Author: Abdullah Zamani
Freemasonry (part 48)
The Assault of Freemasonry on Muslims and the Islamic World
Introduction
In this discussion, we aim to examine the issue of the widespread assault of Freemasonry on the Islamic world and Muslims from the early period of Islam up to the present. In fact, when we study the history of Islam from its beginning until now, we come to realize that the secret movement of Freemasonry also considered a strong arm of Judaism has consistently sought to stand against truth and reality and to inflict deep harm upon it. For this reason, throughout history, it has attacked the noble religion of Islam through various plots and methods. Even before Islam, it stood against true religions and inflicted damage upon them.
There is no doubt that Freemasonry emerged with the aim of opposing the truth and striving for its destruction. It is said that after Prophet Sulaiman (peace be upon him), certain Jewish groups sought to extinguish the light of truth, eliminate goodness, and spread evil on earth, as they themselves testify in their Torah. For this reason, God sent Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) to revive the light of guidance and restore goodness to the world.
However, this was not pleasing to them; their hearts were filled with resentment and hatred, and a force of evil was set into motion within them. This force manifested in their king “Herod II” and his advisors “Ahiram, Biyud, and Moab Lafi,” who are introduced as the initial nucleus of Freemasonry. Their aim was to confront the truth namely, Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) and his followers even if such confrontation led to assassination.
When they realized that this method not only failed to reduce the number of Jesus’s followers but actually increased their strength and numbers, they turned to another approach: internal subversion. Thus, they introduced “Shaul,” who later called himself “Paul,” and by creating a major deviation, led Christians away from the true teachings of Jesus (peace be upon him). This hidden and overt conflict between Jewish groups and Christianity continued until the emergence of the noble religion of Islam and the formation of this salvific faith.[1]
The Influence of Freemasonry in Early Islam and the Umayyad Era
With the prophet hood of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) in Mecca, Jewish groups approached the polytheists and, as they assumed, posed difficult and challenging questions such as those concerning Dhul-Qarnayn, the Spirit, and Khidr However, God supported His Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) through revelation. This was part of their attempt to hinder, as they assumed, the growth and manifestation of the truth—namely, the noble religion of Islam.
After the migration of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to Medina and the coexistence with the Jewish tribes, they initially showed an inclination toward reconciliation, but this did not last long. They then turned to the polytheists, claiming that their religion was superior to that of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). In response, God exposed their reality and declared them among the worst of people who incurred divine curse, [2] some of whom were transformed into apes and swine, and who turned to the worship of false deities.
They continued their propaganda campaign; for instance, Ibn al-Haqiq and Ibn al-Ashraf composed satirical and insulting poetry against the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and made false accusations against Muslim women. In response to these actions, two major tribes of the Ansar rose, and each brought one of these offenders to justice.
Subsequently, the Jewish groups intensified the spread of hypocrisy in Medina and incited the polytheists against the Muslims, as occurred during the Battle of the Confederates (Ahzab). They even attempted to assassinate the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him); on one occasion, they planned to drop a stone upon him, and on another, they presented him with poisoned food. However, God Almighty protected him.
The response of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was firm and just; some of them were exiled, while others such as Banu Qurayza—were punished. Among the final instructions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was the purification of the Arabian Peninsula from them so that it would become a purely Muslim stronghold.[3]
An example of the hostility and enmity attributed to them toward the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) appears in a text ascribed to them, which states: “O Children of Israel! Know that we can never punish Muhammad (PBUH) as he deserves… therefore curse him in your Sabbath prayers.”
After the passing of the Prophet (PBUH) and witnessing the growing strength of Islam, they refrained from direct confrontation and turned instead to internal infiltration. It is said that this movement was led by a group in Yemen, and that secret meetings were held to plan against Islam. [4]
During the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA), a group entered Medina while outwardly professing Islam. They collaborated with discontented elements and ultimately played a role in his assassination and martyrdom.
Then “Abdullah ibn Saba” appeared—an individual who played a central role in the great turmoil during the time of Sayyiduna ‘Uthman and Sayyiduna ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with them both). He propagated Jewish and superstitious ideas and sought to play a role similar to that of “Paul” in Christianity.
He sowed seeds that later led to exaggeration regarding Sayyiduna ‘Ali ibn Abi Taleb (RA), aiming to undermine the doctrine of monotheism (tawhid). He also introduced ideas from deviant sects and laid the groundwork for the emergence of certain movements.
Ibn Saba incited people against Sayyiduna ‘Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) and instilled in his followers the notion that ‘Uthman had usurped the caliphate from ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him). These claims influenced some individuals, who then secretly spread such ideas and sent letters to Islamic cities, accusing governors of corruption.
Imam al-Tabari (may Allah have mercy on him) states: “Ibn Saba and his followers concealed intentions other than what they openly expressed and hid in their hearts what was different from what they declared.”
In fact, this method is described as a consistent approach attributed to such movements up to the present.[5]
Eventually, they gathered in Medina with the aim of assassinating Sayyiduna ‘Uthman (RA), and they succeeded in their objective, leading to his martyrdom. After this, the people pledged allegiance to Sayyiduna ‘Ali (RA) and appointed him as caliph. At that time, Ibn Saba began promoting new beliefs, including the claim of the return of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and that ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) was his designated successor. [6]
He also spread numerous ideas and beliefs with roots attributed to Jewish traditions, which later became widespread among certain groups.[7]
During the Umayyad period, followers of this movement continued to propagate their beliefs secretly—sometimes under the Slogan of love for the Ahl al-Bayt, and at other times through the development of intellectual movements such as the Mu ‘tazilites and the Jahmiyyah, whose figures included Jahm ibn Safwan and Ja ‘d ibn Dirham.
Ja ‘d ibn Dirham is reported to have adopted the doctrine of the createdness of the Holy Qur’an” from a chain of individuals said to trace back to Labid ibn al-A ‘sam, a Jewish figure who was reported in Islamic tradition to have practiced sorcery against the Prophet (PBUH). [8]
To be continued…
Previous Part
Sources:
- Al-Shathri, Muhammad ibn Nasir, The Intrigues of Freemasonry among Muslims, p. 19, Dar al-Habib, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 2nd edition, 1424 AH.
- The account of these encounters and questions is mentioned in the verses of the Noble Qur’an, particularly in surahs such as Al-Kahf and Al-Isra.
- For studying these plots, one may refer to Sirat Ibn Hisham by the scholar Abd al-Malik Ibn Hisham, The Prophet of Mercy by Allama Nadwi, and Ar-Raheeq Al-Makhtum by Safi-ur-Rahman Mubarakpuri.
- The Intrigues of Freemasonry among Muslims, p. 20.
- Corrupters on Earth: The Political and Social Crimes of the Jews Throughout History, p. 123.
- The Intrigues of Freemasonry against Muslims, p. 21.
- Corrupters on Earth: The Political and Social Crimes of the Jews Throughout History, p. 124.
- The Intrigues of Freemasonry against Muslims, p. 125.
