Title of the Sermon: “And Remind Them of the Days of Allah” – Lessons from the Destruction of Tyrants
Elements of the Sermon:
The mindset of Pharaoh in his tyranny.
Gratitude to Allah for the destruction of the oppressors.
Allah’s plotting against the plotters.
Victory and relief are near.
All praise is due to Allah, the Subduer of tyrants and oppressors, the Helper of steadfast believers, the Rescuer of the oppressed, and the One who responds to the supplications of the distressed. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone, without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger, the leader of the God-fearing and the guide of the radiant. May Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him in abundance.
To proceed: Fear Allah, O servants of Allah, as He should be feared, and be mindful of Him in private and public. Allah says:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ
“O you who believe, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims.”
Allah, the Exalted, says:
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا مُوسَى بِآيَاتِنَا أَنْ أَخْرِجْ قَوْمَكَ مِنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ وَذَكِّرْهُمْ بِأَيَّامِ اللَّهِ إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِكُلِّ صَبَّارٍ شَكُورٍ
“And We certainly sent Moses with Our signs, [saying], ‘Bring out your people from darknesses into the light and remind them of the days of Allah.’ Indeed in that are signs for everyone patient and grateful.” [Ibrahim: 5]
At one time, upon this earth, there were Pharaoh, Haman, and their armies, and there was an oppressed nation from among the Children of Israel.
Pharaoh, who transgressed and acted arrogantly, was deceived by his power and authority, appointing himself as a deity besides Allah. He rose high in the land, subjugating the people of Egypt to ensure their servitude. He lured the nobles and those with influence by giving them worldly wealth and adornments, enslaving them with riches and power. Their dignity became his dignity, and their authority was subjugated to his authority. As for the rest, he divided them into factions and tribes, sowing enmity among them to prevent their unity against him. He demeaned the Children of Israel, who did not follow his religion, subjecting them to severe torment, slaughtering their sons, enslaving their men, and oppressing their women. Allah says:
إِنَّ فِرْعَوْنَ عَلَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَجَعَلَ أَهْلَهَا شِيَعًا يَسْتَضْعِفُ طَائِفَةً مِنْهُمْ يُذَبِّحُ أَبْنَاءَهُمْ وَيَسْتَحْيِي نِسَاءَهُمْ إِنَّهُ كَانَ مِنَ الْمُفْسِدِينَ
“Indeed, Pharaoh exalted himself in the land and made its people into factions, oppressing a segment among them, slaughtering their [newborn] sons and keeping their females alive. Indeed, he was of the corrupters.” [Al-Qasas: 4]
The days, months, and years passed until Allah willed to bestow favor upon the oppressed, granting them relief and deliverance. He sent Moses, peace be upon him, to guide his people to the straight religion and remind Pharaoh of his reality—that he was nothing but a servant of Allah and that Allah alone is the Lord of the worlds.
Pharaoh, the tyrant, only increased in killing and corruption, his heart filled with rage and defiance. He threatened, saying:
سَنُقَتِّلُ أَبْنَاءَهُمْ وَنَسْتَحْيِي نِسَاءَهُمْ وَإِنَّا فَوْقَهُمْ قَاهِرُونَ
“We will kill their sons and keep their women alive, and indeed, we are dominant over them.” [Al-A’raf: 127]
In the face of intense fear and weakness, Moses commanded his people to be patient and have faith. He assured them that the ultimate end of tyranny is ruin, for the earth belongs to Allah, and He grants it to whom He wills among His servants. The outcome is for the righteous.
قَالَ مُوسَى لِقَوْمِهِ اسْتَعِينُوا بِاللَّهِ وَاصْبِرُوا إِنَّ الْأَرْضَ لِلَّهِ يُورِثُهَا مَنْ يَشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ وَالْعَاقِبَةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ * قَالُوا أُوذِينَا مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ تَأْتِيَنَا وَمِنْ بَعْدِ مَا جِئْتَنَا قَالَ عَسَى رَبُّكُمْ أَنْ يُهْلِكَ عَدُوَّكُمْ وَيَسْتَخْلِفَكُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَيَنْظُرَ كَيْفَ تَعْمَلُونَ
“Moses said to his people, ‘Seek help through Allah and be patient. Indeed, the earth belongs to Allah. He causes to inherit it whom He wills of His servants. And the [best] outcome is for the righteous.’ They said, ‘We have been harmed before you came to us and after you have come to us.’ He said, ‘Perhaps your Lord will destroy your enemy and grant you succession in the land and see how you will act.’” [Al-A’raf: 128-129]
Pharaoh and his people thought they were invincible, above all creation. Pharaoh even declared himself a deity, saying:
أَنَا رَبُّكُمُ الْأَعْلَى
“I am your most exalted lord.” [An-Nazi’at: 24]
It was then that Allah seized him and his army with the seizing of the Almighty, All-Capable, making them an example for those who would reflect:
فَقُطِعَ دَابِرُ الْقَوْمِ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
“So the people who wronged were eliminated. And praise to Allah, Lord of the worlds.” [Al-An’am: 45]
O servants of Allah:
How many Pharaohs have lived on this earth, with their armies and their tyranny?
How many oppressed people have endured massacres, been hidden away in prisons, and suffered from torture and harm? How many times has Allah brought about great relief, manifest victory, and the destruction of the oppressors?
For those endowed with insight, the destruction of the oppressors, the salvation of the oppressed, and the victory of the monotheists offer profound lessons and reflections.
The first of these is that Allah is the Praiseworthy, the Glorious. To Him belongs immense praise and gratitude. The believer praises and thanks Allah for His blessings and bounties and rejoices in the joy of their fellow Muslims. Allah says:
وَإِذْ قَالَ مُوسَى لِقَوْمِهِ اذْكُرُوا نِعْمَةَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ أَنْجَاكُمْ مِنْ آلِ فِرْعَوْنَ يَسُومُونَكُمْ سُوءَ الْعَذَابِ وَيُذَبِّحُونَ أَبْنَاءَكُمْ وَيَسْتَحْيُونَ نِسَاءَكُمْ وَفِي ذَلِكُمْ بَلَاءٌ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ عَظِيمٌ * وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمْ لَئِنْ شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ وَلَئِنْ كَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِي لَشَدِيدٌ
“And [recall] when Moses said to his people, ‘Remember the favor of Allah upon you when He saved you from the people of Pharaoh, who were afflicting you with the worst torment and were slaughtering your sons and keeping your women alive. And in that was a great trial from your Lord. And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.’” [Ibrahim: 6-7]
Allah also says:
قُلْ بِفَضْلِ اللَّهِ وَبِرَحْمَتِهِ فَبِذَلِكَ فَلْيَفْرَحُوا هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِمَّا يَجْمَعُونَ
“Say, ‘In the bounty of Allah and in His mercy—in that let them rejoice; it is better than what they accumulate.’” [Yunus: 58]
The second lesson is that a believer never despairs of Allah’s relief nor loses hope in His mercy. He remains certain that Allah hears, is near, and does not overlook or sleep. Indeed, Allah brings ease after hardship, and often, the ease accompanies the hardship itself. Allah says:
سَيَجْعَلُ اللَّهُ بَعْدَ عُسْرٍ يُسْرًا
“Allah will bring about, after hardship, ease.” [At-Talaq: 7]
He also says:
فَإِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا * إِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا
“For indeed, with hardship [will be] ease. Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease.” [Ash-Sharh: 5-6]
No matter how severe the hardships and distress may be, Allah is the Reliever of worries and the Remover of calamities. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Know that there is much good in patience over what you dislike, and that victory comes with patience, relief comes with distress, and ease comes with hardship.” [Ahmad]
And may Allah be pleased with Al-Farooq, ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: “Whenever a believing servant is faced with a difficulty, Allah will bring relief after it. No hardship will ever overcome two eases.” [Ibn Abi Shaybah]
Allah is the Helper of the oppressed, the One who answers the supplications of the distressed, and the Rescuer of the helpless.
On the Day of Hudaybiyyah, the Prophet ﷺ said to Abu Jandal, who was chained due to the oppression of the polytheists: “O Abu Jandal! Be patient and seek reward with Allah, for Allah, the Almighty, will grant you and those oppressed with you relief and a way out.” [Ahmad]
The oppressed may think their case has ended, but it has only just begun. Allah has raised their plea above the clouds, and He will respond, even if after some time. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Beware of the supplication of the oppressed, for there is no barrier between it and Allah.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
The third point, O servants of Allah:
Allah is dominant over His affairs. Sovereignty belongs to Him, and the earth is His. No one escapes His authority and power. Allah, the True King, says:
وَاللَّهُ غَالِبٌ عَلَى أَمْرِهِ وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
“And Allah is predominant over His affair, but most of the people do not know.” [Yusuf: 21]
He gives respite to the oppressors and plans against the criminals, for His planning is firm, and the evil plot does not ensnare anyone but the tyrannical transgressors. Every era witnesses the plotting of the leading criminals, but as Allah says:
وَكَذَلِكَ جَعَلْنَا فِي كُلِّ قَرْيَةٍ أَكَابِرَ مُجْرِمِيهَا لِيَمْكُرُوا فِيهَا وَمَا يَمْكُرُونَ إِلَّا بِأَنْفُسِهِمْ وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ
“And thus We have placed within every city the greatest of its criminals to conspire therein. But they conspire not except against themselves, and they perceive [it] not.” [Al-An’am: 123]
Their plotting is against themselves because Allah is ever-watchful. Allah says:
وَقَدْ مَكَرُوا مَكْرَهُمْ وَعِنْدَ اللَّهِ مَكْرُهُمْ وَإِنْ كَانَ مَكْرُهُمْ لِتَزُولَ مِنْهُ الْجِبَالُ
“And they had planned their plan, but with Allah is [recorded] their plan, even if their plan had been [sufficient] to do away with the mountains.” [Ibrahim: 46]
Yet Allah, the Strong and Almighty, destroys their structures and invalidates their falsehoods. Allah says:
قَدْ مَكَرَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ فَأَتَى اللَّهُ بُنْيَانَهُمْ مِنَ الْقَوَاعِدِ فَخَرَّ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّقْفُ مِنْ فَوْقِهِمْ وَأَتَاهُمُ الْعَذَابُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ
“Those before them had plotted, but Allah came at their building from the foundations, so the roof fell upon them from above them, and the punishment came to them from where they did not perceive.” [An-Nahl: 26]
They plan and scheme, but the outcome and salvation are for those who believe and fear Allah. Allah says:
وَمَكَرُوا مَكْرًا وَمَكَرْنَا مَكْرًا وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ * فَانْظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ مَكْرِهِمْ أَنَّا دَمَّرْنَاهُمْ وَقَوْمَهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ * فَتِلْكَ بُيُوتُهُمْ خَاوِيَةً بِمَا ظَلَمُوا إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَآيَةً لِقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُونَ * وَأَنْجَيْنَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَكَانُوا يَتَّقُونَ
“And they planned a plan, and We planned a plan, while they perceived not. Then see how was the end of their plan—that We destroyed them and their people, all of them. So those are their houses, desolate because of the wrong they had done. Indeed, in that is a sign for a people who know. And We saved those who believed and used to fear Allah.” [An-Naml: 50-53]
This is the divine Quranic principle and Allah’s universal law. Allah says:
وَلَا يَحِيقُ الْمَكْرُ السَّيِّئُ إِلَّا بِأَهْلِهِ فَهَلْ يَنْظُرُونَ إِلَّا سُنَّتَ الْأَوَّلِينَ فَلَنْ تَجِدَ لِسُنَّتِ اللَّهِ تَبْدِيلًا وَلَنْ تَجِدَ لِسُنَّتِ اللَّهِ تَحْوِيلًا
“But the evil plot does not encompass except its own people. Then do they await except the way of the former peoples? But you will never find in the way of Allah any change, and you will never find in the way of Allah any alteration.” [Fatir: 43]
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Indeed, Allah gives respite to the oppressor until, when He seizes him, He does not let him go.” Then he recited: “And thus is the seizure of your Lord when He seizes the cities while they are committing wrong. Indeed, His seizure is painful and severe.” [Hud: 102] [Bukhari and Muslim]
The fourth point, O servants of Allah:
The promise of Allah is true, and His victory is near. He grants victory to whom He wills, when He wills, for He is the All-Powerful, the Almighty. To Him belong the soldiers of the heavens and the earth, and none knows the soldiers of your Lord except Him. He grants victory through fear, destroys by wind, causes the earth to swallow, and sends down thunderbolts. He is severe in retribution. Allah says:
أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَنْ تَدْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِكُمْ مَثَلُ الَّذِينَ خَلَوْا مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ مَسَّتْهُمُ الْبَأْسَاءُ وَالضَّرَّاءُ وَزُلْزِلُوا حَتَّى يَقُولَ الرَّسُولُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَعَهُ مَتَى نَصْرُ اللَّهِ أَلَا إِنَّ نَصْرَ اللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ
“Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you? They were touched by poverty and hardship and were shaken until [even their] messenger and those who believed with him said, ‘When is the help of Allah?’ Unquestionably, the help of Allah is near.” [Al-Baqarah: 214]
His victory is near, promised to the believers who support His religion and establish His law. But He decrees it with His wisdom, for He does not hasten according to the haste of His servants. Allah says:
ذَلِكَ وَلَوْ يَشَاءُ اللَّهُ لَانْتَصَرَ مِنْهُمْ وَلَكِنْ لِيَبْلُوَ بَعْضَكُمْ بِبَعْضٍ
“That [is the case]. And if Allah had willed, He could have taken vengeance upon them [Himself]. But [He ordered armed struggle] to test some of you by means of others.” [Muhammad: 4]
Thus, the believers live with trust in Allah’s promise, relying upon Him, for He is sufficient for them and will grant them victory. Allah says:
إِنْ يَنْصُرْكُمُ اللَّهُ فَلَا غَالِبَ لَكُمْ وَإِنْ يَخْذُلْكُمْ فَمَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يَنْصُرُكُمْ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ وَعَلَى اللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ
“If Allah should aid you, no one can overcome you; but if He should forsake you, who is there that can aid you after Him? And upon Allah let the believers rely.” [Aal ‘Imran: 160]
May Allah bless me and you with the great Qur’an and benefit us from its verses and wise reminders. I seek forgiveness from Allah for myself and for you. Seek His forgiveness, for He is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.
The Second Sermon
All praise is due to Allah, and blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family, and companions, and all who follow him. To proceed:
O servants of Allah:
Allah has promised victory and steadfastness to those who believe in Him as their Lord and deity, establish His religion and law, and make it their judgment and way of life, sacrificing their lives and wealth in His cause. He says:
وَلَيَنْصُرَنَّ اللَّهُ مَنْ يَنْصُرُهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَقَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ * الَّذِينَ إِنْ مَكَّنَّاهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ أَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَوُا الزَّكَاةَ وَأَمَرُوا بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَنَهَوْا عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَلِلَّهِ عَاقِبَةُ الْأُمُورِ
“And Allah will surely support those who support Him. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might. [They are] those who, if We give them authority in the land, establish prayer and give zakah and enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong. And to Allah belongs the outcome of [all] matters.” [Al-Hajj: 40-41]
Allah also says:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنْ تَنْصُرُوا اللَّهَ يَنْصُرْكُمْ وَيُثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَكُمْ
“O you who believe, if you support Allah, He will support you and plant firmly your feet.” [Muhammad: 7]
And He says:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا هَلْ أَدُلُّكُمْ عَلَى تِجَارَةٍ تُنْجِيكُمْ مِنْ عَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ * تُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَتُجَاهِدُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بِأَمْوَالِكُمْ وَأَنْفُسِكُمْ ذَلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ * يَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَيُدْخِلْكُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ وَمَسَاكِنَ طَيِّبَةً فِي جَنَّاتِ عَدْنٍ ذَلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ * وَأُخْرَى تُحِبُّونَهَا نَصْرٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَفَتْحٌ قَرِيبٌ وَبَشِّرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ
“O you who believe, shall I guide you to a transaction that will save you from a painful punishment? [It is that] you believe in Allah and His Messenger and strive in the cause of Allah with your wealth and your lives. That is best for you if you should know. He will forgive for you your sins and admit you to gardens beneath which rivers flow and pleasant dwellings in gardens of perpetual residence. That is the great attainment. And [you will obtain] another [favor] that you love—victory from Allah and an imminent conquest; and give good tidings to the believers.” [As-Saff: 10-13]
O Allah, grant victory to Islam and honor the Muslims. Destroy the criminals. O Allah, send tranquility into the hearts of those striving in Your cause, save Your oppressed servants, and raise the banner of the religion by Your power, O Powerful, O Almighty.
O Allah, grant us safety in our homelands, rectify our leaders and those in authority over us, and place our leadership among those who fear You, follow Your commands, and seek Your pleasure.
Our Lord, grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.
