The methods of tyrants in confronting the Da’wah

Allah - Glorified and Exalted is He - in His wisdom and justice, has ordained that the prophets, messengers, and their followers have enemies among the tyrants and criminals. He says: "And thus have We made for every prophet an enemy from among the criminals. But sufficient is your Lord as a guide and a helper" [Qur'an: 25:31]. He then clarifies the reality of these tyrants and criminals in another place, saying: "And thus have We made for every prophet an enemy - devils from mankind and jinn, inspiring to one another decorative speech in delusion…" [Qur'an: 6:112]. They are devils from among mankind and jinn, connecting with each other in a hidden manner to confront the truth represented in the call of the prophets and messengers - peace be upon them - and their followers until the Day of Judgment

Since the call of the prophets and their followers is the danger that threatens the existence and structure of the tyrants, they have pursued every way to preserve their existence, strengthen their structure, and eliminate the call of truth. Allah - Glorified and Exalted is He - has revealed their methods in confronting the call and elaborated on that to make the believers vigilant. He says: "And thus do We detail the verses, and [thus] the way of the criminals will become evident" [Qur'an: 6:55]

Allah has mentioned some of these methods in His book, reaching nearly two hundred. Before mentioning some of these methods, it is necessary to mention some introductory points that clarify some important truths

First introduction: The existence of these tyrants and criminals is a predetermined and decreed matter (not legislatively). He says: "And thus have We placed within every city the greatest of its criminals to conspire therein. But they conspire not except against themselves, and they perceive [it] not" [Qur'an: 6:123] whether they are rulers, ministers, advisors, or opposition leaders, etc.

Second introduction: Allah has ordained this for great wisdom, including discernment, testing, and taking martyrs from the believers, and achieving the love of Allah through patience and enduring harm. Then thereafter, the rightful punishment of these tyrants and their removal, and the healing of the hearts of the believers from them

The third introduction: That Allah - may He be glorified and exalted - may grant these tyrants respite and delay their appointed time until His previous wisdom comes to pass, as stated in the noble hadith: "Allah grants respite to the oppressor until when He takes him, He will not let him escape" [Reported by Imam al-Bukhari]

The fourth introduction: One of the reasons for the arrogance, pride, and tyranny of these tyrants is the compliance and acquiescence of the people, as Allah - may He be glorified - said about the greatest tyrant in history: "So he bluffed his people, and they obeyed him. Indeed, they were [themselves] a transgressing people" [Az-Zukhruf: 54]. This does not necessarily mean rebelling against them and overthrowing them by force; for the lack of contentment and submission by the people is a decisive factor in breaking the power of these tyrants and getting rid of them, as mentioned in the noble hadith of Umm Salamah - may Allah be pleased with her - from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him): "Verily, you will have rulers who do not act by our guidance and do not adopt our ways. There will be among them men who will have the hearts of devils in the bodies of human beings." They asked, "What should we do, O Messenger of Allah?" He replied, "Listen and obey, even if your ruler is an Abyssinian slave. Those of you who will live long after me will see great controversy. You must then follow my sunnah and that of the rightly-guided caliphs. Hold to it and stick fast to it. Avoid novelties, for every novelty is an innovation, and every innovation is an error" [Reported by Imam Muslim]

As for the methods of these tyrants, they vary between methods of plotting and deceit, and others in turning away and disengaging, and others in justifying and inventing excuses, and others in casting doubt, and others in coercion and obstruction, and others in causing harm and persecution... etc.

The following is a quick and concise presentation of some of these methods mentioned in the Quran, including:

Misrepresentation and turning the truth into falsehood: Allah - may He be exalted - said: "Why do you confuse the truth with falsehood?" [Aal-E-Imran: 71]. Among the examples is what Allah mentioned about the polytheists that when they are told to spend of what Allah has given them, they say to those who disbelieve, "Should we feed one whom, if Allah had willed, He would have fed? You are not but in clear error" [Ya-Seen: 47]. So, when the truth appears and the methods of misrepresentation are not found, they resort to another method, which is:

Arguing with falsehood to invalidate the truth: Allah - may He be exalted - said: "And they argue with falsehood to invalidate the truth" [Ghafir: 5], and among this is what Allah narrated of the dispute of Nimrod the tyrant with Abraham - peace be upon him - about his Lord, "When Abraham said, 'My Lord is the one who gives life and causes death,' he said, 'I give life and cause death.' Abraham said, 'Indeed, Allah brings the sun from the east, so bring it from the west.' So, the disbeliever was overwhelmed [by astonishment], and Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people" [Al-Baqarah: 258]. So, if this method is not found, they resort to another method, which is:

Fabricating lies about Allah: Allah - may He be exalted - said: "And who is more unjust than one who invents a lie about Allah while he is being invited to Islam? And Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people" [As-Saff: 7]. Among this is their analysis of what Allah has forbidden and their forbidding of what Allah has allowed, in line with their desires and interests. Allah - may He be exalted - said: "And do not say about what your tongues assert of untruth, 'This is lawful and this is unlawful,' to invent falsehood about Allah" [An-Nahl: 116]. And from this is the making lawful what Allah has made unlawful. Allah - may He be exalted - said about the Jews: "That is because they say, 'There is no blame upon us concerning the unlearned' and they speak untruth about Allah while they know [it]" [Aal-E-Imran: 75]

Manipulating and changing the rules of Allah by force to suit their desires, as the idolaters used to do with Al-Nasi (intercalating the forbidden month to violate its sanctity). Allah said, "Indeed, the intercalation is an increase in disbelief by which those who have disbelieved are led [further] astray. They make it lawful one year and unlawful another year to correspond to the number made unlawful by Allah and [thus] make lawful what Allah has made unlawful." [Qur'an, 9: 37]

Also, the Jews changed the punishment for the adulterous fortified person from stoning, which is mentioned in the Torah and is in accordance with our law, to flogging and house arrest, as indicated in the authentic Hadith

Corruption on earth: Allah mentioned the saying of His Prophet Saleh -peace be upon him- to his people: "And do not obey the order of the transgressors, Who cause corruption in the land and do not amend it." [Qur'an, 26: 151-152]. He also said about the Jews: "And they strive throughout the land [causing] corruption." [Qur'an, 5: 33]. And He mentioned, regarding the hypocrites: "And when it is said to them, 'Do not cause corruption on the earth,' they say, 'We are but reformers.' Unquestionably, it is they who are the corrupters, but they perceive [it] not." [Qur'an, 2: 11-12]

Allying with each other: Allah said: "And those who disbelieve are allies of one another." [Qur'an, 8: 73]. And He said, "And indeed, the wrongdoers are allies of one another." [Qur'an, 45: 19]. When their adversary is the truth, they unite against it because disbelief is, as it is said, one community. Hence, the Jews allying with the polytheists of Mecca and saying about them, "These are better guided in the way." [Qur'an, 4: 51]

Conducting secret meetings to conspire against the call: Allah describes the scenario of the sorcerers of Pharaoh as they disagreed in the matter of Moses and Aaron, "So they conspired in the matter secretly." [Qur'an, 20: 62]. He also mentioned the hypocrites and their meetings with the Jews, "Have you not considered those who were forbidden from private conversation, then they return to that which they were forbidden and converse among themselves about sin and aggression and disobedience to the Messenger." [Qur'an, 58: 8]. And He said, "And [remember, O Muhammad], when those who disbelieved plotted against you to restrain you or kill you or evict you [from Makkah]. But they plan, and Allah plans. And Allah is the best of planners." [Qur'an, 8: 30]. This verse was revealed on the occasion of the polytheists' meeting at Dar Al-Nadwa to conspire against the Messenger

Attempting to create division among the believers: This is one of the most concealed and cunning methods of tyrants, such as building mosques to harm the believers. Allah said, "And [there are] those [hypocrites] who took for themselves a mosque for causing harm and disbelief and division among the believers." [Qur'an, 9: 107]. Also, stirring up tribal conflicts and ignorant prejudice. Allah said about the hypocrites, "Certainly, Allah knows those among you who hinder others and say to their brothers, 'Come to us.'" [Qur'an, 33: 18]

Making and breaking contracts and treaties: Allah said about the Jews, "So is it [not] every time they make a covenant that a party among them throws it aside? But, [in fact], most of them do not believe." [Qur'an, 2: 100]. And He said about the disbelievers, "Indeed, the worst of living creatures in the sight of Allah are those who have disbelieved, and they will not [ever] believe. The ones with whom you made a treaty but then they break their pledge every time, and they do not fear." [Qur'an, 8: 55-56]. Therefore, when they fear for themselves or weaken, they resort to making contracts and treaties. But when they feel secure and their strength returns, they break those contracts and treaties

Betrayal, deception, and treason: Allah Almighty says: "And if they intend to deceive you, then verily, Allah is All-Sufficient for you" [Al-Anfal: 62]. The history of calls for justice is filled with such betrayals, deceptions, and treacheries

Pleasing the believers with their tongues while harboring enmity towards them in their hearts: Allah Almighty says: "They satisfy you with their mouths, but their hearts refuse" [At-Tawbah: 8]. This tactic is resorted to by tyrants in times of fear. But when they have the upper hand, as Allah said: "They regard not in you except as a commodity" [At-Tawbah: 8]

Misleading the public and urging them towards disbelief: "They are hatching a great plot... And they have said, 'Do not desert your Allahs'" [Nooh: 22-23]. Allah has exposed the reality of this deception, that it is continuous, never ending, saying: "They will say, 'We did not cause you to go astray from the Right Path after it had come to you'" [Saba: 32]. They will reply, "It was your plot night and day when you ordered us to disbelieve in Allah and set up equals with Him" [Saba: 33]. And they have taken various paths to mislead the public, including:

Distracting them from public affairs and searching for the truth themselves, and urging them to hold on to the falsehood and endure it: "And the leaders among them went about, saying, 'Go, and be steadfast to your Allahs! Verily, this is a thing designed'" [Saad: 6]. If the public has free time that may lead to thinking, tyrants take practical steps to distract them, such as

Engaging them in false gatherings: "So the magicians were gathered for a time on a specified day... And it was said to the people, 'Are you assembled?'" [Ash-Shu'ara: 38-39]. And Allah says, "And among the people is he who buys idle talk to mislead others from the way of Allah without knowledge and takes it (the guidance) by way of mockery" [Luqman: 6], which is known today as entertainment. If these gatherings do not interest or tempt them, the tyrants adopt another approach with them, which is:

The delivery of passionate speeches and eloquent words that ignite emotions and kindle enthusiasm in the hearts often conceal deception and distortion of the truth. As Allah Almighty said: "And Pharaoh called out among his people; he said, 'O my people, does not the kingdom of Egypt belong to me, and these rivers flowing beneath me; then do you not see? Or am I [not] better than this one who is insignificant and hardly makes himself clear?'" [Qur'an 43:51-52]. If the public is somewhat aware and perceptive, tyrants resort to a more cunning approach, such as:

Fake consultation: When the radiant light of truth dazzled Pharaoh, he said to his assembly: "He is a learned magician, intending to drive you out of your land by his magic. So, what do you advise?" [Qur'an 26:34-35]. The criminal tyrant Pharaoh consults his people, whom he had once enslaved, and tells them: "I do not show you except what I see, and I do not guide you except to the way of right conduct" [Qur'an 40:29]. If this approach fails, they turn to a more serious method, which is

Displaying neutrality and pretending to seek justice: portraying Pharaoh as saying to the people gathered to witness the confrontation between Moses and his people: "Perhaps we may follow the magicians if they are the predominant" [Qur'an 26:40]. If this does not work, they resort to an even more deceitful and cunning method, which is:

Pretending piety: Pharaoh the tyrant said: "O eminent ones, I have known no deity for you other than me; therefore, Haman, burn for me bricks of clay and make for me a tower that I may look at the Allah of Moses. And indeed, I think he is among the liars" [Qur'an 28:38]. Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest) ... the tyrant Pharaoh restrained himself from asserting to his people in a confident manner: "You have no deity other than me," attributing that to his humble knowledge, "I have known no deity for you." It is as if he searched for another Allah but found none. This is similar to what the chief hypocrite in Medina, Abdullah bin Abi ibn Salul, used to do. He would stand up every Friday and say to the people, "O people, this Messenger of Allah is among you, Allah has honored you with his presence, so support him, listen to him, and obey him," while Allah knows what animosity and hatred for the Messenger of Allah is in his heart

These are some practical steps to deceive the nations. If the message of the messenger becomes widespread and the methods of deception and distraction do not work, tyrants resort to another method, which is:

The negotiation: Allah warned His prophet, peace be upon him, by saying: "And be on your guard against temptation to deviate from the truth (of what has been revealed to you) owing to pressure from certain people" [Al-Maida: 49]. The story of the negotiation of the idolatrous people of Quraysh with the Prophet, peace be upon him, is well-known. Pharaoh also used this method with his sorcery, when they said to him: "When the sorcerers came, they said to Pharaoh: 'Will there be a reward for us if we are the winners?' He replied: 'Yes, and you will then be among those who are close to me'" [Ash-Shu'ara: 41-42]. Other forms of negotiation include giving gifts, as mentioned about the Queen of Sheba when Solomon's letter came to her: "I will send them a present and see what answer my envoys bring back" [An-Naml: 35]. Therefore, the Prophet, peace be upon him, would accept the gift and reward for it, to not be enslaved by it. If this method does not work, tyrants resort to a more cruel method: psychological warfare and breaking the morale. This war takes several forms, including ridicule and mockery [Al-Baqara: 212] and defamation [Al-Anbiya: 61], as well as intimidation [Az-Zumar: 36] and hungering [Al-Munafiqun: 7], threat and warning [Ash-Shu'ara: 29], and others. If the campaigns intensify and the hardships grow, tyrants resort to another strange method, which is

Seeking the help of messengers in revealing the hidden truths: Allah Almighty spoke about Pharaoh and his people: "When the affliction befell them, they said: ‘O Moses, call on your Lord for us by virtue of His promise to you. If you remove the affliction from us, we will certainly believe in you and let the Israelites go with you.’" [Al-A'raf: 134]. Moses, who was yesterday a liar, misguided, corrupt, and even crazy as they claim, has now become the savior and deliverer. Quraysh also resorted to this method with our Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. It is narrated in Sahih Muslim and Sahih Bukhari from Abdullah bin Mas'ud - may Allah be pleased with him - that when Quraysh disobeyed the Prophet, peace be upon him, and he prayed against them, they were afflicted with famine and hardship to the extent that they resorted to eating bones. People would look up at the sky and see it covered with smoke from the hardship. Then Allah revealed: "So be on the lookout for a day when the sky will bring forth a clear smoke, enveloping the people. This will be a painful punishment." [Ad-Dukhan: 10-11]. The Prophet, peace be upon him, was then asked to pray for rain for the people of Madinah, and after they received rain, they returned to their previous condition, so Allah sent down: "The day we will strike with the greatest assault, indeed, we will take retribution." This is in reference to the day of Badr.

These are some of the methods that criminal tyrants adopt in confronting the Da’wah and its followers.