WEBVTT 00:00:00.210 --> 00:00:08.800 A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah. 00:00:08.800 --> 00:00:11.800 The divine law of respite and gradual enticement. 00:00:11.800 --> 00:00:17.469 Granting respite to the disbelievers and gradually enticing them is a divine law. 00:00:17.469 --> 00:00:21.469 It is part of Allah’s subtle planning and strategy against them. 00:00:21.469 --> 00:00:23.469 Allah the Exalted says: 00:00:23.469 --> 00:00:30.469 “And let not those who disbelieve imagine that the rein We give them bodeth good unto their souls. We only give them rein that they may grow in sinfulness. And theirs will be a shameful doom.” (3:178) 00:00:30.469 --> 00:00:34.469 “And let not those who disbelieve imagine that the rein We give them bodeth good unto their souls. We only give them rein that they may grow in sinfulness. And theirs will be a shameful doom.” (3:178) 00:00:34.469 --> 00:00:37.469 "And for them is a humiliating punishment." 00:00:37.469 --> 00:00:39.469 And He the Exalted says: 00:00:39.469 --> 00:00:45.469 “And those who deny Our revelations - step by step We lead them on from whence they know not.” (7:182) 00:00:45.469 --> 00:00:49.469 "And I grant them respite; indeed, My plan is firm." 00:00:49.469 --> 00:00:54.429 The verses regarding this are numerous. 00:00:54.429 --> 00:00:59.429 This respite and gradual enticement is more severe than being tested through trials. 00:00:59.429 --> 00:01:04.170 It is a sign that Allah does not love those who are being enticed. 00:01:04.170 --> 00:01:09.170 This enticement is only so that they may increase in sin. 00:01:09.170 --> 00:01:14.170 And add transgression to their transgression and injustice to their injustice. 00:01:14.170 --> 00:01:17.170 Until, when their appointed time for destruction arrives, 00:01:17.170 --> 00:01:21.170 The punishment comes upon them suddenly while they are unaware. 00:01:21.170 --> 00:01:23.170 Allah the Exalted says: 00:01:23.170 --> 00:01:26.170 "So when they forgot that by which they had been reminded..." 00:01:26.170 --> 00:01:28.200 Allah the Exalted says: 00:01:28.200 --> 00:01:34.200 “Then, when they forgot that whereof they had been reminded, We opened unto them the gates of all things till, even as they were rejoicing in that which they were given, We seized them unawares, and lo! they were dumbfounded.” (6:44) 00:01:34.200 --> 00:01:39.200 “Then, when they forgot that whereof they had been reminded, We opened unto them the gates of all things till, even as they were rejoicing in that which they were given, We seized them unawares, and lo! they were dumbfounded.” (6:44) 00:01:39.200 --> 00:01:42.200 "...then they were left in despair." 00:01:42.200 --> 00:01:44.200 Qatadah said: 00:01:44.200 --> 00:01:46.200 "Allah never seizes a people," 00:01:46.200 --> 00:01:50.200 "Except while they are in a state of intoxication, arrogance, and luxury." 00:01:50.200 --> 00:01:53.200 So do not be deceived by Allah. 00:01:53.200 --> 00:01:58.200 For none are deceived by Allah except the defiantly disobedient people. 00:01:58.200 --> 00:02:02.159 The law of granting respite to the disbelievers, 00:02:02.159 --> 00:02:06.159 Coincides with the law of testing the believers. 00:02:06.159 --> 00:02:10.860 The law of granting respite to the disbelievers, 00:02:10.860 --> 00:02:12.860 And gradually enticing them, 00:02:12.860 --> 00:02:15.860 Often coincides with the law of testing and purifying the believers. 00:02:15.860 --> 00:02:18.860 The destruction of the disbelievers is not realized, 00:02:18.860 --> 00:02:21.860 Except after the purification of the believers, 00:02:21.860 --> 00:02:25.860 And preparing them to take charge after the destruction of the disbelievers. 00:02:25.860 --> 00:02:30.860 Otherwise, if the disbelievers were destroyed before the believers were prepared, 00:02:30.860 --> 00:02:32.860 Who would succeed them then? 00:02:32.860 --> 00:02:35.990 Allah the Exalted has said: 00:02:35.990 --> 00:02:40.990 “And that Allah may prove those who believe, and may blight the disbelievers.” (3:141) 00:02:40.990 --> 00:02:44.990 Thus, He—Glory be to Him—mentioned purification before destruction. 00:02:44.990 --> 00:02:50.990 Perhaps the mention of these two laws in consecutive verses in Surah Al 'Imran, 00:02:50.990 --> 00:02:54.990 Indicates their synchronization and interdependence. 00:02:54.990 --> 00:02:57.990 And that one prepares the way for the other. 00:02:57.990 --> 00:02:59.990 Allah the Exalted says: 00:02:59.990 --> 00:03:06.990 “And let not those who disbelieve imagine that the rein We give them bodeth good unto their souls. We only give them rein that they may grow in sinfulness. And theirs will be a shameful doom.” (3:178) 00:03:06.990 --> 00:03:10.990 “And let not those who disbelieve imagine that the rein We give them bodeth good unto their souls. We only give them rein that they may grow in sinfulness. And theirs will be a shameful doom.” (3:178) 00:03:10.990 --> 00:03:13.990 "And for them is a humiliating punishment." 00:03:14.990 --> 00:03:18.990 “It is not (the purpose) of Allah to leave you in your present state till He shall separate the wicked from the good. And it is not (the purpose of) Allah to let you know the Unseen. But Allah chooseth of His messengers whom He will, (to receive knowledge thereof). So believe in Allah and His messengers. If ye believe and ward off (evil), yours will be a vast reward.” (3:179) 00:03:18.990 --> 00:03:22.990 “It is not (the purpose) of Allah to leave you in your present state till He shall separate the wicked from the good. And it is not (the purpose of) Allah to let you know the Unseen. But Allah chooseth of His messengers whom He will, (to receive knowledge thereof). So believe in Allah and His messengers. If ye believe and ward off (evil), yours will be a vast reward.” (3:179) 00:03:22.990 --> 00:03:29.439 The disobedient and the corrupt also have a share in the law of respite and enticement. 00:03:29.439 --> 00:03:32.819 The law of respite and enticement, 00:03:32.819 --> 00:03:37.819 Although it is a law closely associated with the disbelieving deniers, 00:03:37.819 --> 00:03:41.819 Still, the disobedient and the corrupt have a portion of it. 00:03:41.819 --> 00:03:44.819 The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: 00:03:44.819 --> 00:03:49.819 "If you see Allah giving a servant from the world what he loves despite his disobedience," 00:03:49.819 --> 00:03:52.819 "Then it is only a gradual enticement." 00:03:52.819 --> 00:03:56.819 Then the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, recited: 00:03:56.819 --> 00:04:02.819 “Then, when they forgot that whereof they had been reminded, We opened unto them the gates of all things till, even as they were rejoicing in that which they were given, We seized them unawares, and lo! they were dumbfounded.” (6:44) 00:04:02.819 --> 00:04:07.819 “Then, when they forgot that whereof they had been reminded, We opened unto them the gates of all things till, even as they were rejoicing in that which they were given, We seized them unawares, and lo! they were dumbfounded.” (6:44) 00:04:07.819 --> 00:04:10.819 "...then they were left in despair." 00:04:10.819 --> 00:04:15.919 Among the things that most lead the disobedient and corrupt into this enticement, 00:04:15.919 --> 00:04:16.920 Is injustice. 00:04:16.920 --> 00:04:19.920 The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: 00:04:19.920 --> 00:04:25.920 "Indeed, Allah grants respite to the oppressor until, when He seizes him, he cannot escape." 00:04:25.920 --> 00:04:27.949 Then he recited: 00:04:27.949 --> 00:04:32.949 “Even thus is the grasp of thy Lord when He graspeth the townships while they are doing wrong. Lo! His grasp is painful, very strong.” (11:102) 00:04:32.949 --> 00:04:36.949 “Even thus is the grasp of thy Lord when He graspeth the townships while they are doing wrong. Lo! His grasp is painful, very strong.” (11:102) 00:04:36.949 --> 00:04:40.240 This enticement for the disobedient and the corrupt, 00:04:40.240 --> 00:04:44.240 Is evidence of Allah’s intense displeasure with them. 00:04:44.240 --> 00:04:50.240 And that they have reached a point where they have neared the description of the disbelievers and the hypocrites. 00:04:50.240 --> 00:04:55.240 So let them beware of the consequences of their corruption, injustice, and arrogance. 00:04:55.240 --> 00:05:02.329 Partial punishment and destruction instead of total annihilation. 00:05:02.329 --> 00:05:07.129 The lifting of the punishment of total annihilation after the destruction of Pharaoh and his people, 00:05:07.129 --> 00:05:12.129 Does not negate the occurrence of other forms of punishment and partial destruction. 00:05:12.129 --> 00:05:19.129 Such as falling into wars that devastate the economies of some nations and cause their collapse. 00:05:19.129 --> 00:05:23.129 As happened to what was known as the Soviet Union, 00:05:23.129 --> 00:05:28.129 Which no one ever expected to collapse and disintegrate, 00:05:28.129 --> 00:05:31.129 Being the second-greatest power in the world. 00:05:31.129 --> 00:05:35.259 Among the forms of partial punishment and destruction also, 00:05:35.259 --> 00:05:40.259 Are the earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes that occur. 00:05:40.259 --> 00:05:44.259 Or even devastating diseases that are not accounted for, 00:05:44.259 --> 00:05:48.259 As is the case with the coronavirus. 00:05:48.259 --> 00:05:52.259 “We have appointed only angels to be wardens of the Fire, and their number have We made to be a stumbling-block for those who disbelieve; that those to whom the Scripture hath been given may have certainty, and that believers may increase in faith; and that those to whom the Scripture hath been given and believers may not doubt; and that those in whose hearts there is disease, and disbelievers, may say: What meaneth Allah by this similitude? Thus Allah sendeth astray whom He will, and whom He will He guideth. None knoweth the hosts of thy Lord save Him. This is naught else than a Reminder unto mortals.” (74:31) 00:05:52.259 --> 00:05:58.089 The prevalence and spread of sins lead to punishment. 00:05:58.089 --> 00:06:02.660 The prevalence and spread of sins in any Ummah, 00:06:02.660 --> 00:06:05.660 Is a harbinger of its punishment or destruction. 00:06:05.660 --> 00:06:10.660 Allah the Exalted says: "The criminals will be afflicted with humiliation..." 00:06:10.660 --> 00:06:15.660 “And when a token cometh unto them, they say: We will not believe till we are given that which Allah's messengers are given. Allah knoweth best with whom to place His message. Humiliation from Allah and heavy punishment will smite the guilty for their scheming.” (6:124) 00:06:15.660 --> 00:06:20.660 And He the Exalted says: "Have they not seen how many We destroyed..." 00:06:20.660 --> 00:06:25.660 “See they not how many a generation We destroyed before them, whom We had established in the earth more firmly than We have established you, and We shed on them abundant showers from the sky, and made the rivers flow beneath them. Yet we destroyed them for their sins, and created after them another generation.” (6:6) 00:06:25.660 --> 00:06:29.660 "...whom We had established upon the earth... and We sent the sky..." 00:06:29.660 --> 00:06:35.660 “See they not how many a generation We destroyed before them, whom We had established in the earth more firmly than We have established you, and We shed on them abundant showers from the sky, and made the rivers flow beneath them. Yet we destroyed them for their sins, and created after them another generation.” (6:6) 00:06:35.660 --> 00:06:42.759 “See they not how many a generation We destroyed before them, whom We had established in the earth more firmly than We have established you, and We shed on them abundant showers from the sky, and made the rivers flow beneath them. Yet we destroyed them for their sins, and created after them another generation.” (6:6) 00:06:42.759 --> 00:06:46.759 His saying, "So We destroyed them for their sins," 00:06:46.759 --> 00:06:51.759 Establishes the truth that sins are a cause for the destruction of those who commit them. 00:06:51.759 --> 00:06:54.759 And that Allah is the One who destroys them. 00:06:54.759 --> 00:06:56.759 This is an established law, 00:06:56.759 --> 00:07:01.759 Even if an individual or a generation does not see it within their short, limited lifespan. 00:07:01.759 --> 00:07:06.759 It is not a condition that destruction must come through an immediate calamity from Allah, 00:07:06.759 --> 00:07:09.759 As used to happen to the previous nations. 00:07:09.759 --> 00:07:13.759 Rather, it may come through a slow decay, 00:07:13.759 --> 00:07:20.620 Which spreads through the body of the Ummah as it wanders in the maze of sins. 00:07:20.620 --> 00:07:25.620 Partial punishment is a warning before the punishment of total annihilation. 00:07:25.620 --> 00:07:30.199 From the wisdom of Allah the Exalted and His mercy toward the extravagant, 00:07:30.199 --> 00:07:33.199 Is to inflict partial punishment upon them, 00:07:33.199 --> 00:07:38.199 As a warning to them before the coming of the punishment of annihilation or destruction, 00:07:38.199 --> 00:07:41.199 So that perhaps they might humble themselves. 00:07:41.199 --> 00:07:44.199 But if that is of no benefit to them, 00:07:44.199 --> 00:07:47.199 They are cast into the law of gradual enticement. 00:07:47.199 --> 00:07:50.199 “Then, when they forgot that whereof they had been reminded, We opened unto them the gates of all things till, even as they were rejoicing in that which they were given, We seized them unawares, and lo! they were dumbfounded.” (6:44) 00:07:50.199 --> 00:07:53.199 And they reach the peak of tyranny and corruption, 00:07:53.199 --> 00:07:57.199 Thinking they are capable of controlling the earth and all that is in it. 00:07:57.199 --> 00:08:02.300 The punishment comes upon them suddenly, and then they are left in despair. 00:08:02.300 --> 00:08:04.300 Allah the Exalted says: 00:08:04.300 --> 00:08:07.300 “We have sent already unto peoples that were before thee, and We visited them with tribulation and adversity, in order that they might grow humble.” (6:42) 00:08:07.300 --> 00:08:14.300 "And We seized them with suffering and adversity that perhaps they might humble themselves." 00:08:14.300 --> 00:08:18.300 “If only, when Our disaster came on them, they had been humble! But their hearts were hardened and the devil made all that they used to do seem fair unto them!” (6:43) 00:08:18.300 --> 00:08:22.300 “If only, when Our disaster came on them, they had been humble! But their hearts were hardened and the devil made all that they used to do seem fair unto them!” (6:43) 00:08:22.300 --> 00:08:24.300 "...what they used to do." 00:08:24.300 --> 00:08:30.300 “Then, when they forgot that whereof they had been reminded, We opened unto them the gates of all things till, even as they were rejoicing in that which they were given, We seized them unawares, and lo! they were dumbfounded.” (6:44) 00:08:30.300 --> 00:08:35.299 “Then, when they forgot that whereof they had been reminded, We opened unto them the gates of all things till, even as they were rejoicing in that which they were given, We seized them unawares, and lo! they were dumbfounded.” (6:44) 00:08:35.299 --> 00:08:38.299 "...then they were left in despair." 00:08:38.299 --> 00:08:42.299 “So of the people who did wrong the last remnant was cut off. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds!” (6:45) 00:08:42.299 --> 00:08:45.299 And praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds. 00:08:45.299 --> 00:08:49.490 Allah has diversified the types of partial punishment, 00:08:49.490 --> 00:08:53.490 Upon Pharaoh and his people before destroying them. 00:08:53.490 --> 00:08:55.490 Allah the Exalted says: 00:08:55.490 --> 00:09:03.490 “So We sent against them the flood and the locusts and the vermin and the frogs and the blood - a succession of clear signs. But they were arrogant and became a guilty folk.” (7:133) 00:09:03.490 --> 00:09:07.490 "...but they were arrogant and were a criminal people." 00:09:07.490 --> 00:09:11.519 So when they broke the covenant and persisted in their heedlessness, 00:09:11.519 --> 00:09:14.519 The clear destruction came upon them. 00:09:14.519 --> 00:09:16.519 Allah the Exalted says: 00:09:16.519 --> 00:09:24.519 “But when We did remove from them the terror for a term which they must reach, behold! they broke their covenant.” (7:135) 00:09:24.519 --> 00:09:34.519 “Therefore We took retribution from them; therefore We drowned them in the sea: because they denied Our revelations and were heedless of them.” (7:136) 00:09:34.519 --> 00:09:38.509 "There is no repeller of Allah’s punishment." 00:09:38.509 --> 00:09:42.379 If Allah decrees punishment and retribution, 00:09:42.379 --> 00:09:45.379 There is no repeller of His decree. 00:09:45.379 --> 00:09:50.379 The criminal, extravagant people do not realize from where the punishment comes to them, 00:09:50.379 --> 00:09:53.379 Nor do they have knowledge of the soldiers of Allah. 00:09:53.379 --> 00:09:56.379 “We have appointed only angels to be wardens of the Fire, and their number have We made to be a stumbling-block for those who disbelieve; that those to whom the Scripture hath been given may have certainty, and that believers may increase in faith; and that those to whom the Scripture hath been given and believers may not doubt; and that those in whose hearts there is disease, and disbelievers, may say: What meaneth Allah by this similitude? Thus Allah sendeth astray whom He will, and whom He will He guideth. None knoweth the hosts of thy Lord save Him. This is naught else than a Reminder unto mortals.” (74:31) 00:09:56.379 --> 00:09:59.379 Intelligence agencies do not know of them, 00:09:59.379 --> 00:10:02.379 And surveillance devices do not detect them. 00:10:02.379 --> 00:10:05.379 For the soldier might be a violent wind, 00:10:05.379 --> 00:10:07.379 Or a devastating earthquake, 00:10:07.379 --> 00:10:09.379 Or a drowning tsunami, 00:10:09.379 --> 00:10:12.379 Or a deadly epidemic and plague. 00:10:12.379 --> 00:10:16.379 And the matter of the coronavirus is not hidden from us. 00:10:16.379 --> 00:10:20.379 Or other things that none knows except Allah.