| Take the story of the believing
man who held a high position in the Pharaoh Administration.
He had been concealing his faith for sometime but when he
became aware of the Pharaoh plot to kill Moses, he decided
that it was time to take a stand. He knew that at minimum
he would lose his job and his social status, and most likely
his life. But he was prepared for any consequence.
“A Believer, a man from among the people of
Pharaoh, who had concealed his faith, said: “Will you
slay a man because he says, ‘may Lord is Allah’?-
When he had indeed come to you with clear (signs) from your
Lord? And if he is a liar, on him is (the sin of ) his lie;
but if he is telling the truth, then will fal on you something
of the (calamity) of which he warns you: truly Allah guides
not one who transgresses and lies!” 40:28
Real men do not look the other way when they see injustice
being done. The story of the believing man, Habib Al-Naggar,
illustrates that. He gathered that his community has rejected
the message of Allah and decided to kill all of the messengers.
Al-naggar decided to take a stand against the wrong doing
and defend the messengers of Allah. He knew that he would
be killed for it but he did not mind that. By doing so, he
passed the manhood test in the eyes of Allah and deserved
to be called “man”.
Then there came running, from the farthest part of
the city, a man, saying, “O- my people! Obey the messengers:
“Obey those who ask no reward of you (for themselves),
and who are themselves guided. “Why should not I serve
Him who created me, and to whom you shall (all) be brought
back. “Shall I take (other) gods besides Him? If the
Most gracious should intend some adversity for me, of no use
whatever will be their intercession for me, nor can they deliver
me.” “I would indeed, then be in manifest error.”
“For me, I have faith in the Lord of you (all): Listen
then to me!” 36:20-25
As expected, this believing man paid his life for his stand.
They killed him and Allah was pleased with him, accepted him
as a martyr, and raised him directly to Jannah (paradise).
Because he was angered for Allah, Allah was angered for him,
and decided to punish his people for what they have done.
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“It was said: “Enter you the Gardens.”
He said: “Ah me! Would that my people knew (what I
know)!- “From that my Lord has granted me forgiveness
and has enrolled me among those held in honor!” And
We sent not down against his people, after him, any hosts
from heaven, nor was it needful for Us so to do. It was
no more than a single mighty blast, and behold! They were
(like ashes) quenched and silent.” 36:26-29
Real men stand firm on the righteous path, keep on worshiping
Allah, and resist any and all temptations of life in this
world. They do not let things that distract normal people
distract them from remembering Allah.
"Men whom neither trade nor sell can not divert
from the remembrance of Allah, nor from regular prayer,
nor from paying Zakat. Their (only) fear is for the Day
when Hearts and eyes will be turned about.” 24:37
Real men rouse people for Jihad to defend and establish
the religion of Allah and to fight falsehood and corruption.
They promote unity and discourage divisions among the Believers.
The story of Moses with his people in the Sinai Peninsula
tells us about two persons who deserved to be called men.
Moses has sent twelve people to spy out the land, and they
penetrated as far as Hebron. They saw rich country but the
people there were very strong. The people of Israel (Moses
people) had no courage and no faith. Among those who returned
after spying out the land were two who had faith and courage.
They were Joshua and Caleb They informed only Moses about
the strength of the people they saw. The ten remaining people
spread a story about how strong and powerful the people
up north were. Joshua and Caleb pleaded for an immediate
entry after taking all due precautions. But of course, they
said, they must put their trust in Allah for victory.
“(But) among (their) God-fearing men were
two on whom Allah had bestowed His grace: They said: “Assault
them at the (proper) gate: When once you are in, victory
will be yours; But on Allah put your trust if you have faith.”
Apart from the style of delivery, both Ibn Al-Juzee and
Fatima’s messages were ironically similar even though
their intended audience lived several centuries apart. History
does indeed repeat itself.
Isn’t now the time for those Muslims who think of
themselves as men to stand up and be counted? 
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