Concepts clarified in the Quran -II

From: http://www.islamweb.net/ver2/archive/article.php?lang=E&id=141669

The concept of the conflict between the followers of truth and those of falsehood: This conflict can only be to the advantage of the Muslims if their ranks are cleared of hypocrites and those of weak faith. If any believing group wishes to attain victory from Allaah, then it must fulfil the requirements of victory as Allaah explains to us in the following story (which means): “…'Indeed, Allaah will be testing you with a river. So whoever drinks from it is not of me, and whoever does not taste it is indeed of me, except one who takes [from it] in the hollow of his hand'…” [Quran 2: 249] What happened? Many people failed the test and the ranks were therefore cleared of those who were weak in faith. Only the true believers, who had strong faith, remained with him as told in the remainder of the verse; Allaah Says (what means): “…But they drank from it, except a [very] few of them. Then when he had crossed it along with those who believed with him, they said: 'There is no power for us today against Jaaloot [Goliath] and his soldiers.' But those who were certain that they would meet Allaah said: 'How many a small company has overcome a large company by permission of Allaah…'" [Quran 2: 249] Note that the words of those who did not drink, not even a handful, were firm and that it was to these people that victory came. Allaah Says after this (what means): “So they defeated them by permission of Allaah…” [Quran 2: 251]

The conflict between the followers of the truth and those of falsehood is what causes the victory from Allaah to descend as well as strengthening the Muslims and initiating Jihaad. Additionally, the ranks of the believers could never be distinguished without such a conflict, and nor would the Muslims receive any practical cultivation without it.
It is the way of Allaah that the disbelievers temporarily overcome the Muslims, so that the Muslims can rearrange their ranks, purify themselves and work on building and strengthening their faith. It is after this that Allaah chooses those who are worthy for martyrdom and grants the believers victory over the disbelievers, as they then become worthy of such victory.

The concept of debate: The Quran teaches us how to debate with our enemies and how to present evidences. Many enemies of Islam use debating in order to cast doubts and spread false information about Islam. Allaah presents to us the following debate (which means): “Have you not considered the one who argued with Ibraaheem about his Lord [merely] because Allaah had given him kingship? When Ibraaheem said: 'My Lord is The One Who gives life and causes death,' he said: 'I give life and cause death'…” [Quran 2: 258]

This man then brought forth a person and killed him, and then commanded that a man who was sentenced to death be freed, demonstrating by this ridiculous example that he had therefore granted life and caused death. Thereupon, Prophet Ibraaheem threw him another challenge which stunned him; Allaah Says in continuation of the same verse (what means): “…Ibraaheem said: 'Allaah brings up the sun from the east, so bring it up from the west.' So the disbeliever was overwhelmed [by astonishment], and Allaah does not guide the wrongdoing people.” [Quran 2: 258]

The concept of the reality of the worldly life and its value: The Quran confirms the real value of this life and its reality and essence in many verses; Allaah Says (what means): “Whatever you have will end, but what Allaah has is lasting…” [Quran 16: 96] When one reads this, which of the two would he naturally choose?

The concept of loyalty and disavowal: Loyalty to the believers is manifested in the saying of Allaah(which means): “Let not believers take disbelievers as allies [i.e. supporters or protectors] rather than believers. And whoever [of you] does that has nothing [i.e. no association] with Allaah…” [Quran 3: 28] Would one befriend the disbelievers (who attacked and persecuted Muslims) after this? Would he support them? Would he feel compassion towards them? Would he socialise with them? Would he join forces with them against his Muslim brothers?

The concept of loving God: Loving God is not a mere claim; Allaah Says (what means): “Say, [O Muhammad]: 'If you should love Allaah, then follow me, [so] Allaah will love you…” [Quran 3: 31]

The claim of loving the Prophet is not to be accepted from one who acts in contradiction to his Sunnah. This concept is not clear in the minds of many, who seem to believe that this love is merely a claim while their conduct with their families, business partners and so on, as well as their outward appearance opposes that of the Prophet , which is a clear contradiction and misconception.

The concept of the comprehensiveness of Islam: Many people erroneously believe that adhering to the religion is satisfied by the limited performance of certain acts of worship, and that as soon as they step out of the mosque for example, they can deal with others in any wicked way they choose. These people thereby rid themselves of their religion, but Allaah refutes this attitude by saying (what means): “Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allaah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveller, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; and [who] establishes prayer and gives Zakaah; [those who] fulfil their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous.” [Quran 2: 177]

The concept of exposing the plans of the disbelievers: The disbelievers endeavour to divert the Muslims from their religion and use extremely evil methods in order to cause us to have doubts or misgivings towards it; Allaah Says (what means): “And a fraction of the People of the Scripture say [to each other]: 'Believe in that which was revealed to the believers at the beginning of the day and reject it at its end that perhaps they will return [i.e. abandon their religion].'” [Quran 3: 72] Just look at how evil their plan is! They would even pretend to embrace Islam and then leave it so that people, including some simpleminded Muslims, would think that there is a problem or defect with the religion and therefore shun it, or at least develop misgivings regarding it. The Quran exposes these people's plans so that we can counter them.