Ft-19Saint Worship-1/1
SAINT WORSHIP
It is part of man’s nature to elevate some human beings over others. He likes to hold them in high esteem and prefers to follow them rather than make decisions on his own.
This is a direct result of the fact that Allah (swt) has favored some people over others, in various ways:
Man has been placed over woman socially
Evidence
Surah 4 An-Nisaa (The Women)
34. Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has made one of them to excel the other, and because they spend (to support them) from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient (to Allah and to their husbands), and guard in the husband's absence what Allah orders them to guard (e.g. their chastity, their husband's property, etc.). As to those women on whose part you see ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (next), refuse to share their beds, (and last) beat them (lightly, if it is useful), but if they return to obedience, seek not against them means (of annoyance). Surely, Allah is Ever Most High, Most Great.
Surah 2 Al-Baqarah (The Cow)
It is part of man’s nature to elevate some human beings over others. He likes to hold them in high esteem and prefers to follow them rather than make decisions on his own.
This is a direct result of the fact that Allah (swt) has favored some people over others, in various ways:
Man has been placed over woman socially
Evidence
Surah 4 An-Nisaa (The Women)
34. Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has made one of them to excel the other, and because they spend (to support them) from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient (to Allah and to their husbands), and guard in the husband's absence what Allah orders them to guard (e.g. their chastity, their husband's property, etc.). As to those women on whose part you see ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (next), refuse to share their beds, (and last) beat them (lightly, if it is useful), but if they return to obedience, seek not against them means (of annoyance). Surely, Allah is Ever Most High, Most Great.
Surah 2 Al-Baqarah (The Cow)
228. And divorced women shall wait (as regards their marriage) for three menstrual periods, and it is not lawful for them to conceal what Allah has created in their wombs, if they believe in Allah and the Last Day. And their husbands have the better right to take them back in that period, if they wish for reconciliation. And they (women) have rights (over their husbands as regards living expenses, etc.) similar (to those of their husbands) over them (as regards obedience and respect, etc.) to what is reasonable, but men have a degree (of responsibility) over them. And Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.
And some men have been placed over other men economically
Evidence
Surah 16 An-Nahl (The Bee)
71. And Allah has preferred some of you above others in wealth and properties. Then, those who are preferred will by no means hand over their wealth and properties to those (slaves) whom their right hands possess, so that they may be equal with them in respect thereof. Do they then deny the Favour of Allah?
The Tribe of Israel was favored over the rest of mankind by divine guidance
And some men have been placed over other men economically
Evidence
Surah 16 An-Nahl (The Bee)
71. And Allah has preferred some of you above others in wealth and properties. Then, those who are preferred will by no means hand over their wealth and properties to those (slaves) whom their right hands possess, so that they may be equal with them in respect thereof. Do they then deny the Favour of Allah?
The Tribe of Israel was favored over the rest of mankind by divine guidance
Evidence:
Surah 2 Al-Baqarah (The Cow)
47. O Children of Israel! Remember My Favour which I bestowed upon you and that I preferred you to the 'Alamin (mankind and jinns) (of your time period, in the past).
The Prophets were favored over all mankind by revelation and Allah favored some of the Prophets over the others
Evidence
Surah 2 Al-Baqarah (The Cow)
253. Those Messengers! We preferred some to others; to some of them Allah spoke (directly); others He raised to degrees (of honour); and to 'Iesa (Jesus), the son of Maryam (Mary), We gave clear proofs and evidences, and supported him with Ruh-ul-Qudus [Jibrael (Gabriel)]. If Allah had willed, succeeding generations would not have fought against each other, after clear Verses of Allah had come to them, but they differed - some of them believed and others disbelieved. If Allah had willed, they would not have fought against one another, but Allah does what He likes.
Hadith on the 5 prophets favored by Allah (swt)
Nuh (Noah
Musa (Moses)
47. O Children of Israel! Remember My Favour which I bestowed upon you and that I preferred you to the 'Alamin (mankind and jinns) (of your time period, in the past).
The Prophets were favored over all mankind by revelation and Allah favored some of the Prophets over the others
Evidence
Surah 2 Al-Baqarah (The Cow)
253. Those Messengers! We preferred some to others; to some of them Allah spoke (directly); others He raised to degrees (of honour); and to 'Iesa (Jesus), the son of Maryam (Mary), We gave clear proofs and evidences, and supported him with Ruh-ul-Qudus [Jibrael (Gabriel)]. If Allah had willed, succeeding generations would not have fought against each other, after clear Verses of Allah had come to them, but they differed - some of them believed and others disbelieved. If Allah had willed, they would not have fought against one another, but Allah does what He likes.
Hadith on the 5 prophets favored by Allah (swt)
Nuh (Noah
Musa (Moses)
Ibrahim (Abraham)
Eesa (Jesus)
Muhammad
Yet Allah has told us not to desire the things by which He has favored some of mankind over others
Evidence
Surah 4 An-Nisaa (The Women)
32. And wish not for the things in which Allah has made some of you to excel others. For men there is reward for what they have earned, (and likewise) for women there is reward for what they have earned, and ask Allah of His Bounty. Surely, Allah is Ever All Knower of everything
Allah will not give us a reward for having them, although we will be held accountable for how we used them. Thus Allah’s Messenger (saw) advised us: “Look at those below you and not those above you. It is better for you, so that you do not deny Allah’s blessings on you.” (Al-Bukhari vol.8 p.328 no.497 and Muslim vol. 4 p.1530 no.7070)
Everyone has been placed above others in some way or another, and everyone has certain responsibilities for which he will be held accountable. The Prophet (saw) said, “Everyone of you is a shepherd, and everyone is responsible for his flock.” (Al-Bukhari vol.3 p.438 no.730 and Muslim vol.3 p.1017 no.4496)
Eesa (Jesus)
Muhammad
Yet Allah has told us not to desire the things by which He has favored some of mankind over others
Evidence
Surah 4 An-Nisaa (The Women)
32. And wish not for the things in which Allah has made some of you to excel others. For men there is reward for what they have earned, (and likewise) for women there is reward for what they have earned, and ask Allah of His Bounty. Surely, Allah is Ever All Knower of everything
Allah will not give us a reward for having them, although we will be held accountable for how we used them. Thus Allah’s Messenger (saw) advised us: “Look at those below you and not those above you. It is better for you, so that you do not deny Allah’s blessings on you.” (Al-Bukhari vol.8 p.328 no.497 and Muslim vol. 4 p.1530 no.7070)
Everyone has been placed above others in some way or another, and everyone has certain responsibilities for which he will be held accountable. The Prophet (saw) said, “Everyone of you is a shepherd, and everyone is responsible for his flock.” (Al-Bukhari vol.3 p.438 no.730 and Muslim vol.3 p.1017 no.4496)
The greatest test of responsibility is that of Allah’s favoring man over all creation. This favor was confirmed by Allah’s command to the angels to prostrate to Adam and the responsibility is twofold:
It carries a personal responsibility of accepting Islam: total submission to Allah (swt) (i.e. knowledge and understanding of the Deen)
It also carries a group commitment of establishing Allah’s laws throughout the earth. (i.e. teaching it to everybody, making da’wa, delivering and propagating the Deen)
Note: Allah (swt) elevated man above creation because of his knowledge and his ability of choice. The prostration of the angels to Adam (as) was a prostration of respect / reverence because of the knowledge and ability of choice given by Allah (swt) to Adam (as)
Please see Stories of the Prophets by Ibn Kathir or try this link:
http://www.islamchannel.tv/kidsSection/ProphetStories/Adam.html
Thus believers are far superior to disbelievers in Allah’s sight because of their acceptance of their responsibilities.
Evidence
Surah 3 Al-Imran (The Family of Imran)
110. You [true believers in Islamic Monotheism, and real followers of Prophet Muhammad (saw) and his Sunnah (legal ways, etc.)] are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind; you enjoin Al-Ma'ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam has ordained) and forbid Al-Munkar (polytheism, disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden), and you believe in Allah. And had the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) believed, it would have been better for them; among them are some who have faith, but most of them are Al-Fasiqun (disobedient to Allah - and rebellious against Allah's Command).
It also carries a group commitment of establishing Allah’s laws throughout the earth. (i.e. teaching it to everybody, making da’wa, delivering and propagating the Deen)
Note: Allah (swt) elevated man above creation because of his knowledge and his ability of choice. The prostration of the angels to Adam (as) was a prostration of respect / reverence because of the knowledge and ability of choice given by Allah (swt) to Adam (as)
Please see Stories of the Prophets by Ibn Kathir or try this link:
http://www.islamchannel.tv/kidsSection/ProphetStories/Adam.html
Thus believers are far superior to disbelievers in Allah’s sight because of their acceptance of their responsibilities.
Evidence
Surah 3 Al-Imran (The Family of Imran)
110. You [true believers in Islamic Monotheism, and real followers of Prophet Muhammad (saw) and his Sunnah (legal ways, etc.)] are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind; you enjoin Al-Ma'ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam has ordained) and forbid Al-Munkar (polytheism, disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden), and you believe in Allah. And had the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) believed, it would have been better for them; among them are some who have faith, but most of them are Al-Fasiqun (disobedient to Allah - and rebellious against Allah's Command).
