O Allah! Make us of the "Few" Servants

[ummtaalib]

When ‘Umar bin al-Khattab radhiAllahu `anhu was walking in the market, he passed by a man who was supplicating,

 

“O Allah, make us of Your ‘few’ servants! O Allah make us of Your ‘few’ servants!”

 

 

‘Umar asked him, “Where did you get this du`a from?” And the man said, “Allah in His Book says:

 

‘And few of My servants are grateful.’ (Qur’an 34:13)

 

‘Umar wept and admonished himself, “The people are more knowledgeable than you, O ‘Umar! O Allah make us of Your ‘few’ servants.”

 

ابن أبي شيبة في مصنفه 10 / 332

Ibn Abi Shayba's Musannaf.

(Narrated by the Tabieen Ibrahim Taimi)

 

 

Below are a compilation of more such verses of the Glorious Qur'an....

[ummtaalib]

"Then, after that, ye slid back, save a few of you, being averse"

 

Surah 2. Surah Al-Baqarah Ayah 83

 

وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَاقَ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ لَا تَعْبُدُونَ إِلَّا اللَّهَ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا وَذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْيَتَامَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَقُولُوا لِلنَّاسِ حُسْنًا وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ ثُمَّ تَوَلَّيْتُمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِنْكُمْ وَأَنْتُمْ مُعْرِضُونَ

 

And (remember) when We made a covenant with the Children of Israel, (saying): Worship none save Allah (only), and be good to parents and to kindred and to orphans and the needy, and speak kindly to mankind; and establish worship and pay the poor-due. Then, after that, ye slid back, save a few of you, being averse.

[ummtaalib]

"They believe not, save a few"

 

Surah 4. An-Nisaa, Ayah 46

 

 

مِنَ الَّذِينَ هَادُوا يُحَرِّفُونَ الْكَلِمَ عَنْ مَوَاضِعِهِ وَيَقُولُونَ سَمِعْنَا وَعَصَيْنَا وَاسْمَعْ غَيْرَ مُسْمَعٍ وَرَاعِنَا لَيًّا بِأَلْسِنَتِهِمْ وَطَعْنًا فِي الدِّينِ ۚ وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ قَالُوا سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا وَاسْمَعْ وَانْظُرْنَا لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُمْ وَأَقْوَمَ وَلَٰكِنْ لَعَنَهُمُ اللَّهُ بِكُفْرِهِمْ فَلَا يُؤْمِنُونَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا

 

Some of those who are Jews change words from their context and say: "We hear and disobey; hear thou as one who heareth not" and "Listen to us!" distorting with their tongues and slandering religion. If they had said: "We hear and we obey; hear thou, and look at us" it had been better for them, and more upright. But Allah hath cursed them for their disbelief, so they believe not, save a few.

[ummtaalib]

"If it had not been for the grace of Allah and His mercy ye would have followed Satan, save a few (of you)"

 

Surah 4. An-Nisaa, Ayah 83

 

وَإِذَا جَاءَهُمْ أَمْرٌ مِنَ الْأَمْنِ أَوِ الْخَوْفِ أَذَاعُوا بِهِ ۖ وَلَوْ رَدُّوهُ إِلَى الرَّسُولِ وَإِلَىٰ أُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْهُمْ لَعَلِمَهُ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَنْبِطُونَهُ مِنْهُمْ ۗ وَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَتُهُ لَاتَّبَعْتُمُ الشَّيْطَانَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا

 

And if any tidings, whether of safety or fear, come unto them, they noise it abroad, whereas if they had referred it to the messenger and such of them as are in authority, those among them who are able to think out the matter would have known it. If it had not been for the grace of Allah and His mercy ye would have followed Satan, save a few (of you).

[ummtaalib]

"Allah hath set a seal upon them for their disbelief, so that they believe not save a few"

 

Surah 4. An-Nisa Ayah155

 

فَبِمَا نَقْضِهِمْ مِيثَاقَهُمْ وَكُفْرِهِمْ بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ وَقَتْلِهِمُ الْأَنْبِيَاءَ بِغَيْرِ حَقٍّ وَقَوْلِهِمْ قُلُوبُنَا غُلْفٌ ۚ بَلْ طَبَعَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهَا بِكُفْرِهِمْ فَلَا يُؤْمِنُونَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا

 

Then because of their breaking of their covenant, and their disbelieving in the revelations of Allah, and their slaying of the Prophets wrongfully, and their saying: Our hearts are hardened Nay, but Allah hath set a seal upon them for their disbelief, so that they believe not save a few

[ummtaalib]

"Thou wilt not cease to discover treachery from all save a few of them"

 

Surah 5.  Al-Maaidah Ayah 13

 

فَبِمَا نَقْضِهِمْ مِيثَاقَهُمْ لَعَنَّاهُمْ وَجَعَلْنَا قُلُوبَهُمْ قَاسِيَةً ۖ يُحَرِّفُونَ الْكَلِمَ عَنْ مَوَاضِعِهِ ۙ وَنَسُوا حَظًّا مِمَّا ذُكِّرُوا بِهِ ۚ وَلَا تَزَالُ تَطَّلِعُ عَلَىٰ خَائِنَةٍ مِنْهُمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِنْهُمْ ۖ فَاعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَاصْفَحْ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ

 

And because of their breaking their covenant, We have cursed them and made hard their hearts. They change words from their context and forget a part of that whereof they were admonished. Thou wilt not cease to discover treachery from all save a few of them. But bear with them and pardon them. Lo! Allah loveth the kindly.

[ummtaalib]

"But a few were they who believed with him"

 

Surah 11. Hud, Ayah 40

 

حَتَّىٰ إِذَا جَاءَ أَمْرُنَا وَفَارَ التَّنُّورُ قُلْنَا احْمِلْ فِيهَا مِنْ كُلٍّ زَوْجَيْنِ اثْنَيْنِ وَأَهْلَكَ إِلَّا مَنْ سَبَقَ عَلَيْهِ الْقَوْلُ وَمَنْ آمَنَ ۚ وَمَا آمَنَ مَعَهُ إِلَّا قَلِيلٌ

 

(Thus it was) till, when Our commandment came to pass and the oven gushed forth water, We said: Load therein two of every kind, a pair (the male and female), and thy household, save him against whom the word hath gone forth already, and those who believe. And but a few were they who believed with him.

[ummtaalib]

Surah 11. Hud, Ayah 116

 

فَلَوْلَا كَانَ مِنَ الْقُرُونِ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ أُولُو بَقِيَّةٍ يَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْفَسَادِ فِي الْأَرْضِ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِمَّنْ أَنْجَيْنَا مِنْهُمْ ۗ وَاتَّبَعَ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا مَا أُتْرِفُوا فِيهِ وَكَانُوا مُجْرِمِينَ

 

If only there had been among the generations before you men possessing a remnant (of good sense ) to warn (their people) from corruption in the earth, as did a few of those whom We saved from them! The wrong-doers followed that by which they were made sapless, and were guilty.

[ummtaalib]

"Few of My bondmen are thankful"

 

Surah 34. Saba, Ayah 13

 

يَعْمَلُونَ لَهُ مَا يَشَاءُ مِنْ مَحَارِيبَ وَتَمَاثِيلَ وَجِفَانٍ كَالْجَوَابِ وَقُدُورٍ رَاسِيَاتٍ ۚ اعْمَلُوا آلَ دَاوُودَ شُكْرًا ۚ وَقَلِيلٌ مِنْ عِبَادِيَ الشَّكُورُ

 

They made for him what he willed: synagogues and statues, basins like wells and boilers built into the ground. Give thanks, O House of David! Few of My bondmen are thankful.

[ummtaalib]

Verses in the Qur'an with "Most people"

 

 

Surah 30. Ar-Rum, Ayah 6

 

 

وَعْدَ اللَّهِ ۖ لَا يُخْلِفُ اللَّهُ وَعْدَهُ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

 

It is a promise of Allah. Allah faileth not His promise, but most of mankind know not.

 

 

 

Surah 7. Al-A'raf, Ayah 187

 

يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ السَّاعَةِ أَيَّانَ مُرْسَاهَا ۖ قُلْ إِنَّمَا عِلْمُهَا عِنْدَ رَبِّي ۖ لَا يُجَلِّيهَا لِوَقْتِهَا إِلَّا هُوَ ۚ ثَقُلَتْ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۚ لَا تَأْتِيكُمْ إِلَّا بَغْتَةً ۗ يَسْأَلُونَكَ كَأَنَّكَ حَفِيٌّ عَنْهَا ۖ قُلْ إِنَّمَا عِلْمُهَا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

 

They ask thee of the (destined) Hour, when will it come to port. Say: Knowledge thereof is with my Lord only. He alone will manifest it at its proper time. It is heavy in the heavens and the earth. It cometh not to you save unawares. They question thee as if thou couldst be well informed thereof. Say: Knowledge thereof is with Allah only, but most of mankind know not.

 

 

 

Surah 2. Al-Baqara, Ayah 243

 

 

أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ خَرَجُوا مِنْ دِيَارِهِمْ وَهُمْ أُلُوفٌ حَذَرَ الْمَوْتِ فَقَالَ لَهُمُ اللَّهُ مُوتُوا ثُمَّ أَحْيَاهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَذُو فَضْلٍ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَشْكُرُونَ

 

Bethink thee (O Muhammad) of those of old, who went forth from their habitations in their thousands, fearing death, and Allah said unto them: Die, and then He brought them back to life. Lo! Allah is a Lord of Kindness to mankind, but most of mankind give not thanks.

 

 

 

Surah 11. Hud, Ayah 17

 

أَفَمَنْ كَانَ عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٍ مِنْ رَبِّهِ وَيَتْلُوهُ شَاهِدٌ مِنْهُ وَمِنْ قَبْلِهِ كِتَابُ مُوسَىٰ إِمَامًا وَرَحْمَةً ۚ أُولَٰئِكَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِ ۚ وَمَنْ يَكْفُرْ بِهِ مِنَ الْأَحْزَابِ فَالنَّارُ مَوْعِدُهُ ۚ فَلَا تَكُ فِي مِرْيَةٍ مِنْهُ ۚ إِنَّهُ الْحَقُّ مِنْ رَبِّكَ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ

 

Is he (to be counted equal with them) who relieth on a clear proof from his Lord, and a witness from Him reciteth it, and before it was the Book of Moses, an example and a mercy? Such believe therein, and Whoso disbelieveth therein of the clans, the Fire is his appointed place. So be not thou in doubt concerning it. Lo! it is the Truth from thy Lord; but most of mankind believe not.

 

 

 

Surah 5. Al-Maida, Ayah 59

 

قُلْ يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ هَلْ تَنْقِمُونَ مِنَّا إِلَّا أَنْ آمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَمَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَمَا أُنْزِلَ مِنْ قَبْلُ وَأَنَّ أَكْثَرَكُمْ فَاسِقُونَ

 

Say: O, People of the Scripture! Do ye blame us for aught else than that we believe in Allah and that which is revealed unto us and that which was revealed aforetime, and because most of you are evil-livers?

 

 

 

Surah 6. Al-An'am, Ayah 111

 

وَلَوْ أَنَّنَا نَزَّلْنَا إِلَيْهِمُ الْمَلَائِكَةَ وَكَلَّمَهُمُ الْمَوْتَىٰ وَحَشَرْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ قُبُلًا مَا كَانُوا لِيُؤْمِنُوا إِلَّا أَنْ يَشَاءَ اللَّهُ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ يَجْهَلُونَ

 

And though We should send down the angels unto them, and the dead should speak unto them, and We should gather against them all things in array, they would not believe unless Allah so willed. Howbeit, most of them are ignorant.

 

 

 

Surah 21. Al-Anbiyaa, Ayah 24

 

أَمِ اتَّخَذُوا مِنْ دُونِهِ آلِهَةً ۖ قُلْ هَاتُوا بُرْهَانَكُمْ ۖ هَٰذَا ذِكْرُ مَنْ مَعِيَ وَذِكْرُ مَنْ قَبْلِي ۗ بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ الْحَقَّ ۖ فَهُمْ مُعْرِضُونَ

 

Or have they chosen other gods beside Him? Say: Bring your proof (of their godhead). This is the Reminder of those with me and those before me, but most of them know not the Truth and so they are averse.

 

 

 

Surah 34. Surah Sabaa, Ayah28

 

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا كَافَّةً لِلنَّاسِ بَشِيرًا وَنَذِيرًا وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

 

And We have not sent thee (O Muhammad) save as a bringer of good tidings and a warner unto all mankind; but most of mankind know not.

[ummtaalib]

“O Allah, make us of Your ‘few’ servants!”

[Bint e Aisha]

Ibn al-Qayyim (رحمه الله) said,

“Go on the path of truth and do not feel lonely because there are few who take that path, and beware of the path of falsehood and do not be deceived by the vastness of the perishers.” 

[Bint e Aisha]

[ummtaalib]

Sometimes when you advise someone to leave a sin, they respond with ‘everybody does it, it’s not just me!’ But if you look for the words “most people" in the Qur’an, you will find that most people:

 

‎‫وَلَـكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ

“However most people do not know.” (Al-A'raf 7:187)

 

‎‫وَلَـكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لاَ يَشْكُرُونَ

“And most people do not show gratitude” (Al-Baqarah 2:243)

 

‎‫وَلَـكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ

“And most people do not believe” (Hud, 11:17)

 

And if you look for ‘most of them’, you will find that most of them are:

 

‎‫وَأَنَّ أَكْثَرَكُمْ فَاسِقُونَ

“Most of you are disobedient” (Al-Ma'idah 5:59)

 

‎‫وَلَـكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ يَجْهَلُونَ

“Majority are ignorant” (Al-An'am 6:111)

 

‎‫بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ الْحَقَّ فَهُم مُّعْرِضُونَ

“Most are unaware of the truth and turn away” (Al-Anbiya 21:24)

 

____________________________________________

 

So be of the “few”, whom Allah Ta’ala says regarding them:

 

‎‫وَقَلِيلٌ مِّنْ عِبَادِيَ الشَّكُورُ

“And few of My servants are grateful.” (Saba' 34:13)

 

‎‫وَمَا آمَنَ مَعَهُ إِلاَّ قَلِيلٌ

“But none had believed with him, except a few.” (Hud 11:40)

 

‎‫في جَنَّاتِ  النَّعِيمِ ثُلَّةٌ مِّنَ الْأَوَّلِينَ  وَقَلِيلٌ مِّنَ الْآخِرِينَ

“In the Gardens of Bliss, a [large] company of the former people, and a few of the latter.” (Al-Waqi'ah 56:12-14)

 

Ibnul Qayyim ‫Rahimahullah said, “Tread the path of truth and do not feel lonely because there are few who take that path. But beware of the path of falsehood and do not be deceived by the vastness of the Perishers.” [Kitab al-Zuhd by Ahmad bin Hanbal] 

 

Comment: During this time of festivities and merrymaking, many of the commands of Allah Taa'la are flouted daily. Due to the entertainment on offer, we as Muslims sometimes forget our duties and fall prey to these temptations which are detrimental to our Imaan. Indeed the holiday period is a time for relaxation and rest. However, whilst we are in this relaxed state of mind, we should not forget that we are Muslims first. It should not be that because people all around us are solely interested in fun and entertainment, we get sucked into that sinful cycle. Let us not be from amongst the flock of people who ‘go with the flow’. Rather let us be from amongst those who place their religion ahead of their desires. Ameen.

 

Jamiatul Ulama (KZN)
Council of Muslim Theologians