Aslaam-o-Alaikum,Dear Scholars, what does the saying by Salahuddin Ayyubi "if you want to destroy any nation without war, make adultery or nudity common in the young generation" really mean? Does the shamelessness really destroy a nation? If so, why are America and some Europeans countries more successful in everything and more safe than most of the Islamic countries? Jazakallahu Khyran

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

There is no doubt that sins may be a cause for the destruction of communities; there is much evidence in the Quran and the Sunnah supporting this. Allaah The Exalted has emphasized in His Book that He had destroyed the past communities because of their sins. Allaah The Exalted says (what means): {Have they not seen how many generations We destroyed before them which We had established upon the earth as We have not established you? And We sent [rain from] the sky upon them in showers and made rivers flow beneath them; then We destroyed them for their sins and brought forth after them a generation of others.} [Quran 6:6]

The stories of the past communities with their Prophets in the Quran are the best examples. In addition, ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar said, "The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, turned to us and said: 'O Muhaajiroon, there are five things with which you will be tested, and I seek refuge in Allaah lest you live to see them:

When immorality prevails among a people to such an extent that they commit it openly, plagues and diseases that were never known among their predecessors will spread among them.

When they cheat in weights and measures, they will be struck with famine, severe calamity and the oppression of their rulers.

When they withhold the Zakah of their wealth, rain will be withheld from the sky, and were it not for the animals, no rain would fall on them.

When they break their covenant with Allaah and His Messenger, Allaah will enable their enemies to overpower them and take some of what is in their hands.

When their leaders do not rule according to the Book of Allaah and do not seek all good from that which Allaah has revealed, Allaah will cause them to fight one another." [Ibn Maajah]

The Divine Punishment may be delayed for a number of reasons; some sinners may relish worldly pleasures while being persistent in their disobedience to Allaah. In such a case, Allaah gradually leads them to their own destruction. ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Aamer Al-Juhani reported that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: "When you see that Allaah is granting His slave that which he loves from things of this world while he is disobedient to Allaah, then know that this is only the gradual luring." He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, then recited the verse that reads (what means): {So when they forgot that by which they had been reminded, We opened to them the doors of every [good] thing until, when they rejoiced in that which they were given, We seized them suddenly, and they were [then] in despair. So the people that committed wrong were eliminated. And praise to Allaah, Lord of the worlds.} [Quran 6:44-45]." [Al-Bayhaqi in Shu‘ab Al-Eemaan and At-Tabaraani]

The more the disbeliever is showered with worldly pleasures and means of convenience in this worldly life, the graver his punishment becomes in the Hereafter. Allaah The Exalted says (what means): {And let not those who disbelieve ever think that [because] We extend their time [of enjoyment] it is better for them. We only extend it for them so that they may increase in sin, and for them is a humiliating punishment.} [Quran 3:178]

You should know that the heart will never find genuine serenity, peace and true happiness except in obedience to Allaah and faith in Him. Allaah The Exalted says (what means):

• {Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer – We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.} [Quran 16:97]

• {And whoever turns away from My remembrance – indeed, he will have a depressed life, and We will gather him on the Day of Resurrection blind."/He will say, "My Lord, why have you raised me blind while I was [once] seeing?"} [Quran 20:124-125]

Although the people of disbelief may seem to lead a happy and comfortable life and enjoy contentment and prosperity, their hearts are full of distress, agony and sorrow, the scope of which only Allaah knows. This is evidenced by the significantly high suicide rates in their societies that cannot be compared to those in Muslim societies.

Allaah Knows best.