate." 00:06:59.779 --> 00:07:03.079 Then He described the defiant ones, saying: 00:07:03.079 --> 00:07:05.879 "Those who break the covenant of Allah 00:07:05.879 --> 00:07:08.310 after its ratification." 00:07:08.310 --> 00:07:11.910 This encompasses the covenant between them and Him, 00:07:11.910 --> 00:07:14.509 and that which is between them and His servants, 00:07:14.509 --> 00:07:16.509 which He confirmed for them 00:07:16.509 --> 00:07:20.410 with solemn oaths and obligations. 00:07:20.410 --> 00:07:23.410 They do not care about those oaths; 00:07:23.410 --> 00:07:26.410 rather, they break them, abandon His commands, 00:07:26.410 --> 00:07:29.009 and commit His prohibitions. 00:07:29.009 --> 00:07:33.399 They break the covenants between them and the creation, 00:07:33.399 --> 00:07:38.199 and sever that which Allah has ordered to be joined. 00:07:38.199 --> 00:07:41.399 This includes many things, 00:07:41.399 --> 00:07:45.199 for Allah has commanded us to maintain what is between us and Him 00:07:45.199 --> 00:07:46.800 through faith in Him 00:07:46.800 --> 00:07:49.399 and fulfilling His servitude, 00:07:49.399 --> 00:07:52.000 and what is between us and His Messenger 00:07:52.000 --> 00:07:54.399 through faith in him, loving him, 00:07:54.399 --> 00:07:58.000 honoring him, and fulfilling his rights, 00:07:58.000 --> 00:08:02.199 and what is between us and our parents, relatives, companions, 00:08:02.199 --> 00:08:04.199 and the rest of creation, 00:08:04.199 --> 00:08:09.000 by fulfilling those rights that Allah has commanded us to maintain. 00:08:09.000 --> 00:08:10.600 As for the believers, 00:08:10.600 --> 00:08:15.399 they maintained what Allah commanded to be joined of these rights 00:08:15.399 --> 00:08:18.399 and fulfilled them in the most perfect manner. 00:08:18.399 --> 00:08:21.399 As for the defiant ones, they severed them, 00:08:21.399 --> 00:08:24.399 cast them behind their backs, 00:08:24.399 --> 00:08:27.399 replacing them with defiance, severance, 00:08:27.399 --> 00:08:29.600 and the commission of sins, 00:08:29.600 --> 00:08:32.159 which is corruption on earth. 00:08:32.159 --> 00:08:33.559 "It is they—" 00:08:33.559 --> 00:08:35.559 meaning those with this description— 00:08:35.559 --> 00:08:38.960 "who are the losers" in this world and the Hereafter. 00:08:38.960 --> 00:08:41.559 He restricted the loss to them 00:08:41.559 --> 00:08:45.559 because their loss is general in all their states; 00:08:45.559 --> 00:08:47.960 they have no form of profit, 00:08:47.960 --> 00:08:50.159 because every righteous deed 00:08:50.159 --> 00:08:52.159 has faith as its condition. 00:08:52.159 --> 00:08:55.559 So whoever has no faith has no deeds. 00:08:55.559 --> 00:08:59.159 This loss is the loss of disbelief. 00:08:59.159 --> 00:09:02.159 As for the loss that may be disbelief, 00:09:02.159 --> 00:09:04.159 or may be a sin, 00:09:04.159 --> 00:09:07.159 or may be negligence in abandoning a recommended act, 00:09:07.159 --> 00:09:10.159 which is mentioned in His saying, the Exalted: 00:09:10.159 --> 00:09:14.159 “Lo! man is a state of loss,” (103:2) 00:09:14.159 --> 00:09:17.159 This is general for every created being, 00:09:17.159 --> 00:09:21.159 except for those who are characterized by faith, righteous deeds, 00:09:21.159 --> 00:09:24.159 mutual exhortation to truth, and mutual exhortation to patience. 00:09:24.159 --> 00:09:27.159 The reality of missing out on good 00:09:27.159 --> 00:09:30.159 is that which the servant was in a position to attain 00:09:30.159 --> 00:09:32.159 and was within his capability. 00:09:32.159 --> 00:09:35.320 When the predecessors among the People of the Scripture broke 00:09:35.320 --> 00:09:37.320 their covenants with Allah, 00:09:37.320 --> 00:09:41.320 Allah punished them with the severest of worldly punishments, 00:09:41.320 --> 00:09:43.320 as He, the Exalted, says: 00:09:43.320 --> 00:09:47.450 "So for their breaking of their covenant, 00:09:47.450 --> 00:09:52.450 “And because of their breaking their covenant, We have cursed them and made hard their hearts. They change words from their context and forget a part of that whereof they were admonished. Thou wilt not cease to discover treachery from all save a few of them. But bear with them and pardon them. Lo! Allah loveth the kindly.” (5:13) 00:09:52.450 --> 00:09:57.450 they distort words from their places." 00:09:57.450 --> 00:10:02.450 “And because of their breaking their covenant, We have cursed them and made hard their hearts. They change words from their context and forget a part of that whereof they were admonished. Thou wilt not cease to discover treachery from all save a few of them. But bear with them and pardon them. Lo! Allah loveth the kindly.” (5:13) 00:10:02.450 --> 00:10:05.450 "And you will still observe 00:10:05.450 --> 00:10:09.450 deceit among them, 00:10:09.450 --> 00:10:12.580 except for a few of them. 00:10:12.580 --> 00:10:15.580 So pardon them and overlook. 00:10:15.580 --> 00:10:21.580 Indeed, Allah loves the doers of good." 00:10:21.580 --> 00:10:23.580 "And from those who said, 00:10:23.580 --> 00:10:27.580 'We are Christians,' We took their covenant; 00:10:27.580 --> 00:10:35.580 “And with those who say: "Lo! we are Christians," We made a covenant, but they forgot a part of that whereof they were admonished. Therefor We have stirred up enmity and hatred among them till the Day of Resurrection, when Allah will inform them of their handiwork.” (5:14) 00:10:35.580 --> 00:10:42.580 so We provoked among them animosity 00:10:42.580 --> 00:10:47.580 and hatred until the Day of Resurrection. 00:10:47.580 --> 00:10:50.580 And Allah is going to inform them 00:10:50.580 --> 00:10:56.470 about what they used to do." 00:10:56.470 --> 00:10:57.470 And He said: 00:10:57.470 --> 00:11:01.470 “And those who break the covenant of Allah after ratifying it, and sever that which Allah hath commanded should be joined, and make mischief in the earth: theirs is the curse and theirs the ill abode.” (13:25) 00:11:01.470 --> 00:11:04.470 "after its ratification, 00:11:04.470 --> 00:11:06.470 and they sever 00:11:06.470 --> 00:11:10.470 and they sever that which Allah has ordered 00:11:10.470 --> 00:11:12.470 to be joined, 00:11:12.470 --> 00:11:17.470 and cause corruption on earth. 00:11:17.470 --> 00:11:21.470 Those will have the curse, 00:11:21.470 --> 00:11:25.470 and they will have the worst of the home." 00:11:25.470 --> 00:11:29.980 Breaking covenants is among the traits of the hypocrites 00:11:29.980 --> 00:11:33.980 who, when they swerved, Allah caused their hearts to swerve. 00:11:33.980 --> 00:11:36.049 In the two Sahihs, 00:11:36.049 --> 00:11:38.049 on the authority of 'Abdullah Ibn 'Umar, 00:11:38.049 --> 00:11:42.049 that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 00:11:42.049 --> 00:11:44.080 "There are four qualities, whoever has them all 00:11:44.080 --> 00:11:47.080 is a pure hypocrite, 00:11:47.080 --> 00:11:50.080 and whoever has one of them 00:11:50.080 --> 00:11:53.080 has a trait of hypocrisy 00:11:53.080 --> 00:11:55.080 until he leaves it: 00:11:55.080 --> 00:11:57.179 when he is entrusted, he betrays; 00:11:57.179 --> 00:11:59.179 when he speaks, he lies; 00:11:59.179 --> 00:12:01.179 when he makes a covenant, he acts treacherously; 00:12:01.179 --> 00:12:04.179 and when he disputes, he behaves wickedly." 00:12:04.179 --> 00:12:06.399 And in the two Sahihs, 00:12:06.399 --> 00:12:09.399 on the authority of Ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both), 00:12:09.399 --> 00:12:13.399 from the Prophet (peace be upon him) who said: 00:12:13.399 --> 00:12:18.460 "A banner will be raised for the treacherous one on the Day of Resurrection, 00:12:18.460 --> 00:12:19.460 and it will be said: 00:12:19.460 --> 00:12:23.460 'This is the treachery of so-and-so, son of so-and-so.'"