One of the Qur’an’s most striking passages where World History becomes a Lesson in Faith

Libraries around the world are rack full of books on history - telling us the stories of the people and civilizations that no more exist and also analyses about causes of their doom. We also walk through ruins of older civilizations for sight seeing as tourists - yet not really pondering over why they are no more. We may even read the religious scriptures, but never really digging to know why we are told stories of the past. When the Romans were defeated at the hands of the Persians in the 7th century, many thought it was the doom of the Byzantines - yet Al Qur'an told to wait and see who is victorious and who is vanquished. This is was mentioned in Al Qur'an, Surah Ar Rum in its initial opening verses and a prediction was made that the Byzantine will rise again - many read it with fingers crossed.

Surah Ar-Rūm 30:6–7 of Al Qur'an follows immediately after the remarkable prediction that the defeated Romans would recover and that the believers would rejoice. These two verses then move from the historical prediction to a much deeper question: Why do people so often misread history and life? The Qur’an answers: because they frequently know only what is visible and immediate, while remaining unaware of life's ultimate meaning and destination.

Let us expand the meaning of these two verses, connecting with the earlier 2-5 verses and ponder over how Al Qur'an tells to think beyond what is apparent - that is reading history of events of the past which become a lesson in faith for believers who strive to know.

The Verses

وَعْدَ اللَّهِ ۖ لَا يُخْلِفُ اللَّهُ وَعْدَهُ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ۝

يَعْلَمُونَ ظَاهِرًا مِّنَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَهُمْ عَنِ الْآخِرَةِ هُمْ غَافِلُونَ

“It is Allah's promise. Allah never fails in His promise, but most people do not know. They know only the outward aspects of this worldly life, but of the Hereafter they are heedless.” — 30:6–7

Explanation

1. What is the immediate context?

This passage is to be read in conjunction with the initial four verses of Surah Ar Rum for Verses 2–5 that had just announced something that appeared politically improbable: the Romans, despite their severe defeat, would regain victory within a few years, exactly as predicted in Al Qur'an. 

Verse 6 then declares: وَعْدَ اللَّهِ — “The promise of Allah.”

The point is that human beings looked at the visible political situation and drew conclusions from it, whereas Allah knew the entire course of events. What looked permanent was actually temporary.

Verse 7 then explains the deeper problem:

يَعْلَمُونَ ظَاهِرًا مِّنَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا  They know the ẓāhir—the outward, apparent, immediately visible side—of worldly life.

So there is a beautiful connection between verses 2–7:

People saw Roman defeat.

Allah knew the coming reversal.

People saw the present.

Allah knew the future.

People understood the surface.

They did not understand the deeper reality.

That is why verse 7 is much more than a criticism of materialism—it explains why human judgments about life and history can be so shallow.

2. What does “they know the outward aspect of worldly life” mean?

The Qur’an does not condemn knowledge of worldly affairs. It does not criticize medicine, engineering, commerce, agriculture, science, technology, economics, or political knowledge. Rather, the criticism is directed at something different: Knowing how the world works while forgetting why we are here.

A person may understand: (1) how to make money, (2) how markets work, (3) how technology works, (4) how to build cities, (5) how to manipulate public opinion, and (6) how to acquire political power. And yet may still not ask:

• Why was I created?
• What is right and wrong?
• What happens after death?
• Before whom am I accountable?

That is the distinction of 30:7 that encourages believers with  a quest for knowledge to dig in, rather than being satisfied what is apparent and temporary.

Scholarly Interpretation

1. Ibn Kathir's interpretation

Ibn Kathir gives a particularly striking explanation. He says that many people can be extremely intelligent and skillful in acquiring worldly livelihood and managing worldly affairs, while remaining almost completely unaware of what will benefit them in the Hereafter. He cites Ibn ‘Abbas as explaining that such people understand the construction and affairs of worldly life while remaining ignorant concerning religion.

Ibn Kathir also records a famous observation attributed to Hasan al-Basri: a person may possess such precise worldly expertise that he can assess a coin almost instantly, while not knowing how to perform his prayer properly.

The contrast is powerful. The Qur’an is not saying: “They know nothing.” - It is saying: “They know a great deal—but about only one dimension of existence.”

2. Maududi's interpretation

Maududi emphasizes the word “outward.” He notes: "Although there are plenty of Signs and evidences which point to the Hereafter, and there is no reason why one should be heedless of it, yet the people are being heedless of it due to their own short-sightedness. They only see the apparent and the outward aspect of the worldly life and are unaware of what is hidden behind it; otherwise there has been no slackness on the part of God to warn them of it. "

This is a profound distinction: (1) Information is not necessarily wisdom. (2) A person may know thousands of facts and still misunderstand the meaning of existence.

Maududi connects this directly with the following verse, 30:8: “Do they not reflect within themselves?”

His argument is that human moral freedom, conscience, responsibility, and the purposeful structure of creation all point toward accountability beyond this life.

So 30:7 diagnoses the disease: heedlessness. - And 30:8 prescribes the remedy: reflection.

3. Yusuf Ali's insightful reading

Yusuf Ali translates the verse: “They know but the outer (things) in the life of this world: but of the End of things they are heedless.”

His commentary stresses that human beings can be deceived by the outward appearance of events because their deeper reality may be completely different. Something that presently appears disastrous may eventually produce unforeseen good.

That fits beautifully with the Romans mentioned immediately before. Their defeat looked catastrophic. 

But defeat was not the end of their story. Therefore, do not confuse: What you currently see, with the complete reality known to Allah.

6. Ma‘ariful Qur’an

Ma‘ariful Qur’an makes the verse very practical. It explains that the people addressed could be highly knowledgeable about worldly matters—such as trading, what to purchase, where to buy, where to sell, and how to conduct their economic affairs—yet remain negligent regarding the Hereafter.

Again, the criticism is not their business expertise. The tragedy is that they devote enormous intelligence to temporary existence while giving little attention to permanent existence.

Why is 30:7 extraordinarily relevant today?

Perhaps it is even easier for us to understand this verse today.

• Humanity knows extraordinary amounts about the ẓāhir of existence.
• We can study distant galaxies.
• We can map genomes.
• We can perform complex surgery.
• We can communicate across continents almost instantly.
• We can build artificial intelligence systems capable of processing enormous amounts of information.
• None of this contradicts the Qur’an. Knowledge itself is a blessing.

But 30:7 poses another question: Has our moral and spiritual understanding grown at the same rate as our technological knowledge?

• We may know how to prolong life, yet rarely ask what life is for.
• We may know how to accumulate wealth, yet fail to ask whether it was earned lawfully.
• We may know how to communicate instantly, yet not know whether what we communicate is truthful.
• We may know how to build powerful weapons, yet not possess the moral wisdom to decide when power should be restrained.
• We may know how the universe functions, yet never ask what its existence tells us about its Creator.

This is precisely the danger of knowing the ẓāhir while neglecting the Ākhirah.

A warning particularly relevant to success

Verse 7 becomes even more powerful when applied personally. A person may have:

• degrees,
• wealth,
• business success,
• social status,
• professional recognition,
• property and influence.

The world may call him successful.

But 30:7 quietly asks: Successful according to which measurement?

If a person has mastered everything necessary for this world but has made no preparation for meeting Allah, the Qur’an challenges whether that can ultimately be called wisdom.

This connects with the Qur’anic idea of Falāḥ—true success. Worldly achievement is valuable, but it becomes complete only when it serves our ultimate success.

The verse is not asking Muslims to abandon the world

This clarification is essential. 30:7 should never be interpreted as encouraging Muslims to become scientifically, economically, technologically, or intellectually backward.

In fact, quite the opposite. The Qur’an repeatedly commands observation and reflection upon creation.

The problem is not: knowing dunya. - The problem is: knowing only dunya.

A balanced believer seeks excellence in both.

• He studies the world because it is Allah's creation.
• He works because responsibility is part of faith.
• He earns because lawful livelihood matters.
• He develops knowledge because knowledge benefits humanity.

But throughout all of this he remembers: This world الدُّنْيَا is temporary and the Hereafter الْآخِرَة is permanent. That is Worldly knowledge tells us how to live here. Revelation tells us what to live for.

A lesson about today's news and politics

The connection with verses 2–6 also offers another very contemporary lesson.

• We constantly see: wars, elections, political crises, economic collapses, military victories, technological competition and changing world powers.
• From today's headlines we often conclude:
• “This country will always dominate.”
• “These people will never recover.”
• “This situation can never change.”

However, Surah Ar-Rūm began precisely by challenging that mentality.

• The apparently defeated Romans recovered.
• Therefore the believer should analyze events intelligently—but never worship the visible balance of power.
• Because: لِلَّهِ الْأَمْرُ مِن قَبْلُ وَمِن بَعْدُ “The command belongs to Allah before and after.” — 30:4
• The believer recognizes political reality without mistaking political reality for ultimate reality.

The relationship between 30:6 and 30:7 is therefore profound

• 30:6: Allah's promise is certain—but most people do not know.
• 30:7: What they do know is largely the outward dimension of worldly life.

This contrast almost reads like a diagnosis of humanity: We often know remarkably much about what is temporary, while knowing remarkably little about what is ultimate.

And that gives these verses their enduring relevance. The Qur’an is not asking us to know less about the world. It is asking us to see more than the world.

We may learn, build, discover, work and prosper—but never become so fascinated with the surface of life that we forget where life is ultimately taking us.

Reflecting deeply on these two verses takes time to really understand the Divine Wisdom behind - yet when we go deeper into their meaning, a clear reality starts to unfold and we find that interpreting world history becomes a lesson in faith for us. This in fact is the purpose of verses like this is to encourage us to think beyond what is apparent and ponder over what lies in the Divine Wisdom.

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.

For an Overview / and more selected verses from Sürah Ar Rum, please refer to our exclusive reference post on Sürah (30) ’Ar-Rūm (The Romans), already published.

You may also refer to our exclusive reference pages: 

• Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.
• Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects
• Selected Verses from the Qur'an. 

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  

In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Allah's justice ultimately transcends human injustice (selected verses from Al Qur'an)

The Divine religions always attract immense resistance for accepting Allah's sovereignty means recognizing that even a king is accountable to a higher moral law. Acceptance of faith of One True God by the oppressed and those in bondage means weakening of their power as their subjects and slave now possess a faith that is far stronger than mere power of their masters. If someone derives power from being treated as the highest authority—whether a ruler, priest, or social elite—this message limits that power.

The Quran portrays a similar mindset quoting Pharaoh as saying: "I do not know of any god for you other than myself." And he then persecuted even his trusted magicians when they saw the Divine power in front of the whole of Egypt when their snakes were eaten up by the spell produced by stick of Prophet Musa (Moses). 

Here it would be appropriate to mention an anecdote mentioned in Surah 85. Al-Burūj of Al Qur'an which tells us of persecution of almost everyone whop had accepted the Divine faith. The place associated with Al-Ukhdūd (الأخدود)—often referred to today as Al-Ukhdood Archaeological Site—holds significance because it is traditionally linked to one of the Quran's most moving accounts of steadfast faith under persecution. Here a people is mentioned who did not have any personal animosity with their people, but it was detaching from the main stream on account of accepting the Divine faith, leaving faith of their forefathers.

The Verse 

The 8th verse of the 85th Surah of Al Qur'an, Surah Al-Burūj (The Constellations), reads:

وَمَا نَقَمُوا مِنْهُمْ إِلَّا أَنْ يُؤْمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ الْعَزِيزِ الْحَمِيدِ

"And they resented them not except because they believed in Allah, the Exalted in Might, the Praiseworthy."

This is one of the Quran's most powerful statements about persecution for faith.

Context of the verse

Surah Al-Buruj begins by describing a tragic event known as the People of the Ditch (Aṣḥāb al-Ukhdūd). Verses 85:4–10 describe believers who were persecuted and burned alive because they refused to renounce their faith.

85:4: "Cursed were the companions of the trench..."

85:5–7: They sat watching as believers were thrown into the fire.

85:8: The Quran reveals the only "crime" of these believers.

85:9–10: Allah reminds readers that He has complete knowledge and ultimate authority over all things, and warns the persecutors of accountability.

What does verse 8 literally mean?

The verse says: "They had no grievance against them except that they believed in Allah." This is a striking expression. The persecutors could not point to theft, violence, or wrongdoing. The believers' only "offense" was their faith in Allah. The verse exposes the irrationality of religious persecution. It shows that sometimes people are opposed not because they have done wrong, but because their beliefs challenge existing power, prejudice, or injustice.

Historical background

Many classical commentators connect these verses with the persecution of Christians in Najran by the Jewish ruler Dhu Nuwas in the 6th century CE. According to this understanding, many believers were killed because they refused to abandon their faith.

Why is Najran associated with it? Many classical Muslim scholars and historians connected these verses with an event that took place in Najran around the early 6th century CE. According to this traditional account, the ruler Dhu Nuwas persecuted Christians in Najran, who refused to renounce their faith were killed in trenches of fire. The event later became well known in Arabian history.

 

An AI generated photo depicting sad incident where Christians were thrown into pits of burning fire - On the right are ruins of the dammed city (Wikipedia)

What does "Al-Ukhdūd" mean? The Arabic word الأُخْدُود (al-ukhdūd) literally means a trench, a ditch, or a deep groove dug into the ground. The Quran describes trenches filled with blazing fire into which believers were thrown because they refused to abandon their faith (85:4–10). Archaeological remains at the modern Al-Ukhdood site have made this association plausible, but the Quran itself does not explicitly identify the location.

It has been documented that Dhu Nuwas burned 20,000 Christians alive in a burning trench because they refused to convert to Judaism (Wikipedia)

In Surah Al-Buruj, Allah says: "Cursed were the companions of the trench." (85:4). That is when the criminal act of the ruler Dhu Nuwas went too far, the wrath of Allah fell on to them and the entire city was thrown upside down, killing those who persecuted their very own people for accepting a new faith.

Ibn Kathir explains that the disbelieving king of Yemen (Dhu Nuwas) or similar tyrannical rulers constructed massive, blazing trenches. They threw the believing men, women, and children into the fire because they refused to renounce their monotheistic faith. The verse highlights that the believers were not guilty of any crime or rebellion; their only "fault" in the eyes of the tyrants was their sincere belief in Allah.

Ibn Kathir notes that these incidents of tyrannical rulers throwing believers into trenches of fire occurred multiple times in history. Through these trials, Allah honors the steadfastness of the faithful. The ultimate lesson from this verse is that the worldly disbelievers may persecute the righteous for their faith, but Allah remains fully aware, encompasses the oppressors, and provides an eternal reward for the steadfast believers. 

By ending the verse with "Al-Aziz" (The Almighty) and "Al-Hamid" (The Praiseworthy), Ibn Kathir and other commentators emphasize a divine contrast: Al-Aziz: Allah is the Supreme and All-Mighty. Even though the believers suffered a horrific physical death in the fires, Allah possesses ultimate power over the tyrants and will exact divine justice. Al-Hamid: Allah is the One truly worthy of all praise. The believers who chose the blazing fire over abandoning their faith understood that Allah's love and pleasure are worth every earthly sacrifice. 

Why is this place significant in the Quran? The significance is not primarily geographical. Unlike places such as: Kaaba, Jerusalem, or Mecca, Al-Ukhdūd is not presented as a sacred place to visit. Instead, it symbolizes:

1. Faith under persecution The believers accepted death rather than abandoning their belief in Allah.

2. The abuse of power The persecutors sat watching while innocent people were burned. The Quran highlights not only the violence but also the cruelty and indifference of those who watched it happen.

3. Allah's justice 

• Although the oppressors seemed victorious, Allah reminds us: "Indeed, your Lord is severe in assault. Indeed, it is He who originates creation and repeats it." (85:12–13). 
• It is to be remembered that Earthly power is temporary - but Divine justice is ultimate.

4. The value of sincere belief

• Verse 85:8 says: "They had no grievance against them except that they believed in Allah."
• This means faith itself became the reason for persecution.
• The Quran honors those believers by preserving their story forever.

What should we reflect upon today?

Al-Ukhdūd represents something much larger than one historical tragedy. It reminds us that throughout history:

• Truth has often carried a cost,
• Oppression can appear powerful,
• Innocent people may suffer,
• But injustice never escapes Allah's knowledge.

It also challenges believers to ask:

• Would I remain true to my principles under pressure?
• Do I defend the rights of people who are persecuted for their beliefs?
• Do I use my own influence with justice rather than oppression?
• A profound lesson

One of the most striking features of the story is that the Quran never tells us the names of the believers. History may forget the names of the oppressed. But Allah does not.

Their identities are unknown to us, yet their sacrifice is remembered in the Quran and recited by millions around the world. This conveys a powerful message: in the Quranic worldview, what gives a person lasting honor is not fame or status, but sincerity, steadfastness, and faithfulness to Allah. Their names may have faded from history, but their example endures as a reminder that integrity before Allah is never lost, even if it is overlooked by the world.

While many people today enjoy freedom of religion, others still experience discrimination or persecution because of their beliefs. The verse reminds believers to stand against injustice and to uphold the dignity of every person's right to practice their faith.

It also speaks to more subtle forms of pressure:

• Being mocked for religious commitment,
• Feeling pressured to compromise one's ethical principles,
• Facing exclusion because of sincerely held beliefs.

Thus the above quoted verse:

• Encourages steadfastness without responding with oppression in return. At the same time, its message is not limited to Muslims. It affirms a broader moral principle: no one should be harmed simply because of their sincere religious belief.
• Reminds believers that truth is not measured by popularity or power. The persecuted believers appeared weak in the eyes of the world, yet the Quran honors them, while those who held worldly power are condemned.

For contemporary readers, Quran 85:8 is a call to remain faithful to one's principles, to reject persecution and coercion in matters of belief, and to trust that Allah's justice ultimately transcends human injustice. It encourages moral courage, compassion for those who suffer because of their convictions, and respect for the freedom of conscience that the Quran consistently upholds.

Muslims' Faith under Persecution

As of today or from the day 1 of formal invitation to Islam, we see a repetition of same events as mentioned above. Muslims from day one have been persecuted, hated and seen with indifference for following a new faith as did the people mentioned above. Since those days kings and rulers were generally unanswerable, they threw the Christians into pits of fire so that Christianity should not flourish - but it did. Likewise, Muslims are being persecuted in one form or the other and are generally sidelined, attacked and mocked even today. Instead of burning Muslims alive, copies of Al Qur'an are torched as a sign of hatred against Islam. In India, Muslims are facing the worst kind of treachery and are beaten, forced to drink urine of the cow by the Hindus. Their places of worship are attacked, even destroyed. Yet despite every move with heinous intentions against Islam, Islam continues to flourish and is now the second most accepted religion after Christianity. Many an analyst fear that by 2050, Islam may become the leading religion of the world.

This is an eye opener. Despite all hurdles, Islam is expanding everyday for it is the ultimate truth and by and by non Muslims have started to find Divine wisdom and truth and reverting to Islam.

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.

You may also refer to our exclusive reference pages: 

• Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.
• Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects
• Selected Verses from the Qur'an. 

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  

In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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How to strengthen our faith - Īmān (إِيمَان)

Everyone in this world has some sort of faith one believes in that give the ultimate direction of life. In Islam,  Īmān  (إِيمَان) is the Muslims' faith based on worship of one true God, we call Allah. Allah, the creator of the entire universe, who made us to be and would take us back at our appointed time. Unless one has an unflinching faith in one true God, one can hope for one's salvation both in this world and the world of the Hereafter. In fact, Īmān (faith) is the foundation of a Muslim’s life.

That is why every believer is in pursuit of keeping his Īmān intact and not get it tainted by the distractions by the Satan, the Evil and the world itself. Before we see practical ways to strengthen it., let us explore it clearly and deeply — from the Qur’an, Sunnah, and views of early scholars.

What is Īmān (Faith)?

• The Linguistic Meaning: “Īmān” (إيمان) comes from the Arabic root A-M-N (أ م ن) — meaning security, peace, and trust. So, Īmān literally means to affirm with conviction, to feel secure through belief.
• Qur’anic Definition:
• "The (true) believers are only those who believe in Allah and His Messenger, and afterward doubt not, but strive with their wealth and their lives for the cause of Allah. Such are the sincere." — (Surah Al-Ḥujurāt 49:15)
• This verse shows that Īmān is not just belief — it includes:
• Conviction (no doubt),
• Action (striving with wealth and life),
• Sincerity (doing it for Allah alone).
• Prophetic Definition (Hadith of Jibrīl — Sahih Muslim 8): When Angel Jibrīl asked the Prophet ﷺ: “What is Īmān?”, the Prophet replied: “It is to believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, His Messengers, the Last Day, and in Qadar (divine decree), both good and bad.”

Classical scholars (like Imām al-Bukhārī, Ibn Taymiyyah, and Imām al-Nawawī) define Īmān as:

“Īmān is belief in the heart, words by the tongue, and actions by the limbs — it increases with obedience and decreases with sin.” 

Thus, Īmān is dynamic — it grows or weakens. “That they may increase in faith along with their (present) faith.” — (Surah Al-Fath 48:4)

How to Strengthen Īmān

Let us follow the following roadmap drawn from Qur’an and Sunnah:

1. Deepen Knowledge of Allah

First and the foremost, we must be very clear and sure who Allah is. For many, the belief in God is varying. For Hindus, although there is a concept of a divine deity, they replicate this deity into idols and when they think of that divine deity, an image of a man made idols creeps into their mind. Likewise, the concept of Trinity further confuses the true identity of one true God. But the Muslims have a very clear knowledge of Allah, and follow Him unseen without need of any illustration or image of Allah being in front of them. And it is this unseen faith in Allah which strengthens our Īmān in Allah, for we do not need to see Him. We have His book, Al Qur'an, through which He directly speaks to us if we reflect on the verses of Qur'an.

“It is only those who have knowledge among His servants that fear Allah.” — (Surah Fāṭir 35:28)

We can also know Allah through His 99 attributes, each of which is embodiment of His finest qualities and describes Allah to us clearly and leaving no doubt about is existence.  Learn Allah’s Names and Attributes — knowing who He is brings love and awe.

Practical Tip: 

• Study one Name of Allah daily and reflect on how it shows in your life. You may like to read, understand and memories these 99 attributes of Allah from our post: 99 Attributes of Allah.
• You may also know Allah better from our earlier posts given in:
• Understanding Islam - Frequently Asked Q&A for knowing more about Islam
• Compiled verses from Qur'an on specific subjects: Faith in Allah

2. Regular Salah (prayer) 

In Islam, five salah (prayer) has been made obligatory on all adult and healthy Muslims (barring the lunatics or ill to an extent not to know of one's actions) of both genders five time a day. 

The performance of the five daily prayers with sincerity and focus is not only an act of fulfilling the obligation of worship of Allah, but it also takes a believer closer to Allah and develops the love with Allah which He most certainly deserves.

Adding Tahajjad prayer late at night adds more closeness to Allah, for getting late at night and breaking one's sleep is an act which most loved by Allah. That is why there is a Hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ which narrates that at the time of Tahajjad, Allah comes down very close to our world to listen to His believers and bless them all they wish for.

2. Regular Qur’an Recitation and Reflection

Reading Qur’an with understanding and emotion nourishes the heart.

“The believers are those who, when Allah is mentioned, their hearts tremble; and when His verses are recited to them, it increases them in faith.” — (Surah Al-Anfāl 8:2)

Most of us, however, read the Qur'an but do not reflect on what is being said to them and act upon the commandments of Allah. In fact, it is Allah who is speaking directly to us through His revealed Book - so we need to rad small portions with tadabbur (reflection), not just speed, and shape our lives as per instructions of Allah.

Tadabbur is the deep reflection, contemplation, and pondering over the meanings and lessons of the Quran to understand its message and apply it to one's life. It involves going beyond mere recitation to grasp the wisdom within each verse, relate it to daily experiences, and seek guidance for personal and spiritual growth. 

• Key aspects of Tadabbur
• Deep reflection: It is a mindful process of thinking deeply about the words of Allah, reflecting on their implications and wisdom. 
• Beyond recitation: It moves past reciting the Quran to understanding its message, making it a source of guidance for daily life. 
• Personal application: Tadabbur involves applying the lessons of the Quran to current life situations, such as problems at work or home. 
• A deeper connection: It is a way to connect with Allah and His words on a deeper level, providing grounding and solace. 
• Understanding consequences: The word itself relates to the idea of thinking about the consequences or the underlying cause of something, which helps in uncovering the deeper meanings of the verses. 
• A continuous process: It is an ongoing exercise of seeking and internalizing the guidance from the Quran for personal and spiritual development. 

So engage with meaning of verses of Qur'an and apply its teachings to our practical life.

3. Constant Remembrance (Dhikr)

Dhikr is a devotional practice of remembering Allah by reciting phrases or prayers, either silently or aloud. The practice involves invoking God's names or reciting supplications from the Qur'an and hadith to keep Allah in one's mind. This act of remembrance is considered a fundamental form of worship that strengthens faith, brings peace, and can be done at any time.

“Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” — (Surah Ar-Ra’d 13:28)

 In fact Dhikr connects your heart with Allah and removes spiritual rust.

Daily Tip: Make daily habits — SubḥānAllāh, Alḥamdulillāh, Allāhu Akbar, Astaghfirullāh — especially in moments of stillness.

However, some factions of Muslims sit together in congregation, and start reciting one attribute of Allah with their heads swaying side by side for the whole day - some even go to wilderness and do Dhikr sitting in isolation, cutting themselves from the world. This is not the purpose of Dhikr. Instead, we need to remember Allah and do dhikr even when we are at work. This will add good to us and blessings of Allah and strengthen our Iman for we are constantly in remembrance of Allah.

4. Repent Often and Avoid Sin

One of the best tool provided to a believer to seek Divine forgiveness of the sins so committed through repentance.

“Those who, when they commit an immorality or wrong themselves, remember Allah and seek forgiveness… and do not persist in it.” — (Surah Āl-‘Imrān 3:135)

Repentance, known as Tawbah, is a direct relationship with Allah to ask for forgiveness for sins, which involves three core steps: feeling regret for the sin, ceasing the sinful action, and resolving not to repeat it. If the sin involved another person, the individual must also make restitution or seek forgiveness from them. Sincere repentance is seen as an act of worship and is considered a way to purify the soul and draw closer to Allah.  

Sin darkens the heart and weakens faith; repentance restores its shine. Unlike some religions, where after sinning, the followers go to their religious men and ask for forgiveness and they are assured that they are forgiven by God. But that is not the correct of seeking repentance and forgiveness. Qur'an tells us to approach Allah directly without any intermediary and repent - and no matter how bigger is the sin, Allah will forgive. But repentance should not be toyed with - that is summitting sin, repenting and then return to sins again. One has to first sincerely feel ashamed of his sinful act, then repent with a clear intention of not sinning again and then seek forgiveness.

We have written a number of posts on repentance which may be read to understand what repentance and forgiveness is. Our latest post How do we know that Allah has accepted our repentance and forgiven us may be read to understand the concept of repentance better.

5. Keep Good Company

Always remember the age old phrase: A man is known by the company he keeps." Friends influence faith — keep the company of believers who remind you of Allah.

“And keep yourself patient with those who call upon their Lord morning and evening.” — (Surah Al-Kahf 18:28)

If one is in the company of the God fearing ones. one learns good things from them that strengthen one's Iman. But if one is in company of those who take this life as an entertainment and while away their time in acts that are detrimental to ensuring closeness to Allah, then one starts to drift from the righteous pat and a time comes when their conscious dies to really appreciate what is good and bad. Such a state whe is reached, one's Iman is said to have weaken to its lowest ebb.

6. Perform Good Deeds Consistently

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has been quoted as saying, “The most beloved deeds to Allah are those that are consistent, even if small.” — (Sahih al-Bukhari 6464). Some of the good deeds are Small daily worships — salah on time, charity, fasting, helping others — feed the heart.

Read our already published a number of posts on Charity from our reference page: Selected verses from Qur'an on Importance of Charity in Islam to know why charity also strengthens our Iman.

You may also read an eye open Hadith regarding death: Death of some relieves them and death of some relieves the world (Hadith Prophet Muhammad ﷺ)

7. Reflect on Death much too often and the Hereafter: A believer with firm faith and Iman should often reflect on the purpose of life and why it is so short lived. If one contemplates the purpose of life and the final return to the One who created us in the first place will reflect on us the purpose of life which would ultimately strengthens our Iman. 

Remember, one of the 99 Attributes of Allah is Al-Mumīt - The Creator of Death. Read more to know about this attribute and why Allah created death.

8. Supplicate Constantly

While one should take all possible practical steps, as mentioned in point 1-6, one also needs to continuously supplicate and seek Allah's blessing so that his Iman does not get tainted.

The Prophet ﷺ often prayed: اللَّهُمَّ ثَبِّتْ قَلْبِي عَلَى دِينِكَ  “O Allah, keep my heart firm upon Your religion.” — (Tirmidhi 2140)

This shows that even the Prophet feared for his heart — so constant dua is essential. This does not mean that the Prophet sinned, but this was a practical tip for his companions to supplicate for they were no prophets but plain human beings liable to commit sin or something unbecoming. We therefore, should regularly and continuously supplicate to be be on the right path so that our Iman does not get tainted but strengthens every day.

9. Seek knowledge

Science and working on meaning of Qur'an is unfolding many a hidden secrets and knowledge of Qur'an which were hitherto were obscure from the scholars and the scientists. In view of the great research work done on Qur'an and Islam, it is incumbent on every believer to learn more about Islam through books lectures and scholars. This would not only increase one's knowledge about Islam, but would also lace every believer with knowledge to spread Islam and extend Da'wah to non Muslims. At the same time more indepth knowledge will add to strengthening our Iman.

10. Read about life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

The life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is a beacon of hope for all Muslims in particular and others in general. From a thriving businessman of Quraish of Makkah, his life changed from extreme comfort to extreme discomfort when he was chosen for the prophethood at the age of forty years. From here on till he died, was a life full of tests and trials, torture and mockery by the idolaters of Makkah. He endure the physical as well as spiritual hardships when he went about extending Da'wah / invitation to Islam to the non Muslims. Despite the rugged life he endured, ever new test further strengthen his Iman.

And if we review our status of Iman, we would appreciate that we have more failings than success while trying to live a life as per tenets of Islam. We hardly life a life as was lived by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. If we start now bit by bit, we will certainly add on to better our Iman and becoming a good Muslim. 

In short: Īmān = Conviction in the heart + Declaration by the tongue + Action by the body. It grows through remembrance, knowledge, and obedience — and weakens through sin, heedlessness, and pride.

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.

Photo | references: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

For more Q&A about Understanding Islam, please refer to our reference page: Understanding Islam - Frequently asked Q&A. You may also refer to our refference page: Scholars' Viewpoint on important issue related to Islam to know more about Islam.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Whom should we seek to please: The World or the Lord of the Worlds?

The question being posed in our post today may make many to ponder deeply, while some may discard it for the obvious answer. Yes, we know the answer, but have we ever came across situations when love of the world overtakes the love for the Lord of the worlds?

Let’s explore this through the Torah, the Bible, and the Qur’an, showing that the Divine message across revelations has always been consistent: True success lies in pleasing God, not people. We will first give some references from all the Divine Scriptures about who alone is to be pleased and then will give some examples when prophets and men have to take firm decision to follow one path only:

Torah (Old Testament)

It is said in Deuteronomy 5:33

“You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may go well with you.”

Here Torah emphasizes walking in the ways of the Lord, not in the ways of men. Success and peace depend on obeying God alone.

The Bible (New Testament)

Jesus (ʿĪsā عليه السلام) taught the same truth as mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew 6:19–20:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth... but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”

That is focus on eternal reward, not temporary approval. Pleasing God brings everlasting peace; pleasing people is fleeting.

The Qur’an

Since I am a Muslim, I will quote a few verses that direct a man to follow which path:

• The Central Principle
• “And of the people is he who sells himself, seeking the pleasure of Allah. And Allah is kind to [His] servants.” — Surah Al-Baqarah (2:207)
• Explanation: The believer sacrifices comfort, popularity, or even safety to earn Allah’s pleasure (riḍwān Allāh). This pleasure outweighs all worldly approval.
• Warning Against Pleasing People over God
• “They seek to please people, but Allah has more right that they should please Him, if they are truly believers.” — Surah At-Tawbah (9:62)
• Context: This verse was revealed about hypocrites who pretended to support the Prophet ﷺ but sought worldly reputation. Allah clarifies that faith means prioritizing divine pleasure above human praise.
• The Ultimate Goal
• “Their reward is with their Lord: gardens beneath which rivers flow... Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him — that is the supreme success.” — Surah Al-Bayyinah (98:8)
• Lesson: The ultimate success is not wealth or applause, but mutual contentment — Allah pleased with His servants, and they pleased with Him.

Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

The message of the last of the prophets Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is none different as is Divinely said in the Qur'an. Herein under asre some of his hadiths on the subject:

• Allah’s Pleasure Over People’s
• The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever seeks Allah’s pleasure, even if it displeases people, Allah will be pleased with him and will make the people pleased with him. But whoever seeks to please people at the cost of Allah’s displeasure, Allah will be displeased with him and will make the people displeased with him.” — Ibn Ḥibbān (276), Tirmidhī (2414) — Ṣaḥīḥ
• Lesson: Pleasing Allah may seem costly in the short term, but it ultimately brings honor and inner peace. Pleasing people by compromising faith brings humiliation.
• On Sincerity
• “Actions are judged by intentions, and every person will have only what he intended.” — Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 1, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1907
• Meaning: The believer must act not for reputation or recognition but purely for Allah’s sake (ikhlāṣ).

Exemplifying the Subject under discussion.

Now let us share an example of Prophet Abraham  ( Ibrāhīm عليه السلام) who is regarded as the father of all prophets by all followers of the Divine religions. He was born in a idolatry family but worshipping static man made idols never satisfied him. He knew there was some being greater than all who controls the world and lives of the humans. So, one day while the main temple was empty, he broke all the idols. Naturally this annoyed everyone, including his father. But the revered Prophet plainly refused to follow idolatry at the cost of annoying and losing his family. He preferred the unseen Lord of the worlds over the lifeless idols and severed the family ties specially with his father. This is the extreme love a man can express to please the Lord of the worlds and not The World.

Hazrat Bilal, known as Bilal Habshi, was a slave in the very early formatting time of Islam, who embraced Islam much to the annoyance of his master. He was pressurized to renounce his new faith and return to idolatry. When he refused, his master laid him on the burning sad of summers of Arabia and put a heavy stone on his chest which almost crushed his bone - yet he continue to murmur "Ahad - Al-Ahad (الاحد)   - The One, The Only One. Seeing his plight, an uncle of the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم bought him and set him free. He could have averted the severe pain and renounced Islam, yet for him love of Allah was more than the comfort of life of darkness, that is idolatry.

Relevance for Today

In a world obsessed with social approval, fame, and “likes,” this timeless command from all Scriptures reminds us:

• Faith over fame.
• Truth over trend.
• Allah’s pleasure over human praise.

When the believer’s compass is fixed toward the pleasure of the Lord of the Worlds, he finds tranquility (sakīnah) that the world cannot offer.

It may thus be said that to please the world is to lose yourself; to please the Lord is to find yourself. The Prophets, from Abraham to Jesus to Muhammad (peace be upon them), all lived for Ridhā Allāh — the pleasure of their Lord — and taught their followers to do the same.

However, despite the Divine commandments and the examples of those with a strong faith, we find our selves meek and weak when it comes to weight between the world and the Lord of the world. Many give way to the comforts and love of the world, thinking they will have ample time to repent and seek pleasure of Allah, the Lord of the worlds. We sacrifice our faith when confronting family pressures or official commitments and often make decisions that offend our Creator. Yet the love of the world keeps our eyes shut of the true reality, which only a few can sincerely fathom.

Let us quote a closing verse to really ponder upon:

“O you who believe! Indeed, among your spouses and your children are enemies to you, so beware of them. But if you pardon and overlook and forgive – then indeed, Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. Your wealth and your children are but a trial; but Allah has with Him a great reward.” — (Surah At-Taghābun 64:14–15)

“O you who believe! Let not your wealth and your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah; and whoever does that — then those are the losers.” — (Surah Al-Munāfiqūn 63:9) 

This theme appears in several Qur’ānic verses reminding believers not to let love of wealth, family, or worldly life divert them from Allah’s remembrance and obedience. Family and wealth are blessings, but they can become distractions or tests (fitnah) if they lead a person to neglect Allah’s commands or delay obedience. The believer must love them in balance, ensuring Allah’s pleasure comes first.

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.

Photo | Resource references: | ChatGPT | 1 | 2 | 3 |

For more Q&A about Understanding Islam, please refer to our reference page: Understanding Islam - Frequently asked Q&A. You may also refer to our refference page: Scholars' Viewpoint on important issue related to Islam to know more about Islam.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Can faith be forced?

Faith is a deeply rooted belief and trust in the existence, oneness, and power of One True God, we Muslim call Allah. It encompasses several essential aspects that shape an individual's understanding and relationship with Allah. To help people feel the enlighten of true faith, that is belief in One True God without any associates, countless number of prophets and messengers were chosen and sent to different people to understand and absorb the enlightenment of faith. 

But we are also witness to the fact that while a small majority accepted the Divine wisdom and accepted the reality of a One True God while others confronted the prophets with anger, arrogance for they never wanted to part with their centuries old beliefs and "faith" in their gods. If Allah wanted His commandments and wisdom be accepted, He could very simply do it and with just one Divine nod, the entire people could come running to enter the fold of the Divine faith. But this never happened.

We see prophets being tortured, even thrown into burning fire, pelted and stoned and even mercilessly killed by people averse to accepting the true Divine faith. Here the question arises: Couldn't prophets "enforce" faith? Well, the inability of prophets to enforce faith can be understood as part of a larger Divine plan that emphasizes freedom, personal responsibility, and the importance of genuine, voluntary belief. Unlike a very popular perception by non-Muslims that attribute spread of Islam through sword, it would be seen that were it be true, every Spanish would have been a Muslim after almost 800 years long Muslim rule over Spain or almost a similar time span of Musljjm rule over India, where the majority of Indians remained Hindu under the rule of Muslims.

Even father of revered Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, peace be upon him) could not convince his father to accept the will of Allah and follow the true path, ;leaving idolatry (Lot, Nuh (Noah, peace be upon him) also could not convince his son and likewise Prophet Lut (Lot, peace be upon him) could not convince his wife to follow faith of Allah. Abu Talib, the beloved uncle of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who protected his orphan nephew against the cruelty of non-Muslims of his tribe, did not enter fold of Islam despite being uncle of a prophet.

Let us then examine some reasons why prophets did not enforce the Divine faith on the people they were sent to, for they always told their people that they are only messengers to bring Divine message to them and were not in any way demagogues or brute force to change their hearts and minds by force:

• Free Will: One of the core aspects of many religious teachings is the concept of free will. People are given the choice to believe or not believe, to follow guidance or reject it. If prophets were to force people into faith, it would contradict the idea of personal choice and responsibility, which is a foundational principle in many religious frameworks.
• Role as Guides, Not Enforcers: Prophets are often seen as role models or guides, offering wisdom, guidance, and knowledge. They are not meant to force change, but to inspire through example and communication. Their role is to invite others to faith, not to coerce or compel belief.
• Test of Faith: In many religious traditions, the challenges of life and the exercise of faith are seen as tests. Prophets help people navigate these challenges, but they cannot take away the need for individuals to make their own decisions about faith.
• Respect for Human Dignity: Many traditions hold that forcing someone into faith undermines the dignity and autonomy of that individual. Genuine faith, in this view, can only come from a heart that freely chooses to believe.
• Diverse Reactions to Divine Messages: Even with clear messages and miracles, people may still respond differently to prophets. Some may embrace the message, while others may reject or distort it. This shows that belief and faith are personal and deeply influenced by a range of factors, including personal experience, culture, and inner convictions.

Let us now listen to eminent Muslim scholar of present times, Nouman Ali Khan, explaining the "why" that irritate some minds on the subject:

About Nouman Ali Khan: Born to a Pakistani family, Nouman Ali Khan is an American Muslim speaker and Arabic instructor who founded the Bayyinah Institute for Arabic and Qur’anic Studies, after serving as an instructor of Arabic at Nassau Community College. He has been named one of the 500 most influential Muslims in the world by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre of Jordan.

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 to convey only 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.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the video above are those of the scholar concerned. We have shared this view as added information in better understanding of Islam. The reader may or may not agree with the view owing to their own perception. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

For more Scholarly views and videos, please read our reference page: Scholars' Viewpoint on Important Issues Related to Islam. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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