The effort to destroy Islam is almost as old as Islam itself. Ever since Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) proclaimed the message of Allah Ta‘ala, the Kuffaar began plotting ways and means to annihilate Islam and the Muslims. Fourteen centuries later this futile effort is continuing unabated.
Allah Ta‘ala has informed the Muslims from before that the Kuffaar will continue to fight them in an attempt to turn them away from their deen. This “fight” is being waged on all fronts. The physical battle is continuing to this day in many parts of the world where Muslims are being mercilessly gunned down. Their only “crime”: They are Muslims!
More Dangerous
However, another silent war is also being waged. As horrifying and ghastly as the physical bombardment of Muslims is, this silent war is much more dangerous. The Muslim victims of the physical onslaught become martyrs and enter directly into Jannah. The victims of the silent war pave their pathway towards Jahannam — unless they are salvaged.
The silent war is being waged by the means of literature that is being flooded into Muslim homes. Innocent-looking books, pamphlets, magazines and newspapers are brought into the home. They are read by the entire family. Their imaan is then slowly corroded.
“Read Anything?”
Despite this extremely dangerous war being waged, the Muslim masses are still being encouraged from certain quarters to read anything and everything (about Islam) irrespective of who writes it — and that too with an “open mind.” They are then told to exercise “independent judgement” in “formulating their opinions” regarding what has been written. This is an extremely dangerous and absolutely foolish attitude. It could ruin the imaan of an unwary Muslim.
Distortions
One will only understand the danger that lurks behind this attitude if one is aware of how clear aspects are deviously distorted to mislead people. Let alone distortions, absolute fabrication is also resorted to in order to snatch away the imaan of Muslims. A person who is not aware of the true facts is bound to be affected by these distortions and fabrications. All that is required to dupe an unsuspecting person is to have a way with words. Thus these distortions are presented in such a manner that the person ignorant of the truth falls prey to them. In the process, he even loses his imaan at times.
“Then I was Guided”
A book by some Mr. al-Tijaani who claims to have “converted” to Shiasm is one such book which is riddled with distortions and many fabrications. He has written the book in an attempt to “convert” unwary Muslims to Shiasm. Using the gift of the gab that he undoubtedly has, he resorts to even sheer fabrications to deceive people. One clear example is the following: Almost a dozen times the author claims that when Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was in his last illness, Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) said with regards to him that (Allah forbid) “He (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is talking nonsense.” If the author is challenged to bring the original source where it is stated that ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) said these words, Qiyaamah will come but he will not be able to furnish proof for this blasphemous claim. However, a person ignorant of the truth will see Saheeh Bukhaari and Saheeh Muslim being quoted and suppose that these lies are also in Saheeh Bukhaari and Saheeh Muslim.
Likewise, he quotes Saheeh Muslim to state that Sayyiduna Mu‘aawiya (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) ordered the killing and burning of those who refused to curse Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) in their speeches. However, Saheeh Muslim is absolutely pure of this lie. But, the reader who is ignorant of what IS in Saheeh Muslim will believe this falsehood and be lead astray.
At another place, in order to cast doubts over Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) who was the greatest of all the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), the author distorts a hadeeth of Muwatta Imaam Maalik. The last line of the (original) hadeeth is as follows: “…On hearing that, Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) cried and then said: “Are we going to remain after you (i.e. after Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam))” (pg. 173). Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) cried when he realised that they will live after Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and they will have to taste the pangs of separation from him. However, this is how the author translates it: “On hearing that, Abu Bakr cried bitterly and said: “We are going to alter many things after your departure.” Just look at the absolute distortion. However, would a person who is ignorant of what is in Muwatta be able to detect this lie? Never! And due to his “open mind” he is sure to be deceived completely.
This is just a little sampling of the amount of distortions that are taking place. Over and above this, many baseless personal opinions are being propagated as deen in the media and from public platforms. Once again a person not aware of the truth will easily be misled.
Solution
The solution therefore is to firstly absolutely shun all literature which is not by an author regarding whom one is already aware of as being absolutely authentic. Furthermore, do not regard yourself as qualified enough to study just any book if you are not well grounded in the knowledge of deen. The danger in this has been clearly illustrated. If one has not studied deen in-depth under the guidance of those who themselves have studied under people qualified in this field — and the chain continues unbroken right up to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) — one is risking his imaan by studying such literature.
May Allah Ta‘ala keep us steadfast on the Straight Path and save us from being misled. Aameen.