The Approach of Converting to Islam (5)

The Source: The Publication of the Muslim student union in America in 1977.

Some examples of what happened to ungrateful nations

The people of Saba, who lived between two gardens were commanded to eat from what Allah has provided and be grateful to His Bounty, but they turned away and as a result, He sent them the flood (the flood of Arem). Instead of the two beautiful gardens which they were given, they were given two gardens with bitter fruits and tamarisk trees, in addition to some other trees. Allah says about what has happened to them: “And never do We requite in such a way except those who are ungrateful (disbelievers).” [Surat Saba’: 17].
The Qur'an has told us about: “A township (Makkah), that dwelt secure and well-content: its provision coming to it in abundance from every place, but it (its people) denied the Favours of Allâh (with ungratefulness). So Allâh made it taste extreme of hunger (famine) and fear, because of that (evil, i.e. denying Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him) which they (its people) used to do.” [Surat An-Nahl: 112].
Thus, the fall and the destruction is the final fate for every ungrateful nation and to any nation that rebels against Allah and follow the path of depravity.

However, that destruction takes place according to some principles, some of which are as follows:

A - The destruction or the punishment does not hit a nation but after it had been warned. It is possible that the warning comes through a mediator who is a sent prophet from Allah:
“And never will your Lord destroy the towns (populations) until He sends to their mother town a Messenger reciting to them Our Verses. And never would We destroy the towns unless the people thereof are Zâlimûn (polytheists, wrong-doers, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh, oppressors and tyrants).” [Surat Al-Qasas: 59].
“And never did We destroy a township but it had its warners. By way of reminder, and We have never been unjust.” [Surat Ash-Shu`ara’: 208-209].
Or they are told by other mean that they are oppressors and should get ready for punishment.
“And a great number of towns (their population) We destroyed (for their crimes). Our torment came upon them (suddenly) by night or while they were taking their midday nap. No cry did they utter when Our Torment came upon them but this: “Verily we were Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong-doers)”.” [Surat Al A`raf: 4-5].
The meaning of that Ayah seems to be more clear in the light of the Prophet’s Hadith, which emphasizes that the nation will perish only after admitting that it is alone to be blamed for the destruction and it is only the reason for bringing about the destruction. “This is because your Lord would not destroy the (populations of) towns for their wrong-doing (i.e. associating others in worship along with Allâh) while their people were unaware (so the Messengers were sent).” [Surat Al An`am: 131].
We can conclude from this divine principle or laws that: If there are two communities that are equal in depravity and denial, the society that was warned will be perished before the community that was not warned. Thus, we see from the stories that are narrated in the Qur’an about the destroyed nations that the destruction and the fall of those nations came after they had rejected the messengers of Allah.

B – The destruction does not come directly, i.e., nations are not destroyed immediately after they show the evidence for ingratitude. Again, this depends on the mercy of Allah. Verily, Allah gives for free and without limits, but He does not take the blessings all at once: “And many a township did I give respite while it was given to wrong-doing. Then (in the end) I seized it (with punishment). And to Me is the (final) return (of all).” [Surat Al-Hajj: 48].
“And your Lord is Most Forgiving, Owner of Mercy. Were He to call them to account for what they have earned, then surely, He would have hastened their punishment. But they have their appointed time, beyond which they will find no escape. And these towns (population, ‘Ad, Thamûd) We destroyed them when they did wrong. And We appointed a fixed time for their destruction.” [Surat Al-Kahf: 58-59].

C - The fall of every nation -as we read in the previous Ayah- would be in accordance with a specific order that cannot be deferred or accelerated: “And never did We destroy a township but there was a known decree for it. No nation can advance its term, nor delay it.” [Surat Al-Hijr: 4-5].

D - Before a nation is destroyed, it goes through severe ordeals that could make it repent and return to the straight path: “Evil (sins and disobedience to Allâh) has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned (by oppression and evil deeds), that He (Allâh) may make them taste a part of that which they have done, in order that they may return (by repenting to Allâh, and begging His Pardon).” [Surat Ar-Rum: 41].

E - Punishment is not inflicted as a result of any sin, otherwise all the people shall be perished:
“And if Allâh were to punish men for that which they earned, He would not leave a moving (living) creature on the surface of the earth.” [Surat An-Nahl: 61].
Those were the causes of misfortune, misery, and the fall of the nations, so what are the reasons of the rise of the nation and its material and spiritual prosperity?

Basically, there are normal human conditions that we all should be in and loves to see us in. Allah provides each one of us at the time of his birth with honorable characteristics; the essence of them is to admit that we are the servants of the Only Creator.  That recognition is the essence of our humanity as well as the source of every good thing that lies within us, such as: the logical thinking, the ethical senses, the artistic taste, fraternal feelings, and etc. Moreover, Allah created everything for our benefit, therefore, the usual state which we feel is the inner happiness and peace of mind that comes as a result of our natural testimony that Allah is our only god. That testimony is confirmed by the divine message that Allah sends to us through His Messengers. It is also a state of the external bliss that is achieved because everything is subject to us and intended to satisfy our needs. Every one of us is born accompanied by such a state of inner happiness, but alas, no one finds himself in that material comfort. Many people of those who came before us have changed that internal state in which Allah created them, as a result, they prevented many graces to be sent to the world. However, Allah is More Merciful than to let us despair; therefore, the door is still open for all people to return to the teachings of Allah in order to enjoy this material bliss. Here, we will mention some kinds of happiness that the Qur’an promises those people:

A – The Material Comfort: “And if only they had acted according to the Taurât (Torah), the Injeel (Gospel), and what has (now) been sent down to them from their Lord (the Qur’ân), they would surely have gotten provision from above them and from underneath their feet. There are from among them people who are on the right course (i.e. they act on the revelation and believe in Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him as ‘Abdullâh bin Salâm may Allah be pleased with him), but many of them do evil deeds.” [Surat Al-Ma’idah: 66].
B – The Spiritual Happiness: “Whoever works righteousness? whether male or female ? while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islâmic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter).” [Surat An-Nahl: 97].

C - Victory Over Enemies:
As much as the people believe in Allah, trust in Him, and obey Him, Allah will be on their side:

“And Allâh is the Walî (Protector and Helper) of the believers.” [Surat Al-`Imran: 68].
When Allah is on their side, He will defend them:
“Truly, Allâh defends those who believe. Verily, Allâh likes not any treacherous ingrate to Allâh [those who disobey Allâh but obey Shaitân (Satan)].” [Surat Al-Hajj: 38].
He shall provide them with victory: “If you help (in the cause of) Allâh, He will help you, and make your foothold firm.” [Surat Muhammad: 7].
“Verily, We will indeed make victorious Our Messengers and those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism) in this world’s life and on the Day when the witnesses will stand forth, (i.e. Day of Resurrection)-“ [Surat Al-Mu'minun: 51].
If Allah defends them and gives them victory, nothing will be able to overcome them:
“And, verily, Our Word has gone forth of old for Our slaves, the Messengers, That they verily would be made triumphant, And that Our hosts! they verily would be the victors.” [Surat As-Safat: 171-173].
“How often a small group overcame a mighty host by Allâh’s Leave? And Allâh is with As-Sâbirûn (the patient).” [Surat Al-Baqarah: 249].
As long as they keep their covenant with Allah, they will never fall under the control of the disbelievers or subject to them: “And never will Allâh grant to the disbelievers a way (to triumph) over the believers.” [Surat women: 141].
“But honour, power and glory belong to Allâh, and to His Messenger (Muhammad peace be upon him), and to the believers, but the hypocrites know not.” [Surat Al-Munafiqun: 8].
The essence of our philosophy of social change has become clear now. The nations do not rise and fall arbitrarily or without laws that govern their origin and extinction. History is not a single track that each nation must step in whether it likes it or not. Our social world is governed by the Creator who makes the nations rise, fall, prosper, suffer, win, or subject in accordance with the moral law to admit the grace of Allah.