In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Fear and Demoralisation Utilised to Control and Exploit People, Influence Public Opinion and Hide Truth Is Not a New Strategy, Rather It Was Utilised By The Greatest Tyrants

Fear as a Means of Control

Allaah [The Most High] said: [إِنَّمَا ذَٲلِكُمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ يُخَوِّفُ أَوۡلِيَآءَهُ ۥ فَلَا تَخَافُوهُمۡ وَخَافُونِ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِينَ – It is only Shaitan (Satan) that suggests to you the fear of his Auliya’ [supporters and friends], so fear them not, but fear Me, if you are (true) believers]. [Surah Aal Imran. Aayah 175]

Imaam Ibn Katheer [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “Shaytaan threatens you with his friends and tries to pretend that they are powerful and fearsome. Allaah said: [فَلَا تَخَافُوهُمۡ وَخَافُونِ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِينَ – so fear them not, but fear Me, if you are (true) believers], meaning, if shaytaan seeks to bring these thoughts to you, then depend on Me and seek refuge with Me. I shall suffice you and make you prevail over them. Allaah said:

أَلَيۡسَ ٱللَّهُ بِكَافٍ عَبۡدَهُ ۥ‌ۖ وَيُخَوِّفُونَكَ بِٱلَّذِينَ مِن دُونِهِۦ‌ۚ وَمَن يُضۡلِلِ ٱللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُ ۥ مِنۡ هَادٍ۬
وَمَن يَهۡدِ ٱللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُ ۥ مِن مُّضِلٍّ‌ۗ أَلَيۡسَ ٱللَّهُ بِعَزِيزٍ۬ ذِى ٱنتِقَامٍ۬
وَلَٮِٕن سَأَلۡتَهُم مَّنۡ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ ٱللَّهُ‌ۚ قُلۡ أَفَرَءَيۡتُم مَّا تَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ إِنۡ أَرَادَنِىَ ٱللَّهُ بِضُرٍّ هَلۡ هُنَّ كَـٰشِفَـٰتُ ضُرِّهِۦۤ أَوۡ أَرَادَنِى بِرَحۡمَةٍ هَلۡ هُنَّ مُمۡسِكَـٰتُ رَحۡمَتِهِۦ‌ۚ قُلۡ حَسۡبِىَ ٱللَّهُ‌ۖ عَلَيۡهِ يَتَوَڪَّلُ ٱلۡمُتَوَكِّلُونَ

Is not Allah Sufficient for His slave? Yet they try to frighten you with those (whom they worship) besides Him! And whom Allah sends astray, for him there will be no guide. And whomsoever Allah guides, for him there will be no misleader. Is not Allah All-Mighty, Possessor of Retribution? And verily, if you ask them: “Who created the heavens and the earth?” Surely, they will say: “Allah (has created them).” Say: “Tell me then, the things that you invoke besides Allah, if Allah intended some harm for me, could they remove His harm, or if He (Allah) intended some mercy for me, could they withhold His Mercy?” Say : “Sufficient for me is Allah; in Him those who trust (i.e. believers) must put their trust.” [Surah Az-Zumar. Aayaat 36-38] (1)

Allaah [The Exalted] said that Prophet Ibraaheem [peace be upon him] said to his people:

وَڪَيۡفَ أَخَافُ مَآ أَشۡرَڪۡتُمۡ وَلَا تَخَافُونَ أَنَّكُمۡ أَشۡرَكۡتُم بِٱللَّهِ مَا لَمۡ يُنَزِّلۡ بِهِۦ عَلَيۡڪُمۡ سُلۡطَـٰنً۬ا‌ۚ فَأَىُّ ٱلۡفَرِيقَيۡنِ أَحَقُّ بِٱلۡأَمۡنِ‌ۖ إِن كُنتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُونَ

And how should I fear those whom you associate in worship with Allah (though they can neither benefit nor harm), while you fear not that you have joined in worship with Allah things for which He has not sent down to you any authority. (So) which of the two parties has more right to be in security? If you but know.” It is those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah and worship none but Him Alone) and confuse not their belief with Zulm (wrong i.e. by worshipping others besides Allah), for them (only) there is security and they are the guided. [Surah Al-An’aam. Aayaat 81-82]

Meaning: How can this be justified by way of sound intellect or to the one with sound understanding that one fears what you ascribe as partners to Allaah, even though neither can it benefit nor harm, but you do not fear that you have ascribed things as partners to Allaah for which Allaah has neither sent down any proof nor legislated it?! The person who sets up a deity that has not created anything as a partner to Allaah, [(The Lord and owner of everything, the owner of all the means and causes of harm and benefit); rather such a deity is created, neither can it benefit nor harm itself and those who worship it, neither can it give life nor death, nor raise the dead], prostates to it, humbles himself to it and devoted to it, then this person is more worthy of fearing (evil consequences and destruction) than the one who has not ascribed another deity as a partner to Allaah, but rather he declares that Allaah is one – the only true deity, the one with absolute Lordship, the only one who possesses perfect greatness and authority, the only deity that deserves to be loved, feared and direct one’s hope to. (2)

[وَڪَيۡفَ أَخَافُ مَآ أَشۡرَڪۡتُمۡ – Why should I fear that which you ascribe as partners to [Allaah]? – Meaning, when its state is that of inability and cannot benefit; [وَلَا تَخَافُونَ أَنَّكُمۡ أَشۡرَكۡتُم بِٱللَّهِ مَا لَمۡ يُنَزِّلۡ بِهِۦ عَلَيۡڪُمۡ سُلۡطَـٰنً۬ا‌ۚ – whilst you do not fear ascribing partners to Allah for which He has not sent down to you any authority], meaning, you do so solely due to following desires! [فَأَىُّ ٱلۡفَرِيقَيۡنِ أَحَقُّ بِٱلۡأَمۡنِ‌ۖ إِن كُنتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُونَ – (So) which of the two parties has more right to be in security? If you but know?]

Then differentiated the two parties and stated: [ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَلَمۡ يَلۡبِسُوٓاْ إِيمَـٰنَهُم بِظُلۡمٍ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ لَهُمُ ٱلۡأَمۡنُ وَهُم مُّهۡتَدُونَ – It is those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah and worship none but Him Alone) and confuse not their belief with Zulm (wrong i.e. by worshipping others besides Allah), for them (only) there is security and they are the guided] -Meaning, safe from fear, punishment and misery, and they will be guided to the straight path. (3)

Fir’awn’s Fearmongering

Allaah [The Most High] said:

قَالَ أَجِئۡتَنَا لِتُخۡرِجَنَا مِنۡ أَرۡضِنَا بِسِحۡرِكَ يَـٰمُوسَىٰ
فَلَنَأۡتِيَنَّكَ بِسِحۡرٍ۬ مِّثۡلِهِۦ فَٱجۡعَلۡ بَيۡنَنَا وَبَيۡنَكَ مَوۡعِدً۬ا لَّا نُخۡلِفُهُ ۥ نَحۡنُ وَلَآ أَنتَ مَكَانً۬ا سُوً۬ى
قَالَ مَوۡعِدُكُمۡ يَوۡمُ ٱلزِّينَةِ وَأَن يُحۡشَرَ ٱلنَّاسُ ضُحً۬ى
فَتَوَلَّىٰ فِرۡعَوۡنُ فَجَمَعَ ڪَيۡدَهُ ۥ ثُمَّ أَتَىٰ
قَالَ لَهُم مُّوسَىٰ وَيۡلَكُمۡ لَا تَفۡتَرُواْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ڪَذِبً۬ا فَيُسۡحِتَكُم بِعَذَابٍ۬‌ۖ وَقَدۡ خَابَ مَنِ ٱفۡتَرَىٰ

He [Fir’awn] said, “Have you come to drive us out of our land with your magic, O Musa? Then verily, we can produce magic the like thereof, so appoint a meeting between us and you, which neither we, nor you shall fail to keep, in an open wide place where both shall have a just and equal chance (and beholders could witness the competition)”. [Musa] said, “Your appointed meeting is the day of the festival, and let the people assemble when the sun has risen (forenoon)”. So Fir’awn withdrew, devised his plot and then came back. Musa (Moses) said to them, “Woe unto you! Invent not a lie against Allah, lest He should destroy you completely by a torment. And surely, he who invents a lie (against Allah) will fail miserably”. [Surah Taa Haa. Aayaat 57-61]

Imaam As-Sadi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “He (Fir’awn) claimed that the signs which Musa [peace be upon him] showed him were nothing more than sorcery and illusions, and that the aim behind them was to drive them from their land and take it over. Fir’awn’s statements were intended to influence his people, because people are naturally attached to their homelands and it is difficult for them to abandon them. He told them that this was Musa’s goal, so that they would hate and oppose him”. (4)

Allaah [The Exalted] said:

وَقَالَ فِرۡعَوۡنُ ذَرُونِىٓ أَقۡتُلۡ مُوسَىٰ وَلۡيَدۡعُ رَبَّهُ ۥۤ‌ۖ إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ أَن يُبَدِّلَ دِينَڪُمۡ أَوۡ أَن يُظۡهِرَ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ ٱلۡفَسَادَ

Fir’aun (Pharaoh) said: “Leave me to kill Musa (Moses), and let him call his Lord (to stop me from killing him)! I fear that he may change your religion, or that he may cause mischief to appear in the land!” [Surah Ghaafir. Aayah 26]

Imaam As-Sadi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: Allaah (The Most High) said: [وَقَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ – Fir’aun (Pharaoh) said] – Meaning, with haughtiness and tyranny, whilst deluding his foolish people;

[ذَرُونِي أَقْتُلْ مُوسَىٰ وَلْيَدْعُ رَبَّهُ – Leave me to kill Musa (Moses), and let him call his Lord (to stop me from killing him)!] This was his (false) claim that had it not been for his consideration of the wishes of his people, he would have killed Musa and that (Musa’s) supplication to his Lord would not have prevented him from that. Fir’awn then mentioned what made him want to kill Musa and that he is a sincere adviser to his people, and that he wished to remove mischief from the land. Allaah (The Most High) stated that Fir’awn said:

[إِنِّي أَخَافُ أَنْ يُبَدِّلَ دِينَكُمْ أَوْ أَنْ يُظْهِرَ فِي الْأَرْضِ الْفَسَادَ – I fear that he (Musa) may change your religion, or that he may cause mischief to appear in the land!]

This is the most amazing the affair can be! The most evil one among the creation gives advice to the people against the best among the creation. This is (nothing but) disguised falsehood and propaganda, which cannot seize except the intellects of those (people) about whom Allaah stated:

[فَاسْتَخَفَّ قَوْمَهُ فَأَطَاعُوهُ ۚ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا قَوْمًا فَاسِقِينَ – Thus he Fir’aun (Pharaoh)] befooled and misled his people, and they obeyed him. Verily, they were ever a people who were Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah)]. [Surah Az-Zukhruf. Verse 54] (5)

Allaah also stated that Fir’awn said to Prophet Musa [peace be upon him]:

[ لَٮِٕنِ ٱتَّخَذۡتَ إِلَـٰهًا غَيۡرِى لَأَجۡعَلَنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلۡمَسۡجُونِينَ- If you choose an ilah (god) other than me, I will certainly put you among the prisoners].

So after Fir’awn had no proofs to offer and was completely unable to offer anything that would nullify the proofs of his opponent, he utilised his authority in the land to threaten Musa [peace be upon him]. He -May Allaah disfigure him- thought that he could misguide Musa by threatening him, and that Musa cannot worship a god besides him, because if Musa does not choose him as his god, then indeed Musa has affirmed that he and his followers are upon clear-sightedness in the affairs of their religion. (6)

Allaah informed us about Prophet Hud [peace be upon him] and his people:

إِن نَّقُولُ إِلَّا ٱعۡتَرَٮٰكَ بَعۡضُ ءَالِهَتِنَا بِسُوٓءٍ۬‌ۗ قَالَ إِنِّىٓ أُشۡہِدُ ٱللَّهَ وَٱشۡہَدُوٓاْ أَنِّى بَرِىٓءٌ۬ مِّمَّا تُشۡرِكُونَ
مِن دُونِهِۦ‌ۖ فَكِيدُونِى جَمِيعً۬ا ثُمَّ لَا تُنظِرُونِ
إِنِّى تَوَكَّلۡتُ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ رَبِّى وَرَبِّكُم‌ۚ مَّا مِن دَآبَّةٍ إِلَّا هُوَ ءَاخِذُۢ بِنَاصِيَتِہَآ‌ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّى عَلَىٰ صِرَٲطٍ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٍ۬
فَإِن تَوَلَّوۡاْ فَقَدۡ أَبۡلَغۡتُكُم مَّآ أُرۡسِلۡتُ بِهِۦۤ إِلَيۡكُمۡ‌ۚ وَيَسۡتَخۡلِفُ رَبِّى قَوۡمًا غَيۡرَكُمۡ وَلَا تَضُرُّونَهُ ۥ شَيۡـًٔا‌ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّى عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ حَفِيظٌ۬

All that we say is that some of our gods (i.e. their false deities) have seized you (Hud) with evil (madness).” He said, “I call Allah to witness and bear you witness that I am free from that which you ascribe as partners in worship with Him (Allah). So plot against me, all of you, and give me no respite. I put my trust in Allah, my Lord and your Lord! There is not a moving (living) creature but He has grasp of its forelock. Verily, my Lord is on the Straight Path (i.e. upon perfect justice and perfect wisdom, worthy of all praise in everything He has Willed, Decreed, Legislated and Commanded; Worthy of all praise in His recompense, rewards and punishments. His actions never exit the straight path for which He is praised and exalted). (7) So if you turn away, still I have conveyed the Message with which I was sent to you. My Lord will make another people succeed you, and you will not harm Him in the least. Surely, my Lord is Guardian over all things.” [Surah Hud. Aayaat 54-57]

Remember the fearmongering that led to the invasion of Iraq?! Fearmongering and lying about the existence of “Weapons of Mass Destruction” that led to the death of thousands of innocent people! Likewise, we’ve witnessed the fearmongering and lies regarding viruses as well as the dangers of not being vaccinated!

Demoralisation Used as a Means of Control

Allaah informed us about the attitude of the people of Prophet Hud [peace be upon]:

فَقَالَ ٱلۡمَلَأُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِن قَوۡمِهِۦ مَا نَرَٮٰكَ إِلَّا بَشَرً۬ا مِّثۡلَنَا وَمَا نَرَٮٰكَ ٱتَّبَعَكَ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ أَرَاذِلُنَا بَادِىَ ٱلرَّأۡىِ وَمَا نَرَىٰ لَكُمۡ عَلَيۡنَا مِن فَضۡلِۭ بَلۡ نَظُنُّكُمۡ كَـٰذِبِينَ

The chiefs of the disbelievers among his people said: “We see you but a man like ourselves, nor do we see any follow you but the meanest among us and they (too) followed you without thinking. And we do not see in you any merit above us, in fact we think you are liars.” [Surah Hud Aayah 27]

Allaah [The Most High] informed us in Surah Ash-Shu’araa about Fir’awn [may Allaah curse him] and Musa [peace be upon him]: [قَالَ فِرۡعَوۡنُ وَمَا رَبُّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ- Fir’aun (Pharaoh) said: “And what is the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists)?] [ قَالَ رَبُّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَا بَيۡنَهُمَآ‌ۖ إِن كُنتُم مُّوقِنِينَ – Musa (Moses) said: “Lord of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, if you seek to be convinced with certainty] [قَالَ لِمَنۡ حَوۡلَهُ ۥۤ أَلَا تَسۡتَمِعُونَ -Fir’aun (Pharaoh) said to those around: “Do you not hear (what he (Musa) says)?] [قَالَ رَبُّكُمۡ وَرَبُّ ءَابَآٮِٕكُمُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ- Musa (Moses) said: “Your Lord and the Lord of your ancient fathers!]; [قَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَكُمُ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُرۡسِلَ إِلَيۡكُمۡ لَمَجۡنُونٌ۬- Fir’aun (Pharaoh) said: “Verily, your Messenger who has been sent to you is a madman!].

Allaah [The Most High] informed us that Fir’awn said: [أَمۡ أَنَا۟ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّنۡ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى هُوَ مَهِينٌ۬ وَلَا يَكَادُ يُبِينُ – Am I not better than this one [Musa (Moses)], who is Mahin (has no honour nor any respect, and is weak and despicable) and can scarcely express himself clearly?][Surah Az-Zukhruf’ Ayah 52]

Imaam As-Sadi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “May Allaah [The Most High] disfigure Fir’awn, because indeed he intended Musa by this description, even though Musa is one whom Allaah [The Most High] spoke to directly and one given high status by Allaah [The Most High]; however Fir’awn thought that he is honoured and Musa is dishonoured and disgraced. He also proclaimed that in addition to this, Musa cannot even speak clearly because he is not eloquent! However, Firawn’s insult against Musa that Musa cannot even express himself is not something blameworthy at all, because he was able to convey the message, even though he used to encounter some difficulty when speaking”. (8)

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: The believers are put to trial by way of the disbelievers and the disbelievers are put to trial by way of the believers. Those who enjoin good and forbid evil are put to trial by way of those whom they command good and forbid from evil, and those commanded with good and forbidden from evil are put to trial by way of those who command them with good and forbid them from evil. And due to this, the poor and weak Muslims amongst the followers of the Messengers were a trial for the wealthy people and leaders. They [i.e. these wealthy ones and leaders] were prevented from accepting faith after knowing the truthfulness of the Messengers. [Allaah informed us that they said]: [لَوْ كَانَ خَيْرًا مَا سَبَقُونَا إِلَيْهِ – Had it (i.e. the Message of the Messenger) been a good thing, they (weak and poor) would not have preceded us thereto!] [Soorah Al-Ahqaaf: Ayah: 11]

And (Allaah said that) they (i.e. disbelievers in the time of Nooh) said to Nooh: [أَنُؤْمِنُ لَكَ وَاتَّبَعَكَ الْأَرْذَلُونَ – Shall we believe in you, when the lowest of the people follow you? (i.e. those without wealth or status in society)]. [Surah Ash-Shu’araa: Ayah: 111]

Allaah (The Most High) said: [وَكَذَٰلِكَ فَتَنَّا بَعْضَهُمْ بِبَعْضٍ لِيَقُولُوا أَهَٰؤُلَاءِ مَنَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنْ بَيْنِنَا – Thus We have tried some of them with others, that they might say: “Is it these (poor believers) that Allah has favoured from amongst us?] [Soorah Al-An’aam: Ayah: 53]

So when a leader of high status saw that a poor person of lowly status had preceded him in belief and in following the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him], he become furious and scornful about accepting Islaam [due to not wanting] to be similar to [that poor person of lowly status]. And he says: I enter into Islaam so that I may be at the same level with this lowly one? Az-Zujaaj [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: Perhaps a person of high status wanted to accept Islaam, but he was prevented from it so that it would not be said: ‘’someone lower than him preceded him (in Islaam);’’ therefore he remained upon disbelief and not [wanting] a Muslim to precede him in virtue. (9)

Imaam Muhammad Bin Abdul Wahhaab [may Allaah have mercy upon him] stated in Masaa’il Al-Jaahiliyyah: “The worldly life was exalted in their hearts, as Allaah [The Exalted] said [that they said]:

[ لَوۡلَا نُزِّلَ هَـٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانُ عَلَىٰ رَجُلٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡقَرۡيَتَيۡنِ عَظِيمٍ – Why is not this Qur’aan sent down to some great man of the two towns]. [Surah Az-Zukhruf, Aayah 31]

Al-Allaamah Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] said: One of the traits of the (people) of Al-Jaahiliyyah [i.e. the people who lived during the Pre-Islamic Era of Ignorance] was that the worldly life was exalted in their hearts; so, they regarded the one who possessed (the things of the worldly life) to be honourable and the one who was not in possession of the (things of the worldly life) to be of low (status) and despised. And even in the affair of Risaalah [Messengership], which is Allaah’s (absolute choice to choose the one He decides to send as a Messenger), they saw that it should be given to the rich people and not the poor people. They said, “Allaah did not find, except an orphan of Abu Taalib to send (as a Messenger)?” They were referring to Muhammad. [لَوۡلَا نُزِّلَ هَـٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانُ عَلَىٰ رَجُلٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡقَرۡيَتَيۡنِ عَظِيمٍ – And they say: Why is not this Qur’aan sent down to some great man of the two towns]. [Surah Az-Zukhruf. Aayah 31]. The two towns are Makkah and Madina, and that (great man) in Makkah was Waleed Bin Mugheerah or Habeeb Bin Amr Ath-thaqafee, and it is said that the great man in Taa’if was Urwa Bin Mas’ood. The people of Al-Jaahiliyyah [i.e. the people who lived during the Pre-Islamic Era of Ignorance] said, “If the message was given to one of those two great men, it would have been befitting to be (regarded) a message, but it does not befit them to think that it is given to a poor orphan [i.e. Muhammad]”. Allaah [The Exalted] said [in response to them]: [ أَهُمۡ يَقۡسِمُونَ رَحۡمَتَ رَبِّكَ‌ۚ – Is it they who would portion out the mercy of your Lord] [Surah Az-Zukhruf. Aayah 32] – Meaning: They interfered in Allaah’s [choice, decrees, decisions etc]. They wanted to portion out Allaah’s Mercy and did not testify to what Allaah portioned out [of His Mercy], even though [ٱللَّهُ أَعۡلَمُ حَيۡثُ يَجۡعَلُ رِسَالَتَهُ – Allaah knows best with whom to place his message] [Surah Al-An’aam. Aayah 24] (10)

Humble Yourself to Allaah’s Greatness Alone – Neither Fearing Nor Exalting The Fear-mongering Atheists and Those Who Seek to Demoralise You

Al-Allaamah Rabee bin Haadee Al-Madkhalee [may Allaah protect him] stated: Many people humble themselves to one another more than they humble themselves to Allaah – The Most High, The Most Great. It is neither permissible for a person to be a slave [i.e. neither worshipping nor submitting to anyone in a manner which only Allaah deserves], except to Allaah, nor humble himself except to the Greatness of Allaah. Allaah [Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections] said:

هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ‌ۖ عَـٰلِمُ ٱلۡغَيۡبِ وَٱلشَّهَـٰدَةِ‌ۖ هُوَ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلۡمَلِكُ ٱلۡقُدُّوسُ ٱلسَّلَـٰمُ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُ ٱلۡمُهَيۡمِنُ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡجَبَّارُ ٱلۡمُتَڪَبِّرُ‌ۚ سُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشۡرِڪُونَ
هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡخَـٰلِقُ ٱلۡبَارِئُ ٱلۡمُصَوِّرُ‌ۖ لَهُ ٱلۡأَسۡمَآءُ ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰ‌ۚ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ ۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ

He is Allaah than Whom there is none who has the right to be worshipped but He; the King, the Holy, the One Free from all defects, the Giver of security, the Watcher over His creatures, the All-Mighty, the Compeller, the Supreme. Glory be to Allaah! [High is He] above all that they associate as partners with Him. He is Allaah, the Creator, the Inventor of all things, the Bestower of forms. To Him belong the Best Names. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. [Surah Al-Hashar’ Aayaat 23-24]

Examine those Aayaat in the last part of Surah Al-Hashar! The statement: [هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ – He is Allah than Whom there is none who has the right to be worshipped but He)]: This necessitates Tawheed Al-Uloohiyyah (i.e. Allaah’s right to be worshipped alone and none associated as partners with Him).

The statement: [هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ‌ۖ عَـٰلِمُ ٱلۡغَيۡبِ وَٱلشَّهَـٰدَةِ‌ۖ هُوَ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ- He is Allaah, than Whom there is none who has the right to be worshipped but He, the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen (open). He is the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful]: This necessitates Tawheed Al-Asmaa Was Sifaat (i.e. the oneness of Allaah in His Names and Attributes).

And the statement: [هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡخَـٰلِقُ ٱلۡبَارِئُ ٱلۡمُصَوِّرُ‌ۖ – He is Allaah, the Creator, the Inventor of all things, the Bestower of forms] necessitates Tawheed Ar-Roboobiyyah (i.e. the oneness of Allaah in His Lordhsip).

These few Aayaat in the last part of Surah Al-Hashr necessitate all the categories of Tawheed . (11)

Supplication:

The Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] used to supplicate saying:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ، وَالْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَالْبُخْلِ وَالْجُبْنِ ، وَضَلَعِ الدَّيْنِ، وَغَلَبَةِ الرِّجَالِ

O Allaah! I seek refuge with You against distress and grief, helplessness and laziness, miserliness and cowardice, being heavily in debt and being overcome by men. [Saheeh Al-Bukhaari. Number 2893]

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim said: So, the Messenger sought Allaah’s Refuge against eight affairs and each of them is connected to another thing.

Distress and Grief: Distress and grief are connected to each other and they are pains in the heart. If it is in relation to an affair that has elapsed, then it is grief; and if related to an affair in the future, then it is distress. So, if the basis of the pain is related to something missed in the past, it is grief; and if its basis is related to fear of what is to come in future, it is distress.

Helplessness And Laziness: Helplessness and Laziness are connected to each other. When one is delayed from what is beneficial and its perfect [accomplishment], it is considered to be helplessness. And if the affair is related to lack of intent, it is considered to be laziness.

Cowardice And Miserliness: Cowardice and miserliness are connected to each other, because indeed Ihsaan [i.e. to do good for others, generosity, etc] brings happiness to the heart and comfort to the inner self, overcomes distress and repels rancour. And abandoning it [i.e. Ihsaan] would cause the heart to be constricted and prevents it from reaching blessings by way of it. Cowardice is to abandon Insaan by way of physical actions and miserliness is the abandonment of Insaan through wealth.

Being Heavily In Debt And Being Overcome By Men: Being heavily in debt and being overcome by men are connected to each other, because being subdued and overcome can occur from the person himself or from others- either based on truth or falsehood. The cause of being heavily in debt emanates from the person himself and no wrong is committed against him, and being overcome by men is tantamount to falsehood [committed against him] and not from himself.

The intent in this discussion is that the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] [showed and clarified] that grief is something a person should seek refuge against, because indeed it weakens the heart, weakens one’s determination and changes one’s intent. And there is nothing more beloved to shaytaan than bringing sadness to the believers. Allaah [The Exalted] said: [ إِنَّمَا ٱلنَّجۡوَىٰ مِنَ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنِ لِيَحۡزُنَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا – Secret counsels (conspiracies) are only from Shaitan (Satan), in order that he may cause grief to the believers] [Surah Al-Mujaadilah. Aayah 10]

Grief is one of the ailments of the heart which prevents it from arising, embarking upon and striving [to pursue what is beneficial] – preventing it from attaining reward due to the calamities that afflicts a person outside his own choice, such as sickness, pain and what is similar. (12)

[Ref 1: An Excerpt from Al-Misbaah Al-Muneer Fee Tahdheeb Tafseer Ibn Katheer]
[Ref 2: An Excerpt From Badaa’I at-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnul Qayyim. 1/352. Slightly paraphrased
[Ref 3: An Excerpt From Tafseer As-Sadi. Slightly paraphrased]
[Ref 4: An Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi]
[Ref 5: An Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi]
[Ref 6: An Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi]
[Ref 7: An Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi]
[Ref 8: An Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi]
[Ref 9: An Excerpt from ‘Ighaathatul Lahfaan: 2/170-172.’ slightly paraphrased]
[Ref 10: An Excerpt from ‘Sharh Masaa-ilil Jaahiliyyah’. Pages: 261-262. Slightly paraphrased]
[Ref 11: Majmoo’ah Wa Rasaail Wa Fataawa 1/22]
[Ref 12: An Excerpt from Tareeq Al-Hijratayn. Pages 606-607. Slightly paraphrased]