Evaluation of the Rasûl's (Messenger's) Invitation

So far, we offer endless praise and thanks to Allah for what has made us generous and enabled us to give willingly in the path of Allah is the part of hidayah (guidance) that pertains only to the spirit, that is, the guidance of the spirit. Yet hidayah (guidance) does not end here. There is also the hidayah (guidance) of our physical body, the hidayah (guidance) of our soul, and the hidayah (guidance) of our will which are also trusts from Allah. The most difficult hidayah (guidance), the steep path, is the guidance of the physical body. (See the 25th step)

“Generosity is a tree from among the trees of Paradise whose branches extend to the world. Whoever holds on to one of its branches, it will lead him to Paradise. Stinginess, on the other hand, is a tree from among the trees of Hell whose branches extend to the world. Whoever holds on to one of its branches, it will lead him to the Fire (Hell).” (S: al-Bayhaqī, Shuʿab al-Īmān, VII, 435)

Our Prophet (PBUH) also stated the following regarding generosity:

Ibrahim-7: And then your Lord proclaimed that; “if you are grateful, We certainly give to you more (gifts, degrees), if you disbelieve My torment is truly severe”.

With these lights (noor) created by Allah in his heart, a person becomes generous and attains beauties (of Allah). Because he knows that as he gives, Allah Almighty increases what he has.

Ar-Rum-39: And whatever loans you give out expecting interest from people’s property in return in order that it may increase (Dhikr you do without wishing to reach Allah), it shall not increase in the Presence of Allah (it does not accumulate the glorious lights in your souls hearts and does not increase them). Whatever you give in Zakat (Dhikir you do) seeking Allah’s Face (seeking to reach Allah), it is these (the glorious lights in the souls’ hearts) shall get multiplied.

Our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) says that:

At the point where infaq (spending for the sake of Allah) begins, pledge of allegiance takes place. From that point onward, whether you spend your wealth in the path of Allah in an outward sense or in a spiritual direction, purify your soul by continually fulfilling (infaq by) the command of dhikr that Allah has granted you; in both cases you do infaq (giving). When you perform infaq (spending for the sake of Allah), Allah makes you generous. In Surah Al-Rum, verse 39, Allah compares two groups of people as follows:

As a result of his evaluation, if a person obeys and responds to the Rasul (Messenger) he is on the path of salvation. It is crucial to obey with the heart. To be able to obey with the heart, it is necessary to respond to the fundamental command of Allah in the Qur’an, which is the wish to reach Allah. When we wish, Allah nurtures us, makes us love dhikr (repeating the name of Allah) among the means orders, and we pass one by one through the soul cleansing steps through dhikr. Afterwards, as Allah enlightens our soul's heart, He transforms us from being stingy into being generous. For Allah has in the Holy Qur’an a high-level promise.

“On the Day of Resurrection, the servant will be brought before the Divine Presence to give account. Allah will say: ‘Did I not give you ears, eyes, wealth, and children? Did I not subject to you the animals and the crops? Did I not set you free to be in authority over them and to benefit from them? Did you ever reflect upon this meeting with Me today?’ The servant will reply: ‘No.’ Then Allah will say: ‘Then today I will forget you, just as you forgot Me in the world.’” (S: Tirmidhī, Qiyāmah 7, 2430)

As narrated from Abū Saʿīd and Abū Hurayrah (PBUH), in his hadith, our Prophet (PBUH) said:

According to a noble hadith of the Sultan of the Nabîs, our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH): ‘Three things drive people to ruin: stinginess, following the desires of the soul, and self admiration.’ In light of this, whoever does not wish to reach Allah has followed desires of his soul, that is, he has remained in the state of one who admires his soul.

Allah, the Creator, has established everything with its opposite. Therefore, the one who hears the message of the Rasul (Messenger) must choose between two alternatives: to wish for the Essence of Allah or to wish for the life of this world.

Yet for everyone who fulfills the Messenger's command ‘Wish to reach Allah’, Allah removes any barrier from their organs if such a barrier exists. If there are barriers upon their senses, He removes them. Whoever accepts to what the Rasul (Messenger) has brought, Allah removes the barriers within them. He equips them with discernments (furqans), and through divine grace, swiftly guides them to their murshid (spiritual guide). Once they pledge their allegiance, Allah—true to His promise—delivers back to Himself the trust (the spirit) that belongs to Him. As a result of the seven steps of the cleansing of the soul, He grants them the 3rd level of Paradise and half of worldly happiness.

Al-Baqarah-261: The example of those who spend their wealth in Allah’s Way is that of a grain; it grows seven ears, and in each ear there are a hundred grains. Allah gives multiples of the given to whom He wills. And Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing.

“Whoever does not respond to the invitation of Allah is disobedient to the Rasul (Messenger) of Allah.” (S: Bukhārī, Nikāḥ 71, 74; Muslim, Nikāḥ 103 (1429); Tirmidhī, Nikāḥ 11 (1098); Abū Dāwūd, Aṭʿimah 1 (37), narrator Ibn ʿUmar)

Allah Almighty states in His Holy Qur'ân:

An-Nisa-80: Whoever obeys the Messenger, he indeed obeys Allah; and whoever turns back, so We have not sent you as a guardian over them.

“Hold fast to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of Rashidun (righteous and guiding) Caliphs after me, and cling to them with your molar teeth. Beware of newly introduced false matters in the religion, for every newly introduced matter is a bidʿah (innovation), and every bidʿah (innovation) is misguidance (darkness).” (S: Abū Dāwūd, Hadith no. 4607; Muslim, 867; Nasāʾī, 3/188)

Our Prophet (PBUH) also points to this truth in the following noble hadith:

All prophet messengers and all saint messengers, in the eras in which they lived, invited people to wish to reach Allah. And until the Day of Resurrection, this invitation will continue through the saint messengers of Allah.

Yusuf-108: Say: “This is the way that we invite to Allah, as I and those who pledge allegiance to me, on clear evidence (on sagacity, by sighting with the eye of the heart, by sighting Allah). Glory be to Allah! And I am not of the associators (to Him)."

If we evaluate the matter in the context of 14 centuries ago, we see that the one who brought the invitation of Allah was the Rasul (Messenger) of Allah. Sultan of the Nabîs, our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and his Companions also called people to reach the Essence of Allah. In other words, the Rasul (Messenger) of Allah invited to the Essence of Allah. In this matter, Allah says as follows:

In his noble hadith, our Prophet (PBUH) said: "Whoever does not accept the invitation of Allah is rebellious to the Rasul (Messenger) of Allah."

It is clearly understood from all these verses that the invitation of Allah is only to Himself. Those who accept this invitation are on the path of hidayah (guidance), and those who will attain salvation are the ones who step into hidayah and follow the Sirat Al-Mustaqim (the Straight Path that leads to Allah).

The human spirit first reaches Sırat Al-Mustaqîm (Straight Path that leads to Allah), and after reaching Sırat Al-Mustaqîm, it reaches Hidayah in the Essence of Allah by passing through Sırat Al-Mustaqîm.

Al-An'am-88: This is the Hidayah (Guidance) of Allah. Whom He wills of His servants, with it He guides to Hidayah (delivers their spirit, physical body, soul and free will through Sırat Al-Mustaqîm) And had they associated others with Him, certainly what they did would have become vain.

Al-An'am-87 And We chose them from among their fathers and their descendants and their brethren. And We guided them to Sırat Al-Mustaqîm (the Path on which spirit is delivered to Allah)

The abode of surrender mentioned here is the Essence of Allah. Therefore, Allah's invitation is directed solely and exclusively to His Essence. It is stated with certainty in Surah Yunus, verse 25, that those who accept the invitation will be led to Sırat Al-Mustaqîm (Straight Path that leads to Allah). In this respect, there is a close connection between the abode of surrender and the Sırat Al-Mustaqîm. In this matter Allah says as follows:

Yunus-25: And Allah invites to the Abode of Surrender (Peace) and guides whom he wills (those he wills to deliver to the Abode of Surrender and to His Essence) to Sırat Al-Mustaqîm (the Path directed towards Allah).

The answer to the question 'Where does Allah invite us to?' is explained in many verses of the Holy Qur'an. Accepting the invitation is the primary condition for living Islam. In the 25th verse of Surah Yunus, Allah Almighty invites all humanity to the abode of surrender.

Therefore, it is initially vital to explain what the invitation that brings a person to such significant crossways is. In every era, there are murshids (guides) who invite to Allah, and they carry out the duty of mediation between people and Allah.

Fulfilling the requirement of the Hanif religion necessarily begins with the invitation of Allah. The invitation of Allah is the gateway to the path that leads to Him. The noble hadith of our Prophet (PBUH), being fully in accordance with the Qur’an, reminds us of a very significant truth: responding to the invitation of Allah is the foundation of the religion of Islam. And on the 2nd step of the 28-step scale, every human being faces a choice. Either they accept the invitation of Allah and attain happiness both in this world and in the Hereafter, or they do not accept the invitation and live a life of misery and unrest in this world, and in the Hereafter they will be in Hell.

Al-Ma'idah-70: Verily We took the Covenant of the Sons of Israel and sent Messengers to them. Whenever a Messenger came to them with that which their souls did not desire, some did they call liars and some they killed.

According to the 40th verse of Surah Al-Ahzâb, prophethood ended with our Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (PBUH). But the messengership is an institution that will continue as long as the world lasts. Allah Almighty has sent and will continue to send saint messengers to every nation in every age, speaking in their own languages and explaining the verses of Allah.

Al-Baqarah-87 And most certainly We gave Moses the Book and followed him up with a succession of Messengers. And We gave Jesus (Îsâ), the son of Mary (Maryam), clear proofs and strengthened (supported) him with the Holy Spirit. Whenever then a Messenger came to you with what your souls did not desire, you were arrogant. So you called some as liars and others you killed.

Unfortunately, the vast majority of people are in a state of heedlessness. Whenever they hear the murshid (guide) of Allah and obey him that they are considered to have obeyed Allah.

When we look at the relevant verses of Surah Ad-Dukhan, we see that there is a painful torment encompassing the people is clearly mentioned.

“O sons of ʿAbd Shams! O sons of Kaʿb ibn Lu’ayy! Save yourselves from the Hellfire. O sons of ʿAbd Manāf! Save yourselves from the Hellfire. O sons of Hāshim! Save yourselves from the Hellfire. O sons of ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib! Save yourselves from the Hellfire. O Fāṭimah! Save yourself from the Hellfire. For I have no power to save you from the punishment of Allah…”(S: Muslim, Īmān 348, 351; Bukhārī, Tafsīr Sūrah (26) 2; Tirmidhī, Tafsīr Sūrah (27) 2; Nasāʾī, Waṣāyā 6)

In a hadith narrated by Abū Hurayrah, it is stated as follows:

Our Prophet (PBUH) invited the Quraysh tribe to Mount Safa and addressed them as follows: ‘O people of Quraysh! If I were to tell you that at the foot of this mountain or in this valley there were enemy horsemen ready to attack you and seize your property, would you believe me?’ They replied without hesitation: ‘Yes, we would believe you. For until now we have always found you truthful. We have never heard you tell a lie.’ Having received this confirmation without exception from everyone present, our Prophet (PBUH) conveyed to them this divine truth: ‘Then know that I now inform you that before you lies a Day of severe punishment. Those who do not believe in meeting Allah (surrendering their spirits to Allah) will face that harsh torment. I have been sent to warn you against that severe punishment. O people of Quraysh! My situation with regard to you is like that of a man who sees the enemy and rushes to inform his family out of fear that they may be harmed. O people of Quraysh! You will die as one falls into sleep, and you will be resurrected as one awakens from sleep. Rising from the grave and standing in the presence of Allah Almighty to give account for every action you performed in the world is certain. In the end, you will see the reward of your good deeds and acts of worship, and you will also face the punishment and severe torment for your evil deeds. The reward is eternal Paradise, while the retribution is everlasting Hellfire.’” (S: Bukhārī, Tafsīr, 26; Muslim, Īmān, 348–355; Ahmad, I, 281–307; Ibn Saʿd, I, 74, 200; al-Balādhurī, I, 119; Samīra al-Zāyid, I, 357–359)

Fourteen centuries ago, our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) invited his companions to Allah, as follows:

Most of today’s religious instructors, according to the ruling of the Qur’an verses, are in the position of imams who call to the Fire. Their primary aim is to present Islam’s five pillars as the sole path to salvation. However, within the five pillars of Islam there is neither a place for wishing to reach Allah, which is the gateway to hidayah (guidance), nor does it include dhikr (remembrance of the name of Allah), and doing righteous deeds that is the indispensable condition of cleansing and purification of the soul. Without these, living the religion is not possible. In reality, this is the trial of Allah for people. If people take the necessary lesson from this trial that Allah Almighty makes them experience, then by accepting the Messenger of Allah’s invitation to hidayah (guidance), they can, with a heartfelt wish, free themselves from this state of unrest and misery.

Ad-Dukhan-10: Wait for the day when an evident smoke (of lawlessness) will cover the sky.

Currently, majority of the Islamic world has fallen into a great delusion, thinking themselves to be upon hidayah (guidance). Islam is derived from the root "slm" and means surrender. Allah Almighty commands all people to surrender to Allah. Our Prophet (PBUH) also said: "Surrender precedes speech," thereby drawing attention to surrender. (S: Tirmidhī, 2699)

“O servants of Allah! You are like patients, and the Lord of the worlds is like the physician. The benefit of the patient lies in what the physician knows and prescribes for treatment — not in what the soul desires and proposes for itself. Therefore, surrender to the command of Allah, and thus you will attain salvation.” (S: Majmūʿat al-Warrām, vol. 2, p. 117)

Our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) says that:

Al-Anfal-24 Oh, âmenû ones(those who wished to reach Allah), accept the call when Allah and His Messenger invites you to that which gives you life! And know that, verily, Allah comes between a person and his heart, and that you will certainly be gathered to Him (all your spirits will be gathered in Allah, and Allah will be a refuge for your spirits)!

Allah Almighty states that:

In all eras, the Rasuls (Messengers) have invited people to Allah, and this invitation will continue until the Day of Judgment.

In another hadith, it is stated: "Tonight, many confusions, temptations (fitnah), and many treasures have descended. But who will awaken those who are lying in their rooms, unaware of this? There are many who have garments in this world, yet in the Hereafter they will be naked.” (S: Bukhārī, ʿIlm, 27)

Ad-Dukhan-11: (The smoke of lawlessness) covered (most of) the people. That is a painful torment.

Thus, the painful torment encompassing the people, and the existence of societies that are restless and unhappy in this manner, stem from the fact that although people think they are living the religion, in reality they are not living the true religion.

Therefore, what falls upon us is that when we are addressed by the message, we must immediately accept it and wish to reach Allah.

An-Nisa-64 We sent no Messenger except that he should be obeyed by the Permission of Allah. And if, when they wronged their souls they had but come to you and asked forgiveness (to replace their sins with good) of Allah and the Messenger had also asked forgiveness (to replace their sins with good) for them, they would have certainly found Allah (accepting both requests) Oft-Forgiving (accepting their repentance and the Messengers request for their sins to be replaced with good), and the Most Merciful.

Those who follow their low desire of the soul upon whom Allah has placed barriers, unfortunately, cannot understand the verses of Allah nor the message that Allah intends to convey to us through His verses. Their ability to understand depends on accepting the message and invitation of the murshid (guide) who comes with hidayah (guidance) from Allah. Allah Almighty explains for what purpose He has sent His rasûls (messengers) as follows:

Muhammad-16: And some of those who listen to you, after they go out from your presence, they said to those who have been given the knowledge: “What did (he) just say earlier”? These are the ones whose hearts Allah has sealed and they are the ones who follow their low desires.

“Therefore, unless they wish to reach Allah the greatest trap awaiting today’s religious instructors is the universal decree of Allah. Because of their indifference to the call, Allah will place barriers upon their senses, and as a result of their quarreling with the murshid (guide), He will place barriers upon their organs. Whoever begins to spread mischief on earth, Allah will also seal their hearts, and then they will never be able to wish to reach Allah". In this matter, Allah says as follows:

Al-Jathiya-23 Have you seen a man who deified his soul's desire? And Allah has left him astray upon a (useless) knowledge, and sealed his sense of hearing and sealed his heart, and covered a veil (gishawah) over his sight. In this case who might convey him to hidayah (guidance) other than Allah? Do you still not deliberate (think)?

Al-Baqarah-44 What! Do you enjoin Al-Birr [the purification of the soul’s heart and the surender (to Allah)] onto others but you forget it yourselves? And although you read the Book, have you then not use your intellect?

Allah Almighty says in this matter as follows:

“O Allah! I seek refuge in You from knowledge that is of no benefit, from a heart that does not tremble, from a soul that is never satisfied, and from a supplication that will not be accepted.” (S: Muslim, Dhikr, 73; Tirmidhī, Daʿawāt 69 (3478); Nasāʾī, Istiʿādhah 2 (8, 255))

In line with this, another noble hadith of our Prophet (PBUH) is as follows:

As in the case of the two groups mentioned in Al-Kahf 28, among those addressed by the message, some have wished for hidayah (guidance) by accepting the invitation of the murshid (guide), and thus attained the glad tidings of Allah. Others, however, despite the message for hidayah (guidance) reached them, either remained indifferent, were captivated by the allure of worldly life, or opposed the call because of the handwritten books (emaniyye) they adhered to, engaging in conflict. Some went even further, and no matter what verse of the Qur’an was shown to them, they did not believe and became part of the group of oppressors who prevent others from hidayah (guidance). These people of the second group did read the Holy Qur’an, yet because they did not wish for hidayah (guidance), they did not comprehend due to the barrier Allah placed in their hearts. They did not reach its true meaning. Since they did not wish for hidayah (guidance), they did not live by the knowledge they possessed; the knowledge they had become useless knowledge for them. Our Prophet (PBUH) concluded this matter with the following words: ‘I seek refuge in Allah from knowledge that is of no benefit.’”

As it is understood from the noble hadith, Allah's favors are granted to those who hears the caller's invitation and wishes to reach Allah. The highest among the universal laws of Allah is the law of deservedness and reward; whatever we deserve that is what we receive from Allah.

“The scholars are the successors of the prophets. The prophets did not leave behind dinars or dirhams, but they left knowledge. Thus, whoever acquires that knowledge has indeed taken a great share.” (S: Bukhārī, ʿIlm, 10; Abū Dāwūd, ʿIlm, 1; Tirmidhī, ʿIlm, 19; Ibn Mājah, Muqaddimah, 17)

In another noble hadith he states that:

“Indeed, the scholars act as intermediaries between you and your Lord." (S: al-Ḥākim, al-Mustadrak, 3/222; al-Ṭabarānī, al-Kabīr, 20/328; al-Haythamī, Majmaʿ al-Zawāʾid, 2/64)

Our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) says that:

Although messengers of Allah have come to people in every era with a message of guidance, they have failed to comprehend this message due to the swamp of ignorance they live in. As a result, no matter which messenger came, they either denied him or killed him, following their suspicions, low desires, and the vices of their souls.

Therefore, whoever does not wish to reach Allah with his own free will and does not accept Allah's invitation, is a rebellious person against the Rasul (Messenger) of Allah. Our Prophet (PBUH) gives us this message in his noble hadith.

Language