We should neither be deceived by the many sects, parties, groups, and misleading leaders who call towards Fitnah (trial), nor should we pay attention to them. The Ummah (nation) will only be reformed by following what the righteous predecessors followed. It will only be reformed by referring to the Quran and the Sunnah (tradition) according to the way both of them were understood by the righteous predecessors. This is the true religion by the consensus of the leading scholars . Moreover, this is the way to salvation from deviation and falling into the pit of temptation and error.

　　Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And do not be like the ones who became divided and differed after the clear proofs had come to them. And those will have a great punishment.} [Quran 3:105]

　　In a Hadeeth (narration) on the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, he said that the Messenger of Allah, , said: “I have left among you two things (which if you adhere to) you will never go astray: the Book of Allah and my Sunnah. They will never separate until they come to the Hawdh (the Basin).” [Saheeh]

　　The best of people are the three generations: the righteous predecessors and those who followed them in righteousness. They trusted Allah The Almighty and were committed to His way. They also made the Quran and the Sunnah a constitution, a way of life, and a source to comply with and apply in both words and actions. They did not develop methods based on tribal tendencies, personal inclinations, nor did they enjoy or boast of positions of authority.

　　They adhered to what came to them from Allah The Almighty, clung to it with their teeth, and did not give heed to the Indian and Greek philosophies and other philosophies. They were not dazzled by the preceding civilizations and thus, were strangers, because they were few amidst many deviant sects. Hence, they were distinguished both from the outside and from the inside, and the necks of rulers like Khosrau bowed to them, and the thrones of despots collapsed in front of them.

　　The secret behind their distinction and power lay in their constant observance of the Divine commands. They feared Allah The Almighty and followed what earned them His Pleasure. They gathered around the Messenger of Allah, on a common word. Hence, Allah The Almighty was pleased with them and they were pleased with Him. Allah The Almighty granted them security after they had been struck with fear and established their religion which He has preferred for them. This marked the start of the formation of the Islamic state.

　　Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {Allah has promised those who have believed among you and done righteous deeds that He will surely grant them succession [to authority] upon the earth just as He granted it to those before them and that He will surely establish for them [therein] their religion which He has preferred for them and that He will surely substitute for them, after their fear, security, [for] they worship Me, not associating anything with Me. But whoever disbelieves after that -- then those are the defiantly disobedient.} [Quran 24:55]

　　We should follow them, especially in this time of alienation and disagreement.

　　Sister, you are a caretaker in your home and are (along with your husband), responsible for those under your care before Allah The Almighty on the Day of Judgment. Both of you are the hope for providing the Ummah with righteous and believing members with the guidance and success granted by Allah The Almighty. You can achieve this by:

　　a- Providing your children with an upbringing that boosts their faith, to be satisfied with Allah The Almighty as their Lord, with Islam as their religion, and with Muhammad, , as their Prophet and Messenger. This is to help them submit to the commands of Allah The Almighty, to be satisfied with His Judgment, to adhere to His Sharee‘ah (Islamic legislation), and to apply the etiquette ordained by Him. You should teach them to fear Allah The Almighty wisely and with good reasoning.

　　By being a role model and by love and compassion you can unite your family members, rectify them and get each member to understand his role and what is divinely required of him in this world. By doing so, you will fortify your family against the plots of the enemies from among the humans and the Jinn through good care and guidance. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him].} [Quran 3:159]

　　b- Inculcating in your children the rule of Walaa’ (allegiance to believers)and Baraa’ (dissociation from disbelievers), so that they acquire (religious) immunity, farsightedness, caution and care. Instill in them a spirit of compliance with the Quran and the Sunnah (tradition) as well as remind them of the stories and lessons included in them. This is to counter the savage attack on Islam and Muslims and the temptations that are propagated in the process. This is also to keep your children updated on current events and help them understand what is happening around them so that they will not be taken unawares.

　　In doing so, every believer will come to have one single concern, which is to offer their souls in defense of the creed and religion. In times of temptations and trials, reactions to the wrongdoings around us will not be restricted to mere demonstrations, sermons, passionate rhetoric, threats, allusions to the past by mentioning the glory days and history of one’s ancestors, without being affected by the past and present situations or by deriving lessons from them. Then, they will not end up ineffectual like bubbles, by leveling accusations at each other, begging for mercy and looking for guidance from the East and the West to address their ordeal, having forgotten to resort to the Lord of the heavens and the earth.

　　When the Messenger of Allah, died, Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “Whoever used to worship Muhammad, then (let him know that) Muhammad has died; and whoever used to worship Allah, then Allah The Almighty is alive and He will never die.”

　　No tribal affiliations, no allegiance to individuals, groups, or organizations! Allegiance is for no one but Allah The Almighty and what His Messenger, , communicated on His behalf.

　　Adhering to the Truth in Times of Fitnah – II