True believers sacrifice lives, wealth unhesitatingly

Khateeb of Ahl-us-Sunnah in Zahedan, Shaikh Abdol-Hameed Ismaeelzahi, started his latest Friday sermon by recitation of two holy verses: «إِنَّ اللّهَ اشْتَرَى مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَأَمْوَالَهُم بِأَنَّ لَهُمُ الجَنَّةَ يُقَاتِلُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ فَيَقْتُلُونَ وَيُقْتَلُونَ وَعْدًا عَلَيْهِ حَقًّا فِي التَّوْرَاةِ وَالإِنجِيلِ وَالْقُرْآنِ وَمَنْ أَوْفَى بِعَهْدِهِ مِنَ اللّهِ فَاسْتَبْشِرُواْ بِبَيْعِكُمُ الَّذِي بَايَعْتُم بِهِ وَذَلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ*التَّائِبُونَ الْعَابِدُونَ الْحَامِدُونَ السَّائِحُونَ الرَّاكِعُونَ السَّاجِدونَ الآمِرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَالنَّاهُونَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَالْحَافِظُونَ لِحُدُودِ اللّهِ وَبَشِّرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ» [ توبه: 111-112], (Surely, Allah has bought their lives and their wealth from the believers, in exchange of (a promise) that Paradise shall be theirs. They fight in the way of Allah, and kill and are killed, on which there is a true promise (as made) in the Torah and the Injil and the Qur‘an. And who can be more faithful to his covenant than Allah? So, rejoice in the deal you have made, and that is the great achievement. (They are) those who repent, those who worship, those who praise (Allah), those who journey (in Allah‘s way), those who bow in Ruku_, those who prostrate in sajdah, those who bid the Fair and forbid the Unfair and those who preserve the limits prescribed by Allah. And give the good news to the believers.)

Highlighting the verses, he pointed that dealing with Allah is the most beneficial and advantageous bargain, and the Companions of Holy Prophet, peace & blessings be upon him, were the real buyers of Allah’s pleasure. They had all qualities of a true believer which are mentioned in the above verses.

Interpreting the holy verses, Shaikh Ismaeelzahi further said, ‘The above-recited Qur’anic verses are about some companions who gave pledge of obedience, Bai’ah, in Aqabah. The specificities of those who devote their lives and wealth for the sake of Allah Almighty have been stated there. Allah says that He has compensated His believing servants for their lives and wealth – if they give them up in His cause – with Paradise.’

Ibn Kathir has explained the verse saying, ‘This demonstrates Allah’s favor, generosity and bounty, for He has accepted the good that He already owns and bestowed, as a price from His faithful servants. Al-Hasan Al-Basri and Qatadah commented, “By Allah! Allah has purchased them and raised their worth.” Shimr bin `Atiyyah said, “There is not a Muslim but has on his neck a sale that he must conduct with Allah; he either fulfills its terms or dies without doing that.” He then recited this Ayah. This is why those who fight in the cause of Allah are said to have conducted the sale with Allah, meaning, accepted and fulfilled his covenant.’

Talking to tens of thousands in the Grand Makki Masjid of Zahedan, Khateeb of Ahl-us-Sunnah stated that the Companions of Holy Prophet, Alaihis-Salam, were the actual buyers of Allah’s pleasure. They bargained with Allah and devoted their lives and wealth on His path. Whoever does so, is a prosperous person. Jihad can be conducted by giving self and money. Real believers dedicate their beloved things without any hesitation. The well-trained students of Holy Prophet Muhammad did so; they had got paradise and Allah’s pleasure.

He added more, ‘These successful traders always seek forgiveness from Allah, and they worship Him all the time and praise Allah. Observing fast, sawm, is another quality of such people; fasting makes believers stronger before the self and ego. Allah Exalted counted prostration and genuflection before Him as other features of chosen servants of Him. It means, they always offer prayers. Whenever Sahabah got time, they used to establish prayers.’

Shaikh Abdol-Hameed Ismaeelzahi emphasized saying that the buyers of Allah’s pleasure do good deeds and call on others to do good as well. They are worried about others’ future and struggle to reform society by preaching the brilliant teachings of Islam. He expressed his regret over the weakness of Muslims’ in sacrificing for Allah’s cause inviting the audience to devote time, life and wealth on His path.