Are you a Loner?

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The Degree of Alienation

Allah says in the Qur'an:

"Yet no faith will the greater part of mankind have, however ardently thou dost desire it." (12:103)

It is narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: Islam initiated as something strange, and it would revert to its (old position) of being strange. so good tidings for the stranger. (Muslim)

3 Types of Strangers

1. Those righteous one who were not righteous before.
2. Those who fix what is innovated in the sinners.
3. The righteous people among the unrighteous people.

Allah says in the Qur'an:

"Why were there not among, the generations before you, persons possessed of balanced good sense prohibiting (men) from mischief in the earth― except a few among them whom We saved (from harm)? But the wrongdoers pursued the enjoyment of the good things of life which were given them, and persisted in sin." (11:116)

3 Types of Strangeness

1. Muslim Adherents: It is a praiseworthy kind of strangeness.
   E.g. Wearing Hijab in the western countries, we are like strangers.

2. Adherents of the Sunnah: Within our family, people treat us as strangers when we are trying to follow the sunnah.
3. Strangers in this world: When we travel to another country, we feel strange. We are all strangers in this world who are preparing to go to Jannah. Narrated Mujahid: 'Abdullah bin 'Umar said, "Allah's Apostle took hold of my shoulder and said, 'Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveler." (Bukhari) 

How to ward-off strangeness

1. Adhering to Allah's rope: Connect our hearts to Allah. Do deeds that will help us get closer to Allah. Iman increases with obedience and decreases with disobedience to Allah. Tranquility descends upon the hearts of the believers.
2. Reviving the Islamic Brotherhood: We should try to save our muslim ummah from hell-fire. We need to stick to each other and be one body.
3. Enjoining good and forbidding evil: We are the callers of Islam. Satan has promised that he will divert us from the good deeds. Stay as one community and do not deviate in sects. Always guide others in doing good.
4. Endurance: Showing patience during hardships, trials, calamities, etc.
5. Never despair: Never despair of Allah's mercy.

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