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Friday Khutbah (31 July 2009): Ways of obtaining baraqa – blessings in our lives

Saturday, August 8th, 2009

Friday Khutbah (31 July 2009/8th Shaban 1430) Makkah Friday Khutbah, Saudi Arabia, English translation

Ways of obtaining baraqa – blessings in our lives

Sermon given by Sheikh Shuraim

All praise is due to Allah the great, the might. We praise him for the blessings and we also praise him whilst in trial and tribulations. And I bear witness that no one has the right to be worshipped except Allah. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger, the leader of the pious and the master of those who came before us and those who come towards the end. May the peace and blessings be upon the prophet salAllahu alaihi wa sallam. And may the peace and blessing be also on the companions and those who followed them until the day of resurrection.

Indeed, to proceed, the advice that I would like to give to everybody including myself is to fear Allah Subhanau wa ta’ala. As Allah says, fear Allah and indeed He will teach you, and He is aware of all affairs. Indeed, we live in a time in which our civilisation has attained and developed in different spheres of life. These types of developments are unprecedented, which we haven’t seen in previous nations and previous civilisations. We find that we have a higher degree of worship whether it be related to life or technology. We see this advancement.

So we live in this contemporary life which really surprises and astonishes us. Despite all of these advancements, we see in society, we find that these advancements in our society, they do not guarantee happiness in the way we have seen people attain happiness in the past. And this is all due to the absence of a matter which is extremely important. And without this particular thing, there is no meaning to life. And we ask ourselves, what is this important thing , without which you can not attain happiness in life. It is indeed, Oh Servants of Allah, it is attaining baraqa – benefit – blessings in our life. There is no person who has a steadfast life and he does not receive blessings. And what is the benefit of time if it has no blessing in it? What is the benefit of knowledge if it has no blessing in it? And what is the benefit of having food that has no blessings in it?

So blessings is not just about attaining great amounts of wealth, rather it is a value which Allah Subhanau wa ta’ala has given to particular deeds. Rather it is a blessing which leads to tranquility in the soul and also to be content ed. These are the signs of baraqa. And likewise for a person to continue and remain good health, these are the effects of Allah’s baraqa in a person’s life. And so if you were to assume life to be like a tree, then the water that goes to the tree, this is the baraqa. The baraqa is the water which gives life to the tree and this baraqa is that which gives life to the soul itself. and by this baraqa, a person is able to live in a small hut, to him, it will be like a palace.

If a person does not understand baraqa and does not receive baraqa, if he was to live in a palace, then to him it would be like living in a prison. And this is the result of even attaining this blessing in life or being prevented from attaining it. So baraqa essentially is that which gives an increase in good, so for example a person wants to have blessings in his life then that would tell a person has long blood. this blessing could also occur in a persons wealth, that would mean that a person attains a sufficient amount of wealth until he dies and Allah makes his wealth go a long way. A person could be blessed in his food as well and the blessing in this food is that it fills a persons stomach even though it might be a small amount and likewise, a blessing in knowledge, the blessing in knowledge is that it leads to beneficial deeds. These are the effects of baraqa.

However, we live in a time where we suffer from lack of baraqa, and we live in a time where people really suffer in all aspects of life from the lack of baraqa from Allah Subhanau wa ta’ala. So people think that in reality, blessings is all about attaining great amounts o wealth and many children but you will find that there are many people with great amounts of wealth yet you find they have no blessings in their wealth. You find they earn hundreds of thousands of pounds yet you find that it does not benefit them and they lose their money quickly. People have many children yet you find there is no baraqa in their children.

We find, for example, in the developed world, they give loans to these developing and poorer countries. And they impose these loans on them, which incur interest. And in fact you find that these loans that these people take on, they do not benefit them. Rather it creates more hardship on the people. and so these countries and these poor nations that take these debts upon themselves, they sell their own products to the creditor. And they end up losing out on the benefit. It is as if the creditor is strangling the debtor. So what baraqa – blessing is this? This is a result of involving yourself in these transactions. It is just like a person who keeps drinking salty water, ever time he gets thirsty, he tries to drink it more but in reality, he becomes more thirsty.

However, if you were to compare the era that we live in today to the era of the Prophet salAllahu alahi wa sallam and his companions, you will find a stark difference in baraqa. So for example, you will find that the Prophet sallAllahu alaihi wa sallam, he would find a great deal of blessings in just a small peice of bread that would suffice for him and all of his companions.

For example we see the companion, Uthman ibn A’afaan, Allah blessed his wealth and by his wealth, he was able to provide and sustain a whole army. And likewise we have the axample of zubair ibn Awaam, when he was on his death bed, he advised his son to pay back his debt. His debt reached one million and two thousand dinar, so he was in a great amount of debt. So in paying back the debt, he said that if you are unable to pay back the debt then seek help in my freed slave and he will help you. There was a peice of land he had which grew date palm trees and so his son was able to use this land and cultivate it and therefore the value of this land reached great amounts. In fact it reached millions of dinars and he was able to pay back his debt and he also left behind four wives and he was also able to give each wife a million dinar. So look at how baraqa occurs.

And likewise, it was reported in the Musnad of Imam Ahmad, that the time of bani kudaiba, in the time of Imam Ahmad, that they found a piece of wheat and it was so large that it was written on it that this was grown in the time of blessings – baraqa. So when we have this baraqa, it has an effect on our food and the way that it grows. And we find other examples of earlier generations where they would find for example camel loads of grapes and this was something very rare to find in Arabia . So these are examples of the previous generations and how much they attained great amounts of baraqa.

And this is SubhanaAllah, despite the advanced technologically in other areas of life. The Prophet Muhammad salAllahu alaihi wa sallam mentioned in Sahih Muslim that the Day of Judgement will not return until the land of the Arabian Peninsular will become green and lush again as it was before. And it is reported that a time will come when just a small fruit will be enough for a few people and a small piece of flesh of a camel will be enough to feed groups of people and this is a sign that we will have this baraqa. Though we have to ask ourselves two important questions: How do you attain this baraqa? and you need to think; Are we doing these things that will entail the securing of these blessings. And at the same time we have to ask ourselves; What are the things that prevent the baraqa from befalling upon us. And as Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala says, indicating this, that if the people of the town had truly believed, then we would have sent rain in multitude gushing forth upon them.

2ND KHUTBA

All praise is due to Allah and may the peace and blessings be upon the Prophet salAllahu alaihi wa sallam. The person who wishes to attain the blessings in his life, then he must observe and be aware of those things which bring about these blessings. It is, if a person contemplates, he will find that he will be able to find the blessings in life by completing the following things. Firstly, by believing in Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, and believing in his messenger and adhering to the law of Allah and his messenger. As Allah says and indeed if the people of the past had believed, then indeed we would have sent down the blessings from the skies. Secondly, a person has to be grateful towards Allah, for his blessings. As Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala says, then indeed, if you were to be grateful to Allah, he will increase your blessings, but if you deny my favours then indeed my punishment is severe. And as the Messenger salAllhu alaihi wa sallam said, whatever blessings Allah sends down from the skies you will find a group of people denying this blessing.

The third cause of attaining benefit is having a halal source of income. As Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala says he obliterates usury but he makes charity grow. And the fourth cause of obtaining benefit is by staying away from israaf – extravagance in spending lavishly. As Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala says, indeed those who spend lavishly and extravagantly, they are the brothers of the devils. And thus they will not be able to attain any baraqa. And that is why the prophet salAllahu alaihi wa sallam said, the best of women for marriage are those who are the easiest in terms of expenditure.

And likewise, another cause is by being truthful and straight as well. As the Messenger salAllahu alahi wa sallam said two people who are involved in a transaction they will have a choice to go back on their deal as long as they do not separate, if they are truthful then indeed they will be blessed in their trade.

And also from the other causes of attaining baraqa is a person, he engages in supplicating the Lord and invoking the Lord, making du’ah to Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala as we saw in the case of Zubair ibn Awaam before as well. And likewise another important reason for obtaining baraqa is by having contentment and being satisfied with what Allah has given us. And as Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala says indeed he will give you a happy life. A happy life as many scholars say, is to be satisfied and have contentment with what Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala has given you. And these are the means by which we can obtain baraqa in our lives.

Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala says, oh you who believe, send your salat and salam upon the messenger salAllahu alaihi wa sallam. The Prophet salAllahu alaihi wa sallam said, who ever sends one greeting upon me, Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala sends ten greetings upon him. And may Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala also send greetings upon the four rightly guided khulafa, Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthmaan and Ali and upon the rest of his companions. And likewise the successors and those who followed them until the day of resurrection. Oh Allah, give victory to Islam and to the Muslims, Oh Allah give victory to your book and to your Sunnah. Oh Allah, relieve the distresses of the believers and cure the ill. Oh Allah, give us peace and security in our lands, and rectify the affairs of our rulers and make the rulers those who fear Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala. Oh Allah, give the ability to fear you to our rulers. Oh Allah what ever there is of good then please grant it to us, even that which we are unaware of in terms of good then give it to us as well. Oh Allah, give us the good of this world and the good of the hereafter and save us from the punishment of the fire. And all praise id due to Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala.

Written by UmmYumyum www.quidsin.wordpress.com from the translation (name unknown) – Islam Channel. If you know the name of the brother who translated this Khutbah, please let me know.

All that is true and correct is from Allah, anything of error is from me and shaytaan.

source: http://quidsin.wordpress.com/

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Jumma Khutbah (17th July 2009): Consistency in remaining upright and steadfast

Sunday, July 26th, 2009

Sermon given by Sheikh Usama Khayyat

All praise is due to Allah Subhana wa ta’ala, who ordered us to be balanced in spending. I praise Allah Subhana wa ta’ala and I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except him. Allah Subhana wa ta’ala made marriage from one of his signs and he made it a great blessing upon mankind. I bear witness that Muhammad SallAllahu alaihi wa sallam, is his servant and final messenger sent to mankind. He is the one who ordered mankind to declare their marriages and he also prohibited them from being extravagant in their spending on such occasions. May Allah’s Subhana wa ta’ala’s peace and blessings be upon Muhammad SalAllahu alaihi wa sallam and upon his companions.

Fear Allah and prepare yourself to seek his provisions to help you on the day of judgement. Hold onto the word of Allah Subhana wa ta’ala for indeed Allah Subhana wa ta’ala is your (mowla) protector and how good a protector he is. Oh believers, indeed celebrate the blessings of Allah Subhana wa ta’ala. Have gratitude to Allah Subhana wa ta’ala and praise him for these blessings. And to enjoy all of these blessings which have been spoken about in our noble shariah. And Allah Subhana wa ta’ala has clarified the wisdom behind these blessings. Therefore, from the blessings of marriage, shariah has ordered us to establish the Walima or this ceremony by which of marriage, to show our gratitude towards Allah Subhana wa ta’ala.

The messenger SallAllahu alaihi wa sallam said that declare this nikah so it is known to the people. Also it has been reported in sahih Muslim and Bukhari that Abdur Rahman Ibn Awf may Allah be pleased with him, Marriage during the reign of prophet Muhammad SalAllahu alahi wa sallam said have the Walima even if it means just sacrificing one sheep. This shows the importance of the Walima. Despite all of that, you will find that many practises go against the practises of the shariah by adding to the celebrations. You will find the people go to extravagance when it comes to the wedding in spending great amounts of money on food, wedding halls etc which all go beyond the means of what is absolutely necessary. And then you find some who even wish to be extravagant even though they are people in the world who are suffering from poverty and they are going through great difficult days. Also you find some people extravagent in buying for the women, they spend great amounts of money in buying wedding clothes, jewellery etc to the extent that you find that they compete against one another in buying the most expensive wedding clothes.

With regards to women, they feel they want to be uniqu e in purchasing their dress even though it means spending ridiculous amounts of money. This makes us realise that people have forgotten the wisdom behind all these blessings and they have forgotten the one who has bestowed all these blessings on them. It is mentioned in a hadith reported by Ibn Hadan, that the Messenger SalAllahu alaihi wa sallam said that the best marriages are those which are most simple, those that lead to the facilitation of marriages. So that is the best form of marriage. And then in another hadith it mentions that one companion spent a great amount of money on his marriage and the process that is embedded as if he carved silver out of a mountain. So this shows that we find in the Shariah that there is a Prohibition of being extravagant. Allah Subhana wa ta’ala says oh children of Adam, adorn yourself in every place of pray and eat and drink but do not be extravagant and do not spend lavishly for Allah Subhana wa ta’ala does not like extravagance.

Likewise, we find other texts in the Quran and sunnah that prohibits this extravagance. For example in a Hadith quoted in the Musnaad of Ahmad Prophet muhammad SalAllahu alaihi wa sallam said eat and drink and wear clothes and give in charity but do not spend with pride and arrogance. Likewise in another hadith in Sahih Muslim noted by Abu Hurairah, the Messenger SalAllahu alaihi wa sallam said indeed Allah Subhana wa ta’ala likes three things but hates three things. As for those three things He likes, He likes you to worship none but Him and you don’t associate Shirk and He also likes that you unite together for the sake of Allah Subhana wa ta’ala and He hates that you report unnecessary statements from people, asking too many questions and wasting wealth.

So the question is how do we prevent ourselves from falling into such extravagance? Firstly we must remember that those blessings that Allah Subhana wa ta’ala has displayed upon us. We must thank Allah Subhana wa ta’ala by means of which He has shown us so we must show Allah Subhana wa ta’ala by being grateful to Him. And the best way of doing that is by adhering to the Sunnah of the Prophet SalAllahu alaihi wa sallam and that you study and look to the way that he was in terms of spending his wealth. And we find all of these event in the books of Seerah and also books of hadith. How the Prophet SalAllahu alaihi wa sallam was when it came to spending his wealth. For indeed his guidance is the best guidance that we can adhere to.

The best way that we can attain any good in this world and in the hereafter and therefore it is no surprise that Allah Subhana wa ta’ala made the prophet Muhammad SalAllahu alaihi wa sallam an exemplary example for us . As Allah Subhana wa ta’ala says in the Quran that indeed you will find in Muhammad SalAllahu alaihi wa sallam, the best of examples for those who wish for Allah Subhana wa ta’ala, and who wish for the goodness in the Hereafter.

Likewise we must also be connected with the Scholars and the people of knowledge and those who call to Islam, for they will guide us as to how we should spend our wealth in a way which is pleasing to Allah Subhana wa ta’ala. And this is one of the most effective ways in which we will be able to attain the correct knowledge and correct perspective as to how we should deal with our wealth. And as believers, we should be examples in ourselves for other people. The Prophet SalAllahu alaihi wa sallam mentioned in Sahih Muslim, whoever who introduces or revives a good deed in Islam, then he will have the reward of doing it and also have the reward of those who did that action as well. And whoever introduces an evil action into this religion, then he will have the sin of that and the sin of those who committed that act, for they heard it from him.

So we ask Allah Subhana wa ta’ala to make us of those upon the Quran and to act upon the Sunnah of the Prophet SalAllahu alaihi wa sallam. And we ask You to make us upon your servants who hear your statement and obey. Indeed they are the people of intellect. May Allah Subhana wa ta’ala make us benefit from the Quran and the Sunnah of Prophet SalAllahu alaihi wa sallam.

2ND KHUTBAH

All prays is due to Allah Subhana wa ta’ala, we thank Him, we seek refuge in Allah Subhana wa ta’ala from the evil of ourselves and from the evil of our deeds. Whoever Allah Subhana wa ta’ala guides none can lead him astray and whoever misguides Allah Subhana wa ta’ala none can guide him. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah Subhana wa ta’ala and I bear witness that His Prophet and Messenger and slave Muhammad SalAllahu alaihi wa sallam is the final messenger sent to mankind.

Since the religion of Islam is a balanced religion that does not go to extremes, then it is therefore no surprise that we find the Shariah and Islam that prohibits the vice of extravagance in our spending. Allah Subhana wa ta’ala says, oh children of Adam, adorn yourself at every place of pray and eat and drink but do not spend extravagantly and lavishly for Allah Subhana wa ta’ala does not like those who spend in such a way. Allah Subhana wa ta’ala has also said, and give those who are close to you in charity and give to the wayfarer and do not be extravagant in your spending, for indeed those who do so, they are the brothers of the devils.

And likewise Allah Subhana wa ta’ala says do not attach to your neck, meaning that do not be stingy. And likewise do not extend your hand completely, rather you should be balanced and in between that. And the people who adhere to being balanced in the way they spend, will receive blessings in their wealth and they will purify their wealth.

We ask Allah Subhana wa ta’ala to send peace and blessings on the Prophet SalAllahu alaihi wa sallam and as Allah Subhana wa ta’ala says Allah and his Angels give prayers on the Messenger SalAllahu alaihi wa sallam. Oh you who believe, give your blessings on the Prophet SalAllahu alaihi wa sallam. May Allah Subhana wa ta’ala also be pleased with the four rightly guided Khalifs Abu Bakar, Umar, Uthman and Ali and the rest of his Companions. And also those that follow them in righteousness until the day of resurrections. Allah Subhana wa ta’ala give strength and victory to the Muslims and give strength and victory to Islam. And protect the territories of the Muslims and protect them from the mischief of the evil doers. and unite the ranks of the believer and rectify the state of the rulers of the Ummah.

Oh Allah, give victory to the religion and to the Sunnah of prophet Muhammad SalAllahu alaihi wa sallam and to give victory to your pious servants and to those who strive in your way. And rectify the state of our rulers, and make them rule by the Quran and the Sunnah. Oh Allah Subhana wa ta’ala, protect the land of the Muslims and protect them from the harms of the evil doers. Oh Allah, protect us from our enemies and your enemies. We seek refuge in Allah from the evil. Oh Allah, make our affairs end in a good way, and save us from the punishment of the hereafter. And Oh Allah, rectify our religion for us which is a means by which we protect our affairs and save us and rectify our Akhira for us and increase in good and make for us a rest from all forms of evil. And save us, oh Allah, from the destruction.

Oh Allah, we ask you for the success of doing good deeds and save us from the evils. Oh Allah, cure those who are ill from among us and have mercy on all those who have passed away. Oh Allah, we have wronged ourselves and if you do not forgive us and have mercy on us, then we will be of the losers. Oh Allah, we seek refuge in you from the removal of your mercy and to be certainly punished with a calamity. Oh Allah, give us the good in this life and the hereafter and save us from the punishment of the hereafter. May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah Subhana wa ta’ala and all thanks is to Allah Subhana wa ta’ala.

Written from the translation (name unknown) – Islam Channel. If you know the name of the brother who translated this Khutbah, please let us know.

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The Virtues of the Friday Prayer

Thursday, May 28th, 2009

The Virtues of the Friday Prayer

Understanding Virtue through the Prophetic Teachings Lesson Thirteen: In this lesson Shaykh Faraz discusses the importance of the Friday prayer, how it may expiate our sins, and some etiquette pertaining to it. Abu Hurayra Allah be pleased with him relates that the Messenger of Allah peace and blessings be upon him said, “Whoever performs ritual ablution and does so well, and then goes to the Friday prayer, listens, and is attentive shall have all their sins between that Friday and the previous Friday as well as three extra days. And whoever touches pebbles has idled.” [Muslim and others]

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via The Virtues of the Friday Prayer.

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Mother’s Day – a Historical Overview and the Scholars’ Rulings on this Holiday

Thursday, May 14th, 2009

As-Salamu `Alaykum,

Today I came across a very good article explaining the Historical Overview of Mother’s Day and the Scholars’ Rulings on this Holiday. This is not a Friday Khtubah but I hope this would help you to come up with your own khutbah, InshaAllah.

wa `Aleykum As-Salaam

Praise be to Allaah and blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allaah.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told us that his ummah would follow the previous nations, the Jews, Christians and Persians, but this was undoubtedly not praise for their actions, rather it is by way of condemnation and a warning. It was narrated from Abu Sa’eed (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “You will certainly follow the ways of those who came before you, handspan by handspan, cubit by cubit, until even if they entered the hole of a lizard, you will do so too.” We asked, “O Messenger of Allaah, (do you mean) the Jews and the Christians?” He said, “Who else?” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3269; Muslim, 2669).

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The Hour will not begin until my ummah follows in the footsteps of those who came before it, handspan by handspan, cubit by cubit.” It was asked, “O Messenger of Allaah, like the Persians and Romans?” He said, “Those are the people?”

(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6888)

The ignorant among this ummah, and the innovators and heretics have followed the previous nations, the Jews, Christians and Persians, in their beliefs, ways, manners and dress. Our concern here is to point out in these days their following and imitation of them through the innovation of “Mother’s Day” or “Family Day”, which is a day that the Christians innovated to honour mothers, or so they claim. This then became a day that was venerated, when government departments would be shut and people would get in touch with their mothers or send them gifts and loving messages. But when the day was over, things would go back to the way they were, with people being cut off from their mothers and disobeying them.

What is strange is that the Muslims would feel a need to imitate them in such ways, when Allaah has commanded them to honour their mothers and has forbidden them to disobey them, and has made the reward for that (for obeying them) the highest status.

Continue Reading Mother’s Day – a Historical Overview and the Scholars’ Rulings on this Holiday.

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Friday Khutbah: Mankind’s need for Islam

Wednesday, January 21st, 2009

MANKIND’S NEED FOR ISLAM
from Radio Islam
by Imâm al-Haram Husayn ibn ‘Abdul ‘Azîz Aal Sheikh

All praise is due to Allâh, Lord of all the worlds, may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allâh, his household and companions.

Fellow Muslims! Fear Allâh in your words and deeds, for

“Whoever fears Allâh, and keeps his duty to Him, He will provide him a way out (of every difficulty), and He will provide him from sources he could never imagine.”
– (At-Talâq 65: 2-3 )

Dear Muslims! The greatest blessing that Allâh bestowed on mankind is His sending of Muhammad – peace and blessings be on him – with a pure religion that brings all good to mankind and protects them from all that is evil through its principles of justice, brotherhood, freedom and peace.

Brothers in Islâm! The faith that the Prophet established its pillars is the source of all good and felicity for those who follow its guidance. This faith is the pure tree with ripe and everlasting fruits.

Allâh says,

“See you not how Allâh set forth a parable? – A goodly word as a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed and its branches (reach) to the sky. Giving its fruits at all times by the leave of its Lord…”
– (Ibrâheem 14: 24 )

Islâm is the treasure of all good for mankind without which they will go astray and live in misery and loss.

Allâh says,

“By the time! Verily! Man is in loss, except those who believe and do righteous good deeds and recommend one another to the truth and recommend one another to patience.”
– (Al-Asr 103: 1-3 )

The Islâmic creed with which the Prophet Muhammad was sent is the bringer of all good and prosperity and the preventer of all evil and its causes. Whoever adheres to it will ever remain on the straight path. He will not be carried away by whims nor deceived by the beauties of this world.

Allâh says,

“Then whenever there comes to you guidance from Me and whoever follows My guidance, there shall be no fear on them, nor shall they grieve.”
– (Al-Baqarah 2: 38 )

Brothers in faith! Only through true faith can man know his appropriate place and march on the path marked for him with light and sure knowledge. He will follow only the right guidance and live his life in righteousness in line with his pure nature and clean conscience far from ugly deeds and behaviours.

Fellow Muslims! The impact of faith is great in the mind and its fruits are wonderful. Apart from its purification of the heart and developing it, it is also an infinite living treasure. It gives man power, perseverance, firmness, peace of mind and hope in this world where there is unending war between truth and falsehood; good and evil, it gives absolute security, complete guidance and perfect light.

Allâh says,

“Those who believe and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah, Verily, in the remembrance of Allâh do hearts find rest.”
– (Ar-Ra’d 13: 28 )

Whoever lives in the vastness of faith, holds fast to its strong rope and follows its illuminating light by living a life that will make him understand the infinite wisdom of Allâh, His vast Mercy, His past laws and His Divine Power. That will then give him peace of mind, because he will know then that whatever good that comes his way has already been predestined for him and that whatever calamity that he suffers has also been predestined for him. He will have no doubt nor worries but march on with firm step towards his virtuous goals.

The Messenger of Allâh said,

“Observe the rights of Allâh, He will protect you; observe His rights upon you, and you will find him before you. If you ask, ask of Allâh; if you seek assistance, seek it from Allâh. Know that if the whole world gathered together to benefit you, they could not do so except by that which Allâh has destined for you; and if they gathered together to harm you, they could not do so except by that which Allâh has destined for you. The pens have been raised and the sheets have dried.” (Which means everything has already been predestined by Allâh.)

True faith gives man certainty, confidence and power to persevere. IF he is in bliss, he will not be arrogant, but will rather praise his Lord and thank Him and if he is afflicted with calamity, he will not despair, but will rather have patience and be satisfied with his fate. This is because he exemplifies his faith with clarity and power of will, and derives his power of forbearance during hardship from it. Nothing will then be able to divert him from his faith and his seeking for the pleasure of his Lord. He will rather increase in purity, sincerity, truthfulness, patience and firmness.

The Messenger of Allâh said,

‘The affair of a believer is wonderful; all his affairs are good for him and that is for none except the believer. When he gets a bliss he thanks Allâh for that, and that is good for him and when a calamity befalls him, he is patient and that is also good for him.’
– (Muslim)

Brothers in Islâm! A nation that is governed by the Islâmic creed and its life is controlled by the realities of faith is a powerful nation in itself; a nation that has a natural immunity that enables it – with permission of Allâh – to overcome all hardships and trials; and prevent its children from being affected by despair during calamities. It will rather be a nation that calamities and trials only increase it in good, reform and constructive life. It is actually a nation that has passed through all kinds of tribulations in its long history. If any other nation were to have a similar experience, it would have disappeared from the pages of history. Yes, it is a nation that has been promised a clear victory.

“Allâh has promised those among you who believe and do righteous good deeds that He will certainly grant them succession (to the present rulers) in the earth as He granted it to those before them and that He will grant them the authority to practise their religion, that which He has chosen for them (i.e. Islâm). He will surely give them in exchange a safe security after their fear (provided) they worship Me and do not associate anything (in worship) with Me.”
– (An-Nûr 24: 55 )

Brothers in faith! Abandoning the pleasant source of faith, its realities and light of Islâm cause dangerous crises. Perpetual darkness and a life that is devoid of happiness or bliss.

Allâh says,

“But whoever turns away from My reminder, verily, for him is a life of hardship and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Resurrection.”
– (Tâhâ 20: 124 )

The winds of evils that blow among mankind these days as well as wars and instability are all a result of keeping away from the divine path. True faith and the correct concept of freedom and equality.

Allâh says,

“And transgress not the limits. Truly Allâh likes not the transgressors.”
– (Al-Baqarah 2: 190 )

Therefore as long as the life is not based on the foundation laid by the Creator, as long as the wise men of the world do not fully recognise sources of evil and as long as the solution to the worlds problems is not based on comprehensive justice and common-sense, there will never be any visible end to wars and the ship of this world will not find its way to the port of peace – regardless of efforts exerted towards this goal.

Fellow Muslims! Some world communities are afflicted with some calamities. The frightening danger does not lie in these incidents but in the methods taken to face the problem and overcome it. Common sense should be used in tackling them and proper steps should be taken to avoid their reoccurrence. Investigation should be adequately made and conclusions should not be hastily drawn in order to avoid more severe consequences.

Allâh says,

“O you who believe! If a rebellious evil person comes to you with a piece of news, verify it, lest you harm people in ignorance and afterwards you become regretful for what you have done.”
– (Al-Hujurât 49: 6 )

The Messenger of Allâh said, ‘Deliberateness is from Allâh, while haste is from Satan.’

Brothers in faith! Muslims nowadays are passing through difficult situations and they are surrounded by dangers that threaten their very existence. They are therefore looking towards better conditions. However, there is a fact that should be clear to everybody: this community of ours has a special nature that distinguishes it from other people; that is its belief which is based on total and complete submission to Allâh, the Exalted.

It is this very belief and action according to its injunctions – in all spheres of one’s life that can guarantee the much desired peace and security.

Allâh says,

“Truly, Allâh defends those who believe.”
– (Al-Hajj 22: 38 )

Therefore, there is no way for this nation out of its present predicaments except by faithfully returning to Allâh, adhering truly to the sunnah of the Prophet and being sincere towards its religion inwardly and outwardly.

There is no way out except by loving Allâh and his Messenger with all the hearts and abiding by His law in governance and arbitration and in all matters of life.

Allâh says,

“It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allâh and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any opinion in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allâh and His Messenger, he has indeed strayed in a plain error.”
– (Al-Ahzâb 33: 36 )

Now is the time for dead hearts to awake! Now is the time for the heedless to remember Allâh and for the one deep in the sea of sin to cling to the ship of salvation!

Allah says,

“Has not the time come for the hearts of those who believe to be affected by Allâh’s reminder and that which has been revealed of the truth, lest they become as those who received the Scripture (the Torah and Gospel) before (i.e. the Jews and the Christians) and the term was prolonged for them and so their hearts were hardened? And many of them were rebellious, disobedient (to Allâh).”
– (Al-Hadîd 57: 16 )

O journalists! The obligation of the mass media is to understand its role. The mass media should build and not destroy; correct and not damage. It should be occupied with issues of high importance not trivialities. Let it be an avenue for guiding the Muslim children to their religion and actions that lead towards unity of Muslims, sincerity to this great religion, serving and defending it faithfully.

“And who is better in speech than he who invites men to Allâh’s (religion) and does righteous deeds and says I am one of the Muslims.”
– (Fussilat 41: 33 )

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