Episode 7
My dear brothers, we are still discussing the methods of falsehood when it fails to confront the truth and its arguments and proofs. Before we review other methods, I would like to draw your attention, my brother and sister, to the fact that some Muslims fall into something similar to this, unfortunately! Yes...he is a Muslim, but he deviates from the truth in his methodology, positions, and way of thinking. If you try to enlighten him and correct his methodology and positions, he feels as if he is in a debate and must prove the correctness of his opinion and win for himself, even if it is on falsehood. He does something similar to what the deniers of the Prophet's call in Makkah used to do...he does not discuss the authenticity of the hadiths and the implications of the verses that are used as evidence by the seeker of truth, but rather raises secondary issues that have no relation to the core of the subject, deviating from confrontation and acknowledging the truth. I say this to you, my brother, so that we may advise each other not to be that person.
One of the methods of the people in rejecting the call of their prophets, peace be upon them, was to mock them by saying that their followers were the weak, the poor, and those with simple professions. The people of Nuh, peace be upon him, said to him: "We see that none follow you except the most wretched among us" (Hud 27), meaning except those with the humble and despised professions, not the nobles and leaders. They also said to him, as Allah narrated from them in Surah Ash-Shu'ara': "Should we believe in you and follow you, the wretched ones?" (227).
In our time, many polytheists look down on Muslims because the call of Islam has gained popularity among the poor and simple classes in Western countries more than it has among the elite, the wealthy, and those who are influential politically, economically, and socially.
Even among Muslims, a Muslim may be questioned about his wrong beliefs, and his response may be: Why is the discourse you address us with not the discourse of the elite? Why do we not see it more prevalent among those with the highest degrees and those of high status?
We say, brothers: this response is a deviation from logical discussion, and it is better to discuss the evidence and examine the ideas and methodologies in the light of the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Prophet, peace be upon him, instead of focusing on an issue that has no relation to the core of the call. The truth is sometimes heavy, and its consequences are burdensome. The path of truth is filled with thorns, and the victory in this time is for the people of falsehood. Not all those with status are ready to sacrifice their worldly lives or endure humiliation and harm for the sake of their Lord, Glorified be He. It is no wonder, then, that you see the majority of the followers of truth among the weak.
Therefore, brothers, what is the lesson to be learned? The lesson is: Do not let the fact that the majority of the followers of the truth are not from the socially or materially prominent classes deter you from the truth. This was a reason that led people in the past to reject the call of the prophets, peace be upon them, and brought them to eternal misery, as they said: "Should we believe in you and follow you, the wretched ones?" We ask Allah for safety. For in the balance of Allah, the followers of His call are the noble, honorable, and respected ones, no matter how low their status may be in the eyes of the arrogant and the proud. Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah.