(30) Article
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
The Light of Faith and the Darkness of Apostasy
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The greatest blessing in the world is faith. The heart in which the light of faith descends, that heart is freed from the darkness of fear and greed, avarice and disbelief. But alas! The history of mankind is not devoid of people who, despite being blessed with the light of faith, abandon the path of faith for the sake of the fleeting glitter of the world. Such people think that they have become free by leaving the religion, they have earned respect and progress, but in reality, they themselves have fallen into the well of their own destruction.
Faith is not just a belief but the foundation of life, the nourishment of the soul, and the identity of humanity. The heart that becomes empty of faith begins to wander in the desolate desert of the heart.
Faith is the light that shows the way in the darkness, it is the lamp that illuminates the inner self of man. But when this lamp goes out, man's eyes become blind even while seeing.
Faith is the chain of love that connects man to his Creator. Whoever loses this chain from his hand, no matter how much wealth he earns, actually cuts himself off from his Lord, from his reality, and from his soul.
The Quran says:
> "Allah is the protector of those who have faith. He brings them out of darkness into light."
(Al-Baqarah: 257)
"Allah is the friend of the believers, He brings them out of darkness into light."
The person who abandons faith, it is as if he decides to return from light to darkness. He turns away from the Lord who gave him honor, gave him guidance, and made him the noblest of creation from clay.
Abandoning faith is actually a rebellion against one's Creator, negligence of one's destiny, and enmity with one's soul.
The glitter of the world, wealth, fame and power—all these things become a temporary delightful mirage for an apostate, but in the end, this very mirage proves to be the door to hell for him.
The Holy Quran has described the example of such people in this way:
> "Their example is like the example of one who kindled a fire..."
(Al-Baqarah: 17)
"Their example is like that of a person who lit a fire, and when it illuminated what was around him, Allah took away their light and left them in darkness, so they could not see anything."
This verse is a mirror for every person who, after finding the light of faith, then turns to darkness. The one who abandons faith appears to be alive, but in reality, he has become a living corpse. The light from his face, the effect from his tongue, and the peace from his heart are all snatched away.
The temporary benefits of the world, the temporary honors, and the dreams of false freedom—all these are beautiful deceptions of Satan. He makes man believe that by getting out of the prison of faith, he will get success, but in reality, it is not success but the death of the soul.
The one who abandons faith not only goes astray himself but also becomes poison for the faith of others. Such people have always created discord—sometimes in the name of ideologies, sometimes under the title of freedom of thought, and sometimes under the guise of human rights—but the truth is that enmity to faith and slavery to Satan are growing in their hearts.
Allah Almighty said:
> "Indeed, those who disbelieve spend their wealth to avert [people] from the way of Allah..."
(Al-Anfal: 36)
"Indeed, those who disbelieve spend their wealth to avert [people] from the way of Allah, then it will become a regret for them."
That is, the enemies of faith cannot succeed in their deception.
Allah's way is that falsehood shines temporarily but perishes, and the light of faith is temporarily suppressed but never extinguished.
Disgust with faith — is the worst loss
The Quran says:
> "Indeed, those who have purchased disbelief at the price of faith - never will they harm Allah at all..."
(Aal-e-Imran: 177)
"Indeed, those who have purchased disbelief in exchange for faith - never will they harm Allah at all, but for them is a painful punishment."
This verse is declaring that there is no decrease in Allah's honor and majesty if a servant abandons faith. Allah is independent, faith is our need, not God's. Whoever turns away from faith, he trades for his eternal disgrace.
Worldly glitter, darkness of the heart
Faith-averse people think that worldly honor, fame and freedom have given them progress. But the Quran removes the veil from their fate and says:
> "That is because they preferred the worldly life over the Hereafter..."
(An-Nahl: 107)
"That is because they preferred the worldly life over the Hereafter."
Buying a few moments of worldly pleasures in exchange for the light of faith is the greatest foolishness. They think that they have become free, but in reality, they have become slaves of their own desires, Satan and the world.
Allah's glory of independence
Allah Almighty says:
> "If you disbelieve - indeed, Allah is free from need of you..."
(Az-Zumar: 7)
"If you disbelieve - indeed, Allah is free from need of you, and He does not approve for His servants disbelief."
This verse is declaring that Allah's honor, power, and kingdom are not affected by apostasy. Neither does His kingdom decrease, nor does the lamp of religion go out. The religion of truth is established and will remain established.
Apostasy — is a crime against the faith of the Ummah
The Holy Prophet ﷺ said:
> "Whoever changes his religion, kill him"
(Sahih Bukhari)
"Whoever changes his religion, kill him (under the Islamic court)."
This hadith clarifies the fact that turning away from faith is not only a personal crime but also a danger to the collective faith of the Ummah.
However, this order applies only in a country where a complete Islamic system of government is established, courts exist according to the principles of Sharia Muhammadi, and decisions are made under the supervision of the Qazi or the ruler of the time.
This order does not give any individual or group the authority to implement it on their own, but it is the responsibility of the Islamic government to investigate the matter of the apostate, present arguments before him, give him time to repent, and if he persists in stubbornness and animosity, then issue a decision according to Sharia law.
In Islam, this punishment is not given merely for changing one's belief but for collective sedition, rebellion against the religion, and harming the system of faith of the Ummah.
Those who turn away from faith have always been unsuccessful and disgraced.
> "And they will be enveloped by the evil [consequences] of what they did."
(An-Nahl: 34)
"And they will be enveloped by the evil [consequences] of what they did."
Those who create discord in enmity to Islam, Allah turns their deceit and deception back on themselves. Allah's help and protection have always been with the believers, and will remain until the Day of Judgment.
The one who abandons faith digs his own grave.
> "And he whom Allah humiliates - for him there is no one to honor." (Al-Hajj: 18)
He whom Allah humiliates - for him there is no one to honor."
Whoever turns away from faith and abandons the obedience of God, Allah puts him in humiliation, then no worldly power can give him honor.
When a person turns away from the truth, the light of the heart is snatched away.
> "So when they deviated, Allah caused their hearts to deviate." (As-Saff: 5)
So when they deviated, Allah caused their hearts to deviate."
Whoever knows the truth and turns away from it, Allah takes away the light of guidance from his heart.
Therefore, faith-averse people sow the seeds of discord.
> "They want to extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths..." (At-Tawbah: 32)
They want to extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths..."
The enemies of faith try to erase the religion with false propaganda, but Allah completes His light.
The end of enmity to faith is humiliation, only humiliation.
> "Indeed, those who oppose Allah and His Messenger - those will be among the most humbled." (Al-Mujadila: 20)
Indeed, those who oppose Allah and His Messenger - those will be among the most humbled."
The opponents of religion have temporary power, but in the end, humiliation and disgrace become their destiny.
Staying firm on faith is the greatest bravery.
> "Indeed, those who have said, "Our Lord is Allah " and then remained on a right course..." (Ha-Mim As-Sajdah: 30)
Those who say, "Our Lord is Allah" and then remain on a right course..."
Faith is not just a declaration, but staying firm in the face of adversity and trial is true steadfastness and bravery.
> "Worship in the time of turmoil is like migrating to me." (Sahih Muslim)
"Worship in the time of turmoil is like migrating to me."
When misguidance is common, staying firm on faith is the greatest sacrifice.
The one who abandons faith snatches the light from his book of deeds.
> (Al-Hadid: 12-13)
On that Day you will see the believing men and believing women, their light proceeding before them and on their right, [and it will be said], "Good tidings for you today of gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein you will abide eternally." That is what is the great attainment.
On the [same] Day the hypocrite men and hypocrite women will say to those who believed, "Wait for us that we may acquire some of your light." It will be said, "Go back behind you and seek light." And a wall will be placed between them with a door, its interior containing mercy, but on the outside of it is punishment.
On the Day of Judgment, the light of faith will guide the people of faith, while those who abandon faith will wander in darkness.
Allah's jealousy is sufficient for the believers.
> "Indeed, We will support Our messengers and those who believe..." (Al-Mu'min: 51)
"Indeed, We will support Our messengers and those who believe..."
Allah is the helper of the believers; in this world, He protects their honor, and in the Hereafter, victory and triumph are destined for them.
Deprivation of faith is the greatest deprivation.
The person who remained steadfast on faith, he succeeded, whether in poverty or in trial in the world.
And the one who turned away from faith, he was disappointed and lost, even if the world prostrated before him.
Faith is the trust that Allah has placed in hearts. Preserving it is the real test.
The glitter of the world will fade, power and fame will end, but if the lamp of faith keeps burning, this lamp will become light in the darkness of the grave, and this lamp will be the cause of salvation on the Day of Judgment.
May Allah Almighty keep us all steadfast on faith and grant us death on faith. Amen. O Lord of the Worlds
By: Mahmoodulbari
mahmoodulbari342@gmail.com