Shaykh Saalih Aal Taalib~Khutbah

[BintAbee]

Return of the Pilgrims

Shaykh Saalih Aal Taalib

18, Dhul-Hijjah 1425 (28, January 2005)

All praise is due to Allaah, Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon
the Messenger, his household and companions.
Fellow Muslims! Be dutiful to Allaah as it is due by carrying out His commandments and abstaining from His prohibitions and by keeping away from all that could cause His wrath and punishment. 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)

Dear brethren! Pilgrims to the sacred House of Allaah! Those numbered days have passed and those nights have also disappeared like dreams. Congregations of the people have thronged during the past blessed days and many tears were shed. Many returned to Allaah in repentance and many surrendered to Him in humility. All is magnified by Allaah's magnanimity in forgiving sins, answering supplications and removing difficulties. The Messenger of Allaah said,

"Whoever came to this House [the Ka'bah for Hajj] and neither spoke indecently nor acted wickedly, would return [free from sins] as when his mother gave birth to him." (Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim)

In another hadeeth reported by Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim, the Prophet said,

"An 'Umrah is expiation for the sins committed between it and the next, and the Hajj which is accepted will receive no other reward than Paradise."
Would that I knew those among us whose supplications and acts of worship were accepted so that we could be congratulate them!

Fellow Muslims! Though one must have trust in Allaah's forgiveness and hope in His mercy, the Muslim must always ask Allaah to accept his righteous deeds and should not be deluded by those deeds. He should rather hope in His mercy and fear Him.

Allaah describes the characteristics of the true believers as follows,

"Verily! Those who live in awe for fear of their Lord; And those who believe in
the Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of their
Lord; And those who join not anyone (in worship) as partners with their Lord; And those who give that (their charity) which they give (and also do other good deeds) with their hearts full of fear (whether their alms and charities have been accepted or not), because they are sure to return to their Lord (for reckoning). It is these who race for the good deeds, and they are foremost in them (e.g. offering the compulsory Salât (prayers) in their (early) stated, fixed times and so on)."
(Al-Mu'minoon 23:57-61)

'Aaishah asked the Prophet about the meaning of this verse, 'and those who give that (their charity) which they give (and also do other good deeds) with their hearts full of fear', as to whether they are those who drink alcohol and steal.
The Messenger of Allaah answered, "No, daughter of As-Siddeeq. They are rather those who observe fasting and prayers and give in charity, yet they fear that these deeds might not be accepted from them. It is these who race for the good deeds." (At-Tirmidhee)

Brethren in faith! This is the reality of piety which Allaah mentions at the end
of the verses of Hajj when He says,

"It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allaah, but it is piety
from you that reaches Him."
(Al-Hajj 22:37)

Allaah also says about fasting,

"O you who believe! Observing fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain piety."
(Al-Baqarah 2:183)

Are we going to achieve piety in our future life as an extension of what we have achieved during Hajj when each pilgrim performed his rites with orderliness, adhering to the limits and specified periods, places and time, avoiding all violations of ihraam, bearing all difficulties in patience, hoping for what is with Allaah, realizing that it is possible to do away with the luxuries of this world which are discovered as not indispensable? By adhering to the specific time and place, the pilgrim realizes that desires can be put under check by the law of Allaah and that situations of life are like the situations of Hajj that should be followed according to the will of Allaah and that laxity in adhering to these limits could wipe off the positive impacts of Hajj.
This is the piety upon which the pilgrim is nurtured and which he should follow in his life until he dies. He should abide by the essence of this piety through respecting Allaah's commandments and prohibitions. The fact that there is no indecency, wickedness or argument in Hajj is also a kind of training and refinement for the pilgrim so that these might be his qualities in the rest of his life. He should be as described by the Messenger of Allaah, "The Muslim is not a curser or a slanderer or an immodest." These are some of the manifestations of piety in Hajj that a Muslim should always remember in addition to the saying of Allaah that goes thus,

"Verily, Allaah accepts only from those who are pious."
(Al-Maa'idah 5:27)

Brethren in Islaam! Visitors to the sacred House of Allaah! Now that Allaah has
made you succeed in attaining His pleasure and made it easy for you to have some of His blessings, you should then remain upright upon His command. The Muslim should endeavour not to blemish his clean record.

"And be not like her who undoes the thread which she has spun after it has become strong, by taking your oaths a means of deception."
(An-Nahl 16:92)

The greatest admonition that can be given next to piety is the one that the
Messenger of Allaah gave Sufyaan when he asked him; "Messenger of Allaah! Tell me a word in Islaam about which I will have no need to ask any other person after you." The Messenger of Allaah replied him, "Say I believe in Allaah and remain upright [upon that]." (Muslim)

Though a Muslim might be upright, he can still commit errors. That is why Allaah says,

"Therefore take Straight Path to Him (with true Faith - Islâmic Monotheism) and obedience to Him, and seek forgiveness of Him."
(Fussilat 41:6)

This is also what the Prophet alluded to when he said, "Try to be upright though you cannot attain [the highest level of] uprightness. Know that the best of all your deeds is prayer; and none keeps on preserving the ablution but the true believer." (Ahmad and Ibn Maajah)

The Messenger of Allaah also said, "Maintain moderation and justness [in your
deeds]." What is required of a Muslim is justness in uprightness. If he cannot do that he is therefore negligent.

Dear brother pilgrim! How beautiful is it to be back to your family and your
country after Hajj with perfect conduct and pleasant manners, following the truth, justice and moderation! Hajj with its rites has increased you in knowledge about Allaah and reminded you of your obligations to Him and qualities of His exclusive right to be worshipped and that none has the right to be worshipped but He alone. He is the only One unto Whom souls should submit and Whom the believer should face.

"Verily, I have turned my face towards Him Who has created the heavens and the earth Hanîfa, (Islaamic Monotheism, i.e. worshipping none but Allaah Alone), and I am not of the polytheists."
(Al-An'aam 6:79)

How will it be all right to give any of Allaah's rights like supplication, seeking
help, sincerity or vowing to others besides Him? Where is the impact of Hajj on someone who returns home after his Hajj to neglect observance of prayers, refuse to pay Zakaah, deal in usury and bribery and have no respect for what Islaam commands or prohibits?

Dear pilgrim! Adhere to the path of uprightness and good deeds, for you are not in the abode of eternity. Beware of showing-off, for many a great deed is diminished by [improper] intention and many a little deed is magnified by [proper] intention. Let your Hajj be the beginning of your new life.

"And worship your Lord until there comes unto you the certainty (i.e. death)."
(Al-Hijr 15:99)

May Allaah accept your Hajj and efforts. May He let us witness many more years of these blessed days in glory, honour, righteousness and uprightness!

Dear brethren! Fear Allaah and know that the best of all speech is the Book of
Allaah and the best guidance is that of the Muhammad, blessings and peace be upon him. The worst of all affairs are innovations and all innovations are erroneous and all errors lead to Hell. Adhere to the community of the Muslims for the Hand of Allaah is wit the community. The one who isolates himself, isolates himself into the Hell-Fire.

Fellow Muslims! Great righteous deeds are concluded with seeking forgiveness.
Blessed be those who find a lot of istighfaar in the record of their deeds. Among the signs of acceptance of a good deed is to follow it up with another good deed. For, he whom Allaah accepts and favours He makes him succeed in doing good deeds and protects him against evils. Endeavour to protect yourself and your good deeds. Be moderate and just, and have
glad tidings and hope. Acceptance of deeds revolves around sincerity in and
correctness of the deeds. I pray that Allaah make you succeed with Paradise and high degrees. I also beseech Him to make us among those, whom the angels will supplicate for with the saying of Allaah,

"Those (angels) who bear the Throne (of Allaah) and those around it glorify the praises of their Lord, and believe in Him, and ask forgiveness for those who believe (in the Oneness of Allaah) (saying): "Our Lord! You comprehend all things in mercy and knowledge, so forgive those who repent and follow Your Way, and save them from the torment of the blazing Fire! Our Lord! And make them enter the 'Adn (Eden) Paradise (everlasting Gardens) which you have promised them - and to the righteous among their fathers, their wives, and their offspring! Verily, You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. And save them from (the punishment, because for what they did of) the sins, and whomsoever You save from (the punishment for what he did of) the sins (i.e. pardon him) that Day, him verily, You have taken into mercy. And that is the supreme success."
(Ghaafir 40:7-9)

Source:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/2543917/Return-of-the-Pilgrims

 

[BintAbee]

Welcome Ramadaan!

Shaykh Saalih Aal Taalib

1, Ramadaan 1425 (15, October 2004)

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 you who believe! Fear Allaah (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 Islaam
(as Muslims (with complete submission to Allaah))."
(Aal 'Imraan 3:102)
Allaah also says,

"O mankind! Be afraid of your Lord (by keeping your duty to Him and avoiding all
evil), and fear a Day when no father can avail ought for his son, nor a son avail
ought for his father. Verily, the Promise of Allâh is true: let not then this
(worldly) present life deceive you, nor let the chief deceiver (Satan) deceive you
about Allaah."
(Luqmaan 31:33)

Dear brethren! Know that however long you live, you will certainly return to
Allaah and your final destination is either Paradise or Hell.
Fellow Muslims! In the first day of Ramadaan, we congratulate ourselves and all
Muslims for living to witness this great month. We pray that Allaah make it a
blessed month for the Ummah in all parts of the world. May Allaah make it a month
of blessing, security, peace, glory and victory for the Muslims.

Brethren in faith! The Ummah receives this great visitor with happiness. O
Ramadaan! The day of your arrival is a day for which our hearts are opened. We
welcome you with joy and hope. We are happy for the return of your pure atmosphere
in which our souls swim after they have been dry and inactive. We are happy to
receive the hour of righteous deeds after we have long abandoned those deeds. May
Allaah help us to spend your days and nights in the best and the most righteous
way. Our souls have longed for you and we have been waiting for your clouds that
are full of mercy, forgiveness and blessings.

We pray to Allaah to bless the arrival of this month, to give the Muslims a great
share of its blessings. O Allaah! As you have made us witness the beginning of
Ramadaan, let us witness its end and accept the acts of worship we perform in it.

Brethren in faith! Who among the Muslims does not know the virtue of this month?
It is the leader of all months. Allaah says,

"The month of Ramadaan in which was revealed the Qur'aan, a guidance for mankind
and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong)."
(Al-Baqarah 2:185)

He who fasts in this month and observes prayers during its nights, his sins will
be forgiven. There is a night in this month that is greater than a thousand
months. The Messenger of Allaah said, "Whoever observes fasting in the month of
Ramadaan with eemaan, hoping to get reward from Allaah, his past sins will be
forgiven." He also said, "Whoever observes the nights of Ramadaan in prayers and
does so with eemaan, hoping to get reward from Allaah, his past sins will be
forgiven."

And he said, "Whoever observes Laylatul-Qadr with eemaan, hoping to get reward
from Allaah, his past sins will be forgiven."

This is Ramadaan! The greatest act of worship in it is fast which Allaah makes
obligatory in order to attain piety. Allaah says,

"O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it
was prescribed for those before you, that you may become pious."
(Al-Baqarah 2:183)

It is a month that the souls are purified. Piety is consciousness, pure feeling,
transparence of the soul and being conscious of Allaah. Fast develops sense of
consciousness and purifies the soul through righteous deeds. As for the reward of
the fasting Muslims, that is up to Allaah, the Most Generous. Allaah's Messenger
said, "Allaah said: 'All the deeds of Adam's sons (people) are for them, except
fasting which is for Me, and I will give the reward for it.' Fasting is a shield
or protection from the fire and from committing sins. If one of you is fasting, he
should avoid sexual relation with his wife and quarrelling, and if somebody should
fight or quarrel with him, he should say, 'I am fasting.' By Him in Whose Hands my
soul is' The unpleasant smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is
better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. There are two pleasures for
the fasting person, one at the time of breaking his fast, and the other at the
time when he will meet his Lord; then he will be pleased because of his fasting."
(Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim)

In another version, Allaah said: "He abandons his food, drink and desire for my
sake."

In a hadeeth reported by Muslim, The Messenger of Allaah said, "Observing fasting
in Ramadaan after Ramadaan erases whatever sins committed in between as long as
major sins are avoided."

As for you who have been weakened by sins, hasten to supplicate to your Lord
during the darkness of the night. Do not lose hope in the mercy of Allaah Who
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)

May he be disgraced, the one who witnessed Ramadaan and his sins are not forgiven.
This is because of the blessings and mercies that this month contains. The
Messenger of Allaah said, "When Ramadaan comes, gates of Paradise will be open,
gates of Hell will be closed and the devils will be fettered."

The month of Ramadaan is the month of night prayers and Taraaweeh. It is a month
of Remembrance of Allaah and His glorification. Spend the nights of the month in
prayers, supplications and recitation of the Qur'aan. For, many are sincere
invocations done in the middle of the night that are allowed to penetrate the
heaven and by which Allaah bless those who made them with prosperity in this world
and the Hereafter.

Ramadaan is the month of the Qur'aan. Angel Gabriel would meet the Messenger of
Allaah every night during Ramadaan and would review the Qur'aan with him. Allaah
says,

"The month of Ramadaan in which was revealed the Qur'aan, a guidance for mankind
and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong)."
(Al-Baqarah 2:185)

When Ramadaan would come, the righteous predecessors would leave teaching of the
hadeeth and they would devote all their time for the Qur'aan. Their habit
testified to the fact that, until recently, there were people who completed the
recitation of the entire Qur'aan every day and there were others who completed its
recitation every three days.
So remember your Lord much in these days. Read the Qur'aan as much as possible,
for in doing so lies the purification of your souls. It gives you happiness and
let attain great rewards.

Fellow Muslims! Spending generously is closed linked to the Qur'aan. Ibn 'Abbaas
said, "The Prophet was the most generous amongst the people, and he used to be
more so in the month of Ramadan when Gabriel visited him, and Gabriel used to meet
him on every night of Ramadan till the end of the month. The Prophet used to
recite the Holy Qur'aan to Gabriel, and when Gabriel met him, he used to be more
generous than a fast wind (which causes rain and welfare)." (Al-Bukhaaree)
This is because Ramadaan is the month in which Allaah gives to His servants
generously through mercy, forgiveness, liberation from Hell and provisions. So he
who is generous to his fellow humans, Allaah will be generous to him.

In these days that many sources of generosity have dried up, who is going to be
there for the poor, the needy, the orphans and widows? Who is going to help the
calamity-stricken peoples who have been emaciated by wars? They are your brethren
in religion and they have no one to support them after Allaah but you. Let make
use of this month to renew our resolve in righteous deeds and kindness.

We are calling upon those whom Allaah blessed with wealth to remember that it is
Allaah Who gives and deprives; it is He Who elevates and downgrades. He makes you
trustees over the wealth He gave you so as to know how you are going to act. The
believer will be in the shade of his righteous deeds on the Day of Resurrection.
And whatever you spend, Allaah will replace it and He is the Best of all
providers. The wealthy person will not fail to find a needy person whom he himself
knows or known by recognized and trusted organizations.

Fellow Muslims! Fasting has wisdoms. It includes the fact that it is a lawful
deprivation, training through hunger, humbleness for Allaah; it incites
compassion, encourages charity, removes arrogance, teaches perseverance and
promotes righteous traits.

Fellow Muslims! Ramadaan is the month of conquests and victories. The more we feel
happy with its arrival the more we hope to have our situation changed to victory
and glory. For Ramadaan of this year came at a time that the Ummah is suffering
from wounds; at a time the Quds is occupied and desecrated. Ramadaan at a time
that the believers who are the inhabitants of the Quds are being killed and
expelled and their houses are been demolished and their groups are being
exterminated under the supervision of unjust oppressive people who are
perpetrating the similar acts of aggression in Iraq. Our complaint is only to
Allaah.

Therefore, the least right that these suffering brethren have upon you in this
month is that you should sincerely remember them in your supplication. You should
supplicate for them in your prostrations and regard their causes as yours, for if
one is not concerned with the affairs of the Muslims he is not of them. Allaah
says,

"It may be that Allaah will restrain the evil might of the disbelievers. And
Allaah is Stronger in Might and Stronger in punishing. "
(An-Nisaa 4:84)

Dear brethren! Ramadaan is the season for sincere return to Allaah in repentance.
Is it not the time for the Ummah to worship its Creator sincerely, to incline
towards Him, to seek for His help through recommended means and to direct its
attention to Him alone? The hopes are great and the trust in Allaah should be
perfect, for it is He alone Who is sought for help. Allaah says,

"O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it
was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqûn (the pious -
see V.2:2). Observing Saum (fasts)) for a fixed number of days, but if any of you
is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And
as for those who can fast with difficulty, (e.g. an old man, etc.), they have (a
choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskîn (poor person) (for every day). But
whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, it
is better for you if only you know. The month of Ramadaan in which was revealed
the Qur'aan, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the
criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the
first night of) the month (of Ramadaan i.e. is present at his home), he must
observe Saum (fasts) that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same
number (of days which one did not observe Saum (fasts) must be made up) from other
days. Allaah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult
for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you
must magnify Allaah (i.e. to say Takbîr (Allaah Akbar; Allaah is the Most Great)
for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him."
(Al-Baqarah 2:183-185)

Brethren in Islaam! When a Muslim receives a season in which he hopes to gain, he
has to firstly, examine himself so that he might avoid things that could hinder
the acceptance of his deeds or diminish them. For, what is it the benefit of a
deed whose reward is wasted and an act in which one expects a reward but instead
gets blamed for doing it?

Learning the knowledge of the religion of Allaah, avoiding sins and things that
invalidate righteous deeds and guarding the limbs from unlawful things are some of
the things that a Muslim must do. Ibn Rajab said, "Know that one cannot seek
nearness to Allaah through abandonment of these lawful things during fasting
except after one has sought nearness to Him through abandonment of all that Allaah
forbids in all times like lying, injustice and committing aggression against
others regarding their blood, properties and honours." That is why the Messenger
of Allaah said, "Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is
not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e. Allah will not accept his
fasting.)" (Al-Bukhaaree)

Fellow Muslims! The purpose of fasting is to train the soul to obey Allaah, to
purify it with patience, to develop it with piety and to make it overcome lusts.
As the body is deprived of some permitted things during fasting, it is with
greater reason that the limbs should also be deprived of unlawful things.
The period of Ramadaan is more precious than having it being wasted in useless
night keeping, roaming about the markets or watching satellite programs that if
there was nothing undesirable in it than wasting of time, it would have been
enough to condemn it. But the channels are actually playing the role of devils in
homes.

Conclusively, many are those who treat Ramadaan as a beloved friend who visits
after a long absence. The acts of worship they perform in Ramadaan occupy their
time so much so that they hardly have time for their fellow humans. They wish that
stays forever. Conversely, there are others who regard Ramadaan as a period for
achieving their lusts. They are negligent of repentance and they commit much sins
and upon sins. They spend their Ramadaan days in loss upon loss and they fail to
prepare for their Day of Resurrection through righteous deeds in Ramadaan. O
Allaah! Help us to remember You, to thank You and to worship You in the best
manner.

Source:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/2543978/Welcome-Ramadaan

 

[BintAbee]

Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil

March 7, 2008

Sheikh aal Taalib

الوثاق المتين
Sheikh Saalih aal Talib
March 7, 2008 ~ Safar 29, 1429

All praise is due to Allah, who deserves all forms of praise. I thank Him for His abundant bounties and provision. I turn to Him in repentance and I seek His forgiveness. I bear witness that there is no God worthy of worship except Allah, who has no partner. And I bear witness that Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) is His servant and messenger. May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, his family, his companions, and those who follow him in righteousness until the day of judgment.

Oh Muslims, fear Allah as He is should be feared. “O you who believe! Keep your duty to Allâh 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 Allâh and His Messenger (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) he has indeed achieved a great achievement.” [Surah Ahzaab: Ayaah 70-71] Oh Muslims, prepare yourselves to meet your Lord because after a short period of time your soul will be taken and this worldly life will come to an end. All humans will pass over the fire, and only the righteous will be saved. Remember those who passed away before you, and seek the ways of those who were seeking to follow the righteous path. Ponder on those who have already passed away, because you are going to join them on that day. So what is your attitude going to be when you meet your Lord?


Allah says: “O mankind! Verily, the Promise of Allâh is true. So let not this present life deceive you, and let not the chief deceiver (Satan) deceive you about Allâh.” [Surah Fatir: Ayah 5] Oh servants of Allah, one of the principles of this religion which Allah the Almighty revealed in His book and the Messenger of Allah (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) has narrated in ahadeeth, is to enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil. Allah says “Those who follow the Messenger, the Prophet who can neither read nor write whom they find written with them in the Taurât and the Injeel, - he commands them for Al-Ma‘rûf; and forbids them from Al-Munkar…” [Surah 'Araaf: Ayah 157] One of the scholars considered this to be a great part of this religion, after the observation of the five main pillars of Islam. It is this strong tie by which this religion links the fundamentals of Islam and then connects them to everyday life. By enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil, we protect the rights of the Muslims. It is not an optional act, but a religious duty and a means of drawing closer to Allah the Almighty. It is an Islamic principle, no one has a choice to take it or leave it.

Allah says about the believers: “The believers, men and women, are Auliyâ’ of one another; they enjoin (on the people) Al-Ma‘rûf, and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar…” [Surah Tawbah: Ayah 70] Regarding those who have fallen astray, Allah says: “The hypocrites, men and women, are one from another, they enjoin (on the people) Al-Munkar, and forbid (people) from Al-Ma’rûf…” [Surah Tawbah: Ayah 67] It is narrated by Abu Sa’eed al Khudri (Radiallahu Anhu) that the Messenger of Allah (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, “Whoever sees something evil should change it with his hand. If he cannot, then with his tongue; and if he cannot do even that, then in his heart. That is the weakest degree of faith.” [Saheeh Muslim] This great principle in our religion is an individual duty on every Muslim. Every person according to his position and capability should fulfill this command. It is also a duty in the Ummah to establish and train a group of people who are specialized to fulfill this properly. Allah says: “Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining Al-Ma’rûf and forbidding Al-Munkar . And it is they who are the successful.” [Surah Ale 'Imraan: Ayah 107] People who are specialized in enjoing what is good and forbidding that which is evil, prevent others who are ignorant from doing wrong actions and guide them to the straight path and true guidance in a manner that is pleasing to Allah and beneficial to the people they are dealing with.

Goodness is righteous deeds, justice, and giving people their rights, while evil is indecency, falsehood, and oppression. If we abandon this princinple of our religion, we will face problems in practicing our religion and evil will overtake goodness and ignorance will overtake righteousness. If we leave people to do whatever they like, the nation will collapse. If we leave them to fulfill their desires, they will transgress the limits of Allah the Almighty, spread corruption, and violate people’s rights while there is no one to remind them and guide them back to the truth. In this way, chaos will spread and crimes will occur, then the punishment of Allah will befall all of them. It is narrated by Abu Bakr as Siddique (Radiallahu Anhu) that the Messenger of Allah (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) has said, “When people see an oppressor but do not prevent him from (doing evil), it is likely that Allah will punish them all.” [Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi] It is also narrated by Hudhayfa (Radiallahu Anhu) that the Messenger of Allah (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said “By Him, in whose hand is my soul, you should enjoin good and forbid evil or else it is likely that Allah will send a punishment upon you and then you will invoke Him and you will not be answered.” [Tirmidhi]

Oh Muslims, the general image and behavior of the Ummah is not owned by individuals. It originally belongs to Allah the Almighty. After this, it belongs to the whole Ummah in general. So the individual does not hold the right to distory the image by his bad behavior in claiming he is free to do whatever he likes. We are all a part of a collective unit and we must protect each others rights. True freedom is that the individual finds a pure, safe community where his honor, religion, and life are protected. Is it not the right of the individual to breath pure air and be able to live his daily life with feelings of safety and security? The effects of the evil behavior of an individual falls on many people around him and also negatively affects the environment and pollutes the water and air. For example, if there is a black spot on a white garment, the appearance of the clothing is spoiled. So what if there are many spots and stains? This garment will be described as unclean and unusable. We should try to stop all types of disease that affect people’s throats, and physical balance and traits.

Promoting absolute freedom, without enjoining what is good and forbidding that which is evil is the philosophy of the non believers. It is the methodology of a nation that was cursed by Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) and it is still being followed by many nations today. Allah says “Those among the Children of Israel who disbelieved were cursed by the tongue of Dawûd and ‘Īsā, son of Maryam. That was because they disobeyed and were ever transgressing beyond bounds.” [Surah Ma'idah: Ayah 78] The Messenger of Allah (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said “The point of weakness that led to the downfall of the Banu Isra’eel was that one morning one of the men would forbid evil, saying stop what you are doing but it is unlawful. Then the following day he would meet him and the man’s sin would not prevent him from socializing with him as if nothing had happened the previous day. When they did this, Allah the Almighty hardened their hearts against each other.” The Messenger of Allah (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) also said “Indeed, by Allah the Almighty, you should enjoin what is good, forbid what is evil , and stop the hand of the oppressor and you should urge him to follow the truth.“

Oh Muslims, indeed this nation differs from any other, because other nations were cursed as they failed to establish this vital principle. This ummah is protected as long as we enjoin good and forbid that which evil. We should understand the importance of fulfilling this duty. We should know that Allah the Almighty has sent this ummah to lead people and to be pioneers of goodness, not leaders in evil. Thus, we should not receive our instructions and guidance from any other nation. We must act upon the sources of knowledge that we have, the Quraan and the Sunnah. To do this properly, we should have knowledge of the sound creed and methodology and how to enjoin what is good and forbid evil. We should have sound creed to be directed to the right way. If people rely on their opinions and culture alone, evil will spread everywhere and people will live in chaos. Therefore, they must go back and refer to the sound sources of knowledge.

Allah says: “You are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind; you enjoin Al-Ma’rûf and forbid Al-Munkar, and you believe in Allâh…” [Surah Ale Imraan 110] We have to understand this matter in terms of the relationship between Allah the Almighty and His creation, and the purpose of creation itself. Allah says: “Indeed We have sent Our Messengers with clear proofs, and revealed with them the Scripture and the Balance (justice) that mankind may keep up justice…” [Surah Hadeed: Ayah 25] If people have correct belief in Allah the Almighty by basing their thoughts on the correct sources of knowledge this would result in enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil. May Allah enable us all to benefit from the Quran and Sunnah. I seek His forgiveness, and He is the Almighty, the Most Forgiving.

All praise is due to Allah, who deserves all forms of praise. Glory be to Him who controls all things. He grants sucess and victory to the righteous. I praise Him abundantly. Allah the Almight promised to increase the provision of the one who is thankful to Him. I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah who has no partners. And I also bear witness that Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) is His servant and messenger, whom He chose from mankind. May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him and his family members, his companions, and all those who follow him in righteousness until the day of Judgement.

Oh Muslims, the principle of enjoining good and forbidding evil is a means of avoiding the punishment of Allah the Almighty. Allah says: “Your Lord would not destroy the (populations of) towns for their wrong-doing while their people were righteous..” The people who will be saved are the ones who enjoin good and forbid evil. Allah says: “If only there had been among the generations before you, persons having wisdom, prohibiting (others) from Al-Fasâd in the earth, (but there were none) except a few of those whom We saved from among them…” [Surah Huud: Ayah 116] Nu’maan ibn Basheer (Radiallahu Anhu) narrated that the Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said “The example of the one who is adhering to the boundaries of Allah and the one who falls behind them is like the example of the group of people who casts lots to see who will take the upper floor and who will take the lower in a shed. Those who end up on the lower floor wanted to have some water, and to get the water, they had to pass by those on the upper floor. Then they said if we made a hole in our share of the shed to get the water, we will not harm those in the upper floor. If these people were able to do so, they would have destroyed themselves and everyone else with them. If they were stopped, they would all be saved.” [Bukhari]

Oh servants of Allah, willfull disobiedience and evil actions are very dangerous to both the individual and the Ummah. It is a reason for decrease in ones provision and unjust increase in market prices. It is a reason for oppressors to have control over people. The danger is much more graver if the acts of disobedience and sin are done publicly and nobody denies them. Establishment on earth or destruction is condtioned by following the religion of Islam and adhering to its principles and rules. “Those who, if We give them power in the land, enjoin Iqamat-as-Salât, pay the Zakât and they enjoin Al-Ma’rûf , and forbid Al-Munkar. And with Allâh rests the end of (all) matters.” [Surah Hajj: Ayah 41] Establishment on earth can be achieved by following Allah’s commands and the peak of that is to establish the prayer. Establishment on earth cannot be achieved by spreading corruption or new innovations. It cannot be achieved by killing Muslims, fighting those who should be secure like the civilians. Establishment on the earth has a clear methodology: it neccisitates building, not destroying, and reforming, not corrupting. It is so sad to see some people who believe that spreading corruption is a type of jihaad.

May Allah the Almighty protect those who guard security and those who guard morality.


Oh Allah, show us the truth as true, and grant us the ability to follow it. And show us the evil as wrong, and help us to avoid it.

Oh our Lord, do not misguide our hearts after You have guided us, and grant us from your mercy, You are the Oft Forgiving.
May Allah have mercy on you, you must know that Allah has ordered upon you something that He has started Himself. Allah says: “Allâh and His angels send Salât on the Prophet. O you who believe! Send your Salât on him, and greet him with the Islâmic way of greeting.” [Surah Ahzaab: Ayah 56]

Oh Allah, send your peace and blessings on your Messenger, the Prophet Muhammad, on whose face is shining, the one whose forehead is light. Oh Allah, be pleased with the rightly guides khulafa, Abu Bakr, ‘Umar, Uthmaan and ‘Ali.


Oh Allah, be pleased with us, all the Muslims. You are the Ever Living, the Eternal. And you are the Owner of glory and generousity.


Oh Allah, honor Islam and the Muslims….


Source:
http://khutaab.wordpress.com/2008/03/07/enjoining-good-and-forbidding-evil/
(Jawhara's site )

 

[BintAbee]

Merits of the Beloved
Sheikh Saalih aal Taalib
Rabee ath Thaani 5, 1429 ~ April 11, 2008

All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the ‘Alamîn, The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. The Only Owner of the Day of Recompense. [Surah Fatiha: Ayaah 1-3] We praise Him, beseech Him for help and forgiveness, and seek refuge in Him from the evil of ourselves and from our bad deeds. Indeed whoever Allah guides, he can never go astray; and whoever Allah allows to go astray, there is none to guide him. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, the One God who has no partners. And I testify that Muhammad is Allah’s servant and messenger. He brought all that is good and warned against all that is evil. May Allah’s peace and blessings be on him, his family, his companions, and all those who follow them in righteousness until the day of Judgment.

Fellow Muslims, fear Allah and keep in mind that He watches over you, so submit yourselves to Allah and avoid all that He forbids. Allah says “Oh you who believe! Fear Allâh and keep your duty to Him. And let every person look to what he has sent forth for the morrow, and fear Allâh. Verily, Allâh is All-Aware of what you do.” [Surah Hashr: Ayah 18] The fear of Allah is the means of attaining the good things of this life and overcoming its troubles. Allah says “…And whosoever fears Allâh and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out..” [Surah Talaaq: Ayah 2]


Our topic today is a topic that every Muslim likes and enjoys talking about. It is about the best character and personality which is the Prophet’s (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) character. We intend by talking about the Prophet’s (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) character to open our hearts up for the love of Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) and renew our faith and sincerity to him. The Prophet’s (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) character has so many noble aspects and so we may not be able to include them all today.

Fellow Muslims, when we talk about the Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) we seek to increase our faith in him and strengthen our love for him in addition to other things we are required to achieve as true Muslims. All this is intended to make us follow the Prophet’s (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) teachings, abide by what he enjoined, and avoid what he had forbidden. Though we believe that the Prophet Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) is a human we also believe that Allah the Almighty created him with the noblest character and the best of appearances. The Prophet Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) has the noblest lineage and was raised in the best of Allah’s lands. The Prophet Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) is the best person and belonged to the best of tribes which was Quraysh. Makkah, where the Prophet Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam), is the most beloved place to Allah and all people. Muhammad ibn ‘Abdullah (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) is Allah’s Prophet. He is the most honorable human of whom hearts are filled with love towards. May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him.

It is the Prophet Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) who used to have the best of appearances and the noblest character. Indeed Prophet Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) is free of all imperfections. Umm Ma’bad described him saying

“A great light is shining on his face, he has a lovely countenance, the nobility of his character is clear, he is very smart, and has a good physique. He is black haired and black eyed. He appears to wear kohl on his eyes. He doesn’t have a large waist. His head is not large. He has long eyelashes. He has a soft voice. He has a long neck. He has a heavy beard. He has a long, rounded, and knitted eyebrows. He is clear. He isn’t talkative or over silent. His words flow like beads on a string. He is of a medium height, not very tall, nor very short.“

‘Ali (Radiallahu Anhu) described the Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) saying

“His face was pink and rosy, and black eyed with long eyelashes. He had a flowing gait as if he was walking along a straight path. If he turned around, all his body would turn. Between his shoulders was the seal of prophethood. He was very generous. He was very courageous. He was the most truthful and honest. He was of the sweetest temper. When you see him for the first time you may fear him, and if you mix with him you would love him. If you are asked to describe him, you would say, I didn’t see anyone like him ever before and I think there is none like him.“

Abu Tufayl (Radiallahu Anhu) said:

“He had a fair and lovely countenance.“

Anas ibn Maalik (Radiallahu Anhu) said:

“He was very generous. His face was pink and rosy. He was black haired, except for a few gray hairs on his cheeks.“

Baraa’ (Radiallahu Anhu) said:

“He used to have wide shoulders and long hair. If he wore red clothing no one would see anyone more beautiful than him. His countenance had shining light as that of the moonlight.“

Jaabir (Radiallahu Anhu) said:

“The Prophet’s (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) laughter was just smiles. He used to appear as if he is wearing kohl while he is not. In the eve of the Battle of Badr I saw him. He was wearing a red shirt. I kept looking at him and at the moon. Actually in my eyes he was more beautiful than the moon.“

Abu Hurayrah (Radiallahu Anhu) said:

“I have never seen anything more beautiful than the Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam). His face was so shining as that of the sunlight. No one was more faster than the Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) in walking. It would seem as though the earth was being paved for him. When walking with him we would get tired while he was okay.“

Ibn ‘Abbas (Radiallahu Anhu) said

“The Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) had pearly white teeth. Whenever he spoke you would feel like light was emitting from his teeth.“

Anas (Radiallahu Anhu) said:

“I didn’t touch silk or cloth softer than the Prophet’s (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) skin. And I didn’t smell a fragrance nicer than that of the Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam).“

When the Messenger of Allah (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) came to Madeenah people came out to recieve him. Amongst the people was ‘Abdullah ibn Salaam, who came out to see the Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam). At that time ‘Abdullah ibn Salaam was Jewish scholar. ‘Abdullah ibn Salaam said, “When I saw the Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) I realized that he would never be a liar.“

These are a few features of our Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) that prove that he had the best appearance. As far as the morals of the Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) he used to have the noblest character in this regard. It is enough that Allah the Almighty testified to his morality by saying “And verily, you (O Muhammad SAW) are on an exalted (standard of) character.” [Surah Qalaam: Ayah 4] In the same context the Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said “My God cared for me, and how good Allah’s care is.” This is why the Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) set the best examples of nobility in all regards.

All the time you find the Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) optimistic and easy. He used to be lenient with people. He never uttered a lewd word. He was never harsh, nor did he exaggerate in praising others. Never did he criticize, nor did he make fun of others, nor violate their privacy. He used to be gentle to people and overlook their mistakes. Patience was a distinctive manner of his character. Whenever the Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) had to make a choice between two things, he would choose the easiest unless it was a sin. If it was a sin, the Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) used to keep himself away from it. Never would the Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) retaliate except that when Allah’s law was violated, a case in which he would be in rage for the sake of Allah.

The Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) had a great kindness and generosity. He used to give in charity without fearing poverty, so the Prophet’s (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) generosity used to be something more flowing than a continuous stream of fresh water. The Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) used to establisj justice all the way. The Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) used to have the highest degree of modesty. He was the most truthful and honest. Before the Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) took his mission he was known as the most truthful and honest person. The Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) was the bravest. He overcame all hardships and difficulties he faced and proved to be steadfast. ‘Ali (Radiallahu Anhu) said “The Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) was the most modest.“

Whenever the Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) was upset, it would show on his face. The Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) would not stare at people. He was modest, soft, and humble. He used to visit the poor and sit with them. He used to mix with the people. He would come to his companions. He would hate for anyone to stand up for him in respect like the standing for kings. ‘Aysha (Radiallahu Anha) said “The Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) used to clean his footwear, fix his torn clothes, milk his goat, and help in house burdens like anyone.” The Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) would fulfill his promise and keep good relation with his relatives. The Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) would have a lot of mercy and compassion towards people. In this regard, Allah the Almighty says “Verily, there has come unto you a Messenger from amongst yourselves. It grieves him that you should receive any injury or difficulty. He is anxious over you, for the believers (he SAW is) full of pity, kind, and merciful.” [Surah Tawbah: Ayah 128] Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) was a mercy that made all peoples heart meet on loving him. May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him.

Allah says “And by the Mercy of Allâh, you dealt with them gently…” [Surah Ale 'Imraan: Ayah 159] The Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) used to be a sincere friend and would smile at others. Jaabir (Radiallahu Anhu) said “The Messenger of Allah (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) never prevented me from meeting him since I accepted Islam. Nor did he meet me but that he smiled.” The Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) used to renounce the worldly pleasures though they were accessible for him. He wasn’t attached to the pleasures of this world until death. When he died, his armor was being mortgaged with a Jew for a sum of money he borrowed to satisfy his family needs. He (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) used to say “Oh Allah, provide the family of Muhammad just with that which satisfies their basic needs.” [Saheeh Bukhari and Muslim] ‘Aysha (Radiallahu Anha) said “Never did the Messenger of Allah (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) eat his fill for three consecutive days until he died.” She also said “The Messenger of Allah (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) did not leave property behind to be inherited.” She also said “He used to have a mattress of leather stuffed with straw to sleep on.“

The Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) used to set the best example of the fear of Allah. He used to stand in prayer at night. He used to shed tears out of fear of Allah. He used to keep standing in prayer until his feet were swollen. It would be said to him “Why do you exert yourself in devotion while you had your sins ,past and future, forgiven?” He used to reply “Shall I not be a grateful servant of Allah?” [Saheeh Bukhari and Muslim]

‘Abdullah ibn Masud (Radiallahu Anhu) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) once told him to read. Abdullah ibn Masud (Radiallahu Anhu) said the Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said to me “I like listening to the Quran from others.” So ‘Abdullah ibn Masud (Radiallahu Anhu) embarked on reciting Surah Nisaa until he reached the ayah “How (will it be) then, when We bring from each nation a witness and We bring you (O Muhammad SAW) as a witness against these people?” [Ayah 41] Hereupon the Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said to ‘Abdullah ibn Masud (Radiallahu Anhu) “Stop here.” ‘Abdullah ibn Masud (Radiallahu Anhu) said “When I turned my eyes up to the Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) I found tears falling down his face.” [Saheeh Bukhari and Muslim] This is our beloved Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) and such a few aspects of his character.

Words fail to express the nobility of the Prophet’s (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) character. It is the duty of Muslims to adhere to the teachings of the Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) and follow his guidance. Indeed the world does not know anyone like the Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam). Indeed we inherited from the Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) the heritage that we have to take pride in and introduce to all civilizations. Allah says “Indeed in the Messenger of Allâh (Muhammad SAW) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes for (the Meeting with) Allâh and the Last Day and remembers Allâh much.” [Surah Ahzaab: Ayah 21]

Oh servants of Allah, I ask Allah to bless you and me with the noble Quran and to benefit us from what it includes of clear signs and judicious speech. This is what I say and I ask Allah’s forgiveness for you, me, and all Muslims. So ask Him to forgive you and seek His protection from Shaytaan, indeed He is the Most Merciful, Oft Forgiving.

All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the ‘Alamîn, The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. The Only Owner of the Day of Recompense. [Surah Fatiha: Ayaah 1-3] I bear witness that there is God worthy of worship except Allah, the True God who has no partner in worship. Allah is the King and the Clear Truth. And I bear witness that Muhammad is Allah’s servant and messenger. He is the most truthful and the most honest. May Allah’s peace and blessing be upon Muhammad, his family, companions, and all those who followed them in righteousness until the day of Judgment.

Fellow Muslims, Prophet Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) has a great position is Allah’s sight. So Allah made him the best human. Allah selected Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) from amongst all humans for His mission. It is Allah who recieved Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) in the heavens when he ascended. In this regard, you can read Allah’s statement “By the star when it goes down, (or vanishes). Your companion (Muhammad SAW) has neither gone astray nor has erred. Nor does he speak of (his own) desire. It is only a Revelation revealed. He has been taught (this Qur’ân) by one mighty in power [Jibril].” [Surah Najm: Ayaah 1-5] In Jerusalem, Prophet Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) led all other Prophets of Allah in salaah. Then he ascended to the heavens until he reached the lote tree, a place very near to Allah the Almighty’s Throne. Above the heavens Prophet Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) met Allah and asked Him reduce the number of the obligatory prayers and Allah responded to his request. In this situation, Prophet Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said to Musa (Alayhi Salaam) “Oh Musa, I kept asking Allah to reduce the number of the obligatory daily prayers until I felt ashamed of Him.” It is Allah who cleansed Prophet Muhammad’s (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) heart from all that is evil, forgave his sins, and exalted his mention. Allah says “Have We not opened your breast for you (O Muhammad (SAW))? And removed from you your burden, Which weighed down your back? And have We not raised high your fame?” [Surah Sharh: Ayaah 1-4]

Allah associated His name with Muhammad’s name in the call to prayer and in the article of faith. Allah says “Believe in Allah and His messenger” in His Book repeatedly. The obedience to Allah is associated to the obedience to His messenger Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam). Allah says “Obey Allah and His Messenger.” Allah also says “Whoever obeys the Messenger, indeed obeys Allah.” Allah confers His peace and blessing upon Muhammad and the angels pray to Allah for same thing. Allah says: “Allâh and His angels send Salât on the Prophet.” [Surah Ahzaab: Ayah 56] Allah sent Prophet Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) as a witness over all humans, as He says “O Prophet (Muhammad SAW)! Verily, We have sent you as witness, and a bearer of glad tidings, and a warner, And as one who invites to Allâh by His Leave, and as a lamp spreading light.” [Surah Ahzaab: Ayaah 45-46] Allah spoke gently with Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam). Allah says to him “May Allâh forgive you (O Muhammad SAW). Why did you grant them leave [from the fighting]…” [Surah Tawbah: Ayah 43] Allah promised to give Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) what he wants of good things until he is pleased. Allah says “And verily, your Lord will give you (all good) so that you shall be well-pleased.” [Surah Dhuha: Ayah 5] And Allah says “And verily, for you (O Muhammad SAW) will be an endless reward.” [Surah Qalam: Ayaah 3] Allah has promised to look after Muhammad and defend him. Allah says to Muhammad “Truly! We will suffice you against the scoffers.” [Surah Hijr: Ayah 95] Allah also says to Muhammad “Allâh will protect you from mankind.” [Surah Ma'idah: Ayah 67] And Allah also says “So wait patiently (O Muhammad SAW) for the Decision of your Lord, for verily, you are under Our Eyes…” [Surah Tuur: Ayah 48]

The Prophet’s (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) life kept the world secure against destruction and ruin. Allah the Almighty forgave Prophet Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) his past and future sins. Allah guided Prophet Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) and supported him. Allah sent Prophet Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) as a mercy for the whole world. Allah says “And We have sent you (O Muhammad SAW) not but as a mercy for the ‘Alamîn.” [Surah Anbiya: Ayah 107] A prophet like Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) can never be harmed by abuse or insults. The love of Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) wells up in the hearts of Muslims. Muhammad’s (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) position in Allah’s sight is very great. This is the clear truth that can never be removed by mere false accusations.

Oh Allah, fill our hearts with the love of Prophet Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam). Oh Allah, we turn unto you against those who abuse Prophet Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam). Oh Allah, make us follow the traditions of the Prophet (salawatullahi wa salaamuhu alayh).

Fellow Muslims, always remember that Allah has commanded you to invoke His peace and blessings on Prophet Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam), the seal of the prophets and the mercy of Allah all mankind. Allah says: “Allâh and His angels send Salât on the Prophet. O you who believe! Send your Salât on him, and greet him with the Islâmic way of greeting.” [Surah Ahzaab: Ayah 56]

Oh Allah, confer your peace and blessings on your servant and messenger Muhammad, and be please with the four rightly guided khulafa Abu Bakr, ‘Umar, Uthmaan, and ‘Ali, as well as the Prophet’s household, all his companions, the tabi’een, and those who have followed them in doing good deeds until the day of Judgment. And be pleased with us along with them by your Grace, Bounty, and Benovelance….

Source:
http://khutaab.wordpress.com/2008/04/11/merits-of-the-beloved/#more-20
(Jawhara's site )

 

[BintAbee]

The status of the child in Islam

Sheikh Saalih aal Taalib

December 24, 2010 ~ Muharram 18, 1432

First Khutbah

All praise is due to Allah. All praise is due to Allah whose praise no praiser can encompass and whose bounties no counter can count and no observer can encompass. He has granted bounties to His creation. So he made them between (being) a son and a father and He is exempt in His being so He did not take a wife nor a child and he did not have a father in what has passed. And I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone. He has no partner. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and messenger, the noblest prophet and the noblest worshipper. May Allah’s salutations, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, companions and those after them and those that follow them in goodness until the Day of Judgement.

Thereafter, O Muslims: Verily the sacrificial advice is that of Taqwa, so hold onto it secretly and quietly, Allah will be with you in every condition and He will always grant you the best possessions.

“O Mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife [Hawwa (Eve)], and from them both He created many men and women and fear Allah through Whom you demand your mutual (rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship). Surely Allah is Ever an All-Watcher over you” [Nisaa; Verse 1]

O Muslims: In our houses and under the roofs of our homes are tender humans and many wings. And in the branches of our trees are soft sticks and emerging buds. Verily these buds do not flower and the flowers do not bear fruit thereafter. They are the children; fruits of the heart; parts of the liver. Our children are incapable under our ability; and poor, shadowed by our strength; and they are the future, depending on our present; and life, formed and formulated by our rearing and they are thereafter everything. They are some of the present and all of the future.

Childhood – O Muslims – is a cave by which the elderly are accommodated so they wash their worries in the innocence of their children and they exalt the beauty of life in the smiles of their children. The most eloquent expression demanding love is the stutter of a child. And the most conveying of calls recruiting love is the lisp of the young.

“Wealth and children are the adornment of the life of this world” [Kahf; Verse 46]

And they are favourable bounties between our hands, morning strength for us and fragrance. And surely the law of Allah came offering childhood its rights, surrounding the abstract and physical rights of the child, from the time its being formed a foetus until it reaches manhood.

The psychological and abstract care of children has been shown in the life of our prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and in his directives. For he would joke with the children, and feed the orphans and pass (his hand) over their heads and he said: “Myself and the one who cares for an orphan will be in Paradise like these two” and he said: “Whoever provides for two slave girls, he and I will enter Paradise like these two” and he showed his two fingers. And he said: “He is not of us, who does not have mercy on our young”. And he ordered children to be protected against playing when the devils are out and about, and he hastened his prayer when he heard a child’s cry, and he forbid that a female slave be separated from her child in selling.

In fact, his laws included (peace be upon him) even the children of animals. He ordered the one who took the chick of a bird to return it, and he said: “Who shocked this with (regards to) her child” just as he prohibited separating a sheep from her child.

Even he (peace be upon him) protected the rights of the foetuses even if it was illegitimate. He ordered a lady that had committed adultery to go until she delivers her child and he delayed executing the punishment due to protecting the right of the child. When she delivered her child, he ordered her to return until she completed nursing (breastfeeding) him for two years.

In fact, in the most important obligation of religion and the greatest he (peace be upon him) used to pray while carrying Umamah, the daughter of his daughter Zainab (may Allah be pleased with them both). And he used to pray while carrying Hasan, the son of his daughter Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with them both). And when he prostrated (peace be upon him) then Hasan mounted his back. He prolonged his prostration for him, and when he was asked about that, he said: “Verily this son of mine made me his mount and I disliked rushing him until he had satisfied his wish”.

His devoutness to his Lord and his standing in His presence did not prevent him from kind treatment to children and considering their feelings.

O You Muslims: Is there a need to remind about childhood and children and their rights and to create awareness about them, despite the natural disposition calling towards that, and being naturally driven and inclined as well?!

It is said with much grief-: Yes. Despite much good produced by modern civilization, however there are behavioural patterns and phenomena that are no longer hidden. We are now realising them in our societies. And they were not in them before.

Under daily life stressors, the abundance of psychiatric illnesses and the boldness to abuse psychotropic substances, you find the spring of love has decreased in the hearts of some fathers and mothers. The severity of autumn has caused the leaves of love to fall in their souls. Their humanity is alienated between their wings and the first sacrifices for that alienation are the children.

How many violated childhoods and slain innocences among the walls of the houses and schools? Children are exposed to forms of stress and physical violence. You see that five-year-old’s eyes with its pure water and its innocent glow turning towards his father approaching him. And his soft heart batters on the sight of his father, waiting for a hug or kiss from him, but the sting of fire blows him or a severe beating catches him. And the weapon of the child – and O his weapon – broken groans and rattling sighs and the helper and aider is absent.

Use – O listener – the imagination of a poet or mighty literature to describe what this child is feeling and how all the joys of life are buried in himself. And in his imagination, every beautiful thing that reaches his dreamy mind is decreased.

And there’s a child whose troubled mother does not find someone to offload her troubles on except the body of her child. And how many examples of these violations occur in our society and how many exercise this brutality in their houses and no family or neighbours know about it. The fathers have abused their children and the wives have disciplined the children of their husbands. And the children are not safe from harm even from the domestic workers. And those who live from amongst them live a distorted humanity, dressed with aggression. He has a dark future and he might take up crime and deviation so he loses himself and the society loses him.

O Muslims: Verily these manifestations are not – with the praise of Allah – widespread and common but quite a few are present. And verily from the greatest type of satisfaction is that the society deals with lifting oppression from this group, especially if the oppression is occurring among relatives.

And the oppression of relatives is the greatest torture

on the self (more) than the impact of an Indian sword

It is imperative to be alert with regard to the young who are affected by psychiatric illnesses or are involved in psychotropic substances, especially the child that is a victim and tortured. When it occurs you don’t hear him expressing and revealing what he has been afflicted with. And these assaults are digging trenches in him. And the tortured child is unable to complain but his tongue is able to say a lot. And the young do not forget. And the insults of childhood do not heal. And if sorrow does not rectify them then it is about to end in death.

And these centres and houses that aid in protecting children and educating fathers and mothers are a good phenomenon. Their organizers are doing a great good. They should be supported, communicated with and praised.

Servants of Allah: There is another page in the book of child torture. Its title: Marital Disputes. When satan is present between spouses and each one intends abuse towards the other and the eyes of the children are looking and waiting and their souls are upset and bleeding and they see verbal abuse from the father towards their mother or a psychological insult from the mother towards their father or physical assault from one of them on the other. Verily childhood – then – is in vain. And in its hours, psychological complexes grow in the dark. The child’s glow of life fades and this applies to his indifference to education. And his future becomes dim in his sight. There’s no dream that flirts with him and no hope that entices him.

The days are scarred in his eyes and the meaning of motherhood and fatherhood has deteriorated in his view. And the two parents couldn’t care less. They are competing as to who is worse and which of them is more prominent in injuring their children with no healing.

O you disputing spouses: Verily Allah – Glorified and Majestic – has laid down times when children do not enter on their parents so that their eyes do not see what they do not know about being permissible. Is it not more deserving that we avert from the sight of our children and we dismiss their knowledge regarding the negative relationship between their parents, so that they live in a clean environment and a happy psychological state.

Verily, differences have etiquettes and arguments have boundaries and there’s no victim here to overcome except the trespasser himself and his family and all of their futures.

As for after divorce and separation, then there arises the question of maintenance of the children and visiting one of the parents. And how many times in this issue are there pictures of whose ink is disheartening and of whose colours are troubling while Allah says: “No mother shall be treated unfairly on account of her child, nor father on account of his child” [Baqarah; Verse 233]

And how many a child is made to be absent from his mother while he has committed no sin except the dispute which he was not part of, but is punished for. And the prophet (peace be upon him) says: “Whoever separates a mother from her child, Allah will separate him from his beloveds on the Day of Resurrection” [Narrated by Ahmad; classified as Saheeh by al –Haakim]

So which sin has prohibited the child from the love of his mother or meeting his father while he is part of them both and he should not do away with one compared to the other, no matter what the one has done. The child should be able to see his parents and to contact them when he wishes, without reckoning or harassment. Under no circumstances should the separation between parents be a call to raise the child on the ingratitude of one of them or the lack of goodness towards the other.

O you who has been through divorce, both fathers and mothers! Do not forget favours between you. And fear Allah with regards to your children. Verily your disputes are an elongated rope of whose ends are in your hands and at the centre is a knot curled around the neck of the child. Every time one of the parents tightens the pull, the knot grips the neck of the child, knowing that usually in disputes between parents, the loser has more goodness than the winner.

How many fathers evade and decrease the maintenance of their children, or escape from it, not for anything except to enrage their mother. So how does he expect the obedience of his children after that and hope for their dua and their charity on him when they grow up?!

O Muslims: And among the widespread pictures of torture is shouting and screaming at the child and threatening and intimidating him, and excessively rebuking and scolding him. And this is what fathers, mothers and teachers are careless about. And they portray their angry feelings without realising the destructive consequences to the psychology of the child. Intimidation and threats produce an unstable personality and a troubled psychology. Behold! Fear Allah in their His advice “Allah advises you as regards your children” [Nisaa; Verse 11] and everyone should fear Allah in their flock, for everyone will be asked and reckoned with.

O Allah bless us in the Book (Quraan) and Sunnah, and make us benefit from their verses and wisdom. I say these words of mine and I ask Allah to forgive me and you.

Second Khutbah

All praise be to Allah as He ought to be praised and the most loyal (praise). And salutations and greetings be upon His messenger and His chosen one. And I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone. He has no partner. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and messenger. May Allah’s salutations, peace and blessings be upon him and on his family, companions and those associated.

O Muslims: The mistakes of children are forgiven and their sins are pardoned. Allah has lifted the pens of compulsion from them, so you should lift the methods of violence from them. Take a stand between violence and weakness in the position of resoluteness and give due appreciation to the young of age and the love of fun. And if the child is not hit for prayer which is a pillar of religion except if he is ten years old and beyond and after he has been commanded hundreds of times, then how can a two- or three-year old child be hit, or a five- or seven-year old. Should he be naturally troubled or be in innocent fun?!

And for you in the guidance of the prophet (peace be upon him) is a good example. On the authority of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) he said: “I served the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) for ten years. During that time, he never once said to me as much as ‘uff’ if I did something wrong. He never asked me, if I had failed to do something, ‘Why did you not do it?’ and he never said to me, if I had done something wrong, ‘Why did you do it?’” [Narrated by Bukhari]. And the wording in Abu Dawud: Anas said: “I served the Prophet (peace be upon him) at Medina for ten years. I was a boy. Every work that I did was not according to the desire of my master, but he never said to me: ‘uff’, nor did he say to me: Why did you do this? or Why did you not do this?“

Hafith ibn Hajar said: “The benefit of this: leaving out admonition for what has been missed because it is inevitable and can be called for if needed. It is also disliked for the tongue to snap and vilify and falsely allege against the servant. And this is with regards to humans. As for religious obligations, then there should be no overlooking, because this falls under enjoining good and forbidding evil”.

Servants of Allah: There’s no dispute regarding the early correction of mistakes of children when they err but it should be corrected in a manner that is constructive, not destructive and should be politely, not harshly. And for us in the prophet (peace be upon him) is an example. On the authority of Umar bin Abi Salamah, he said: “I was a boy under the care of Allah’s Apostle and my hand used to go around the dish while I was eating. So Allah’s Apostle said to me, ‘O boy! Mention the name of Allah and eat with your right hand, and eat of the dish what is nearer to you.’ Since then I have applied those instructions when eating.” [Agreed upon]

And on the authority of Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), that Hasan bin Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) took a date from the dates of charity and put it in his mouth. The Prophet said, “Expel it from your mouth. Don’t you know that we do not eat a thing which is given in charity?” [Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim]

And Tabarani narrated on the authority of Zainab bint Abi Salamah that she entered on the prophet (peace be upon him) while he was bathing. She said: “So he took a handful of water and splashed it in my face and said: ‘Go back, O small one’.

So look at how he taught Umar bin Abi Salamah the etiquette of eating and how he taught Hasan piety and he taught Zainab the etiquette of seeking permission and refraining from looking at the prohibited. And ponder over how the teaching was in a method understood by the young, with one word or a short, concise clear sentence, easy to memorise and understand, without humiliation or insult and without blame or scolding, without scowling or blaming. More virtuous than hitting the young or praying against them and this is a dangerous matter, because if the supplication coincides with an hour of acceptance then the one who supplicated will be regretful at a time when regret will not benefit.

And the prophet (peace be upon him) says: “Do not supplicate against yourselves. And do not supplicate against your children. And do not supplicate against your wealth. Perhaps an hour from Allah when He is asked anything and it is granted might correspond and you will be answered” [Narrated by Muslim]

And this is his etiquette (peace be upon him) even with the elders. Mu’awiya bin al Hakam (may Allah be pleased with him) said – and he spoke during the prayer – : “May my father and mother be sacrificed. I have not seen a teacher before him nor after him better in teaching than him. By Allah he did not rebuke me, nor hit me, nor abuse me. He said: ‘It is not fitting to have any speech from people in the prayer. It is only glorification and proclaiming the greatness of Allah and reciting the Qur’aan” [Narrated by Muslim]

And on the authority of Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), he said: “I went along with Allah’s messenger (peace be upon him) at a time during the day but he did not talk to me and I did not talk to him until he reached the market of Banu Qaynuqaa’. He came back to the tent of Fatimah and said: ‘Is the little chap (meaning Hasan) there?’ We were under the impression that his mother had detained him in order to bathe him and dress him and garland him with sweet garland. Not much time had passed that he (Hasan) came running until both of them embraced each other, thereupon Allah’s messenger (peace be upon him) said: ‘O Allah, I love him; so love him and love the one who loves him” [From Bukhari and Muslim] and this is the wording in Muslim. And the wording in Bukhari: then he came running until he embraced him and kissed him.

And he said (peace be upon him) to a man who never used to kiss his children: “I cannot put mercy in your heart after Allah has taken it away from it” [Narrated by Muslim]

And on the authority of Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him), he said: “I have not seen anyone more merciful to children than the messenger of Allah (peace be upon him).” He said: “His son Ibraheem was in the care of a wet nurse in the hills around Madeenah. He would go there, and we would go with him, and he would enter the house, pick up his son and kiss him, then come back. [Narrated by Muslim]

And Ibn Hibban has recorded in his saheeh on the authority of Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: “The prophet (peace be upon him) used to stick out his tongue at Hasan bin Ali and the lad used to see the redness of his tongue and he used to rush towards him”.

And on the authority of Mahmood bin Rabee’ who said: “When I was a boy of five, I remember, the prophet (peace be upon him) took water from a bucket with his mouth and threw it on my face.” [Agreed upon].

This is his guidance so act upon it and this is the messenger so follow his footsteps.

Then send salutations and peace on the best of the best and the purest of mankind. O Allah send your salutations, peace and blessings on your slave and messenger Muhammad and on his pure, good family and his companions, the best of personalities. And be happy O Allah with the guided leaders and the rightly guided khulafa: Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali and all the other companions of your prophet and those who follow their ways and emulate their methods O Lord of the worlds.

O Allah grant honour to Islam and the Muslims……

Source: http://khutaab.wordpress.com/2012/05/16/the-status-of-the-child-in-islam/

 

[BintAbee]

Contemplations and lessons from the story of Yusuf (عليه السلام)

Sheikh Saalih aal Taalib
May 11, 2012 ~ Jumadal Akhirah 20, 1433

First Khutbah
Surely all praise is due to Allah. We praise Him, seek help and forgiveness from Him and We seek His protection from the evil of our souls and from our evil deeds. Whoever Allah guides, then there is no misguidance for him and whoever Allah leads astray, then there is no guidance for him. And I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone. He has no partner. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger. May Allah’s salutations, peace and blessings be on him and on his good, pure family and his companions, the fortunate personalities, and those who came after them and those who follow them in goodness until the Day of Judgement.

Thereafter:

I advise you – O people – and myself to fear Allah. For taqwa is the lifeline and it is a barrier against trials, and with it there is help at the time of hardships and tribulations.

“No doubt! Verily the Auliya of Allah (those who believe in Oneness of Allah and fear Him and love Him), no fear shall come upon them nor shall they grieve, Those who believed, and used to fear Allah much For them are glad tidings, in the life of the present world, and in the Hereafter. No change can there be in the Words of Allah, this is indeed the supreme success.” [Yunus; Verse 62 – 64]

O Muslims:

O you patient and steadfast ones – and O you troubled ones! Verily with the long length of night and the aggravation of wounds, optimism is beautified. And in the midst of sadness, tales of solace are wished for. And during pains, hopes are born. And when hardships become severe, and when calamities become widespread, and the evildoer dominates and the victor becomes rare – then the way of Allah in His Quran (is that) before victory there are stories that send hope and liven up the souls and purify them with faith.

And whatever afflicts a believer of wounds or troubles is nothing except a norm that has passed by the sincere friend before; raising ranks; decreasing the sins; examining the hearts; and distinguishing the believing nation. “If a wound has touched you, be sure a similar wound has touched the others. And so are the days, We give to men by turns, that Allah may test those who believe, and that He may take martyrs from among you. And Allah likes not the wrong-doers. And that Allah may test the believers and destroy the disbelievers.” [Aal Imraan; Verse 140-141]

And in the biography of our prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him – are signs and lessons. And in the most critical and severe of times in Makkah, three years before the migration, Khadeejah – may Allah be pleased with her – passed away, and she was a true advisor to Islam. The beloved prophet would complain to her and seek support from her. And his paternal uncle Abu Talib passed away and he was a prevention for him and a helper against his nation. And people found the incident of Israa (night journey) strange so they belied him (prophet), and some who had become Muslim apostatised. And da’wah (calling to Islam) regressed until no one was entering into Islam.

And the Prophet – peace be upon him – called that year: The Year of Sadness. And the Quraysh ventured against the Prophet – peace be upon him. And war against him had reached to its furthest extent. And the messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – was suffering from loneliness and foreignness – and the group of Muslims suffered this hardship with him.

So Allah the Exalted revealed Sura Israa and Furqaan, then Sura Yunus was revealed, then Sura Hood and in them was steadfastness and pleasure and the stories of the prophets and their information with their nations and the days spent with them and the success of the Truth and its people – whatever strengthened the determination of the prophet – peace be upon him – and his believing group. And at the end of Sura Hood: “And all that We relate to you (O Muhammad –peace be upon him) of the news of the messengers is in order that We may make strong and firm your heart thereby. And in this (chapter of the Quraan has come to you the truth, as well as admonition and a reminder for the believers.” [Hood; Verse 120]

And after these Suras and in that sad time, Sura Yusuf was revealed. It was a balm, love and mercy from Allah and a solace. And it was the last of the beautiful stories.

Sura Yusuf, in it are scenes of pain and hope, and the bitterness of separation and the sweetness of meeting. In it are tales of despondence and certainty, and oppression and subjugation, and trials and patience, then success and victory. In it is revenge and pardoning and forgiving. In it is hope and Dua and stability after trials, and good consequences for the pious and the patient.

In Sura Yusuf, the wisdom and decree of Allah is manifested, and his planning and secrets in a narrative style not heard of before by the world. “Alif-Lam-Raa. These are the verses of the clear Book. Verily, We have sent it down as an Arabic Quran in order that you may understand. We relate unto you (Muhammad – peace be upon him) the best of stories through Our revelations unto you, of this Quran. And before this (revelation) you were among those who knew nothing about it (Quran).” [Yusuf; Verse 1-3]. Allah relates to His noble prophet the story of his noble brother: Yusuf ibn Ya’qub ibn Ishaaq ibn Ibraheem – peace and salutations of Allah be upon all of them. And he was suffering many kinds of tribulations and hardships: the tribulation of the plotting of the brothers; the tribulation of the well and fear and intimidation in it; and the tribulation of slavery and he was transferred like a commodity from hand to hand against his wish and he had no protection and no care from his parents or family.

And the tribulation of the plot of the wife of Azeez (ruler of Egypt) and the women. And before this the hardship of seduction and the trial of lust. And the tribulation of prison after a comfortable and tender life in the palace of Azeez. Then the tribulation of prosperity and full authority in his hands while he was ruling over the livelihoods of people and their throats, and in his hands was a bit of bread that sustained them. And the trial of human emotions when he met, after that, his brothers who threw him in the well and who were the apparent reason for all these tribulations and hardships.

So it is not strange that this Sura – with whatever it contains of the story of this noble prophet and of the commentaries on it after that that was revealed to the messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – and the Muslims with him in Makkah at that particular time – that it was a consolation and a pleasure, and peace and steadfastness for the persecuted expatriates.

But as if in this there was a hint about the exit from Makkah to another land where there will be victory and stability, even though leaving was disliked under threat, just as Yusuf was taken out from the lap of his father to face all these hardships. Then he ended up after that with victory and stability. “Thus did We establish Yusuf in the land, that We might teach him the interpretation of events. And Allah has full power and control over His affairs, but most of men know not.” [Yusuf; Verse 21]

The verse of stability came in between mentioning Yusuf when he was being sold as a slave. And this Sura came and in all its stages of narration is a confirmation of faith, firm belief and certainty in the Lord of the worlds, and good consequences for the pious.

And at the time that Yusuf was thrown in the well, and sold, and the intention of the plot against him, Allah the Exalted said: “And Allah has full power and control over His affairs, but most of men know not.” [Yusuf; Verse 21]. So the brothers of Yusuf wished a matter for him and Allah wished a matter for him – and when Allah has full control over His affairs and is Dominant, then His affairs will surely be disposed. As for the brothers of Yusuf – they owned none of their affairs, so it escaped from their hands and was disposed against their wishes. “but most of men know not” – They do not know that the way of Allah will come to pass and that His affairs will occur.

And when Yusuf was about to lean towards a mortal – mentioning his being oppressed to the king – his retribution was that he remained in prison for several years. His Lord wished to teach him how to cut off all means, and to hold fast to His means alone; that He does not make His needs fulfilled at the hands of a servant; and not through means attached to a servant. And this is from His selection and His Generosity.

Verily, the pious servants of Allah should be sincere to Him – Glorified is He – and their leadership should call unto Him alone and they should call unto Him – Glorified is He – to map out their pathways. And when they fail to their human weaknesses in the first case regarding the choice of this method they should prefer Allah – Glorified is He – then He will make them overpower it (weakness) until they know Him and experience Him and they commit to Him thereafter in obedience, pleasure, love and yearning. So He will complete His favour on them because of all of this.

Certainty (Yaqeen) is: Being proud of Allah, and peace towards Him and certainty in Him and deprived without Him and divorcing all worldly values and freedom of all its lassos (ropes), and belittling heavy matters that are controlled.

As for Ya’qub, the prophet, – he was a firm believer and a confident, patient (person). And at every moment and occasion he says: “But Allah is the Best to guard and He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy” [Yusuf; Verse 64] and he says “and I cannot avail you against Allah at all. Verily! The decision rests only with Allah. In Him I put my trust and let all those that trust, out their trust in Him.” [Yusuf; Verse 67]

And at the time of losing his three children and the pain reached its end he says: “So patience is more fitting (for me). May be Allah will bring them (back) all to me. Truly He! Only He is All-Knowing, All-Wise”. And he says: “I only complain of any grief and sorrow to Allah, and I know from Allah that which you know not. O my sons! Go you and enquire about Yusuf and his brother and never give up hope of Allah’s Mercy. Certainly no one despairs of Allah’s Mercy, except the people who disbelieve.” [Yusuf; Verse 86-87]

Verily it is the faith of the prophets and the certainty of the true believers. So never give up hope of Allah’s mercy – O you who are traumatized. And never give up hope of Allah’s victory – O you stationed ones, steadfast in the face of storms. The believers, those whose hearts are connected to Allah; whose souls are moist with His mercy, feeling His gentle breezes, do not lose hope in the mercy of Allah even if hardships encompass them, and narrowness becomes severe on them. For a believer is in mercy from the shadows of his faith; and in happiness due to the link with His Lord, and in peace due to the certainty of His Protector, even though he may be in severe difficulty or choking hardships.

O Muslims:

Surely these trials and hardships were from the planning of Allah and His Kindness, Knowledge and Mercy, until Allah gave Yusuf – peace be upon him – full authority on the earth. So he became a dear king. In his hands were the storehouses of Egypt. “Thus did We give full authority to Yusuf in the land, to take possession therein, as when or where he likes.” [Yusuf; Verse 56]. He took from it the position he wanted, and the place he wanted, in contrast to the well and whatever was in it of fears and the prison and whatever was in it of restrictions. “We bestow our mercy on who We please” so We exchanged for him difficulty with ease, narrowness with escape, and fear with safety, and restrictions with freedom, and the disgrace among people with honour and a high position. “And We make not to be lost the reward of the good doers.” Those who perfect the faith in Allah and reliance and turning to Him. And they perfect their behaviour and deeds. “And Verily, the reward of the Hereafter is better for those who believe and used to fear Allah and keep their duty to Him (by abstaining from all kinds of sins and evil deeds and by performing all kinds of good deeds)” [Yusuf; Verse 57]

And like this, Allah replaced for Yusuf the trials with that position on earth, and this glad-tidings in the Hereafter, an agreeable reward for faith, patience and good. And this is the recurrent secret of the description of Allah – Exalted in His being – that He is the All-Knowing, All-Wise. He knows the conditions. And He knows what is behind these incidents and hardships. And He brings every affair at its appropriate time, when His Wisdom is realized in the sequence of reasons and results. “It may be that you dislike a thing and Allah brings through it a great deal of good.” [Nisaa; Verse 19]

And at the end of the Sura “And We sent not before you (as messengers) any but men, whom We inspired from among the people of townships. Have they not travelled through the earth and seen what was the end of those who were before them? And Verily, the home of the Hereafter is the best for those who fear Allah and obey Him. Do you not then understand?” [Yusuf; Verse 109] “(They were reprieved) until, when the messengers gave up hope and thought that they were denied (by their people), then came to them Our help, and whomsoever We willed were delivered. And Our Punishment cannot be warded off from the people who are Mujrimoon (criminals/sinners)” [Yusuf; Verse 110] “Indeed in their stories, there is a lesson for men of understanding. It (Quraan) is not a forged statement but a confirmation of Allah’s existing Book (Taura and Injeel) and a detailed explanation of everything and a guide and a Mercy for the people who believe” [Yusuf; Verse 111]. Verily it is steadfastness with the passing of Allah’s way when the messengers lose hope and a hint to a disliked exit that precedes the desired escape.

Meanings that believing hearts are aware of so faith and certainty fill them, and patience and steadfastness. That is the way of Allah. Hardships are unavoidable and distress is unavoidable. Then victory comes after despondency from all the apparent means that people attach to. Victory comes from Allah. So those who deserve saviour are saved from the destruction that overtakes the oppressors. And they are saved from oppression and tyranny that which the haughty have brought upon them. And Allah’s strength replaces the criminals, destroying, eradicating, not stopping. And no helper or friend can block it. “Indeed in their stories, there is a lesson for men of understanding. It (Quraan) is not a forged statement but a confirmation of Allah’s existing Book (Taura and Injeel) and a detailed explaination of everything and a guide and a Mercy for the people who believe” [Yusuf; Verse 111].

May Allah bless me and you in the Book (Quran) and Sunnah, and benefit us with what is in them of verses and wisdom. I say these words of mine and I ask Allah – the Exalted – to forgive me and you.

Second Khutbah

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds. The Beneficient, the Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgement. And I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone. He has no partner. The clear Truth. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger. The truthful, the trustworthy. May Allah’s salutations, peace and blessings be on him and on all his family and companions.

Servants of Allah:

For truth and justice are words that have to be said. And condemnation of oppression without sweet talk or excuses. For verily what has occurred regarding the seizing of the Saudi diplomat in Yemen is a wrong act and an oppression and crime which neither religion nor customs condone. It is not from religion or from Jihad. And it is not enmity against just one Muslim, but it is enmity against every one representing them from this land. And an announcement for hostility and fighting for them. And our lands never answer for blackmail and they do not decline their rights. Except that the door of repentance is open, and the principle of review is discarded.

So fear Allah regarding Islam and the Muslims. For how many vices are gained due to distorted behaviours and deviant ideas.

May Allah release the captive and make the plots of the aggressors turn against them.

This; and send salutations and peace on the chosen prophet and selected messenger.

O Allah send salutations, peace and blessings on Your servant and messenger Muhammad, and on his good, pure family, and his companions, the outstanding personalities.

O Allah be pleased with the guided leaders and the rightly-guided khulafa: Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali and all the other companions of your prophet and those who follow their ways and emulate their methods, O Lord of the worlds.

O Allah grant honour to Islam and the Muslims…

Source: http://khutaab.wordpress.com/2012/06/19/contemplations-and-lessons-from-the-story-of-yusuf/

 

[BintAbee]

Marital Bliss

Sheikh Saalih aal Taalib
June 15, 2012 ~ Rajab 25, 1433

First Khutbah

All praise be to Allah. All praise be to Allah the amount that He created and shaped, and established and dispersed. And all praise be to Allah a dominating praise. “He has created man from water, and has appointed for him kindred by blood, and kindred by marriage” [Furqaan; Verse 54]. And I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone. He has no partner. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger, the best of creations without exception. May Allah’s salutations, peace and blessings be upon him and on his family, his companions and those who follow them and those who follow them in goodness until the Day of Judgement.

Thereafter:

Fear Allah – the Exalted – and obey Him. And revere His commands and do not disobey Him. “O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife [Hawwa (Eve)], and from them both He created many men and women, and fear Allah through Whom you demand (your mutual rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship). Surely, Allah is Ever an All-Watcher over you.” [Nisaa; Verse 1]. He watches your deeds. And He counts your breaths. And He numbers your days.

So if mankind knows that he will be asked about how he spent his life and how he utilized his youth, he will stick to hard work (throughout) his age and he will leave amusement (throughout) his life. “So when you have finished (your occupation) devote yourself for Allah’s worship. And to your Lord (Alone) turn (all your) intentions and hopes.” [Sharh; Verse 7-8].

O Muslims: The family, the house and the marital home is the foundation of the system of Muslim society and its nucleus. And from it is the reformation of the individual and in it is his cultivation. In addition to marriage being a natural inclination, a necessity and a natural human need, in Islam it is also a law and command, a Sunnah and a purity, an entity of which every potential is employed for its establishment, completion and reformation and to protect it from obstacles and disturbances.

And from the goals of Islam and its efforts: The establishment of a family comprising of two spouses (wife and husband); love, mercy and peace flapping in its wings; guided by legislations and instructions; and its individuals complement (it) by fulfilling responsibilities; and from it pious offspring are bred; and children are grown in its care; and its individuals share roles in helping towards goodness and piety, and integration and solidarity in realizing the goals and hopes in this world and in the Hereafter. And that is the philosophy of the family in Islam.

And understanding this natural reality in its Shar’i dimensions determines the features of marital happiness and the features of the building of a pious family. And therefore the coherent society is able to build its civilization after building its individuals and its entity.

And from here comes the importance of the command to marry and encouraging towards it. Allah – Glorified and Majestic – said: “And marry those among you who are single and (also marry)) the Salihun (pious, fit and capable ones) of your (male) slaves and maid-servants (female slaves). If they be poor, Allah will enrich them out of His Bounty.” [Noor; Verse 32]

And in the pure Sunnah the prophet – peace be upon him – says: “O group of youth! Whoever from among you can marry should do so …” [Hadeeth; narrated by Bukhari and Muslim]

O Muslims: And to build this family entity and its reformation and its protection, Sharee’ah came with a sentence of commands and prohibitions; and etiquettes and commandments; painting for houses features of their happiness and sketching for the family the path of its delight. Muslims are summoned to take it and adopt it, drawing close to Allah – the Exalted – as a protection for their houses and their societies, and reformation for their conditions.

And the need is magnified when there is much negligence, and aggravation of injuries in the houses, and the marital building cracks. And from what is hurtful is that studies and examinations indicate that the rate of divorce in the Arab and Islamic world is no less than 30% and it reaches 40% in some of our countries. These rates are alarming, requiring the initiative of the society with its organizations and individuals for more studies, solutions, plans and programs – with thanks and praise for what the organizations and associations are doing – and the positions and directions which help with regards to the family and its issues.

O Muslims: The features of happiness and success for the family come from the first building, which is choosing and deciding. For character and religion are the path of searching and the secret of happiness. And negligence in considering that is the source of misery. And in the freedom of choice, there is asking permission and seeking counsel. So no man should be compelled to take who he dislikes. And no girl should be forced to accept who she hates.

And in the Quraanic verses and prophetic instructions, there is the light of guidance of the light of what is quoted from it, and (too) from the guidance that which we do not oppose. And enough for us are these snippets and quotes:

Regarding rights and responsibilities: “And they (women) have rights similar (to those of their husbands) over them (as regards obedience and respect) to what is reasonable, but men have a degree (of responsibility) over them.” And with explaining rights and responsibilities, surely it is not (about) stinginess and accountability, but it is in (the light of) the generous instruction: “And do not forget liberality between yourselves.” [Baqarah; Verse 237]

And with regards to dealings, the prophet – peace be upon him – says: “A good word is charity” [Agreed upon]

And He –peace be upon him – says: “Smiling in the face of your brother is charity for you” [Narrated by Tirmidhi].

And on the authority of Aisha – may Allah be pleased with her – the prophet – peace be upon him – said: “Gentleness does not enter anything except that it beautifies it and harshness does not enter anything except that it disfigures it.” [Narrated by Muslim]

Verily gentleness, good words, pardoning and forgiving is better than gifts with bounties and bad dealings, and in the Beloved Revelation: “Kind words and forgiving of faults are better than charity followed by injury.” [Baqarah; Verse 263]

Servants of Allah: And it is not from justice: Requesting rights while neglecting the fulfilling of obligations. For verily, the one who said: “If I were to command anyone to prostrate to anyone else, I would have commanded women to prostrate to their husbands” is the one who said: “O Allah I declare inviolable the rights of the two weak ones: the orphans and the women” and it is he who said: “Treat the women kindly.”

And verily the one who said: “The best of you is the best of you to his family”, he – peace be upon him – is the one who said: “If a woman prays her five (daily prayers), fasts her month (Ramadan), guards her private parts and obeys her husband, it will be said to her ‘Enter Paradise through whichever of the gates of Paradise you wish.”

And regarding the richness of the heart and foresight and a good comparison, the prophet – peace be upon him – says: “A believing man should not hate a believing woman. If he dislikes something in her character, he should be pleased with some other or another trait of hers” [Narrated by Muslim]

And in this regard Allah – Glorified and Majestic – said: “And live with them honourably. If you dislike them, it may be that you dislike a thing and Allah brings through it a great deal of good.” [Nisaa; Verse 19]

And regarding administration: “Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has made one of them to excel the other, and because they spend (to support them) from their means.” [Nisaa; Verse 34]. And maintenance is not domination and abuse, and not oppression and looking down upon another, but it is care and protection, and establishing interests. And surely the call to the opposite of that, calling towards equality or freedom is the heart of primitiveness and an opposition to nature.

O Muslims: Piety, truthfulness and trust are the best (things) that relationships are built upon. And this noble character is a spring for the heart, a purification of the habitus, and fruit of generosity, and bravery of the conscience, for surely the prophet – peace be upon him – said: “I order you to be truthful for verily truthfulness leads to righteousness and verily righteousness leads to Paradise. And a man continues to be truthful and strives for truthfulness until he is written as a truthful person by Allah. Beware of lying, for verily lying leads to sinning and verily sinning leads to the Fire. And a man continues to tell lies and strives upon lying until he is written as a liar by Allah.” [Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim]

As for trust and protecting marital secrets, it is compulsory. It protects the homes and cares for families. On the authority of Abu Sa’eed al Khudriyy – may Allah be pleased with him – the messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: “Among the worst people in Allah’s sight on the Day of Judgement: The man who has conjugal relations with his wife and she with him, and then he divulges her secret.”

And the warning is for the man and woman alike.

O you men and women: O you who are searching for happiness in this world and the Hereafter! The composition of happiness is in the saying of Allah – Glorified and Majestic – : “Whoever works righteousness – whether male or female – while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islamic Monotheism) verily to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter).” [Nahl; Verse 97]

Surely this meaning is more worthy of care and propagating instead of people’s pre-occupation with what destroys and does not build regarding the affairs of the family and the society. Reformers and advisors, and those who control pens and the media should care greatly for the reformation of the family and its stability and to establish the houses and strengthen its building and to ward off everything that affects it (negatively).

And Allah is asked to preserve for the Muslims their religion and security and to reform their conditions and to make happy their lives.

May Allah bless me and you in the Book and the Sunnah and benefit us from what is in them of verses and wisdom. I say these words of mine and I ask Allah – the Exalted – to forgive me and you.

Second Khutbah

Al praise be to Allah. All praise be to Allah, the Strong, The Able. And He – Glorified is He – is The Mighty, The Helper. And I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, the True Omnipotent King. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger. May Allah’s salutations, peace and blessings be upon him, and on his family, companions and those who follow them in goodness until the Day of Judgement.

Thereafter:

The blood is still flowing oppressively on the soil of Syria. And the massacres are committed in front of the hearing and sight of the world. Neither religion nor (good) character deters the committing of it. And surely Allah has permitted for those who are fought against and oppressed that they have the right of defense of themselves. And in some cases, admonition and advice is futile.

For you is Allah, O Levant (Shaam). This era has not witnessed a people ruled by their enemy as the Levant has witnessed. Its government has ruled over it as an enemy, and administrated its affairs as an executioner, and has dealt with its dealings as a butcher and what a butcher?! The massacres of its despot almost make the massacres of the Qarmatians and Tartars forgotten. Mercy has diminished in their hearts, and humanity has evaporated from their actions. And the slaughter of women and children have become part of their requests, and the destruction of the land (has become) part of their wishes.

May Allah curse them, the curse of Aad and Thamud, and kill them, the killing of the people of the trenches, and hasten on their tyrant days of misfortunes and blackness, and deliver them quickly to the darkness of the graves.

And it is compulsory upon the world to fulfill its responsibilities in the face of this catastrophe, the duration of which is prolonged, and the pain of which is continuous. And the responsibility is greater on the Arabs and Muslims especially, so they should call for the helping of the oppressed, and warding off of the oppressor, and the solution should be practical and immediate, for the days are not increasing the aggressor except in slogans and nothing is seen from him except hell and fire.

O Syrians: “Permission to fight is given to those who are fought against, because they have been wronged; and surely Allah is Able to give them victory.” [Hajj; Verse 39]. Surely the thief government has overstepped in oppression, and this is an announcement of a close relief. And oppression is an announcement of the passing away of kingship and hastening in punishment, so be happy: “Help from Allah (against your enemies) and a near victory.” [Saff; Verse 13]

And surely Allah ensures ease with difficulty. Two signs of victory have joined for you. Defend with everything you are able to, and place your trust in Allah for He does not disappoint the one who depends on Him. And surely you have seen the betrayal of nations and their leagues.

Verily the tyrant has pledged repeatedly that the protests are the exchange for their tyranny. Thereby they have betrayed their omens and belied their thoughts and gathered your matters and united your rows. And fear Allah with regards yourselves and your families. “So fear Allah and adjust all matters of difference among you” [Anfaal; Verse 1] “It may be that Allah will restrain the evil might of the disbelievers. And Allah is Stronger in Might and Stronger in punishing.” [Nisaa; Verse 84]

Perhaps Allah will restrain the evil might for you, and ward off evil for you.

This, and send salutations and peace on the chosen prophet and selected messenger.

O Allah send salutations, peace and blessings on Your servant and messenger Muhammad, and on his good pure family and his companions, the fortunate personalities.

O Allah be pleased with the guided leaders and rightly guided Khulafa: Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali and with all the rest of the companions of Your prophet and those who follow their approach and follow their way, O Lord of the worlds.

O Allah grant honour to Islam and the Muslims…

Source: http://khutaab.wordpress.com/2012/07/02/marital-bliss/

 

[BintAbee]

Why the Fear of Islam?

Sheikh Saalih aal Taalib
April 6, 2012 ~ Jumadal Awwal 14, 1433


First Khutbah
All praise to Allah. All praise to Allah. He made the religion of Islam the final religion and he completed it. And He made the one affiliated to being under His flag from the best of nations. All praise to Allah. We praise Him, seek help from Him and seek His forgiveness. And we ask Allah’s protection from the evil of ourselves and from the evil of our actions. Whoever Allah guides, there is no misguidance for him. And whoever Allah leads astray, then there is no guidance for him. And I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone. He has no partner. And no one can overturn His Rule. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger. May Allah’s salutations, peace and blessings be on him and on all of his family and companions.

Thereafter:
Fear Allah – the Exalted – as He ought to be feared. And hold fast onto Islam with the firm tie. “O you who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared. And die not except in a state of Islam with complete submission to Allah.” [Aal Imraan; Verse 102].

Fear Allah and have hope in Him, and fear Him and fear Him as He ought to be feared. For the one who fears Allah is not the one who squeezes his eyes. Verily the one who fears (Allah) is the one who leaves his desires of the forbidden while he is able to do them. “But for him who fears the standing before his Lord, there will be two Gardens (i.e. Paradise).” [ArRahmaan; Verse 46]

Servants of Allah: In the Hadeeth of the story of the pledge of Aqabah, when the prophet – peace be upon him – congregated secretly with the Ansaar to pledge help to him. Ka’b bin Malik – may Allah be pleased with him – narrated to us, he said: The first to grab the hand of the messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – was al-Bara bin Ma’roor. Then the people followed him. After we pledged allegiance to the messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – shaytaan shouted from a mountain of Aqabah in the most piercing voice I’ve heard: O people of “Jubajib”! – and Jubajib (means): houses – do you want a blameworthy person and the apostates with him who have gathered together to wage war on you?!
So the messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: “This is the (devil) Azabb of Aqabah, the son of Athyab. Listen, enemy of Allah. By Allah, I shall deal with you….” [Hadeeth; Narrated by Imam Ahmad and others].

O people: This was the first call for the fearing of Islam. A satan from the satans of jinn started it. And in that rumour and story, he portrayed that this early birth of the existence of Islam is a gathering of war against people.

And throughout the span of the following generations, it continued (through) humans who inherited that call and propagated it, either ignorantly or neglectfully. And fear and intimidation of Islam still continues currently in international resolutions and international forums, due to the media.

And politicians and media personnel still insist on confirming the picture of Islam as it being an aggressive culture and that tolerance is the culture of the west. And if they looked justly and fairly they would see in the tenets of Islam and its principles, the best values and examples regarding justice and tolerance.

Verily, for this lie – i.e. the fear of Islam – there are negative effects for Muslims and other than them, because it destroys the bridge of trust and help, and it breaks the international relations and the establishment of interests between human beings, and it nourishes the root of enmity and terrorism, and it represents threats and dislike of equal rights, and discrimination on the basis of religion and racism, in addition to harassment and torture, and restrictions on personal freedom, as if it is a distortion of the truth which came from Allah.

Due to the lie of the fear of Islam, the matter has reached (the level of) incitement and stirring up religious grudges. Some have even trespassed in desecrating and degrading the holy Islamic sites, and violating the sacred religious (items), extending to the sacredness of the prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him – or the profanation of the Noble Quran, and the issuing of laws against the portraying of the woman’s Hijaab or face veil, and the promotion of taunting drawings in newspapers and media hurting the Muslims and linking pictures of Muslims and their appearances with topics that speak of terrorism.

And belonging to Islam, whether an individual or a nation, still continues to be a reason for the failing of his affairs, and denying his rights and refusing his requests.

The fear of Islam is behind the oppression of Palestine and the strong defense of the cruel (one) for 60 years, and the justification of the continuous oppression and seeking to cheapen the blood of the Palestinians, and seizing their lands.

And the fear of Islam is behind the attitudes of suspicion and enmity in every effort of nations regarding their choice of the decision by which they wish to live. And you will be disappointed when you find many looking with great tolerance towards the pagan religions, but in the case of Islam, the reaction towards it is not usually rational, but it is (one of) overwhelming negative emotion.

And surely, the delay in assisting the distressed, and the hesitancy in saving the oppressed from those who are oppressing them is nothing except fear of establishing support for Islam. And there’s no doubt that the cultural heritage has an effect in the formation of this trend of others (being) against Islam. The biased media nourishes it, and (too) the unfair policies until the current secretary of the United Nations warned – justly – by saying: “Surely the surge of fear of Islam has progressed to a level of the resistance (against) racism for this religion.” And his predecessor surely said something similar on the pulpit of the United Nations.

Verily it is upon the intellectuals of the world to stop with fairness and justice in front of this serious matter, which is useless except for increasing conflicts and disagreements. And verily, ignorance of Islam, its teachings and its ethics is the main reason for fearing it. And humans fear what they are ignorant of.

O people: Surely, when we acknowledge the above, we do not acknowledge it in the context of mobilization (of military) or projecting injury. But it is so that many of the world’s simple (people) and liberals may know the magnitude of their unawareness of the historical facts and the context of events, and many times many do not stop a wrong situation which is not in line with what they boast about regarding values and ethics which man has reached in the third millennium.

Why the fear of Islam?
Because Muslims were never ever responsible for igniting the two world wars, where 17 million people were killed in the first one; and in the second one, 50 million. (This), besides the injured and the enormous destruction of the environment and human abilities.

And the Muslims did not colonize the world, and they did not subject its nations to exhaust the good (produce/products) of that nation so that the colonizer may enjoy it. And Islam never carried out, in its long history, inquisition tribunals to force people to change their religion. But across the span of 15 centuries of the expanding rule of Islam, there still continued to be temples and churches undesecrated for religious people and people of faith. And those minorities still continue living with the Muslims on Islamic land until today.

And it is for you to look at the international cases today to see how narrow interests prevail over principles and values, and how the judgement is justified against people because they are Muslim, or (due to) fear for Muslims to obtain their human rights in their countries and not outside them!

Surely, it is an embarrassing situation that a nation is annihilated and the world refrains from carrying out its international and ethical responsibility, (just) because they are Muslims or Sunnah!

Are these values? Are these principles? Thereafter Islam is accused of racial discrimination. And this shakes the confidence of the world (regarding) the contemporary relations built on national interests, not on ethics, principles and laws when they are not consistent with interests.

And in the past 100 years, in which organizations that took care of human rights emerged, and (in which) resources and lands were held sacred, history has not recorded that (any) Muslim land invaded a non-Muslim land. While the opposite is true, with much pain, and in the view of the world. So much so, that a suspicion or just an accusation is enough to invade a Muslim land, and kill millions of its people, plunder its resources, destroy its potentials and violate its history and civilization. Then it becomes clear that the suspicion was not true, and the situation passes without apology or compensation.

The international media has surely succeeded in portraying the uprising of the slaughtered as being barbaric, so they have busied people in blaming the slaughtered, while forgetting the slaughterer!

Why the fear of Islam?
While it calls for people to have mercy among them. “O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife [Hawwa (Eve)], and from them both He created many men and women, and fear Allah through Whom you demand (your mutual rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship). Surely, Allah is Ever an All-Watcher over you.” [Nisaa; Verse 1].

Islam surely cancelled the system of castes and racism in the society, while the age of banning castes and racism in the strongest and greatest western country has not reached 50 years. “O mankind! We have created you from a male and female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honourable of you with Allah is that (believer) who has Taqwa (piety).” [Hujuraat; Verse 13].

Why the fear of Islam?
While the first human rights that were laid down, were under its banner. Surely Islam is the most clear and explicit method in decreasing tyranny, coercion and despotism, not only from the political aspect, but because it considers these crimes (as) contradictory to the gem of this true religion, which is Tawheed (Oneness) of Allah – Glorified and Majestic – and in the Quraan, there is a complete way to decrease despotism and coercion and eradicating it.

Why the fear of Islam?
While it has surely preserved, even the rights of animals. They (animals) are not burdened more than they can bear, and they are not starved. A sheep and her child are not separated, and the young of a bird is not taken from its nest.

Why do people fear Islam? Do they fear that the joys of life, its beauty and adornment will be prohibited for them?

Never. For Islam emphasized the denouncement of those who forbid the adoration (with clothes) created by Allah for people. “Say (O Muhammad – peace be upon him) ‘Who has forbidden the adoration with clothes given by Allah, which He has produced for His slaves and the lawful things of food?” [A’raaf; Verse 32]. Verily Islam has ensured the right of life, its enjoyments and delights for everyone, so there should be no fear of Islam or anxiety.

Why the fear of Islam?
While it has surely leapt with civilization in a period of history, leaps of which others were on after it (period), and nations after it completed the journey.

Why is Islam portrayed as if it carries seeds of torture and intolerance, while tolerance and noble character is an original Islamic principle. In the Quraan, the mentioning of mercy, pity, pardoning, forgiving, covering up faults and patience comes more than 900 times, besides what was transmitted from the prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him. So does there exist a religion or culture that gives such concern in training on tolerance?!

Know that tolerance does not mean humiliation and disgrace, or subservience to oppression and submission to the oppressors. But it is a balance which the Quraan reflects on in its saying: “And those who, when an oppressive wrong is done to them, they take revenge. The recompense for an evil is an evil thereof, but whoever forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah. Verily, He likes not the oppressors. And indeed whosoever takes revenge after he has suffered wrong, for such there is no way (of blame) against them. The way (of blame) is only against those who oppress men and wrongly rebel in the earth, for such there will be a painful torment. And verily, whosoever shows patience and forgives that would truly be from the things recommended by Allah.” [Shoora; Verses 39-43]

And tolerance means: Righteousness and meting bad with good, a matter that is required and desired, which does not result in helping oppression, or abandoning the oppressed or violating the principle that honour belongs to Allah, His messenger and the believers.

Surely, Islam came with good character, and with every detail of good behaviour towards humans and the environment, just as it came with harmony between the spiritual side and the material side.

Servants of Allah: Verily, the reality of the matter is that the fear of Islam is a product synthesized by nations intending to repel people from Islam, or idle talk about its facts, values, symbols and laws due to political and racial purposes and carnal desires. And if people and their affair were left, if they were left to their natural inclinations, their consciences and their independent intellects, if they were left without incitement and mobilizing against Islam, they would never have feared it (Islam).

Verily Islam is not the religion of Arabs alone, and its best is not reserved for the Muslims alone, but he is a mercy for all people. “And We have sent you (O Muhammad – peace be upon him) not but as a mercy for the worlds.” [Anbiyaa; Verse 107]

And it is compulsory for the Muslims to hold fast onto its principles and values, and to explain its facts to people by actions and words, and sincere calling, not pretending and posing.

And there is no fear of Islam, for Allah is the protector of His religion, but the fear is of those who are extremists or negligent or repel against it or turn away. “So hold you (O Muhammad – peace be upon him) fast to that which is inspired in you. Verily, you are on a Straight Path.” [Zukhruf; Verse 43].

May Allah bless me and you in the Great Quraan, and benefit us in what is contained in it of verses and wisdom. I say these words of mine and I ask Allah – the Exalted – to forgive me and you.

Second Khutbah:

All praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. The Beneficent, the Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgement. And I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone. He has no partner. The Clear Truth. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger, the truthful and trustworthy. May Allah’s salutations, peace and blessings be upon him, and on all his family and companions.

Thereafter, O you people: What was mentioned above was conscripted. And the satellite channels are raining over us pictures of killing and intimidation which are happening in our beloved Shaam (Levant) “Syria,” and its killer has assured the tackling of the nations – especially in the west and east of it – And the propagation of these images no longer upset him, but perhaps he considers it (to be) the propaganda to intimidate his nation. All that no longer upsets him, as long as the tyrant of Shaam warned (against) any of the Muslims succeeding him in ruling, and nations are content with this warning. Those who were deceived by him, of the nations of the earth, do not know that the Muslims – and the “Sunni” of them especially – will not only succeed him, but they were the predecessors of his party for generations.

And Shaam was more honourable, pleasant, secure and finer when it was under Muslim rule, and it did not know of misfortunes until the tyranny appeared.

And verily the hope in Allah is great. And when the aid from the earth is cut off, the doors of the heaven are opened. And surely every action, political or ideological (that) removes that darkness is praised and thanked. And from it is what this land is doing. For it has surely raised its voice in every national and international conference that promised to look into the matter of the oppression. It has called seriously for the removal of oppression and firmly (against) taking the hand of the oppressor, and (to) hope when looking at the consequences, and peace from fear.

Perhaps Allah will make successful the true efforts and will make beneficial the sincere strivings and remove the veils from the eyes and change the days (so as to be) against every arrogant tyrant. “And We wished to do a favour to those who were weak (and oppressed) in the land and to make them rulers and to make them inheritors.” [Qasas; Verse 5]

This, and send salutations, peace and blessings on the chosen prophet and selected messenger.

O Allah send salutations, peace and blessings on your servant and messenger Muhammad and on his pure, good family, and his companions, the fortunate personalities.

O Allah be pleased with the guided leaders, and rightly-guided successors: Abu Bakr, ‘Umar, ‘Uthmaan and ‘Ali and with all the rest of the companions of your prophet and those who tread on their method and follow their way, O Lord of the worlds.

O Allah grant honour to Islam and the Muslims…

Source: http://khutaab.wordpress.com/2012/07/07/why-the-fear-of-islam/

 

[BintAbee]

The virtue of honesty and its importance

Sheikh Saalih aal Taalib
January 15, 2010 ~ Muharram 29, 1431


First Khutbah
All praise to Allah. “All the praises and thanks be to Allah, to Whom belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. His is all the praises and thanks in the Hereafter, and He is the All-Wise, the All-Aware. He knows that which gets into the earth and that which comes forth from it, and that which descend from the heaven and that which ascends to it. And He is the Most Merciful, the Oft-Forgiving.” [Saba; Verse 1-2]

Glory be to Him and praise be to Him. He knows the hidden and concealed of the souls. And He uncovers the secrets of the heart and its concealment: “Allah knows the fraud of the eyes, and all that the breasts conceal.” [Ghaafir; Verse 19]. And He counts the harvests of the tongues, then He will spread it on the Day of Resurrection. He makes firm and He writes, then He takes reckoning, then He forgives or punishes.

I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone. He has no partner. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and messenger. May Allah’s many salutations, peace and blessings be upon him, and on his pure family and his best companions.

Thereafter:
Verily Taqwa (piety) is the best advice, the best dress and the noblest character: “O you who believe! Keep your duty to Allah 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 Allah and His messenger – peace be upon him – he has indeed achieved a great achievement (i.e. saviour from Hell and entry into Paradise).” [Ahzaab; Verse 70-71]

May Allah have mercy on the one who reforms his tongue and recognizes his bridle and makes his leading rope the path of truth and does not make idle talk his habit and not (make it) his decision-maker.

O Muslims: Today’s talk is a talk about a character trait that is the leader of character, the collection of virtue and the head of good traits. Allah praises it in His Book when He – Glorified is He – says: “And who is truer in statement than Allah?” [Nisaa; Verse 87] “And whose words can be truer than those of Allah?” [Nisaa; Verse 122] and He says: “Say (O Muhammad – peace be upon him): ‘Allah has spoken the truth…” [Aal Imraan; Verse 95]

Allah describes His messengers, His prophets, His sincere friends and His friends as truthful so He – Glorified is He – says: “And mention in the Book (Quraan) Isma’eel. Verily! He was true to what he promised, and he was a messenger, (and) a prophet.” [Maryam; Verse 54] and He says to all His servants: “O you who believe! Be afraid of Allah, and be with those who are true (in words and deeds).” [Tawbah; Verse 119].

O Muslims: The quality of honesty is neither voluntary nor a choice. Verily it is compulsory on a Muslim and a feature of a believer, of whom it is compulsory for his external and internal alike to be true, clear, pure and serene.

Although this quality is simple and the creation agrees on it, we are today in great need to advise regarding mandating it in the midst of a crisis of character which many suffer from. The main reasons of which are: weakness of faith, weakness of upbringing and yearning for this world.

Honesty – O believers – is praised in this world and the Hereafter and is a sign of piety, a reason for the expiation of evil deeds and raising in ranks. And all this is gathered in the saying of Allah – Exalted and Majestic – : “And he (Muhammad – peace be upon him) who has brought the truth (this Quraan and Islamic Monotheism) and (those who) believed therein, those are the pious. They shall have all that they will desire with their Lord. That is the reward of the good-doers. So that Allah may remit from them the evil of what they did and give them the reward, according to the best of what they used to do.” [Zumar; Verse 33-35]. As for the Day of Retribution, then listen to the Saying of Allah – the Exalted – : “Allah will say: ‘This is a day on which the truthful will profit from their truth: theirs are Gardens under which rivers flow – they shall abide therein forever. Allah is pleased with them and they with Him. That is the great success.” [Maaidah; Verse 119]

Honesty is a virtue, a nobility, an illuminated path and a sublime soul, and its companion is always given the ability to do good. And ponder – O Muslims – on this hadeeth: On the authority of Abdullah bin Mas’ood – may Allah be pleased with him – who said that the prophet – peace be upon him – said: “Truthfulness leads to righteousness and righteousness leads to Paradise. A man continues to tell the truth until he becomes a truthful person. Falsehood leads to sinning and sinning leads to the Hellfire, and a man may continue to tell lies till he is written before Allah as a liar.” [Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim]. And in the narration of Muslim: “And a man continues to be truthful and strives for truthfulness until he is written as a truthful person by Allah. And a man continues to tell lies and strives upon lying until he is written as a liar by Allah.”

Verily honesty is a guide to every righteous deed, a guide to every good; taking its companion on the pathways of guidance until it enters him into Paradise. How not, while he speaks the truth? How not, while he speaks the truth and is truthful, defending the truth in every speech and action?

Verily he is truthful and he strives on honesty and he mandates it, is cautious regarding it, weighs his words, stays far from errors, and feels embarrassed at stumbles.

He doesn’t involve himself in secrets or betrayal until he is written by Allah as truthful.

And which rank does a Muslim hope for after this! Verily they are the friends of the prophets and martyrs: “…Then they will be in the company of those on whom Allah has bestowed His Grace, of the prophets, the truthful, the martyrs and the righteous. And how excellent these companions are!” [Nisaa; Verse 69].

O Muslim: In order to explain to you the effect of honesty in the heart and why the truthful ones deserve the company of the prophets, ponder also over this authentic hadeeth on the authority of Abu Hurairah – may Allah be pleased with him – who said that the prophet – peace be upon him – said: “When the time draws near, a believer’s dream can hardly be false. And the truest vision will be of one who is himself the most truthful in speech. The vision of a Muslim is one forty-sixth part of prophethood.” [Hadeeth; narrated by Bukhari and Muslim].

Ponder.. A true dream is a part of prophethood, and it is in the heart of the truthful one who soars and purifies, so he shines and is illuminated by the Light of Allah and the curtain of the unknown is opened for him and Allah lets him know of what He wills.

O Muslims: Whoever mandates honesty while he is young, he will hold onto it when he is older. And whoever holds onto it regarding himself, then it is regarding Allah more (deserving) to be held onto. And whoever strives for honesty is guided towards it, his self is made good, his pleasure is purified and his heart is illuminated.

Servants of Allah: Verily it is not correct to be negligent in this principle, because it is the basis of our religion, and it was a rubric for our model and example Muhammad – peace be upon him – whose life was the best example of a complete human, who took from truthful speech and trustful dealings a firm way, not deviating from it even one iota. And that was in him like a secret refuge and naturally. He was known for it even before prophethood and he was nicknamed the truthful, the honest. And he was well-known for this, and he was known by this among people. And when he was commanded to announce in public the call and propagation of the message, he gathered the people and asked them whether they will believe him if he informs them of a matter, so they answered with what they knew of him saying: We have not experienced you except as truthful.

And consider this incident from a life which was full of truthfulness, nobility and loyalty. On the authority of Abdullah bin Abi Hamsa who said: “I bought something from the prophet – peace be upon him – before he received his prophetic commission, and as there was something still due to him I promised him that I would bring it to him at his place, but I forgot. When I remembered 3 days later, I went to that place and found him there. He said: “You have vexed me, young man. I have been here for 3 days waiting for you.” [Narrated by Abu Dawood]

Three days and he came (regarding) the same promise to the agreed place loyally and truthfully.

And this solid principle continued with him from his childhood until he – peace be upon him – passed away. He did not utter (even) one lie, but lying was the most disdained attribute to him. Aisha – may Allah be pleased with her – said: “There was no behaviour more hateful to the messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – than lying. A man would lie when narrating something in the presence of the prophet and he would not be content until he knew that he had repented.” [Imam Ahmad and Ibn Hibbaan].

That is because lying – O Servants of Allah – is a vile quality and an ignoble trait. And a stingy person or a coward may be excused but the liar has no excuse – Safwan bin Sulaim narrates: It was said to the prophet – peace be upon him – : “Can a Muslim be a coward?” He said: “Yes.” It was said: “Can he be stingy?” He said: “Yes.” It was said: “Can he be a liar?” He said: “No” [Narrated by Imam Ahmad in his muwatta]

Another hadeeth in the Musnad of Imam Ahmad supports and explains it: On the authority of Abu Umamah – may Allah be pleased with him – who said: The messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: “A believer may commit every sin except betrayal and lying.”

An Nawawi – may Allah have mercy on him – said: “The texts of the Book (Quraan) and Sunnah have demonstrated the prohibition of lying in a sentence, and it is from the ugly sins and the immoral faults and the consensus of the Ummah is in agreement on its prohibition as mentioned in the demonstrations of the texts.” Then he – may Allah have mercy on him – said: “And this hadeeth of whose authenticity is agreed upon suffices: On the authority of Abu Hurairah – may Allah be pleased with him – who said: The messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: “The signs of a hypocrite are three: when he speaks he lies, when he promises he breaks his promise and when he is entrusted he betrays the trust.”

And on the authority of Abdullah bin Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – who reports that the prophet – peace be upon him – said: “Whoever has (the following) four characteristics will be a pure hypocrite. And whoever has one of these characteristics has one characteristic of a hypocrite unless he gives it up: when he makes a covenant he proves treacherous, when he speaks he lies, when he makes a promise he breaks it, and when he argues he proves wicked.” [Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim].

Lying decreases faith. Allah – Exalted and Majestic – said: “It is only those who believe not in the verses of Allah, who fabricate falsehood…” [Nahl; Verse 105]. Surely the liar is dealt with with cursing: “…then we pray and invoke (sincerely) the Curse of Allah upon those who lie.” [Aal Imraan; Verse 61].

Silence is better than lying and the honesty of the tongue is the first happiness. And there isn’t anything that you can think of, that is more further (away) from chivalry and beauty and glory in men than lying. Lying is the collection of every evil and the origin of every sin and its small brings on its big.

And surely the wise ones said: “Whoever has legalized the suckling on lying, his weaning is made difficult.” For that reason the prophet – peace be upon him – used to rebuke it even if small, and he used to shun lying even to small children so that they may grow up on honesty and become familiar with it and that they may distance (themselves) from lying and reject it.

Abdullah bin Aamir reports: My mother called me one day when the messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – was sitting in our house. She said: Come here and I shall give you something. The messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – asked her: “What did you intend to give him?” She replied: I intended to give him some dates. The messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: “If you were not to give him anything, a lie would be recorded against you.” [Narrated by Abu Dawood with a good chain of narration].

And on the authority of Abu Hurairah – may Allah be pleased with him – who said that the messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: “Whoever says to a child: ‘Come here and take this’ then does not give him something, this is counted as a lie.” [Narrated by Imam Ahmad with an authentic chain of narration].

Look at how the messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – taught fathers and mothers to bring up their children, an upbringing wherein they sanctify honesty and mock lying. And if he were to ignore these matters and regard them as trivial trivia it would have been feared that the children would grow up considering lying (as) a small sin while it is in the sight of Allah great.

And this strictness in striving for the truth and protecting honesty continued until it encompassed (even) domestic issues. On the authority of Asmaa bint Yazeed – may Allah be pleased with her – who said: “O messenger of Allah if one of us were to say about something we desired ‘I do not desire it’, would this be considered lying? He replied: “A lie is written as a lie, and a white lie is written as a white lie.” [Narrated by Imam Ahmad and Tabarani in Kabeer].

Surely, there’s no negligence in the principle of lying even in entertaining or joking. On the authority of Bahz bin Hakeem, who narrates from his father, who narrates from his grandfather – may Allah be pleased with them – that: I heard the messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – saying: “Woe to him who tells lies to make people laugh. Woe to him. Woe to him.” [Narrated by Ahmad, Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi and Nisaai and Tirmidhi said: (It is) good and authentic].

So if this is (regarding) the one who jokes, then what do you think about the most heinous lie, that is, the lie against Allah and His messenger! Allah – Exalted and Majestic – said: “And on the Day of Resurrection you will see those who lied against Allah – their faces will be black…” [Zumar; Verse 60] and he – peace be upon him – said: “Whoever lies against me intentionally, let him occupy his seat in Hellfire.” [Agreed upon]

In keeping with that, is the one whose harm is widespread like lying that affects the interests of the Ummah and its great matters or (that) which causes confusion in the ranks of society or spreads chaos and disposes of trust and dresses the truth with falsehood, especially with the presence of means to spread (news) widely and quickly propagating information, so you find information networks releasing rumours and you see the media lying and newspapers inciting, so honesty is hurt in the midst of this mess. And when the truths are mixed, people walk without guidance. And surely, the prophet – peace be upon him – saw the punishment of the one whose lie was propagated so he said: “And as for the man whose cheeks you saw being torn apart, he is a liar. He used to speak lies until they used to become famous everywhere.” [Narrated by Bukhari]

And perhaps the lie comes from a source that the listener thought was true, so he took his stance on it, then it reached the (level of) infliction and harm that none besides Allah knows, and perhaps it has destroyed homes, broken families or spilled blood due to the conveying of a liar or a treacherous betrayal. And in the hadeeth: “It is great treachery that you should tell your brother something and have him believe you while you are lying.” [Narrated by Abu Dawood]

Servants of Allah: Honesty is a blessing and lying is a destruction, and at (the time of) buying and selling greed is present and piety decreases, therefore the noble directives (serve) as an admonition at this stage. Hakeem bin Hizaam – may Allah be pleased with him – said: The messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: “Both parties in a business transaction have the right to annul it so long as they have not separated; and if they speak the truth and make everything clear they will be blessed in their transaction; but if they tell a lie and conceal anything the blessing of their transaction will be wiped out.” [Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim]

And Bukhari classified this hadeeth in his Saheeh as: The chapter (on) what lying and concealment wipes out in trade.

And Rifa’ah – may Allah be pleased with him – narrated that he came out with the prophet – peace be upon him – to the place of prayer, then he saw the people trading so he said: “O group of merchants,” so they answered to the messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – they raised their necks and their sights towards him, then he said: “All merchants are resurrected on the Day of Judgement as sinners, except for those who feared Allah, treated their customers well, and were truthful.” [Narrated by Tirmidhi and Ibn Maja and Tirmidhi said: This hadeeth is good and authentic].

Beware, so make honesty a motto and garment for you and mandate it in public and private, Allah will create piety in your hearts and ability and light on your paths: “O you who believe! Be afraid of Allah, and be with those who are true (in words and deeds).” [Tawbah; Verse 119].

May Allah bless me and you in the Great Quraan and benefit us with the guidance of the leader of the messengers. I say these words of mine and I ask Allah – the Exalted – to forgive me and you.

Second Khutbah

All praise is due to Allah for His Kindness and thanks to him for His ability and bounties. And I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone. He has no partner. Great is His Being. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger, a caller to His Pleasure. May Allah’s salutations, peace and blessings be n him, and on his family, companions those after them and those who follow them in goodness until the Day of Judgement.

Thereafter:
O Muslims: growing your souls with honesty and holding fast onto it and (onto) the (fact that) Allah – the Exalted – is always watchful, in secret and public, and holding onto piety; (all these) motivate a person to have honesty as a quality.

Spreading honesty in the society and renouncing the liars – especially in the general media networks and broadcasting sources – is compulsory on the society.

Verily it is sinful that people become used to the one who liars, and he remains present, affecting (others) with his pen, tongue or media means. Surely liars are found in any place, but it is not permissible for lying to remain or (for us) to become used to its presence.

Sharee’a is critical in this regard. And the punishment of the slanderer (as mentioned) in the Great Quraan is lashing and being known as evil. And Allah also says: “And reject their testimony forever…” [Noor; Verse 4].

It is a containment of an epidemic and a removal for a disease. Similarly, the role model has a great effect in this regard. And how many a mother, father or teacher neglects by being careless about honesty and they do not realise that the growing one picks up from him, being aware or unaware, and he is raised on this character or that.

Honesty is the enlightenment of the society and the responsibility of every person… “And are people thrown on their faces into the Fire for anything but the harvest of their tongues”

This, and send salutations and peace on the best of people and the purest of humans Muhammad bin Abdullah al-Hashimiyy, al-Qurashyy.

O Allah send your salutations, peace and blessings on your servant and messenger Muhammad and on his pure good family and his companions, the fortunate personalities. And be happy O Allah with the guided leaders and pleased khulafa – Abu Bakr, ‘Umar, ‘Uthman and ‘Ali – and all the rest of the companions of your prophet and those who tread their path and follow their way, O Lord of the worlds.

O Allah grant honour to Islam and the Muslims…

Source: http://khutaab.wordpress.com/2012/07/11/the-virtue-of-honesty-and-its-importance/

 

[BintAbee]

The virtue of honesty and its importance

Sheikh Saalih aal Taalib
January 15, 2010 ~ Muharram 29, 1431


First Khutbah
All praise to Allah. “All the praises and thanks be to Allah, to Whom belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. His is all the praises and thanks in the Hereafter, and He is the All-Wise, the All-Aware. He knows that which gets into the earth and that which comes forth from it, and that which descend from the heaven and that which ascends to it. And He is the Most Merciful, the Oft-Forgiving.” [Saba; Verse 1-2]

Glory be to Him and praise be to Him. He knows the hidden and concealed of the souls. And He uncovers the secrets of the heart and its concealment: “Allah knows the fraud of the eyes, and all that the breasts conceal.” [Ghaafir; Verse 19]. And He counts the harvests of the tongues, then He will spread it on the Day of Resurrection. He makes firm and He writes, then He takes reckoning, then He forgives or punishes.

I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone. He has no partner. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and messenger. May Allah’s many salutations, peace and blessings be upon him, and on his pure family and his best companions.

Thereafter:
Verily Taqwa (piety) is the best advice, the best dress and the noblest character: “O you who believe! Keep your duty to Allah 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 Allah and His messenger – peace be upon him – he has indeed achieved a great achievement (i.e. saviour from Hell and entry into Paradise).” [Ahzaab; Verse 70-71]

May Allah have mercy on the one who reforms his tongue and recognizes his bridle and makes his leading rope the path of truth and does not make idle talk his habit and not (make it) his decision-maker.

O Muslims: Today’s talk is a talk about a character trait that is the leader of character, the collection of virtue and the head of good traits. Allah praises it in His Book when He – Glorified is He – says: “And who is truer in statement than Allah?” [Nisaa; Verse 87] “And whose words can be truer than those of Allah?” [Nisaa; Verse 122] and He says: “Say (O Muhammad – peace be upon him): ‘Allah has spoken the truth…” [Aal Imraan; Verse 95]

Allah describes His messengers, His prophets, His sincere friends and His friends as truthful so He – Glorified is He – says: “And mention in the Book (Quraan) Isma’eel. Verily! He was true to what he promised, and he was a messenger, (and) a prophet.” [Maryam; Verse 54] and He says to all His servants: “O you who believe! Be afraid of Allah, and be with those who are true (in words and deeds).” [Tawbah; Verse 119].

O Muslims: The quality of honesty is neither voluntary nor a choice. Verily it is compulsory on a Muslim and a feature of a believer, of whom it is compulsory for his external and internal alike to be true, clear, pure and serene.

Although this quality is simple and the creation agrees on it, we are today in great need to advise regarding mandating it in the midst of a crisis of character which many suffer from. The main reasons of which are: weakness of faith, weakness of upbringing and yearning for this world.

Honesty – O believers – is praised in this world and the Hereafter and is a sign of piety, a reason for the expiation of evil deeds and raising in ranks. And all this is gathered in the saying of Allah – Exalted and Majestic – : “And he (Muhammad – peace be upon him) who has brought the truth (this Quraan and Islamic Monotheism) and (those who) believed therein, those are the pious. They shall have all that they will desire with their Lord. That is the reward of the good-doers. So that Allah may remit from them the evil of what they did and give them the reward, according to the best of what they used to do.” [Zumar; Verse 33-35]. As for the Day of Retribution, then listen to the Saying of Allah – the Exalted – : “Allah will say: ‘This is a day on which the truthful will profit from their truth: theirs are Gardens under which rivers flow – they shall abide therein forever. Allah is pleased with them and they with Him. That is the great success.” [Maaidah; Verse 119]

Honesty is a virtue, a nobility, an illuminated path and a sublime soul, and its companion is always given the ability to do good. And ponder – O Muslims – on this hadeeth: On the authority of Abdullah bin Mas’ood – may Allah be pleased with him – who said that the prophet – peace be upon him – said: “Truthfulness leads to righteousness and righteousness leads to Paradise. A man continues to tell the truth until he becomes a truthful person. Falsehood leads to sinning and sinning leads to the Hellfire, and a man may continue to tell lies till he is written before Allah as a liar.” [Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim]. And in the narration of Muslim: “And a man continues to be truthful and strives for truthfulness until he is written as a truthful person by Allah. And a man continues to tell lies and strives upon lying until he is written as a liar by Allah.”

Verily honesty is a guide to every righteous deed, a guide to every good; taking its companion on the pathways of guidance until it enters him into Paradise. How not, while he speaks the truth? How not, while he speaks the truth and is truthful, defending the truth in every speech and action?

Verily he is truthful and he strives on honesty and he mandates it, is cautious regarding it, weighs his words, stays far from errors, and feels embarrassed at stumbles.

He doesn’t involve himself in secrets or betrayal until he is written by Allah as truthful.

And which rank does a Muslim hope for after this! Verily they are the friends of the prophets and martyrs: “…Then they will be in the company of those on whom Allah has bestowed His Grace, of the prophets, the truthful, the martyrs and the righteous. And how excellent these companions are!” [Nisaa; Verse 69].

O Muslim: In order to explain to you the effect of honesty in the heart and why the truthful ones deserve the company of the prophets, ponder also over this authentic hadeeth on the authority of Abu Hurairah – may Allah be pleased with him – who said that the prophet – peace be upon him – said: “When the time draws near, a believer’s dream can hardly be false. And the truest vision will be of one who is himself the most truthful in speech. The vision of a Muslim is one forty-sixth part of prophethood.” [Hadeeth; narrated by Bukhari and Muslim].

Ponder.. A true dream is a part of prophethood, and it is in the heart of the truthful one who soars and purifies, so he shines and is illuminated by the Light of Allah and the curtain of the unknown is opened for him and Allah lets him know of what He wills.

O Muslims: Whoever mandates honesty while he is young, he will hold onto it when he is older. And whoever holds onto it regarding himself, then it is regarding Allah more (deserving) to be held onto. And whoever strives for honesty is guided towards it, his self is made good, his pleasure is purified and his heart is illuminated.

Servants of Allah: Verily it is not correct to be negligent in this principle, because it is the basis of our religion, and it was a rubric for our model and example Muhammad – peace be upon him – whose life was the best example of a complete human, who took from truthful speech and trustful dealings a firm way, not deviating from it even one iota. And that was in him like a secret refuge and naturally. He was known for it even before prophethood and he was nicknamed the truthful, the honest. And he was well-known for this, and he was known by this among people. And when he was commanded to announce in public the call and propagation of the message, he gathered the people and asked them whether they will believe him if he informs them of a matter, so they answered with what they knew of him saying: We have not experienced you except as truthful.

And consider this incident from a life which was full of truthfulness, nobility and loyalty. On the authority of Abdullah bin Abi Hamsa who said: “I bought something from the prophet – peace be upon him – before he received his prophetic commission, and as there was something still due to him I promised him that I would bring it to him at his place, but I forgot. When I remembered 3 days later, I went to that place and found him there. He said: “You have vexed me, young man. I have been here for 3 days waiting for you.” [Narrated by Abu Dawood]

Three days and he came (regarding) the same promise to the agreed place loyally and truthfully.

And this solid principle continued with him from his childhood until he – peace be upon him – passed away. He did not utter (even) one lie, but lying was the most disdained attribute to him. Aisha – may Allah be pleased with her – said: “There was no behaviour more hateful to the messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – than lying. A man would lie when narrating something in the presence of the prophet and he would not be content until he knew that he had repented.” [Imam Ahmad and Ibn Hibbaan].

That is because lying – O Servants of Allah – is a vile quality and an ignoble trait. And a stingy person or a coward may be excused but the liar has no excuse – Safwan bin Sulaim narrates: It was said to the prophet – peace be upon him – : “Can a Muslim be a coward?” He said: “Yes.” It was said: “Can he be stingy?” He said: “Yes.” It was said: “Can he be a liar?” He said: “No” [Narrated by Imam Ahmad in his muwatta]

Another hadeeth in the Musnad of Imam Ahmad supports and explains it: On the authority of Abu Umamah – may Allah be pleased with him – who said: The messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: “A believer may commit every sin except betrayal and lying.”

An Nawawi – may Allah have mercy on him – said: “The texts of the Book (Quraan) and Sunnah have demonstrated the prohibition of lying in a sentence, and it is from the ugly sins and the immoral faults and the consensus of the Ummah is in agreement on its prohibition as mentioned in the demonstrations of the texts.” Then he – may Allah have mercy on him – said: “And this hadeeth of whose authenticity is agreed upon suffices: On the authority of Abu Hurairah – may Allah be pleased with him – who said: The messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: “The signs of a hypocrite are three: when he speaks he lies, when he promises he breaks his promise and when he is entrusted he betrays the trust.”

And on the authority of Abdullah bin Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – who reports that the prophet – peace be upon him – said: “Whoever has (the following) four characteristics will be a pure hypocrite. And whoever has one of these characteristics has one characteristic of a hypocrite unless he gives it up: when he makes a covenant he proves treacherous, when he speaks he lies, when he makes a promise he breaks it, and when he argues he proves wicked.” [Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim].

Lying decreases faith. Allah – Exalted and Majestic – said: “It is only those who believe not in the verses of Allah, who fabricate falsehood…” [Nahl; Verse 105]. Surely the liar is dealt with with cursing: “…then we pray and invoke (sincerely) the Curse of Allah upon those who lie.” [Aal Imraan; Verse 61].

Silence is better than lying and the honesty of the tongue is the first happiness. And there isn’t anything that you can think of, that is more further (away) from chivalry and beauty and glory in men than lying. Lying is the collection of every evil and the origin of every sin and its small brings on its big.

And surely the wise ones said: “Whoever has legalized the suckling on lying, his weaning is made difficult.” For that reason the prophet – peace be upon him – used to rebuke it even if small, and he used to shun lying even to small children so that they may grow up on honesty and become familiar with it and that they may distance (themselves) from lying and reject it.

Abdullah bin Aamir reports: My mother called me one day when the messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – was sitting in our house. She said: Come here and I shall give you something. The messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – asked her: “What did you intend to give him?” She replied: I intended to give him some dates. The messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: “If you were not to give him anything, a lie would be recorded against you.” [Narrated by Abu Dawood with a good chain of narration].

And on the authority of Abu Hurairah – may Allah be pleased with him – who said that the messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: “Whoever says to a child: ‘Come here and take this’ then does not give him something, this is counted as a lie.” [Narrated by Imam Ahmad with an authentic chain of narration].

Look at how the messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – taught fathers and mothers to bring up their children, an upbringing wherein they sanctify honesty and mock lying. And if he were to ignore these matters and regard them as trivial trivia it would have been feared that the children would grow up considering lying (as) a small sin while it is in the sight of Allah great.

And this strictness in striving for the truth and protecting honesty continued until it encompassed (even) domestic issues. On the authority of Asmaa bint Yazeed – may Allah be pleased with her – who said: “O messenger of Allah if one of us were to say about something we desired ‘I do not desire it’, would this be considered lying? He replied: “A lie is written as a lie, and a white lie is written as a white lie.” [Narrated by Imam Ahmad and Tabarani in Kabeer].

Surely, there’s no negligence in the principle of lying even in entertaining or joking. On the authority of Bahz bin Hakeem, who narrates from his father, who narrates from his grandfather – may Allah be pleased with them – that: I heard the messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – saying: “Woe to him who tells lies to make people laugh. Woe to him. Woe to him.” [Narrated by Ahmad, Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi and Nisaai and Tirmidhi said: (It is) good and authentic].

So if this is (regarding) the one who jokes, then what do you think about the most heinous lie, that is, the lie against Allah and His messenger! Allah – Exalted and Majestic – said: “And on the Day of Resurrection you will see those who lied against Allah – their faces will be black…” [Zumar; Verse 60] and he – peace be upon him – said: “Whoever lies against me intentionally, let him occupy his seat in Hellfire.” [Agreed upon]

In keeping with that, is the one whose harm is widespread like lying that affects the interests of the Ummah and its great matters or (that) which causes confusion in the ranks of society or spreads chaos and disposes of trust and dresses the truth with falsehood, especially with the presence of means to spread (news) widely and quickly propagating information, so you find information networks releasing rumours and you see the media lying and newspapers inciting, so honesty is hurt in the midst of this mess. And when the truths are mixed, people walk without guidance. And surely, the prophet – peace be upon him – saw the punishment of the one whose lie was propagated so he said: “And as for the man whose cheeks you saw being torn apart, he is a liar. He used to speak lies until they used to become famous everywhere.” [Narrated by Bukhari]

And perhaps the lie comes from a source that the listener thought was true, so he took his stance on it, then it reached the (level of) infliction and harm that none besides Allah knows, and perhaps it has destroyed homes, broken families or spilled blood due to the conveying of a liar or a treacherous betrayal. And in the hadeeth: “It is great treachery that you should tell your brother something and have him believe you while you are lying.” [Narrated by Abu Dawood]

Servants of Allah: Honesty is a blessing and lying is a destruction, and at (the time of) buying and selling greed is present and piety decreases, therefore the noble directives (serve) as an admonition at this stage. Hakeem bin Hizaam – may Allah be pleased with him – said: The messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: “Both parties in a business transaction have the right to annul it so long as they have not separated; and if they speak the truth and make everything clear they will be blessed in their transaction; but if they tell a lie and conceal anything the blessing of their transaction will be wiped out.” [Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim]

And Bukhari classified this hadeeth in his Saheeh as: The chapter (on) what lying and concealment wipes out in trade.

And Rifa’ah – may Allah be pleased with him – narrated that he came out with the prophet – peace be upon him – to the place of prayer, then he saw the people trading so he said: “O group of merchants,” so they answered to the messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – they raised their necks and their sights towards him, then he said: “All merchants are resurrected on the Day of Judgement as sinners, except for those who feared Allah, treated their customers well, and were truthful.” [Narrated by Tirmidhi and Ibn Maja and Tirmidhi said: This hadeeth is good and authentic].

Beware, so make honesty a motto and garment for you and mandate it in public and private, Allah will create piety in your hearts and ability and light on your paths: “O you who believe! Be afraid of Allah, and be with those who are true (in words and deeds).” [Tawbah; Verse 119].

May Allah bless me and you in the Great Quraan and benefit us with the guidance of the leader of the messengers. I say these words of mine and I ask Allah – the Exalted – to forgive me and you.

Second Khutbah

All praise is due to Allah for His Kindness and thanks to him for His ability and bounties. And I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone. He has no partner. Great is His Being. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger, a caller to His Pleasure. May Allah’s salutations, peace and blessings be n him, and on his family, companions those after them and those who follow them in goodness until the Day of Judgement.

Thereafter:
O Muslims: growing your souls with honesty and holding fast onto it and (onto) the (fact that) Allah – the Exalted – is always watchful, in secret and public, and holding onto piety; (all these) motivate a person to have honesty as a quality.

Spreading honesty in the society and renouncing the liars – especially in the general media networks and broadcasting sources – is compulsory on the society.

Verily it is sinful that people become used to the one who liars, and he remains present, affecting (others) with his pen, tongue or media means. Surely liars are found in any place, but it is not permissible for lying to remain or (for us) to become used to its presence.

Sharee’a is critical in this regard. And the punishment of the slanderer (as mentioned) in the Great Quraan is lashing and being known as evil. And Allah also says: “And reject their testimony forever…” [Noor; Verse 4].

It is a containment of an epidemic and a removal for a disease. Similarly, the role model has a great effect in this regard. And how many a mother, father or teacher neglects by being careless about honesty and they do not realise that the growing one picks up from him, being aware or unaware, and he is raised on this character or that.

Honesty is the enlightenment of the society and the responsibility of every person… “And are people thrown on their faces into the Fire for anything but the harvest of their tongues”

This, and send salutations and peace on the best of people and the purest of humans Muhammad bin Abdullah al-Hashimiyy, al-Qurashyy.

O Allah send your salutations, peace and blessings on your servant and messenger Muhammad and on his pure good family and his companions, the fortunate personalities. And be happy O Allah with the guided leaders and pleased khulafa – Abu Bakr, ‘Umar, ‘Uthman and ‘Ali – and all the rest of the companions of your prophet and those who tread their path and follow their way, O Lord of the worlds.

O Allah grant honour to Islam and the Muslims…

Source: http://khutaab.wordpress.com/2012/07/11/the-virtue-of-honesty-and-its-importance/

 

[BintAbee]

The Levant (Shaam) .. Its virtues and its history

Sheikh Saalih aal Taalib
February 24, 2012 ~ Rabi al Awwal 2, 1433


First Khutbah

All praise be to Allah. All praise be to Allah, the one whose commands change the conditions. He rotates the days, so how many a country was judged against, then was changed. And how many a group dominated and thought their domination was everlasting, then they slipped and passed away and its kingdom passed away. I praise my Lord – Glorified is He – and I praise him and thank him and I seek His repentance and forgiveness. And I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, The Great, The Exalted. He gives respite without neglect. And He is severe (in) insidiousness, Great in warning. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger, the noblest of messengers and the most complete of men. May Allah’s salutations, peace and blessings be on him and salutations on his companions and family.

Thereafter:

Verily the best of speech is the Book of Allah, and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad – peace be upon him – and the worst of affairs are the newly invented, and every newly invented thing is a bid’ah (innovation), and every innovation is a misguidance.

Then verily the best advice: (is) the advice of the fearing of Allah – The Exalted. “O you who believe! Keep your duty to Allah 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 Allah and His messenger – peace be upon him – he has indeed achieved a great achievement (i.e. saviour from Hell and entry into Paradise).” [Ahzaab; Verse 70-71]

O Muslims:

When Allah spread out the earth and caused the hand of the creation over the creatures, He made in it lands and spread on it humans. Then He chose from these lands, lands, and from humans, humans. “And your Lord creates whatsoever He wills and chooses.” [Qasas; Verse 68]. So it was Makkah and the Mashaa’ir (Mina, Muzdalifah, Arafah) and the purest of the pure (Madeenah), and the birthmark of them was the land of Shaam.

And He chose from humans, His prophets and messengers, and He decreed for the land of Shaam a great portion of them. He made its land the route of the prophets and the descent of revelation from the sky. It is the land of gathering and resurrection. And when Allah will send the Messiah, son of Maryam at the end of times, he will not descend except in it, at the eastern, white minaret of Damascus, (as is) narrated by Muslim.

Blessedness for Shaam! The angels of the Most Gracious spread their wings over it. Surely it is a land that Allah has blessed through the texts of the Book and the Sunnah. For it is the wet-nurse of Islam and its nurse-maid; and its capital for a long period of time. Many governments of Islam ruled on its land and many companions (sahaba) and scholars of the Muslims are buried in it.

How many (tears) of the eyes of worshippers were shed on its soil, and (how many) brigades of Jihaad were summoned in its shadows, and (how much of) ink flowed on its notebooks with knowledge and (how much of) the blood of martyrs flowed on its soil: companions and chosen ones and sincere friends. And the rule rotated in it (through) kings and sultans, increasing majesty in majesty and honour in honour.

The crusader movement that flocked to it for 200 years was defeated on its hills, (of which) the number of soldiers in it was close to the (number of) citizens of the entire land of Shaam.

When the civilization of Islam is considered, Shaam is mentioned; and when knowledge, virtue and conquests are mentioned, Shaam is mentioned. It is the land of prophets and the refuge of the sincere friends. And the prophet – peace be upon him – did not visit a land outside the Arabian Peninsula except the land of Shaam.

And at the end of time, when there will be a great massacre, the tent of the Muslims and the unison of their banners will be in the land of a fertile oasis, in which is the city said to be: Damascus, and it will be the best place for people to live in on that day, as Tabarani narrated from the saying of the prophet – peace be upon him.

And surely the companions– may Allah be pleased with them – had grasped the supplication of the prophet – peace be upon him -: “O Allah bless us in our Shaam, O Allah bless us in our Shaam” [Narrated by Bukhari].

And his saying – peace be upon him – “If the people of Shaam are corrupted then there is no good in you. There will always be a group of my nation that will be victorious, and they will not be harmed by those who seek to humiliate them until the hour comes.” [Narrated by Tirmidhi].

They (companions) did not remain after his – peace be upon him – demise, except a few of them. Their hearts turned to the land that Allah had blessed and (that) the messenger of Allah advised about. Then the banners of victory fluttered towards it (Shaam), and the brigades of Jihaad flapped in its cradles, and features of light ruled it, and Islam spread its robe over Shaam. The vanguards of faith extending it, being led by Khalid bin Waleed, Abu Ubaidah bin Jarraah, Shurahbeel bin Hasanah, Amr bin Aas, Diraar bin Azwar and with them was a thousand companions, 100 of whom had witnessed Badr. And the noble companions were successors to it (Shaam).

Waleed bin Muslim said: “10 000 eyes that saw the messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – entered Shaam.”

Eyes, after the purity of Madeenah, saw the sight of Shaam. Not surprisingly, for the prophet – peace be upon him – chose it for his companions, and advised his most loyal of companions regarding it. He – peace be upon him – said: “You will be split up into groups of armies. An army will be in Shaam, an army in Yemen and an army in Iraq.” Ibn Hawlah – may Allah be pleased with him – said: “Choose for me O messenger of Allah if I’m around to witness that. So he said: “You must join Shaam, for it is the chosen land of Allah in His earth. In it the chosen ones among His servants shall have protection. Otherwise, go to Yemen but be prepared to drink from still water. For Allah has given me a guarantee concerning Shaam and its people.” [Narrated by Imam Ahmad and Abu Dawood].

And Shaam became the capital of Islam. The first kingdoms of Islam and the most just kings of Islam were established in it. The light of knowledge radiated from it. And the robe of justice was spread out in it. And the values of truth and freedom were spread in it. The Muslims there portrayed the most wonderful examples in good neighbouring and noble dealings with others.

And the Muslims protected the custody of the people of religions, and they left their sects and places of worship for them, so the people lived in peace and security, free in their land and beliefs. And Shaam partook of the blessings of justice, and its life was comfortable, and its sustenance was great, so much so that Umar bin Abdul Aziz said, while he was sitting on its throne: “Scatter the grain on the tops of mountains so that it will not be said: The birds are hungry in the land of the Muslims.”

And the armies of Tartar were defeated on its hills, and the light of Islam was elevated in it and gained victory, so much so that a questioner asked Ibn Taymiyyah – may Allah have mercy on him -: “Is the status of Shaam due to its manifestation of Islam better or that of Makkah and Madeenah?”

Then a long time passed, and the days changed. And with the rising of the ones who rose to its rule, its condition changed, then Shaam was not the Shaam that promises. Its vegetation withered, and its flowers shriveled, and the life of its people narrowed, and security demised from its meadows, and the enemies cut off a part of its land. And there were still scholars and pious (people) in the land of Shaam. Some left their homes and were separated from their countries, expelled. They were met with the hand of oppression and transgression. Their eyes flow with tears. And most of the strangers are not kind to their people and homes. And they see on the screens, places of their lands that they know. They had memories and sorrows there. The airplanes are bombing them and the cannons are demolishing them.

O Muslims: Shaam is the heritage of the conquerors i.e. the companions and those who follow them; and a trust of the ancestors of the Muslims for the descendants. Its history is inspirational and its current situation is sad, and its people have patience of whose tales are long. Perhaps their patience can be interpreted towards goodness.

And surely we are in a time in which we are summoning that majesty and that old history to take a stand against two hollow wounds in the land of Shaam; two bleeding bloods that the Islamic nation suffers from. Both wounds are moist, and too the sickles are affecting them: The wound of Palestine, and the wound of Syria, and between them there are scars here and there. And these are days of tests and trials.

O Muslims: How is a person in these days able to exceed the massacres of values in our beloved Shaam and he sees treachery of the near (ones), and betrayal of the far (ones), and disloyalty of the shepherd for his flock. The capabilities of the nation and its achievements are employed for its suppression and humiliation; and its weapons which are (usually) used to drive off the danger of the enemy returned on the jugular veins of the citizens, slaughtering and chopping. The Islamic nation is crushed for the sake of the interests of individuals who don’t care about it (even) for a day. Surely the covered has been uncovered, and the slogans have worked up the feelings, and it is clear that sometimes the enemy that is beyond the borders is more merciful than the enemy that is within the borders.

Women and children not armed even with a stone, the missiles of treachery are scattered on the stones of their homes; and their bodies are shattered under the mess. You see arms amputated and bodies buried below the rubble of the houses; in pictures portraying the capability of the lack of humanity and the like thereof of the perpetrators, and the lack of character and nobility in their actions. The blood of the Shaamis are flowing (like) the flowing of the Tigris and Euphrates, not on (the hands) of an apparent enemy, but on the hands of an imposter, an Arab Renaissance and the guardianship of the Arabs about whom no excuse can tolerate and no justification can conceal.

O Noble Shaamis: Your weapons have honour, so do not dirty them by attaining your brethren with them. And your strength is a pride for the Arabs, so do not tackle your people with it. And make your weapons for your family a protector; and for your land a defender. There is no excuse for you in front of Allah and history that you return the barrels of guns against your chests, and some of you taste the wrong of others. “And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell to abide therein, and the Wrath and the Curse of Allah are upon him and a great punishment is prepared for him.” [Nisaa; Verse 93]. Unify the ranks, join the speech, and seek help from Allah and be patient.

Servants of Allah: Verily the virtue of Shaam and its existence is the inlet of Islam which makes it necessary for the Muslims to call to aiding its people and driving off oppression from them and removing injustice from them. And surely the prophet – peace be upon him – made the reformation of Shaam the criterion for the reformation of the entire Islamic nation. Therefore, it is necessary on the Muslims – all the Muslims – to drive off as much as they can so that the hand of corruption does not change the beautiful face of Shaam, and it remains as its history, faith, knowledge, civilization and light, no hungry birds in it as Umar wanted; and no people fear in it; loyal to the companion conquerors and the glorious scholars who put the soil of Shaam under their heads for the last sleep in this world; and standing efficiently on its rights that were gifted by the Arabs and Muslims.

Surely the ardent intellectuals have called for the interests of the Islamic nation. And the custodian of the two Holy Mosques has raised his voice from the first hour, calling for ruling with truth and justice, and logic, wisdom and intellect, and placing noble public interests before personal interests, sparing the blood of the Muslims and preserving the unity of their ranks and their land, and repelling group and ideological differences, and steadfastness on the positions of religion and character. And he has stood up – may Allah protect him – coming out openly with words of truth and justice with his ardent brothers and friends.

So may Allah fulfill the efforts, and reform the affair, and make the consequences good.

And verily we have hope in the morning (that) enfolds the stifling night, and by which the flowers breathe, and with which the sun of salvation shines. And the hope in Allah is great that the day will return its (Shaam’s) glad tidings. And the sky gives hope when it is obscured.

Perhaps Allah will replace your night (with) morning, and your fear (with) security, and your agony (with) comfort, and make the best of you take charge, and suffice you with the evil of your evil ones. “And Allah has full power and control over His affairs, but most of men know not.” [Yusuf; Verse 21]

May Allah bless me and you in the Great Quraan, and benefit us with what is in it of verses and wise reminders. I say these words of mine, and I seek the forgiveness of Allah – The Exalted – for me and for you.

Second Khutbah

All praise be to Allah, The Guardian, The Praiseworthy. He creates what He wishes and rules as He pleases. And He is Just, doing what He wishes and ruling as He pleases. In His hand is giving and preventing, and trials and comfort – Glorified is He, Exalted and Holy. His actions and commands do not stray from wisdom, mercy and reformation. And we are His servants, the sons of His male servants, the sons of His female servants. Our past is His command. Our justice is His decree. And He – Glorified is He – is the most wise of judges, and the most merciful of those who show mercy. He does not decree for His friends except that it is the best for them, whether that decree hurts them or pleases them. And for Him is great praised wisdom in everything that occurs to the believers, even though that decree may be apparent trials and evils, for verily in His involvement, there is wisdom and advantages of which only Allah can count. “And it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know.” [Baqarah; Verse 216]

And when the believers are certain about this reality, and they know aspects of goodness and mercy are in what has afflicted them, their hearts will be filled with steadfastness, patience, hope, and trust in the promise of Allah, and peace regarding His good planning and choices. “It may be that you dislike a thing and Allah brings through it a great deal of good.” [Nisaa; Verse 19]

Verily, the wounds are hollow, and the calamities are great, and the pain is intense, but the sentiments that this destruction has caused in the Islamic nation are immense. And if Shaam is suffering, then surely the rest of the body of the Islamic nation suffers from fever and sleeplessness, and solidarity manifests among the Muslims, and life cheers up in their one body, and the masajid resound with supplication, and deep emotions in the Islamic nation are stirred up, emotions that were almost wiped out, and that were almost overlooked by the desires of life, and for as long as the enemies of Islam try to anaesthetise them (emotions) with distractions and entertainment – (so) they claim.

And because of it, they have re-awoken and there is raging in the hearts, and it sees the blood of the beloveds flowing on the blessed land of Shaam. And people have returned, a true returning, to the religion. And the truth of the truthful ones has become evident, and the betrayal of the betrayers has manifested, and the confidence of the world in the international organisations has shaken, and it is clear that they do not act except according to their selfish interests. The cries of children and the moans of the injured and oppressed do not affect the hearts of its (organisation’s) owners.

The hearts of the believers are certain about the saying of The True – Glorified is He -: “If Allah helps you, none can overcome you, and if He forsakes you, who is there after Him that can help you? And in Allah (alone) let the believers put their trust.” [Aal Imraan; Verse 160]

It is narrated that Ali bin Abi Talib – may Allah be pleased with him – sang:

And do not be despondent when a mishap befalls you

For how much, by Allah, of concealed benevolence

And how many eases come after difficulty

Thereby relieving the distress of the grieved heart.

And how many a matter is hurtful at morning

And pleasure comes to you at evening.

When conditions narrow on you on a day

Then depend on The One, The Unique, The Exalted.

O Believers: Surely Allah the Exalted wants us to hold back tears at (the time of) every calamity or mishap; and to wipe away sadness, and to renew repentance, and not to become weak and not to be despondent, and to drive off fate with fate. “So do not become weak (against your enemy), nor be sad, and you will be superior (in victory) if you are indeed (true) believers.” [Aal Imraan; Verse 139]

Assembly of Muslims: Verily, knowing the aspects of goodness in these events, and being happy with the decree of Allah – Honoured and Majestic – and submitting to His decree does not mean: indifference and weakness, and being happy with corruption, disgrace and humiliation and not taking the means to victory, honour and nobility, but it strengthens the certainty in the promise of Allah – Glorified is He – and the confidence in His victory and contentment of His decree and planning.

Trials are an elevation, a purification, and an examination. And the martyrs are chosen and selected. “And that (Hereafter) which is with Allah is better and will remain forever.” [Qasas; Verse 60]

Pain gives birth to hope. And to the extent of the intensity of the hardship, the certainty of the closeness of relief is obtained. And know that victory is with patience and relief is with hardship and that with difficulty is ease.

With patience, there is reinforcement from the heavens, “Yes, if you hold on to patience and piety, and the enemy comes rushing at you, your Lord will help you with 5000 angels having marks (of distinction).” [Aal Imraan; Verse 125]

And with patience the harm of the enemies disappears “But if you remain patient and become pious, not the least harm will their cunning do to you.” [Aal Imraan; Verse 120]

And surely Allah has praised the ones who are patient in extreme poverty, disease and at the time of fighting (battles) so He – Glorified is He – said: “Such are the people of the truth and they are the pious.” [Baqarah; Verse 177]

Verily patience is necessary and there’s no substitute for it. Patience is necessary on the effects of the events like pain and anger and hopelessness sometimes and despondency. Patience is necessary and so too is endurance, endurance of the oppressors who try and strive to break the patience of the believers.

And if falsehood insists, forebears and remains on its way, then how much more deserving is it for the people of truth to be intensely persistent and greatly patient. “If you are suffering (hardships) then surely, they (too) are suffering (hardships) as you are suffering, but you have hope from Allah (for the reward i.e. Paradise) that for which they hope not, and Allah is Ever All-Knowing, All-Wise.” [Nisaa; Verse 104]

So O people of Shaam! “Seek help in Allah and be patient. Verily, the earth is Allah’s. He gives it as a heritage to whom He wills of His slaves, and the (blessed) end is for the pious.” [A’raaf; Verse 128]

Verily Allah – Exalted and Majestic – has surely provided Shaam and its people for His prophet. That which Allah has provided, then there is no forfeiting of it. And surely the description in the Book and Sunnah of blessings is a glad tiding that the period of tribulation and tyranny will not be long in it, because it is a place of blessings, security and faith.

And surely Shaam was the cemetery of the enemies of the Islamic nation and the elders. For in it the crusaders and Tartars were defeated, and in it the Romans were overpowered – as in the Hadeeth of the great slaughter – and in it Dajjaal (anti-Christ) and those who follow him from amongst the Jews will be destroyed. And the prophet – peace be upon him – made the corruption of Shaam a permission for the vanishing of goodness from the Islamic nation, and he made its reformation a glad tiding for the reformation of the affair of the entire Islamic nation. And here it is today, glad tidings are coming and nights filled with hope.

And surely we swear by Allah – Exalted and Majestic – firmly, with full conviction in what our Lord has promised us of the help of His friends and defending them when they take from the means of victory, that hardship and difficulty will never be prolonged on a nation that surrender their needs to Allah and exclaim: O Allah, there is no one for us besides You, O Allah! And Allah – the Exalted – says: “And whoever holds firmly to Allah (i.e. follows Islam – Allah’s religion, and obeys all that Allah has ordered, practically), then he is indeed guided to a Right Path” [Aal Imraan; Verse 101] “And (as for) the believers it was incumbent upon Us to help (them).” [Room; Verse 47] “And that Our hosts, they verily would be the victors.” [Saaffaat; Verse 173] “Verily, Allah will help those who help His (Cause).” [Hajj; Verse 40] “Verily, We will indeed make victorious Our Messengers and those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah) in this world’s life and on the Day when the witness will stand forth (i.e. Day of Resurrection)” [Ghafir; Verse 51]

O Muslims: Verily waiting for relief is from amongst the greatest acts of worship. And verily despondency of the mercy of Allah is from amongst the major sins. And the believers should fill their optimistic hearts with the closeness of relief and the conviction of the end of the oppressors. “So make no haste against them; We only count out to them a (limited) number (of the days of the life of this world and delay their term so that they may increase in evil and sins).” [Maryam; Verse 84]

And surely Allah wants for His servants victory and relief greater than they imagine; and stability more everlasting than they are waiting for. “And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allah will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allah has set a measure for all things.” [Talaaq; Verse 3]

This; and send salutations and peace on the chosen prophet and selected messenger.

O Allah send salutations, peace and blessings on your servant and messenger Muhammad and on his good, pure family, and his companions, the fortunate personalities.

O Allah be happy with the guided leaders and rightly-guided khulafaa: Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali, and with all the rest of the companions of your prophet, and those who tread their path and follow their way O Lord of the worlds.

O Allah grant honour to Islam and the Muslims…

Source: http://khutaab.wordpress.com/2012/09/13/the-levant-shaam-its-virtues-and-its-history/

 

[BintAbee]

Easy acts of worship with immense reward

Sheikh Saalih aal Taalib
August 24, 2012 ~ Shawwal 6, 1433


First Khutbah
All praise be to Allah. All praise be to Allah, the Returner of the seasons and the eids, and the One who makes easy the paths of good so that the servant may be plenty in good and increase. Then all praise be to Allah on what He has legislated, and thanks to Him for the ability He has granted, and virtue to Him for His guidance. To Him is the returning and the turning back. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone. He has no partners and no rivals. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His messenger and the best of servants. May Allah’s salutations, peace and blessings be upon him and on his family and companions, the possessors of guidance, and those who follow them in goodness until the Day of Mutual Talks.

Thereafter:
Then piety – O Muslims – piety: the advice of the prophets, and the ornament of the saints and the best preparation for the Day of Meeting. “O you who believe! Fear Allah and keep your duty to Him. And let every person look to what he has sent forth for the morrow, and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is All-Aware of what you do.” [Hashr: Verse 18]

O Muslims: There still remains in our clothes a fragrance from the scents of our month that has not reduced, and there still remains in ourselves a moistness from the reciting of Quraan that has not dried, and there still remains in our eyes a dampness due to the farewell of Ramadan, and who can blame it for (not) drying, and this is not except for what it misses regarding the sweetness of worship and the sweetness of actions that bring (us) close (to Allah). And the mount of time of worship has not dried us, to reverberate the souls and overcome the hearts.

And if a person exercises patience, and overcomes his desires, and continues the voluntary acts of worship that he made habitual during the month of Ramadan like fasting, standing in prayer at night, recitation of Quraan, charity and goodness, his life will become a season of goodness always, and his self will change to a garden of good actions continuously and he will exemplify the saying of Allah – Glorified and Majestic – : “Say (O Muhammad – peace be upon him): ‘Verily my prayer, my sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of the worlds.” [An’aam: Verse 162]

O Muslims: The earth is Allah’s inheritance for his servants. They choose their houses from Paradise to the extent of their reaping for the Hereafter. “And they will say: ‘All praises and thanks be to Allah Who has fulfilled His Promise to us and has made us inherit (this) land. We can dwell in Paradise where we will.” [Zumar: Verse 74] And the true believer is going towards his Lord, rushing and he does not break down until his end is Paradise, and he does not stop until death overtakes him. “And worship your Lord until there comes unto you the certainty (i.e. death).” [Hijr: Verse 99]

And although the month of Ramadan has passed – and it is a month of multiplication of rewards – then verily Allah the Exalted is the Lord of all the months. And in life there are wide prospects for (doing) good deeds, and rewards (that) multiply. It (life) is – by Allah – the profiting store. And in the laws of Allah and the guidance of His messenger – peace be upon him – there are (many) roads that connect to Allah, and paths that lead and guide to His Pleasure, and actions that seek the pleasures of Allah and His Mercies, and he is rewarded for them with His Paradise, but where are the people busy in work (towards Paradise)?!

Abdullah bin Umar – may Allah be pleased with both of them – said: The messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – took me by my shoulder and said: “Be in this world as a stranger or a wayfarer” And Ibn Umar used to say: “At evening, do not wait for morning and at morning do not wait for evening, and take from your health for your sickness, and from your life for your death.” [Narrated by Bukhari]

And surely the prophet – peace be upon him – indicated towards easy actions, and set for them immense rewards, and opened for us wide doors of good actions to increase in for the Day of Recompense, and stock away for the meeting of Allah, the Lord of lords. “And whoever desires the Hereafter and strives for it, with the necessary effort due for it (i.e. do righteous deeds of Allah’s obedience) while he is a believer (in the Oneness of Allah), then such are the ones whose striving shall be appreciated, thanked and rewarded (by Allah).” [Israa: Verse 19]

Abu Tharr – may Allah be pleased with him – narrates that the messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: “A charity is due for every joint in each person on every day the sun comes up: For in every glorification there is a charity, and in praise of Him there is a charity, and in declaration of His Oneness there is a charity, and in every declaration of His Greatness there is a charity, and in enjoining good there is a charity, and forbidding evil is a charity, and 2 units of Dhuha prayers which one performs in the forenoon is equal to all this (in reward).” [Narrated by Muslim]

And he – may Allah be pleased with him – narrates that people said: “O messenger of Allah! The rich have taken the rewards. They pray as we pray, they fast as we fast, and they give charity from their extra wealth. He said: “Has Allah not made ways for you to give charity? In every glorification of Allah there is charity, and in every declaration of His Greatness there is charity, and in praise of Him is charity, and in every declaration of His Oneness there is charity, and enjoining good is charity, and forbidding evil is charity, and in a man’s intimate relations with his wife is charity.” They said: “O Messenger of Allah, is there a reward for one who satisfies his passions?” He said: “You see if he were to devote himself to something forbidden it would be a sin; likewise, if he were to devote himself to something lawful, he will have a reward.” [Narrated by Muslim]

And surely the believer reaches the highest stages through easy actions, by which he does not think he will reach what he has reached. Abu Hurairah – may Allah be pleased with him – narrates that the prophet – peace be upon him –said: “I saw a man going about in Paradise (and enjoying himself) as a reward for cutting from the middle of the road a tree which was causing inconvenience to the Muslims.” [Narrated by Muslim]

And in the narration by him: “A man who passed by a branch of a tree leaning over a road and decided to remove it, saying to himself: ‘By Allah! I will remove from the way of the Muslims so that it would not harm them.’ On account of this he was admitted to Paradise.”

According to another narration in Bukhari and Muslim: “While a man was walking, he saw a thorny branch on the road, so he removed it and Allah appreciated his action and forgave him.”

O Muslims: And a simple word that a servant seeks the pleasure of his Noble Lord, and he appreciates His widespread bounties. Anas – may Allah be pleased with him – narrates that the messenger of Allah –peace be upon him – said: “Verily Allah is pleased with a servant when he eats a morsel and praises him for it and when he takes a drink and praises him for it.” [Narrated by Muslim]

As for ablution and prayer, and this is repeated many times a day, then listen to what Abu Hurairah – may Allah be pleased with him – narrated that the messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: “When a Muslim – or a believer – performs ablution and washes his face, every sin he committed with his eyes will be washed away from his face along with the last drop of water; when he washes his hands, every sin he committed with his hands will be washed away along with the last drop of water; when he washes his feet, every sin towards which his feet have taken him will be washed away along with the last drop of water, until the result is his purification from sin.” [Narrated by Muslim]

Abu Hurairah – may Allah be pleased with him – said: The messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: “Shall I not guide you to that by which Allah wipes away the sins and raises the ranks?” They said: “Certainly O messenger of Allah” He said: “Completing the ablution when it is a hardship, and many steps towards the mosques and waiting for the (next) prayer after the prayer. That is defending the frontiers.” [Narrated by Muslim]

Abu Hurairah – may Allah be pleased with him – narrates that the messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: “The five obligatory prayers, the Friday prayer, Ramadan followed by another Ramadan expiate sins committed in between them as long as major sins are avoided.” [Narrated by Muslim]

Abu Hurairah – may Allah be pleased with him – narrated that the messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: “If people knew the reward for pronouncing the Athan (call to prayer) and for standing in the first row and found no other way to get that except by drawing lots, they would draw lots, and if they knew the reward for the Thuhr prayer (in the early moments of its stated time) they would race for it (go early) and if they knew the reward of Isha and Fajr prayers in congregation, they would come to offer them even if they had to crawl.” [Agreed upon]

Abu Abdullah – may Allah be pleased with him – or it is said: Abu Abdur Rahmaan – Thawbaan, mawla of the messenger – peace be upon him – and may Allah be pleased with Thawbaan – narrates: I heard the messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – saying: “Perform many prostrations, for verily you do not prostrate to Allah a prostration except that Allah raises you by it a rank, and reduces from you by it a sin.” [Narrated by Muslim]

And the remembrance of Allah the Exalted is a rubric of success, and a sign of ability and reformation. Abdullah bin Busr – may Allah be pleased with him – narrates that a man said: “O messenger of Allah! The laws of Islam are too much for me. Tell me something I can cling to. He said: “Your tongue should remain moist with the remembrance of Allah.” [Narrated by Tirmidhi]

Abu Darda – may Allah be pleased with him – says: the messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: “Shall I inform you of the best of your actions and the purest of your property and the highest of your degrees and what is better for you than spending in gold and silver and better for you than encountering your enemy and striking their necks and their striking your necks?” They said: “Yes indeed”. He said: “Remembrance of Allah the Exalted.” [Narrated by Tirmidhi, and Haakim said: its chain is authentic]

Abu Abbas – may Allah be pleased with him – said: the messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: “If someone clings to seeking forgiveness, Allah will appoint for him a way out of every constriction, and relief from every difficulty, and will provide for him from where he does not imagine.” [Narrated by Abu Dawood]

Shaddad bin Aws – may Allah be pleased with him – narrates that the prophet – peace be upon him – said: “The best way to seek forgiveness is for a slave to say: ‘O Allah You are my Lord. There is no god but You. You created me and I am Your slave. I comply with Your covenant and Your promise as much as I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done. I acknowledge my sin, so forgive me. Only You can forgive sins.’ Anyone who says this during the day having confidence in it and dies on that day before evening will be among the people of Paradise. Anyone who says it during the night having full confidence in it and dies before morning will be among the people of Paradise.” [Narrated by Bukhari]

And in goodness towards the creation, you should not hesitate in goodness, and do not belittle a good act that you present, even if it may be little. Adiyy bin Hatim – may Allah be pleased with him – said: I heard the prophet – peace be upon him – saying: “Fear (ward off) the Fire, even if it be by giving half a date in charity.” [Agreed upon]

And in a narration in them (Bukhari and Muslim) he said: the messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: “Allah will speak to every one amongst you without any interpreter between them. He (the man) would look towards his right and would not find anything but (the deeds) which he had done before and he would look towards his left and would not find anything but (the deeds) which he had done before. He would see in front of him and would find nothing but Fire just before his face. So protect (yourselves) against the Fire even if it is (by giving) half a date in charity. But if you fail to find it, (then protect yourselves against the Fire) with the help of a pleasant word.”

Abu Moosa – may Allah be pleased with him – narrates that the prophet – peace be upon him – said: “Every Muslim has to give in charity.” The people then asked: “(But what) if someone has nothing to give, what should he do?” The prophet replied: “He should work with his hands and benefit himself and also give charity (from what he earns).” The people further asked: “If he cannot find even that?” He replied: “He should help the needy who appeal for help.” Then the people asked: “If he cannot do (even) that?” The prophet said: “He should command to good”. The people asked: “If he cannot do (even) that? The prophet said: “He should keep away from evil deeds, and that will be regarded as charity.” [Agreed upon]

May Allah bless me and you in the Quraan and Sunnah, and benefit us of what is in them of verses and wisdom. I say these words of mine, and I seek forgiveness from Allah the Exalted for me and you.

Second Khutbah
All praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. The Beneficent, the Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgement. And I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone. He has no partner. His is the kingdom. The Clear Truth. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger, the truthful, the trustworthy. May Allah’s salutations, peace and blessings be upon him, and on all his family and companions.

Servants of Allah: Good actions with great recompense and concealed reward encompasses all dealings in the Muslim society like (dealings with) parents, wife, relatives and neighbours. Abdullah bin Mas’ood – may Allah be pleased with him – said: A man came to the messenger of Allah and said: “O messenger of Allah! Who from amongst mankind warrants my best companionship from me?” He replied: “Your mother”. The man asked: “Then who?” So he replied: “Your mother”. The man then asked: “Then who?” So the prophet replied again: “Your mother”. The man then asked: “Then who?” So he replied: “Your father.” [Agreed upon]

And in a narration: “O messenger of Allah! Who from amongst mankind warrants my best companionship from me? He said: “Your mother, then your mother, then your mother, then your father, then the next closest to you in kinship, then the one next closest.”

And his saying: “Then your father” means: then kindness to your father.

And Anas – may Allah be pleased with him – narrates that the messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: “Whosoever desired that he be granted more provision, and his life be prolonged, should join ties with his blood relations.” [Agreed upon]

And Abu Hurairah – may Allah be pleased with him – said: the messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: “The believer with the most complete faith is the one with the best character. And the best of you is the one who is the best to his wives.” [Narrated by Tirmidhi; and he said: good, authentic Hadeeth].

Ibn Umar and Aisha – may Allah be pleased with them both – said: the messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: “Jibraeel continued to advise me to be good to my neighbour until I thought that he would have m make him my heir.” [Agreed upon]

Abdullah bin Mas’ood – may Allah be pleased with him – narrates that the messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: “Let whosoever believes in Allah and the Last Day honour his guest, and let whosoever believes in Allah and the Last Day join his family ties and let whosoever believes in Allah and the Last Day speak good or be silent.” [Agreed upon]

And regarding covering up (the faults) of people, the messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: “No servant conceals (the faults of) another servant in this world, except that Allah conceals (his faults) on the Day of Judgement.” [Narrated by Muslim]

Abu Hurairah – may Allah be pleased with him – narrates: the messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – was asked about (what) causes most people to enter Paradise. He said: “Fearing Allah and good character.” And he was asked about (what causes) most people to enter the Fire. So he said: “The (sins of) the mouth and the private parts.” [Narrated by Tirmidhi and he said: (it is an) authentic hadeeth].

O Muslims: O those whom Allah has made noble by (virtue of) the fast of the month of Ramadan! Verily it is from the Sunnah that you fast six days from the month of Shawwaal. For surely the prophet – peace be upon him – said: “Whoever fasts Ramadan and follows it up by six (fasts) of Shawwaal, it is as if he has fasted an entire year.” [Narrated by Muslim]

And it is permissible to fast them continuously or intermittently.

So increase in pious actions, and remain on obedience and beware of evil deeds. “And be not like her who undoes the thread which she has spun after it has become strong.” [Nahl: Verse 92] And whosoever Allah has freed from the Fire, he should not return to disobedience, for he will return to the slavery of sins and to captivity.

Then send salutations and peace on the selected prophet and the pleased messenger.

O Allah send salutations, peace and blessings on your servant and messenger Muhammad, and on his good, pure family, and his companions, the fortunate personalities.

O Allah be happy with the guided leaders and rightly-guided khulafaa: Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali, and on all the rest of the companions of your prophet and whoever treads their path and follows their way, O Lord of the worlds.

O Allah grant honour to Islam and the Muslims…

Source: http://khutaab.wordpress.com/2012/09/17/easy-acts-of-worship-with-immense-reward/

 

[BintAbee]

Helping the Messenger صلى الله عليه و سلم .. How should it be?

Sheikh Saalih aal Taalib

September 21, 2012 ~ Thul Qa’dah 5, 1433


First Khutbah
All praise to Allah, Unique in His Lofty name, connected with the honourable, defending Kingship. He has no end and nothing is out of His reach. His Knowledge and Mercy encompass everything. And He completes for His servants widespread bounties. And He sends to them messengers from amongst themselves, the most precious of them, Arab and non-Arab. And much praise be to Allah as He gives much bounties. And I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone. He has no partner. And I bear witness that Muhammad is Allah’s servant and messenger, the best of creation (in) intellect, knowledge and tolerance, and the purest of them (in) soul and understanding. His Lord purified his spirit and body and He distanced him from faults and blemishes. May Allah’s salutations, peace and blessings be on him and on his pure good family and his companions, the fortunate personalities, and those who follow them in goodness until the Day of Judgement.

Thereafter:
Then piety – O people – piety: Mandate it in private and public and prepare for what will save you on the day of presenting before Allah, for all of us are returning to Him. And there is nothing except reaching Delight, or the punishment of the Fire. And the one who is given the ability is the one who rescues his soul and prepares his tools for the great matter. May Allah recompense our broken hearts, and forgive our great sins, and guide us to what saves us from His punishment, and draw us near to His Mercy and His Door.

O people:
Places and humans, and books and words are equal in their absolutely original forms. Then if they are increased they acquire their worth from what is added to them. And the greatest and most majestic and most serious addition is the addition to Allah, the Great, for the books of Allah are the crown of books, and the houses of Allah are the purest of houses, and the speech of Allah is the greatest speech, and His Messengers are the beginning of mankind and the ornamentation of this world.

Allah chose them the best of the best, and made them sinless before prophethood and after it, and exemplified the perfection of humans in their beings, and the high standards of humanity in their souls, and the upright paths in their guidance.

The messengers of Allah and His prophets are the best who have tread the earth, and the noblest and most kind of people. There is no path to Paradise except by obeying them, and there is no salvation from Hellfire except by believing in them, and there is no reaching to Allah, the Majestic and Noble, except with their guidance. Venerating the messenger is part of the veneration of the One Who sent him, and respecting him is part of respecting the One Who sent him, and their status by Allah is great.

And verily Allah guards over His prophets and defends them. How many nations were eradicated by the supplications of their prophets against them, and how many houses were changed and startled and shaken due to their belying their messengers and their taunting of them. “And indeed (many) Messengers were mocked before you, but their scoffers were surrounded by the very thing that they used to mock at.” [An’aam: Verse 10]

And prophets and messengers still continue to have a high position in laws and messengership. Every time a messenger came, he confirmed the truth of the messenger before him, and gave the glad tidings of a messenger after him. And all the messengers gave the glad tidings of a messenger who will come after them named: Ahmad; he is the seal of them and their leader in goodness; their leader, although he was the last of them in order – may Allah send salutations on him and send salutations on all His prophets, messengers and their followers.

O Muslims:
Expressions and praises fall short and the meanings and talents decrease in front of the greatness of the noble prophet and the great messenger, Muhammad, the son of Abdullah, the son of Abdul Muttalib, the Hashimite, the Qurayshy, the Arab. And the pulpits never reach (encompassing) his status. And the pens never accomplish his value. And the honourable biography is in no need of introduction, for value is high and status is lofty.
How can the prophets surpass your rank O sky, which no sky has surpassed (in loftiness)

O people:
Verily, the world from its beginning to its end has not known a human (with such) pure excellence, pure biography, graceful character, solid striving and strong connection to his Lord as is known in the prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him.

An the world has not known a human (who) has cut open the road of perfection, and made life smooth and comfortable for people, and called them to it eagerly, and explained its characteristics to them sleeplessly; and forbore, for the sake of Allah, what no one else forbore, as is known of the prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him.

And those who studied the philosophy of character, sociology, politicians, army generals and founders of civilizations and countries know some of the greatness of this great messenger. Then when these comprehensive studies regarding the great people of the earth are concluded and are compared with the excellent leaders of humanity, it halts in front of the distinction of the perfect human: Muhammad, the son of Abdullah, so that it is seen that the geniuses of the earth fade in his brightness, and that their legacies are minute in front of his guidance, and that their excelling over their peers amounts to nothing in front of the rising sun of prophethood and its wonderful halo.

Verily the reality of the messenger – peace be upon him – is above the description of the describers and the hands that discharge it. It makes every believer indebted to him for the light of faith that illuminates his soul and purifies it. “And verily, you (O Muhammad – peace be upon him) are indeed guiding (mankind) to the Straight Path. The Path of Allah, to Whom belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. Verily, all the matters at the end go to Allah.” [Shoora: Verse 52-53]

Verily Muhammad – peace be upon him – came in the descendants of prophethoods which Satan followed the fruits of. And his coming was the last word of the heavens, for it was an assurance preventing distortion and a protection against deviation to conserve the long future of humanity, and in the noble Quraan: “By Allah, We indeed sent (Messengers) to the nations before you (O Muhammad – peace be upon him), but Satan made their deeds fair-seeming to them. So he (Satan) is their helper today, and theirs will be a painful torment. And We have not sent down the Book to you (O Muhammad – peace be upon him), except that you may explain clearly unto them those things in which they differ, and (as) a guidance and a mercy for a folk who believe.” [Nahl: Verse 63-64]

Fabricated religions were in existence, and beliefs ascribed to Allah that is not befitting and sayings about Him that cannot be uttered and it reached from the stability of this and that that it resisted the truth severely when it came, and the world only gained misery from it. In that regard, Allah – Exalted and Majestic – said: “Then, who does more wrong than one who utters a lie against Allah, and denies the truth when it comes to him! Is there not in Hell an abode for the disbelievers? And he (Muhammad –peace be upon him) who has brought the truth and (those who) believed therein, those are the pious persons. They shall have all that they will desire with their Lord. That is the reward of good-doers.” [Zumar; Verse 32-34]

Verily the coming of Muhammad – peace be upon him – was the birth of truth in its most glorious form and its brightest ray, and the rising of this truth was a declaration of the passing away of the prevailing confusion and the miserable mood.

Surely Islam came to announce about One God. He created everything, Exalted, above similarity to anything. “There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer. To Him belong the keys of the heavens and the earth, He enlarges provision for whom He wills, and straitens (it for whom He wills). Verily! He is the All-Knower of everything.” [Shoora: Verse 11-12]

And the absolute Oneness is the truth that Islam regards as very valuable, and it spreads its verses in every horizon. Surely the coming of the prophet – peace be upon him – was salvation from this godlessness and its disgraceful consequences; and a raising and defense against oppression and the worshiping of humans by humans, and these were the first signs of widespread mercy that the possessor of this great message was sent with. Following that were the actions and manners, for Muhammad – peace be upon him – came to all nationalities with a religion commanding them to do good and forbidding them from all sins. Verily Muhammad – peace be upon him – is a divine production never to be repeated, so glory be to the One Who perfected Muhammad.

O people:
The stance today is not the stance of speaking about the status of the messengers and the virtue of the seal of them – peace and salutations be on all of them – and not confirming the truth of the prophethood of Muhammad – peace be upon him – and the authenticity of his message, for this is something that no human who respects his intellect argues over, and the means of recognition today are abundant to a great extent. But it is pausing and indications around what busies people regarding the insults of the person of our prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him – and the violation of our final religion, which agitates the bosoms, and makes the hearts boil as pots boil. And there is no good in a nation when its prophet is harmed and they do not get angry, and there is no good in anger for the messenger of Allah discharged (causing) the anger of Allah and His messenger.

It is impossible for a man who has a respected culture or insightful intellect to hate Muhammad. Why does he hate him?! Is it because his book describes the Exalted Creator saying: “Allah! None has the right to be worshiped but He, the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists. Neither slumber, nor sleep overtake Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on earth.” [Baqarah: Verse 255]

Muhammad is the messenger of Allah – peace, salutations and blessings be upon him – may my father and my mother and myself be sacrificed for him – today one billion, five hundred million or more people follow him. He is more beloved to them than themselves, their wealth, their children and all people. Their selves are for his soul sacrificed and their honour is for his honour a protection. All of them say as Hassaan (Radiallahu Anhu) said:
Then verily my father and his father and my honour
Is for the honour of Muhammad amongst you a protection.

And a question to the so-called liberals: For whose interests are these incitements been incited?! For whose interests have civilizations and cultures been shocked?! And (since) when has freedom of speech meant violation without limits or restraints?!

Alas, so where is the freedom of speech when denying the slaughtering of the Jews before the treaty which the politicians assume to be more than the historical reality?! No individual in the world dares to deny it (holocaust) or doubt it except that the international organizations and their governments, courts and leaders pursue him. As for the messenger Muhammad – peace be upon him – them talking about him is permissible, and a freedom granted by the law! What is wrong with you, how do you judge?!

Verily the leaders and decision makers should know that the reactions of the nations are a flood that cannot be seized and a raging fire that cannot be extinguished, and maybe the bridle has disappeared, so no word is heard, and no wisdom benefits, and especially when the Ummah is disgraced regarding its holy symbol.

Therefore, it is on the wise to prevent the fools, and on the leaders to prevent those who fuel fires, and no one should accept an excuse regarding his religion.

Verily we call for dialogue, understanding and tolerance, but all these will be of no use if those people continue inheriting the deep-rooted hatred of centuries and harbouring in their hearts resentment with no tranquillity towards Islam and its messenger and its Ummah.

Where are the international laws and international treaties that criminalize calling towards hate and racism, and especially when it represents (in drawing/pictures/photographs etc.) direct provocation towards violence?!

Verily we request from the world, which claims with its assembly to place rules for the protection of all, to draw up a code of ethics and (to) legislate a binding law forbidding and criminalizing the insulting of the prophets and messengers and their heavenly messages.

And surely the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques has called for that in every gathering, and strived in extending the bridges of dialogue between the followers of the heavenly religions and the human cultures, so that the relationships between the nations of the earth are built on foundations of cooperation, justice and mercy and to change the world from the clashing of civilizations to the dialogue of civilizations, and calling to the truth without prevention or misrepresentation, for these are our principles, the principles of Islam. In it is the respect of the prophets, all of them; and believing in them, all of them; and following them; and spreading goodness, security and Islam.

And in the description of Allah of His prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him -: “And We have sent you (O Muhammad – peace be upon him) not but as a mercy for the worlds.” [Anbiyaa: Verse 107]

May Allah bless me and you in the Quraan and the Sunnah, and benefit us of what is in them of verses and wisdom. Surely I have said what has passed and I seek forgiveness of Allah – the Exalted – for me and you.

Second Khutbah

All praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. The Beneficent, the Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgement. And I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone. He has no partner. The King, the Clear Truth. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger. May Allah send salutations, peace and blessings on him and on his companions and those who follow them, and those who follow them in goodness until the Day of Jugdement.

Servant of Allah:
It was said to one of the predecessors: A person has backbitten about you. He said: “Surely he has thrown an arrow at me that did not wound me, until you came and carried it to me.”

So the prophets of Allah – peace be upon them – are continuously insulted and mocked, them and their followers and this happens in every period and place. “And never came a Messenger to them but they did mock him.” [Hijr: Verse 11]

And even if that occurred from the most evil human and the worst in both the worlds, then it is compulsory on the one who heard something of that not to spread it and not to speak about it except to an authority that is able to prevent the abuse.

And surely the poems of the polytheists speaking ill of the leader of the messengers were lost although they were many and (even though they) were delivered as songs. And those poems died then and there when the Muslims did not celebrate or exchange it between them, and they did not include them when mentioning lines of poetry or the information of the Arabs.

Your religion – O servants of Allah – is manifest, and your prophet is sufficed and helped. “It is He Who has sent His Messenger (Muhammad – peace be upon him) with guidance and the religion of , to make it superior over all religions even though the polytheists, hate (it).” [Tawbah; Verse 33]. And the status of the prophets will never be affected at all by the attacks of foolish atheists or betrayed disbelievers. And Allah – the Exalted – says: “Truly! We will suffice you against the scoffers.” [Hijr; Verse 95]

So the positions of the prophets are protected, and their values are dear and safeguarded, and verily the insulter is the poor loser. “For he who makes you angry (O Muhammad -peace be upon him)), – he will be cut off (from every good thing in this world and in the Hereafter).” [Kawthar; Verse 3]

And perhaps in this there is a balm for the souls of the listeners and a moistening for the hearts of the defending believers, guidance for their appreciated defence and their rewarded help.

O Muslims:
In the famous incident of “Ifk” (slander), Allah – Exalted and Majestic – said: “Consider it not a bad thing for you. Nay, it is good for you.” [Noor; Verse 11] and in the incidents of these days the emotions are stirred, whereas they were cold in the souls of some of the Muslims. The gazes of the non-Muslims have turned to this religion and its noble prophet, and sluggish water has been moved towards the Muslims and other than them.

And if the Muslims make good use of this incident, it will be a victory and honour, and if they make bad use of it, it will become a defeat, and repulsion.

Verily the described good of this Ummah is a complete good that does not divide, so it is incumbent on the Muslims to portray their goodness in reactions, for killing innocent (people) is not of goodness, nor is the destruction of properties, nor demagoguery in dealing with the incidents.

And if the Muslims portray more of holding onto the guidance of their prophet and treading his footsteps, and spreading his biography and knowledge of it, making use of the social media sites – as many Muslims do thankfully – this will be the most impressive reply to the insulters, and to instigate their arguments for the prevention of the repetition of the insults due to what they see of adverse da’wah effects, for verily this reply is the most hurtful for those who insult, and it is dealing with contrary intent.

As for the objective behind every one that wishes evil for this Ummah, (it is) either by busying it with its condition that it is being trialled by in this period, or by provoking the Muslim expatriates in the West towards actions that they are not responsible for to justify their deportation, as the right wing calls for in that country, or so that those actions are a justification for the prevention and blockage of every da’wah activity in the West after they have realised that Islam is present in every angle of their countries, and the future is for it.

Verily the Muslims should know that they are not in need of new incidents distressing the rising tide of Islam and losing its gains. Verily the Muslims should be at the level of awareness and maturity, and not to repeat mistakes, and verily living for Islam is sometimes more effective in its (incident’s) antagonism than dying for it (Islam).

Verily, helping the prophet – peace be upon him – does not mean straying from his Sunnah, and (does) not (mean) acting contrary to his guidance. Verily these insulting incidents mandate that the Ummah increases in holding onto its religion, and protecting its prophet, and returning to following his Sunnah, in happiness and anger, and weakness and strength. “So be patient (O Muhammad – peace be upon him). Verily, the Promise of Allah is true, and let not those who have no certainty of faith, discourage you from conveying Allah’s Message (which you are obliged to convey).” [Room; Verse 60]

O Allah send salutations on the merciful guider and the holy bounty.
O Allah send salutations, peace and blessings on Your servant and messenger Muhammad, and on his pure good family and his companions, the fortunate personalities.
O Allah be pleased with the guided leaders and rightly guided khulafa: Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali and with all the other companions of Your prophet and those who tread their path and follow their way, O Lord of the worlds.
O Allah grant honour to Islam and the Muslims…

Source: https://khutaab.wordpress.com/2012/10/03/helping-the-messenger/

 

[_Y168]

Subhaan Allaah! Jazaakillaah Khair. May Allaah reward you abundantly. Aameen.

 

[A-Brother]

Standing Up For The Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasalam - 2nd Version Of Translation - How Should It Be?

Sheikh Saalih aal Taalib

September 21, 2012 ~ Thul Qa’dah 5, 1433


Part One

Praise be to Allah Who has His unique Supreme Name, Who is distinguished by
the rule of the Most Powerful Kingdom, the Eternal, with no beginning and no end.
He encompassed everything with His Mercy and Knowledge and bestowed His
abundant blessings upon His servants. He sent them a Messenger (Muhammad)
from among themselves, Arabs and non-Arabs. All Praise be to Allah and I bear
witness that there is no deity worthy of worship save Allah alone, Who has no
partners. And I also bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger, who
is the best amongst all creatures in mind, knowledge and tolerance. His Lord purified
his soul and body and guarded him against any flaw or disgrace. May Allah send His
Salat and Peace upon him, his kind, virtuous family, his honourable, blessed
Companions, and those who follow their footsteps in righteousness until the Day of
Judgement.

Guard taqwa (fear of Allah), O people! Guard taqwa! Keep to it secretly and
openly, and make ready for that which saves you at the Day of Exposure before Allah,
for we all shall return unto Him. Once judged, there is either eternal bliss (in Paradise)
or eternal torment in the blazing Fire. The successful people are those who save their
own souls and get ready for the Great Event (the Day of Judgment). May Allah
cleanse our hearts, forgive all our sins, guide us to what saves us from His
punishment, and bring us closer to His Mercy.

O People!

Land and mankind, books and words might be equal in their abstract origins;
however, if they are attached to anything, they shall acquire their value from that
thing to which they are attached. The greatest, the most important and serious
attachment is the attachment to Almighty Allah. For the Books of Allah are the crown
of all books, the houses of Allah (mosques) are the most immaculate houses, and the
word of Allah is the best of all words, and His Messengers are the best of all mankind
and the ornament of life.

Allah selected them as the best descendants from the best ancestors, saved them
from committing sins before and after prophethood. Human perfection is represented
in them, the eminence of humanity is represented in their souls, and the straightest
paths are represented in their guidance.


The messengers and prophets of Allah are the best who have trodden the earth, the
noblest and most pious humans. There is no path that leads to Paradise and away from
the Hell Fire except by believing and obeying them. No person can ever reach Allah
without their guidance. The greatness and honour of a Messenger derives from the
greatness and honour of the One Who has sent him. Thus, their dignity in the eyes of
Allah is great.

Truly, Allah is vigilant in defending his messengers. How many a nation has been
annihilated because its messenger invoked Allah against it and how many a country
was turned upside down, struck violently or quaked because they belied their
messengers and mocked them. And indeed (many) Messengers before you
were mocked at, but their scoffers were surrounded by the very
thing that they used to mock at. [Al-An’âm: 10]

The messengers and prophets still have of a great position in divine laws and
Messages. Whenever there came a messenger, he believed in the one who came
before him and gave glad tidings of a messenger to come after him. The glad tidings
of all the messengers to their people agreed upon a messenger to come called 'Ahmad'
(the more praiseworthy). He is the Seal of all of them and their Imam (leader) even
though he was the last of them. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him
and upon all prophets and messengers and all their followers.

O Muslims!

All expressions, praises, meanings and talents fall short in front of the greatness of
the Arab noble Prophet and Messenger Muhammad ibn `Abd Allah ibn `Abd al-
Muttalib Al Hashimi Al Qurashi. Neither pulpits nor inkstands will suffice to grant
him his due worth. His honorable Sira (life) need not be told about, as his standing is
lofty and his objective is eminent. (Then, the sheikh cites a line of poetry describing
the Prophet's standing): How could prophets attain your level, O you, who is a lofty
heaven, no other heaven can be compared with.

O People!

Never has the world, from its creation to eternity, known a man with such
attributes as Prophet Muhammad (). For, he was pure, reputable, good-looking,
brave and deeply attached to Allah. Neither has the world known a man who opened
the way of perfection, paved it very well to people, called them cordially to it, and
explained its features to them in the most subtle way as Muhammad () did. He also
endured for the sake of Allah what no other human could endure.

Those who have studied about the philosophers of ethics, sociologists, politicians,
army leaders, and founders of civilizations and states stand still before the greatness
of this perfect man, Muhammad ibn Abdullah, to find that all the geniuses of the earth
have disappeared in the brightness of his light, that their legacies have shrunk in front
of his guidance, and that the privilege those great people had over their peers became
nothing in front of the rising sun of prophethood and its beautiful aura.
The verity of the Messenger () is above all descriptions. The great services he
has offered make every believer indebted to him for the light of faith that illuminated
his/her life and purified it. And verily, you (O Muhammad
  
)
are indeed guiding (mankind) to the Straight Path (i.e. Allâh’s
Religion of Islâmic Monotheism). The Path of Allâh to Whom belongs
all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. Verily, all
matters at the end go to Allâh (for decision). [Ash-Shûra: 52-53]
Prophet Muhammad () came after some prophets whose fruits were spoiled and
damaged by Satan. The Prophet's Message was the last heavenly Message. Thus, it
was a guarantee preventing crookedness, and protecting from corruption, to safeguard
the long future of humanity. In the Holy Qur'an, we read: By Allâh, We indeed
sent to the nations before you, but Shaitân made their deeds fairseeming
to them.

So he is their Wali today, and theirs will be a
painful torment. And We have not sent down the Book to you
except that you may explain clearly unto them those things in
which they differ, and a guidance and a mercy for a folk who
believe. [Al-Nal: 63-64]

There were contrived religions and beliefs which attributed to Allah what does not
befit Him and attributed false reports to Him. Such contrived religions and beliefs
were so deeply rooted that they strongly resisted the Truth, when it came. As a result,
the world won only misery. That is why Allah () says,  Then, who does more
wrong than one who utters a lie against Allâh, and denies the truth
when it comes to him! Is there not in Hell an abode for the
disbelievers? And he who has brought the truth and believed
therein, those are Al-Muttaqûn. They shall have all that they will
desire with their Lord. That is the reward of Muhsinûn. [Az-zumar:
32-34]


Indeed, Muhammad's Mission (
) was the birth of Truth in its best form and
brightest rays. The rise of this Truth was an indication for the demise of the prevailing
confusion and overhanging misery.

Islam has come to declare that there is only one God who created everything and
that there is nothing like Him: There is nothing like Him; and He is the
All-Hearer, the All-Seer. To Him belong the keys of the heavens
and the earth. He enlarges provision for whom He wills, and
straitens. Verily He is the All-Knower of everything. [Ash-Shura: 11-
12]

Absolute monotheism is the truth which Islam overemphasized and extended its
signs in every horizon. The Mission of Muhammad (
) was salvation from atheism
and its nefarious consequences, removal and repulsion of injustice and of the
enslavement of man by man. These were the first signs of the overwhelming mercy
with which was sent the one entrusted with of this great message. Then, the emphasis
of good deeds and behavior followed. Muhammad (
) did come to all races with a
religion telling them to enjoin Al-Ma‘rûf (good deed) and forbid Al-Munkar (bad deed
or evil), sanctioning At-Tayyibât (anything that is good and harmless) and forbidding
Al-Khabâ’ith (anything that is evil and harmful). Muhammad (
) is a divine creation
which did not recur. Glorified be He who excelled in creating Mohammed.

O People!

Today we are not trying to talk comprehensively about the standing of the
Messengers and the merit of their Seal (May peace and blessings of Allah be upon
them all), neither are we trying to prove the truthfulness of the prophethood of
Muhammad (
) and the truthfulness of his Message, for no one respecting his/her
mind can contest this as there are so many channels of knowledge available
nowadays. Yet, there are views and indications flaring up in our chests and boiling in
our hearts that need to be made about what preoccupies people concerning the abuse
of Prophet Muhammad (
) and the prejudice towards our religion. Let it be known
that there is no good in a nation whose prophet is hurt and does not get angry, and
there is no good in being angry for the sake of Allah's Messenger (
) which leads to
the wrath of Allah and His Messenger.

It is impossible for a man with a respected culture or a shrewd mind to harbor any
sort of malice against Prophet Muhammad (
). Why harbor malice against him? Is it
just because his Book describes the Almighty Creator (Allah) saying: Allâh! Lâ
ilâha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), AlPage


Hayyul-Qayyum (the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and
protects all that exists). Neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him.
To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the
earth. [Al-baqarah: 255]

Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah (
), for whose sake I sacrifice my father,
my mother, and myself is followed today by more than a billion and a half people,
who love him more than themselves, their money, their children and the rest of
mankind. They are ready to sacrifice themselves for his sake, and protect his honor
with theirs. All of them reiterate what Hassan (The Prophet's poet) said:
(My father, my grandfather, and my honor are shields for Muhammad's honor against
you.)

A question I ask those who claim to defend the freedom of speech: For whose sake
are such incitements to evil raised?! For whose sake are civilizations and cultures
pushed to clash?! And when has the freedom of speech meant aggression without
limits or restrictions?!

Where indeed did the freedom of speech disappear when the Holocaust, which
took place decades ago, was denied? Was not the Holocaust imposed by politics
rather than by historical facts? No person in the world dare deny or question it. If ever
one dares, he will be pursued by world organizations, governments, courts and
politicians. Whereas, talking malevolently about the great Messenger Muhammad (
)
is permissible and the freedom of speech is guaranteed by law! How do you judge
so?!

Politicians and decision-makers should realize that peoples’ reactions are typhoons
which cannot be controlled and an explosive hell which cannot be avoided. Matters
may get out of control, and in this case, no word would be heard and no wisdom
would be useful, especially if a nation is humiliated in its sacred symbol.
So the wise have to prevent the foolish and politicians have to prevent those who
light fires, and no one would accept any excuses from those who abuse his religion.
We call for dialogue, understanding and tolerance, but all this is of no avail if the
hearts of those people continue to inherit the hatreds of centuries and heap fathomless
scorn on Islam, its Messenger and its ummah.

Where are the international law and treaties that criminalize the advocacy of hatred
and racial discrimination, especially when they constitute a direct incitement to
violence?!


We call upon the world which claims, in its totality, to have made a set of rules to
protect all people to issue a code of conduct and enact a binding law which prohibits
and criminalizes insulting the prophets and messengers, and their Heavenly Messages.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques has advocated this in every occasion and
sought to build bridges of dialogue between the followers of the Monotheistic
religions and human cultures so that the relationship between the nations of the earth
is built on the basis of acquaintance, justice and mercy and thus the
world turns from the clash of civilizations to the dialogue of civilizations and calls for
the Truth without any discouragement or distortion. This is our principle, the principle
of Islam, which means believing, respecting, and following all the Prophets as well as
disseminating good, peace and security.

Describing His Prophet Muhammad (
), Allah says: And We have sent you
not but as a mercy for the ‘Âlamîn. [Al-Anbiya: 107]
May Allah bless you and me by Qur'an and Sunnah and benefit us with their
verses and wisdom! Having said this, I ask Allah, be He exalted, to forgive me and
you!




Part Two

Praise be to Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful, Lord of the worlds, the Only
Owner (and the Only Ruling Judge) of the Day of Recompense (i.e. the Day of
Resurrection). I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah alone who has no
partners, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. May Allah
bless him, his Companions, the tab'in, and those who follow them until the Day of
Resurrection!

Servants of Allah!

It was once said to one of our predecessors: “Someone slandered you.” He
responded, “He, thus, threw an arrow towards me, but it didn’t reach me until you
stabbed me with it.”
The Prophets of Allah (May peace be upon them all), and their followers are still
abused and mocked in every era, and in every country. And never came a
Messenger to them but they did mock him. [A-Hijr: 11]
While such an action emanates from people that belong to the lowest classes of
humanity and occupy the bottom status in the two worlds (this world and the
Hereafter), it is the duty of anyone, who hears derisions, not to spread them nor
transmit them except to a capable ruler who can prevent the transgressor.

The infidels’ satirical poetry mocking Prophet Muhammad (), the master of all
messengers, faded into oblivion although it was widely spread and recited. Such
poems vanished immediately because Muslims neither paid attention to them nor
circulated them. Most of these poems are not mentioned in any of Arab news or
collections of poetry.

O servants of Allah! Your religion is manifest and your Prophet is taken care of by
Allah and he is victorious:

It is He Who has sent His Messenger (Muhammad
 
)with guidance and the religion of truth (Islâm), to make it superior
over all religions even though the Mushrikûn (polytheists, pagans,
idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh) hate (it). [At-Taubah:
33]

The standing of the prophets will not be lowered due to an impertinent atheist, or a
disheartened infidel. Allah, be He exalted, says: Truly! We will suffice you
against the scoffers. [A-Hijr: 95]
The Prophets’ standings are preserved and their fates are precious and protected,
but the impertinent transgressor is the miserable loser. For he who hates you

(O Muhammad
 ), he will be cut off (from posterity and
every good thing in this world and in the Hereafter). [Al-Kauthar: 3]
This verse heals the suffering souls and sweetens the hearts of ardent believers and
guides them in their thankful devotion and rewarded advocacy.
O Moslems!
In the notorious “ifk” (fabrication) (ifk about Aisha (May Allah be pleased with
her), the Prophet's wife), Allah () says:
... Consider it not a bad thing for you. Nay, it is good for you. [An-
Nûr: 11]
In the insolent fabrication of these days against the Prophet (), Muslims’
feelings, which have long lain dormant, have flared, and many non-Moslems have
paid attention to our honorable religion and our Noble Prophet (). Today’s
fabrication moved stagnant water in Muslim and non-Muslim countries.


If Muslims make good use of this event, it can be a road for conquest and triumph,
and if they misuse it, it can lead to relapse and alienation.
The benevolence with which the Muslim Ummah (nation) is depicted is an
indivisible whole. Therefore, Muslims should show their benevolence in their
reactions. It is not benevolent to kill innocent people or destroy properties. It is not
benevolent to follow hooliganism while dealing with such events.

If Muslims had demonstrated closer adherence to their Prophet’s guidance and
footsteps, and spread his tradition and biography, making use of the international
social networks to communicate with others as some Muslims have already
thankfully done this would have been the most effective response to the insolence of
the attackers, and we would have seen how our enemies would hasten to prevent the
repetition of the abuse leveled at our Prophet () when they witness our counter
abuse activities. Such a response would be the most productive vis-à-vis those who
have abused our Prophet () and the best way to refute the intentions of the
offenders.

But, following those who harbor evil intentions towards this Ummah (nation)
either through keeping it busy with the problems which are afflicting it in these times,
or provoking the Muslim communities in foreign countries to commit irresponsible
actions that will lead to their expulsion, which right-wing parties in those countries
are calling for; or to lead those countries to prohibit or suspend any activities for
da'wa (religious call) in the West, after they realized the presence of Islam in each
corner in their countries and that the future belongs to it.

Muslims should realize that they do not need any more of such events that may
result in restricting the tide of Islam and losing its gains. Muslims should show a high
level of maturity and awareness, and they should not repeat the same mistakes. They
also should know that sometimes living for Islam has a heavier negative effect on its
enemies than dying for it.

Standing up for the Prophet () does not mean breaching his Sunnah, nor does it
lead to an action that opposes his guidance. The abuse that has occurred should make
the Ummah cling more firmly to its religion, defend more ardently its Prophet, and
follow his Sunnah in contentment and wrath, in strength and weaknesses. So be
patient (O Muhammad
 
). Verily, the Promise of Allâh is
true; and let not those who have no certainty of faith, discourage
you from conveying Allâh’s Message (which you are obliged to
convey). [Ar-Rûm: 60]

O Allah! Send Your Salat (Graces, Honours, and Mercy) and Peace on Your
servant and Messenger Muhammad, the Given Mercy, the Offered Blessing! O Allah!
Send Your Salat (Graces, Honours, and Mercy) and Peace on Your servant and
Messenger Muhammad, on his kind, virtuous family and his honourable, blessed
Companions! O Allah! Be pleased with the guided imams and the righteous tab'în
(the contemporaries of the Companions of the Prophet  after his death), and all the
Caliphs –Abu Bakr, Omar, Othman and Ali– and on all of Your Prophet's
Companions, and on those who follow their path, O Lord of the Worlds!

O Allah! Grant glory to Islam and Muslims, and fail polytheism and polytheists
(who associate partners with You). O Allah! Destroy the enemies of Your Religion.

O Allah! Grant safety and security to this homeland and to the rest of Muslim
homelands!

O Allah! Fail those who want to harm or divide our country, turn their plots
against them, and make that the cause of their own destruction!

O Allah! Grant us safety in our homelands, guide our leaders and those responsible
for our affairs, and support with the Truth our Imam and leader. O Allah! Grant
success to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and make his deeds the source of
Your Satisfaction, and provide him with a righteous retinue! O Allah! Reunite
through him the word of all Muslims and raise high the emblem of our religion! O
Allah! Reward him for supporting the causes of all Muslims, for his striving to unify
them, and for his firm stance for blocking all the electronic links that insult our noble
Prophet! O Allah! Grant him and our Crown Prince success, and help them all in
their endeavors for the good and welfare of this nation.

O Allah! Improve the conditions of our Muslim brothers in all countries. O Allah!
Improve their conditions in Syria. O Allah! Gather them around Your Truth and
Guidance. O Allah! Spare their blood, reassure them, feed the hungry people among
them, preserve their dignity and honour, strengthen their hearts, and grant them power
and victory over their oppressors! O Allah! Lift the siege around them! O Allah!
Bring an end to their suffering! O Allah! Bring an end to their suffering!

O Allah! Come to the succor of the orphans, the widows, and the oppressed! O
Allah! Have mercy on them, O You our Lord, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate, O
You Who help the oppressed!

O Allah! Defeat the tyrant and oppressors! O Allah! Inflict Your suffering and
contempt on them! O You, the Lord of the Truth!

O Allah! Grant victory to Your Religion, Your Holy Book, Your Prophet’s
Sunnah, and Your true servants! O Allah! Grant victory to the oppressed among the
Muslims everywhere, and reunite them around Your Truth. O You, Lord of al-'alamîn
(the worlds)! O Allah! Grant them victory in Palestine over the Zionist occupiers! O
Allah! Grant victory to the oppressed in Burma! O Allah! Spare their blood, improve
their conditions!, and be on their side, O You Lord of the worlds, Most Merciful,
Most Compassionate!


… Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the
Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the
Fire! [ Al-Baqarah: 201]

O Allah! Forgive our sins, pardon our shortcomings, make easy our affairs, and
fulfill our hopes in accordance with Your pleasure! O Lord! Forgive our parents, our
grandparents, our wives and children, O You, Who hears our prayers!

O Allah! Accept our prayers, and forgive us! You are indeed Most Forgiving,
Most Merciful!
Glorified be You Lord, the Lord of Honor and Power! You are free from what they
attribute unto You! May peace be upon the Messengers! The last of our supplications
is all praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds!

 

[A-Brother]

Paradise

Sheikh Saalih aal Taalib
September 12, 2008 ~ Ramadaan 1, 1429


Right Click > Save: Khutbah Audio in Arabic
Right Click > Save: Khutbah Text in Arabic​

First Khutbah
All praise be to Allah. All praise be to Allah, the Possessor of virtue and bounties. For him is abundant praise and purest greetings, and (in) Him is the hope for forgiveness of sins and errors. He threats and He promises, and makes the good outcome for the one who believes in Him and guides and who is steadfast and guided and does not ascribe any partners with his Lord.
And I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone. He has no partner. He begets not, nor was He begotten, and there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him.
And I bear witness that Muhammad is Allah’s servant and messenger. He gave his nation the glad-tidings of Paradise and warned them of Hellfire, and being dissatisfied with this abode, longing for the permanent abode. May Allah send salutations, peace and blessings on him and on his pure family and chosen companions and those who follow them and those who follow them in goodness until the Day of Judgement.
Thereafter:
O Muslims: I advise you and myself with the fear of Allah. For it is the preparation of this life to reach to the promise of the God. And do not let the life of this world distract you, for verily life is a wheel that will soon stop and souls are approaching and nearing their deadlines. Then all the creation will thereafter arrive at the promise of Allah or His threat. “O my people! Truly, this life of the world is nothing but a enjoyment, and verily, the Hereafter that is the home that will remain forever. 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, such will enter Paradise, where they will be provided therein (with all things in abundance) without limit.” [Ghafir: Verse 39-40] So the one who is granted the ability is the one who is earnest and strives and in the seasons of goodness he strives and in them he rejoices to attain Paradise and with Paradise he is triumphant.

O fasters, O worshipers, O weak repenters: Allah’s glad-tidings for you is the eternal Garden, the home of peace. And His Promise for you is Lofty Gardens. And for the one who fears the standing (in front of) his Lord is two gardens. Talking about Paradise – O believers – is an antidote, a solace, a yearning and faith. And at the time of good deeds, the hearts are eager for its promised and they hope for gardens from their Lord and the One they (hearts) worship, for Paradise is promised by the Lord of the worlds and (it is) His recompense for the pious workers, and it is the solace of the patient ones and the destination of the journey of the worshipers. It is the houses of the prophets and the abode of the true, happy friends and the resting place of the saints. Paradise and whatever is in it is the end of the hope of the hopeful and the objective of the ambitions of the ambitious. The talk about Paradise is the “departure of the souls to the lands of joys”, and the objective of it (talking about Paradise) is strengthening courage and melting the hearts and reminding the souls, and giving glad-tidings to the people of faith and Sunnah of what Allah has prepared for them in Paradise, for verily they are deserving of good news in the life of this world and the Hereafter. “And give glad tidings to those who believe and do righteous good deeds, that for them will be Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise).” [Baqarah: Verse 25] “That is (the Paradise) whereof Allah gives glad tidings to His slaves who believe (in the Oneness of Allah) and do righteous good deeds.” [Shoora: Verse 23] “Those who believed (in the Oneness of Allah) and emigrated and strove hard and fought in Allah’s Cause with their wealth and their lives are far higher in degree with Allah. They are the successful. Their Lord gives them glad tidings of a mercy from Him, and that He is pleased (with them), and of Gardens (Paradise) for them wherein are everlasting delights. They will dwell therein forever. Verily, with Allah is a great reward.” [Tawbah: Verse 20-22]
Paradise is the promised and its bounties surpass description and imagination. In the two authentic (books) (Bukhari and Muslim): “A (small) place equal to an area occupied by a whip in Paradise is better that the world and whatever is in it.” The people of Paradise will be welcomed with security and the glad tidings of eternity. “My worshipers! No fear shall be on you this Day, nor shall you grieve, (you) who have believed in Our verses and were Muslims. Enter Paradise, you and your wives, in happiness. Trays of gold and cups will be passed round them, therein all that the one’s inner-selves could desire, all that the eyes could delight in, and you will abide therein forever. This is the Paradise which you have been made to inherit because of your deeds which you used to do. Therein for you will be fruits in plenty, of which you will eat.” [Zukhruf: Verse 68-73]
And in the two authentic (books) (Bukhari and Muslim): That the prophet – peace be upon him – said: “Verily the first group (of people) who will enter Paradise will be (glittering) like the moon when it is full; and those who will enter next will be (glittering) like the most brilliant star in the sky. They will not urinate, defecate, spit or blow their noses. Their utensils will be of gold and their sweat will smell like musk. The aloes-wood will be used in their centers. Their wives will be the fair wide-eyed maidens. All of them will look alike and will resemble their father Aadam (in statute), sixty cubits tall.”
O Muslims: In Paradise, troubles will be cast off for a believer and he will relax from hardship, and he will praise Allah for this rest: “And they will say: ‘All the praises and thanks be to Allah, Who has removed from us (all) grief. Verily our Lord is indeed Oft-Forgiving, Most Ready to appreciate. Who, out of His Grace, has lodged us in a home that will last forever; there, toil will touch us not, nor weariness will touch us.’” [Faatir: Verse 34-35]
Paradise is free from disturbances: “(They will enter) Eden Paradise, which the Most Beneficent has promised to His slaves in the unseen. Verily! His Promise must come to pass. They shall not hear therein any evil talk, but only salutations of peace. And they will have therein their sustenance, morning and afternoon. Such is the Paradise which We shall give as an inheritance to those of Our slaves who have been pious and righteous.” [Maryam: Verse 61-63].
Listen, O you pious. Verily you are the inheritors. And this promise is the truth by Allah. Verily, His Promise must come to pass. “Verily! The pious will be in a place of Security (Paradise). Among Gardens and Springs. Dressed in fine silk and (also) in thick silk, facing each other, So (it will be), and We shall marry them to female fair ones with wide, lovely eyes. They will call therein for every kind of fruit in peace and security; They will never taste death therein except the first death (of this world), and He will save them from the torment of the blazing Fire, – As a Bounty from your Lord! That will be the supreme success!” [Dukhaan: Verse 51-57].
Verily Paradise has no danger in it. It is, by the Lord of the ka’bah, a shining light and a vibrating sweet fragrance and a constructed castle and a steady (flowing) river and abundant, ripe fruit and a good, beautiful wife; and abundant jewels in an everlasting place; in silk and gold; in tall gorgeous houses; enmity, hatred and (evil) whisperings removed from their hearts. “And We shall remove from their hearts any sense of injury (that they may have), (So they will be like) brothers facing each other on thrones.” [Hijr: Verse 47]
Abu Hurairah – may Allah be pleased with him – narrates that the messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: “Allah – the Exalted – said: ‘I have prepared for my righteous servants what no eye has seen and no ear has heard, nor has it occurred to the human heart.” Thus recite if you wish: “And no soul knows what joy for them has been kept hidden.” [Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim]
Eden Paradise (Everlasting Gardens): its rooms are (made) of all types of jewels; and its tents are (made) of hollow pearls on the shores of its pleasant rivers. The throne of the Most Beneficent is its roof; and musk and saffron are its soil; and pearls, ruby and jewels are its pebbles; and gold and silver are its bricks; lofty rooms, one above another under which rivers flow.
And if you want more, then listen to what will meet the fearful working believers, those who: “And they give food, inspite of their love for it (or for the love of Him), to the poor, the orphan and the captive (saying): ‘We feed you seeking Allah’s Countenance only. We wish for no reward, nor thanks from you. Verily we fear from our Lord a Day, hard and distressful, that will make the faces look horrible (from extreme dislike for it).’ So Allah saved them from the evil of that Day, and gave them a light of beauty and joy. And their recompense shall be Paradise, and silken garments, because they were patient. Reclining therein on raised thrones, they will see there neither the excessive heat of the sun, nor the excessive bitter cold, (as in Paradise there is no sun and no moon). And the shade thereof is close upon them, and the bunches of fruit thereof will hang low within their reach. And amongst them will be passed round vessels of silver and cups of crystal, crystal-clear, made of silver. They will determine the measure thereof according to their wishes. And they will be given to drink there a cup (of wine) mixed with ginger, A spring there, called Salsabil. And round about them will (serve) boys of everlasting youth. If you see them, you would think them scattered pearls. And when you look there (in Paradise), you will see a delight (that cannot be imagined), and a great dominion. Their garments will be of fine green silk, and gold embroidery. They will be adorned with bracelets of silver, and their Lord will give them a pure drink. (And it will be said to them): ‘Verily, this is a reward for you, and your endeavour has been accepted.” [Insaan: Verse 8-22].
The delight of the body with gardens and rivers and fruits; and the delight of the self with pure wives; and the delight of the heart and coolness of the eyes with eternity and permanence. Life and delight forever and ever. “This is a Reminder, and verily, for the pious is a good final return (Paradise), – Eden Paradise, whose doors will be open for them, Therein they will call for fruits in abundance and drinks; And beside them will be chaste females restraining their glances only for their husbands, of equal ages. This is what you are promised for the Day of Reckoning! (It will be said to them)! Verily, this is Our Provision which will never finish.” [Saad: Verse 49-54]
And if you ask about the wives, then they are the fair, wide-eyed maidens, good and beautiful. They combine both outward and inward beauty; beautiful fair females restrained in pavilions; loving their spouses; virgins, whom no man or jinn has had sexual relations with before them. If one of them had appeared in this world, whatever is between the sky and earth would be filled with fragrance and perfume and her light and radiance will outshine the light of the sun and her veil on her head is better than this world and whatever is in it. And Allah will reward the believing women with their being created in the best creation: “Verily, We have created them (maidens) of special creation. And made them virgins. Loving (their husbands only), equal in age. For those on the Right Hand.” [Waqi’ah: Verse 35-38].
Allah will unite their gathering and make their families accompany them. “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): ‘Peace be upon you for that you persevered in patience! Excellent is the final home!’” [Ra’d: Verse 23-24] “Verily, the dwellers of Paradise, that Day, will be busy in joyful things. They and their wives will be in pleasant shade, reclining on thrones. They will have therein fruits (of all kinds) and all that they ask for. (It will be said to them): Peace be on you, a Word from the Lord, Most Merciful.” [Yaseen: Verse 55-58].
Everlasting pleasure and eternity and radiance and happiness. “Verily the pious who fear Allah and avoid evil will be in Delight (Paradise). On thrones, looking (at all things). You will recognise in their faces the brightness of delight. They will be given to drink pure sealed wine. The last thereof will be the smell of musk, and for this let (all) those strive who want to strive (i.e. hasten earnestly to the obedience of Allah). It will be mixed with Tasnim. A spring whereof drink those nearest to Allah.” [Mutaffifeen: Verse 21-28].
This; and if you ask about the Day of Increase (in reward) and the visit of the all-Mighty, all-Wise, and the sight of His Face – free from any resemblance or likeness to anything – as you see the Sun in the middle of the day and the full Moon on a cloudless night, as was constantly conveyed by the truthful, the trusted, which is present in the books of authentic Ahadeeth, narrated by Jurair, Suhaib, Anas, Abu Hurairah, Abu Moosa and Abu Sa’eed – may Allah be pleased with them all: “Then listen on the day that the caller will call: ‘O People of Paradise! Your Lord – Blessed and Exalted – requests you to visit Him, so come to visit Him!’ So they will say: ‘We hear and obey!‘
Until, when they finally reach the wide valley where they will all meet – and none of them will turn down the request of the caller – the Lord – Blessed and Exalted – will order His Chair to be brought there. Then, pulpits of light will emerge, as well as pulpits of pearls, gemstone, gold, and silver. The lowest of them in rank will sit on sheets of musk, and will not see what those who are on the chairs above them are given. When they are comfortable where they are sitting and are secure in their places, and the caller calls: ‘O People of Paradise! You have an appointment with Allah in which He wishes to reward you!’ So they will say: ‘And what is that reward? Has He not already made our faces bright, made our scales heavy, entered us into Paradise, and pushed us away from the Fire?’
And when they are like that, all of a sudden a light shines that encompasses all of Paradise. So, they raise their heads, and, behold: the Compeller – Exalted is He, and Holy are His Names – has come to them from above them and majestified them and said: ‘O People of Paradise! Peace be upon you!’ So, this greeting will not be responded to with anything better than: ‘O Allah! You are Peace, and from You is Peace! Blessed are You, O possessor of Majesty and Honour!’ So the Lord – Blessed and Exalted – will laugh to them and say: ‘O People of Paradise! Where are those who used to obey Me without having ever seen Me? This is the Day of Increase!’
So, they will all give the same response: ‘We are pleased, so be pleased with us!’ So, He will say: ‘O People of Paradise! If I were not pleased with you, I would not have made you inhabitants of My Paradise! So, ask of Me!’ So, they will all give the same response: ‘Show us Your Face so that we may look at it!’ So, the Lord – Mighty and Majestic – will remove His covering and will majestify them and will cover them with His Light, which, if Allah – the Exalted – had not Willed not to burn them, would have burned them.
And there will not remain a single person in this gathering except that his Lord – the Exalted – will speak to him and say: ‘Do you remember the day that you did this and that?’ and He will remind him of some of his bad deeds in the worldy life, so he will say: ‘O Lord! Will you not forgive me?’ So, He will say: ‘Of course! You have not reached this position of yours (in Paradise) except by My forgiveness.’”
O Allah we ask you for the enjoyment of seeing Your Noble Face and yearning for Your Meeting, without any harm nor misguiding trial.
O Allah bless us in the Quraan and Sunnah, and benefit us in what is in them of verses and wisdom. I say these words of mine and I seek the forgiveness of Allah – the Exalted – for me and you.
Second Khutbah
All praise be to Allah. He made the Firdaws Paradise an abode for His believing servants. And He varied for them righteous deeds as a means to be taken to these gardens. And He made the appointment for entering them the Day of coming to Him. And He set the period of temporary life with no postponement.
And I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone. He has no partner. We are not self-sufficient (even) for the blink of an eye of His bounties and mercy. And we have no craving for (entering) Paradise except through His Pardon and Forgiveness. And I bear witness that Muhammad is Allah’s servant, His messenger, His friend and His chosen one. May Allah send salutations, peace and blessings on him and on all his family and companions.
Thereafter:
O Muslims: These words are nothing except references. Verily the realities are greater, and Allah – the Exalted – is more Generous, so who is the striver for Paradise? Say (you all): We are the strivers, if Allah wills. For it is – by Allah – The life. Alas, evil is the one who prefers the life of this world over it (Paradise). He trades the everlasting Paradise for a temporary life. If he is happy for a little while, he will cry a lot and if he is pleased for a day, he will be sad for a month. Its (The life of this world) beginning are fears, and its end are deserts. Evil is a nation that delights in this world as if they were created for it and they tread every path, whether permissible or forbidden, in order to obtain it as if they are everlasting in it. Evil is a nation that forgets the Hereafter and neglects it and leaves out the commands of Allah and flouts them. Tomorrow it will be said to them: “Then taste you (the torment of the fire) because of your forgetting the Meeting of this Day of yours, (and) surely! We too will forget you” [Sajdah: Verse 14]. So how strange is the one who prefers the temporary over the permanent. And surely the exorbitant fraud will be apparent on the Day of Judgement, when grief and regret will be apparent. When the pious will be gathered unto the Most Beneficent like delegates, and the criminals will be driven to Hell, thirsty. And a caller will call out bearing testimony: The standing people will surely know who is more deserving of hospitality among the servants. And if you see the noble believers “They will be served by immortal boys, with cups, and jugs, and a glass from the flowing wine, Wherefrom they will get neither any aching of the head, nor any intoxication. And fruit; that they may choose. And the flesh of fowls that they desire. And (there will be) fair females with wide, lovely eyes, Like unto preserved pearls. A reward for what they used to do.” [Waqi’ah: Verse 17-24]
Thereafter O servants of Allah: Here you are in the era of ploughing, work, storing and hope. And verily this world is patience for an hour, then to Allah is the returning. So show Allah the best of yourselves. “And march forth in the way (which leads to) forgiveness from your Lord, and for Paradise as wide as are the heavens and the earth, prepared for the pious.” [Aal Imraan: Verse 133]. Then Allah – the Exalted – calls you: “Allah calls to the home of peace” [Yunus: Verse 25]. So come to Paradise and pleasure, and be like those who the Most Beneficent has described: “They used to sleep but little by night. And in the hours before dawn, they were (found) asking (Allah) for forgiveness. And in their properties there was the right of the beggar, and the poor who does not ask others.” [Thaariyaat: Verse 17-19].
And verily in Paradise there are rooms which can be seen from the inside and the outside. Allah has prepared them for he who utters good, feeds the poor and spends the night in prayer while the people are asleep. And here is the month of Ramadan, the season of repentance and returning and the occasion of supplications and answering (of supplications), the month of prayer, fasting, charity and joining family ties. Take provisions from good deeds and increase in good until it is said to you tomorrow in the Hereafter: “Eat and drink at ease for that which you have sent on before you in days past!” [Haaqqah: Verse 24]. Reach out for yourselves, for verily among people, there are poor, destitute, those overwhelmed by debts, disabled, struggling, orphans, widows, prisoners, the families of prisoners, beggars and those keeping chaste (seeking marriage). All of them are in need of your charities. And in the lands, there are national committees for the welfare of prisoners and their release and the welfare of their families, so fulfil their needs. And a Fatwa (religious ruling) has been issued (that) Zakaat (annual obligatory charity) may be given to them, so help them. “As for him who gives (in charity) and keeps his duty to Allah and fears Him, And believes in The Best, We will make smooth for him the path of ease.” [Layl: Verse 5-7]
O Allah make us from the people of Paradise. O Allah make us from the people of Paradise. O Allah make us from the people of Paradise.
This; and send salutations and peace on the best of mankind and the purest of humans, the messenger of Allah, Muhammad, the son of Abdullah. O Allah send salutations, peace and increase and (send) blessings on your servant and messenger Muhammad and on his family and companions.
O Allah let us drink from his pond. O Allah let us drink from his pond and resurrect us in his gathering and grant us his company in Paradise.
O Allah grant honour to Islam and the Muslims…

 

[BintAbee]

Caution with regards to the Hellfire

Sheikh Saalih aal Taalib

August 14, 2009 ~ Sha’baan 23, 1430

First Khutbah

All praise be to Allah. All praise be to Allah, the Possessor of Power and Eternity and Kingship. For Him is Glory in the heavens and earth. And for Him is Honour in them and Force and Might, painful in punishment, severe in consequences, and He is Eternal, Ever-Living and does not die. Glory be to You, O Allah. Who is the one that feels safe (with) Your Plan, how lost is he?! And who is the one that flouts Your Prohibitions, then how regretful is he?! And who is the one that Your Threat befalls and he is saved?!

And I bear witness that there is no god but You. Glory be to You. And I bear witness that Muhammad is Your servant and messenger. May Allah’s salutations be on him, for how fearing he was of Allah and how devout! And may Allah’s salutations be on him, how pious and Allah-conscious he was! And may His salutations be on him, for how much of his tears flowed for Allah! And may His salutations be on the family and noble companions and much peace until the Day of Judgement.

Thereafter:

Fear Allah – the Exalted – as He ought to be feared. And hold onto Islam with the firm tie. And prepare for the meeting of Allah and beware of His Punishment, for verily your bodies cannot be patient on the heat of the Hellfire and cannot withstand it: “O you who believe! Fear Allah and keep your duty to Him. And let every person look to what he has sent forth for the morrow, and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is All-Aware of what you do.” [Hashr; Verse 18]

Servants of Allah: Surely it is from the way of the prophet – peace be upon him – to advise his companions and attach their conditions to the Hereafter. And in the two authentic (books) (Bukhari and Muslim): that the prophet – peace be upon him – said: “The Hellfire complained to its Lord and said: ‘O Lord! My different parts eat up each other.’ So, He allowed it to take two breaths, one in the winter and the other in summer, and this is the reason for the severe heat and the bitter cold you find (in weather).” And also in the two authentic books: that the prophet – peace be upon him – said: “If it is very hot, then pray the Thuhr prayer when it becomes (a bit) cooler, as the severity of the heat is from the raging of the Hellfire.”

O Muslims: A destiny (that) prevents the eyes of the pious from sleep; and a return (that) trembles the hearts of the Allah-fearing; and an end, the warning of which makes thirsty the days of the worshippers and lengthens the standing of the saints at night; and an end (that) perpetuates sadness in the expression of the soft-hearted. “Their sides forsake their beds, to invoke their Lord in fear and hope.” [Sajdah; Verse 16].

Verily it is, O Muslims, the Hellfire. The Hellfire is a great creation of the creations of Allah. And it is the abode that Allah prepared for the disbelievers; for it is the lodge of the oppressors; and the prison of the disbelievers; and the punishment of the sinners and violators. And it is the greatest disgrace and the clear loss. It is evil in which there is no good and the destination that is necessary; ancient in creation; previously existing. “And fear the Fire, which is prepared for the disbelievers.” [Aal Imraan; Verse 131]. For it is prepared and created and surely the prophet – peace be upon him – saw it, as in the Hadeeth in the two authentic (books), in the solar eclipse prayer.

O Muslims: The discussion about Hellfire is a true, truthful discussion. In it are mountains, valleys, rivers and ravines. In it are descending steps and houses and it is black and dark, gloomy and obscured. For it, is a sound that (can) be heard from far; groaning, scolding and shaking a dreadful shaking, and “Verily! It (Hell) throws sparks (huge) as a fort. As if they were yellow camels or bundles of ropes. Woe that Day to the deniers (of the Day of Resurrection)!” [Mursalaat; Verse 32-34].Grief therein is everlasting and long, and for the people therein is screeching, shouting and wailing. The hearts of its people are filled with hopelessness and despair and the days in it do not increase them except in difficulty and hardship. In it are punishment and pains which tongues and pens are incapable of describing. And in it are terrors and griefs of which the mind is deficient in picturing. “Evil indeed it (Hell) is as an abode and as a place to dwell.” [Furqaan; Verse 66]. Allah frightens the close angels with it: “And if any of them should say: ‘Verily, I am a god besides Him (Allah),’ such a one We should recompense with Hell. Thus We recompense the polytheists and wrong-doers.” [Anbiyaa; Verse 29]. And He said to His noble messenger: “Set not up with Allah any other god, or you will be thrown in Hell, blameworthy and rejected (from Allah’s Mercy).” [Israa; Verse 39].

And the messenger frightened his companions and his nation with it, then he warned them of the Hellfire and he said: “I warn you of the Hellfire, I warn you of the Hellfire, I warn you of the Hellfire.” Will the rest of the world be safe after this, nay will the sinners (be safe)?! Hasan al Basriyy – may Allah have mercy on him – said: “By Allah, never will a servant truly believe in the Hellfire, except that the earth will narrow upon him despite its vastness, and the hypocrite will not believe in the Hellfire even if it was behind his back, until he is disfigured in its depths. By Allah, the servants have not been warned of anything worse than it ‘Therefore I have warned you of a Fire blazing fiercely (Hell); None shall enter it except the most wretched, who denies and turns away.’ [Layl; Verse 14-16].” And in the Mighty Revelation: “There is not one of you but will pass over it (Hell); this is with your Lord; a Decree which must be accomplished.” [Maryam; Verse 71]. So where is the fear of that passing over? Verily there is one who fears travelling by night and whoever travels by night reaches the house, and by Allah no one will be saved except the believers: “Aforetime, we were afraid with our families (from the punishment of Allah). But Allah has been gracious to us, and has saved us from the torment of the Fire. Verily we used to invoke Him (alone and none else) before. Verily, He is the Most Kind, the Most Merciful.” [Toor; Verse 26-28].

Abdullah – may Allah be pleased with him – said: The messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: “The Hellfire will be brought on that Day with seventy thousand reins; and with every rein will be seventy thousand angels pulling it.” [Narrated by Muslim]. For it, are a terrorizing sound, destruction and palpitations: “When it (Hell) sees them from a far place, they will hear its raging and its roaring.” [Furqaan; Verse 12] and in the Kingdom Chapter: “It almost bursts up with fury.” [Mulk; Verse 8]. Abu Hurairah – may Allah be pleased with him – said: the messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: “The fire of the children of Adam which they kindle is a seventieth part of the fire of Jahannum (Hellfire).” They said, “Messenger of Allah, this fire is certainly enough.” He said: “That fire is sixty-nine times greater.” [Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim].

“This is the Hell which the polytheists denied.”[Rahmaan; Verse 43]. They will enter it with the severest of speech then the doors will be shut on them: “The fire of Allah, kindled, which leaps up over the hearts, Verily, it shall be closed in on them. In pillars stretched forth (i.e. they will be punished in the Fire with pillars, etc.).” [Humazah; Verse 6-9]. Its fuel is people and stones. Its fire will not be extinguished with the length of time and its kindles will not be dimmed with the passing of days “whenever it abates, We shall increase for them the fierceness of the Fire.” [Israa; Verse 97]. And (together) with that they will be bound: “Verily, we have prepared for the disbelievers iron chains, iron collars and a blazing Fire.” [Insaan; Verse 4]. “When iron collars will be rounded over their necks, and the chains, they shall be dragged along. In the boiling water, then they will be burned in the Fire.” [Ghafir; Verse 71-72], and above that they will be hit and humiliated “And for them are hooked rods of iron (to punish them). Every time they seek to get away therefrom, from anguish, they will be driven back therein, and (it will be) said to them: “Taste the torment of burning!” [Hajj; Verse 21-22]. They will be dressed with fire and will melt: “And you will see the disbelievers (in the Oneness of Allah) that Day bound together in fetters; Their garments will be of pitch, and fire will cover their faces.” [Ibraheem; Verse 49-50], and in the Pilgrimage Chapter: “then as for those who disbelieve, garments of fire will be cut out for them, boiling water will be poured down over their heads. With it will melt or vanish away what is within their bellies, as well as (their) skins. And for them are hooked rods of iron (to punish them).” [Hajj; Verse 19-21]. Do you not see how meat is roasted on the fire? So like this is the condition of the disbelievers in the Hellfire “On the Day when their faces will be turned over in the Fire, they will say: ‘O would that we had obeyed Allah and obeyed the Messenger (Muhammad – peace be upon him).” [Ahzaab; Verse 66], “The Fire will burn their faces, and therein they will grin, with displaced lips (disfigured).” [Mu’minoon; Verse 104].

As for their food, it is punishment and their drink is punishment: “No food will there be for them but “Daree’” (a poisonous thorny plant).” [Ghashiyah; Verse 6]. And “Daree’” is a thorny plant that comes from the land of Hijaz sticking in the earth; “Verily, the tree of Zaqqum, wil be the food of the sinners, like boiling oil, it will boil in their bellies, like the boiling of scalding water.” [Dukhaan; Verse 43-46] and Zaqqum is a tree that springs out of the bottom of Hellfire, the shoots of its fruit-stalks are like the heads of devils. As for their drinks, they are the discharge of wounds and pus, and it is the beverages of the people of the Hellfire: “And if they ask for help (relief, water, etc.) they will be granted water like boiling oil, that will scald their faces.” [Kahf; Verse 29], “and be given, to drink, boiling water, so that it cuts up their bowels.” [Muhammad; Verse 15] and in another verse: “and he will be made to drink boiling, festering water. He will sip it unwillingly, and he will find a great difficulty to swallow it down his throat, and death will come to him from every side, yet he will not die and in front of him, will be a great torment.” [Ibraheem; Verse 16-17]. These are some of the scenes of punishment, so do the desires of an hour of this world rank equally?

Anas bin Malik – may Allah be pleased with him – said: the messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: “One of the citizens of Hell who led a life of ease and plenty amongst the people of the world would be made to dip in Hellfire only once on the Day of Resurrection and then it would be said to him: O son of Adam, did you find any comfort, did you happen to get any material blessing? He would say: By Allah, no, my Lord.” [Narrated by Muslim]. Verily it is one dip and man will forget every bounty of this world and its delicacies and desires: “The sinner would desire to ransom himself from the punishment of that Day by his children, and his wife and his brother, and his kindred who sheltered him, and all that are in the earth, so that it might save him. By no means! Verily! It will be the Fire of Hell! Taking away (burning completely) the head skin! Calling: ‘(O disbeliever, O polytheist) (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from faith).” [Ma’arij; Verse 11-17].

Servants of Allah: And when the hardships are prolonged on the people of the Hellfire and the punishment has reached every extent and their griefs and regrets are many, they will seek exit and refuge: “Therein they will cry: ‘Our Lord! Bring us out, we shall do righteous good deeds, not (the evil deeds) that we used to do.” [Fatir; Verse 37] and they will confess their sins: “They will say: ‘Our Lord! Our wretchedness overcame us, and we were (an) erring people. Our Lord! Bring us out of this; if ever we return (to evil), then indeed we shall be polytheists.” [Mu’minoon; Verse 106-107], so they will be answered after a while: “Remain you in it with ignominy! And speak you not to Me!” [Mu’minoon; Verse 108], then they will request from the keeper of the Fire that he intercedes with Allah for them to be destroyed and to die so that they may be acquitted of the punishment: “And they will cry: ‘O Malik (keeper of Hell)! Let your Lord make an end of us.’ He will say: ‘Verily you shall abide forever.” [Zukhruf; Verse 77]. Verily it is denial of everything that they request, and death will be brought, then slaughtered and it will be said to the people of Paradise: Eternity and no death, and it will be said to the people of Hellfire: Eternity and no death… The Hadeeth is in Saheeh Bukhari. There, the wailing of the people of Hellfire will intensify and their grief will heighten and their cries will prolong, so they will cry until their tears end, then they will cry blood until it flows on their faces like the shape of trenches (due to) crying.

O Muslims: Verily from the perfection of the justice of Allah – Glorified and Majestic – is that He does not equate the obedient and the sinner nor the reformer and the corrupter: “Shall We then treat the (submitting) Muslims like the polytheists? What is the matter with you? How judge you?” [Qalam; Verse 35-36]. And verily Allah – the Exalted – has described to us His Punishment, so there is no proof for the sinner against Allah. So disbelief and hypocrisy are the reasons for eternity in the Hellfire: “Allah has promised the hypocrites; men and women, and the disbelievers, the Fire of Hell, therein shall they abide. It will suffice them. Allah has cursed them and for them is the lasting torment.” [Tawbah; Verse 68]. And whoever recommends his opinions, opposing the commands of Allah and His Law, then he should listen to the saying of Allah – Glorified and Majestic – : “Know they not that whoever opposes and shows hostility to Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him), certainly for him will be the Fire of Hell to abide therein. That is extreme disgrace.” [Tawbah; Verse 63]

And woe, then again woe to the one who neglects the prayer when he is asked: “What has caused you to enter Hell?’ They will say: ‘We were not of those who used to offer their prayers. Nor we used to feed the poor. And we used to talk falsehood (all that which Allah hated) with vain talkers. And we used to belie the Day of Recompense. Until there came to us (the death) that is certain.’ So no intercession of intercessors will be of any use to them.” [Muddathir; Verse 42-48].

And the consuming of interest is a cause of entering Hellfire, and (so too) is eating the wealth of the orphans oppressively: “Verily, those who unjustly eat up the property of orphans, they eat up only a fire into their bellies, and they will be burnt in the blazing Fire!” [Nisaa; Verse 10], and in Saheeh Muslim: that the prophet – peace be upon him – said: Allah – the Exalted – says: “Pride is My cloak and greatness is My robe, and he who competes with Me in respect of either of them, I shall cast into the Hellfire.” And in the great Quran: “And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell to abide therein, and the Wrath and the Curse of Allah are upon him, and a great punishment is prepared for him.” [Nisaa; Verse 93]. And eating the wealth of people falsely and suicide are coupled in one verse, Allah – Glorified and Majestic – said: “And do not kill yourselves (nor kill one another). Surely, Allah is Most Merciful to you. And whoever commits that through aggression and injustice, We shall cast him into the Fire, and that is easy for Allah.” [Nisaa; Verse 29-30]. And a false oath submerges its companion in the Hellfire, therefore an oath is called ‘catastrophic’, and leaning towards oppressors and inclining towards them: “And incline not toward those who do wrong, lest the Fire should touch you.” [Hood; Verse 113].

And Abu Hurairah – may Allah be pleased with him – narrated that: The messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: “There are two types of people who will enter the Hellfire, whom I have not (as yet) seen: People having whips similar to ox-tails with which they will beat people, and (secondly) women who will be dressed yet appear to be naked. They will seduce men and be inclined towards them. Their heads will be like the swaying humps of the Bactrian camels. They will neither enter Paradise, nor smell its fragrance, even though its fragrance can be smelt from such and such distance.” [Narrated by Muslim].

And Abdullah bin Umar – may Allah be pleased with them both – narrated that the prophet – peace be upon him – said: “O group of women, give charity and ask for much forgiveness for I saw you in majority amongst the dwellers of Hell,” so a lady amongst them said: Why is it O messenger of Allah, that we are the majority in Hell? He said: “You curse too much and are ungrateful to your spouses.”[Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim].

As for the hypocrites, they are the first who will be burned by the Fire on the Day of Judgement as is in the two authentic (books of Hadeeth: Bukhari and Muslim). And say to the ones who speak with their tongues and their pens with no weight or accountability. The prophet – peace be upon him – said: “And are people thrown on their faces into the Fire for anything but the harvest of their tongues.” Hellfire is promised for the alcoholic, the breaker of family ties, the believer of sorcery, the carrier of tales and the one who reduces the wealth of his brother by a false oath should build his abode in the Hellfire.

O Muslims: And surely the prophet – peace be upon him – saw pictures of the punishment of the people of Hellfire, as in the Hadeeth (narrated) by Samurah bin Jundub – may Allah be pleased with him -: So surely the prophet – peace be upon him – saw a man who was lying on his back while another man was standing over him with a stone which he then dropped onto his head, crushing it. Then the stone rolled away from him and he went after the stone to retrieve it. When he returned to him, his head was whole again and had become as it had been in the first place. So he went back and hit him as he had done the first time… and he said in the Hadeeth: This is the man who memorized the Quran and then abandoned it and slept through the obligatory prayers. Just as the prophet – peace be upon him – saw a man lying on his back, and there was another man standing over him with an iron hook. He went to one side of his face and cut open the side of his mouth until it reached the back of his neck and then his nostril to the back of his neck and his eye to the back of his neck. Then he moved to the other side and did the same thing as he had done to the first side. When he finished that side, the first side had become whole again. Then he did the same thing all over again… and he said in the Hadeeth: This is the man who went from his house and told lies which spread everywhere. And the prophet – peace be upon him – saw something like an oven. There was babble and shouting in it, and it contained naked men and women. The flames would come at them from underneath, and when those flames reached them, they cried out… and he said: These are the adulterers and adulteresses. And the prophet – peace be upon him – saw a river red like blood. And in it was a man swimming while on the bank of the river there was a man who had many stones with him. When that swimmer swam and reached the one who had gathered stones, he forced his mouth open and made him swallow a stone. Then he would begin to swim and would come back to him again. Whenever he came back to him, he forced open his mouth and made him swallow a stone… and he said: This is the consumer of interest. And he saw a man with a repulsive appearance like the most repulsive man you have ever seen, and he said: This is Malik, the keeper of Hell. [Hadeeth narrated by Bukhari]. So is there any (greater) threat after this threat… “Verily, therein is indeed a reminder for him who has a heart or gives ear while he is heedful.” [Qaaf; Verse 37]

O Allah save us from the punishment of the Hellfire. O Allah save us from the punishment of the Hellfire. O Allah save us from the punishment of the Hellfire. Our Lord we have believed so forgive us our sins and save us from the punishment of the Hellfire.

May Allah benefit us and you with the guidance of His Book and save us all from His humiliation and His Punishment. I say these words of mine and I seek the forgiveness of Allah – the Exalted – for me and you.

Second Khutbah

All praise be to Allah. All praise be to Allah, the One Who Honours the one who is obedient to Him and the One Who disgraces the sinners against Him, the One Who saves the seeker of His Saviour and the One Who answers the caller unto Him. I praise Him – the Exalted – and I thank Him and I praise Him and I seek His Forgiveness and I ask His saviour for me and you. And I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone. He has no partner. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and messenger. May Allah’s salutations, peace and blessings be upon him and on all his family and companions.

Thereafter: Surely the speech of Allah is the truth: “And whoever is removed away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, he is indeed successful” [Aal Imraan; Verse 185], and faith and good righteous deeds are – by Allah – the path of success and deliverance, and the promise of Allah and the promise of His messenger is the truth. So the Hellfire will never go through the man who cries out of the fear of Allah until milk returns to the udder. And two eyes that the Hellfire will never touch: the eye that cries out of the fear of Allah and the eye that keeps watch in the way of Allah. And for piety there is a great rank: “But for him (the true believer of Islamic Monotheism) who fears the standing before his Lord, there will be two Gardens (i.e. in Paradise).” [Rahmaan; Verse 46]. And supplication and seeking refuge with Allah is the greatest door to saviour. Anas bin Malik – may Allah be pleased with him – said: The messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: “No one asks Allah for Paradise three times except that Paradise says: ‘O Allah! Enter him into Paradise!’ And no Muslim seeks protection with Allah from the Hellfire three times except that Hellfire says: ‘O Allah! Protect him from me.” [Narrated by Tirmidhi and Ibn Maja with an authentic chain of narration].

And we are about to welcome a great month, the month of emancipation from Hellfire, so whoever fasts one day in the path of Allah, Allah distances his face, due to that day, from the Fire by the distance traveled in seventy years, and in Ramadan the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hellfire are shut. And for Allah on every night of Ramadan are those emancipated from the Hellfire.

O Allah, O Ever-Living, O Sustainer, O Possessor of Majesty. O Allah we ask you by (virtue) of our bearing witness that you are Allah, there is no god but You and there is no power and might except with You. We ask You O Allah to enter us into Paradise and to save us from the punishment of Hellfire. O Allah we ask you for Paradise and we seek Your protection from Hellfire. O Allah we ask you for Paradise and we seek Your protection from Hellfire. O Allah we ask you for Paradise and we seek Your protection from Hellfire.

O Allah send salutations on Muhammad and on the family of Muhammad as You have sent salutations on Ibraheem and on the family of Ibraheem. Verily You are the Praise-Worthy, the Glorious. And bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You blessed the family of Ibraheem amongst the worlds. Verily You are the Praise- Worthy, the Glorious.

O Allah grant honour to Islam and the Muslims…

Source: http://khutaab.wordpress.com/2012/11/16/caution-with-regards-to-the-hellfire/

 

[BintAbee]

Caution with regards to the Hellfire

Sheikh Saalih aal Taalib

August 14, 2009 ~ Sha’baan 23, 1430

First Khutbah

All praise be to Allah. All praise be to Allah, the Possessor of Power and Eternity and Kingship. For Him is Glory in the heavens and earth. And for Him is Honour in them and Force and Might, painful in punishment, severe in consequences, and He is Eternal, Ever-Living and does not die. Glory be to You, O Allah. Who is the one that feels safe (with) Your Plan, how lost is he?! And who is the one that flouts Your Prohibitions, then how regretful is he?! And who is the one that Your Threat befalls and he is saved?!

And I bear witness that there is no god but You. Glory be to You. And I bear witness that Muhammad is Your servant and messenger. May Allah’s salutations be on him, for how fearing he was of Allah and how devout! And may Allah’s salutations be on him, how pious and Allah-conscious he was! And may His salutations be on him, for how much of his tears flowed for Allah! And may His salutations be on the family and noble companions and much peace until the Day of Judgement.

Thereafter:

Fear Allah – the Exalted – as He ought to be feared. And hold onto Islam with the firm tie. And prepare for the meeting of Allah and beware of His Punishment, for verily your bodies cannot be patient on the heat of the Hellfire and cannot withstand it: “O you who believe! Fear Allah and keep your duty to Him. And let every person look to what he has sent forth for the morrow, and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is All-Aware of what you do.” [Hashr; Verse 18]

Servants of Allah: Surely it is from the way of the prophet – peace be upon him – to advise his companions and attach their conditions to the Hereafter. And in the two authentic (books) (Bukhari and Muslim): that the prophet – peace be upon him – said: “The Hellfire complained to its Lord and said: ‘O Lord! My different parts eat up each other.’ So, He allowed it to take two breaths, one in the winter and the other in summer, and this is the reason for the severe heat and the bitter cold you find (in weather).” And also in the two authentic books: that the prophet – peace be upon him – said: “If it is very hot, then pray the Thuhr prayer when it becomes (a bit) cooler, as the severity of the heat is from the raging of the Hellfire.”

O Muslims: A destiny (that) prevents the eyes of the pious from sleep; and a return (that) trembles the hearts of the Allah-fearing; and an end, the warning of which makes thirsty the days of the worshippers and lengthens the standing of the saints at night; and an end (that) perpetuates sadness in the expression of the soft-hearted. “Their sides forsake their beds, to invoke their Lord in fear and hope.” [Sajdah; Verse 16].

Verily it is, O Muslims, the Hellfire. The Hellfire is a great creation of the creations of Allah. And it is the abode that Allah prepared for the disbelievers; for it is the lodge of the oppressors; and the prison of the disbelievers; and the punishment of the sinners and violators. And it is the greatest disgrace and the clear loss. It is evil in which there is no good and the destination that is necessary; ancient in creation; previously existing. “And fear the Fire, which is prepared for the disbelievers.” [Aal Imraan; Verse 131]. For it is prepared and created and surely the prophet – peace be upon him – saw it, as in the Hadeeth in the two authentic (books), in the solar eclipse prayer.

O Muslims: The discussion about Hellfire is a true, truthful discussion. In it are mountains, valleys, rivers and ravines. In it are descending steps and houses and it is black and dark, gloomy and obscured. For it, is a sound that (can) be heard from far; groaning, scolding and shaking a dreadful shaking, and “Verily! It (Hell) throws sparks (huge) as a fort. As if they were yellow camels or bundles of ropes. Woe that Day to the deniers (of the Day of Resurrection)!” [Mursalaat; Verse 32-34].Grief therein is everlasting and long, and for the people therein is screeching, shouting and wailing. The hearts of its people are filled with hopelessness and despair and the days in it do not increase them except in difficulty and hardship. In it are punishment and pains which tongues and pens are incapable of describing. And in it are terrors and griefs of which the mind is deficient in picturing. “Evil indeed it (Hell) is as an abode and as a place to dwell.” [Furqaan; Verse 66]. Allah frightens the close angels with it: “And if any of them should say: ‘Verily, I am a god besides Him (Allah),’ such a one We should recompense with Hell. Thus We recompense the polytheists and wrong-doers.” [Anbiyaa; Verse 29]. And He said to His noble messenger: “Set not up with Allah any other god, or you will be thrown in Hell, blameworthy and rejected (from Allah’s Mercy).” [Israa; Verse 39].

And the messenger frightened his companions and his nation with it, then he warned them of the Hellfire and he said: “I warn you of the Hellfire, I warn you of the Hellfire, I warn you of the Hellfire.” Will the rest of the world be safe after this, nay will the sinners (be safe)?! Hasan al Basriyy – may Allah have mercy on him – said: “By Allah, never will a servant truly believe in the Hellfire, except that the earth will narrow upon him despite its vastness, and the hypocrite will not believe in the Hellfire even if it was behind his back, until he is disfigured in its depths. By Allah, the servants have not been warned of anything worse than it ‘Therefore I have warned you of a Fire blazing fiercely (Hell); None shall enter it except the most wretched, who denies and turns away.’ [Layl; Verse 14-16].” And in the Mighty Revelation: “There is not one of you but will pass over it (Hell); this is with your Lord; a Decree which must be accomplished.” [Maryam; Verse 71]. So where is the fear of that passing over? Verily there is one who fears travelling by night and whoever travels by night reaches the house, and by Allah no one will be saved except the believers: “Aforetime, we were afraid with our families (from the punishment of Allah). But Allah has been gracious to us, and has saved us from the torment of the Fire. Verily we used to invoke Him (alone and none else) before. Verily, He is the Most Kind, the Most Merciful.” [Toor; Verse 26-28].

Abdullah – may Allah be pleased with him – said: The messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: “The Hellfire will be brought on that Day with seventy thousand reins; and with every rein will be seventy thousand angels pulling it.” [Narrated by Muslim]. For it, are a terrorizing sound, destruction and palpitations: “When it (Hell) sees them from a far place, they will hear its raging and its roaring.” [Furqaan; Verse 12] and in the Kingdom Chapter: “It almost bursts up with fury.” [Mulk; Verse 8]. Abu Hurairah – may Allah be pleased with him – said: the messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: “The fire of the children of Adam which they kindle is a seventieth part of the fire of Jahannum (Hellfire).” They said, “Messenger of Allah, this fire is certainly enough.” He said: “That fire is sixty-nine times greater.” [Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim].

“This is the Hell which the polytheists denied.”[Rahmaan; Verse 43]. They will enter it with the severest of speech then the doors will be shut on them: “The fire of Allah, kindled, which leaps up over the hearts, Verily, it shall be closed in on them. In pillars stretched forth (i.e. they will be punished in the Fire with pillars, etc.).” [Humazah; Verse 6-9]. Its fuel is people and stones. Its fire will not be extinguished with the length of time and its kindles will not be dimmed with the passing of days “whenever it abates, We shall increase for them the fierceness of the Fire.” [Israa; Verse 97]. And (together) with that they will be bound: “Verily, we have prepared for the disbelievers iron chains, iron collars and a blazing Fire.” [Insaan; Verse 4]. “When iron collars will be rounded over their necks, and the chains, they shall be dragged along. In the boiling water, then they will be burned in the Fire.” [Ghafir; Verse 71-72], and above that they will be hit and humiliated “And for them are hooked rods of iron (to punish them). Every time they seek to get away therefrom, from anguish, they will be driven back therein, and (it will be) said to them: “Taste the torment of burning!” [Hajj; Verse 21-22]. They will be dressed with fire and will melt: “And you will see the disbelievers (in the Oneness of Allah) that Day bound together in fetters; Their garments will be of pitch, and fire will cover their faces.” [Ibraheem; Verse 49-50], and in the Pilgrimage Chapter: “then as for those who disbelieve, garments of fire will be cut out for them, boiling water will be poured down over their heads. With it will melt or vanish away what is within their bellies, as well as (their) skins. And for them are hooked rods of iron (to punish them).” [Hajj; Verse 19-21]. Do you not see how meat is roasted on the fire? So like this is the condition of the disbelievers in the Hellfire “On the Day when their faces will be turned over in the Fire, they will say: ‘O would that we had obeyed Allah and obeyed the Messenger (Muhammad – peace be upon him).” [Ahzaab; Verse 66], “The Fire will burn their faces, and therein they will grin, with displaced lips (disfigured).” [Mu’minoon; Verse 104].

As for their food, it is punishment and their drink is punishment: “No food will there be for them but “Daree’” (a poisonous thorny plant).” [Ghashiyah; Verse 6]. And “Daree’” is a thorny plant that comes from the land of Hijaz sticking in the earth; “Verily, the tree of Zaqqum, wil be the food of the sinners, like boiling oil, it will boil in their bellies, like the boiling of scalding water.” [Dukhaan; Verse 43-46] and Zaqqum is a tree that springs out of the bottom of Hellfire, the shoots of its fruit-stalks are like the heads of devils. As for their drinks, they are the discharge of wounds and pus, and it is the beverages of the people of the Hellfire: “And if they ask for help (relief, water, etc.) they will be granted water like boiling oil, that will scald their faces.” [Kahf; Verse 29], “and be given, to drink, boiling water, so that it cuts up their bowels.” [Muhammad; Verse 15] and in another verse: “and he will be made to drink boiling, festering water. He will sip it unwillingly, and he will find a great difficulty to swallow it down his throat, and death will come to him from every side, yet he will not die and in front of him, will be a great torment.” [Ibraheem; Verse 16-17]. These are some of the scenes of punishment, so do the desires of an hour of this world rank equally?

Anas bin Malik – may Allah be pleased with him – said: the messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: “One of the citizens of Hell who led a life of ease and plenty amongst the people of the world would be made to dip in Hellfire only once on the Day of Resurrection and then it would be said to him: O son of Adam, did you find any comfort, did you happen to get any material blessing? He would say: By Allah, no, my Lord.” [Narrated by Muslim]. Verily it is one dip and man will forget every bounty of this world and its delicacies and desires: “The sinner would desire to ransom himself from the punishment of that Day by his children, and his wife and his brother, and his kindred who sheltered him, and all that are in the earth, so that it might save him. By no means! Verily! It will be the Fire of Hell! Taking away (burning completely) the head skin! Calling: ‘(O disbeliever, O polytheist) (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from faith).” [Ma’arij; Verse 11-17].

Servants of Allah: And when the hardships are prolonged on the people of the Hellfire and the punishment has reached every extent and their griefs and regrets are many, they will seek exit and refuge: “Therein they will cry: ‘Our Lord! Bring us out, we shall do righteous good deeds, not (the evil deeds) that we used to do.” [Fatir; Verse 37] and they will confess their sins: “They will say: ‘Our Lord! Our wretchedness overcame us, and we were (an) erring people. Our Lord! Bring us out of this; if ever we return (to evil), then indeed we shall be polytheists.” [Mu’minoon; Verse 106-107], so they will be answered after a while: “Remain you in it with ignominy! And speak you not to Me!” [Mu’minoon; Verse 108], then they will request from the keeper of the Fire that he intercedes with Allah for them to be destroyed and to die so that they may be acquitted of the punishment: “And they will cry: ‘O Malik (keeper of Hell)! Let your Lord make an end of us.’ He will say: ‘Verily you shall abide forever.” [Zukhruf; Verse 77]. Verily it is denial of everything that they request, and death will be brought, then slaughtered and it will be said to the people of Paradise: Eternity and no death, and it will be said to the people of Hellfire: Eternity and no death… The Hadeeth is in Saheeh Bukhari. There, the wailing of the people of Hellfire will intensify and their grief will heighten and their cries will prolong, so they will cry until their tears end, then they will cry blood until it flows on their faces like the shape of trenches (due to) crying.

O Muslims: Verily from the perfection of the justice of Allah – Glorified and Majestic – is that He does not equate the obedient and the sinner nor the reformer and the corrupter: “Shall We then treat the (submitting) Muslims like the polytheists? What is the matter with you? How judge you?” [Qalam; Verse 35-36]. And verily Allah – the Exalted – has described to us His Punishment, so there is no proof for the sinner against Allah. So disbelief and hypocrisy are the reasons for eternity in the Hellfire: “Allah has promised the hypocrites; men and women, and the disbelievers, the Fire of Hell, therein shall they abide. It will suffice them. Allah has cursed them and for them is the lasting torment.” [Tawbah; Verse 68]. And whoever recommends his opinions, opposing the commands of Allah and His Law, then he should listen to the saying of Allah – Glorified and Majestic – : “Know they not that whoever opposes and shows hostility to Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him), certainly for him will be the Fire of Hell to abide therein. That is extreme disgrace.” [Tawbah; Verse 63]

And woe, then again woe to the one who neglects the prayer when he is asked: “What has caused you to enter Hell?’ They will say: ‘We were not of those who used to offer their prayers. Nor we used to feed the poor. And we used to talk falsehood (all that which Allah hated) with vain talkers. And we used to belie the Day of Recompense. Until there came to us (the death) that is certain.’ So no intercession of intercessors will be of any use to them.” [Muddathir; Verse 42-48].

And the consuming of interest is a cause of entering Hellfire, and (so too) is eating the wealth of the orphans oppressively: “Verily, those who unjustly eat up the property of orphans, they eat up only a fire into their bellies, and they will be burnt in the blazing Fire!” [Nisaa; Verse 10], and in Saheeh Muslim: that the prophet – peace be upon him – said: Allah – the Exalted – says: “Pride is My cloak and greatness is My robe, and he who competes with Me in respect of either of them, I shall cast into the Hellfire.” And in the great Quran: “And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell to abide therein, and the Wrath and the Curse of Allah are upon him, and a great punishment is prepared for him.” [Nisaa; Verse 93]. And eating the wealth of people falsely and suicide are coupled in one verse, Allah – Glorified and Majestic – said: “And do not kill yourselves (nor kill one another). Surely, Allah is Most Merciful to you. And whoever commits that through aggression and injustice, We shall cast him into the Fire, and that is easy for Allah.” [Nisaa; Verse 29-30]. And a false oath submerges its companion in the Hellfire, therefore an oath is called ‘catastrophic’, and leaning towards oppressors and inclining towards them: “And incline not toward those who do wrong, lest the Fire should touch you.” [Hood; Verse 113].

And Abu Hurairah – may Allah be pleased with him – narrated that: The messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: “There are two types of people who will enter the Hellfire, whom I have not (as yet) seen: People having whips similar to ox-tails with which they will beat people, and (secondly) women who will be dressed yet appear to be naked. They will seduce men and be inclined towards them. Their heads will be like the swaying humps of the Bactrian camels. They will neither enter Paradise, nor smell its fragrance, even though its fragrance can be smelt from such and such distance.” [Narrated by Muslim].

And Abdullah bin Umar – may Allah be pleased with them both – narrated that the prophet – peace be upon him – said: “O group of women, give charity and ask for much forgiveness for I saw you in majority amongst the dwellers of Hell,” so a lady amongst them said: Why is it O messenger of Allah, that we are the majority in Hell? He said: “You curse too much and are ungrateful to your spouses.”[Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim].

As for the hypocrites, they are the first who will be burned by the Fire on the Day of Judgement as is in the two authentic (books of Hadeeth: Bukhari and Muslim). And say to the ones who speak with their tongues and their pens with no weight or accountability. The prophet – peace be upon him – said: “And are people thrown on their faces into the Fire for anything but the harvest of their tongues.” Hellfire is promised for the alcoholic, the breaker of family ties, the believer of sorcery, the carrier of tales and the one who reduces the wealth of his brother by a false oath should build his abode in the Hellfire.

O Muslims: And surely the prophet – peace be upon him – saw pictures of the punishment of the people of Hellfire, as in the Hadeeth (narrated) by Samurah bin Jundub – may Allah be pleased with him -: So surely the prophet – peace be upon him – saw a man who was lying on his back while another man was standing over him with a stone which he then dropped onto his head, crushing it. Then the stone rolled away from him and he went after the stone to retrieve it. When he returned to him, his head was whole again and had become as it had been in the first place. So he went back and hit him as he had done the first time… and he said in the Hadeeth: This is the man who memorized the Quran and then abandoned it and slept through the obligatory prayers. Just as the prophet – peace be upon him – saw a man lying on his back, and there was another man standing over him with an iron hook. He went to one side of his face and cut open the side of his mouth until it reached the back of his neck and then his nostril to the back of his neck and his eye to the back of his neck. Then he moved to the other side and did the same thing as he had done to the first side. When he finished that side, the first side had become whole again. Then he did the same thing all over again… and he said in the Hadeeth: This is the man who went from his house and told lies which spread everywhere. And the prophet – peace be upon him – saw something like an oven. There was babble and shouting in it, and it contained naked men and women. The flames would come at them from underneath, and when those flames reached them, they cried out… and he said: These are the adulterers and adulteresses. And the prophet – peace be upon him – saw a river red like blood. And in it was a man swimming while on the bank of the river there was a man who had many stones with him. When that swimmer swam and reached the one who had gathered stones, he forced his mouth open and made him swallow a stone. Then he would begin to swim and would come back to him again. Whenever he came back to him, he forced open his mouth and made him swallow a stone… and he said: This is the consumer of interest. And he saw a man with a repulsive appearance like the most repulsive man you have ever seen, and he said: This is Malik, the keeper of Hell. [Hadeeth narrated by Bukhari]. So is there any (greater) threat after this threat… “Verily, therein is indeed a reminder for him who has a heart or gives ear while he is heedful.” [Qaaf; Verse 37]

O Allah save us from the punishment of the Hellfire. O Allah save us from the punishment of the Hellfire. O Allah save us from the punishment of the Hellfire. Our Lord we have believed so forgive us our sins and save us from the punishment of the Hellfire.

May Allah benefit us and you with the guidance of His Book and save us all from His humiliation and His Punishment. I say these words of mine and I seek the forgiveness of Allah – the Exalted – for me and you.

Second Khutbah

All praise be to Allah. All praise be to Allah, the One Who Honours the one who is obedient to Him and the One Who disgraces the sinners against Him, the One Who saves the seeker of His Saviour and the One Who answers the caller unto Him. I praise Him – the Exalted – and I thank Him and I praise Him and I seek His Forgiveness and I ask His saviour for me and you. And I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone. He has no partner. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and messenger. May Allah’s salutations, peace and blessings be upon him and on all his family and companions.

Thereafter: Surely the speech of Allah is the truth: “And whoever is removed away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, he is indeed successful” [Aal Imraan; Verse 185], and faith and good righteous deeds are – by Allah – the path of success and deliverance, and the promise of Allah and the promise of His messenger is the truth. So the Hellfire will never go through the man who cries out of the fear of Allah until milk returns to the udder. And two eyes that the Hellfire will never touch: the eye that cries out of the fear of Allah and the eye that keeps watch in the way of Allah. And for piety there is a great rank: “But for him (the true believer of Islamic Monotheism) who fears the standing before his Lord, there will be two Gardens (i.e. in Paradise).” [Rahmaan; Verse 46]. And supplication and seeking refuge with Allah is the greatest door to saviour. Anas bin Malik – may Allah be pleased with him – said: The messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: “No one asks Allah for Paradise three times except that Paradise says: ‘O Allah! Enter him into Paradise!’ And no Muslim seeks protection with Allah from the Hellfire three times except that Hellfire says: ‘O Allah! Protect him from me.” [Narrated by Tirmidhi and Ibn Maja with an authentic chain of narration].

And we are about to welcome a great month, the month of emancipation from Hellfire, so whoever fasts one day in the path of Allah, Allah distances his face, due to that day, from the Fire by the distance traveled in seventy years, and in Ramadan the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hellfire are shut. And for Allah on every night of Ramadan are those emancipated from the Hellfire.

O Allah, O Ever-Living, O Sustainer, O Possessor of Majesty. O Allah we ask you by (virtue) of our bearing witness that you are Allah, there is no god but You and there is no power and might except with You. We ask You O Allah to enter us into Paradise and to save us from the punishment of Hellfire. O Allah we ask you for Paradise and we seek Your protection from Hellfire. O Allah we ask you for Paradise and we seek Your protection from Hellfire. O Allah we ask you for Paradise and we seek Your protection from Hellfire.

O Allah send salutations on Muhammad and on the family of Muhammad as You have sent salutations on Ibraheem and on the family of Ibraheem. Verily You are the Praise-Worthy, the Glorious. And bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You blessed the family of Ibraheem amongst the worlds. Verily You are the Praise- Worthy, the Glorious.

O Allah grant honour to Islam and the Muslims…

Source: http://khutaab.wordpress.com/2012/11/16/caution-with-regards-to-the-hellfire/

 

[BintAbee]

Yearning for the Secured Land (Makkah)

Sheikh Saalih aal Taalib

January 7, 2005 ~ Dhul Q’adah 26, 1425

First Khutbah

All praise be to Allah. He raised the symbols of Islam and He clarified for His creation the clear methods and signs. He contrasted between the months and days and He made the pilgrimage (one) of the pillars of the great religion. I praise Him – Glorified is He – and I thank Him and I ask Him of His gift of beautiful pardon and I seek His forgiveness from errors and sins and I ask Him for guidance and ability and entering in the group of the one who says my Lord is Allah and is then steadfast. And I bear witness that there is no god except Allah alone. He has no partner. He is Ever-Living, the Sustainer, the One Who does not sleep. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger, the preferred over the rest of the creation and beings. May Allah’s salutations and peace be on him and on his noble family and companions.

Thereafter: “O you who believe! Fear Allah and keep your duty to Him. And let every person look to what he has sent forth for the morrow, and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is All-Aware of what you do.” [Hashr; Verse 18] “And know that Allah knows what is in your minds, so fear Him.” [Baqarah; Verse 235]

O Muslims: Save the time for yourselves, for it is invaluable, and make good for yourselves the time and do not partake except of that which is permissible of it. And measure your actions by the Shar’i scale, and rectify the objectives and intentions and take from sincerity its virtue and monitor the world of secrets in private and public, for how good introspection is and how glorious (it is) and seize the virtuous days before they leave, days that Allah has honoured and blessed.

Thereafter: O Muslims: In these blessed days Makkah is welcoming the delegations of pilgrims and the sacred mosque is embracing the guests of the Most Beneficent in a majestic convoy, honoured by the care of Allah. They come from every deep and distant (wide) mountain highway, calling out the call of their Lord (Talbiyyah), responding to the announcement of His friend: “And proclaim to mankind the pilgrimage. They will come on every lean camel. They will come from every deep and distant (wide) mountain highway. That they may witness things that are of benefit to them” [Hajj; Verse 27-28]. The pilgrims come, urging their mounts, yearning preceding them, hope prompts them, joy fills them while they are journeying to the revered house of Allah; wishing for the expiation of sins and reaching the gardens (of Paradise). They are discharging the fifth pillar of the pillars of their religion in the holiest of places on the face of the earth.

Makkah Mukarramah is a history and memories, biography and a tour. “Verily, the first House (of worship) appointed for mankind was that at Bakkah (Makkah), full of blessing, and a guidance for the worlds. In it are manifest signs: the place of Abraham; whosoever enters it, he attains security.” [Aal Imraan 96-97]. The prophets made pilgrimage to it and the leader of the true believers prayed towards it. And from Makkah, the light of guidance radiated, and the message of Tawheed (Oneness of Allah) went forth until it prevailed across the earth, and changed the world, and anchored the most beautiful and most just civilization known by history, for it is the centre of the world, a symbol of the unity of the Muslims, a source of light for the worlds; the best land by Allah, and the most loved land by the messenger of Allah – peace be upon him. Makkah Mukarramah is the mother of all cities. In it was the birth of the most honourable of mankind. On its hills, he was nurtured and raised; and in its expanses he walked and did not lose heart. (For) half a century, the life of the prophet – peace be upon him – was witnessed in Makkah, so which honour excels this honour?! And if these hills spoke, then which biography would they mention?! And which history would they transmit?!

At these sites, Gabriel – peace be upon him – descended with revelation, and the prophet – peace be upon him – cut open with Tawheed from the Safa mountain. If the Ka’bah were to speak to you or Zam Zam and the station (of Abraham) were to relate, they would say: Abu Bakr and Umar were here, and Uthman and Ali (too), and the rest of the noble companions – may Allah be pleased with them all. They illuminated this world, purified the earth, and Tawheed battled against paganism until Allah made the religion (of Islam) manifest.

Here the prophet – peace be upon him – stood in front of the Ka’bah to establish the great principles of the religion and he illustrated the finest path of humanity, which every civilization is incapable of realising up to this day.

Pilgrims of Allah’s sacred house, congratulations to you on reaching the revered house of Allah, congratulations to you on these symbols and emotions; an honourable time and an honourable place with greatness of deeds, so praise Allah for what He has awarded you of these bounties, and thank Him for He has proclaimed increase for the one who thanks. You have come, welcome, and (may) your walking be easy, and you are the guests of Allah and His delegation. It is compulsory to honour (you) and supply (you). May Allah make easy your pilgrimage and make your pilgrimage accepted and your efforts thanked. May Allah accept from us and from you.

O Muslims: Verily intending (to travel to) this pure land expiates sins, and wipes out evil deeds and unloads errors. In fact there is no reward for an accepted pilgrimage except Paradise: the saying of your prophet – peace be upon him.

How many souls yearn for the plain of Makkah and (how many) hearts sink for its hills, and how many a weeper (cries) yearning, craving, and how many a heartbroken (person) wishes to see the bare valley, wishes to spend a night in Mina or crowd at the Jamarat or circumambulate the house (of Allah) and shed tears. He wishes for these places where the tears flow, and mercy descends, sins are abolished and supplications are answered. Allah has watered those hills and plains.

This is Khaif (Masjid) and that is Mina

So be kind to us O camel-driver

And restrain the mount for us (for) an hour

We will weep (the amount that covers) a district and cry our blood

For this occasion we have prepared crying

And for this day, the tears attract us

The camel-driver does not have to (provide) the means even if he is kind

While I shed my tears, then embrace (the teachings of Islam)

This house that which he knows

Deserving of its inclination are those who are the most yearning.

And the camps continue to burst in with pilgrims from every distant land. How beautiful are the sounds of the Talbiyyah called out aloud in the airplanes in the skies and (in) the cleaving of the waves of the sea and (in) the ships that swap up the path and track the journey, coming to the sacred house, I am present, O Allah, I am present. Here I come. You have no partner. Here I come. One outlook, one goal, all of them are answered, then they meet in the sanctity of Allah. Verily they are caravans of faith; a journey of life to the place of inclination of the hearts; and the centre of Islam; and the qibla of the Muslims.

Servants of Allah: Pilgrims to His sacred house: Verily the status of pilgrimage by Allah is great, and its position in the religion is big. Allah mandated it by His Saying: “And pilgrimage to the House (Ka’bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, those who can afford the expenses; and whoever disbelieves, then Allah stands not in need of any of the worlds.” [Aal Imraan; Verse 97]. As for its virtue, then Abu Hurairah – may Allah be pleased with him – narrated that the prophet – peace be upon him – said: “An Umrah (lesser pilgrimage) to an Umrah is expiation for what is between them and an accepted pilgrimage has no reward for it except Paradise.” [Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim]. And also in the two authentics (Bukhari and Muslim) that the prophet – peace be upon him – was asked: Which is the best of actions? He said: “Belief in Allah – Exalted and Majestic.” It was said: Thereafter what? He said: “Striving in the path of Allah.” It was said: Thereafter what? He said: “An accepted pilgrimage.”

Verily it is trading of this world and the Hereafter and profit of both the worlds. Ibn Mas’ud – may Allah be pleased with him – said: The messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: “Follow up the pilgrimage and lesser pilgrimage, because they certainly remove poverty and sins as fire separates the impurities from iron.” [Narrated by Ahmad and Tirmidhi with an authentic chain]. And in the two authentics: that the prophet – peace be upon him – said: “Whoever performs pilgrimage to this house and does not commit any obscenity or wrongdoing, he will come out as his mother gave birth to him,” i.e. free from sins and mistakes. This is with the multiplication of good deeds and raising of ranks. Jabir – may Allah be pleased with him – narrated that the prophet – peace be upon him – said while he was in Madeenah: “One prayer in my mosque is better than one thousand prayers in any other mosque except Masjidul Haraam. And prayer in Masjidul Haraam is better than one hundred thousand prayers in any other mosque.” [Narrated by Ahmad and Bukhari in tareekh with an authentic chain] – i.e. the prayer of 54 years, so will anyone be blamed for the inclination towards the sanctity after this?! Aside from the standings of mercy in Arafaat and the gaining closeness (to Allah) at Mash’aril Haraam (Muzdalifah), and the going about in the mountain passes of Mina, and walking around the House and between Safa and Marwa, and stoning the Satans, and all that is from the occasions of mercy and acceptance of supplications.

As for Arafaat, and what will explain to you what Arafaat is?! The prophet – peace be upon him – said: “Allah frees far more people from Hellfire on the Day of Arafah than on any other day, and Allah comes closer this day and proudly says to the angels, ‘What do these people want and seek?” [Narrated by Muslim by Aisha – may Allah be pleased with her]. Verily they want the mercy of their Lord and His Paradise. They want the forgiveness of their sins and emancipation from Hellfire. They come from every distant place of this world and the outskirts of the land. They left their families and countries, and spent everything they could in order to reach these honoured places, in a time when you see some affluent, able (people) lazy to fulfill the obligation of Islam. They spend their wealth and waste their time in traveling, pleasure rides, and amusement and negligence. They have not made pilgrimage (even) once. These (people) should know that verily they are leaving out a pillar from the pillars of Islam. Umar bin Khattab – may Allah be pleased with him – said: “Whoever dies, being well off enough but having never done pilgrimage let him die as a Jew if he wishes or as a Christian.” And the same was narrated on the authority of Ali bin Abi Talib – may Allah be pleased with him. So he should fear Allah and the capable one should take the initiative before he passes on and if incapability or death overtakes him then excuses of complacency and laziness will not benefit him.

O believers, pilgrims to Allah’s ancient house: Allah has brought you to His house, so honour His Symbols, He will increase you in faith and piety: “Thus it is. And whosoever honours the symbols of Allah, then it is truly from the piety of the heart.” [Hajj; Verse 32]. And from amongst honouring the symbols is good deeds and completing them and ensuring their perfection and following the guidance of the prophet – peace be upon him – in every small and big (action), and surely he said: “Take your rituals from me.” Just as following weakness and complacency in the rituals is abandonment and deficiency, and Allah – the Exalted – says: “And perform properly the pilgrimage and the lesser pilgrimage for Allah.” [Baqarah; Verse 196]. Just as from honouring the symbols of Allah is distancing (oneself) from whatever decreases (the reward/value) of the pilgrimage, and respecting and revering the time and the place that the True – Glorified is He – has honoured. Refrain from disputes, arguments, quarrelling and disturbance, for acceptance and forgiveness are conditioned with that. Allah – Glorified and Majestic – said: “The pilgrimage is (in) the well-known months. So whosoever intends to perform pilgrimage therein, then he should not have sexual relations, nor commit sin, nor dispute unjustly during the pilgrimage.” [Baqarah; Verse 197], and indeed the prophet’s – peace be upon him – saying previously as mentioned in the two authentics: “Whoever performs pilgrimage to this house and does not commit any obscenity and wrongdoing, he will come out as his mother gave birth to him.”

Verily the purification of the self, increasing in faith and attainment of piety will be when a Muslim approaches his acts of worship with etiquette and devotion and he devotes himself to what he came for and (for) what he intends, preserving his time, sincere to his Lord. Like this, it is imperative to ask about Shar’i rulings before beginning actions, for how many a pilgrim worships Allah with ignorance. He does not learn, nor does he ask. And how many a seeker of fatwa (religious ruling) if he asked before acting, he would not be in transgression. And upon those in charge of the pilgrims is a great responsibility, so they should fear Allah, and every shepherd is responsible for his flock.

O believers, verily the principle on which this great house was built is the Oneness of the Lord of the worlds, who said in the true revelation: “And (remember) when We showed Abraham the site of the (Sacred) House (saying): “Associate not anything (in worship) with Me’” [Hajj; Verse 26]. And amongst the verses of pilgrimage, He – Glorified is He – said: “So shun the abomination (worshipping) of idol, and shun lying speech (false statements), worshipping none but Allah, not associating partners (in worship, etc.) unto Him.” [Hajj; Verse 30-31].

So purify your deeds, may Allah have mercy on you. And stick to the Sunnah in your actions and throughout your life, for verily associating partners with Allah renders deeds useless. And mandate the remembrance of Allah – the Exalted – for it is a prominent feature of pilgrimage, and it is an announcement of the Oneness of Allah which is the slogan of pilgrimage: “O my Lord, here I am at your service. Here I am at your service. You have no partner. Here I am at your service. Verily all praise and bounty and kingdom is for You. Here I am at your service. You have no partner.” And surely He – Glorified is He – said: “And remember Allah during the appointed days” [Baqarah; Verse 203], and He said: “Then when you leave Arafaat, remember Allah (by glorifying His Praises) at the Mash’aril Haraam (Muzdalifah).” [Baqarah; Verse 198], and He – the Most Majestic of speakers – said: “So when you have completed your rituals (of pilgrimage), then remember Allah” [Baqarah; Verse 200], and He – Glorified is He – said: “That they may witness things that are of benefit to them, and mention the Name of Allah on appointed days (i.e. 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th of Thul-Hijjah).” [Hajj; Verse 28]

May Allah bless me and you in the Great Quraan, and make us tread the path of the master of the messengers. I say these words of mine, and I seek the forgiveness of Allah – the Exalted – for me and you and the rest of the Muslims so seek His forgiveness. Verily He is the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Second Khutbah

All praise be to Allah as He ought to be praised. And may salutations and peace be upon our master Muhammad, His prophet and His servant. And I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone. He has no partner. Honoured in His Majesty. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger, the purest of people and the most virtuous of those who made pilgrimage to the Sacred House. May Allah’s salutations be upon him and upon his family, companions and those who follow them in goodness until the Day of His Promise.

Thereafter: O Muslims all over the world: In a short while the first ten days of the month of Thul-Hijjah will set in, and they are days of which Allah has honoured their worth and raised their remembrance, and swore by in His Book saying: “By the 10 nights (i.e. the first 10 days of Thul-Hijjah)” [Fajr; Verse 2]. And in Saheeh Bukhari, narrated by Ibn Abbaas – may Allah be pleased with him – that the prophet – peace be upon him – said: “There are no days in which good deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days (of Thul-Hijjah).” They said: O messenger of Allah, not even striving in the path of Allah? He said: “Not even striving in the path of Allah, except that person who left with his life and wealth and did not return with any of it.”

And it is recommended in it (that you do) much good deeds and various types of voluntary acts and Takbeer (saying Allah is great) and Tahmeed (praising Allah) and Tahleel (saying there is no god but Allah), so revive these ways, and seek good from Allah that you may be successful.

And whoever is not a pilgrim, it is preferred that he fasts the Day of Arafah (9th day of Thul-Hijjah), according to the narration of Abu Qatadah – may Allah be pleased with him – that the prophet – peace be upon him – said regarding the fasting of the day of Arafah: “I have hope in Allah that it (the fast of Arafah) will be an atonement for the sins of the past and the forthcoming year.” And whoever intends to do the sacrifice (of a sacrificial animal) should not cut anything from his hair or nails from the beginning of the ten (days) until (after) he sacrifices.

And there is an important matter that people should be warned of, alas and that is the competing in giving religious rulings by those who are not well-versed in them and speaking regarding (the rules of) Allah with no knowledge, for how many a hasty one causes the pilgrims to transgress, and maybe he carries the sin of corrupting their pilgrimage by his issuing of religious rulings while he is not a legal source, and by his contributing to directives while he was not asked, and surely he would have been in safety if he mandated the fearing of Allah and piety. And surely the companions – may Allah be pleased with them – used to defend religious rulings, so what is the matter with today’s nation, they compete in them as if they are spoils of war?! There is no doubt that teaching people, guiding them and giving them religious rulings is among the greatest of actions that bring one close to Allah, and the most necessary of compulsory acts, but it is for the scholars, and knowledgeable students of knowledge. As for the ignorant and the masses, it is a sin, and surely Allah has coupled speaking without knowledge with Shirk (associating partners with Allah), sin and adultery. Verily pilgrimage is an act of worship and rituals that require comprehension and deep understanding, and upon the qualified is that they take charge of their degree so that others are dispensed for them.

Then remember – may Allah have mercy upon you – that Allah has surely commanded you with a command which He begins Himself, and which the angels who glorify His Holiness repeat, and which He directed to you O believers amongst the Jinn and humans, so He – Majestic in His Highness – said: “Allah sends His Salutations on the prophet (Muhammad – peace be upon him) and also His angels too (ask Allah to bless and forgive him). O you who believe! Send your salutations on him (Muhammad – peace be upon him), and (you should) greet him with peace.” [Ahzaab; Verse 56]

O Allah send salutations, peace and blessings on Your slave and servant Muhammad for as long as the stars shine and the clouds combine, and send salutations and peace on Your prophet and his family, his companions, his wives and offspring and those who follow them in goodness until the Day of Recompense.

O Allah grant honour to Islam and the Muslims…

Source: https://khutaab.wordpress.com/2012/11/19/yearning-for-the-secured-land-makkah/

 

[BintAbee]

A Pause with the Meaning of ‘Barakah’ [1]

Sheikh Saalih aal Taalib

December 7, 2012 ~ Muharram 23, 1434


Part One

Praise be to Allah! Blessed be He in His divine essence, He Who blessed whom He wills among His creatures! Praise be to Allah, the Supreme and the Most Generous. No human being can give Him His due in full. No creature is capable of disengaging itself from the bonds of His service; nor can any human being exist independently of His generosity and bountiful gifts. He is the First in the whole existence and to Him alone all creatures stand upright in performance of worship rituals and lie in prostration. His existence () is unequalled by any form of being and His generosity is peerless. His might takes those who shy away from His message unawares, either in their waking time or during their sleep.

I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, with no rival partner to Him and that Muhammad () is His servant and Messenger. O Allah! Send Your Salat (Graces, Honors, and Mercy) and Peace on your servant and Messenger Muhammad (), his family, his Companions, the tab'în (the contemporaries of the Companions of the Prophet () after his death), and all those who righteously follow them till the Day of Judgment!

O people!

My recommendation, to myself then to you, is to adhere to taqwa (fear of Allah). It is our resort in time of hardships, our source of assistance in ordeals, the inspiration of the soul and its quietude, the generator of patience and tranquility, the stimulator of strength and firm conviction, the tool of ascension to heaven to seek sublimity, the guarantee of guidance in moments of perilous predicaments, and the booster of morale in time of stressful affliction: O you who believe! Keep your duty to Allâh and fear Him, and speak (always) the truth. [70]. He will direct you to do righteous good deeds and will forgive you your sins. And whosoever obeys Allâh and His Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم), he has indeed achieved a great achievement (i.e. he will be saved from the Hell-fire and will be admitted to Paradise). [Al-Aȟzeb: 70-71].

O Muslims!

In our greetings and prayers, there are expressions which deserve our attention; we use them frequently and daily in our verbal exchanges and prayers. They contain the good of both this life and the Hereafter, the source of happiness now and later. They are namely prayers imploring (divine) barakah. For instance, when a Muslim meets his brother in faith, he says to him, “May Allah’s Peace, Mercy and barakat (plural of ‘barakah’, blessings) be upon you!” Have we ever contemplated the significance of supplication for barakah? Besides, in our prayer, we appeal to Allah by saying, “[…] and send Your ‘barakah’ upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad as You had sent it upon Ibrahim […].” Also, among the supplications during Qiyaam (night) prayer, we ask Allah, “[…And] send Your ‘barakah’ (make abundant and blessed) in whatever you have bestowed on me!” We also say to the newly married couple, “May Allah send His ‘barakah’ (make abundant and blessed) in whatever He has bestowed upon you, and may He also send His ‘barakah’ upon both of you!”

So, what is the exact meaning of such ‘barakat’ (abundant blessings)?

O servants of Allah!

The original meaning of the term ‘barakah’ in Arabic is ‘constancy’, ‘permanence’, and ‘stability.’ Other meanings include ‘growth, increase, and abundance of good.’ The term ‘barakah’ can be followed by various prepositions in Arabic to mean: to bless something/someone, to make something abundant, to allow someone to enjoy divine bounties, and to preserve existent favors. There is also the attribute ‘mubarak’ (blessed and permanently abundant) to refer to anything which received Allah’s () holy blessings. Allah says in reference to the Holy Qur’ān: And this is “mubarak” (a blessed) Reminder (the Qur’ân) which We have sent down… [Al-Ânbiya: 50]. The attribute ‘mubarak’ is used here to refer to the abundant benefits, permanent merits, and various aspects of ‘barakah’ in the Holy Qur’ān.

‘Barakah’ is exclusively from Allah, for it is only the Lord, be He exalted, that has quintessential blessing and whatever is attributed to Him becomes blessed. In fact, His words are blessed, His Messenger is blessed, His servant believers dedicated to the service of His creatures are blessed, His Holy Mosque is blessed, and His sanctified land (His Kinanah) —which is Sham (the area consisting of Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan)— is the land of blessings and is depicted in some verses of the Holy Qur’ān as blessed. The Al-Aqsa Mosque in Al-Quds [2] along with its vicinity are blessed by Allah as well.

We say, when invoking Allah (), “tabaraka”; that is to say, “be He elevated, lauded, and glorified.” This (i.e. “tabaraka”) can never be said to anyone except Allah (). He is blessed in His divine essence and He imparts His blessing to whomever He selects from among His creatures. It is similar to saying “Allah is All-Mighty, All-Magnificent.” It is a sign of His Might, of the abundance and permanence of his goodness, as well as the accumulation of perfection traits in Him. This equally means that every benefit in the world originates from His bounty and generosity (), for He is the All-Mighty, the Glorious, and the All-Sublime.

This is why in the opening of Qur’ānic verses, Allah () frequently mentions the notion of blessing in association with His Magnificence and Glory. Allah () says: Blessed be He Who sent down the criterion (of right and wrong, i.e. this Qur’ân) to His slave (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) that he may be a warner to the ‘Âlamîn (mankind and jinn). [Al-Furqân: 1]. Allah () further affirms: Indeed your Lord is Allâh, Who created the heavens and the earth in Six Days, and then He rose over (Istawâ) the Throne (really in a manner that suits His Majesty). He brings the night as a cover over the day, seeking it rapidly, and (He created) the sun, the moon, the stars subjected to His Command. Surely, His is the Creation and Commandment. Blessed is Allâh, the Lord of the ‘Âlamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists)! [Al-Aâraf: 54]

O Muslims!

Allah may equally make some of His creatures blessed. Thus, the recipient of divine blessing would generously engage in good acts, acquire a higher status allowing him to influence people’s lives positively, manifest clear signs of moral fiber, and benefit others from resources at hand. Jesus Christ () is a perfect example of the select blessed when he extols Allah’s favors: “And He has made me blessed wheresoever I be, and has enjoined on me Salât (prayer), and Zakât, as long as I live. [Maryam: 31]
“Barakah” is Allah’s favour bestowed on man without the latter being aware of its source or involved in any conscious calculations to get it. In fact, whenever you notice a kind of imperceptible increase in some phenomenon, that very phenomenon is said to be blessed or contains “barakah.” “Barakah” is then a gift from Allah which is inexplicable by the causal logic followed by our human minds. For instance, when Allah bestows “Barakah” on someone’s age, that person will enjoy longevity coupled with obedience to and worship of Him or will enjoy a wealth of good traits characterizing his/her personality. Moreover, when Allah bestows “barakah” on someone’s health, this means its preservation.

The same applies to bestowing “barakah” on someone’s property; that is, Allah accumulates, increases, purifies, and turns it into a source of gaining further assets. In addition, He also guides its owner to spending it in ways which please Allah and facilitate obedience to His instructions. Other examples of Allah’s granting “barakah” to someone include offspring and spouse. When Allah confers “barakah” on someone’s offspring, his children will show filial devotion, piety and good conduct; and when Allah bestows “barakah” on someone’s spouse, her husband’s life will turn into sheer bliss: whenever he looks at her, he enjoys perfect happiness and while he is absent she remains faithful to him.

“Barakah” is also visible in our actions, for whenever Allah grants His blessing to our actions, their positive impact will spread to larger spheres of life and their utility to others will become more obvious and rewarding. It is worth remembering here that the safest guarantee of Allah’s blessing on our actions resides in loyalty to Him (that is, without indulging, even unknowingly, in forms of associating deities with Him) and in tracking the footsteps of the Prophet ().

Ibn Al-Qayyim [3] —may Allah have mercy on his soul—said, “…Whatsoever is not dedicated to Allah will certainly be devoid of blessing (barakah), for it is exclusively Allah who is self-sufficiently blessed and all types of “barakah” emerge from Him.”

In the divine statement [4]: The Lord () says, “Whenever I am worshipped, verily I am pleased, and whenever I am pleased I confer my blessings, knowing that my ‘barakah’ parallels infinity.” [Reported by Imam Ahmed in his hadith publication entitled Al-Zuhd, as narrated by Wahb Ibn Munabbih (authentic chain of reporters)].

How much “barakah” has been conferred on things, time, speech, actions, and people! With “barakah”, meager quantity turns into abundance; benefit is generalized; what is good yields further goodness; sufficiency is realized; satisfaction reigns all over; and joy fills up people’s lives.

We can draw lessons from the “barakat” (blessings) bestowed on the lives of famous personalities and great brains, although they were simply human beings living in their respective communities. However, Allah bestowed His blessings on their actions and lifetimes. Muhammad ()—the most honorable of all creatures—was endowed with a blessed lifetime. Quite amazingly, although his dawa (i.e. mission campaign to spread Islam) only lasted for twenty-three years or so, he benefited all creatures and his “barakah” is unceasingly unfolding, era after era, until the Day of Judgment when Allah inherits the earth and all that lives thereon. Abu Bakr’s term as Caliph lasted just two years and a few months; however, he fulfilled in such a short period of time what requires decades.

As to scholarship, there are miraculous phenomena in scholars’ biographies. For instance, Imam Chafeî —may Allah have mercy on his soul— died at an early age: 54. Al-Ťabari, Al-Nawawi, Ibn Taymîya, among others, left a scholarly legacy comprising books and various writings whose design and publication must have taken their lifetime and would certainly challenge entire teams. Such prolific scholarship would have never been possible without Allah’s assistance and “barakah” which He bestowed on their lifetimes and works.

As to “barakah” in ordinary people’s lives, it was manifest in their way of life: they used to be contented with the bare minimum to live at subsistence level on a day-to-day basis; they also used to live as an extended family in one collective house; a single serving of food would satisfy two individuals; they used to live under the umbrella of contentment, taking pleasure in the joy of satisfaction and perfect delight.

So, what’s the matter with people nowadays? Have their incomes shrunk or have their spirits been incarcerated? Have their lifetimes become shorter or is it their volition that has become too weak to meet the challenge?

People nowadays do enjoy numerous life facilities and aspects of well-being of which their predecessors were visibly deprived. Today, treasures have erupted from inside the earth; money and business have become abundant; job opportunities have been multiplied as a direct result of technological inventions, scientific discoveries, and industrial progress. Paradoxically, it seems as though people were more pauperized and their lives became a picture of human misery, frustration, and coercion. The whole world tends to be constantly complaining about poverty, scarcity, tight budget, constraints of time, and phobia about the future—despite the availability of all kinds of luxury and life facilities. Where does the problem lie then? The answer is certainly the effacement of “barakah.”

A very eloquent dictum says, “Barakah does not mean or result in abundance; it is rather the reverse: abundance is the direct output of Barakah.” In this regard, Abu Huraira () narrated that Prophet Muhammad () said, “A year of severe drought does not mean the absence of rainfall; it is rather the year during which there is heavy and continual rainfall, but Allah does not bestow His Bârakah on it).”

In our Holy Book, we read: And if the people of the towns had believed and had the Taqwâ (piety), certainly, We should have opened for them blessings from the heaven and the earth, but they belied (the Messengers). So We took them (with punishment) for what they used to earn (polytheism and crimes). [Al-Ârâf: 96]

Faith, taqwa (fear of Allah), and good deeds bring about “barakah” and increase income. They also bring about peace of mind and satisfaction: “But whosoever turns away from My Reminder (i.e. neither believes in this Qur’ân nor acts on its teachings); verily, for him is a life of hardship…” [Ťâha: 124]

Indeed, shying away from Allah is the reason of misery from which both individuals and nations are suffering today.

Why don’t we ponder about the reasons behind the disintegration of the strongest economic consortiums despite the availability of expertise and management skills that Allah enabled them to master? Why don’t we think about the spread of panic and the absence of security in the most powerful and oppressive countries of the world, along with the recurrence of wars, homicides, and turmoil despite the existence of a battery of laws, conventions, and organizations to govern societies?

It is Allah, the Almighty ‒may He be exalted and elevated‒ Who is indeed running the world where things are exclusively managed in accordance with His sunnah (laws) and where prosperity and well-being only materialize when He () orders them to be. He () said: Allâh will destroy Ribâ (usury) and will give increase for Sadaqât (deeds of charity, alms, etc.) [Al-Baqarah: 276], and It is those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh and worship none but Him Alone) and confuse not their belief with Zulm (wrong i.e. by worshipping others besides Allâh), for them (only) there is security and they are the guided. [Al-Ana’am: 82]. It is Allah () Who also said: 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), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter). [Al-Nahl: 97]

Faith, piety and good deeds bring about blessings, happiness and satisfaction while sinning annihilates them and makes scant livelihoods. Allah Almighty said: And Allâh puts forward the example of a township (Makkah), that dwelt secure and well-content: its provision coming to it in abundance from every place, but it (its people) denied the Favours of Allâh (with ungratefulness). So Allâh made it taste extreme of hunger (famine) and fear, because of that (evil, i.e. denying Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم) which they (its people) used to do. [Al-Nahl: 112]

Fear and hunger make a monstrous specter terrifying all the living. In fact, some of the effects of sins and disobedience are unthinkable. It is said in the Hadith that »whenever two friends are separated it is because of a sin one of them committed. « [Narrated by Bukhari in Al Adab Al Mufrid [5] ].

Insofar as marital relations are concerned note the repetition of taqwa (fear of Allah) and its effects in Surat Al Talaq (Divorce), then also note what Allah () said in this regard: And many a town (population) revolted against the Command of its Lord and His Messengers; and We called it to a severe account (i.e. torment in this worldly life), and We shall punish it with a horrible torment (in Hell in the Hereafter). So it tasted the evil result of its affair (disbelief), and the consequence of its affair (disbelief) was loss (destruction in this life and an eternal punishment in the Hereafter). Allâh has prepared for them a severe torment. So fear Allâh, O men of understanding. [At-Talaq: 8 - 10].

These are the same laws Allah made and executed on families and individuals and on nations and villages alike.

On the authority of Hakim Ibn Hizam (), the Prophet () said: »The vending/purchasing parties are given the choice so long as they are not separated. If they are honest and clear with each other, then their deal is blessed. However, if they lie and hide the truth, blessing shall be wiped off of their deal.« [Narrated by Muslim].

On the authority of Ibn Omar –may Allah be pleased with both of them (he and his father)– the Prophet () mentioned the main sins annihilating blessing and bringing about poverty, disaster and misery. These are the spread of immorality, the failure to observe fullness in weighing and measuring (in trading), the prevention of zakat [6], the betrayal of promises, dishonesty, and the arbitration of laws other than those of Allah.

Here, one may wonder whether merchants and vendors, those who have no scruples over carrying out fraud, bribery, betraying promises and practicing forgery and advocates of vice and corruption who mean to propagate immorality among the believers understand that! Allah the Truthful said: And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much [Al-Shura: 30], and (What is the

matter with you?) When a single disaster smites you, although you smote (your enemies) with one twice as great, you say: "From where does this come to us?" Say (to them), "It is from yourselves (because of your evil deeds) [Al Omran: 165]

O servants of Allah!
Observe taqwa (fear of Allah) and good deeds and then think about the effect thereof on your physical health, the tranquility of your souls and the thoroughness of your happiness. Ask Allah to bestow His blessing on you and seek the reasons amenable to it, and obey Allâh and the Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) that you may obtain mercy. [Al Omran: 132]

O Allah! Bless us by the Great Qur’ān and guide us to Your Right Path! I say this and ask Almighty Allah to forgive you and me.

Part Two

Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful and the Only Owner (and the Only Ruling Judge) of the Day of Recompense (i.e. the Day of Resurrection). I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah, the King, and the Manifest Truth. I also bear witness that Muhammad () is His servant and Messenger, the honest and the faithful. May Allah send His Salat (Graces, Honours, and Mercy), Peace and Blessing on him, his family and all his Companions!

O servants of Allah!

As is mentioned in both Sahihs [7] (Muslim’s and Bukhari’s), Abderrahman bin Abi Leila said: “I ran into Kaab Ibn Ujrah () who said to me: ‘may I pass on to you a gift I heard from the Prophet ()? I said: ‘certainly, give it to me.’ He said: ‘we asked the Messenger of Allah (): ‘O Messenger of Allah! How do we send our prayer on you, Ahl al Bayt [8] , for Allah taught us how to say ‘peace on you’? He answered: »say ‘O Allah! Send Your prayer on Muhammad and his family as You did on Ibrahim and his family! You are All-Praiseworthy, All-Glorious. O Allah! Send Your blessing on Muhammad and his family as You did on Ibrahim and his family! You are All-Praiseworthy, All-Glorious. «
Hence, supplicating for the Prophet (), by saying: »send Your blessing on Muhammad and his family as You did on Ibrahim and his family« , implies bestowing as much good on him as was bestowed on Ibrahim’s family, as well as sustaining, doubling and increasing it for him. Allah () said about Ibrahim and his family: We blessed him and Ishâq (Isaac) [Al Safat: 113]. Still on Ibrahim and his family, Allah () said: The Mercy of Allâh and His Blessings be on you, O the family [of Ibrâhîm (Abraham)] [Hud: 73]

O Allah! Send Your Prayer, Peace and Blessing on Your servant and Messenger, Muhammad, and on his good and pure family! O Allah! Be pleased with all of Your Messenger’s Companions and those who followed them in righteousness until the Day of Judgement!

O Allah! Grant glory to Islam and Muslims! O Allah! Grant glory to Islam and Muslims! O Allah! Grant glory to Islam and victory to Muslims and fail tyrants, infidels and corruptors! O Allah! Grant glory to Your religion, Your Book and the sunnah of Your Prophet and Your believing servants!

O Allah! Foreordain for this nation (the nation of Islam) a matter (an affair) of rationality (guidance) where the people of piety are honored and those of sins are guided, and where al-ma’roof (promotion of good deeds) is promoted and al-munkar (promulgation of evil deeds) is prevented! O Lord of the worlds!

O Allah! Make preoccupied with their own evil those who wish to harm Islam and Muslims! Turn their plots and their cunning against them! O Lord of the worlds!

O Allah! Grant victory to the Mujahideen in Your cause in Palestine, in the Levant and wherever they may be, O Lord of the worlds! O Allah! Lift the siege around them, improve their conditions, and suppress their enemy!

O Allah! Liberate Al Aqsa Mosque from the oppressors’ injustice and the occupiers’ aggression! O Allah! Improve the conditions of Muslims everywhere! O Allah! Improve their conditions in Syria! O Allah! Group them around Your Truth and Guidance! O Allah! Spare their blood, safeguard their tranquility, bring them close together, feed their hungry, protect their honor, grant them boldness, strength and victory against their oppressors! O Allah! Lift the siege around them! O Allah! It’s Your speedy relief we seek!

O Allah! Guide our leader, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, to do whatever you love and accept. O Allah! Guide him to piety and righteousness. O Allah! Grant him, his Crown Prince, his brothers and assistants success to do what is good for the people and the country!

O Allah! All praise is due to You for Your blissful curing of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques! O Allah! Bring him full recovery and keep him in good health. O Allah! Grant success to all the leaders of Muslims in order to govern by Your Sharia and follow the sunnah of Your Prophet ()! O Allah! Make them merciful to Your true servants!

O Allah! Make safe and prosperous all of our country and those of all Muslims around the world! Protect us against the evil of wrongdoers, the maliciousness of the lecherous and the evil of those plotting to carry it out by day or night! Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire! [Al Baqarah: 201], Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and our transgressions (in keeping our duties to You), establish our feet firmly, and give us victory over the disbelieving folk. [Al Omran: 147]

O Allah! Forgive our sins, cover our flaws, make easy our affairs and make come true our wishes in what pleases You! O Allah! Forgive our sins, those of our parents, our grandparents, our wives and children, You are All-Hearing! O Allah! We ask You to be pleased with us and grant us Your paradise, and we seek refuge in You against Your wrath and hell fire! O Allah! Spare us the torment of hell fire! We ask Allah for forgiveness! We ask Allah for forgiveness! We ask Allah for forgiveness, Allah Who is the only deity, the Living, the Subsisting, and we repent to Him!

O Allah! You are Allah, and there is no deity worthy of worship but You! You are the Self-Sufficient while we (humans) are destitute! Do send down rain on us and save us from despair! O Allah! Send rain down on us! Bestow upon us expedient rain; a blissful, flowing, widespread, useful and harmless rain, one that would rejuvenate the land, quench the people’s thirst and reach the rural and the urban lands!

O Allah! Send down upon us rain of mercy. O Allah! Send down upon us rain of mercy. O Allah! Send down upon us rain of mercy, not rain of torment, disaster, destruction, or flooding!
O Allah! Answer our prayers, for You are indeed the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing! And forgive us! You are indeed Most Forgiving, Most Merciful!

Glorified be Your Lord, the Lord of Honor and Power! You are free from what they attribute unto You! May peace be upon all the Messengers! And all praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds!

1. The Arabic word (بركة) means blessing, benediction, good fortune, abundant good.

2. Al-Quds is the Arab name for what Western geographers tend to call Jerusalem in the occupied Palestinian territories.

3. Muhammad ibn Abu Bakr (also known as Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah ("Son of the principal of the (school of) Jawziyyah") (1292–1350 CE / 691 AH–751 AH) was a Sunni Islamic jurist, commentator on the Qur’an and theologian. His scholarship was focused on the sciences of Hadith and Fiqh.

4. This type of divine statement is known in the science of hadith as Hadith Qudsi (i.e. sacred hadith because—unlike the Prophet’s hadith—its provenance is traced back to Allah, though only its content is literally revelation whereas its wording is said to be the Prophet’s (peace be upon him).

5. This book, by Muhammad ibn Ismaeel al-Bukhari, is translated from the original Arabic into English. It provides a vivid insight into the moral conduct of the early Muslims in a society led by the perfect character of Prophet Muhammad (). The Prophet's Companions represent excellent examples of men of vigorous moral stature whose conduct inspired and attracted the masses to the fold of Islam wherever they went during the expansion of the Muslim territories, and contrary to the stereotypic portrayal, in the West, of Islam as being spread by the sword. (Retrieved from http://www.islamhouse.com/ip/13303, Dec. 9th, 2012)

6. It is the giving of a fixed portion of one's wealth as a tax, generally to the poor and needy or to the people who collect it. It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. (Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zakāt, Dec. 9th, 2012).

7. Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim are two of the Al-Kutub Al-Sittah (six major hadiths) of sunni Islam. These prophetic traditions, or Hadith, were collected by the Persian Muslim scholar Muhammad ibn Ismail al-Bukhari and Imam Muslim, respectively, after being transmitted orally for generations. Sunni Muslims view these as two of the three most trusted collections of hadith. In some circles, these Sahihs are considered the most authentic books after the Qur'an.[2][3] The Arabic word sahih translates as authentic or correct. (Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sahih_al-Bukhari, Dec. 9th 2012).

8. Ahl al-Bayt (Arabic: أهل البيت‎) is an Arabic phrase literally meaning People of the House, or family of the House. The phrase "ahl al-bayt" was used in Arabia before the advent of Islam to refer to one's clan, and would be adopted by the ruling family of a tribe. Within the Islamic tradition, the term refers to the family of Prophet Muhammad (). (Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahl_al-Bayt, Dec. 9th 2012).

Source: http://www.alharamain.gov.sa/index....y=23&placeid=1&browseby=khateebaudio#kh_audio