Abū Bakr and ‘Umar and the early part of ‘Uthmān’s caliphate, were in the best of circumstances in this world and the Hereafter because they adhered to obedience to the Messenger. They then changed somewhat with the killing of ‘Uthmān, may Allah be pleased with him. The prophetic caliphate passed from their midst, and they became subjects of others. They then changed somewhat again, and in the year of al-Harrah they suffered killing, plunder and other calamities unlike anything they had previously experienced.

Although the one who inflicted this upon them was an unjust aggressor, he was no more unjust than those who had done what they did to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and his Companions. Allah Most High said:

“Why, when a calamity befell you, although you had inflicted twice as much, did you say, ‘Where has this come from?’ Say, ‘It is from your own selves.’”

Yet the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and the earliest forerunners in faith were buried in Medina. Likewise, the people of Syria enjoyed well-being in worldly and religious affairs in the early days of Islam. Then turmoil arose, and sovereignty passed out of their hands. Thereafter, because of their sins, heretical hypocrites and Christians were given power over them. They seized Jerusalem and the grave of Abraham, Allah’s close friend, opened up the structure built over it, and turned it into a church. Then the people’s religious conduct improved, so Allah granted them might and victory over their enemies when they obeyed Allah and His Messenger and followed what had been sent down to them from their Lord. Obedience to Allah and His Messenger is the axis around which happiness revolves:

“Whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger will be with those whom Allah has blessed: the prophets, those steadfast in truth, the martyrs and the righteous. What excellent companions they are!”

The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to say in his sermons:

“Whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has followed right guidance, but whoever disobeys them harms none but