Episode 10

Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah. Dear brothers, today we will discuss the eighth method of falsehood when it fails to confront the truth with evidence, which is belittling the correction of the creed. And boasting to the callers about the social services provided by the people of falsehood, especially what appears as glorifying the religion. Allah the Almighty said in Surah Saba: ("And when Our verses are recited to them as clear proofs, they say, 'This is not but a man who wishes to avert you from that which your fathers were worshipping." (Saba 43)). So it is as if they say: Muhammad has no mission except to divert you from what your fathers worshipped. And what about you? They used to boast about providing water to pilgrims and maintaining the Sacred Mosque. Allah the Almighty said: ("Do you make providing water to pilgrims and maintaining the Sacred Mosque equal to one who has believed in Allah and the Last Day and striven in the cause of Allah?"). Their achievements on the ground were a source of pride for them, without paying attention to the corruption of the creed that nullifies the blessings of these achievements. Our Prophet (peace be upon him) could have argued with them in their logic and boasted to them about the qualities that Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her) revealed when she said upon his return from Hira: ("Nay, receive the good tidings! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you. By Allah, you keep good relations with your relatives, you speak the truth, you bear hardships, you help the poor, you serve your guests generously, and you assist in the causes of truth" (Bukhari)). Our Prophet (peace be upon him) could have boasted to the Quraysh about these great qualities, but the sincere do not do that... Then he (peace be upon him) instills in the hearts that the creed comes first, for by it the deeds are accepted. And he (peace be upon him) does not allow himself to engage in the debate of boasting that the Quraysh challenged him with.

And likewise, dear brothers, in our days we find those who criticize the callers by saying: ("And what have you done except theorizing and speaking? The West has provided useful medical discoveries and technological achievements, and you are speaking about metaphysical issues? Those who nullify your creed from non-Muslims have humanitarian and charitable organizations, and what have you provided to the poor and the oppressed?"). You may also be the owner of achievements and provide services, feed the poor, and support the oppressed with your wealth, time, and effort. You may have social, scientific, and humanitarian influence. But you must rise above entering into a debate of this kind that diverts from the main issue: that the creed comes first, and the task of making people worship their Lord is the noblest of tasks. Allah the Almighty did not create us except to worship Him. While the corruption of the creed and the deviation of the methodology nullify the blessings of deeds even if they are numerous ("Say, 'The evil and the good are not equal, even if the abundance of the evil might impress you. So fear Allah, O you of understanding, that you may succeed.")

Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah.