Therefore...

Therefore, when the companions of the Prophet (S) asked him why his hair had turned gray so soon, and the signs of age prematurely appeared on his face, he said: “The Surah Al-Waqi‘ah and the Surah Hud made me age.” Some other traditions indicate that when the above verse was revealed, the Prophet (S) said: “Fasten your belts! Fasten your belts (as it is time for struggling and working)”; and since that time, he was never seen smiling.

The reason is clear, for there are four commands in this verse, each of which imposes a heavy duty upon man. Today, our responsibilities as Muslim leaders can also be summarized as: persistence, sincerity, leadership of the believers, abstinence from unruliness, and non-violence.

“And do not incline to those who are unjust, lest the Fire will touch you; and you have no protectors other than Allah, nor shall you be helped. Reliance upon the Unjust! This verse explains one of the most fundamental programs in the realm of social, political, military, and ideological spheres of activity.

It addresses all Muslims, putting forward a decisive duty, it implies that we should not seek support from oppressors, and never rely upon them for such an act for it causes us to be surrounded by the Fire of Hell and we have no one from whom to expect support but Allah. The verse says: “And do not incline to those who are unjust, lest the Fire will touch you; and you have no protectors other than Allah, nor shall you be helped. In which matters must one not rely upon the transgressors?

In the first instance, obviously, we must not share in the atrocities they commit and seek support from them in this regard. Secondly, reliance upon them must stop where the Muslim community stands to be weakened, and its independence and self sufficiency jeopardized, this type of dependency will bear no fruit but frustration and loss of independence on the part of Islamic communities.