All praise is due to Allaah, Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings of Allaah be upon the Messenger, his household and companions.
Fellow Muslims! Allaah says,
“O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife (Hawwâ (Eve)) and from them both He created many men and women; and fear Allâh through Whom you demand (your mutual rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship). Surely, Allâh is Ever an All-Watcher over you.”
(An-Nisaa 4:1)
Fear Allaah, dear brethren! Be conscious of Him and obey His commandments in private and in public. Allaah says,
“And whosoever fears Allâh and keeps his duty to Him, He will make his matter easy for him.”
(At-Talaaq 65:4)
Dear brethren! Happiness is a necessity of the life of this world. Stability, progress and development cannot be achieved in the absence of happiness. If there is no happiness, man cannot appropriately worship his Lord. Humans have naturally be conditioned on finding solace in one another. That is why Allaah says while He reminds mankind of His favours upon them,
“And among His Signs is this, that He created for you wives from among yourselves, that you may find repose in them, and He has put between you affection and mercy. Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who reflect.”
(Ar-Room 30:21)
Yes! Wives in whom you find repose; this is a proof that marriage is stability and peace of mind. This also implies the importance of marriage in Islaam and the attention that Islaam pays to the family. Islaam encourages marriage and it enjoins that it should be made easy. It forbids all that could impede it. Allaah says,
“Marry (other) women of your choice, two or three, or four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one.”
(An-Nisaa 4:3)
Allaah also says,
“And marry those among you who are single (i.e. a man who has no wife and the woman who has no husband) and (also marry) the Sâlihûn (pious, fit and capable ones) of your (male) slaves and maid-servants (female slaves). If they be poor, Allâh will enrich them out of His Bounty.”
(An-Noor 24:32)
Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim reported the Messenger of Allaah said, “O young people! Let those who have the ability to maintain among you marry.” Marriage is therefore the way of the Messengers and part of the guidance of the righteous.
Fellow Muslims! Islaam is greatly concerned about formation and uprightness of the family. This is because it is the foundation of the society whose different parts enforces and supports one another. It is for this reason that Prophet likened the Muslims to a structure whose different parts strengthen one another.
Islaam commands that suitable men should be married to. It forbids preventing women from marrying. It explains in the Qur’aan and in the Sunnah rights and responsibilities of the husband and the wife because stability of homes and uprightness of families cannot be attained if both the husband and the wife are not stable and successful in their marital life. As it is known that you cannot give out something you do not own, it is also impossible for parents who failed in their marital life have nothing to offer the society let alone produce righteous children who will be capable of contributing constructively to the society.
A successful marriage therefore means success of the society as family destruction means the destruction of the society. The Messenger of Allaah said, “Satan places his throne upon the water and he sends his hosts and the greatest of them in causing crises in the land will be the nearest to him in position. One of the hosts will tell Satan, ‘I did this and that’, but Satan will then him, ‘you have done nothing’. Another host will come and he will tell Satan, ‘I did not leave him [one of the human whom Satan wants to mislead] until I caused separation between him and his wife.’ Satan will then bring closer to himself and tell him, ‘yes it is you who [is closest to me in position].’” (Muslim)
If this is the stand of the accursed Satan, his mischievous followers are keen to destroy this great edifice and ruin the foundations of the society through their causing of disruptions in the families so much so that the rate of divorce and has alarmingly increased and more and more women are remaining unmarried. This is undoubtedly dangerous. For a situation like this breaks up the society, exposes children to negligence, makes the corruption widespread and creates resentment among families.
It is therefore the obligation of educators, reformers and journalists to look into this matter.
Brethren in faith! We all know that it is impossible to be perfect and that having differences is naturally human. It is impossible for the two spouses to have the same nature, character, desires and thoughts. It is enough a difference that one is male and the other is female. So it is unnatural to have differences among members of the same family. Even the household of the Prophet had its own share of differences. This is the natural. However, a home that is established upon piety and in which both the husband and the wife know their rights and obligations will never be negatively affected by these differences. The differences rather increase them in steadfastness and awareness, which lead them to correct their mistakes and block the way to further evils.
Fellow Muslims! When we take a quick look at the causes of marital problems, we will realize that they all emanate from the violation of Allaah’s commandments in many of the issues of marriage. Some marriages have become a curse and a calamity instead of becoming a source of tranquility and mercy. Allaah says,
“And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much.” (Ash-Shooraa 42:30)
There is no doubt in the fact that destruction of homes is one the greatest misfortunes.
One of the righteous predecessors said, “Whenever I disobey Allaah I see the impact of that in my mount animal and in the behaviour of my wife.”
Another said, “The sins of the righteous predecessors were few so they knew them and their causes.”
Yes! Can anyone who audaciously disobeys Allaah hope for success from Him? Can someone who disobeys Allaah wantonly expect his wife to obey him? Can a woman who is negligent in her obligations to Allaah expect her husband to fulfil her own rights? Though sins that either of the two spouses commits should not be made an excuse for maltreatment of his or her partner.
Dear brethren! There are general sins like neglecting the prayers and perpetrating forbidden things; and there are specifically related to marriage like transgression or negligence in marital rights and obligations. Differences occur between spouses in proportion to the degree of negligence.
The man who is negligent in his duties to his wife and the wife who is negligent in her duties to her husband should understand that they are disobeying Allaah. The Prophet said, “If a man invites his wife to his bed and she refuses and the man passes the night in the state of being of angry with her, the angels will continuously curse her till the morning.” (Al-Bukhaaree)
It is the duty of husband and wife to remember while they are fulfilling their marital obligations that they are performing acts of worship. The Messenger of Allaah has informed us that the Muslim would be rewarded for each morsel he puts in his wife’s mouth, though it is his obligation to spend on her.
The Messenger of Allaah is also authentically reported to have said that a man will be rewarded when he performs sexual intercourse with his wife, though he is naturally inclined to do so.
Therefore, the most important solution for those who want to lead a prosperous marital life is to fulfil the rights of Allaah, to carry out His commands and to fulfil all obligations. Let those who want to have an happy life read the saying of Allaah,
“Whoever works righteousness - whether male or female - while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islâmic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision).”
(An-Nahl 16:97)
Fellow Muslims! Selecting a good spouse is the foundation of happy and harmonious life. But negligence and disobeying Allaah regarding this vital matter cause problems. An example of this is to force a woman to marry a man she does not like as way of maintaining an obsolete tradition or because of the fame or the wealth of the suitor. This is definitely wrong and forbidden. Allaah’s Messenger said, “A matron should not be given in marriage except after consulting her; and a virgin should not be given in marriage except after her permission.” (A-Bukhaaree and Muslim)
However, young girl should seek to understand the opinion of their guardians and her utmost interest should be the criterion for selecting a suitor for her.
Another contravention of Islaam’s injunction regarding marriage is lie on the part of the husband or wife or their intermediary. This is betrayal the consequences of which the perpetrator will have to face in this world and the Hereafter.
Dear brethren! Another critical mistake made when selecting a suitor for girls is neglecting the religious aspects of his character and instead asking for his job, wealth and status in the society. The guardian who does this forgets that he who has betrayed Allaah and His Messenger could not be entrusted regarding his daughter. The suitor who neglects the religious aspects of his bride’s life forgets that a woman who is negligent in her duties to Allaah would never carry out her responsibility to her husband. A marital home built on materialism shall always be on the verge of destruction.
Brethren in faith! Guardians bear a part of this blame because of their indifference to the situation of the suitor and their failure to fulfil their obligations towards their daughters. There are many righteous girls who are afflicted with husbands who do not pray and who take intoxicants and commit forbidden things. This is a result of the negligence and indifference on the part of the girls’ guardians, for they did not bother to ask about the suitors’ religiosity.
Many are also is a man who insisted that his fiancé should fulfil all conditions available under the sun but gave only an insignificant consideration for her religiosity only to discover later after it was already late that the woman is not suitable to be a wife because of her lack religion and good morals.
The big question now is: what is the criterion for selecting a spouse?
This question is adequately answered by the Messenger of Allaah when he said, “When someone with whose religion and conduct you are pleased come for the hand of your daughter in marriage, marry to him. If you do not do so, there will be a great tribulation and widespread corruption on the land.” (At-Tirmidhee and Ibn Maajah)
The Messenger of Allaah also said, “A woman is married for one of the following four things: her wealth, nobility, beauty or her religiosity. Marry the one with religion, you will succeed.” (Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim)
Fellow Muslims! Can someone who opens his marital life with violation of Islaamic injunctions expect success from Allaah? What I mean by this is a lot of violations of Allaah’s commandments that are witnessed in marriage banquets like immodest dressing, mingling of men and women, taking pictures, playing of music and neglecting prayers. This is in addition to extravagant spending and ostentatious banquets.
Let all fear Allaah and carry out his responsibilities. We should not leave a chance for the mischievous.
Fellow Muslims! Understanding the causes of marital problems leads to avoiding them and warning the Muslims not fall into them, thereby giving the relatives of both the husband and the wife an opportunity to intervene into what is outside their concern. The Messenger of Allaah said, “Shunning what is not of one’s concern is an aspect of perfection of one’s religion.” Allaah has also forbidding spying on people.
It is also an act of ignorance and foolishness that one of the spouses should complain to relatives about his or her spouse. For widening the scope of disagreement and involving outsiders increase the situation in complexity. It is therefore our obligation to preserve our secrets and solve our problems by ourselves. If the situation is allowed to reach a crisis point, the mischief-makers will wade into it and the matter will become the talk of the town, which eventually leads to destruction of homes.
Dear brethren! One of the reasons of marital problems is a misconception about matrimonial life and lack of understanding the noble goals of marriage like preservation of chastity for both man and woman, living together peacefully, establishing the Muslim home, cooperating in righteousness and piety and bringing up the children upon righteous path. If the spouses keep these concepts in their minds, they will never pay attention to flimsy things. Even if some worldly mistakes happen along the way they deal with them wisely and remember Allaah’s instruction,
“And do not forget liberality between yourselves.”
(Al-Baqarah 2:237)
Also, the imperfections in either of the two spouses should be borne with tolerance. The Messenger of Allaah said, “No believing man should hate a believing woman. If he dislikes a trait in her, he will find in her other traits which he likes.” (Muslim)
Another shortsightedness is the consideration people give to beauty. The Muslim should make the goals of Sharee‘ah the basic criterion in selecting a spouse. An interesting story in this regard is what is narrated from Ash’Sha’bee that a man asked him, “I have married a woman but I later realized that there is a trace of limping in one her two legs. Can I return the woman [to her family] and reclaim my mahr?” Ash-Sha’bee answered him saying, “If you have married her to use her for racing, you may return her.”
You can also find a man who scorns his wife simply because other women are taller and more knowledgeable than her. Some men compare their wives to other women thereby causing great dissention.
Another factor that influences people’s perception of beauty are many films, magazines and periodicals with images of women and satellite channels with which we are afflicted these days. This phenomenon leads some men to dislike their wives because they have seen the pictures of whom they regard as more beautiful women.
Then is it lawful for a Muslim who believes in Allaah and the Last Day, knows that he would meet Allaah, hopes for His Paradise and is afraid of His Fire to prefer a disbelieving woman whom he saw on TV screen or in a promiscuous magazine to his Muslim and chaste wife?
There is no gainsaying in the fact that the magazines and satellite channels that show the images of men and women in a most decorative manner have opened the gates of evils. It is here that we realize the importance of Allaah’s injunction,
“Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts). That is purer for them. Verily, Allâh is All-Aware of what they do. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things) and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts).”
(An-Noor 24:30-31)
We are also telling a woman who regards what she sees on TV screens as an embodiment of perfect life to fear Allaah and wake up from her delusions.
Things that are shown on satellite channels do not only stimulate sexual passion, they also destroy people’s morals and homes and cause a lot of mischief on the land. Allaah says,
“And when it is said to them: "Make not mischief on the earth," they say: "We are only peace-makers. Verily! They are the ones who make mischief, but they perceive not.”
(Al-Baqarah 2:11-12)
Fellow Muslims! One of the major causes of marital problems is the husband’s lack of playing his role as demanded by Islaam, or being negligent in the performance of that role or allowing the wife to challenging his guardianship.
Being a guardian upon the woman does not mean overpowering and an ability to treat woman unjustly. It rather means taking good care of her and carrying out one’s responsibilities towards her. Allaah explains the rights of both husband and wife in the clearest possible way when He says,
“And they (women) have rights (over their husbands as regards living expenses) similar (to those of their husbands) over them (as regards obedience and respect) to what is reasonable.”
(Al-Baqarah 2:228)
Allaah says, ‘to what is reasonable’ to indicate that demanding one’s right should not be by selfishness, for marriage is not a commercial companionship. It is rather a life companionship.
Even when the divorce becomes inevitable, Allaah commands that it should be carried out in the kindest manner. He says,
“Either you retain her on reasonable terms or release her with kindness.”
(Al-Baqarah 2:229)
Can you find a better way of reforming homes that these beautiful divine injunctions? Is it not appropriate for the writers and self-appointed reformists to follow the light of the Prophet, rather than waging a vicious war on hijaab and attempting to destroy homes? It is an Islaamic obligation to rein these elements of mischief in order to protect the society.
Dear brothers and sisters! Nothing can make people achieve happiness and prosperity except adherence to the correct religion, having good morals, overlooking mistakes, performance of duties and responsibilities, hoping to get the reward of all righteous deeds from Allaah and promoting societal harmony and love.
The wife should help to make her husband lower his gaze by making herself as attractive as possible to him. The husband should also be kind to his wife and satisfy her needs as much as he can.
Let all understanding that much violations breed hatred and that he who respects others get nothing in return but respect and honour and he who calls upon Allaah, never will Allaah disappoint him.
Dear brethren! The relationship between man and woman is not worldly or materialist, neither is it bestial. It is rather a spiritual honourable relationship if it is sincerely maintained. It is a relationship that transcends this mundane world to the Hereafter. Allaah says,
“'Adn (Eden) Paradise (everlasting Gardens), which they shall enter and (also) those who acted righteously from among their fathers, and their wives, and their offspring. And angels shall enter unto them from every gate (saying): "Salâmun 'Alaikum (peace be upon you) for you persevered in patience! Excellent indeed is the final home!”
Our Lord! Verily, we have heard the call of one calling to Faith: 'Believe in your Lord,' and we have believed.
Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and expiate from us our evil deeds, and make us die (in the state of righteousness) along with Al-Abrar
Mashallah top khutba! I remember being in Mecca for that Jumma - I think every person who is married should read this inshallah what with Talaaq and domestic violence on the increase at a rapid pace.
Mashallah top khutba! I remember being in Mecca for that Jumma - I think every person who is married should read this inshallah what with Talaaq and domestic violence on the increase at a rapid pace.
jazakAllah
some good advice there
wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh
wow lucky masha'Allah :sister:
Yeah.. it is a top khutbah.. even for those who aren't married :sister:
All praise is due to Allaah Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon the Messenger, his household and companions.
Fellow Muslims! Fear Allaah as He should be feared that you may have success. Allaah says,
“O you who believe! Keep your duty to Allaah and fear Him, and speak (always) the truth. He will direct you to do righteous good deeds and will forgive you your sins. And whosoever obeys Allaah and His Messenger (peace be upon him), he has indeed achieved a great achievement (i.e. he will be saved from the Hell-fire and will be admitted to Paradise).”
(Al-Ahzaab 33:70-71)
Return to your Lord in repentance and surrender your hearts to Him. Do not be deceived by the life of this world.
Know that hearts have a need that cannot be met except by devoting one’s attention to Allaah, loving Him and returning to Him in repentance. It is also only through observation of Allaah’s commands by shunning forbidden and ambiguous things that bodies can be protected. May Allaah bless the one who examines himself, is conscious of his Lord and prepares for his Hereafter!
Fellow Muslims! The life will be pleasant when someone have their rights in full. And there will be progress and developments in civilizations and countries if there is abundance of justice, equality and attainment of rights.
Allaah makes men’s hearts incline towards the love for justice, and human nature and wisdom loves it. It is justice that wins kings, leaders and rulers good repute and praise.
The divine messages also came to establish and promote justice. Allaah says,
“Indeed We have sent Our Messengers with clear proofs, and revealed with them the ure and the Balance (justice) that mankind may keep up justice.”
(Al-Hadeed 57:25)
The great religion of Islaam came to bring people out of the injustice of various religions to the justice of Islaam, for it is with justice that the heavens and the earth were established. Also, our Lord is Just and deems himself far above being unjust. He says,
“Surely! Allaah wrongs not even of the weight of an atom (or a small ant).”
(An-Nisaa 4:40)
The religion of Islaam is based upon justice. Allaah says,
“And the Word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and in justice.”
(Al-An‘aam 6:115)
Islaam is truthful in its news and just in its rulings. It does not approve of injustice or aggression. It always stands with the truth wherever it is. Islaam commands fulfilment of promises and covenants even with non-Muslims. Allaah commands His Messenger,
“If you fear treachery from any people throw back (their covenant) to them (so as to be) on equal terms (that there will be no more covenant between you and them). Certainly Allaah likes not the treacherous.”
(Al-Anfaal 8:58)
He also says,
“O you who believe! Stand out firmly for Allaah as just witnesses; and let not the enmity and hatred of others make you avoid justice. Be just: that is nearer to piety.”
(Al-Maaidah 5:8)
The above verse indicates that justice is mandatory in all situations even if the one involved is one’s enemy. Allaah also commands His Prophet to say,
“I am commanded to do justice among you.”
(Ash-Shooraa 42:15)
And He commands the entire mankind to uphold justice,
“Verily, Allaah enjoins justice and kindness.”
(An-Nahl 16:90)
When the Messenger of Allaah was addressing the Muslims about the seven individuals who would be sheltered under the shade of Allaah on the Day of Resurrection, the first individual he mentioned was the just ruler. The Messenger of Allaah said, “Certainly, the just ones shall stand before Allaah [on the Day of Resurrection] on the pulpit of light on the right Hand of Allaah – and both His Hands are blessed. These are the ones who are just in their decisions and in their dealings with their families and those over whom they have an authority.”
The opposite of justice is injustice and it is going to be darkness over the unjust on the Day of Resurrection.
Dear brethren! Allaah forbids injustice for Himself and makes it forbidden among His servants. For, the unjust will never prosper. Allaah says,
“Allaah does not like the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong-doers).”
(Aal ‘Imraan 3:57)
There is no doubt that the greatest injustice is to worship others beside Allaah as He says in soorah Luqmaan,
“Verily joining others in worship with Allaah is a great injustice indeed.”
(Luqmaan 31:13)
The Muslim nation deserves support and power from Allaah if it establishes justice. Shaykhul-Islaam ibn Taymiyyah said, “Allaah supports a just government even it is non-Muslim and does not support an unjust government even if it is Muslim.”
Dear brethren! Justice must be maintained in all situations. The consequences of injustice are horrible in this world and in the Hereafter. The Messenger of Allaah said, “Whoever usurps an inch of [someone’s] land wrongfully, it will be hanged on his neck on the Day of Resurrection.”
He also said, “Allaah the exalted gives respite to the wrongdoer till when He seizes him, He does not allow him to escape.”
Even the injustices suffered by animals will not go in vain. The Messenger of Allaah said, “The claimants would get their claims on the Day of Resurrection so much so that the hornless sheep would get its claim from the horned sheep.” (Muslim)
The Messenger of Allaah said, “Whoever has oppressed another person concerning his reputation or anything else, he should beg him to forgive him before the Day of Resurrection when there will be no money (to compensate for wrong deeds), but if he has good deeds, those good deeds will be taken from him according to his oppression which he has done, and if he has no good deeds, the sins of the oppressed person will be loaded on him.” (Al-Bukhaaree)
However weak the oppressed may be, Allaah will certainly help him. The Messenger of Allaah sad, “Allaah raises the invocation of the oppressed through the clouds and He opens the gates of the heavens to it, and He will say: By My Glory and Majesty, I will certainly help you even if it is after a while.” (At-Tirmidhee) Allaah says,
“Consider not that Allaah is unaware of that which the wrong-doers do.”
(Ibraaheem 14:42)
Allaah also says,
“Such is the Seizure of your Lord when He seizes the (population of) the towns while they are doing wrong. Verily, His Seizure is painful, (and) severe.”
(Hood 11:102)
Won’t the oppressor fear the Lord of the worlds? Is he not frightened by the invocation of the oppressed? Tell those who falsely accuse others and bother the believers concerning their reputation that the call of the oppressed is always accepted. Remember the day that you will be made to stand before Allaah. Allaah says,
“And those who annoy believing men and women undeservedly, they bear (on themselves) the crime of slander and plain sin.”
(Al-Ahzaab 33:58)
Fellow Muslims! Islaam regards justice as greatly important, and the reward of justice is abundant with Allaah. The invocation of the just is accepted and Allaah loves those who are just. The maintainer of justice shall be sheltered under the shade of Allaah on the Day of resurrection.
Justice is a quality that a ruler must possess. Allaah says,
“Verily! Allaah commands that you should render back the trusts to those to whom they are due; and that when you judge between men, you judge with justice. Verily, how excellent is the teaching which He (Allaah) gives you!”
(An-Nisaa 4:58)
Justice must be upheld in all things like decision making, division of properties, delivering judgment on individuals and groups and classifying people as regards their reliability or otherwise.
Islaam teaches that the father should treat his children equally in all aspects. An example in this regard is the story of an-Nu’maan ibn Basheer whose father gave some gifts to the exclusion of his siblings. When the Messenger of Allaah was informed of that he commanded him to take back his gift and to treat all his children equally. He told him, “Fear Allaah and treat your children equally.”
It is also incumbent upon man to treat his wives equally, and to give them equal rights regarding the number of nights he spends with each and regarding expenses and other matrimonial rights. Allaah says,
“And if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphan-girls then marry (other) women of your choice, two or three, or four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one or (the slaves) that your right hands possess. That is nearer to prevent you from doing injustice.”
(An-Nisaa 4:3)
The Messenger of Allaah said, “When a man has two wives and he is inclined to one of them, he will come on the Day of Resurrection with a side hanging down.” (Aboo Daawood)
Justice is required in everything, in sayings and deeds. Allaah says,
“And whenever you give your word (i.e. judge between men or give evidence), say the truth.”
(Al-An‘aam 6:152)
Being just in sayings is one of the most difficult things. If someone tries to makes himself accustomed to justice, he will succeed. If someone maintains justice and loves equality Allaah will teach him the truth and make him compassionate to others. He will also make it easy for him to follow the Sunnah and shun the path of error and desire. Allaah says,
“O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allaah, even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor, Allaah is a Better Protector to both (than you). So follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you avoid justice; and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allaah is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do.”
(An-Nisaa 4:135)
Dear brethren! Justice demands that one is sincere with oneself. It demands being conscious of Allaah and shunning of desires. Allaah says,
“O Daawood (David)! Verily! We have placed you as a successor on the earth; so judge you between men in truth (and justice) and follow not your desire - for it will mislead you from the Path of Allaah.”
(Saad 38:26)
As justice is required in treatment of wives, it is also required in one’s treatment of his employees and subjects. The Prophet said, “The Muslim is a brother of his fellow Muslim. He should not wrong him or surrender him [to the enemy].”
Dear Muslims! Fear Allaah and be conscious of Him in all that you do or leave. Know that you will stand before Him tomorrow and be recompensed for your deeds.
Fellow Muslims! Fear your Lord Who knows all that is hidden, and Sufficient is He, concerning the sins of His servants, as Acquainting and Seeing. Allaah says,
“O you who believe! Fear Allâh (by doing all that He has ordered and by abstaining from all that He has forbidden) as He should be feared. (Obey Him, be thankful to Him, and remember Him always), and die not except in a state of Islâm (as Muslims (with complete submission to Allâh)).”
(Aal ‘Imraan 3:102)
In this world, man is between two dreaded things: his past life which he does not know what Allaah is going to do with it, and the remaining part of his life which he does not know what Allaah is going to decide on it.
The wise one then makes proper use of his life for his own benefits, fills his worldly life with righteous deeds in preparation for his hereafter and judiciously uses his free time before a time comes when he will be busy. By Him in Whose Hand is my life, there is nothing one can do after the death has come, and there is nothing after the life of this world but Paradise or Hell.
Dear Muslims! Man’s conditions in this world change between health and illness, free time and busy time, toil and rest, seriousness and indolence.
These days, the end of the academic year has created some free time. It is now common that people have their annual vacation in the summer; a situation that was unknown before but only created by the contemporary modernity that has turned man into a tool for the whole year, toiling tirelessly and frantically running after the materials of this world, far from spiritual nourishment like eemaan, which is the source of rest for the body, heart and the soul. The plague of vacations had become so widespread that it has become the sign of the summer all over the world.
In view of the reality of Islaam, its universality, its comprehensiveness and its balanced rules and just laws, it has affirmed the soul and the body’s right to have their share of rest and relaxation. The Messenger of Allaah said, “Surely, your body has a right upon you and your family has a right upon you. So give each their right.” (Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim)
The soul might become tired because of a long work. And the hearts also are tired like bodies. ‘Alee said, “Give the hearts an hour of rest every now and then, for if the heart is coerced into work it becomes blind.”
Nevertheless, this recreation should not be allowed to exceed the limits of what is permissible. It is authentically reported that the Messenger of used to make jokes but he would not say anything but the truth. He engaged ‘Aaishah in a race, played with children and encouraged playing with one’s wife. He approved that the Abyssinians should play with their javelins. He would tell his companions, “Throw [arrows], for your father was an arrow-thrower.” These are some of the allowed recreation that do not consume all the time and that do not become one’s perpetual habit.
Making oneself happy and cheerful and refreshing oneself through permitted recreational activities are some of the things that Islaam considers in its law. A permitted recreational activity is the one that does not contradict the fundamentals and laws of Islaam. It should not be a forbidden thing or lead to a forbidden thing or block the way to an obligatory deed.
Brethren in faith! Since vacations have become a reality in people’s life, the conscious Muslim should therefore always keep two things at the back of his mind:
One: That the time of vacation is a part of his life, that time is life and that vacation does not mean abandonment of works.
Two: That he is not excused from abiding by Islaamic obligations. For, man is required to use all his time in worshipping Allaah, which is the purpose for which he was created. Allaah says,
“And I (Allaah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone).”
(Adh-Dhaariyaat 51:56)
However, this does not mean that one should spend all his time in prayer, fasting and jihad without any stop or rest. What is meant is that man should always remain in obedience to his Lord in all his situations. He should not abandon the obligation, for he is always commanded and prohibited and there is no time in his life in which he is free from Islaamic regulations and free to do all that he likes. He should always abide by obligatory, supererogatory and permitted things. At least, he is obliged to shun all forbidden things however remote or relaxed he may be.
Holiday is not a time used on the margin of life. It is rather part of man’s life that is not owned by man but by Allaah, Who created man so that he might use the time in the service of his Lord. That is why Allaah made it forbidden that man should destroy his own life or waste his time in any form and for any reason. Allaah says,
“And do not kill yourselves (nor kill one another). Surely, Allaah is Most Merciful to you. And whoever commits that through aggression and injustice, We shall cast him into the Fire.”
(An-Nisaa 4:29-30)
This is in spite of the fact that the suicide perpetrator killed only himself. This underlines man’s responsibility before his Creator, regarding his own life.
The Messenger of Allaah said, “The feet of the son of Adam shall not slip on the Day of Resurrection until he is asked of four things: His life as to how he spent it, his youth as how he used it, his knowledge as to what he did with it and his wealth as to where he got and how he spent it.” (At-Tirmidhee)
Travels are also part of life. And everyone shall be held accountable for how he spent the hours of his life. Based on this, we realize that the concept of time, according to Islaamic legislation, does not permit man to waste any part thereof. We also realize the greatness of time in that Allaah swears with it and with some parts of it. He says,
“By Al-'Asr (the time). Verily, man is in loss. Except those who believe (in Islaamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, and recommend one another to the truth (i.e. order one another to perform all kinds of good deeds (Al-Ma'ruf) which Allaah has ordained, and abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds (Al-Munkar which Allaah has forbidden), and recommend one another to patience.”
(Al-‘Asr 103:1-3)
Allaah also swears by the night when it covers and the day when it appears and with the two kinds of creation: male and female. He also affirms that people’s efforts are diverse. He swears by the sun and its brightness, and by the day, night and the soul, affirming that whoever purifies his soul has succeeded and that whoever instils it with corruption has failed. All this, indicating that time is the essence of life.
Fellow Muslims! The wise is the one who reflects over his affairs and realizes that movement of days means nearness of his death however long or short he is destined to live. He then takes the safe side, strives in his day and prepare for his morrow. The time is nothing but man’s life and his repeated breath. Time is precious. The part of it that is gone will never be retrieved.
We seriously need to be alert. Many are the heedless who have sold off their most precious possession –their time – for a pittance. The time goes and those who fail to catch up with it, their days and times will go in vain and they will incur great loss, and nothing will remain of the life but only its effects. So choose for yourself what will benefit you. That is why the prosperous ones will be told on the Day of Resurrection,
“Eat and drink at ease for that which you have sent on before you in days past!”
(Al-Haaqqah 69:24)
And the miserable ones will be told,
“That was because you had been exulting in the earth without any right (by worshipping others instead of Allaah and by committing crimes), and that you used to rejoice extremely (in your error). Enter the gates of Hell to abide therein: and (indeed) what an evil abode of the arrogant!”
(Ghaafir 40:75-76)
Dear brethren! Man has two days in which he will regret his time that he has wasted and in which he will ask to be given some respite.
One: when he dies, that is when he will say,
“My Lord! If only You would give me respite for a little while (i.e. return to the worldly life), then I should give Sadaqah (i.e. Zakât) of my wealth, and be among the righteous.”
(Al-Munaafiqoon 63:10)
And the answer to this request will be:
“And Allaah grants respite to none when his appointed time (death) comes. And Allaah is All-Aware of what you do.”
(Al-Munaafiqoon 63:11)
Two: in the Hereafter when he enters Hell. Allaah says,
“Therein they will cry: "Our Lord! Bring us out, we shall do righteous good deeds, not (the evil deeds) that we used to do.”
And the reply will be:
"Did We not give you lives long enough, so that whosoever would receive admonition could receive it? And the warner came to you. So taste you (the evil of your deeds). For the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong-doers) there is no helper."
(Faatir 35:37)
Fellow Muslims! Preserving time and making proper spending of one’s life need some resoluteness and strong will. As for indolence, it is a destructive and fatal disease. It reflects negatively on individuals and the society. It causes languor, poverty, moral and material backwardness and it leads to sins. Though work might be strenuous, indolence is undoubtedly destructive. If one sits down too much, he will fail to achieve his goals.
Tell those who are looking for places of fun to kill their time: ‘Do you think that life is just a pastime or do you think that death is just a fun?’
Tell those who spend their days between illusions and dreams: ‘If you are ignorant of how much of the time you waste, visit the graveyards, and seek from their inhabitants some time so that you might know that time is a precious thing that cannot be perpetually owned and a missed thing that can never be retrieved.’
Many are those who say: O Lord, send me back to the world that I may do righteous deeds that I had earlier abandoned.’ But they will be told: ‘No, life does not go back.’
Free time does not remain so for ever. It must be filled with either a good or a bad deed. He who does not occupy himself with good deed will have himself occupied with evil deed. The righteous predecessors disliked that a man should have nothing to do neither in matters of his religion or matters of his worldly life. If free time is combined with wealth and health, the danger then becomes greater if that free time is not used in good thing. The Messenger of Allaah said, “There are two blessings in which many people are deluded: health and free time.” (Al-Bukhaaree)
Brethren in Islaam! If someone has no goal to pursue, he will waste his time. The one who wanders about aimlessly bothers none but only himself. A man without a goal is like a captain-less ship tossed about by the waves. Days are records of deeds, so fill them with good deeds. Opportunities move like clouds, and languor is the habit of backward people. He who adopts the life of weakness will stumble. If procrastination and indolence are combined they generate loss. One of the righteous people cried when he was dying and when he was asked of the cause of his crying he said, “I am crying in regret of a day in which I did not fast and a night in which I did not pray.”
The reality is that whenever everyone nears his death he regrets every moment in which he had not done a good deed, regardless of whether the person was righteous or neglectful. Can’t we then catch up with what is left of our lives? You will find the earliest generations the best in terms of their keenness to preserve their time more than a stingy person would be keen to preserve his money. The harvest of their keenness was useful knowledge, righteous deeds, fighting in the way of Allaah, glory and a firm-rooted civilization of towering branches.
But when you look at the situation of the contemporary Muslims, you will besurprised to notice how they waste their lives and times in a manner that is foolish and idiotic thereby lagging behind after they had been the leaders.
Fellow Muslims! If a man’s life is blessed he attains, within a short time, uncountable favours of Allaah. Many are those who are made to succeed in achieving a lot within a short time so much so that you think that their achievements are miracles, while the reality is that they are only blessed and made successful in investing their time in useful things. The best example is the Messenger of Allaah who brought the people out of darkness to the light and changed the face of human history within a short period of twenty-three years.
Another example is ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab who worked continuously through days and nights. He would say, “If I slept in the night I would waste my life and if I slept during the day I will waste the lives of my subjects. How can I then sleep between these two periods?”
Ibn ‘Aqeel said, “I cannot waste an hour of my life. Even if my tongue stops from reading and discussing matters of knowledge, and my eyes stops from browsing books, I make use of my thoughts at my time of rest and when I am lying down. When I get up I’ll already have in my mind what needs writing down.” That is how he was able to write his book, al-Funoon, about which adh-Dhahabee said, “Nothing greater than it [in its field] has ever been authored.”
Ibn al-Qayyim said about his Shaykh, “I have seen wonders in the strength of Shaykh al-Islaam concerning his ways, his actions and his writings. In a single day, he would author what a copyist would copy for a whole week.”
Adh-Dhahabee said about him, “His writings reached about five hundred volumes.”
All this is in addition to his other activities like da’wah and jihaad.
The Messenger of Allaah said, “He who fears [sudden attack of the enemy] sets out in the night, and he who sets out in the night will arrive at the appropriate station. Behold, Allaah’s commodity [Paradise] is precious and expensive! Behold, Allaah’s commodity [Paradise] is precious and expensive!” (At-Tirmidhee)
Brethren in faith! Since we have talked about time and the importance of investing it in useful things, here is a piece of advice for those who are gambling with their lives in the ambiguities of darkness that lead to unlawful shedding of the blood of Muslims.
Dear Muslim youths! The afflictions of your Ummah are many and its wounds are still fresh. However, the most bleeding wound of the Ummah and its most painful disease is the deviant thoughts and actions of some of its youths. It greatly pains this Ummah to see some of its youths attacking the scholars, the rulers and the wise men of their society who weigh the interests of the Ummah and try to prevent the worst of the two evils with the lesser one. This is a deviation that results in killings and shedding of innocent blood among Muslims and within the vicinity of the sacred cities.
The reprovers have reproved and the sincere advisers have given their sincere advice. The scholars have explained the truth. Will you then cease?
Many of the lives that should have been used in constructing the useful society with the guidance of the scholars and upon the Sunnah of the Prophet have been wasted. This is a call from a sympathetic and sincere adviser to those who have denounced the community of the Muslims to return to the right path. Let those who have committed mistakes repent, and those who are accused surrender themselves so that they can enjoy security. It is an act of bravery to admit mistakes and face the consequences.
It is our hope that you will understand and reason and then be excused and shown mercy. If not, you need to atone for your sins. Either of the two options is however better for a Muslim than proceeding in committing mistakes. Whatever Allaah has decreed shall come to pass, and to Him belongs the control of all affairs in the beginning and in the end. We seek refuge with Him against misleading trials.
All praise is due to Allaah, Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon the Messenger, his household and companions.
Fellow Muslims! The most truthful speech is the Book of Allaah and the best guidance is that of Muhammad. Every innovation is misguidance and every misguidance leads to Hell.
Fear Allaah and know that tomorrow, you will be made to stand in front of your Lord and be recompensed for your deeds.
“O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife (Hawwâ (Eve)) and from them both He created many men and women; and fear Allâh through Whom you demand (your mutual rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship). Surely, Allâh is Ever an All-Watcher over you.”
(An-Nisaa 4:1)
Beware of procrastination, for having deep inclination towards this world makes one forget the Hereafter, as following the desires blocks the way to the truth.
Dear brethren! Allaah has created humans upon inclinations to their natural instincts. It is also of His mercy and wisdom that He made the law of Islaam call to this and He promised prosperity and reward to those who follow the course of this nature. A manifestation of this is the relationship that takes place between man and woman through marriage.
Brethren in Islaam! No sane person will dispute the importance, virtues and benefits of marriage or dispute the fact that marriage is the natural means of achieving peace of mind, tranquility and societal stability and progress. Marriage makes life well-organized and it is from its fortress that righteous generations are produced. Allaah says,
“And among His Signs is this, that He created for you wives from among yourselves, that you may find repose in them, and He has put between you affection and mercy. Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who reflect.”
(Ar-Room 30:21)
Marriage promotes purity and chastity, keeps the married person away from illegal sexual intercourse and sinful activities. It brings about blessing and makes the society live a morally secure and comfortable life. Allaah makes marriage a virtue and a way of the Prophets. He says addressing His Messenger,
“And indeed We sent Messengers before you (O Muhammad (peace be upon him)) and made for them wives and offspring.”
(Ar-Ra‘d 13:38)
Therefore, it is because of these great benefits that Islaam encourages marriage and encourages its facilitation. It also prohibits all that could impede or disrupt it. Allaah says,
“And if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphan-girls then marry (other) women of your choice, two or three, or four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one or (the slaves) that your right hands possess. That is nearer to prevent you from doing injustice.”
(An-Nisaa 4:32)
The Messenger of Allaah said, “O young people! Whoever among you is able to marry, should marry, because it helps him lower his gaze and guard his modesty (i.e. his private parts from committing illegal sexual intercourse etc.).” (Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim)
In the Qur’aan, Allaah commands that suitable suitors should be married to as He prohibits preventing women from marrying women of their choice. In the Qur’aan and the Sunnah, rights and responsibilities of the husband and the wife are explained so that a truly Muslim family that is the foundation of a strong and coherent society can be established.
Brethren in faith! It is certain that anyone who has concern for his society and Ummah and wishes his fellow Muslims well will make all efforts to promote this institution and make it successful. He will avoid all that could impede it. A concerned Muslim will also be worried about the failure of some marriages when he sees problems springing out of some homes. It is therefore necessary that a wise Muslim should adopt all useful means of making the marriage life successful.
Fellow Muslims! Speaking about marriage has many aspects. It is enough to talk about some phenomena that precede marriage and that have an undesirable impact on the course of life so that the Muslims can be sincerely admonished and the heedless will be awakened.
One: Delaying marriage until the end of studies or after getting a job and having financial capability or delaying marriage in order to avoid commitments or for any other reasons. All this is part of the evil plans of Satan by which he brainwashes humans especially the youth through the filthy films and serials that are aired on the satellite TV or published in magazines and newspapers. This has created a lot of misconceptions about marital life, corrupted the people’s morality and instilled in them mistaken ideas that opened the door to a great evil.
Delaying marriage contradicts Islaamic teachings as it contradicts the human nature. Sociologists affirmed that early marriage is the best marriage even if the financial condition is hard. They also affirmed that it is a major means of attaining stable psychological and physical health; and that the children born from early marriage are more intelligent and healthier and have less physical disabilities.
In addition to the above, early marriage makes one’s religion complete and makes one chaste. It is also established that early marriage is a major factor in many people’s success in their academic life. So when an artificial impediment is put in the way of this natural institution, the consequences will be woes upon the society.
In fact, there is no contradiction between marriage and requirements of marriage life, for that is a part of natural life that should not be linked to imaginary and artificial impediments created by the idiotic people. The Muslims’ stand concerning marriage should be reliance on Allaah and not on materials. Allaah says,
“And marry those among you who are single (i.e. a man who has no wife and the woman who has no husband) and (also marry) the Sâlihûn (pious, fit and capable ones) of your (male) slaves and maid-servants (female slaves). If they be poor, Allâh will enrich them out of His Bounty. And Allâh is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knowing (about the state of the people).”
(An-Noor 24:32)
The Messenger of Allaah said, “There are three persons that Allaah has taken it upon Himself to help them: the fighter in the way of Allaah, a captive who is in the process of buying his freedom and the one who wants to marry to keep himself or herself chaste.” (At-Tirmidhee and others)
If there are some stupid people who have turned their daughters into commercial commodity and ask for exorbitant mahr [bridal gift] and lay down difficult conditions for those who want to marry their daughters, there are better women elsewhere. For, there are many families who only wish to marry their daughter to someone who can make her happy and preserve her religion for her and treat her well. These families are satisfied with minimal mahr, emulating by that, the Messenger of Allaah who said, “It is a sign of blessing in a woman that proposing marriage to her and her mahr are made easy for the suitor.” (Ahmad and others)
Demanding for excessive mahr and evaluating a suitor by the amount of mahr he is able to pay is a sign of meanness, perverted thinking and stupidity. Also, burdening the suitor with exorbitant mahr and requesting him to present many gifts to relatives of the prospective groom is the peak of greed, avarice and opportunism. All this breeds ill-feeling, weighs the husband down with debts, impedes the smooth course of marriage in the society and causes many girls to remain unmarried for a long time. This is, indeed, a manifestation of preventing woman from marrying; a situation that Allaah forbids.
Also, one of the cruellest forms of preventing woman from marrying is to insist that she should marry a particular relative of hers and preventing her from marrying any other suitor even if that leads to her remaining a spinster for life. This is a major crime and an excessive act of selfishness that is a product of an obsolete norm, and it goes against the everlasting injunctions of Islaam.
It is unlawful to coerce a woman into marrying someone she does not like. Her father’s guardianship over her is only to safeguard her interest and protect her, and definitely not that of imposition or coercion. The Messenger of Allaah said, “A matron should not be given in marriage except after consulting her; and a virgin should not be given in marriage except after her permission." The people asked, "O Allaah's Messenger! How can we know her permission?" He said, "Her silence (indicates her permission).” (Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim)
Shaykh al-Islaam ibn Taymiyyah said, “It is unlawful for any of the two parents to force their son into marrying someone he does not like. If he refuses to obey them in this regard he is not considered undutiful to them. If it is unlawful for anyone to force him to eat what he does not want to eat though he is capable of eating what he wants, the same thing applies to marriage, even with a greater reason. For, eating an undesirable thing is painful only for a moment but the pain of marrying an undesirable someone lasts for long.”
Forcing a woman into marrying someone she does not like because of that person’s money or his fame or his close relationship is an injustice and therefore forbidden. The guardians must understand this.
The girl should also try to understand the point of view of her guardian regarding acceptance and refusal of a proposal. In any case, interest of the girl should be the criterion.
Dear Muslims! Guardians have a great responsibility regarding the suitor who comes forward for the hand of their daughter in marriage. This is in view of the Prophet’s instruction, “Man is the guardian over his family and he will be asked as to how he discharged his responsibility towards them.” (Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim)
Also, the girl is usually dependent upon her guardian’s knowledge and advice. He should therefore fear Allaah and make all efforts to know the real situation of the suitor and his compatibility. For, many are righteous women who are afflicted with a sinful husband who does not pray or who takes intoxicants and perpetrates forbidden things or who is ill-mannered. This unfortunate situation is caused by nothing more than her guardian’s negligence and his carelessness regarding the religiosity of the husband and his being satisfied only with his appearance or because he trusted the family from which the husband comes.
Compatibility in marriage should only be in terms of religiosity and good manner. The Messenger of Allaah said, “If someone with whose religion and manners you are pleased asks for the hand of your daughter in marriage, grant it to them. If you do not do so, there will be temptation in the land and widespread corruption.” (At-Tirmidhee)
Let those whose only goal is asking for money and fame and have no regard for religiosity realise that he who betrays Allaah and His Messenger cannot be trusted to be a guardian for his own daughter. The same thing can be said to the suitor as well. For, there are many men who stipulated for his fiancée all conditions of this world but regarded the religion as the least important and soon realised that the woman is not suitable to be his wife because of her lack of religiosity and morals. The Messenger of Allaah said, “A woman is married for four things: her wealth, her family status, her beauty and her religion. So you should marry the religious woman (otherwise) you will be a losers.” (Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim)
The suitor should realize that any woman who is careless about her responsibility to her Creator will definitely negligent in her responsibility to her husband and children. Also, the adviser or the person responsible must be duly informed of the situation of the suitor. He should fear Allaah in all that he says and in the advice he gives. Some people might be influenced by tribal zealousness or haste thereby exaggerating in praising or disparaging a suitor or a woman though they have not had sufficient knowledge of the person concerned. The Messenger of Allaah said, “The Adviser is trusted [in the matter in which his advice is sought].” (Aboo Daawood)
Fellow Muslims! Some marriage banquets are plagued with excessive spending and violations of Islaamic teachings. This trend has become so prevalent that it is regarded as an indispensable aspect of marriage. Sometimes, the banquet expenses exceed the mahr in manifold and the decision regarded this is left in the hands of women and the unwise ones. This calamity becomes graver when it is coupled with sin acts. What blessing or success should one then expect if a married life is started, from its first night, with sinful things and acts of obedience to Allaah, Who alone owns the success and Who holds the hearts of humans in His Hand and twist them as He likes?
Certainly, intermingling of men and women who are not close relatives, employing the service of musicians with their instruments, neglecting the prayers and delaying them, exposing of nakedness –especially among women who are, though dressed, are practically naked – and open and stealthy snapping of pictures and videoing are all a manifestation of showing ingratitude to Allaah, rebelling His commands and wantonness. This is to say nothing of wastefulness and showing-off that are the characteristics of the preparations and banquets. Why all this? Can parties not take place without violation of Islaamic regulations? If the unlucky fails to achieve success in their marriage, he should then know what the cause.
If sins can weaken countries and shake kingdoms, it has the greater capacity to do so with little homes. Allaah says,
“Is it then he, who laid the foundation of his building on piety to Allâh and His Good Pleasure, better, or he who laid the foundation of his building on an undetermined brink of a precipice ready to crumble down, so that it crumbled to pieces with him into the Fire of Hell?”
(At-Tawbah 9:109)
Brethren in faith! It is a manifestation of excellent upbringing and fulfillment of the trust to prepare a girl for matrimonial life and to teach her how to be responsible and how to handle the demands of life. You will surely pity a girl sent off to her new home for a matrimonial life and yet knew nothing of her rights and responsibilities, knew nothing about how to deal with her husband, his family and relatives, knew nothing about how to nurture her children and deal with them and nothing about how to manage home affairs. A situation like this has caused many cases of separation and raised the rate of divorce in the society.
It is therefore the responsibility of the parents, the teachers, the curriculum writers and the journalists to exert sincere efforts in giving boys and girls appropriate awareness. What is the benefit of long years of study if it does teach the fundamentals of life?
All youths are in dire of proper education on how to adhere by the limits of Allaah concerning marriage, worshipping Allaah through maintaining good relationship with spouse, how to cooperate with one another in righteousness and piety before marriage and how to shun selfishness. They also need to know and acknowledge the real meaning of being guardian in the law of Islaam; that it is meant to protect, nurture and to manage excellently and that it is a responsibility of which man will be held accountable in the Day of Resurrection. The Messenger of Allaah said, “All of you are guardians and responsible for your charges: a man is a guardian of his family and is responsible for his charges and a lady is a guardian in the house of her husband and is responsible for her charge.” (Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim)
If the intentions are good and the obligations are carried out, happiness and success will prevail all over the world. If one adheres to invoking Allaah and is sincere in his hope in Him, Allaah will not let him down, and will not make his efforts to go in vain.
All praise is due to Allaah, Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings of Allaah be upon the Messenger, his household and companions. Fellow Muslims! Fear Allaah as He should be feared. Allaah says,
"O mankind! Fear your Lord and be dutiful to Him! Verily, the earthquake of the Hour (of Judgment) is a terrible thing. The Day you shall see it, every nursing mother will forget her nursling, and every pregnant one will drop her load, and you shall see mankind as in a drunken state, yet they will not be drunken, but severe will be the Torment of Allaah."
(Al-Hajj 22:1-2)
Seek nearness to Allaah with acts of worship that will make you earn His reward. Abstain from causes of Wrath and punishment.
Pilgrims to the House of Allaah! Congratulations on your arrival to the Sacred House of Allaah. Congratulations on your commencement of Hajj rites. Blessed are those who perform their Hajj seeking for Allaah's pleasure. May all of you be blessed. May Allaah shower on you His favour. May He tell you on 'Arafah day: 'Go, your sins have been forgiven.'
The Messenger of Allaah said, "He who performed Hajj and he did not engage in sexual activities nor engage in obscenities will return as [sinless] as the day his mother bore him." (Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim)
This is a great blessing that gladdens the hearts of believers and for which they undergo great difficulties.
Dear pilgrims! You come here sincerely to answer the call of your Lord whose echo never breaks through years. Allaah says,
"And proclaim to mankind the Hajj (pilgrimage). They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every deep and distant (wide) mountain highway (to perform Hajj)."
(Al-Hajj 22:27)
You have come to this Ancient House built by two noble Prophets: Ibraaheem and Ismaa'eel, peace be upon them. It was Prophet Ibraaheem who declared Islaamic Monotheism and shunned polytheism until he was thrown in fire from which Allaah saved him. As for Prophet Ismaa'eel, he had surrendered to the will of his Lord and submitted himself for slaughtering. So Allaah saved him and elevated his position. These are two noble Prophets who gave their lives to Allaah.
Therefore, this great edifice: the Ka'bah is the epitome of Tawheed and submission to Allaah in His laws and in abiding by His commandments and prohibitions. This is the path to victory threaded by the Prophets and their followers. Allaah says,
"So shun the abomination [worshipping] of idol, and shun lying speech [false statements] worshipping none but Allaah, not associating partners [in worship] unto Him."
(Al-Hajj 22:30-31)
Fellow Muslims! Hajj is not mere performance of some rituals and visiting places. It is a school, history, memories and pure act of worship that confers on the pilgrim the light of faith and the fruits of Ibaadah. When the pilgrim walks between As-Safa and Al-Marwah and trots in the valley, he remembers his helplessness and his need of Allaah. He also realizes that his need for his Lord is like the need of Haajar, the mother of Ismaa'eel in that difficult situation when she was passionately running up and down between the two mountains seeking Allaah's relief. The pilgrim also remembers that anybody who obeys Allaah as Ibraaheem had done, Allaah will not abandon him and his family and He will not reject his supplications.
Dear Pilgrim! Since Allaah has honoured you and made it easy for you to perform this Hajj, endeavour to perform the rites of Hajj completely as an implementation of Allaah's commandment,
"And perform properly the Hajj and 'Umrah for Allaah."
(Al-Baqarah 2:196)
And in line with the Prophet's commandment, "Take your Hajj rites from me." All necessary and obligatory rites of Hajj must therefore be performed perfectly.
Also, you should ask questions about acts of worship before you start them, for many a pilgrim worship Allaah on ignorance. He neither knows nor asks. This situation weakens his Hajj rites. If he had asked before he acted, he would have been spared of troubles. Negligence in performing Hajj rites renders the Hajj flawed. So fear Allaah and perform your Hajj and 'Umrah properly.
Proper performance of Hajj necessitates shunning things that could tarnish it like argument, engaging in obscenities and behaving arrogantly towards fellow Muslims. All these things must be abstain from in order to have the Hajj accepted and have the sins forgiven. Allaah says,
"The Hajj (pilgrimage) is (in) the well-known (lunar year) months (i.e. the 10th month, the 11th month and the first ten days of the 12th month of the Islaamic calendar, i.e. two months and ten days). So whosoever intends to perform Hajj therein (by assuming Ihraam), then he should not have sexual relations (with his wife), nor commit sin, nor dispute unjustly during the Hajj. And whatever good you do, (be sure) Allaah knows it. And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is At-Taqwa (piety, righteousness). So fear Me, O men of understanding!"
(Al-Baqarah 2:197)
Dear brethren! The pilgrims should also abstain from things that contradict his goals. He should not call upon others besides Allaah and he should not proclaim anything but Islaamic monotheism and the Sunnah. No Muslim who believes in Allaah and the Last Day should harm or frighten a fellow Muslim. He should also not turn the pilgrims away from the Sunnah. Allaah says,
"And whoever inclines to do evil actions therein or to do wrong, him We shall cause to taste from a painful torment."
(Al-Hajj 22:25)
Brethren in Islaam! Hajj teaches patience, perseverance, forgiveness, tolerance, generosity and kindness. It also encourages giving guidance to the ignorant, calling to righteousness and benefiting the Muslims. All acts of righteousness are ordained for the worship of Allaah as they are meant for refinement and purification of the souls from impurities and imperfections and for liberating the minds from lusts.
During Hajj, you realize that worldly luxuries that you regard as essential are not really essential, and that they are things you can do without. You also realize that people's boasting of worldly materials is meaningless because; during Hajj you see people equal as they will be on the Day of Resurrection. This scene will make you change your perception of life and lead you into giving the life of this world its due without exaggeration or negligence.
The Muslims' congregation on this day is evidence that their unity is possible by the grace of Allaah.
Dear Muslims! Remembrance of Allaah is a conspicuous sign of Hajj. Tawheed is the proclamation of Hajj. 'Labbayk Labbayk Allaahumma labbayk, labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk, innal-hamda, wan-ni'mah laka wal-mulk, laa shareeka lak.' [I respond to Your call, O Allaah, I respond to Your call. I respond to Your call, You have no associate, I respond. Yours is the praise, favour and dominion. You have no associate.]
The Messenger of Allaah said, "Circumambulation of the House, trotting between As-Safa and Al-Marwah and throwing the pebbles [at Jamaraat] are all ordained for the remembrance of Allaah." (At-Tirmidhee)
If the verses of Hajj are properly reflected upon, one will realise that they are linked to the remembrance of Allaah. For instance, Allaah says,
"And remember Allaah during the appointed Days."
(Al-Baqarah 2:203)
He also says, "Then when you leave 'Arafat, remember Allaah (by glorifying His Praises, i.e. prayers and invocations) at the Mash'ar-il-Harâm."
(Al-Baqarah 2:198)
Allaah also says,
"So when you have accomplished your Hajj rites, remember Allaah as you remember your forefathers or with a far more remembrance."
(Al-Baqarah 2:200)
Dear pilgrims, remember Allaah much and glorify Him, He will elevate your ranks and forgive your sins.
Hajj is making talbiyah, glorifying Allaah, remembering Him and invoking Him. The successful is the one who beseeches his Lord submissively and shows his helplessness to Him without wasting his time in useless things.
The Messenger of Allaah has certain places in which he made much supplication. The Muslim must endeavour to emulate him: the day of 'Arafah especially just before sunset, after Fajr prayer at Muzdalifah until just before sunrise, after throwing Jamrah al-'aqabah, after throwing the pebbles at middle Jamrah on the 11th, 12th, 13th of Dhul-Hijjah. The Prophet also used to pray on the mountains of Safa and Marwah.
The Messenger of Allaah would appear to people and tell them. "Take your Hajj rites from me." He would teach the ignorant and answer the questioner. This is the Prophetic guidance for students of knowledge so that they can guide people to the straight path.
Dear brethren! Hajj is an opportunity for the scholars to teach hundreds of thousands of Muslims what is useful for them in their religion. Let those who want success adhere to the saying of the Prophet, "Religion is very easy and whoever overburdens himself in his religion will not be able to continue in that way. So you should not be extremists, but try to be near to perfection and receive the good tidings that you will be rewarded. Strengthen yourself by worshipping Allaah in the mornings, the nights." (Al-Bukhaaree)
Brethren in faith! One of the greatest goals of Islaam is to make the Muslims united. In Al-Khayf, Mina, the Messenger of Allaah said, "May Allaah bless a person who heard my word and conveyed it [to others]. There are many carriers of knowledge who are not knowledgeable for there are many who carry knowledge to those who have more understanding. There are three things that the believer must bear in heart: performing acts of worship purely for Allaah alone, sincerely wishing the Muslim rulers well and adhering to the community of the Muslims." (Ibn Maajah)
Brethren in Islaam! These are some lessons of Hajj that the pilgrims must take into consideration so that their Hajj can be accepted and in order to attain great reward. The Messenger of Allaah said, "He who performed Hajj and did not engage in sexual activities nor engage in obscenities will return as [sinless] as the day his mother bore him." (Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim) He also said, "The accepted Hajj has no reward except Paradise." (Muslim)
May Allaah accept your Hajj and may He forgive your sins. Allaah says,
"And remember Allaah during the appointed Days. But whosoever hastens to leave in two days, there is no sin on him and whosoever stays on, there is no sin on him, if his aim is to do good and obey Allaah(fear Him), and know that you will surely be gathered unto Him."
(Al-Baqarah 2:203)
Fellow Muslims! This is Tarwiyah day [the eight day of Dhul-Hijjah]. In the morning of this day, the pilgrim will go to Mina where he will pray Zuhr and 'Asr prayers shortened at their respective times; and Maghrib at its time and 'Ishaa shortened at its time. He will pass the night in Mina. After the sunset of the following day, he will proceed to 'Arafah where he will pray Zuhr and 'Asr shortened and combined. He will then stay on the plain of 'Arafah remembering Allaah much and showing helplessness before Him. He asks Him the good of this world and the Hereafter. He makes a lot of supplications in that great occasion, for Hajj is 'Arafah. The Messenger of Allaah said, "The best supplication is the one done on the day of 'Arafah. And the best statement uttered by me and the Prophets who were before me is: 'Laa ilaaha illallaah, wahdahoo laa shareeka lah, lahul-mulk walahul-hamd wahuwa 'alaa kulli shay'in qadeer.'
On the plain of 'Arafah, the arena of forgiveness, hearts submit to Allaah and eyes shed tears in fear of Him. The sins will then be forgiven and degrees will be elevated. On that day, Allaah will boast with the pilgrims before the eyes of the angels and He will say, "See My slaves. They came to me dust-covered and dishevelled from every deep and distant places. I make you witnesses that I have forgiven them."
It is recommended for those who are not performing Hajj to fast on the day of Arafah with a hope that Allaah may erase with that the sins of the past year and the present one. The Messenger of Allaah said, "There is no day in which Allaah liberates more people from Hell than the day of 'Arafah." (Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim)
After sunset on the day of 'Arafah, the pilgrim leaves 'Arafah for Muzdalifah peacefully. He will pray Maghrib and 'Ishaa there combined, with Ishaa shortened. He will pass the night there. After the dawn, he prays Fajr and makes a lot of supplication and remembrance of Allaah there until it is close to sunrise. He then proceeds to Mina. Women, children and other weak people are allowed to leave Muzdalifah in the middle of the night and that is ascertained by the disappearance of the moon.
When he reaches Mina, he throws seven pebbles at the Biggest Jamarah saying 'Allaahu akbar' with each throw. He then slaughters his sacrifice if he has to do so. After that he shaves or cuts his hair, though shaving is better. He then proceeds to the Sacred House, and makes his Tawaaf al-Ifaadah if that is possible for him and he makes Sa'y between Safa and Marwah. If he is doing Qiraan or Ifraad and he has performed it and he had performed it along with his Arrival Tawaaf, he does not need to make another Sa'y.
If anyone does any of these four rites in sequences different from the one mentioned above, there is no harm in that.
The pilgrim will then go back to Mina and pass the nights of Tashreeq [11th, 12th and 13th] there. While he is in Mina, he throws the pebbles at the three Jamaraat for each of three days after the sun has passed its zenith. If he likes he stays for two of these three days and if he likes he stays for the entire three days and this is better. He will then not have to do anything but the farewell Tawaaf when he is ready to leave Makkah.
Fellow Muslims! Fear Allaah in all that you do. Purify your deeds for Allaah alone and follow the Sunnah and the correct guidance. Abstain from things that could render your Hajj incomplete or invalid. Perform your Hajj in peace and tranquillity. Be compassionate with your fellow pilgrims especially in crowded places like during Tawaaf, throwing the pebbles or at the gates of the Sacred Mosque.
Shaykh Saalih bin Muhammad Aal Taalib [(Rabee'uth-Thanee 13, 1424 (June 13, 2003)]
All praise is due to Allaah, Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings of Allaah be upon the Messenger, his household and companions.
Fellow Muslims! Fear Allaah as He should be feared and hold fast unto Islaam which is the most trustworthy handhold. Know that your bodies cannot bear the heat of Hell-Fire. Allaah says,
“Oh you who have believed, fear Allaah and believe in His Messenger; He will [then] give you a double portion of His mercy and make for you a light by which you will walk and forgive you; and Allaah is Forgiving and Merciful.”
(Al-Hadeed 57:28)
Remember that you are now in the abode of action where you are tested. Allaah says,
“And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.”
(Adh-Dhaariyaat 51:56)
Therefore, do good deeds in order to get reward, for there is nothing tomorrow but recompense with Paradise or punishment with Hell. O Allaah, bless the hearts that fear You and seek for Your mercy; open for us the gates of Your blessings and sustenance and forgive our sins.
Fellow Muslims! There are certainly impediments and problems that lie ahead for those who seek the way to their Lord and call to His religion and to the adherence to His straight path. It is only those whom Allaah wills that are saved from the effects of these impediments.
A keen observer of the history of Islaam will realize that there are periods in which the Muslims prevailed and periods in which they were weak and suffered loss and conquests at the hands of their enemies, as it is happening in our contemporary times. The pitiful state of the Ummah these days has reached a point where some Muslims have almost lost hope and the confused among them are asking, “Has Allaah not promised this Ummah victory and glory, and has He not promised the disbelievers defeat and humiliation? Those who ask questions like these has forgotten the saying of Allaah that goes thus:
“[He] Who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed – And He is Exalted in might, the Forgiving.”
(Al-Mulk 67:2)
This verse and similar ones clearly tell us that the abode of this world is that of tribulations for the believers, not that of reward and perpetuity. They also show that good and bad times are given in turns and that attaining success does not mean living a comfortable life but to work righteousness in times of ease and difficulty. Allaah says,
“And We will surely test you until We make evident those who strive among you [for the cause of Allaah] and the patient, and We will test your affairs.”
(Muhammad 47:31)
Ibn Al-Qayyim said, “Giving the disbelievers and the sinful people authority on the earth is to afford the friends of Allaah the opportunity to attain perfection through their Jihaad against the disbelievers, their regarding people as friends or enemies for His sake and their sacrificing their lives and strength in His cause. If He had not given authorities to His enemies over His friends and had not put His friends to trials, they would not have sincerely worshipped Him, they would not have treated people as allies and enemies for His sake, and they would not have loved and hated, and given and denied for His sake.”
Brethren in faith! If it is a pre-decree of Allaah that a Muslim generation should live a period of its life in the state of political weakness and subjugation, it is then incumbent on such a generation to cling to those things that will make it remain steadfast in its religion. This is because; Islaam in itself is a power that is capable of guaranteeing the steadfastness of its adherents. This is the time of trials in which Allaah distinguishes the wicked from the good and the truthful from the liar, for the longer the trial, the greater the number of hypocrites and the higher the possibility of their revealing what is in their hearts.
Brethren in Islaam! Among the elements of steadfastness is to renew one’s faith and to fill one’s heart with complete certainty that we are on the truth. He who has a complete faith in his religion and is convinced of the correctness of his path, such would never be swayed by tribulations or sorrows. This was the stand of the Prophet, blessings and peace be upon him, when he was antagonized by his close relatives and he was expelled, besieged, forsaken and an attempt was made on his life. Even a confederation was formed to fight him. But all this never prevented him from working towards achieving his goal until the religion of Allaah was brought to perfection. Some of his companions were shackled with iron chains; some had their limbs cut and some were severely persecuted. They were all touched with difficulties and calamities and they were shaken, but all that only increased them in faith and steadfastness. Allaah says about them,
“Among the believers are men true to what they promised Allaah. Among them is he who has fulfilled his vow [to the death], and among them is he who awaits [his chance]. And they did not alter [the terms of their commitments] by any alteration.”
(Al-Ahzaab 33:23)
This is the result of faith and certainty; and this is the effect of having trust in Allaah, and that is the way followed by the righteous predecessors who follow the companions.
Let me give you the stand of Imaam Ahmad during his trial as an example. He was able to stand firm due to his deep-rooted belief in his cause. As for those who are doubtful of their cause and those who have weak faith, they are those, whenever any calamity comes upon them, start blaming their religion and they start casting doubt on its fundamentals. If only they were wise, they would have tried to review their way of practicing their religion, they would have known that the religion of Allaah is complete and that there is no real reform in any place, at any time and in any circumstances without it. Allaah says,
“This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favour upon you and approved for you Islaam as religion.”
(Al-Maaidah 5:3)
Allaah also says,
“And whoever desires other than Islaam as religion – never will it be accepted from him, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers.”
(Aal Imraan 3:85)
The problem however lies in either ignorance and inability to implement Islaam properly, or in the desire and whims that prevent the implementation of that in all aspects of life. These are the two things that make the hypocrites attack Islaam and Muslims at a time in which the Muslims are in dire need of being steadfast in their religion and upholding to their identity and unity. It is therefore a blessing of Allaah that the leaders of this country do proclaim whenever there is a calamity and crisis that the country shall always adhere to the correct religion of Islaam and refuse to compromise on its fundamentals, as they also emphasize its readiness to defend these basics with souls and valuables.
Fellow Muslims! The entire society needs to demonstrate a greater interest in affirming the fundamentals of this religion far from extremism and negligence. The proper affirmation of the meanings of faith, certainty and trust in Allaah leads to righteous deeds, allegiance to the religion of Islaam and steadfastness how severe the calamities are.
The Islaamic countries had undergone many calamities and trials like the fall of the rightly guided caliphate, the fall of Abbasid and Umayyad caliphates and other political setbacks, but all that never caused the Muslims to have doubt in the truthfulness of their religion and did never cause them to look up to the ideologies and ways of life of their enemies, which contradict their religion. They saw the truth as regards the faith, the conduct and the way of life only in the religion of Allaah. This is the real meaning of superiority that is mentioned in the Word of Allaah:
“So do not weaken and do not grieve, and you will be superior if you are [true] believers.”
(Aal ‘Imraan 3:139)
This means, you will have glory and upper hand through faith and steadfastness not true conquest. Allaah says,
“Then We put you [O Muhammad], on an ordained way concerning the matter [of religion]; so follow it and do not follow the inclinations of those who do not know. Indeed they will never avail you against Allaah at all. And indeed the wrongdoers are allies of one another, but Allaah is the Protector of the righteous.”
(Al-Jaathiyah 45:18-19)
Brethren in faith! Among the elements of steadfastness on the religion of Allaah is adherence to the injunctions of the Qur’aan and the Sunnah. The Messenger of Allaah said, “I am leaving two things for you, if you adhere to them you will never go astray: the Book of Allaah and my Sunnah.” Allaah says,
“And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allaah and His Messenger, if you should believe in Allaah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result.”
(An-Nisaa 4:59)
This verse means that you should let the Qur’aan and the Sunnah be the judge among you. This basic principle also entails emulating the righteous predecessors of this Ummah such as the companions of the Prophet the leaders of whom are the rightly guided caliphs: Aboo Bakr, ‘Umar, ‘Uthmaan and ‘Alee and those who followed their path. The Prophet said, “Adhere to my way and the way of the righteous and the rightly guided successors after me. Hold on to that tenaciously.”
The above also implies giving support to the righteous scholars and sincere callers to the way of Allaah. The scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets they are the light in the darkness and they are the most guided people. So adhere to their company.
Among the elements of steadfastness is staying with the congregation of the Muslims and staying away from the crises. That was the Prophet’s admonition to Hudhayfah bin Al-Yamaan as reported by Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim.
Verification of information, shunning rumors, guarding your utterances and keeping away from issues that are not of any concern to you are also qualities that should be adopted at all times, particularly during crises. “It is enough a sin for a man to narrate all that he hears.”
Finally, making frequent and incessant supplication to Allaah helps to remain steadfast, for man is always in need of his Lord. One of the supplications that the Messenger of Allaah used to make is, “Yaa Muqallibal-quloob, thabbit qalbee ‘alaa deenik”, meaning: “O You Who moves hearts, make my heart remain firm on Your religion.” When he was asked about this supplication, he said, “There is no man without his heart being between two of the Fingers of Allaah. So He keeps whomever He wants straight and He lets whomever He wants deviate.”
We must also do a lot of remembrance of Allaah, for the remembrance of Allaah has wonderful benefits. Allaah says,
“O you who have believed, when you encounter a company [from the enemy forces], stand firm and remember Allaah that you may be successful.”
Shaykh Saalih bin Muhammad Al Talib [(Muharram 18, 1424 (March 21, 2003)]
All praise is due to Allaah, Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings of Allaah be upon the Prophet, his household and companions.
Fellow Muslims! Fear Allaah and be dutiful to Him. Stay away from sins. For sins destroy. Know that you have a Lord Whom you are going to meet and a house in which you are going to live after your death. Seek the pleasure of your Lord before you meet Him and properly build your house before you move into it.
Fellow Muslims! We are the ummah of Qur’aan and Sunnah, the ummah of divine guidance. We are the ummah of the right path but we did not stay on this path.
Brethren in faith! All hardships and tribulations that afflict the Muslims are just like whips that drive them back to Eemaan and Tawheed. They remind them of Allaah the Almighty; they encourage them to turn back to Him in repentance and to fear the Day of Judgement. Allaah says:
“See they not that they are tried once or twice every year (with different kinds of calamities, disease, famine)? Yet, they turn not in repentance, nor do they learn a lesson (from it).”
(At-Tawbah 9:126)
Materialism has prevailed over the hearts of many people, and as a result they see nothing except in the light of materials. It is when man keeps away from the light of Eemaan and his relationship with Allaah becomes weak that his soul lives in spiritual isolation and his heart becomes hardened. He then lives a disturbed and fearful life. All this is a result of his abandonment of the real source of life and his forgetfulness of Allaah. He forgets that it is Allaah Who created the soul and Who knows the means by which it lives. The life is not that of the body but of the soul. Allaah says,
“Is he who was dead (without Faith by ignorance and disbelief) and We gave him life (by knowledge and Faith) and set for him a light (of Belief) whereby he can walk amongst men - like him who is in the darkness (of disbelief, polytheism and hypocrisy) from which he can never come out?”
(Al-An‘aam 6:122)
Hence, belief in Allaah is the source of security and peace. And the hearts that are devoid of Eemaan are always far from Allaah and are full of fright and confusion.
Fellow Muslims! When a man’s heart is full of Eemaan, he knows his place of refuge and the remedy for his ailments. For this life is based on toil and man is seldom free from dangers. He suffers ailments and calamities; sorrows and wars; injustice and transgression and all kinds of tribulations. However, Allaah is Ever Compassionate with His slaves. He always provides for them relief through a door of His mercy and blesses them with tranquillity and peace of mind. That door is the door of supplication to Allaah, humbling oneself before Him and putting one’s trust in Him. For supplications are the security of the frightened, the refuge of the weak and the solace of invocators. Who is He that has sought refuge with Allaah and has not been protected and who is he that has relied on Him and has not been given guidance?
Supplication is the essence of worship. Allaah says,
“And your Lord said: "Invoke Me, I will respond to your (invocation). Verily! Those who scorn My worship (i.e. do not invoke Me, and do not believe in My Oneness, they will surely enter Hell in humiliation!”
(Ghaafir 40:60)
He also says,
“And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad) concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near (to them by My Knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor). So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright.”
(Al-Baqarah 2:186)
Supplication is the dearest thing to Allaah. It is the way to patience in the cause of Allaah. It is a sign of sincere dependence on Allaah and keeping away from incapacity and laziness. It is an easy-to-make act of worship and it can be done at all places and times. Allaah tells us that Prophet Ibraaheem said,
“And I shall turn away from you and from those whom you invoke besides Allaah. And I shall call on my Lord and I hope that I shall not be unblessed in my invocation to my Lord.”
(Maryam 19:48)
Many are the afflictions that have been removed by supplications! Many are the sins that have been forgiven through invocations! And many are the blessings that have been endowed through supplications! The Messenger of Allaah said, “What has been destined cannot be prevented from happening. Invocation is helpful in things that have happened and things that have not happened. Calamity and supplication sometimes meet and engage in duel till the Day of Resurrection.” (Al-Haakim)
Supplication is the worship of the Prophets. Allaah says about them,
“Verily, they used to hasten on to do good deeds, and they used to call on Us with hope and fear, and used to humble themselves before Us.”
(Al-Anbiyaa 21:90)
The Messenger of Allaah said, “No Muslim makes a supplication in which there is no sin or severing of the tie of kinship except that Allaah gives him by that one of three things: He gives him what he asked for immediately or He saves for him by that supplication some reward (which He gives him on the Day of Resurrection) or He saves him from a calamity which is equivalent to the supplication he made.” The companions then said: ‘We will then make more supplications.’ The Messenger of Allaah replied: “And Allaah also will give more.” (Ahmad)
When Prophet Ibraaheem called upon Allaah after he was thrown into fire, Allaah commanded the fire saying:
"O fire! Be you coolness and safety for Ibraaheem (Abraham)!”
(Al-Anbiyaa 21:69)
Allaah also says about Prophet Ayyoob,
“And (remember) Ayyoob (Job), when he cried to his Lord: "Verily, distress has seized me, and You are the Most Merciful of all those who show mercy. So We answered his call, and We removed the distress that was on him, and We restored his family to him (that he had lost) and the like thereof along with them, as a mercy from Ourselves and a Reminder for all those who worship Us.”
(Al-Anbiyaa 21:83-84)
He says about Prophet Yoonus,
“So We answered his call, and delivered him from the distress. And thus We do deliver the believers (who believe in the Oneness of Allaah, abstain from evil and work righteousness).”
(Al-Anbiyaa 21:88)
And about Prophet Zakariyya He says,
“And (remember) Zakariyya (Zechariah), when he cried to his Lord: "O My Lord! Leave me not single (childless), though You are the Best of the inheritors. So We answered his call, and We bestowed upon him Yahyaa (John), and cured his wife (to bear a child) for him.”
(Al-Anbiyaa 21:89-90)
O you who is afflicted with calamities! O you who has been weakened by ailments! O you who have been overwhelmed by debts! Why don’t you call upon Allaah the Self-Sufficient and the Most Gracious? O you who have been submerged by sins! Why can’t you call upon Allaah the Oft-Forgiving to forgive you? O you who lives in fear and distress! Why can’t you call upon Allaah to give you relief?
Brethren in Islaam! The nation of Islaam has experienced many crises and hardships and it was only through sincere return to Allaah that it was able overcome those hardships. Allaah says,
“Verily, We sent (Messengers) to many nations before you (O Muhammad) And We seized them with extreme poverty (or loss in wealth) and loss in health (with calamities) so that they might humble themselves (believe with humility). When Our Torment reached them, why then did they not humble themselves (believe with humility)? But their hearts became hardened.”
(Al-An’aam 6:42)
Even some ancient polytheists would sincerely call upon Allaah alone whenever they were faced with calamities.
The Muslim nation is now in dire need of the mercy of its Lord as it is in need of His help. Let us return to Allaah, invoke His blessings and hope for His mercy.
Fellow Muslims! Supplication has its condition and manners, which every Muslim must learn in order to have his supplications answered. Foremost among these is that the intention and means of supplication should be compatible with Islaamic Monotheism. It is this condition that makes supplication an act of worship that must be solely directed to Allaah alone. Man must call, seek assistance from and seek refuge with Allaah alone. He must seek forgiveness, victory, guidance, realization of his goals and aid from Allaah alone. He should ask only Allaah for the removal of his afflictions and for security against all evils.
All these are rights of Allaah over His slaves. Man must call upon Allaah alone. For neither does slumber or sleep overtakes Him. It is He alone who hears the supplication of the supplicants wherever they are and whichever language they speak. He is never distracted by a slave whom he listens to from listening to another and He is never annoyed because of the multitude of those who call upon Him. He alone has the power to give benefit or harm.
It is therefore an act of associating partners with Him to call upon the dead, the angels, the jinn and others besides Him. He says about Himself,
“He is the Ever Living. None has the right to be worshipped but He; so invoke Him making your worship pure for Him Alone (by worshipping Him Alone, and none else, and by doing righteous deeds sincerely for Allaah’s sake only, and not to show off, and not setting up rivals with Him in worship).”
(Ghaafir 40:65)
The observer of the invocations of the Prophets will notice that Tawheed characterizes them. An example of this is the invocation made by Prophet Yoonus,
“He cried through the darkness (saying): None has the right to be worshipped but You (O, Allaah) Glorified (and Exalted) are You (above all that (evil) they associate with You). Truly, I have been of the wrong-doers.”
(Al-Anbiyaa 21:87)
Allaah answered his supplication through Tawheed.
Brethren in Islaam! The supplicant should make sure that he follows the Sunnah while making the supplication. He should call upon Allaah with His sublime Names and Attributes. He should seek for His forgiveness and acknowledge His favour on him. It is good if he starts his supplication with praising Allaah as it is due and invoking His blessing on His Prophet, Muhammad –peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him. The supplicant should also not transgress while making supplication nor be in haste to have his supplication answered. He should also not despair. For the One he calls is the Graceful Lord.
Further, the supplicant must be a sincere believer. He should face the qiblah while making the supplication and should be sure that he is in the state of purity. He should raise his hands to Allaah. He should be resolute in his supplication, supplicate at the times when invocations are most likely answered and select the supplications that are authentically reported from the Prophet. He should also not forget to make a sadaqah before his supplication. If he can do all these, his supplication will never be rejected. If he however does not see a sign of the acceptance of his supplication, let him examine himself.
The Messenger of Allaah said, “O you people! Allaah is Pure and does not accept but only that which is pure. He indeed commands the believer with that which He commanded the Messengers. He says: ‘
“O (you) Messengers! Eat of the lawful foods (meat of slaughtered eatable animals, milk products, fats, vegetables, fruits, etc.), and do righteous deeds. Verily! I am Well-Acquainted with what you do.”
(Al-Mu’minoon 23:51)
And He commands the believers saying:
“O you who believe! Eat of the lawful things that We have provided you with, and be grateful to Allaah, if it is indeed He Whom you worship.”
(Al-Baqarah 2:172)
The Messenger of Allaah then mentioned a man who was on a long journey, and he was shoeless and dust-covered. He was raising his hands to heavens saying: O my Lord! O my Lord!’ while his food, drink, dress and nourishment were all from unlawful sources. How could his supplication be answered?” (Muslim)
Brethren in faith! Listen to this call from your Lord:
“Invoke your Lord with humility and in secret. He likes not the aggressors. And do not do mischief on the earth, after it has been set in order, and invoke Him with fear and hope. Surely, Allaah’s Mercy is (ever) near unto the good-doers.”
(Al-A‘raaf 7:55-56)
Fellow Muslims! Whoever fears Allaah in times of ease Allaah, Allaah will stand by him in times of hardship. Allaah says about Prophet Yoonus when the whale swallowed him:
“Had he not been of them who glorify Allaah, He would have indeed remained inside its belly (the fish) till the Day of Resurrection.”
(As-Saaffaat 37:143-144)
Which means: Had it not been for the good deeds that he had done before, he would have been made to remain in the belly of the whale till the Day of Resurrection.
The Muslim must therefore remain steadfast during afflictions and return to Allaah in repentance.
Brethren in Islaam! We are also in dire need of uniting our ranks and removing our differences. For disunity is the cause of failure. Allaah says,
“O you who believe! When you meet (an enemy) force, take a firm stand against them and remember the Name of Allaah much (both with tongue and mind), so that you may be successful. And obey Allaah and His Messenger, and do not dispute (with one another) lest you lose courage and your strength depart, and be patient. Surely, Allaah is with those who are patient.”
(Al-Anfaal 8:45-46)
Fellow Muslims! Let us always follow the teachings of Qur’aan and Sunnah. It is the duty of the scholars to teach people and direct them to all that can benefit them and remove their distress. They should remind people of Allaah and teach them the importance of unity and the harm of disunity.
All praise is due to Allaah, Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings of Allaah be upon the Messenger, his household and companions.
Fellow Muslims! Fear Allaah and seek for His mercy by being dutiful to Him. Allaah says,
“O you who believe! Fear Allaah, and believe in His Messenger (Muhammad (peace be upon him)) He will give you a double portion of His Mercy, and He will give you a light by which you shall walk (straight), and He will forgive you. And Allaah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
(Al-Hadeed 57:28)
Brethren in faith! Fear Allaah and do not incline to this world and its adornments. For this world is a temporary abode in which both righteous and sinful have their sustenance. The Hereafter is a true appointed time in which the Lord, Who is Omnipotent, shall judge between truth and falsehood.
Fellow Muslims! In this time of despair and hardship, a time in which values and concepts have been turned upside down, a time in which the powerful suppresses the weak and the rich the poor, a time that civilizations clash, the Muslims are seriously in need of affirming their civilization that is based on noble concepts. It is through these noble concepts that the Ummah’s injuries can be healed.
The world communities have never been in a greater need to realize the defects that are in their civilizations as they are today. They need to know the defects of their systems of life. It is time for them to ask themselves the causes of their problems and the misery, which their civilizations have caused. They need to know the causes of widespread distress and anxiety that have overwhelmed their lives.
These are just some of the questions whose answer is provided by the Glorious Qur’aan. Allaah says,
“But whosoever turns away from My Reminder (i.e. neither believes in this Qur’aan nor acts on its teachings.) verily, for him is a life of hardship, and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Resurrection. He will say: "O my Lord! Why have you raised me up blind, while I had sight (before)." (Allaah) will say: "Like this: Our signs came unto you, but you disregarded them (i.e. you left them, did not think deeply in them, and you turned away from them), and so this Day, you will be neglected (in the Hell-fire, away from Allaah's Mercy).”
(Taa Haa 20:124-126)
Dear brother! If you reflect on the life history of the Messenger of Allaah, you will find it full of noble qualities in concept and practice. This is why the civilization of his religion is the only civilization that brought happiness to the world.
‘Aaishah narrated that she asked the Prophet, 'Have you encountered a day harder than the day (of the battle) of Uhud?" The Prophet replied, "Your tribes have troubled me a lot, and the worse trouble was the trouble on the day of 'Aqaba when I presented myself to Ibn 'Abd-Yalail bin 'Abd-Kulal and he did not respond to my demand. So I departed, overwhelmed with excessive sorrow, and proceeded on, and could not relax till I found myself at Qarnath-Tha-alib where I lifted my head towards the sky to see a cloud shading me unexpectedly. I looked up and saw Gabriel in it. He called me saying, 'Allah has heard your people's saying to you, and what they have replied back to you, Allah has sent the Angel of the Mountains to you so that you may order him to do whatever you wish to these people.' The Angel of the Mountains called and greeted me, and then said, "O Muhammad! Order what you wish. If you like, I will let Al-Akh-Shabain (i.e. two mountains) fall on them." The Prophet said, "No but I hope that Allah will let them beget children who will worship Allah Alone, and will worship none besides Him.” (Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim)
When the people of Makkah made things difficult for him, persecuted him and his companions and injured his face, he could still be heard saying while wiping blood off his face, “O Allaah! Forgive my people for they know not what they are doing.”
Fellow Muslims! It is with this mercy and compassion that the Messenger of Allaah was sent. And it is with mercy and compassion that he treated all his opponents and companions alike. Mercy is an attribute of Allaah. He is the Compassionate, the Merciful. And He is Kind with His creatures. He sent His Messenger with kindness and He says,
“And We have sent you (O Muhammad (peace be upon him)) not but as a mercy for all the worlds.”
(Al-Anbiyaa 21:107)
The Prophet also brought the law of Islaam based on the principle of compassion. Allaah says,
“Verily, there has come unto you a Messenger (Muhammad (peace be upon him)) from amongst yourselves (i.e. whom you know well). It grieves him that you should receive any injury or difficulty. He (Muhammad (peace be upon him)) is anxious over you (to be rightly guided, to repent to Allaah, and beg Him to pardon and forgive your sins, in order that you may enter Paradise and be saved from the punishment of the Hell-fire); for the believers (he peace be upon him is) full of pity, kind, and merciful.”
(At-Tawbah 9:128)
The Prophet would feel seriously hurt by whatever was harmful to his nation. He was never given an option to choose between two things except that he chose the easier as long as it was not forbidden. On many occasions he had said, “Had I not found it hard for my followers or the people, I would have ordered so and so or I would have done so and so.” Sometimes, he would want to prolong prayer and yet would shorten it when he heard the crying of a baby because he understood how upset his mother would be.
Brethren in faith! Compassion is a quality of manliness. Compassion is a quality that emanates from a merciful heart. It is a quality of the Prophets and a sign of perfect Eemaan and Islaam. Allaah says,
“Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the Messenger of Allaah. And those who are with him are severe against disbelievers, and merciful among themselves.”
(Muhammad 48:29)
Usaamah bin Zayd said, “We were with the Prophet when one of his daughters sent (a messenger) to the him requesting him to come as her child was dying (or was gasping), but the Prophet returned the messenger and told him to convey his greeting to her and say: "Whatever Allah takes is for Him and whatever He gives, is for Him, and everything with Him has a limited fixed term (in this world) and so she should be patient and hope for Allah's reward." She again sent for him, swearing that he should come. The Prophet got up, and so did Sad bin 'Ubada, Muadh bin Jabal, Ubai bin Ka'b, Zaid bin Thabit and some other men. The child was brought to Allah's Apostle while his breath was disturbed in his chest (the sub-narrator thinks that Usama added): as if it was a leather water-skin. On that the eyes of the Prophet started shedding tears. Sad said, "O Allah's Apostle! What is this?" He replied, "It is mercy which Allah has lodged in the hearts of His slaves, and Allah is merciful only to those of His slaves who are merciful (to others).” (Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim)
Compassion breeds love and affection among people. Compassion is a delight of the heart and the way to Paradise. The Messenger of Allaah said, “People of Paradise are three: (1) a leader who is generous, spends in charity and is guided to the right course; (2) a man who is compassionate, kind to every relative and every Muslim and (3) a poor person who is virtuous and has dependants.” (Muslim)
Compassion softens the heart and leads man to be kind to even animals and birds. Abdullaah bin Mas‘ood said, “We were with the Messenger of Allaah on a journey. While he went to ease himself, we saw a redstart[1] with two chicks and we took them. The redstart then came, spreading out her wings. When the Messenger of Allaah arrived (and saw the bird) he said, “Who bereaved this with her children? Return her chicks back to her.” (Aboo Daawood)
Abdullaah bin Ja‘far narrated that the Messenger of Allaah entered the compound of an Ansaaree man. And there here was a camel there. When the camel saw the Prophet, it longed for him, groaned and shed tears. The Messenger of Allaah approached it and wiped off its tears and it became quiet. He then said, “Who is the owner of this camel? ” Who is the owner of this camel?” A young Ansaaree man came and said, “It is me O Messenger of Allaah!” The Prophet then said, “Won’t you fear Allaah as regards this animal which Allaah put under your possession? It complained to me that you starve it and overburden it.” (Aboo Daawood)
This is the Prophet’s reaction to the maltreatment of animals. Imagine how he would have reacted to a person who harmed humans, usurped the rights of the poor and did not treat children and old people with compassion. The Prophet said, “Allaah will show mercy to those who show mercy to people. Show mercy to those who are on the earth, the One Who is in the Heaven will show mercy to you.”
The Prophet also said, “You see the believers as regards their being merciful among themselves and showing love among themselves and being kind, resembling one body, so that, if any part of the body is not well then the whole body shares the sleeplessness (insomnia) and fever with it.”
As for compassion that Islaam shows in the area legislations, that is a very long topic. All aspects of Islaamic law are rather compassionate in their goals, means and applications.
Fellow Muslims! This is the mercy with which the Messenger of Allaah was sent. Our religion is that of compassion in times of war and peace. It is a religion of kindness towards enemies and friends, animals and birds. It is a religion of compassion in worship, cooperation and judgment and in all aspects of its law.
Words are not enough to describe how compassionate the Prophet was. Compare this to the so-called civilizations that are being claimed and that are in the real sense devoid of compassion and justice. Compare it to civilizations that do not, in victory, respect any pact of kinship or covenant of protection with a believer and that strive through the land to cause corruption therein and destroy crops and animals. And Allaah does not like corruption.
The Prophet found excuse for his people though they wanted to kill him. He was compassionate to them though they were fighting him. He wanted guidance and happiness for them. In our age on the contrary, the so-called leaders of modern civilization, who have no regard for compassion, claim to be compassionate. They find excuses for aggression and concoct lies to justify wars, killings, destruction and corruption.
“And when it is said to them: "Make not mischief on the earth," they say: "We are only peace-makers." Verily! They are the ones who make mischief, but they perceive not.”
(Al-Baqarah 2:11-12)
It is therefore an act of compassion to rein in these people. And to be severe with them is part of the mercy that Islaam spreads.
Brethren in faith! Man has not excelled above other creatures by his mere physical size or strength. There are other creatures that are greater than him in power and size. He only excelled by his heart, soul, intelligence and feelings. It is not a matter of pride that man should be stern and severe, but real pride lies in excellent characters and sublime dispositions. This is shown through qualities like gentleness, compassion, graciousness and kindness. Allaah says,
“And by the Mercy of Allaah, you dealt with them gently. And had you been severe and harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about you; so pass over (their faults), and ask (Allaah's) Forgiveness for them; and consult them in the affairs.”
(Aal ‘Imraan 3:159)
Brethren in Islaam! Emulate the pure characters of your Prophet and hold fast onto the lofty principles of your religion.
Fellow Muslims! Compassion is a sign of humility. It also removes arrogance. Compassion means doing good to all, assisting the needy and being kind to the kith and kin. It also entails showing sympathy for the weak, the sick, the disabled and the orphans by making them happy. Compassion entails helping the wronged and reining in the devilish people. Compassion means feeling concerned about the affairs of fellow Muslims, sharing their pains and aspirations and coming to their aid. It also entails enjoining good, forbidding evil, and teaching the Muslims the goals of being compassionate. The Messenger of Allaah said, “The example of me and you is like that of a man who kindled a fire. Grasshoppers and butterflies start falling into the fire and the man continue protecting them against it. I am holding you back from falling into the fire and you are slipping off my hand.” (Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim)
All praise is due to Allaah, Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings of Allaah be upon the Messenger, his household and companions.
Fellow Muslims! Fear Allaah and be dutiful lo Him. Remember that this worldly life will come to an end and that the Hereafter is the everlasting abode. Allaah says,
"Whosoever does an evil deed, will not be requited except the like thereof; and whosoever does a righteous deed, whether male or female and is a true believer (in the Oneness of Allaah), such will enter Paradise, where they will be provided therein (with all things in abundance) without limit."
(Ghaafir 40:40)
Dear Muslims! In the past and before the start of the creation, there was Allaah alone and nothing was with Him. He is the First without beginning and the last without end. He is the Ascendant above Whom is nothing and He is Intimate and nothing is nearer than Him. He is the creator of the creation. He created the angels who never disobey His commands but implement them. He created the jinn and concealed them from the eyes of mankind and He created Adam with His two noble Hands. He created from Adam the rest of mankind. Allaah says,
"And I (Allaah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone). I seek not any provision from them (i.e. provision for themselves or for My creatures) nor do I ask that they should feed Me (i.e. feed themselves or My creatures). Verily, Allaah is the All-Provider, Owner of Power, the Most Strong."
(Adh-Dhaariyaat 51:56-58)
Allaah is Self-Sufficient, may He be purified from all imperfections.
Adam is the first man and the first Prophet. Allaah commanded him with Islaamic monotheism and to purify all acts of worship for Him alone. He ordained for him His laws and He successively gave Prophethood to his progeny so that the Prophets might lead mankind and guide them to the true religion which He has chosen for them.
Mankind had been on this guidance. They were all upon the religion of Islaam and monotheism because of their continuous following of the Prophets one after another. They had been on Islaamic monotheism and worshipping Allaah alone until Satan misled them and made them deviate from the true religion and the right path. That was before Allaah sent Prophet Noah. Ibn 'Abbaas said, "There were ten generations between Adam and Noah. All of them were upon Islaam. When disagreement occurred among them as regards their religion and they abandoned obedience to their Prophets and adherence to the divine guidance, they adopted deities that they worshipped besides Allaah like Wadd, Yaghooth, Ya'ooq and Nasr. These false deities were righteous men when they were alive. Their people made their statues after their death in order to remember them and to worship Allaah more whenever they saw their statues. But when the makers of these statues died, those who came after them revered these idols until they worshipped them. It was then that Allaah sent the first Messenger, Noah, to the earth. Prophet Noah spent nine hundred and fifty years among these people calling them to Islaamic monotheism and to the worship of Allaah alone but none responded to his call but a few.
After him, Allaah sent Messengers to people and whenever a Messenger came, his people denied him. Some of these Messengers were: Hood and Saalih. Other types of polytheism like worshipping of stars then became widespread in the land until there were no more monotheists on the earth except Prophet Ibraaheem, his wife Sarah and his nephew Prophet Noah. Allaah then sent His Messenger who is leader of the monotheists the father of the Prophets and the foundation of pure faith Prophet Ibraaheem the friend of Allaah, peace and blessings be upon him. So Allaah removed with him those evils. With him He obliterated idols and destroyed the tyrants. Allaah then blessed him with two noble sons who were Prophets, Ishmael and Isaac. Peace be upon them.
Ishmael rose among Jur'hum, 'Amaaleeq, Hijaaz and Yaman; and Isaac was raised up in Syria and its environs. Allaah made among the descendants of Isaac Jacob, then Joseph, Moses, Aron, Yoonus, David, Solomon, Zachariah, Yahya and Jesus, peace be upon them. Prophet Moses was sent with a book which Torah and Prophet Moses was sent with Injeel.
Since Prophets are mortal human beings and the bearers of knowledge after them were also prone to forgetfulness and error, Allaah did not guarantee the everlasting of their messages and did not guarantee the protection of their books out of a reason best known to Him.
Allaah has revealed glad tiding of the advent of a noble Prophet and the last Messenger to all previous Prophets. The message of this Prophet was to be everlasting and the Book to be revealed to him would be divinely protected. He would be the bearer of the trust that the previous Prophets have borne. Hence, if mankind adheres to the teachings of this Prophet it will attain salvation and if it denies him that means denial of the previous Prophets and Messengers. This Messenger is none other than Muhammad the son of Abdullaah, with whom Allaah sent the most complete and most comprehensive message. He called to the religion of Abraham and the religion of other Messengers before him. That is to worship Allaah alone and not to associate any partner with Him and to purify the religion for Him.
Allaah then purified the earth from idols after most people had been worshipping others besides Allaah.
Muhammad is the good news prophesied by Jesus and the previous Prophets. The malicious scholars among the people of the Book had tried to erase these prophesies from their books or to alter or to misinterpret them, though these applied to none but Muhammad, sallallaahu alayhi wasallam. Then Allaah guided many Jewish rabbis and Christian priests to Islaam because they sought for nothing but the truth.
Dear brethren! When one takes a keen look at history of Prophets and Messengers from Adam to Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon them all, one will realize that their religion is one and their straight path is one. Allaah says,
"Truly, the religion with Allaah is Islaam."
(Aal 'Imraan 3:19)
All these Messengers were sent with the comprehensive religion that teaches that none should be worshipped but Allaah alone. They were also sent to people in order to guide them towards this religion, to inform them of the life after death, to tell them of resurrection, reckoning and recompense. This is the unity of messages of all Messengers. It is the meaning of the Prophet's statement, "We, the Prophets are [like] children of the same father who have with different mothers but have the same religion." (Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim)
The general rule is that the religion of all Prophets is one but their practical laws are different. Yet all of them are from Allaah. This is also the general meaning of Islaam: unity of the foundation and differences in practical laws. No Prophet ever called to anything but Tawheed. Allaah tells His Messenger Muhammad,
"And We did not send any Messenger before you (O Muhammad (peace be upon him)) but We revealed to him (saying): none has the right to be worshipped but I (Allaah)) so worship Me (Alone and none else)."
(Al-Anbiyaa 21:25)
Allaah also said,
"And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): "Worship Allaah (Alone), and avoid all false deities."
(An-Nahl 16:36)
Allaah also never ordained that any Prophet should be worshiped besides Him. Allaah says,
"It is not (possible) for any human being to whom Allaah has given the Book and Al-Hukm (the knowledge and understanding of the laws of religion) and Prophethood to say to the people: "Be my worshippers rather than Allaah's." On the contrary (he would say): "Be you Rabbaniyun (learned men of religion who practice what they know and also preach others), because you are teaching the Book, and you are studying it." Nor would he order you to take angels and Prophets for lords (gods). Would he order you to disbelieve after you have submitted to Allaah's Will?"
(Aal 'Imraan 3:79-80)
Allaah has also ordained for the religion of Islaam that He had ordained for the Messengers before us. He says,
"He (Allaah) has ordained for you the same religion (Islaamic Monotheism) which He ordained for Nooh (Noah), and that which We have revealed to you (O Muhammad (peace be upon him)) and that which We ordained for Ibraaheem (Abraham), Moosaa (Moses) and 'Eesaa (Jesus) saying you should establish religion (i.e. to do what it orders you to do practically), and make no divisions in it (religion) (i.e. various sects in religion)."
(Ash-Shooraa 42:13)
It is because of this that Prophet Jacob gathered his children before he died to be assured of the path they were going to follow after his death. Allaah says,
"Or were you witnesses when death approached Ya'qûb (Jacob)? When he said unto his sons, "What will you worship after me?" They said, "We shall worship your God – (Allaah), the God of your fathers, Ibraaheem (Abraham), Ismaa'eel (Ishmael), Ishaaq (Isaac), One God, and to Him we submit (in Islaam)."
(Al-Baqarah 2:133)
Allaah also rebuked the Jews and the Christians on their excessive veneration of their Prophets and their worshipping of other things besides Allaah and He called their act polytheism. He says,
"And the Jews say: 'Uzair (Ezra) is the son of Allaah, and the Christians say: Messiah is the son of Allaah. That is their saying with their mouths, resembling the saying of those who disbelieved aforetime. Allaah's Curse be on them, how they are deluded away from the truth! They (Jews and Christians) took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides Allaah (by obeying them in things which they made lawful or unlawful according to their own desires without being ordered by Allaah), and (they also took as their Lord) Messiah, son of Maryam (Mary), while they (Jews and Christians) were commanded (in the Taurât (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)) to worship none but One Ilâh (God - Allaah) Lâ ilâha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He). Praise and glory is to Him, (far above is He) from having the partners they associate (with Him)."
(At-Tawbah 9:30-31)
Allaah also says,
"Surely, they have disbelieved who say: "Allaah is the Messiah ('Isâ (Jesus)) son of Maryam (Mary)." But the Messiah ('Isâ (Jesus)) said: "O Children of Israel! Worship Allaah, my Lord and your Lord." Verily, whosoever sets up partners (in worship) with Allaah, then Allaah has forbidden Paradise to him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong-doers) there are no helpers."
(Al-Maaidah 5:72)
He also says,
"O people of the ure! Do not exceed the limits in your religion, nor say of Allaah aught but the truth. The Messiah 'Eesaa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), was (no more than) a Messenger of Allaah and His Word, ("Be!" - and he was) which He bestowed on Maryam (Mary) and a spirit created by Him; so believe in Allaah and His Messengers. Say not: "Three (trinity)!" Cease! (it is) better for you. For Allaah is (the only) One Ilâh (God), Glory be to Him (Far Exalted is He) above having a son."
(An-Nisaa 4:171)
It is on these ancient foundations and this belief that Islaam, the best and the last divine message was based.
As for Islaamic law, it is the most perfect divine law and the most comprehensive. It is also the law that abrogated previous laws.
After all this, is it not the time for the people of the Book to believe that the law of Islaam is the continuation of divine laws and that Islaam is the religion that Allaah chosen for all mankind from the time of Muhammad till the Last Hour? Allaah says,
"And whoever seeks a religion other than Islaam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers."
(Aal 'Imraan 3:85)
Is there any religion that makes belief in all divine books and in all Prophets and Messengers a pillar of its faith? Even Allaah's Messenger asserted that he and his companions had greater right to the previous Prophets than those who claimed to be their followers. He told Madeenah Jews, "We have greater right to [Prophet] Moses more than you." With this statement, he made it clear that the source of all Messengers and their messages is one and that it is the only way that leads to Allaah.
Another fact is that for the past fifteen hundred years, history has never recorded a single Muslim scholar who embraced Judaism or Christianity though it has recorded scores of Jewish rabbis and Christian priests and others who have embraced the light of Islaam, the religion that Allaah has chosen for all mankind. So Allaah gave them their reward two-fold.
We are therefore, calling on all non-Muslims, from the pulpit of the Sacred House built by Prophet Abraham and which Prophets Moses and Jesus visited for pilgrimage, to submit to Allaah in monotheism. Embrace Islaam, you will be saved. Embrace Islaam, you will have your reward twice. If you do not embrace Islaam, you will bear your own sins and the sins of those who follow you in ignorance. We are calling you to embrace the truth and to study Islaam with sincerity. Islaam is the only true religion sent with the Prophet of guidance, Muhammad, sallallaahu alayhi wasallam. It is a religion that is free of innovations and imperfections. Allaah says,
"Say (O Muhammad: "O people of the ure (Jews and Christians): Come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allaah (Alone), and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allaah. Then, if they turn away, say: "Bear witness that we are Muslims."
(Aal 'Imraan 3:64)
Brethren in faith! One of the things that bring misery to mankind is the system of using religion on the path of some politician to suppress other nations and lord it over the followers of other religions as done by the Zionists in their exploitation of Judaism or by some governments who claim secularism with Christianity. They occupied countries under the guise of religion though they deny that. The religious scholars of those religions are duty bound to explain the truth to their governments and tell them that what they are doing is against the teachings of their religion, so that their citizens who are used in these oppressions will know the truth that their leaders are just using them as tools to promote their personal interests and goals that are contradictory to both religion and moral.
Certainly, the clergy's silence or indirect condemnation of what the political leaders are doing can cause the so-called clash of civilization. The racist wall that is being built in Palestine is an evidence of that.
Brethren in Islaam! It is compulsory that Muslims should increase in certainty about their religion. They must bear it in mind that they are upon the only true religion which is Islaam. They also need to believe that the Qur'aan is the last divinely revealed Book; that their Prophet, Muhammad is the last Messenger; that their law is the last divine law and that Allaah will accept no religion from anyone except Islaam. Nothing of all this should be compromised if lives are at stake.
We are saying all this because; we are now at a time when some defeatists among the Muslims are advocating for gap-bridging between abrogated and adulterated laws and between Islaam. We are also saying this at a time when some people of weak faith belief that the correct religion includes all faiths as if they are oblivious of the saying of Allaah that goes thus,
"And whoever seeks a religion other than Islaam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers."
(Aal 'Imraan 3:85)
Where did these people put the verses of the Qur'aan? Do they not read Soorahs Al-Faatihah, Al-Baqarah and Aal-'Imraan, An-Nisaa nad Al-Maaidah? If some people are calling towards religious reform, what we, as Muslims need is going back to the fundamentals of our religion. That is the reform that the Sunnah teaches us.
Fellow Muslims! Know that fasting on the tenth of Muharram expiates for the sins of two years, so fast on that day and a day before or a day after it. That is the Sunnah of your Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu alayhi wasallam, for he observed fasting on that day to show gratitude to Allaah for saving Prophet Moosaa on that day from Pharaoh and his hosts.
It is however sad, that some people who call themselves Muslims turn this day into a permanent annual anniversary in which they perform all kinds of activities that has nothing to do with religion and in which they blindly follow the erroneous element. How I wish these people correct their actions and follow the path of the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wasallam.
Shaykh Saalih bin Muhammad Al Talib [(Dhul-Hijjah 13, 1424 (February 14, 2003)]
All praise is due to Allaah, Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings of Allaah be upon the Messenger, his household and companions.
Fellow Muslims! Visitors to the Sacred House of Allaah! You are today in the last days of Tashreeq. You have entered into ihraam, made talbiyah, stayed in Arafaat, passed a night at Muzdalifah, passed nights in Mina, thrown the pebbles,stood in front of the Ancient House, run between Safaa and Marwah and pereformed all other rites of hajj seeking blessings from Allaah.
Allaahu akbar, many sins have been forgiven, many requests have been granted and many invocations have been accepted. May Allaah accept acts of worship from you and us.
Indeed, performing rites of hajj is a great blessing upon which we must thank Him Who bestowed it. All praise is due to Allaah for His hidden and clear favour.
You must however know dear brethren, that real gratitude to Allaah for His favours lies in following His commandments, abstaining from His prohibitions and being afraid from His tribulations. Gratitude should be shown orally by praising Allaah, from the heart by loving Him and submitting to Him and on the limbs by surrendering to His wills. The Muslim must be grateful to Allaah at all times though that gratefulness is more emphasized in these days.
Brethren in Faith! The greatest commandment of Allaah is Tawheed (Islaamic Monotheism) and the greatest thing that He forbids is ascribing partners to Him. He has showered His blessings on us by bringing us to existence and providing for us. How can we then thank others besides Him? He says in His Glorious Book:
“O men! Call to mind the grace of Allah unto you! is there a Creator, other than Allah, to give you sustenance from heaven or earth? There is no god but He: how then are ye deluded a way from the Truth?”
(Faatir 35:3)
Hajj is a school and the best lesson lessons learnt thereof is Islaamic Monotheism. It is rather its very purpose. Jaabir who narrated the Prophet’s hajj said: “The Messenger of Allaah then proclaimed the Word of Monotheism for his hajj.” (Muslim)
Talbiyah means belief in the Oneness of Allaah and putting off one’s clothes for Ihraam means freeing oneself from everything but Allaah alone. All rites of hajj are therefore Tawheed. Allaah says,
“That they may witness things that are of benefit to them (i.e. reward of Hajj in the Hereafter, and also some worldly gain from trade), and mention the Name of Allaah on appointed days (i.e. 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th day of Dhul-Hijjah).”
(Al-Hajj 22:28)
The Messenger of Allaah also said, “The best invocation is that of the day of Arafah and the best thing that I and the Prophets before me said is the word: ‘Laa ilaaha illallaah wahdahoo laa shareeka lah, lahul-mulk walahul-hamd wahuwa alaa kulli shay’in qadeer.” Meaning: ‘No deity has the right to be worshipped but Allaah alone. He has no partner. His is the sovereignty and His is the praise and He has power over all things.”
Aaishah also said, “Indeed, throwing the pebbles at Jamaraat and running between Safaa and Marwah are only ordained for the remembrance of Allaah.” (At-Tirmidhee)
Even the Ka‘abah itself is established upon Tawheed. Allaah says,
“And (remember) when We showed Ibraaheem (Abraham) the site of the (Sacred) House (the Ka'bah at Makkah) (saying): "Associate not anything (in worship) with Me.”
(Al-Hajj 22:28)
In hajj, people of all tongues, races and colours gather in the same situation and performing the same rites. They all proclaim the statement of Monotheism and affirm that all acts of worship are sincerely for Allaah alone. They also affirm their renunciation of shirk in line with the clear statement of the Glorious Qur’aan that says,
“And a declaration from Allaah and His Messenger to mankind on the greatest day (the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah) that Allaah is free from (all) obligations to the polytheists and so is His Messenger. So if you (polytheists) repent, it is better for you, but if you turn away, then know that you cannot escape (from the Punishment of) Allaah. And give tidings (O Muhammad (peace be upon him)) of a painful torment to those who disbelieve.”
(At-Tawbah 9:3)
Brethren in faith! The Muslims are in dire need of examining themselves, the way they practice their religion and their relationship with their Lord. It is high time they knew their weaknesses especially in the light of their present conditions.
Allaah has indeed created the creation purposely for His worship and He showered them with blessings so that they direct all acts of worship to Him alone. He says,
“And I (Allaah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone).”
(Adh-Dhariyaat 51:56)
This is the greatest message with which Allaah sent Muhammad –peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him. This message, though few in words, is full of meanings.
However, Satan has made true his vow on some men and misled them. He had not only made the Christians adopt Jesus as god but also made them worship his mother and their saints and made them have wrong perception about Allaah by comparing Him to worldly kings who cannot approached for help but through intermediaries.
But Allaah bestowed His blessings on the Ummah of Muhammad by sending the Qur’aan to them, which makes it clear that Allaah is close to His slaves and that He hears their supplications and knows their conditions. He says,
“And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad (peace be upon him)) concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near (to them by My Knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor). So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright."
(Al-Baqarah 2:186)
The glorious Qur’aan also emphasized that invoking Allaah sincerely is an act of Islaamic Monotheism and that calling upon others besides Him is an act of shirk. Allaah says addressing His Messenger,
“Say (O Muhammad (peace be upon him)) "I invoke only my Lord (Allâh Alone), and I associate none as partners along with Him. Say: "It is not in my power to cause you harm, or to bring you to the Right Path."
(Al-Jinn 72:20-21)
In spite of the clarity of this and similar verses, it is unfortunate that many Muslims do commit acts that negate their purports and indulge in superstitious and erroneous deeds like hallowing stones and buildings, facing the graves for their needs and seeking relief from them.
O you Muslim that testifies that there is one worthy of being worshipped but Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah! O you who believe in Allaah and the Last Day! The first thing that should command your attention is that all your imaginations and deeds should be based on the Qur’aan and in the light of Islaamic Monotheism. O you scholars and the heirs of the Prophets! When the ignorant people are excused for their ignorance, you will not be excused before your Lord for your failure to show them guidance and truth on the basis of Islaamic Monotheism. There is no doubt that the disease that weakened the ummah and turned her to an easy target for her enemy is her disunity in the very foundation of her faith. ‘Umar said: “We are a nation elevated to glory through Islaam, and if we seek glory from through other means, Allaah will humiliate us.” So when the ummah become negligent about the source of her power and directs her attention to others beside her Lord and the criteria of power become human, the most powerful contender wins the war as it is the case today.
When we however cast a deeper look at the Muslim history, we will see that the Muslims’ sources of power had never been great numbers or sophisticated weapons. None of the historical accounts had even mentioned it that the Muslims were ever greater in numbers and weapons in any war they won except in the battle of Hunayn. Even with their majority in that battle, they were defeated before they were proud of their multitude, so that Allaah might teach them the real criterion for power, which they should reckon with which is the sincere eemaan and truthful adherence to Islaam.
Brethren in faith! Indeed, Allaah will not change the condition of a nation until they themselves change their ways. The children of Israel had remained in wilderness for forty years and they did not attain victory and entered the holy land until they did what made them deserved it. Is it not time that Muslims should come out of their wilderness while they are the blessed and supported nation? Is it not time to put a stop to calamities and tribulation that afflict them and go back to their religion?
Fellow Muslims! Certainly, blessing and victory will not come without prerequisites. So make a sincere return to your Lord and reform your faith. Let everyone of us examine himself so that we could move together on the path of Allaah, for a community cannot be reformed if individuals are not reformed.
Let us correct the weakness of trust in Allaah, weakness of certainty, reliance on others besides Allaah, holding onto the slogans of the times of ignorance and affinity to other things at the expense of Islaam that is widespread among us. Let everyone of us bear it in mind that Allaah promises,
“Allaah has promised those among you who believe, and do righteous good deeds, that He will certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers) in the earth, as He granted it to those before them, and that He will grant them the authority to practice their religion, that which He has chosen for them (i.e. Islaam). And He will surely give them in exchange a safe security after their fear (provided) they (believers) worship Me and do not associate anything (in worship) with Me. But whoever disbelieved after this, they are the Fâsiqûn (rebellious, disobedient to Allaah).”
(An-Noor 24:55)
Brethren in faith! Allaah says,
“And with Him are the keys of the Ghaib (all that is hidden), none knows them but He. And He knows whatever there is in the land and in the sea; not a leaf falls, but he knows it. There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or dry, but is written in a Clear Record.”
(Al-An‘aam 6:59)
This and similar verses indicate that nothing happens in this universe except through Divine decree from Allaah the Omniscient, All-Wise from Whom nothing escapes in the heavens and the earth.
Fellow Muslims! Verily, Allaah hears whoever calls on Him. He is near to whoever invokes Him and He guarantees answer for those who supplicate to Him. He commands that He alone should be relied on and promises to suffice those who rely on Him. May Messengers have been afflicted with calamities but Allaah eventually removed their hardships. And His mercy comes when it is least expected but most people know not.
Dear brethren! This nation is not like other nations. It is a selected, divinely supported and blessed nation however immense its tribulation may be and however weak it may be. The Messenger of Allaah said, “My Lord says: ‘O Muhammad! I have made an irrevocable decision. I have given it to you for your nation that I will never destroy them with a general calamity and that I will not give their enemy an authority over them even if they gather from all nations until they will be destroying one another and taking one another as captives.” (Muslim)
This means that a nation whose qualities are these should not despair whatever their condition may be and should not think that it is dead. We should rather make a lot of supplications for that is the sword of a believer. Allaah says,
“Invoke your Lord with humility and in secret. He likes not the aggressors.”
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Shaykha liked this post
wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu
i must agree, i doubt if even brother Zak knows this, ill make a note to ask him Inshallah
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