Ramadan Lecture Series 1446 A.H.
Presented by Al-Sayyid Abdul Malik Badruddin Al-Houthi
Lecture Five
5 Ramadan 1446 A.H. (5 March 2025 A.D.)
The Serious Impact of Misguidance and the Misleading
&
the Beginning of the Second Phase of Prophet Ibrahim's Mission
I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the outcast.
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful.
O Allah! Confer Your salat and blessings upon Muhammad and the Family of Muhammad as You conferred Your salat and blessings upon Ibrahim and the Family of Ibrahim. You are Owner of Praise, Owner of Glory! And be pleased with Muhammad's good companions and all Your righteous servants and mujahidin.
O Allah! Guide us and grant us acceptance, for You are the Hearing, the Knowing; accept our repentance, for You are the Relenting and the Merciful.
Brothers and sisters, peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.
In the context of discussing the story of Allah's prophet, confidant, and messenger Ibrahim (PBUH), we spoke about the beginning of his journey in delivering the divine message and calling people to Allah (Glory be to Him) and to belief in Him and His oneness. This journey started with his family, particularly with his father (Azar), as Allah (Glory be to Him) mentioned in the Holy Quran, {'And when Ibrahim said to his father Azar, “Do you take idols as gods? I truly see that you and your people are entirely misguided"'}. We also spoke about these two topics.
The serious and significant issue in the reality of human society lies in their deviation from Allah's path, His message, and His religion, which has permeated all aspects of life. This manifests as violations and deviations in values, ethics, behaviours, and dealings , eventually culminating in the profound deviation of associating partners with Allah (Glory be to Him). This happened even though humans have always acknowledged Allah as the Creator, the Provider, and the One Who manages the affairs of the heavens and the earth. Despite having leaders, thinkers, philosophers, and a host of others and enjoying great civilisations in terms of urban development (although these are hollow civilisations built on oppression, tyranny, disbelief, and polytheism), many communities and nations have not benefited from any of that, including their material resources. That is because all that is insufficient for guidance as they have strayed from the path of the divine message and from the guides among the servants of Allah: the messengers, prophets, and inheritors of His scriptures. As a result, the phenomenon of associating partners with Allah (Glory be to Him) became widespread: the belief in the divinity of created beings that are submissive to Allah. This includes inanimate objects such as idols, as well as other beings, some of whom do not even accept being worshipped alongside Allah, such as angels, certain prophets, and righteous individuals. These creatures were devoted to Allah and submissive to Him, and they believed in Him. They despised polytheism and its practitioners; nevertheless, some communities and civilisations turned to associating these creatures with Allah, believing in their divinity despite their acknowledgment of Allah's divinity. This is what polytheism means: They acknowledge Allah as their God, yet they believe in other gods who share in divinity and lordship, worshipping them and seeking to draw near to them in various ways to express their servitude and to request what a created worshipper asks from his deity. This is the essence of it.
Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) acted within his family circle to combat the phenomenon of polytheism, to call people to Allah (Glory be to Him), and to save his father Azar from the state he was in. Polytheism is a great injustice and a serious issue. There were other encounters for Ibrahim (PBUH) with his father, but the Holy Quran often presents just examples. That is, there were undoubtedly many discussions and dialogues between Ibrahim and Azar. Nonetheless, the Holy Quran serves as a book of guidance rather than a historical account; consequently, it selects crucial examples that provide guidance and summarise the overall situation. Ibrahim also had significant encounters with his father and his people: There were some encounters that involved only him and his father Azar individually, and there were other encounters he had with his father and his people together.
Through documenting the stance of Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) in calling people to embrace monotheism and worship Allah alone (which is a foundation of the divine message in all of Allah's revelations with all of His messengers and prophets), the Holy Quran provides a clarification to all sects and denominations that respect Ibrahim, claim to follow him, and consider him a significant symbol, if not the greatest symbol. In fact, this is how some present the matter, claiming that they follow him and believe in his greatness. Even the Arab polytheists led the way in this claim, as they claimed to be on the religion of Ibrahim and the Hanifiyya. The Quran presents its argument against them and makes things clear to them. It is also a clarification for the Jews, Christians, and all groups that claim to follow Prophet Ibrahim, take him as a role model, respect him, acknowledge his wisdom, and emphasise his status as a symbol of humanity. Therefore, there is a strong argument presented against them, clarifying how he was, what his message and his call were, and what positions and attitudes he adopted. He did not accept polytheism even for his father Azar; how could he accept it for others?
The phenomenon of polytheism: A reflection of the worst level of intellectual and cultural decline!
This is not to mention what polytheism implies, as it is a phenomenon that reflects an intellectual and cultural decline to its lowest level. When a person comes to believe an idol of his own making or any created being as his god and considers himself its servant, this is a grave insult to Allah. This is because you are Allah's servant and belong to Him alone: How can you associate a partner with Allah in His sovereignty over you and in your worship of Him?! It is a serious insult against Allah—the Lord, the Owner, the Creator, the Bestower, and the true Deity. It is also a denial of the greatest truth. In fact, the condition of all other beings is the same as yours: They are created like you; subject to Allah; under His authority, management, sovereignty, and ownership; and are always in need of Him. It is Allah Who has brought them into existence, and throughout their existence, they remain dependent on Him in terms of His care, guidance, power, and so on. However, as we said, despite all of that, polytheism prevails in human society to an alarming extent.
Even though we live in an age of technological, industrial, and scientific advancement, there remains a significant backwardness in this aspect. Islam alone is the pure religion of monotheism dedicated solely to Allah, the Almighty. Based on their affiliation with Islam, Muslims are the only nation among all other nations—though they are a limited nation in number, as they are not the majority in human society—that believe in the oneness of Allah, the Almighty. Indeed, Islam provides us with the pure and true religion of monotheism to Allah and belief in His message.
As for other nations—including those that present themselves as advocates of freedom, as is the case with the infidel West in America and Europe—they are societies that believe in polytheism and devote themselves to beings other than Allah, the Almighty. For instance, the Christians regard Prophet Isa (PBUH), who is Allah's messenger, as a god and deity in their radio sermons, writings, and church rituals. They refer to him as 'Lord Jesus'—Jesus means Isa—while they claim to be advocates of freedom. What kind of freedom exists for those who consider themselves servants to a human being, namely Prophet Isa (PBUH), who is a human and a servant of Allah (the Almighty) and whose very first words Allah made him speak were, {'I am truly a servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made a prophet'}?! How can they be qualified to call for freedom when they subject people to worship others besides Allah and exalt a human being whose birth date they know and whose mother they know to be Mariam, and base their entire historical reckoning on his birth date? We are now in 2025 A.D., a date reckoned from the birth of Christ Isa, the son of Mariam (Peace be upon her). In fact, he is a created being, born on a specific date, with his mother identified as the virtuous and pure Mariam, the daughter of Imran. Despite that, they continue to practice polytheism, and so do other nations. That is, in our current era—a time of scientific advancement and civilisational renaissance—the overwhelming majority of human societies believe in polytheism: ascribing divinity to created beings and associating them with Allah!
This is why they try to target Muslims, who are the only nation , since Islam is the only religion that adheres to pure, sincere monotheism to Allah. They try to target Muslims, who enjoy the blessing of monotheism and the honour of dedicating worship solely to Allah, the Almighty. Muslims are supposed to put forth every effort in spreading Islam, the true religion, and monotheism across the entire world. However, instead of being the ones who actively work and spare no efforts to spread the guidance they possess to the rest of humanity, they become the ones targeted by other groups that spare no efforts to deviate some Muslims. In fact, some Muslims actually do fall into apostasy from Islam. Some leave Islam for atheism, others convert to Christianity, and some join other religions.
Also, in their efforts to infiltrate the Muslim Ummah, these groups work to create new sects that move among Muslims with the aim of diverting them from Islam. This is the case with Baha'ism, Ahmadiyya, and similar groups created by the enemies of Islam. These sects have been established with a new ideology based on apostasy from Islam, deceiving Muslims into thinking that these sects still embrace Islam. However, in reality, they open the door for false prophets of their own making and pave the way to disrupt the laws of Islam and break away from the established constants and teachings of Islam—the well-established fundamentals of Islam, such as its rituals, pillars, major principles, the Quran, the matter of prophethood, and the Hereafter. They completely depart from these major, clear matters that all Muslims agree on.
The Jews play a fundamental role in this. They were the ones who led the Christians astray and deviated them to the point of polytheism after infiltrating their beliefs, and now they use the same extremely dangerous tactics within the Islamic world to mislead, distort, and lead Muslims astray. Allah said about them, {'And they want you , too, to lose the right path'}. He also says about them, {'If you were to yield to a group of those who were given the Scripture, they would turn you back from belief to disbelief'}. They also incite those loyal to them among the Christians in this context, using them in their war against Islam and Muslims and in their soft intellectual and cultural warfare.
The serious impact of misguidance and the misleading, and ways to guard against their evil
One of the biggest dangers in this regard, especially in the age of the internet and satellite channels, is the chaotic reception of information. This is because it is misguidance what leads people to significant deviation in their religious beliefs, in their convictions, and in their concepts that they mistakenly think to be part of the divine religion, as we discussed yesterday and clarified through what Allah mentioned about Prophet Ibrahim when he addressed his father Azar: {'I truly see that you and your people are entirely misguided'}.
Misguidance is what leads people to follow falsehood, even when that falsehood is absurd and so clear that it requires no proof. For example, as we explained in detail regarding the story of idols, people still believed in them as gods, despite the fact that they were created, purchased, or even given as gifts. It is, in essence, an absurd matter to the highest degree! But this is what misguidance can do to humans: It makes a person accept what is utterly absurd and false, and even when falsity is so obvious that it does not need evidence, he believes in it, clings to it, and insists on it. If some were capable of denying that there is neither night nor day on the earth, they would do so. In other words, misguidance can lead a person to a point where he denies the clearest and most obvious truths. Therefore, the very serious problem for many Muslims today is the chaotic reception of information from satellite channels and the internet.
Thus, some Muslims in many societies, with some more than others, have reached a state of . According to statistics, the country with the highest rate of apostasy among Muslim nations is Saudi Arabia. This is based on the presented statistics, which indicate explicit apostasy from Islam. There are some individuals who have completely abandoned Islam and openly declared their renunciation of the Islamic faith. Some turn to atheism, others to Christianity, and some to other religions. But why? Similarly, in Yemen and various other countries, such cases also occur, as some individuals convert to Baha'ism, Ahmadiyya, or other groups.
Many of these individuals are influenced because of following those satellite channels that promote misguidance and falsehood while lacking the necessary protection of true guidance: They neither possess certainty nor sufficient knowledge, making them susceptible to doubts. These channels present falsehood in a deceptive, philosophical manner, adorned with persuasive rhetoric that influences those who lack awareness, knowledge, understanding, and certainty. They become deceived. Some are led astray through the internet. In fact, many have deviated, apostatised, and gone astray because of it. Others are influenced by preachers—preachers of misguidance—for misguidance has both preachers and sponsors:
- There are preachers who promote misguidance, present seemingly convincing arguments, and engage in philosophical reasoning to persuade and deceive people. Through manipulation and the use of seemingly convincing arguments, they manage to mislead those who lack awareness, knowledge, certainty, and insight in their faith—those who are confused and unsettled;
- There are also sponsors; these are the benefiters, such as oppressive authorities and powerful entities that perceive themselves as gaining political influence, financial advantage, social influence, or prestigious status, among other benefits. We have discussed this point, as well as certain kings, such as Firaawn and Nimrod—what they did and how Nimrod went so far as to present himself as one of their deities, taming people to submit to him to such an extreme degree. He became comfortable with this arrangement. So this is a very serious issue.
Therefore, among the most important things one can do to protect himself from being influenced by such misguidance are as follows:
- Firstly, boycott misleading satellite channels and websites. Do not follow any channel that spreads misguidance. Likewise, do not follow any websites on the internet that promote falsehood and present doubtful matters; work on boycotting them. This is a crucial matter: {'And when you come across those who ridicule Our revelations, do not sit with them unless they engage in a different topic. Should Satan make you forget, then once you remember, do not sit with the wrongdoing people'} . Boycotting is the remedy for most people because the majority do not possess the awareness, knowledge, or understanding needed to shield themselves from doubtful matters and therefore fall victim to such doubts. Also, those who promote misguidance, wherever they may be, must be boycotted—do not listen to them or accept anything from them. This is an extremely important matter.
- Secondly, a person should cling to guidance, the beacons of guidance, and the path of guidance. One should keep striving to gain insight, awareness, and understanding and be knowledgeable about his religion, its important foundations, and its basic principles. This is an extremely important matter. One should also know where the channels of guidance lie, as well as the source and the path of guidance, so that he may align himself with them. A person should also realise that these two themes—guidance and misguidance—are of a determining role: One's life journey is either based on the path of guidance, which leads to salvation, or based on misguidance, which results in ruin and loss, Allah forbid. Allah taught us even in prayer how to appreciate the importance of this matter, as He instructs us in the Holy Quran to say, {'Guide us to the straight path, the path of those upon whom You have bestowed Your favour'}.
The second phase of Prophet Ibrahim's mission and the challenges he faced
The second phase in the mission of Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) was to call his people to believe in Allah, to worship Him alone, and to save them from polytheism. To carry out this task and overcome the significant difficulties and obstacles that stood in his way, Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) needed preparation to become able to confront these challenges and hurdles that stood in the way of fulfilling his mission. This was crucial.
The prophets and messengers of Allah are uniquely prepared by Allah (the Almighty), for He chooses them and prepares them from the very beginning for the great, sacred, and monumental tasks they undertake. This is to make them worthy of these tasks and serve as exemplary models in terms of their guidance, purity of soul, maturity, intellectual growth, awareness, understanding, profound insight, and intelligence, as well as in terms of morals and values. Even when they begin or are about to begin their missions, they are further supported by divine care, which enhances their readiness, preparation, and ability to carry out their duties. They keep receiving support from Allah (the Almighty) throughout their journey—whether at the start, during, or at any stage of their mission.
We already explained the complexities that Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) faced in his society:
- He faced a tyrannical, oppressive, arrogant, and deeply corrupt authority led by a man so consumed by pride and arrogance that he claimed divinity for himself!
- His society was deeply entrenched in falsehood, rigid in its adherence to it—it was a society intensely devoted to false beliefs. We have already highlighted the danger of misguidance when it transforms into religious beliefs. Falsehood, when it becomes a religious belief, is particularly perilous. This is because some people can be quite rigid and deeply attached to religious beliefs, treating them with great sanctity and intensity.
- There were also influential groups that benefited materially and socially from this situation.
- He faced challenges even within his own family circle.
- Additionally, this matter itself—the call to monotheism and the fight against polytheism—touched upon their most important and sacred beliefs. This made this matter highly sensitive. Typically, such matters in those societies were surrounded by psychological and emotional sensitivity, to the point where people would not tolerate any discussion or questioning of them. There were also penalties; some societies would have set penalties such as burning with fire for anyone who opposed polytheism or showed signs of rejection. This was an officially designated punishment: They would be burnt in fire.
He faced a complicated situation requiring a high level of determination and strong trust in Allah (Glory be to Him), as well as in his position, the path he follows, and the methodology he adheres to. In other words, it demands a deep sense of certainty. It also required following appropriate methods that lead them to understand and acknowledge the truth.
In other words, he needed to know how to approach them without provoking them. He should not begin by immediately clashing with them, as they would shut him down before he even has the chance to explain and clarify. He needed a method that could enable him to communicate the truth effectively, helping them grasp the essential reality: The idols they worshipped are unworthy of divinity, and no one is worthy of divinity and worship except Allah alone. To communicate the truth, he needed to adopt a wise method because his goal was to guide them, not provoke them, stir their emotion, or create unnecessary conflict from the very first encounter. Rather, his purpose was to comprehend the truth first, to become aware of it, and ultimately to be guided. Thus, it was necessary for him to choose a method that could practically lead to achieving this goal.
He was also in a state of alienation. The beginning is difficult; it requires a very wise method. What sets the mission of the prophets apart from others is that it is truly more complex than anything else. For example, if the issue were about establishing power, a government, or a state, that would be much easier. It involves political and military control, among other things, and influencing public opinion to a certain extent.
Why are the missions of the messengers and prophets the greatest and most sacred missions?
The mission of the messengers and prophets is the greatest and most sacred of all missions, facing numerous complications in real life. That is because they are sent to guide people, aiming to transform false thoughts, misguided beliefs, false perceptions, and misguided concepts that people hold, as well as to purify their souls from accumulated evils and vices that tarnish their inner purity. Their goal is to reform individuals and ensure that they act according to the guidance of Allah, accept His teachings, instructions, and guidance, and avoid what He has forbidden. At times, prophets start their mission facing a situation that has become complex: People have adopted false beliefs, misconceptions, and erroneous ideas, yet they cling to them tenaciously, fully convinced of their validity. These beliefs are also surrounded by great sensitivity, rendering discussion or debate about them prohibited. Moreover, individuals have fallen into moral decay; their conditions have deteriorated, their souls have been tainted, and they have developed highly deviant behaviours, customs, and traditions. However, they have become accustomed to and are deeply attached to these ways, making change difficult.
To realise the significant difference between the two matters, we find that during the mission of the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (PBUH&F), the polytheists in Mecca made him an offer, saying to him, ‘If you desire kingship, we will crown you as our king,’ indicating their willingness to accept his leadership if it were a matter of gaining authority and power. They had no problem crowning him as their king, offering him wealth, making him the richest among them, getting him married to the most beautiful woman, or offering any other material things. However, the real confrontation lay in challenging the core of their deeply held beliefs, customs, erroneous traditions, misguided ideas, etc. This means transforming the entire reality is a truly sensitive and highly complex matter.
Therefore, we realise how demanding this mission is. For this reason, Allah (the Almighty) says, {'We also showed Ibrahim the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, so he would be sure in faith'}. This had to do with preparing him for this mission, given the difficulties, complexities, sensitivities, and problems he would be facing in reality. Allah prepared him to perform this mission by showing him the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, the wondrous signs that would elevate him to the highest levels of certainty. With absolute certainty, he could move forward with determination, strength, and complete reassurance. We will discuss this in the next lecture, Allah willing.
We ask Allah (Glory be to Him) to grant us success in seeking what pleases Him. O Allah! Have mercy on our virtuous martyrs, heal the wounded among us, set free our captives, and grant us victory. You are the Hearer of Prayer!
Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.