A Fundamental Principle:
We should know that the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) was sent by Allaah to the whole of mankind, to explain and to make clear to them all that which is good and brings one closer to Allaah; and also to explain to them all that is evil and would distance a person from Allaah. The reason for this being, that life - with all its variety, colors and manifestations - is built upon two important matters:

Firstly: Knowing the good - in order to follow it, and

Secondly: Knowing the evil - in order to keep away from it.

So, for example, in the matter of Tawheed of Allaah (to single out Allaah alone in worship) - the crux of Islaam - it is built on Eemaan (faith) in Allaah and the rejection of Shirk [2], Kufr [3] and Taghoot [4]. Eemaan in Allaah is good, whilst belief in Taghoot is evil. Thus, it is a must to recognize that which is good in order to follow it, whilst knowing also that which is evil so as to keep away from it. Likewise, in the matter of da'wah (calling) to Allaah, which is built upon commanding the good (ma'rûf) and forbidding the evil (munkar). To command the mar'uf is good and is to be followed, whilst munkar is evil and is to be shunned. Likewise, in Ittibaa' (following of) the Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), which is built on following his Sunnah and turning away from religious innovations. Sunnah is good and is to be followed, whilst innovation is evil and to be shunned.

Events to Befall this Ummah:
The Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) informed us of events which will befall this Ummah (i.e. Muslim peoples), some of these narrations speak of good for this Ummah - indicating also that the future, power and honor is for the Muslims; and that they will be established in the land. Other narrations warn us against those evil matters, that which would distance us from Allaah - the Most High - and make us weak in front of the nations. We will discuss some of these narrations, which mention the two types of weaknesses.

First Type of Weakness Explained:
The first of these narrations is that of Thawbaan (radiAllaahu 'anhu ) - the freed slave of the Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam). He related that the Messenger of Allaah said: “The nations are about to call each other and set upon you, just as diners set upon food.” It was said: “Will it be because of our small number that day?” He said: “Rather, on that day you will be many, but you will be like foam, like the foam on the river. And Allaah will remove the fear of you from the hearts of your enemies and will throw wahn (weakness) into your hearts.” Someone said: “O Messenger of Allaah! What is wahn?” He said: “Love of the world and the hatred for death.” [5]

This hadeeth explains the first form of weakness, which has befallen the Ummah in all corners of the world, as being a result of inclination to this world, love of it, and being preoccupied with it, whilst turning away from the Hereafter, being distant from it and hatred of death. Hatred of death is a sign of loving this world, since the one who loves this world, hates death. Since, with death, comes the meeting with Allaah - the Most Perfect.

Some Benefits of this Hadeeth:
From the hadeeth we can conclude the following:

1. That the disbelievers attentively observe the Muslim Ummah and study their condition. When they see a weakness they strike at it and if they see a barrier, they destroy it. When they see that the Ummah cannot defend itself, they do not show mercy, since they are the enemies of Allaah. So they hate the Muslims because they (the Muslims) call to the worship and obedience of Allaah.

2. The Muslim lands possess many riches, being sources of goods and blessings. This is why the enemies of Allaah desire these lands and try to conquer them.

3. The Ummah has reached a level where it cannot defend its honor, riches or wealth from its conquering enemies.

4. The disbelievers have divided the conquered lands of the Muslims between themselves, just like diners when gathered around their dish - what do they do? Each of them take their portion until he is full; and he will not be content with that which is in his plate, except with that which fills. The Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), warned us about this fact - the cutting up of the Muslim lands, for he said: “You will form different armies, an army in Greater Syria (Shaam), an army in 'Iraq and an army in Yemen.” I asked: “Which one shall I be with O Messenger of Allaah?” He said: “I advise you with the (army) of Shaam and whoever refuses then let him join the Yemen and beware. For indeed Allaah - the Mighty and Majestic - has guaranteed Shaam and its people for me.” [6]

5. That the disbelievers do not fear the Muslims. At the time of the Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), when the disbelievers heard that the Prophet was preparing to engage them in battle, they would become fearful and turn on their heels. This is what happened at the battle of Tabook. At this battle, the Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) traveled a month's journey to fight the Romans, when they heard of the Messenger of Allaah's (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) approach they fled. So the Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: “I have been given five (things) which no one else before me has been given. I have been aided with fear - a distance of one month's traveling ... ” [7] Allaah the - the Most High - states: “Soon We shall cast terror into the hearts of the disbelievers, for that, they made Shirk, for which He had sent no authority.” [8]

Indeed, fear is a weapon, which Allaah implants in the hearts of His enemies. This is why the strength of the Muslims, is not in their great numbers - weapons or wealth - but it is in their 'Aqeedah (belief) and their adhering to it. For today there are plenty of Muslims, but they are like foam, like the foam carried by the waves. And their riches are many but cannot be for them. Rather, it has become the possession of their enemies. For example: The Muslims today approximate over one billion and they grow in number everyday. However, at the same time they are the weakest of nations in every country they are in, being persecuted - why?

Because they have become like foam - like the foam on the waves. Also, the lands of the Muslims possess many riches and minerals, but where does it all end up? With the disbelievers in Europe or America, or it goes to the Jews of Palestine. The Muslim oil constitutes approximately one third of the world's reserves, but the Muslims are the poorest of people - why?

Because they do not possess anything from their Deen (religion), except a name. So they call to it, but all their riches now belong to their enemies.

Second Type of Weakness:
The second form of weakness which illustrates the condition of the Muslims today is their being far from the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), and being far away from the correct manhaj (methodology), in a state of innovation.

The Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) has informed us of this in the hadeeth of Hudayfah (radiAllaahu 'anhu) in which he said: “The people used to ask the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) about the good, and I used to ask him about the evil out of fear that it would reach me.” So I asked the Messenger of Allaah: “O Messenger of Allaah, we were living in ignorance and evil, then Allaah brought this good to us. So will there be any evil after this good?” He replied: “Yes.” I then asked: “Will there be any good after this evil?” He replied: “Yes, but it will be tainted.” So I asked: “What will be its taint?” He replied: “A people who guide others to other than my way, you will approve of some of their actions and disapprove of others.” I further enquired: “Then is there any evil after this good?” He said: “Yes! Callers at the gates of Hell - whoever responds to their call, they will be thrown into the Fire.” I then said: “O Messenger of Allaah! Describe them to us.” He said: “They will be from our people and speak our language.” I asked: “So what do you order me to do if that reaches me?” He said: “Stick to the Jamaa'ah (the united body) of the Muslims and their Imaam (ruler).” I further asked: “What if they have neither a Jamaa'ah or an Imaam?” He said: “Then keep away from all those sects, even if you have to bite upon the roots of a tree, until death reaches you whilst you are in that state.” [9]

A Brief Explanation:
“You will approve of some of their actions and disapprove of others.”

Meaning: You will accept the Sunnah from them and reject the innovations from them.

“Whoever responds to their call, they will be thrown into the Fire.” Meaning: Whoever obeys the callers of innovation and misguidance then his end will be the Hellfire, because the Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: “Every innovation is misguidance and every misguidance is in the Hellfire.” [10]

So the innovation is in the Hellfire along with its companion. Whoever obeys the callers of innovation will be led to the Fire and whosoever obeys the callers of Sunnah will be led to Paradise.

“Stick to the Jamaa'ah of the Muslims and their Imaam.” Meaning: Stick to the Islamic Empire if they have one. So you migrate to it, live amongst the Muslims, and do not remain in the lands of the disbelievers. And you give the bay'ah (oath of allegiance) to the leader of the Muslims - if they have one.

“I asked: What if they neither have a Jamaa'ah or an Imaam?” Meaning: Like today

“Then keep away from all those sects.” Meaning: Keep away from the callers of misguidance and (religious) innovation, neither being of them, nor aiding or supporting them.

“Even if you have to bite upon the roots of a tree.” Meaning: Adhere to the Sunnah and cling to its foundations. The meaning of this is not to remain in your house and abandon calling to Allaah, nor to abandon ordering the good and prohibiting the evil, since the Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said “Hold fast to my Sunnah and to the Sunnah of my rightly guided Caliphs - cling (lit. bite) to it tightly.” [11]

And here, in this hadeeth, he has ordered them to cling (lit. bite) to the roots of a tree. So the (roots of a tree) here means the Sunnah.

“Until death reaches you whilst you are in that state.” Meaning: To die in a state of Islaam, as in the saying of Allaah: “And do not die except as a Muslim.” [12]

Striking A Balance:
The Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) has explained in many other ahaadeeth that clinging to this world, loving it - whilst neglecting the Hereafter and giving a greater share to worldly matters at the expense of the Hereafter - is also from the causes of weakness amongst the Muslims. These narrations do not mean that a Muslim should ignore this world and not work for it, and become dependant upon others. Rather, he should work, in order to attain his sustenance and support himself so that he is not in need of others.

Indeed the words “Akhirah” (Hereafter) and “Dunyaa” (this worldly life) appear in the Qu'raan an equal number of times. This is an indication that a Muslim should maintain a balance between this world and the Hereafter, so he performs righteous deeds and seeks the pleasure of Allaah; and he works in this world within the limits of the Sharee'ah (Islaamic Law) to obtain a lawful sustenance, in order to provide for himself and have no need to beg. However, if the balance is not kept, corruption appears. For example, if the Ummah inclines more to worldly matters - forgetting the Hereafter and the meeting with Allaah - it is overcome with weakness and humiliation. If, however, the tendency is in the opposite direction, the Ummah forgets this world and then becomes in need of people - extending its hands towards them submissively. But the Muslim should be distinguished, strong and honorable - as Allaah says in the Qu'raan: “And to Allaah belongs all honor and to His Prophet and to the believers.” [13]

So the Muslim is obligated to maintain this balance. Therefore, one should be sincere in his actions, intending with them the face of Allaah and His good pleasure. However, rivalry for this world and love for it weakens the Muslims and debases them.

Rivalry for this World:
'Amr bin Awf al-Ansaarî (radiAllaahu 'anhu) related that the Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) sent Abu 'Ubaydah ibn al-Jarraah (the trustworthy one of this Ummah) to Bahrain to bring back its Jizyah. The Prophet had made a treaty with the people of Bahrain and had appointed over them al-'Alaa bin Hadramî. So Abu 'Ubaydah returned with the money. The Ansaar came to hear of his arrival and went to pray al-Fajr with the Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam). When the Prophet had finished the prayer he got up and left, so the Ansaar approached him. He smiled and remarked: “I think you have all heard that Abu 'Ubaydah has returned with something.” They replied: “Indeed O Messenger of Allaah.” He said: “Then be happy and hope for that which pleases you, for by Allaah I do not fear poverty for you, but I fear that this world will be opened up for you, just as it was opened for those before you. So you will compete with one another for it, as they competed for it; and it will destroy you as it destroyed them.” [14]