But does this ensure freedom or salvation? For all such people have left behind their imprints in the history books to be remembered for their obstinacy, false ego and pride and as a lesson for coming generations to stand with the truth for the salvation lies for those who stand with the truth, no matter what their status may be. We have names like Pharaoh, Genghis Khan and many dictators who ruled through their armies, killed millions who dared to challenge them. But in the end, they too died deaths that were torturing, regretful and empty hands with not a penny in their coffins t save them from the torment of the graves and later when they will be presented to the Lord of the World on the Day of Judgment, when they will be charge sheeted for torturing those who cling to the truth and had the audacity to challenge them, despite knowing their fate.
So who does achieve true salvation in the end? The wealthy demagogues and the torturous rulers or the simple souls who did not possess anything, yet stood by the truth as revealed to them by the prophets and messengers of God?
The answer lies in reading history, specially the formatting years of Islam when Islam was trying to find inroads into hearts of the stubborn, proud and egoistic elite of the Makkah who confronted Prophet Muhammad ﷺ with brutal resistance and never parted with the faith of their forefathers. And who stood with Prophet Muhammad ﷺ? The poor and the weak, who saw salvation from the bondage of their ruthless masters. They stood with the strength of every drop of their blood and sided with the truth - truth that made them rise much above the status of their masters and ultimately became the true servant of One True God.
When a man pitches whatever he has earned his ego against the truth, his wealth and status becomes meaningless. For wealth, status, power can be taken away Divinely when one persists in blocking the truth to himself due to his ego. This is exactly what has been mentioned in the second verse of Surah 111 Al Masad wherein it is said: “مَآ أَغْنَىٰ عَنْهُ مَالُهُۥ وَمَا كَسَبَ His wealth and whatever he earned will not avail him.” This has been said about a rich, in fact claimed to be among the four richest men of the leading tribe of Makkah, and egoistic man called Abu Lahab, who despite being an uncle of the Prophet, not only refused to heed to the Divine truth, but along with his wife, did his utmost to harm his nephew. And thus he faced the Divine torment and the couple died miserably, and his wealth and whatever he had earned did not avail him any good.
The verse conveys a broader principle:
- Wealth alone cannot save a person.
- Social position, power, family ties, or worldly achievements cannot guarantee success before Allah.
- What ultimately matters is faith, sincerity, and one's deeds.
Some commentators have taken ma kasaba in the meaning of the earning, i.r. the benefits that accrued to him from his wealth were his kasab(earning), and some other commentators have taken it to imply children, for the Holy Prophet (upon whom be peace) has said that a man's son also is his kasab (earning). (Abu Da'ud, Ibn Abi Hatim). Both these meanings fully correspond to the fate met by Abu Lahab. For when he was afflicted with the malignant pustule, his wealth availed him nothing, and his children also left him alone to die a miserable, wretched death. They did not even bury him honorably. Thus, within a few years the people witnessed how the prophecy which had been made in this Surah about Abu Lahab was literally fulfilled.
Abu Lahab and his wife being specifically mentioned in Al Qur'an as the cursed ones, among the enemies of Islam, is just to emphasize that no relationship whatsoever, even with the holy Prophet (S), can be of any benefit when the person lacks in Faith. The men of Faith show no inclination toward those who go astray and never follow them in their wrong way, even when they are their close relatives.
Surah Al-Masad 111:2 teaches that the things people often rely on for security—wealth, influence, and worldly accomplishments—cannot provide true salvation. True salvation comes from one's relationship with Allah, faith, repentance, and righteous deeds.
This verse is an eye opener for all those who think their wealth and status is ever lasting and none can harm them. But this fallacy is much too often proved wrong as none of the worldly galore remains forever. Men like Karun (Qarun) lost their wealth and their lives too while thinking that their wealth and status will be their saviours. While poor clad in rag tags rose to the highest glories for they knew their salvation rested on their standing with the Divine truth.
This is what Islam asks the men: What attitude one has when it comes to siding with the truth, and not how much wealth one amassed or the status one attained. Because Salvation lies with standing with the truth, and not by boasting of one's status and wealth.
A worth scholar once said: Anyone who wants to stands with the truth and is ready to sacrifice whatever he has to support the truth, should believe firmly on what he believes, develop his character strongly on this belief - this will aid in developing the true spiritual power that will make him stand against the demagogues sure footed - this spiritual growth provide strength much needed to brave the thorny track of truth for the worldly gods will come on to them with their full might to protect their wealth and status built on inner hollowness.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
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