The Muslim Knows the Way

The Muslim Knows the Way

By Shaikh Abdullah ‘Azzam

“…We are living a blessing.

One of us is raised from childhood to know that, for example, the unrestrained glance is forbidden. So, for the rest of his life, the unrestrained glance is forbidden, seclusion with the opposite gender is forbidden, adultery and fornication are forbidden, interest and usury are forbidden, speaking badly about others behind their backs is forbidden, etc. That’s all it takes! So, a personality is developed that is mature and balanced, thanks to its Lord.

However, in America, one day, it’s OK to drink alcohol, the next day it isn’t. Sometimes, the government allows alcohol, and at other times prohibits it. Sometimes, it penalizes those who sell it, and it doesn’t at other times. No.  Alcohol is forbidden in Islam, and we learn this from when we are two years old, and we learn that it is objectionable from that point onwards. Everything that is forbidden in Islam is inherently objectionable, and everything that is permitted is acceptable and there is no problem in doing it. Because of this, we have the hadith: “If you have no shame, do what you wish,” and this has two possible interpretations. The first is that if something you want to do doesn’t contradict the Shari’ah, do it. The second interpretation is that the person with no shame will do whatever he wants.

So, we’re truly relaxed. It’s enough that we know the way. The European, what is his path? Where is he going? For us, everything is solved mentally and spiritually. We know our path, its start, its purpose, and its end:

Where did we come from? Allah Created us.

Where are we going? He will cause us to die, and then gather us on the Day of Resurrection, in which there is no doubt.

Why did He Create us? Only to worship Him.

Who controls the Universe? The kingdom of the Heavens and the Earth belong to Allah.

The God we worship is Dominating, Colossal, Wise, Merciful, Generous to His slaves. In Europe, what do they have? Who do they deal with? Who do they turn to? Who do they rely on? What do they fortify themselves with? What do they seek refuge with? The concepts of Satan, the Jinn, God, the Hereafter, etc. – all of these things have been wiped from the dictionary of the West. The traveller’s check, the value of the mark, the value of the dinar, the value of the dollar – this is their life.

Because of this, a person who lives without a set of rules will oppress others when given the chance. He will cheat people out of their wealth when given the chance. He will fornicate when given the chance. He will steal when given the chance…”