Rabi ul Awwal [1438 - 2016]

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بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Bismillah-ir-Rahmaan ar-Raheem

Introduction

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Bismillah-ir-Rahmaan ar-Raheem

Dear readers, it has been raining heavily from the past few days. Come with me for a second and imagine yourself in the middle of an empty land. It begins to rain heavily and you find no shade. The drops are raining on you heavily with the frightening thunder adding to the horror. Now all of a sudden, you begin to feel a land slide, and so it happens. Let’s stop here. This is frightening even for the bravest man. But Allah describes the Day of Judgment with much more scarier events:


إِذَا الشَّمْسُ كُوِّرَتْ

"When the sun is wrapped up [in darkness]." [at-Takwir 81:1]

But with that He has given us hope. He will let those come under his shade of safety when no one will get it but seven types of people. One of those is the youth who grows up worshiping Allah and has his heart attached to the mosque. Subhanallah, isn’t that beautiful?

World looks very attractive to the youth. And the desires and wants of the world surround the youth and he/she gets trapped in it. Old-age makes one weak physically, so he begins to think of the day of Resurrection realizing that death is close. But when one has enough ability and strength to commit sins, yet he chooses to act according to Allah's commands, then no doubt that this is very pleasing to Allah.

Today’s youth has much good and they have love to take responsibility. But many are not ready to fulfill them, or do not want to do so. We all know the aayah where Allah mentions Qur’an being revealed on a mountain. Allah is saying that had We given to mountains the ability to comprehend the Greatness and the magnificence of the Qur'an, and made them follow the commands and prohibitions present in it, then they would humble themselves every moment, and crumble from the fear and dread.

But the man altogether forgets his origin that he has been created from a humble drop of semen, and he is very weak and frail, and is involved in false pride, hence his heart became hard. So Allah while bestowing His mercy upon him gave this example, so that he may reflect on it and change his condition. And in Allah’s hands lie guidance!

Monthly Hadith

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 
"Man follows his friend's religion; you should be careful who you take for friends". [Sunan Abu Dawud]

The duty of warning others:
Allah says: And to warn those who say, " Allah has taken a son." [18:4]

Warning others from bad is repeated again and again by Allah. So is giving glad tidings for those who do good. This shows that both go hand in hand.

Therefore, no one should claim that warning from evils like extremism, transgressions, or innovations is not from wisdom. The messenger was full of wisdom, still he would repeatedly warn others from innovations in the very beginning of his speeches. For Allah who sent his messenger asked him to warn others as well.

Therefore, a Muslim who knows that Mawlid was neither celebrated by the beloved prophet nor the companions who were noblest of people on earth, then it becomes certain that it is an innovation and so deserves to be warned off. But many say that they do not have enough knowledge. So how does one gain knowledge?
1. By striving hard and going out of your way for seeking it.
2. With love for knowledge and hatred of ignorance.
3. By freeing yourself from other voluntary works for the sake of knowledge, as it is better than all voluntary works!

However, it needs to be clarified that it is not necessary to have knowledge of complete deen. Not even the most senior of scholars, in-fact not even angels, can claim to have knowledge of all deen. Rather, what should be known is preach only what you know.

Today you have hundreds of videos which you could forward to your non-Muslim and other less -practicing friends on WhatsApp, Facebook, etc. It may be that one video may open his heart to Islam. He may begin to ask for more videos gradually or may be books. And if he happens to ask questions you do not know, inform him that you are not a knowledgeable person but you know so-and-so scholar/khateeb, with who you could set a meeting in your mosque or Islamic center or on skype. It's all so easy and simple, you just need to be confident in yourself and determined to do this obligation for the sake of Allah.

Living the Qur'an:
Uthman (radiyallahu anh) narrated that the messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The best of you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it to others."


خيركم من تعلم القران وعلمه

The well known Qari and now one of the Imams of the sacred mosque shaikh Yasir Al Dowsary commented on this hadith and said, "People misunderstand this hadith to mean it mere memorisation. Rather this includes everything that has to do with the Qur'an. It's recitation, memorisation, understanding it's meanings, etc."

- Recitation:

Beautiful voice is what many people mistakenly think to be good recitation. Rather this means, as Muhammad As Sadiq, the author of the Tajweed book, 'Al Burhaan' mentioned:

إخراج كل حرف من مخرجه مع اعطاءه حقه ومستحقه

(Uttering every letter as it is supposed to be uttered, and fulfilling every right that each letter deserves.)

- Memorisation:
Memorisation helps a person remind him/her whenever he needs it at the right time. So if one was to do something wrong, the ayaat in his memory would stop him from that. This is the greatest benefit of memorisation in this life, as this will lead to gaining benefits of the hereafter.

Otherwise the below hadith must be kept in mind: "Most of the hypocrites of my ummah are among those who have memorized Qur’an.” [Musnad Ahmad] And Ibn al-Qayyim said: “The people of Qur’an are those who read and act upon it even if they haven’t memorized it.”
- Understanding:

The very reason why Qur'an was revealed was to teach us, and so that we take it as a guide in our life.

Allah subhanahu wata ala said:

(أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ الْقُرْآنَ أَمْ عَلَى قُلُوبٍ أَقْفَالُهَا)

“Do they not then think deeply in the Qur’aan, or are their hearts locked up (from understanding it)?”(47:24)

This is a clear warning to those who just recite or listen to the Qur'an but don't try to understand it. For he gave only two cases: One that deeply thinks about the ayaat of the Qur'an and the second one, whose heart is locked up. Either take the proper steps to understand the Qur'an or Allah will lock your heart, and we seek refuge in Allah from that.


Give glad tidings to strangers:
Allah mentioned and praised Ibraheem in the Qur’an because he fulfilled his responsibility. Allah stated:

وَإِذِ ابْتَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ رَبُّهُ بِكَلِمَاتٍ فَأَتَمَّهُنَّ ۖ

“And [mention, O Muhammad], when Abraham was tried by his Lord with commands and he fulfilled them." (2:124)

He was ready to challenge what no one was ready to challenge: not his family, not his entire society. But the usual tendency among young people is search for acceptance. They dress like how those around dress, trying best not to look weird and attempt to fit in. They don’t want to be one alone who is questioned or mocked, so they avoid such things whatever the case be.

This is found among young people, that instead of standing on their own feet, they want to hide in the crowd. Even today, children in schools and universities see to it that they wear similar clothes, buy similar brand bags, and do similar things like listening to the same songs, etc. But get back and think about Ibraheem readily standing to all that, he is okay with becoming the object of ridicule. This is because his loyalty was to Allah and the truth.

The second challenge was his own father. We learn from his story, although his father was older and the one who raised him, and was beloved to him, but he challenged his father because he was wrong, he was building idols.

And now, we find many times in our families, specially the elders doing the wrong things but stick to what they do saying: “Well, its my dad, I can’t say anything.” How is family first, if you and I are the legacy of Ibraheem? Allah says:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُونُوا قَوَّامِينَ بِالْقِسْطِ شُهَدَاءَ لِلَّهِ وَلَوْ عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَوِ الْوَالِدَيْنِ وَالْأَقْرَبِينَ ۚ

O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah , even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. (4:135)

The situation got so bad that the father was willing to kick him out of the house. But he was ready for that.

If you go further, the challenge goes worse when he is being thrown into the fire just because of his religion. Today, many of us Muslims are being thrown to fire but a mere social pressure that we want to change our religion to make others feel more acceptable. A lot of youth in college campuses and universities decide to step back and not take the criticism. But here is Ibraheem ready to be thrown into fire if it be, but won’t get back from La ilaaha illa Allah. This was his unflinching commitment to Allah. This is all what matters to him.

Later he was asked to leave his family alone in the dessert including his wife and baby. Allah wants to teach us that at times of need, sacrifice becomes necessary. We are not commanded to leave our families alone. But yet we hesitate for fulfilling some minor obligations. All we have to do is to have patience at the decree of Allah when a calamity falls or we are put into difficult circumstances. We need to understand that nothing that Allah does is without any wisdom.

Ibraheem doesn’t comes to Allah complaining: “Ya Allah, how can you make me do this?” And later, he was also asked to sacrifice his son. But again, we are not commanded to so. Allah says: Rather, it is an admonishment that sometimes for the sake of Allah we’re going to have put our family through pain. Some of you have a successful job which is not halal, so you gave up. You sacrificed the happiness of the family and children; or the nice car, or the child’s expensive college tuition. So, now your family is going through pain because you now submitted to Allah. You did not sacrifice your child, but his happiness because you are loyal to Allah. Allah’s loyalty stands above your loyalty to your child to you.

But what needs to be remembered is that Allah never left him alone whilst he was going through all that. It is a lesson that Allah will ‘forsake’ us. In conclusion, Allah wants to see determination and leadership in us, and want us to remain steadfast on the religion with patience:

“And strive for Allah with the striving due to Him. He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty. [It is] the religion of your father, Ibraheem. Allah named you "Muslims" before [in former scriptures] and in this [revelation] that the Messenger may be a witness over you and you may be witnesses over the people. So establish prayer and give zakah and hold fast to Allah . He is your protector; and excellent is the protector, and excellent is the helper.” [al-Hajj 22:78]


Friendship:
Allah has made man a social being. He created Adam and placed him in Jannah but with all what Jannah has, there came a need for a companion so He created Hawwa. A man has relatives to socialize with. But he goes beyond it. He makes bonds with others through school, university, trade, etc. We have lots of friends but we do not reflect on the fact that friends greatly affect us. From the perspective of the Hereafter, among the known things is that many would complain of having no friend on the Day of Judgment.

Allah stated: And warn them of the Approaching Day, when hearts are at the throats, filled [with distress]. For the wrongdoers there will be no devoted friend and no intercessor [who is] obeyed. [40:18]

The complaint would be of those who one used to depend on. Now nothing is there, no excuse or friend.

So we understand that not having a close devoted friend will be a cause of sadness. These were men whose friends were all evil sinners, so on this day they have become so busy that they forget about helping others, they are looking for helpers for themselves to intercede!

So how should a person live: Introvert or Extrovert? Should he socialize or not?

The beloved Prophet (ﷺ) said: "The believer who mixes with people and patiently bears their annoyance will have a greater reward than the believer who does not mix with people and patiently bear their annoyance." (Saheeh al-Tirmidhi)

Notice that he described both as believers. But the one who speaks to people, spends time in happiness and joy and then tolerates at times of problems; such a person is better than the latter. 

Does friendship affect our lives, our manners, etc?

The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
"Man follows his friend's religion; you should be careful who you take for friends". [Sunan Abu Dawud]

Therefore, it is good to mix with people, but one must be careful. One must think of his closest friends and then ask: “Are they calling me to good or evil? Am I getting affected by their evil call, or are they getting influenced by my Da’wah?” Then the answer to these questions should be helpful in taking the decision to stay with them or not.


Immitating and Celebrating non-Muslim festivals:
Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger said, “He is not one of us who imitates other than us. Do not imitate the Jews and the Christians.” [At- Tirmidhi]

Have you ever seen a cashier in a Samsung mobile showroom wearing an Apple branded t-shirt? It would be strange if that happened, isn't it? Okay, how would it be if he markets and advertises Apple smartphones openly in the shop. Won't he be then removed out of the shop?

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah:

“The reason why the religion of Allah and its rituals is vanishing, and kufr and sin are prevailing, is because of imitation of the kaafireen, just as the means of preserving all good is by following the ways and laws of the Prophets." [al-Iqtidaa`, 1/413]

Objections raised:
- “But they greet us on our Eid, so why can’t we?” 

Firstly, because we are on the Truth, even if they greet us. But they are on falsehood, so how can we greet them? Secondly, these religious celebrations are unlike greetings for new born baby, new house or upgrade in job. These are worldly matters for which one may greet. But religious festivals, having to do with their belief is not permissible.

- “Why do you take it serious?”
Congratulating them for celebrating a day on which the special which they commit shirk and other sins is a serious matter. It is as great a sin as congratulating someone for drinking wine, or murdering someone, or having illicit sexual relations, and so on. Many of those who have no respect for their religion fall into this error; they do not realize the offensiveness of their actions. Whoever congratulates a person for his disobedience or bid’ah or kufr exposes himself to the wrath and anger of Allah.


40 Hadith Nawawi
On the authority of Abu Muhammad Abdullah bin ’Amr bin al-’Aas (radiyallahu anh) who said: The Messenger of Allah said, “None of you [truly] believes until his desires are subservient to that which I have brought.” [Hadith 41]

- The narrator of this hadith Abdullah ibn Amr was the one who Abu Huraira (radiyallahu anh) would praise for knowing more hadith narrations than him. This was because Abdullah would write all hadith. This also refutes the misconception that hadith was first written 300 years after death of the prophet. Rather, hadith used to be written in the life-time of the prophet himself.

- Here there is mention of subjugation of desires. Allah says: "And do not follow those whose hearts we have locked from our remembrance and follows his desires..." [18:28] Shaikh Abdul Azeez at-Turaifi commented:

1. Remembrance of Allah and following desires are opposites, when one increases in the heart the other automatically decreases!

2. Desires block the brains (from comprehension and understanding), it brings such thoughts that it destroys its companion and those inflicted by it. End quote.

A follower of desires is someone not under his own control, but the desires control him. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "May he be miserable, the worshipper of the dinar and dirham, and the worshipper of the striped silk cloak. If he is given anything, he is satisfied; but if not, he is unsatisfied". [Al-Bukhari]

- First one must look into the Qur’an and Sunnah, and then make life decisions accordingly. And not the opposite which is applied i.e., many make their decisions and then try to fit the Qur’an and Sunnah according to that. The latter behavior was not found among the noble companions, but began later when Musims gained access to Greek work and began to take logic as a bigger proof than Qur’an and Sunnah.

Anyone who uses logic against Allah, plays the role of Iblees, refusing to prostate to Adam claiming fire is better than clay. He used his logic thinking it to be right though it was wrong. It is enough to say that clay is superior to fire, as clay is generally very beneficial and is used for construction purposes, but fire is generally destructive and is used for burning and destruction!



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