Illumination by Divine light is essential for a person’s inner world. Without the Almighty’s guidance, one is condemned to darkness, which eventually shrouds their entire horizon. Even if their path is lined with spotlights, they will stumble, shaped by the dark thoughts, words, and actions within them. Their heart falls, their soul becomes aimless, and they cannot even recognize the darkness surrounding them, mistaking it for light.
In His mercy, God sent Prophets and Scriptures to guide humanity from darkness to light. Many embraced this light, but some gradually distanced themselves from it, condemning themselves again to darkness. Since the time of Adam, even among those who followed Prophets, some faltered and turned back, losing sight of the Divine light. Entangled in worldly desires, bodily pleasures, wealth, and property, they brought ruin upon both their worldly and otherworldly lives.
In the years following the Age of Happiness, some who had once sat close to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) tragically abandoned their faith. These individuals were not hypocrites; they had genuine faith. Yet somewhere along the way, their vision blurred, and they veered off the path onto side trails, falling behind. They became lost, unable to perceive the inner darkness they were slipping into, unaware of the zigzags they traced on the path.
Often, people fail to recognize their inner flaws, only seeing their deficiencies through serious self-reckoning. For this reason, it is crucial to constantly seek steadfastness and refuge in God to avoid stumbling along the way. The Messenger of God frequently prayed, “O Allah, the Turner of hearts! Keep my heart firm upon Your religion” [1]. Although he was closest to God, he taught us this prayer as a reminder for his community. The Prophet’s prayer conveys this message: “If even I make this request, then you should also strive to live with utmost care for steadfastness.”
The perpetual cycle of historical recurrences
Those who walk with reliance on God’s strength have never stumbled or faltered, even under the harshest conditions. Neither the allure of worldly beauty nor the oppression of tyrants has deterred them from their path. On the contrary, as challenges mounted, their resolve only grew stronger, their sincerity deepened, and they held fast to essential principles that must never be forgotten. Those who remained steadfast until the end triumphed, while those with weak spiritual immunity ultimately succumbed, bowing to tyrants and losing their way. Though they may have found temporary relief in the world, they will face the reproach of God in the Hereafter: “What harm did you see in walking My path that made you bow to the oppressors?”
Indeed, in the ongoing cycle of history, what happened yesterday continues to unfold today. God’s unchanging laws apply to all societies, and the struggle between good and evil—between Faust and Mephisto—has existed since the time of Prophet Adam. Those who have firm faith in God continue to walk the path, remaining steadfast regardless of oppression, persecution, or deprivation. In contrast, those with weak faith fall victim to power, authority, rank, and worldly pleasures, often justifying their ambitions by manipulating the very values they once believed in. Acting with Machiavellian motives, they become willing to oppress others, even using religion to justify their actions. In loyalty to the idols they have transformed into altars, they inflict unimaginable suffering upon others.
This phenomenon has repeated across history, but it is perhaps even more dangerous today. Egoism has become rampant, and love for the world intoxicates people, leading them to prioritize worldly life over the Hereafter. Many may outwardly appear pious—attending mosques, praying, and fasting—yet they do not really believe in an afterlife nor do they have any sense of accountability. Their only concern is to perpetuate their own pomp, splendor, and dominance. Such people lie without hesitation, deceive others with ease, and oppress those they see as obstacles to their rule, enticing them with worldly promises or subjugating them with acts of cruelty.
On this devilish path, they would even crush an angel if it threatened their comfort. To protect their short worldly life, they darken the lives of innocents, sometimes seizing their property or depriving them of freedom. Sadly, those without strong spiritual immunity may also be swayed, changing their direction and losing themselves amid such tribulation.
Winners and losers
The duty of sincere believers is to remain steadfast on the righteous path, enduring oppression and injustice with patience. Today, we witness countless examples of this. Many faithful have bravely shown their loyalty and fortitude, holding fast to their values without wavering under pressure. They did not submit to oppressors; instead, they met convictions with smiles and walked to prisons joyfully. Through their acts of worship and remembrance of God, they transformed prisons into sanctuaries, schools of spiritual retreat, and places of worship. Even in places one might expect to lose, they achieved great spiritual gains. Truly, have not the oppressed and wronged always been the true victors, while the oppressors and tyrants have been the real losers, darkening their own inner worlds with paranoia and delusion?
Yet there have also been those who cursed the path they once walked and turned to support oppression, signing false confessions that defamed innocent people. By doing so, they portrayed the good deeds they had once performed for their faith, country, and humanity as if they were crimes. Regardless of their intentions, such individuals slander the innocent, committing one of the gravest sins. Those who see no wrong in this act are in even greater danger. By trying to save their worldly lives, they may darken their Hereafter.
Some believers mistakenly think that appearing favorable to an oppressor or maintaining ties with them will ensure their safety. Yet tyrants, paranoid and fearful by nature, cannot trust those who betray their own friends, seeing them as potential threats. Such people, once used, are often discarded. Seeking to appease those who worship the world and exploit religious values for gain is a grave misfortune and sin. Throughout history, have any true servants of God, after enduring oppression and hardship for their faith, ever apologized to tyrants?
We must never forget that supporting an oppressor’s cruelty is itself a form of oppression. Helping those who commit injustice by providing means or opportunities is a type of tyranny, while making life difficult for an oppressor and denying them opportunities is an act of worship.
Remaining steadfast on the path
Those who prevail in both this world and the Hereafter are those who remain unwavering, standing firm even in the face of hardship. Enduring oppression and suffering for the sake of one’s beliefs ultimately leads to success. The Qur’an captures this beautifully: “Our Lord, do not let our hearts deviate after You have guided us” [3]. This wisdom reminds us to constantly seek God’s guidance on the Straight Path. When a person truly understands this, they learn to withstand any challenge, refusing to alter their course due to the oppression of tyrants.
This truth is mirrored in the stories of the Prophets. They endured relentless attacks and torture with unwavering resolve. The life of the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) and his companions shows us the immense hardships they faced for the sake of God. Idolaters subjected them to torture, laid them on burning sands, burdened them with heavy stones, imprisoned and boycotted them, yet none of these trials made them abandon their path. In the end, the oppressors lost, and the believers emerged victorious.
Patience is the key to salvation. Those who endure hardship with patience ultimately attain victory. Just as early believers bore the hardship of the boycott in the Valley of Abu Talib (Shi’b Abi Talib) [4], we, too, should draw inspiration from figures like Bilal and Ammar, who, despite being laid on scorching sands with heavy stones, remained steadfast. The People of the Ditch (Ashab al-Ukhdud) [5] also exemplify unwavering faith, staying true even when tyrants threw them into fire-filled trenches for their belief in God. Wavering brings no benefit and leads only to loss.
Notes
- Tirmidhi, Qadar 7; Ibn Majah, Dua 2.
- Mefisto (Mephistopheles): The chief devil in medieval texts and later literary and operatic works, to whom Faust (Faustus) trades his soul or sacrifices his spiritual values in exchange for power, knowledge, or material gain.
- Surah Al-Imran, 3:8.
- ‘Shi’b Abi Talib’ is a valley between the Mount Abu Qubays and the Mount Khandama in Mecca. When polytheists of Mecca declared an economic and social boycott on Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, Banu Hashim and Muslims, it was in Shi’b Abi Talib they lived for three years under blockade.
- The aṣ’ḥābu l-ʿukhdūdi(People of the Ditch) is a story mentioned in Surah Al-Burooj of the Qur’an. It recounts the tragic fate of believers who were thrown into a ditch and set on fire by King Dhu Nuwas of Himyar for their unwavering faith in Allah over 2,000 years ago, at what is now the Al-Ukhdud archaeological site in Najran, southern Saudi Arabia.
