Assalamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh
Bismillahir- Rahmanir-Rahim
1. Opening
Friends whom Allah has blessed,
We often feel anxious, afraid, and powerless when facing gripping pressures or when we must confront a person who holds authority and has a harsh disposition. Fear is human. Yet, for a believer with depth of wisdom, he knows exactly how to cut fear of creatures—by magnifying his fear and tawakkul in Allah SWT alone.[reliance]When surrender to Allah reaches its peak, the formulas of human logic break. Allah SWT has full power to turn the heart of even the harshest person, changing a lion ready to pounce into an obedient cat, and turning blazing hatred into profound respect.Let us reflect on Allah SWT’s promise for His servant who entrusts all his affairs to Him alone:
وَمَنْ يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَالِغُ أَمْرِهِ ۚ قَدْ جَعَلَ اللَّهِ لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدْرًا
“And whoever relies upon Allah—then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a extent.”[QS. At-Ṭalāq: 3]
Rasulullah ﷺ also taught us that if we guard Allah’s rights during ease, Allah will guard us in the tightest of situations. He said:
احْفَظِ اللَّهَ يَحْفَظْكَ، احْفَظِ اللَّهَ تَجِدْهُ تُجَاهَكَ، إِذَا سَأَلْتَ فَاسْأَلِ اللَّهَ، وَإِذَا اسْتَعَنْتَ فَاسْتَعِنْ بِاللَّهِ
“Guard Allah, and He will guard you. Guard Allah, and you will find Him before you. If you ask, ask Allah, and if you seek help, seek help from Allah.”[HR. Tirmidhī]
2. Lessons and Message
The highest moral message from this sunnatullah is: Never beg for a creature’s approval by pawning the principles of truth. A wise person will not let his heart be colonized by fear of humans who are equally alive and equally will die. When we place Allah as our only refuge, then all human threats in this world are merely like passing gusts of wind that have no power without His permission.
Let us witness a tense yet moving fragment of history. The great Tābi‘ī scholar, Imam Ḥasan al-Baṣrī, delivered sharp criticism of the policy of the extremely cruel, iron-fisted governor of Iraq, al-Ḥajjāj ibn Yūsuf al-Thaqafī. Hearing the criticism, al-Ḥajjāj was furious. He immediately summoned the executioner, prepared the sword, spread the leather mat for execution, and ordered guards to drag Ḥasan al-Baṣrī to his palace. When Ḥasan al-Baṣrī entered the room and saw the sword already unsheathed and the executioner ready to behead him, the atmosphere became terrifying. Those around held their breath, thinking that day was the scholar’s last.But what did Ḥasan al-Baṣrī do? He did not weep, did not turn pale, and did not kneel to apologize. He walked calmly, moving his lips to recite a tawakkul supplication that cut through all his fear:
اللَّهُمَّ يَا مَلَاذِي عِنْدَ كُرْبَتِي، وَيَا صَاحِبِي عِنْدَ شِدَّتِي، اجْعَلْ نِقْمَتَهُ عَلَيَّ بَرْدًا وَسَلَامًا كَمَا جَعَلْتَ النَّارَ بَرْدًا وَسَلَامًا عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ
“O Allah, O my refuge in my distress, O my Companion in my hardship, make his vengeance upon me coolness and safety, as You made the fire coolness and safety for Ibrāhīm.”
At that very moment, a miracle happened. As Ḥasan al-Baṣrī drew near, Allah completely turned al-Ḥajjāj’s heart. The lion that had been roaring in rage suddenly trembled. Al-Ḥajjāj stood from his throne, welcomed the scholar kindly, seated him beside his dais, and even asked for religious counsel. Before he left, al-Ḥajjāj applied the finest perfume to the scholar’s beard and escorted him out with full respect.After leaving the palace, the confused executioner asked, “O Imam, I was called to behead you, but why did the opposite happen?” Ḥasan al-Baṣrī smiled and revealed the secret power of his supplication. An incident proving that control of human hearts is in Allah’s hand, not in the flash of a ruler’s sword.
Imagine you are watching a robot puppet show controlled by a remote. The robot puppet looks very large, has a scary face, and holds a toy weapon aimed at you. A person who doesn’t understand will be terrified and run away from the scary puppet.But an intelligent person will not look at the puppet. His gaze will immediately search for who is holding the remote control. He will approach the remote holder and ask for the puppet to be turned off or its movement changed. A tyrannical person, a cruel boss, or a threatening situation are, in truth, merely “puppets” on the world’s stage. The remote control of their hearts and fates is entirely in Allah SWT’s hand. Don’t busy yourself begging the “puppet”; instead, draw near to the Owner of the Remote, and He will change the situation in the blink of an eye.
Sometimes when it comes to fear, we do misdirect it. There are people who, when about to face their boss to defend their principles or report fraud, tremble as if they have stage fright. Heart pounding, cold sweat pouring, even wearing the wrong shoes on the right and left feet.When asked, “You’re so scared—can your boss take your life?”
The answer: “No, Ustadh, but I’m afraid my position will be shifted or my allowance cut.”But funnily enough, when facing Allah in Fajr prayer, they walk so casually as if they have no burden in life. They come late, pray at lightning speed like an exercise routine, and right after salām they dash off without dhikr. We are super afraid of a boss who needs tissue when he sneezes, but we have no fear or reverence for Allah who holds our breath every second! Remember, your boss doesn’t have the key to Paradise, and cannot save you if later the “allowance” of your life is stopped by the Angel of Death. So, if you’re going to face a powerful human, recite a supplication, straighten your chest—because even the fiercest boss, if his stomach aches, still has to run to the bathroom!
3. Conclusion and Closing
Friends, the firmness of soul shown by Ḥasan al-Baṣrī teaches us an eternal lesson: when we dare to side with Allah, Allah will compel the world to kneel before us. Never let fear of creatures make us retreat from the path of truth. Cut that fear with the knife of tawakkul, fortify the soul with sincere supplication, and be certain that no creature can harm us if Allah has decreed safety for us .May Allah SWT always bestow upon us the courage of the prophets and the firmness of heart of the scholars.
. والله أعلم بالصواب
الحمد لله رب العالمين
Wassalamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.
Abu Sultan Al-Qadrie
