- Seminars and Lectures abroad / ٠01 Masjid At-Taqwa- Morning lectures 1
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- Masjid At-Taqwa- part 1
Allah's Divine Greatness.
Dear brother, let's ponder over some Noble Ayaat which indicate the Greatness of Allah the Almighty, He says:
" And they had planned their plan, but with Allah is [recorded] their plan, even if their plan had been [sufficient] to do away with the mountains."
Please answer me honestly, can all the world's forces, military powers, or latest technologies help to move a small mountain or even a small hill like Mount Qasioun from one place to another; from Damascus to Dar'a province for example? Of course they cannot! Nevertheless, when Allah the Almighty described the disbelievers' evil plots against Muslims, He said that they were so cunning to such a degree that their evil plots do away with the mountains, which is really terrible. He says:
"And they had planned their plan, but with Allah is [recorded] their plan, even if their plan had been [sufficient] to do away with the mountains."
He who obeys Allah the Almighty will be exalted in ranks on a constant basis till he becomes more valuable (in the Sight of Allah) than the best creatures. In contrast, he who disobeys Allah the Almighty will be lowered in ranks regularly till he becomes more worthless (in the Sight of Allah) than the most despicable creatures. Thus, the true believer will be higher in ranks than the angels. The proof of that is mentioned in the following noble Ayah in which Allah the Almighty says:
" Verily, those who believe [in the Oneness of Allah, and in His Messenger Muhammad (Peace be upon him)) including all obligations ordered by Islam] and do righteous good deeds, they are the best of creatures."
Which means the true believers are the best of all creatures. One the other hand, When Allah the Almighty describes the disbelievers, He says:
" Verily, those who disbelieve (in the religion of Islam, the Quran and Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)) from among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) and Al-Mushrikun will abide in the Fire of Hell. They are the worst of creatures.
Thus, either man will be elevated to a position that is far superior to that of the angels (in the Sight of Allah) when he believes in Allah and obeys Him, or will be descended to a position that is lower than the most despicable creature when he disbelieves in Him. When one gets to know Allah the Almighty, he will confirm his humanity and will be exalted in ranks.
The difference between the believer and the disbeliever.
Actually, let me use the following term: there is a huge difference between the nature (traits, attributes, characteristics, etc…) of the believers and the disbelievers, it is not only a matter of different degrees. It could be likened to the difference between precious metals and base metals, i.e. although gold jewelry is made with different karat, such as 24 karat, 21 karat, 18 karat, and 11 karat.Each have a different percentage of pure gold, but in the end they are all made of gold which is quite different from base metals. (likewise the believers differ in terms of their religious commitment but in the end they are all believers, but there is a huge difference between them and the disbelievers)
Based on evidence from the Noble Qur'an and Sunnah, I deeply believe that there is a big difference between the nature of the believers and that of the disbelievers. Below are some of these evidences; Allah the Almighty says:
" Is then he who is a believer like him who is Fasiq (disbeliever and disobedient to Allah)? Not equal are they.
Reflect on the high morals of the true believers; their humility, good manners, fairness and so on…which are really great, unlike the disbelievers' low morals such as lying, vileness, tendency to break their oaths, self-interest, and overwhelming egoism. Allah the Almighty says:
" Is then he who is a believer like him who is Fasiq (disbeliever and disobedient to Allah)?"
Consider the hint in the above-mentioned Noble Ayah: Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, did not say: "is then he who is a believer like him who is a disbeliever?" but rather He said:
" Is then he who is a believer like him who is Fasiq (disbeliever and disobedient to Allah)?"
Which means when one disbelieves in Allah, he will definitely become a Fsaiq (a wrong doer, a person of evil conduct, etc…). Allah the Almighty says:
" …like him who is Fasiq (disbeliever and disobedient to Allah)?"
Secondly, Allah the Almighty says:
"Shall We then treat the (submitting) Muslims like the Mujrimun (criminals, polytheists and disbelievers, etc.)?* What is the matter with you? How judge you?"
Thirdly, Allah the Almighty says:
"Is he whom We have promised an excellent promise (Paradise), which he will find true, like him whom We have made to enjoy the luxuries of the life of (this) world,"
Thus, dear brother, there is an ocean of difference between the believers and the disbelievers, which could be likened, as I've mentioned above, to the difference between gold and other cheap and worthless base metal.
The disbelievers' evil plots against the believers:
Allah the Almighty says:
" And they had planned their plan, but with Allah is [recorded] their plan,"
It is like when some officers conspire against their government, then their cover is blown. All their evil plots are recorded with their ruler and they will be held accountable for them. Allah the Almighty says:
" And they had planned their plan, but with Allah is [recorded] their plan, even if their plan had been [sufficient] to do away with the mountains."
"So think not that Allah will fail to keep His Promise to His Messengers. Certainly, Allah is All-Mighty, - All-Able of Retribution."
As I always say, one of our greatest problems is that we turn a deaf ear and a blind eye to Allah's Warning mentioned in the Following Noble Ayah in which He says:
"Lo! You are the ones who love them but they love you not"
Nowadays, the West's hostility towards the East becomes quite apparent; the former wishes to destroy the latter as you see, i.e. the Arab countries suffer terribly, while the West just stand idly by.
Let me tell you the following story in order to make this point clear: in 1957, the Soviet Union launched the first-ever living animal into orbit: a dog named Laika, but her death, a few hours after lift-off, raised a worldwide criticism; how could they let that dog die?!. In contrast, these days two hundred thousand or even four hundred thousand people are killed, the same number of people have gone missing or are war-wounded, and about ten million people are displaced as a result of the war which erupted in one of the Arab countries, nevertheless the whole world just stand idly by; there is no denunciation or condemnation. Furthermore, no meeting is held in order to relieve their suffering. Unfortunately, this is our bitter reality. So, these revolutions uncovered the reality of the West as well as their unreal values (their false claims about defending human rights). Allah the Almighty says:
" And they had planned their plan, but with Allah is [recorded] their plan, even if their plan had been [sufficient] to do away with the mountains."
Some scholars said: Do not hate times of trials for the hypocrites will be eliminated through them. That means in times of trials all hidden matters are revealed. Man may fool people for some time, however during times of affliction the hidden truth is revealed. Allah the Almighty will never let you deceive sh3er all the time without exposing your truth. As the saying goes: man can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but he can never fool all the people all the time. I'd like to add that it is absolutely impossible for you to deceive Allah the Almighty or to deceive yourself for just one second. Allah the Almighty says:
" Nay! Man will be a witness against himself [as his body parts (skin, hands, legs, etc.) will speak about his deeds]. Though he may put forth his excuses (to cover his evil deeds)."
Which means everyone knows his hidden intentions.
Now, consider the following Noble Ayaat in which the other party's attitude against Muslims is stated: Allah the Almighty says:
" If a good befalls you, it grieves them, but if some evil overtakes you, they rejoice at it."
" And they had planned their plan, but with Allah is [recorded] their plan, even if their plan had been [sufficient] to do away with the mountains."
The virtue of patience:
Consider the following Noble Ayah in which Allah the Almighty says:
"…but if you remain patient and become Al-Muttaqun (the pious), not the least harm will their cunning do to you."
Can you believe that the salvation of the Muslim world is attained through just two words:
" …but if you remain patient and become Al-Muttaqun (the pious),"
Which means adhering to the obedience to Allah the Almighty and remaining patient are the keys to be granted success, while being patient in hard times while one disobeys Allah the Almighty will be fruitless and will end in nothing but death. In other words, as long as we commit sins and wrongdoings, as long as we are driven by our unlawful lusts, and give priority to personal interests over our principles, we will reap nothing after these troubles, crises, and calamities but death.
On the other hand, when we abide by Allah's Orders and Prohibitions during tough times, we will be granted success in the end. Actually, this precise and accurate fact encourages one to repair his relationship with Allah the Almighty (to turn to Him in repentance).
It was narrated that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said:
"When a sinner servant turns back to Allah and repents, a caller calls those in the heavens and earth to congratulate him as he has reconciled with Allah".
One more thing, Allah the Almighty says:
"And I respite them; certainly My Plan is strong."
In physics, the resistance to tensile strength is called durability, while the resistance to compressive strength is called hardness. For example, diamond is the hardest metal; 1 cubic cm of it can endure up to 550kg of force. After diamond, tooth enamel is the second hardest compound in the world. When it comes to durability, the braided steel is the most durable metal, therefore it is used to make the ropes of the aerial tramway (Teleferique) as well as the elevators.. Thus, durability is the resistance to tensile strength, while hardness is the resistance to compressive strength. Allah the Almighty says:
"And I respite them; certainly My Plan is strong."
The transliteration of the word ' strong' in the above mentioned Ayah is ' mateen' (durable), which means no matter how powerful a person is, he will never be out of Allah's Control. Therefore, prophet Dawud (David), peace be upon him, said to his people:
" So plot against me, all of you, and give me no respite. * "I put my trust in Allah, my Lord and your Lord! There is not a moving (living) creature but He has grasp of its forelock. Verily, my Lord is on the Straight Path (the truth)."
The implied meaning when the preposition 'on' comes with the Name of Allah.
Dear brother, the preposition (Ala) "on " comes with the Name of Allah the Almighty in the following Ayah to indicate that He has taken upon His Divine Self to guide people. Allah the Almighty says:
"Truly! Ours [Alayna (upon Ourselves)] it is to give guidance,"
"Verily, my Lord is on (Ala) the Straight Path (the truth)."
Which means Allah the Almighty commits Himself to the Straight Path.
Now, Allah the Almighty says:
"And let not those who disbelieve think that they can outstrip (escape from the punishment)."
[Al-Anfal, 59]
The transliteration of (that they can outstrip) is: ' sabaqoo' ( come in first). Which means never think that the disbelievers can do anything out of Allah's Will, or that they can escape from His Punishment, rather they are under the Control of Allah the Almighty. He says:
" And let not those who disbelieve think that they can outstrip (escape from the punishment). Verily, they will never be able to save themselves (from Allah's Punishment)."
Consider the Divine Command in the following Noble Ayah:
" And make ready against them all you can of power"
Dear brother, the aforementioned Noble Ayah is one of the Noble Ayaat which have slight hints; by Allah's Mercy, we are ordered to make ready against our enemies what we can of power, not the power that is equal to theirs since it is impossible for us to have atomic bombs, nuclear weapons, and incredibly sophisticated means of destruction as theirs.
For example, one of the most powerful countries collapsed lately although it has enough nuclear bombs that could destroy the five continents. Nevertheless, during the civil war, it's union was dissolved and it became less powerful.
Dear brother, the other party's attitude towards us is mentioned in the following Noble Ayah in which Allah the Almighty says:
" Verily, they were about to tempt you away from that which We have revealed (the Quran) unto you (O Muhammad PBUH), to fabricate something other than it against Us,"
Thus, this is their main concern:
"…to fabricate something other than it against Us,"
The Divine Method is complete and perfect, i.e. you cannot add nor omit anything from it since Islam is Tawqeefi (it means that it is not permissible to worship Allah, may He be exalted, through any act of worship unless this act of worship is proven in the Shar'i texts (Qur'an and Sunnah) to be an act of worship that was prescribed by Allah).
We will not reap the fruits of Islam unless we apply it as a whole in our life, not only a part of it, since the partial application of Islam is unavailing.
Dear brother, there are innumerable Noble Ayaat in the Noble Qur'an which give the believers the glad tidings that Allah the Almighty will grant them triumph. Actually, the destruction of the whole universe is less important in the Sight of Allah than not to fulfill His Promises to the believers (which should be regarded as rules).
I'd like during this blessed meeting to discuss the relationship between Muslims and the other party. Actually, the destruction of the whole universe is less important in the Sight of Allah the Almighty than not to apply the set of rules enacted by Him in this world. He says:
" Allah's Promise is the Truth"
" And who is truer to his covenant than Allah?"
" And who is truer in statement than Allah?"
One should put his trust in Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, and take His Promises as rules which have definite results, since rules have a permanent logical relationship between premises and conclusions confirmed by reality and by evidences (from the Noble Qur'an and Sunnah), such as the Noble Ayaat which give Muslims the glad tidings that Allah the Almighty will grant them triumph (if they abide by His Orders and Prohibitions) just as He granted the noble companions triumph against their enemies, since He is our God just as He is theirs, and He is the Creator of us all , the whole universe, and everything else.
Thus, there is a permanent set of rules enacted by Allah the Almighty, but the real achievement is to find out these rules.
During the month of Ramadan, I delivered a series of 30 episodes about some of these rules mentioned in the Noble Qur'an and which really fill your heart with tranquility. You can find this series on this website.
Allah the Almighty says:
" And they had planned their plan, but with Allah is [recorded] their plan, even if their plan had been [sufficient] to do away with the mountains."
You should reauthor the Noble Qur'an with absolute conviction and certainty that it the truth revealed from Allah the Almighty just like the maternal uncle of the Prophet, peace be upon him; our master Sa'd Ibn Abi Waqqas, may Allah be pleased with him, used to do. Actually, the Prophet, peace be upon him, loved him so much to the extent that whenever Sa'd came to him, he, peace be upon him, used to joke with him. Once the Prophet, peace be upon him, said to his companions: " This is my maternal uncle Sa'd. Is there anyone who as an uncle as great as him?!". Furthermore, the Prophet, peace be upon him, did not say: let my father and mother be sacrificed for you, to anyone except to him:
"Throw (arrows) O Sa'd! Let my father and mother be sacrificed for you."
Our master Sa'd used to say: There are three situations in which my manliness expresses itself, while in other situations I behave like other people do: I never get myself preoccupied with something while am praying until I finish my prayer, I never attend a funeral and talk about anything other than things related to it till it is over, and I never hear a Hadith from the Prophet, peace be upon him, but I know for sure that it is the truth revealed to him from Allah the Almighty "
O Allah enrich us with Your Favors and do not deprive us of them, honor us and do not humiliate us, give us preference over sh3er and let not sh3er be preferred to us. and make us satisfied and be satisfied with us. O Allah send Your Peace and Blessings upon our Master Muhammad, the Unlettered Prophet, and upon his family and companions.
