Welcome to the 24th episode of Heavenly Call on the occasion of the blessed fasting month of Ramadhan.

We start with the special supplication of the 24^th day, please listen:

“O Allah, I beseech You to grant me this day what You approve; and I invoke Your refuge from what You regard as offensive! I beseech You to grant me success in obeying You and refraining from disobeying You; O You who are Generous to the petitioners!”

As you know, we are living in the era of media and satellite communications. It is the era of radio, TV, and Internet in which news is transmitted to the remotest parts of the world in the shortest time. In such a case, what is our responsibility towards the media? Should we accept every bit of news we hear as true? Or we should analyze the news carefully to sift truth from rumours and in many cases deliberate distortion to mislead the audiences?

It is here that the holy Qur’an comes to our guidance. God Almighty says in Ayah 6 of Surah Hujuraat:

“O you who have faith! If a profligate should bring you some news, verify it, lest you should harm on some people out of ignorance, and then become regretful for what you have done.”

In the year 9 AH, Prophet Mohammad (blessings of God upon him and his progeny) sent Waleed ibn Oqba to the Bani al-Mustaliq tribe to gather zakat from them. Being informed of the approach of the Prophet’s emissary, the tribesmen came to welcome him, but Waleed, who had a grudge against them, thought they intended to kill him. Thus, he immediately turned back and on return to Medina gave a false report that they have refused to give zakat and should be considered as apostates. On hearing this, the chieftains of the Bani al-Mustaliq tribe came to the Prophet and told him: “We seek refuge with God the All-Merciful from His wrath and have not disobeyed God and His Messenger.”

Some of the Prophet’s companions expressed doubts towards the earnest words of the Bani al-Mutaliq chieftains and continued to belief the false report that Waleed had given. Thus, God revealed Ayah 6 of Surah Hujuraat to expose Waleed as a profligate who has brought false news.

Today, in our modern era of satellite communications where the propaganda horns of the West are trying to deceive unsuspecting masses all over the world, it is the holy Qur’an and events from the life of the Prophet that come to our rescue. The Divine injunctions are very useful and constructive in helping us sift truth from falsehood. Every day we are subject to the news propaganda of the Zionist-controlled West which is absolutely baseless and aimed at confusing public opinions to the benefit of the hegemonic powers and their devilish designs. For instance, the so-called war on terror, a term much bandied about by the US, the Great Satan, is totally a hoax and deception to mislead world public opinion.

The noble Qur’an says in Ayah 36 of Surah Isra’:

“Do not follow that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed the hearing, the eyesight and the heart- all of these are accountable.”

During the lifetime of the Prophet of Islam when the pagan Arabs of Mecca imposed upon him the Battle of Ohud, a similar event took place. During the heat of the battle, the Arab enemies spread the rumour that the Prophet was killed, and this made many of the Prophet’s companions lose heart and flee the battlefield. Only a handful of loyal Muslims remained steadfast, such as the Prophet’s uncle Hamza, who attained martyrdom, and it was only the bravery of the Prophet’s dear cousin and son-in-law, Imam Ali (AS) that saved the day for Islam.

At this, God revealed Ayah 144 of Surah Aal-e Imran to castigate the companions of the Prophet who easily affected by the enemy propaganda’s fled the battlefield. God says: “Mohammad is but a Prophet; surely prophets have passed before him. If he dies or is slain, will you turn your back on your heels?”

Therefore, an insightful and vigilant believer should examine and research any piece of news that is heard instead of believing it; for, if he takes a decision or measure before full information it will have negative individual and social effects. It is a matter of deep regret that many people in the world, even the academics and elites, are gullible and naïve in the face of the so-called mainstream media. That’s why they have turned into the tools and pawns in the hands of the Zionist-controlled Western media.

RM/AS/SS