Islamic Education- Means of Access and Signs of Acceptance- Lesson (21-70): Glorifying Allah Manifests your Love to Him
- Islamic Education
- /
- Ways of Access and Signs of Acceptance
In the Name of Allah, The Most Gracious, Most Merciful
<br />
<p class="title"> Difference between believing in Allah and glorifying Him:</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Dear brother, we will tackle a new topic in the series Ways of Access and Signs of Acceptance, and it is about glorifying Allah. There is a big difference between believing in Allah and glorifying Him. Iblis (the devil) for example believes in Allah:</p><p class="quran">﴾[Iblis (Satan)] said: "By Your Might﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Saad, 82]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>He also said:</p><p class="quran">﴾ You created me﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Saad, 76]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>He said:</p><p class="quran">﴾[ Iblis (Satan)] said: "My Lord! Give me then respite till the Day the (dead) are resurrected." ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Saad, 60]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Therefore, believing in Allah is one thing and glorifying Him is another. Glorifying Allah makes you obey Him, draw closer to Him, fear Him and love Him. Thus, believing in Allah through meaningless traditional belief and glorifying Him are two different things. Actually, the main reason behind Muslims' bad situation, weakness and defeat is their belief in Allah without glorifying Him. In other words, people on earth believe in Allah even those who are skillfully crushing other nations, erasing other cultures, looting people's treasures and killing other societies. Better yet, it is written on their currency "In God we trust". Therefore, it is very easy to say, "I believe", but glorifying Allah is the only thing which pushes you to obey Him.</p>
<p class="title">Man's success lies in glorifying Allah:</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Dear brother, the following Ayah is considered the basic ground for our topic today. Allah the Almighty says:</p><p class="quran">﴾ That Day shall you be brought to Judgement, not a secret of you will be hidden* Then as for him who will be given his Record in his right hand will say: "Take, read my Record!* "Surely, I did believe that I shall meet my Account!"* So he shall be in a life, well-pleasing* In a lofty Paradise* The fruits in bunches whereof will be low and near at hand* Eat and drink at ease for that which you have sent on before you in days past!* But as for him who will be given his Record in his left hand, will say: "I wish that I had not been given my Record!* "And that I had never known, how my Account is?* "I wish, would that it had been my end (death)!* "My wealth has not availed me* "My power and arguments (to defend myself) have gone from me!"* (It will be said): "Seize him and fetter him* Then throw him in the blazing Fire* "Then fasten him with a chain whereof the length is seventy cubits!"* Verily, He used not to believe in Allah, the Most Great, ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Haqqa, 18-33]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>How can one honor Allah, Allah's Symbols, Allah's Sacred House, knowledgeable people, the noble companions and the Prophets and the Messengers of Allah, peace be upon them? Success is not achieved by saying "I believe in Allah", for Iblis (the devil) himself believes in Him, so success is achieved by glorifying Allah. To clarify this point, pay attention to the following Ayah:</p><p class="quran">﴾O you who believe! Remember Allah with much remembrance. ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Ahzab, 41]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Bear in mind that the focus is not on remembering Allah, but it is on remembering Allah with much remembrance, because even the hypocrite remembers Allah. Allah the Almighty says:</p><p class="quran">﴾ and they do not remember Allah but little. ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [An-Nisa', 142]</p>
<p class="title">Glorifying Allah through His Ayat is one of the paths to reach Him:</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Whenever we say "faith" we mean that one should believe in Allah The Great. Accordingly, one of the paths towards reaching Allah is glorifying Him through his Ayat: </p><p class="quran">﴾ Then in what statement after this (the Qur'an) will they believe? ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Mursalaat, 50]</p><p class="quran">﴾ They made not a just estimate of Allah such as is due to Him. And on the Day of Resurrection the whole of the earth will be grasped by His Hand ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Az-Zumar, 67]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Believing in Allah The Great entails reflecting on the creation of the heavens and the earth.</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Dear brother, I mention this example a lot: If a kid says to his father (who happens to be a teacher) after Eid, "I have a big amount of money", his father will estimate this money as 200 Liras, but if a Pentagon official says, "We earmarked hefty amount of money for this war", one will estimate this sum as 200 billion Dollars. Although both persons mention the word money, the estimation of both amounts is not the same. Accordingly, if The King of kings, the Owner of kings and the Creator of the heavens and the earth says, "and taught you that which you knew not. And Ever Great is the Grace of Allah unto you (O Muhammad PBUH)." [An-Nisa', 113], then there is nothing greater than getting to know Allah.<br />
</p><p class="quran"> ((O son of Adam, seek Me and you will find Me. If you find Me, you have found everything. If you have lost Me, you have lost everything, for I am most worthy of your love than anything.))</p>
<p class="author"> [Tafseer Ibn Kuthair]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>A scholar said, "O Lord, what has the one who found you missed? What has the one who missed you found?" Another scholar said, "If Allah is with you, no one can defeat you, but if Allah is against you, can anyone support you?" </p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>I would like to repeat that glorifying means that you should glorify Allah.</p><p class="quran">((The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: Dawud, peace be upon him, said to his Lord, "O my Lord! Who is most beloved to You among Your servants, so that I love him for the sake of Your Love?" He said, "O Dawud! The most beloved of My servants is the one whose heart and both the palms are pure. He never wrongs anyone, and he loves Me and My lovers and endear Me to My servants." Dawud said, "O my Lord! You know that I love You and love those who love You, but how shall I endear You to Your servants?" He said, "Remind them of my Graces, Boons and Afflictions."))</p>
<p class="author"> [From Ad-Dur Al-Manthoor, on the authority of Ibn Abbas]</p>
<p class="title">Reflecting on the universe is man's path to reach the Creator:</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>The distance between the earth and the closest blazing star is 4 light years, and your little son can calculate this distance in kilometers in a matter of minutes. Furthermore, the light travels 300.000 kilometers in one second, and by multiplying this distance by 60, we know the distance the light travels in one minute, by multiplying it by 60, we know the distance in one hour, by multiplying it by 24, we know the distance in one day, by multiplying it by 365 we know the distance in one year and finally by multiplying it by 4 (4 light years), we know this distance between the earth and the closest blazing star in kilometers.</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>If you try to travel this distance by an earthy vehicle at 100 kilometer speed per hour, you will know how many hours you need to cover all this distance by diving both numbers. Upon dividing the result by 24, we will know how many days needed, and by dividing the result by 365 we will know how many years needed. After all these calculations, you need 50 million years to reach the closest blazing star to earth by an earthy vehicle. Well, how many years we need to reach the Polar Star which is 4000 light years away from the earth? How many years we need to reach the Andromeda galaxy which is 2 million light years away from the earth? How many years we need to reach some recently discovered stars which are 24 million light years away from the earth? Given in order to travel 4 light years, we need 50 million years.</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Dear brother, Allah the Almighty says: </p><p class="quran">﴾ So I swear by Mawaqi (setting or the mansions, etc.) of the stars (they traverse)* And verily, that is indeed a great oath, if you but know. ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Waqi'ah, 75-76]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>This Great Lord deserves to be loved, His Paradise deserves to be sought and His Hell-Fire deserves to be avoided.</p><p class="quran">﴾ What is the matter with you? How judge you? ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Qalam, 36]</p><p class="quran">﴾ Then where are you going? ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [At-Takwir, 26]</p>
<p class="title">Reflecting on Allah's creations is a mean of glorifying Allah:</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>As I said earlier, today's topic is "Glorifying Allah", and this is achieved by reflecting on His creations:</p><p class="quran">﴾ Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding* Those who remember Allah (always, and in prayers) standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and think deeply about the creation of the heavens and the earth, (saying): "Our Lord! You have not created (all) this without purpose, glory to You! (Exalted be You above all that they associate with You as partners). Give us salvation from the torment of the Fire. ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Aal-‘Imran, 190-191]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Therefore, we start with the following Ayah:</p><p class="quran">﴾ and taught you that which you knew not. And Ever Great is the Grace of Allah unto you (O Muhammad PBUH).﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [An-Nisa', 113]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>The richest man on earth will leave his wealth when he dies, and all he can take with him is his cheap coffin. Thus, he will leave behind his checkbook, his liquid wealth and his assets, and he will move from a luxurious house to a hole in the ground (grave), so the question is, what did we prepare for the grave? Whoever oppresses people does not believe in Allah definitely, just like the definite end of the one who drives his car without turning on any light in a crooked course; this man will absolutely wind up in a ditch: </p><p class="quran">﴾ And verily, those who believe not in the Hereafter are indeed deviating far astray from the Path (true religion Islamic Monotheism). ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Mu'minun, 60]</p>
<p class="quran">﴾ Have you seen him who denies the Recompense?* That is he who repulses the orphan (harshly),﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Maa'oon, 1-2]</p><p class="quran">﴾ But if they answer you not (i.e. do not believe in your doctrine of Islamic Monotheism, nor follow you), then know that they only follow their own lusts. ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Qasas, 50]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Man could have believed in whatever he wished had there been no connection between his <span class="spc"> </span>Aqeedah and behavior, while in fact the connection is there and man's belief reflects on his behavior, so if this belief is right, the behavior and deeds will be right as well, but if the belief is corrupted the behavior will be evil. This explains why those who do not believe in Allah destroy other nations, loot their treasures and annihilate entire societies with clear conscious. Allah the Almighty says: </p><p class="quran">﴾ Have you seen him who denies the Recompense? That is he who repulses the orphan (harshly), ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Maa'oon, 1-2]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Whose faith is weak is undoubtedly deviated, and since he denies the existence of Allah, he will turn into a criminal. Accordingly, Allah's Punishment is not for not believing in Him, but it is for oppressing people.<p class="title"> Tracking down the word "Azeem" (The Great) in the Quran:</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Dear brother, we will track down the word "Azeem" in the Quran, given when the word "Azeem" is mentioned by The Great Allah it means that the thing Allah points out is really Great, and unless we honor it, we do not really believe in Allah. Allah the Almighty says:</p><p class="quran">﴾ And (remember) when We delivered you from Fir'aun's (Pharaoh) people, who were afflicting you with a horrible torment, killing your sons and sparing your women, and therein was a mighty trial from your Lord. ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Baqarah, 60]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Allah has a horrible torment which bewilders human minds. A brother, who lives in Cairo, told me that amid Cairo earthquake, his wife mistakenly took his shoes instead of her baby out of fear when she stormed out of the building where they lived:</p><p class="quran">﴾ O mankind! Fear your Lord and be dutiful to Him!* Verily, the earthquake of the Hour (of Judgement) is a terrible thing. The Day you shall see it, every nursing mother will forget her nursling, and every pregnant one will drop her load, and you shall see mankind as in a drunken state, yet they will not be drunken, but severe will be the Torment of Allah. ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Hajj, 1-2]</p><p class="quran">﴾Say: "He has power to send torment on you from above﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-An'am, 65]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>It is a reference to the thunderbolts, and nowadays it is the missiles:</p><p class="quran">﴾ or from under your feet,﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-An'am, 65]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>It is a reference to the earthquakes and the mines. Now, pay attention to the third one, please:</p><p class="quran">﴾or to cover you with confusion in party strife, and make you to taste the violence of one another.﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-An'am, 65]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>It is the civil wars. </p><p class="quran">﴾Verily, Fir'aun (Pharaoh) exalted himself in the land and made its people sects﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Qasas, 4]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Accordingly, when Allah the Almighty says that something is great, then we are supposed to believe that this thing is great to show our deep faith in Allah.</p><p class="quran">﴾ and therein was a mighty trial from your Lord. ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Baqarah, 49]</p>
<p class="title">The act of slandering:</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Allah the Almighty says:</p><p class="quran">﴾ And because of their (Jews) disbelief and uttering against Maryam (Mary) a grave false charge (that she has committed illegal sexual intercourse); ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [An-Nisa', 156]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>One of the most accurate definitions of "false charge" is that it is falsehood which has endless faces. The term which is used nowadays is "Scenario", and the oppressing powers in the world keep referring to "The Absolute Scenario", but it is merely plotting and double talking, because they are criminals, but they sugar coat their crimes using humanitarian disguise. For instance, they say to weak nations, "We came to your countries to achieve freedom, democracy and human rights", but actually they are violating human rights every hour, which is falsehood at its worst shape, but it is skillfully disguised: </p><p class="quran">﴾ And because of their (Jews) disbelief and uttering against Maryam (Mary) a grave false charge (that she has committed illegal sexual intercourse); ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [An-Nisa', 156]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>False charge is but falsehood which comes in endless shapes.</p>
<p class="title">The standards of people of the worldly life are worthless:</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Allah the Almighty says: </p><p class="quran">﴾ The recompense of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and do mischief in the land is only that they shall be killed or crucified or their hands and their feet be cut off on the opposite sides, or be exiled from the land. That is their disgrace in this world, and a great torment is theirs in the Hereafter. ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Ma'idah', 33]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>When The Great says:</p>
<p class="quran">﴾ and a great torment ﴿</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>This means that this torment is really great. If a little child says that he owns hefty money, we will estimate his sum of money as 200 Liras, but if a high official in the military (of a powerful country) says that they earmarked hefty money for a war, this means that this sum is 200 billion Dollars. Much in the same line, when the King of kings says, "and taught you that which you knew not. And Ever Great is the Grace of Allah unto you (O Muhammad PBUH)." [An-Nisa', 113], you should know that this Grace is extremely valuable. </p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Each one of us is fond of beauty, perfection and seeking remarkable things, and each one of us loves every great thing, every great person, every big mansion and every exalted position, because this is the way Allah has molded man. Considering this fact, each one of us uses his own standards to define success. Moreover, People of the worldly life glorify one another, and they glorify every rich person, saying to you, "This man's value is such and such billions", "This such and such person's value is 90 billion", or "All CEOs in the world earn hefty money." Thus, people of the worldly life glorify one another, but what about you? Who do you glorify?</p>
<p class="title">Success lies in using frames of reference that accord with those of reference of Allah: </p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>The Almighty Allah says:</p><p class="quran">﴾ And whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger he has indeed achieved a great achievement (i.e. he will be saved from the Hell-fire and made to enter Paradise). ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Ahzab, 71]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Do your standards accord with the standards of the Creator of the heavens and the earth? People of the worldly life glorify the rich, the powerful, the intelligent, the good looking, the eloquent and the influential, and those whose personality is strong. These are the standards according to which people of the worldly life estimate one another, but what are the Quranic standards Allah the Almighty sets, and according to which He distinguishes people? There are only two standards in the Quran: the standard of knowledge and the standard of good deeds:</p><p class="quran">﴾ "Are those who know equal to those who know not?" ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Az-Zumar, 9]</p><p class="quran">﴾ and taught you that which you knew not. And Ever Great is the Grace of Allah unto you (O Muhammad PBUH).﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [An-Nisa', 113]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Knowledge and good deeds are the standards as mentioned in the following Ayah:</p><p class="quran">﴾And for all, there will be degrees according to that which they did﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Ahqaf, 19]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Unless your standards accord with the Quranic ones, you will never succeed. Do not make your standards worldly life-oriented like seeking only wealth, and be aware that whatever you wish from the bottom of your heart will come to you eventually:</p><p class="quran">﴾ To each these as well as those We bestow from the Bounties of your Lord. And the Bounties of your Lord can never be forbidden. ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Isra', 20]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>What are your standards? Your success comes from making your standards accord with the standards of the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and as long as your standards accord with the Quran's, you will succeed. Allah the Almighty says: </p><p class="quran">﴾ And whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger he has indeed achieved a great achievement (i.e. he will be saved from the Hell-fire and made to enter Paradise). ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Ahzab, 71]<br />
</p>
<p class="title"> Al-Kasb "earning money" and Ar-Rizk "Allah's Provision":</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Allah the Almighty is the owner of the Great Bounty:</p><p class="s7adeth">﴾ O you who believe! If you obey and fear Allah, He will grant you Furqan a criterion [(to judge between right and wrong), or (Makhraj, i.e. making a way for you to get out from every difficulty)], and will expiate for you your sins, and forgive you, and Allah is the Owner of the Great Bounty. ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Anfal, 29]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>It is a great bounty when Allah casts light into your heart with which you can distinguish the truth from falsehood. Also, it is a great bounty to be upright on Allah's Order, to be good to His creations and to be able to approach Him, but what is the Great Bounty in your opinion? One might think that it is a great bounty to gain huge profit after the price of the piece of land he bought doubled 200 folds, and he would wander around with haughtiness though he might die and leave it without even making use of it.</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>There is a big difference between Rizk (making use of one's wealth) and Kasb (earning the wealth); Rizk is whatever you make use of, like the food you eat, the clothes you wear, the bed you sleep on and the car you drive, while any other thing is Kasb which you do not use and you will be reckoned for.</p>
<p class="s7adeth">((Your wealth is what you eat and consume, or what you wear and it wears out, or what you give in charity and send on ahead (for the Hereafter)))</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>All numbers and money accounts mean nothing. In fact, the financial crisis, which is the earthquake of this era, was basically virtual wealth, and it was growing and growing on papers only, and when the masks were taken off, all western financial systems collapsed.</p>
<p class="title">The mother of graces is being able to distinguish between the truth and falsehood:</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Allah's Great Bounty upon you is granting you the ability to distinguish between the truth and falsehood:</p><p class="s7adeth">﴾ you who believe [in Musa (Moses) (i.e. Jews) and 'Iesa (Jesus) (i.e. Christians)]! Fear Allah, and believe too in His Messenger (Muhammad PBUH) ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Hadid, 28]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Pay attention to the following Ayah:</p><p class="quran">﴾He will give you a double portion of His Mercy, and He will give you a light by which you shall walk (straight),﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Hadid, 28]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>When Allah casts His Light into your heart, you will be able to see right as right and evil as evil, and you will be able to distinguish the truth from falsehood, and this is Allah's Great Bounty upon you.</p><p class="quran">﴾ and taught you that which you knew not. And Ever Great is the Grace of Allah unto you (O Muhammad PBUH).﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [An-Nisa', 113]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Track down all the Ayat in the Quran which end as follows: </p><p class="quran">﴾ and that will be the great success. ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [An-Nisa', 13]</p><p class="quran">﴾ And whoever is removed away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, he indeed is successful. The life of this world is only the enjoyment of deception (a deceiving thing). ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Aal-'Imran, 185]</p>
<p class="title">We should glorify everything Allah has glorified:</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Dear brother, Allah the Almighty says:</p><p class="quran">﴾ Verily, there has come unto you a Messenger (Muhammad PBUH) from amongst yourselves (i.e. whom you know well). It grieves him that you should receive any injury or difficulty. He (Muhammad PBUH) is anxious over you (to be rightly guided, to repent to Allah, and beg Him to pardon and forgive your sins, in order that you may enter Paradise and be saved from the punishment of the Hell-fire), for the believers (he is) full of pity, kind, and merciful. But if they turn away, say (O Muhammad PBUH): "Allah is sufficient for me. La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), in Him I put my trust and He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne."﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [At-Taubah, 128-129]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>The Prophet PBUH said:</p><p class="s7adeth">((O Allah, Lord of the seven heavens, Lord of the Magnificent Throne, be for me a support))</p>
<p class="author"> [At-Tabarani, on the authority of Ibn Mas'ood]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Dear brother, the following is one of the Prophetic supplications:</p><p class="s7adeth"> ((O Allah! I seek refuge in You against the declining of Your Favours…))</p>
<p class="author"> [Muslim and Abu Dawood, on the authority of Abdullah Ibn Umar]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>We enjoy the senses such as hearing, the sight, and the taste, and we enjoy having reason, good health and the ability to move.</p>
<p class="s7adeth">((O Allah! I seek refuge in You against the declining of Your Favours…))</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>We seek refuge in Allah from being deprived of our health or wealth suddenly, or our hearing or sight:</p><p class="s7adeth"> ((…and enjoyment of our hearing, and our seeing, and our strength as long as You keep us alive, and make it the inheritor of us.))</p>
<p class="author"> [At-Tirmizi, on the authority of Aishah, the Mother of Believers]</p><p class="s7adeth"> ((O Allah! I seek refuge in You against the declining of Your Favours, passing of Safety…))</p>
<p class="author"> [Muslim and Abu Dawood, on the authority of Abdullah Ibn Umar]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>We seek refuge in Allah from afflicting us with a tiny blood clot which is enough to cause paralysis, from liver cirrhosis, from kidney failure, from a clot in the brain, from a clot in the heart, from a heart attack and from any intractable disease or enemy's envy and from withdrawal after the Divine Bestowal.</p><p class="s7adeth">((O Allah! I seek refuge in You against the declining of Your Favours, passing of Safety, the suddenness of Your Punishment and all that which displeases You))</p>
<p class="author"> [Muslim and Abu Dawood, on the authority of Abdullah Ibn Umar]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Dear brother, I hope that whenever you read the Noble Quran and pass by the word "Azeem" you glorify everything Allah glorifies, and unless you do so, you should know that there is serious weakness in your faith.<br />
</p>
<p class="title"> Difference between believing in Allah and glorifying Him:</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Dear brother, we will tackle a new topic in the series Ways of Access and Signs of Acceptance, and it is about glorifying Allah. There is a big difference between believing in Allah and glorifying Him. Iblis (the devil) for example believes in Allah:</p><p class="quran">﴾[Iblis (Satan)] said: "By Your Might﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Saad, 82]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>He also said:</p><p class="quran">﴾ You created me﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Saad, 76]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>He said:</p><p class="quran">﴾[ Iblis (Satan)] said: "My Lord! Give me then respite till the Day the (dead) are resurrected." ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Saad, 60]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Therefore, believing in Allah is one thing and glorifying Him is another. Glorifying Allah makes you obey Him, draw closer to Him, fear Him and love Him. Thus, believing in Allah through meaningless traditional belief and glorifying Him are two different things. Actually, the main reason behind Muslims' bad situation, weakness and defeat is their belief in Allah without glorifying Him. In other words, people on earth believe in Allah even those who are skillfully crushing other nations, erasing other cultures, looting people's treasures and killing other societies. Better yet, it is written on their currency "In God we trust". Therefore, it is very easy to say, "I believe", but glorifying Allah is the only thing which pushes you to obey Him.</p>
<p class="title">Man's success lies in glorifying Allah:</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Dear brother, the following Ayah is considered the basic ground for our topic today. Allah the Almighty says:</p><p class="quran">﴾ That Day shall you be brought to Judgement, not a secret of you will be hidden* Then as for him who will be given his Record in his right hand will say: "Take, read my Record!* "Surely, I did believe that I shall meet my Account!"* So he shall be in a life, well-pleasing* In a lofty Paradise* The fruits in bunches whereof will be low and near at hand* Eat and drink at ease for that which you have sent on before you in days past!* But as for him who will be given his Record in his left hand, will say: "I wish that I had not been given my Record!* "And that I had never known, how my Account is?* "I wish, would that it had been my end (death)!* "My wealth has not availed me* "My power and arguments (to defend myself) have gone from me!"* (It will be said): "Seize him and fetter him* Then throw him in the blazing Fire* "Then fasten him with a chain whereof the length is seventy cubits!"* Verily, He used not to believe in Allah, the Most Great, ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Haqqa, 18-33]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>How can one honor Allah, Allah's Symbols, Allah's Sacred House, knowledgeable people, the noble companions and the Prophets and the Messengers of Allah, peace be upon them? Success is not achieved by saying "I believe in Allah", for Iblis (the devil) himself believes in Him, so success is achieved by glorifying Allah. To clarify this point, pay attention to the following Ayah:</p><p class="quran">﴾O you who believe! Remember Allah with much remembrance. ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Ahzab, 41]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Bear in mind that the focus is not on remembering Allah, but it is on remembering Allah with much remembrance, because even the hypocrite remembers Allah. Allah the Almighty says:</p><p class="quran">﴾ and they do not remember Allah but little. ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [An-Nisa', 142]</p>
<p class="title">Glorifying Allah through His Ayat is one of the paths to reach Him:</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Whenever we say "faith" we mean that one should believe in Allah The Great. Accordingly, one of the paths towards reaching Allah is glorifying Him through his Ayat: </p><p class="quran">﴾ Then in what statement after this (the Qur'an) will they believe? ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Mursalaat, 50]</p><p class="quran">﴾ They made not a just estimate of Allah such as is due to Him. And on the Day of Resurrection the whole of the earth will be grasped by His Hand ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Az-Zumar, 67]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Believing in Allah The Great entails reflecting on the creation of the heavens and the earth.</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Dear brother, I mention this example a lot: If a kid says to his father (who happens to be a teacher) after Eid, "I have a big amount of money", his father will estimate this money as 200 Liras, but if a Pentagon official says, "We earmarked hefty amount of money for this war", one will estimate this sum as 200 billion Dollars. Although both persons mention the word money, the estimation of both amounts is not the same. Accordingly, if The King of kings, the Owner of kings and the Creator of the heavens and the earth says, "and taught you that which you knew not. And Ever Great is the Grace of Allah unto you (O Muhammad PBUH)." [An-Nisa', 113], then there is nothing greater than getting to know Allah.<br />
</p><p class="quran"> ((O son of Adam, seek Me and you will find Me. If you find Me, you have found everything. If you have lost Me, you have lost everything, for I am most worthy of your love than anything.))</p>
<p class="author"> [Tafseer Ibn Kuthair]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>A scholar said, "O Lord, what has the one who found you missed? What has the one who missed you found?" Another scholar said, "If Allah is with you, no one can defeat you, but if Allah is against you, can anyone support you?" </p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>I would like to repeat that glorifying means that you should glorify Allah.</p><p class="quran">((The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: Dawud, peace be upon him, said to his Lord, "O my Lord! Who is most beloved to You among Your servants, so that I love him for the sake of Your Love?" He said, "O Dawud! The most beloved of My servants is the one whose heart and both the palms are pure. He never wrongs anyone, and he loves Me and My lovers and endear Me to My servants." Dawud said, "O my Lord! You know that I love You and love those who love You, but how shall I endear You to Your servants?" He said, "Remind them of my Graces, Boons and Afflictions."))</p>
<p class="author"> [From Ad-Dur Al-Manthoor, on the authority of Ibn Abbas]</p>
<p class="title">Reflecting on the universe is man's path to reach the Creator:</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>The distance between the earth and the closest blazing star is 4 light years, and your little son can calculate this distance in kilometers in a matter of minutes. Furthermore, the light travels 300.000 kilometers in one second, and by multiplying this distance by 60, we know the distance the light travels in one minute, by multiplying it by 60, we know the distance in one hour, by multiplying it by 24, we know the distance in one day, by multiplying it by 365 we know the distance in one year and finally by multiplying it by 4 (4 light years), we know this distance between the earth and the closest blazing star in kilometers.</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>If you try to travel this distance by an earthy vehicle at 100 kilometer speed per hour, you will know how many hours you need to cover all this distance by diving both numbers. Upon dividing the result by 24, we will know how many days needed, and by dividing the result by 365 we will know how many years needed. After all these calculations, you need 50 million years to reach the closest blazing star to earth by an earthy vehicle. Well, how many years we need to reach the Polar Star which is 4000 light years away from the earth? How many years we need to reach the Andromeda galaxy which is 2 million light years away from the earth? How many years we need to reach some recently discovered stars which are 24 million light years away from the earth? Given in order to travel 4 light years, we need 50 million years.</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Dear brother, Allah the Almighty says: </p><p class="quran">﴾ So I swear by Mawaqi (setting or the mansions, etc.) of the stars (they traverse)* And verily, that is indeed a great oath, if you but know. ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Waqi'ah, 75-76]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>This Great Lord deserves to be loved, His Paradise deserves to be sought and His Hell-Fire deserves to be avoided.</p><p class="quran">﴾ What is the matter with you? How judge you? ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Qalam, 36]</p><p class="quran">﴾ Then where are you going? ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [At-Takwir, 26]</p>
<p class="title">Reflecting on Allah's creations is a mean of glorifying Allah:</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>As I said earlier, today's topic is "Glorifying Allah", and this is achieved by reflecting on His creations:</p><p class="quran">﴾ Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding* Those who remember Allah (always, and in prayers) standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and think deeply about the creation of the heavens and the earth, (saying): "Our Lord! You have not created (all) this without purpose, glory to You! (Exalted be You above all that they associate with You as partners). Give us salvation from the torment of the Fire. ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Aal-‘Imran, 190-191]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Therefore, we start with the following Ayah:</p><p class="quran">﴾ and taught you that which you knew not. And Ever Great is the Grace of Allah unto you (O Muhammad PBUH).﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [An-Nisa', 113]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>The richest man on earth will leave his wealth when he dies, and all he can take with him is his cheap coffin. Thus, he will leave behind his checkbook, his liquid wealth and his assets, and he will move from a luxurious house to a hole in the ground (grave), so the question is, what did we prepare for the grave? Whoever oppresses people does not believe in Allah definitely, just like the definite end of the one who drives his car without turning on any light in a crooked course; this man will absolutely wind up in a ditch: </p><p class="quran">﴾ And verily, those who believe not in the Hereafter are indeed deviating far astray from the Path (true religion Islamic Monotheism). ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Mu'minun, 60]</p>
<p class="quran">﴾ Have you seen him who denies the Recompense?* That is he who repulses the orphan (harshly),﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Maa'oon, 1-2]</p><p class="quran">﴾ But if they answer you not (i.e. do not believe in your doctrine of Islamic Monotheism, nor follow you), then know that they only follow their own lusts. ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Qasas, 50]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Man could have believed in whatever he wished had there been no connection between his <span class="spc"> </span>Aqeedah and behavior, while in fact the connection is there and man's belief reflects on his behavior, so if this belief is right, the behavior and deeds will be right as well, but if the belief is corrupted the behavior will be evil. This explains why those who do not believe in Allah destroy other nations, loot their treasures and annihilate entire societies with clear conscious. Allah the Almighty says: </p><p class="quran">﴾ Have you seen him who denies the Recompense? That is he who repulses the orphan (harshly), ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Maa'oon, 1-2]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Whose faith is weak is undoubtedly deviated, and since he denies the existence of Allah, he will turn into a criminal. Accordingly, Allah's Punishment is not for not believing in Him, but it is for oppressing people.<p class="title"> Tracking down the word "Azeem" (The Great) in the Quran:</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Dear brother, we will track down the word "Azeem" in the Quran, given when the word "Azeem" is mentioned by The Great Allah it means that the thing Allah points out is really Great, and unless we honor it, we do not really believe in Allah. Allah the Almighty says:</p><p class="quran">﴾ And (remember) when We delivered you from Fir'aun's (Pharaoh) people, who were afflicting you with a horrible torment, killing your sons and sparing your women, and therein was a mighty trial from your Lord. ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Baqarah, 60]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Allah has a horrible torment which bewilders human minds. A brother, who lives in Cairo, told me that amid Cairo earthquake, his wife mistakenly took his shoes instead of her baby out of fear when she stormed out of the building where they lived:</p><p class="quran">﴾ O mankind! Fear your Lord and be dutiful to Him!* Verily, the earthquake of the Hour (of Judgement) is a terrible thing. The Day you shall see it, every nursing mother will forget her nursling, and every pregnant one will drop her load, and you shall see mankind as in a drunken state, yet they will not be drunken, but severe will be the Torment of Allah. ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Hajj, 1-2]</p><p class="quran">﴾Say: "He has power to send torment on you from above﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-An'am, 65]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>It is a reference to the thunderbolts, and nowadays it is the missiles:</p><p class="quran">﴾ or from under your feet,﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-An'am, 65]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>It is a reference to the earthquakes and the mines. Now, pay attention to the third one, please:</p><p class="quran">﴾or to cover you with confusion in party strife, and make you to taste the violence of one another.﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-An'am, 65]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>It is the civil wars. </p><p class="quran">﴾Verily, Fir'aun (Pharaoh) exalted himself in the land and made its people sects﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Qasas, 4]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Accordingly, when Allah the Almighty says that something is great, then we are supposed to believe that this thing is great to show our deep faith in Allah.</p><p class="quran">﴾ and therein was a mighty trial from your Lord. ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Baqarah, 49]</p>
<p class="title">The act of slandering:</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Allah the Almighty says:</p><p class="quran">﴾ And because of their (Jews) disbelief and uttering against Maryam (Mary) a grave false charge (that she has committed illegal sexual intercourse); ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [An-Nisa', 156]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>One of the most accurate definitions of "false charge" is that it is falsehood which has endless faces. The term which is used nowadays is "Scenario", and the oppressing powers in the world keep referring to "The Absolute Scenario", but it is merely plotting and double talking, because they are criminals, but they sugar coat their crimes using humanitarian disguise. For instance, they say to weak nations, "We came to your countries to achieve freedom, democracy and human rights", but actually they are violating human rights every hour, which is falsehood at its worst shape, but it is skillfully disguised: </p><p class="quran">﴾ And because of their (Jews) disbelief and uttering against Maryam (Mary) a grave false charge (that she has committed illegal sexual intercourse); ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [An-Nisa', 156]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>False charge is but falsehood which comes in endless shapes.</p>
<p class="title">The standards of people of the worldly life are worthless:</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Allah the Almighty says: </p><p class="quran">﴾ The recompense of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and do mischief in the land is only that they shall be killed or crucified or their hands and their feet be cut off on the opposite sides, or be exiled from the land. That is their disgrace in this world, and a great torment is theirs in the Hereafter. ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Ma'idah', 33]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>When The Great says:</p>
<p class="quran">﴾ and a great torment ﴿</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>This means that this torment is really great. If a little child says that he owns hefty money, we will estimate his sum of money as 200 Liras, but if a high official in the military (of a powerful country) says that they earmarked hefty money for a war, this means that this sum is 200 billion Dollars. Much in the same line, when the King of kings says, "and taught you that which you knew not. And Ever Great is the Grace of Allah unto you (O Muhammad PBUH)." [An-Nisa', 113], you should know that this Grace is extremely valuable. </p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Each one of us is fond of beauty, perfection and seeking remarkable things, and each one of us loves every great thing, every great person, every big mansion and every exalted position, because this is the way Allah has molded man. Considering this fact, each one of us uses his own standards to define success. Moreover, People of the worldly life glorify one another, and they glorify every rich person, saying to you, "This man's value is such and such billions", "This such and such person's value is 90 billion", or "All CEOs in the world earn hefty money." Thus, people of the worldly life glorify one another, but what about you? Who do you glorify?</p>
<p class="title">Success lies in using frames of reference that accord with those of reference of Allah: </p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>The Almighty Allah says:</p><p class="quran">﴾ And whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger he has indeed achieved a great achievement (i.e. he will be saved from the Hell-fire and made to enter Paradise). ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Ahzab, 71]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Do your standards accord with the standards of the Creator of the heavens and the earth? People of the worldly life glorify the rich, the powerful, the intelligent, the good looking, the eloquent and the influential, and those whose personality is strong. These are the standards according to which people of the worldly life estimate one another, but what are the Quranic standards Allah the Almighty sets, and according to which He distinguishes people? There are only two standards in the Quran: the standard of knowledge and the standard of good deeds:</p><p class="quran">﴾ "Are those who know equal to those who know not?" ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Az-Zumar, 9]</p><p class="quran">﴾ and taught you that which you knew not. And Ever Great is the Grace of Allah unto you (O Muhammad PBUH).﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [An-Nisa', 113]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Knowledge and good deeds are the standards as mentioned in the following Ayah:</p><p class="quran">﴾And for all, there will be degrees according to that which they did﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Ahqaf, 19]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Unless your standards accord with the Quranic ones, you will never succeed. Do not make your standards worldly life-oriented like seeking only wealth, and be aware that whatever you wish from the bottom of your heart will come to you eventually:</p><p class="quran">﴾ To each these as well as those We bestow from the Bounties of your Lord. And the Bounties of your Lord can never be forbidden. ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Isra', 20]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>What are your standards? Your success comes from making your standards accord with the standards of the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and as long as your standards accord with the Quran's, you will succeed. Allah the Almighty says: </p><p class="quran">﴾ And whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger he has indeed achieved a great achievement (i.e. he will be saved from the Hell-fire and made to enter Paradise). ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Ahzab, 71]<br />
</p>
<p class="title"> Al-Kasb "earning money" and Ar-Rizk "Allah's Provision":</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Allah the Almighty is the owner of the Great Bounty:</p><p class="s7adeth">﴾ O you who believe! If you obey and fear Allah, He will grant you Furqan a criterion [(to judge between right and wrong), or (Makhraj, i.e. making a way for you to get out from every difficulty)], and will expiate for you your sins, and forgive you, and Allah is the Owner of the Great Bounty. ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Anfal, 29]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>It is a great bounty when Allah casts light into your heart with which you can distinguish the truth from falsehood. Also, it is a great bounty to be upright on Allah's Order, to be good to His creations and to be able to approach Him, but what is the Great Bounty in your opinion? One might think that it is a great bounty to gain huge profit after the price of the piece of land he bought doubled 200 folds, and he would wander around with haughtiness though he might die and leave it without even making use of it.</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>There is a big difference between Rizk (making use of one's wealth) and Kasb (earning the wealth); Rizk is whatever you make use of, like the food you eat, the clothes you wear, the bed you sleep on and the car you drive, while any other thing is Kasb which you do not use and you will be reckoned for.</p>
<p class="s7adeth">((Your wealth is what you eat and consume, or what you wear and it wears out, or what you give in charity and send on ahead (for the Hereafter)))</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>All numbers and money accounts mean nothing. In fact, the financial crisis, which is the earthquake of this era, was basically virtual wealth, and it was growing and growing on papers only, and when the masks were taken off, all western financial systems collapsed.</p>
<p class="title">The mother of graces is being able to distinguish between the truth and falsehood:</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Allah's Great Bounty upon you is granting you the ability to distinguish between the truth and falsehood:</p><p class="s7adeth">﴾ you who believe [in Musa (Moses) (i.e. Jews) and 'Iesa (Jesus) (i.e. Christians)]! Fear Allah, and believe too in His Messenger (Muhammad PBUH) ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Hadid, 28]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Pay attention to the following Ayah:</p><p class="quran">﴾He will give you a double portion of His Mercy, and He will give you a light by which you shall walk (straight),﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Al-Hadid, 28]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>When Allah casts His Light into your heart, you will be able to see right as right and evil as evil, and you will be able to distinguish the truth from falsehood, and this is Allah's Great Bounty upon you.</p><p class="quran">﴾ and taught you that which you knew not. And Ever Great is the Grace of Allah unto you (O Muhammad PBUH).﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [An-Nisa', 113]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Track down all the Ayat in the Quran which end as follows: </p><p class="quran">﴾ and that will be the great success. ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [An-Nisa', 13]</p><p class="quran">﴾ And whoever is removed away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, he indeed is successful. The life of this world is only the enjoyment of deception (a deceiving thing). ﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [Aal-'Imran, 185]</p>
<p class="title">We should glorify everything Allah has glorified:</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Dear brother, Allah the Almighty says:</p><p class="quran">﴾ Verily, there has come unto you a Messenger (Muhammad PBUH) from amongst yourselves (i.e. whom you know well). It grieves him that you should receive any injury or difficulty. He (Muhammad PBUH) is anxious over you (to be rightly guided, to repent to Allah, and beg Him to pardon and forgive your sins, in order that you may enter Paradise and be saved from the punishment of the Hell-fire), for the believers (he is) full of pity, kind, and merciful. But if they turn away, say (O Muhammad PBUH): "Allah is sufficient for me. La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), in Him I put my trust and He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne."﴿</p>
<p class="author"> [At-Taubah, 128-129]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>The Prophet PBUH said:</p><p class="s7adeth">((O Allah, Lord of the seven heavens, Lord of the Magnificent Throne, be for me a support))</p>
<p class="author"> [At-Tabarani, on the authority of Ibn Mas'ood]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Dear brother, the following is one of the Prophetic supplications:</p><p class="s7adeth"> ((O Allah! I seek refuge in You against the declining of Your Favours…))</p>
<p class="author"> [Muslim and Abu Dawood, on the authority of Abdullah Ibn Umar]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>We enjoy the senses such as hearing, the sight, and the taste, and we enjoy having reason, good health and the ability to move.</p>
<p class="s7adeth">((O Allah! I seek refuge in You against the declining of Your Favours…))</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>We seek refuge in Allah from being deprived of our health or wealth suddenly, or our hearing or sight:</p><p class="s7adeth"> ((…and enjoyment of our hearing, and our seeing, and our strength as long as You keep us alive, and make it the inheritor of us.))</p>
<p class="author"> [At-Tirmizi, on the authority of Aishah, the Mother of Believers]</p><p class="s7adeth"> ((O Allah! I seek refuge in You against the declining of Your Favours, passing of Safety…))</p>
<p class="author"> [Muslim and Abu Dawood, on the authority of Abdullah Ibn Umar]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>We seek refuge in Allah from afflicting us with a tiny blood clot which is enough to cause paralysis, from liver cirrhosis, from kidney failure, from a clot in the brain, from a clot in the heart, from a heart attack and from any intractable disease or enemy's envy and from withdrawal after the Divine Bestowal.</p><p class="s7adeth">((O Allah! I seek refuge in You against the declining of Your Favours, passing of Safety, the suddenness of Your Punishment and all that which displeases You))</p>
<p class="author"> [Muslim and Abu Dawood, on the authority of Abdullah Ibn Umar]</p>
<p><span class="spc"> </span>Dear brother, I hope that whenever you read the Noble Quran and pass by the word "Azeem" you glorify everything Allah glorifies, and unless you do so, you should know that there is serious weakness in your faith.<br />
</p>
