Obligations to God - Conclusion

Conclusion

I have clearly laid out six salient points that bring out the comprehensive, clear concept of our duties as Muslims.  Further details may be added to this description for I have merely provided a sketch or a synopsis.  In the absence of a sound concept of these duties, we might be practicing Islam only partially, which could end up being unacceptable in the end.  It is imperative that we formulate a complete and comprehensive concept of the requirements that Islam places before us and follow it by taking appropriate and concerted action.  

If one pursues the path with his eyes set on the ultimate objective, he will not be held responsible for not fulfilling his duties even if he fails to reach his goal in this world, for the ultimate objective is not to succeed here, but to fulfill our obligations by striving towards them with the best of our abilities and earning God’s pleasure.  As mentioned in the very beginning, in Islam actions are judged by intentions.  God will recompense us with reference to our intentions.  Whoever left his home to migrate to Madinah desiring the pleasure of God and showing obedience to the Prophet (SAW), he will be reckoned as a Muhajir, whether he manages to reach Madinah or not. The Qur’an says that whoever emigrates with the intention of Hijrah and dies on the way will be rewarded in full by God:

He who forsakes his home in the cause of Allah, finds in the earth many a refuge, wide and spacious: should he die as a refugee from home for Allah and His Messenger, his reward becomes due and sure with Allah: and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (AlNisa 4:100)

 In short, whoever intends to perform Hijrah is assured for his reward.  At the stage of embarking upon this venture, it cannot be said with certainty whether one will realize the final goal.  For example, the activists in the movements launched by Syed Ahmad Shaheed and Shah Ismail Shaheed did not succeed (apparently) and instead lost their lives in the process. However, they are destined to attain success and prosperity in the Hereafter.  Had the abovementioned movement been a success, the whole Indian sub-continent or at least the present territory of Pakistan would have certainly been transformed into an abode of Islam.  You may not be aware of the role of those who sabotaged this movement.  The Sikhs alone could not have thwarted it by themselves.  There were some among the Muslims themselves who regrettably destroyed this movement by betraying their fellow brethren.

 

The ultimate objective of a true Muslim is to gain Divine pleasure and attain success on the Day of Judgment. For achieving this objective we get detailed guidance from Qur’an and Sunnah regarding our religious obligations, which may be described with reference to the following three important terms: 

(1) Personal enslavement to God,

(2) Acting as witnesses unto all of mankind, and 

(3) Establishing the system of social justice of Islam. 

We have clearly spelled out the pre-requisites of these duties at length. Of these, Jihad in God’s cause and joining a collective and organized effort (organized on the basis of Baiy`ah) under one leadership of a single Ameer in whom complete confidence can be vested (without compromising on the limits of the Shari`ah) is essential.  

May God give us the strength and the ability to make up our minds firmly to perform these duties.  May God grant us the strength to initiate steps for progressing towards this end.  All strength and ability are from Allah Almighty alone. 

I seek Allah’s forgiveness for all Muslims, males and females, and in conclusion I praise God who is the Lord of the worlds!

Source: Obligations to God (Book by Dr Israr Ahmad)