In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Iman is the Tie in the Muslim Society

(Friday speech was delivered by Imam Mohamed Baianonie at Islamic Center of Raleigh, N. C., on July 29, 1988)

Islam came at the time when humanity was living in a continuous ignorance. Then with it's divine legislation, Islam brought a formula to all individuals and societies. This formula is distinct in its basis, its contents and its goals. This formula is a new organization for the individuals as well as a new organization of the new Islamic structure.

One of the most important bases, to formulate the humanity, is the tie that gathers or relates people under this deen (religion). This relation is a special and distinct character of this deen (religion).

This tie is not the blood or family relation. It is not the land or national relation, not the tribe or group relation, not the color or language relation not the race or sex relation, and not the work or class relation. And any of these ties or relations that are present in our life or societies these days is not from the deen (religion) of Islam, but its from the enemies of Islam. Thus, Islam was concerned and worked to eliminate all these unacceptable type of relations between the people, and replaced it with the right tie and relation that must exist among people, that is the tie of Iman (faith).

Islam is concerned with such matters, as evidenced in many verses of the, Qur'an but we might not recognize or appreciate their meanings. These verses enforce the relation of faith that people must base their lives on.

This tie was not born with the mission of the prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.), but it was known in all deens (religions) since Adam (S.A.W.) till Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) and the Qur'an told us a lot about this and some examples to illustrate this are as follows:

1. The story of Noah (S.A.W.) and the flood that drowned the people because of their disbelief, and Allah's promise to Noah (S.A.W.) to protect him and his family from the flood, but one of his son's drowned with the unbelievers. After the

flood Noah (S.A.W.) called upon his Lord and said, in surat Huod,(verse 45- 47), what can be translated as, "O my Lord! surely my son is of my family! and your promise is true, And you the most just of judges!" Allah (S.W.T.) answered him, ''O Noah! He is not of your family''. Then Allah (S.W.T.) explains to Noah (S.A.W.) why his son is not of his family saying, "For his conduct is unrighteous" which means that the tie of faith or relation between Noah and his son no longer exists, as Allah (S.W.T.) says, "So ask not of me, that of which you has no knowledge! I give you counsel, lest, you act like the ignorant!" Then Noah (S.A.W.) realized his mistake and withdrew saying, "O my Lord! I do seek refuge with you, lest I ask you for that of which I have no knowledge. And unless you forgive me and have mercy on me, I should indeed be lost." This is an example of the relation between the father and his son. Also Allah (S.W.T.) has given us many other examples that include other types of relations.

2. Another example: Between Ibrahim (S.A.W.) and his father. Ibrahim (S.A.W.) called his father to worship Allah (S.W.T.) solely and to leave worshipping others. When his father refused, Ibrahim (S.A.W.) answered as Allah (S.W.T.) says, "And I will turn away from you all and from those whom you invoke besides Allah."

3. The relationship between Ibrahim (S.A.W.) and his descendants as Allah (S.W.T.) has promised him to preserve his memory and his mission. Allah (S.W.T.) says in surat Al-Baqarah,(verse 124), what can be translated as, "And remember that Ibrahim was tried by his Lord with certain commands, which he fulfilled: He said:" I will make you an imam to the nations". Ibrahim pleaded, "And also (to make imam) of may offspring!" Allah (S.W.T.) answered: " But my promise is not within the reach of evil doers". Also when Ibraham (S.A.W.) said as Allah (S.W.T.) says in surat Al-Baqarah,(verse 126), what can be translated as, " And remember" Ibrahim said: " My Lord, make this city of peace, and feed its people with fruits, such of them as believe in god and the last day. He said (Allah): and such as reject faith for a while will I grant them Their pleasures, but will soon drive them to the torment of fire, and evil destination."

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5. Another example is of the relation between the husband and wife. The stories of Noah (S.A.W.) and his wife, Lot (S.A.W.) and his wife contrast to Pharaoh and his wife. Allah (S.W.T.) says in surat At-Tahrim,(verse 10&11), what can be translated as, "Allah seta forth, for one example to the unbelievers the wife of Noah and the wife of Lot: They were under two of our righteous servants, but they were false to their husbands and they profited nothing before Allah of their account, But were told, "Enter you the fire along with others that enter!'' Contrasted with " And Allah sets forth, as an example, to those who believe , the wife of Pharaoh: behold she said, " O my Lord, build for me in nearness to you. a mansion in the garden, and save me from Pharaoh and his doings, and save me from those that do wrong."

5. In two other examples of the relation between believers with their people. Allah (S.W.T.) says in surat Al-Mumtahinah,(verse 4), what can be translated as, "There is for you an excellent example to follow in Abraham and those with him, when they said to their people," We are clear of you and whatever you worship besides Allah; we have rejected you, and there has arisen between us enmity and hatred forever unless you believe in Allah. " And as Allah (S.W.T.) describing the people of the cave talking to each others in surat Al-Kahf,(verse 15&16), what can be translated as, " Behold, they stood up (people of the cave) , and said: " Our Lord is the Lord of heavens and of the earth, never shall we call upon any god other than Him, if we did, we should indeed have uttered an enormity. These our people have taken for worship gods other that Him: Why do they not bring forward an authority clear ( and convincing) for what they do? Who does more wrong than such as invent falsehood Against god? When you turn away from them and the things they worship other than god, be take yourselves to the cave: "Your Lord will shower His mercy on you and dispose of your affair towards comfort and ease."

After all these examples that Allah (S.W.T.) told us about the past, it is clear what tie or relation should be established among the believers; Allah (S.W.T.) tells the Muslims to adhere to this without change or modification as is witnessed in many verses: as Allah (S.W.T.) says in surat Al-Mujadelh,(verse 22), what can be translated as, "You will not find any people who believe in Allah and the Last Day, loving those who resist Allah and His apostle, even though they were their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their kindred. For such (people) have written faith in their hearts, and strengthened them with a spirit

from himself. And He will admit them to gardens beneath which never flow to dwell there in. Allah will be well pleased with them and they with Him. They are the party of Allah, truly it is the party of Allah that will achieve felicity.'' Also Allah (S.W.T.) says: " You who believe ! Take not for they love infidelity above faith: if any of you do so, they do wrong! And also as Allah (S.W.T.) says in surat Al-Ma’ibah,(verse 51), what can be translated as, "You who believe, take not the Jews and the Christians as Auliya’, they are but Auliya’ to each other. And he amongst you takes them as Auliya’ thin surely he is one of them. verily Allah guides not a people unjust."

This is a presentation of the basics for the relations between Muslims, and shows the nature of the Islamic society, past and present. And it is not possible to mix Islam with building the society on any other basis other than the one that Allah (S.W.T.) chose for this ummah (nation). Those who call themselves Muslims and use any other basis for their ties and relationships either are ignorant of the nature of Islam, or reject the sovereignty of Islam on all the aspects of their life: In both cases; Islam has nothing to do with whoever violates its rules and never accepts that an individual or society, counted on Islam and in the same time use any other legislation or follow any other path, or follow any thing other than the Qur'an and the sunnah of the prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.).

Your comments are welcome and appreciated: