GO AND SIN NO MORE
We witness that there is no God but Allah and we are indeed witnesses that Muhammad Ibn Abdullah, [saw] born in Arabia over 1430 years is the last Prophet and Allah’s Messenger.
Allah Says in our Holy book, “Nor come nigh to adultery: for it is a shameful (deed) and an evil, opening the road (to other evils).” Surah 17.32
When some of the Meccan’s fled to Medinah, the Prophet (saw) was directed by Allah to examine them, take an oath from them. “O Prophet! Take the oath of fealty to thee, that they will not commit adultery (or fornication)”, Surah 60:12.
We are told that if we complete Ramadan correctly – having the right mind and with submission to what pleases Allah, our sins will be forgiven. Then many sin again. After every prayer where the Muslim asked Allah to forgive their sins and Allah, He who hears and Forgives repeatedly accepts the prayer, then people sin again. The Qur’an speaks of a people that are addicted to sin. Contemporary language would call them Sin Junkies. People in need a sin fix daily. (Nafs-e-Ammâra)
Our desire, our objective, our goal should be to reduce error in our life. After receiving the Mercy of Allah and His Forgiveness, our goal should be to... GO AND SIN NO MORE!In scripture, the Book of John verses 8:2 – John 8:11. A word picture is given with Jesus (as) and it says a woman was brought to him after being caught in adultery. The people asked him what should be done with her. The reading goes on to say, when he had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers?
Woman where is your (Nafs-e-Lawwâma). Hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus (as) said unto her, neither do I condemn thee: GO, AND SIN NO MORE!(Nafs-e Mutma'innah)
The picture here is of a woman “caught” in adultery. What is the Scripture speaking of? Just about male and female relationships? Surely that is important – but what is higher than our relationship with each other? Is it not our relationship with G-d? So what is adultery? After committing to be in a monogamous relationship that we call Tauheed.After saying that there is no one that we give our whole self to, that we surrender to, that we obey - after entering into that relationship, Adultery is entering into a relationship with or taking into ones inner self or Soul – something against or foreign to the relationship that person has entered into with G-d. That is really the higher concern. Is this not a more serious concern for the life of the human being? After willingly entering into submission to Allah then to let our hearts, minds, desires wonder off after strange relationships with enemies of our proper relationship isn’t that adultery.
Allah Says in The Qur’an, speaking about the one in subordinate position that they should guard what they know should be guarded in the absence of the one to whom they have made a commitment. Although Allah is always present, but in the absence of our ability to perceive His presence – we are told even under those circumstances under that condition still remain steadfast in your fidelity, your trust – stay faithful to Allah – even though we cannot see Him in all his majesty. We must not sell our heart and souls for a “quickie.” For a one-night stand – just to have an affair with our weakness.
We are encouraged to be faithful and not go down the road of adultery, which opens the door to even greater sins? What about the fornicator? This is the person, who may not have acknowledged their duty to enter into Shahaddah [into a proper relationship of servant to the Master – although they have not entered into the marriage vows due to their ignoring their natural inclination, Allah Says in Qur’an every soul has been created with the knowledge of what is right and what is wrong. So the person that is associating others with G-d’s Authority – the person that is letting false worship into the sacred relationship – even thought they have not acknowledged a formal relationship they are fornicating - and adultery and fornication are both sins so if we have spiritually, emotionally, mentally committed these sins after today let us … GO, AND SIN NO MORE!
Set Thy Face With Sincerity Towards True Religion - Khutbah Notes
With The Name of Allah, The Merciful Benefactor, The Merciful Redeemer. We seek His Guidance in all matters and Thank Him for Prophet Mohammed, His Excellent Role Model for Humanity. We offer prayers and ask Peace be upon him.
Surah 10:105- “And further (thus): set thy face towards religion with true piety, and never in any wise be of the Unbelievers…”
Waan aqim wajhaka lilddeeni haneefanwala takoonanna mina almushrikeena
ﻮﺝﻬﻚ [Face Appears in Qur’an 29 times] [Whole Self Appears 4 times]
The Face:
Eyes, ( I ) Window to self, the window to the “ I “, perception, Registers information upside down, so must balance the incoming information with aid from the rational MIND. Sight not designed to work alone, needs help understanding the Light it receives from outside itself.
Nose:No Se = Spanish for I don’t know. English: No See or not seeing the material, that which cannot see on its own. Nose is able to work with invisible, spiritual matters, but works in conjunction with other senses. Eye registers material matters and Nose balances the material by adding the spiritual content of the material. Eye may observe something that appears to be good for the human being, but the nose registers the invisible odor that alerts it that the material is spoiled.
Mouth:
The mouth must be open to make intelligent speech. When closed can only make grunts and moans. There must be opportunity, freedom in order for the there to be true expression. The mouth Echoes the work of other agents. Sound is produced with the vocal chord in the larynx. The Mouth does not originate sound it is the vocal chords that vibrate and the mouth is like the echo chamber. They all work together, supporting each other to produce intelligent speech and other sounds. The mouth is the organ of expression for the minds creative products and emotions. The mouth is the messenger for the mind and body.
Ears:The ear works with the invisible but has at its center water. The inner ear in its conical form houses liquid that acts as a level giving balance to the human body. Eustachian tube contains a watery substance that maintains its balance inside the inner ear acting as a gyroscope and aids man in perceiving which way is upright and when he is falling or leaving the upright position.
One on the right and one on the left both act to keep man upright.
The organ which functions to receive sound like the spoken word is also the organ that helps man stand upright.
Head: The human head normally measures to be 1/7th of the body size, yet it takes for itself 50% of all the Sweetest substance in the body. The head utilizes approximately half of the sugar taken into and produced by the body. Under normal circumstances the head is the first to exit the womb when new life comes into the world. It is the out front as the baby beings to crawl and goes on top when the man stands up. The brain which is housed in the head acts as a clearing house for all the information collected by the senses and delivered to the brain. Even the information from the eyes that comes into the optic nerve in a reversed state is sorted, corrected and registered in its correct form by the action of the brain.
The brain is the work horse for the soul as the soul seeks its interest it is the brains function to collect the informational resources to bring into material reality the goals of the soul.
Hair: Agent for registering and transmitting feeling. A covering and padding of external material while increasing sensitivity to the presence of minute material or changes in the spiritual (invisible) space around us. Hair although dead at its extremes tips is able to communicate feelings and sensations due to being connected to life at its roots.
Surah 30:30
So set thou thy face steadily and truly to the Faith: (Establish) Allah's handiwork according to the pattern on which He has made mankind: no change (let there be) in the work (wrought) by Allah: that is the standard Religion: but most among mankind understand not. AL-Islam as it is read in Arabic "Led deene haneefan fetratal-laahel latee fataran naasa `alayhaa," translated it means AL-Islam is the religion of natural origin, the pattern on which He patterned human society. This religion believes in the excellence of nature and G-d created human beings to live up to and live out the excellence of nature that He created the human for; this is AL-Islam.
All Parts of the FACE have personal, social and spiritual expression Setting the Face or turning the Face to Allah and/or towards the symbols of unity of humanity (Kabbah) indicates that all aspects of the Face must be set, fixed, established, focused and utilized for a purpose pleasing to God.
Surah 4:47O ye People of the Book! believe in what We have (now) revealed, confirming what was (already) with you, before We change the face and fame of some (of you) beyond all recognition, and turn them hindwards, or curse them as We cursed the Sabbath-breakers, for the decision of Allah Must be carried out.
In Qur’an Allah Says of some people He will turn their faces backward, hindward or inside out. Reversing the Face means – that none of the facilities indicative of the aspects of the Face will be working for the best interest of the person. Reversing the Face is like making one deaf, dumb and blind.
(Start Quote) IWDM " So how do we get our unity back? G'd says, " So turn all of you your faces to this house." That house symbolized the unity of all people upon the pure human nature and excellent human model that G'd made, that's what that houses symbolizes. That house is a sign, a symbol for the unity of all people from Adam, all the human race, that's what it's a sign of. The Qur'an says, " If you turn your faces towards this Masjid, wherever you may be scattered G'd promises He will bring you together. So G'd has promises that he will bring us together no matter how distant we are from each other he will bring us together. All we have to do is turn our interest back to the common human life and human excellence that G'd created in all people or for all people if they haven't expressed it or realized it yet, that's what G'd says."
" The Kabah is the first home constructed for all people according to the Word of G'd in our Holy Book, the Qur'an, the Book of G'd to us for our life. In that Book G'd says that the first house for worship of G'd for all people is that house in Mecca in Arabic it is pronounced " Awwal al bait." And it is our Qiblah meaning that it is our center, we turn in that direction to make prayer and we also go in that direction or travel to that house to make Hajj to make pilgrimage." "Now, Al Kabtu Qiblate, so here is this house also Al Bait, that's another name for it Al Bait it means the house and Allah swt says that this house is "awwala bayten" the most ancient of houses or literally translated the first of the houses " buneya len Nas " built or constructed for all people. So you see the universality here? The 5th pillar of our religion Al Islam is the pillar of unity, the unity of the human family and it is also the pillar standing, I mean the symbol standing as a message giver, there is a message in it. It is standing as a message giver and it's message is that this is the original social nature that G'd gave Adam when he created Adam, therefore it is your true social nature. And it is the social nature that brings us, puts us first in a family picture that's the first picture of the social nature of man" " The Qiblah is called Qiblah and " Qibalah " means the place of the orientation, the center focus for our orientation. But "Qiblah" also means where the unfolding begins, the unfolding. Like you would have a book and you start to unfold the pages and the book starts on page one, well the Qiblah would be page one and you start unfolding the book. When you look with your imagination you can imagine the Qiblah during the Hajj and the unfolding that takes place with the Qiblah or Kaaba being the center and the people are responding to the Imam and when they rise from the sajdah the Imam first right? he's first. he gives the signal. He's giving the signal and it's a circle, a circle of people there at the Hajj time and they start unfolding with the Imam who stands in front of them. he's the first one and they just start unfolding like a rose or something or like a big flower right? Unfolding from the signal given in the center page one. The Kaaba starts page one. The signal from page one says "unfold” And then the leaves just unfold, open up. Now all over the earth this happens." (End Quote)
With Allah’s Name
The Merciful Benefactor, The Merciful Redeemer
October 1, 2009
EID UL FITR
We are obligated to acknowledge that Allah is God Alone. That He does not have any partners that share in His ruler-ship of the creation. That He has no equal and that He is Unique. We also acknowledge that through His Mercy Allah has sent numerous Prophets, Messengers and Warner’s to humanity from Prophet Adam to Prophet Muhammad, the seal of the Prophets. [Peace be upon them all]
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Laa ilaaha illallahu, Wallahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Wa lillahil Hamd."
Although the fasting of Ramadan is done personally and privately
THERE WERE WITNESSES….
“We will, without doubt, help our messengers and those who believe, (both)
in this world's life and on the Day when the Witnesses will stand forth” (Holy Qur’an – 40:51)
Allah says in Qur’an We were never absent at any place or time
Again, we are told that the believers have two great times of happiness
1.when the fasting person during Ramadan breaks their fast
2.when the believer appears before his Lord
The Witnesses during the month of fasting saw those who abstained from eating and drinking
The witnesses saw those who avoided vain or non-productive talking
The witnesses saw these who left their beds, gave up their sleep to perform the night prayers
The witnesses saw those who made time to read the Revelation to Prophet Muhammad (saw) The Qur’an;
The charitable acts were seen and noted by the witnesses
And insha Allah when it is needed the most – perhaps on the day of judgment when the person is being directed towards their final place - Whether it is the fire or not THEN the WITNESS will stand For you saying ….
Oh my Lord I am a witness that this person fasted for your pleasure,
Oh, my Lord I am a witness that this person spent the night in prayer to You seeking Your forgiveness
Oh my Our Lord I am a witness that this person read Your revelation daily seeking to gain understanding, guidance and knowledge from You
Oh my Lord I am a witness to the charity of this person during the blessed month of Ramadan…
EID MEANS A RECURRING EVENT OR TIME
Fitr – means to break as in the celebration of the breaking the Fast, A celebration of breaking the bad habits, A celebration of breaking the hold shaitan had on us.
Fitr also means Nature. Eid Ul Fitr is A celebration of the natural pattern for the human being first seen in Prophet Adam and seen in its totality in Prophet Muhammad.
Dear believers let us keep Ramadan with us.
If the actions we were prescribed to follow during Ramadan were good enough to lock the Satan in chains then do not let him out. Keep shaitan locked away from you and keep seeking Allah’s Guidance, keep reading Qur’an.
Let us keep seeking The Mercy of Allah. Let us keep seeking to improve our lives in the quest to be our best self, a decent human being.
Dear Muslims - do not go backward. After gaining the moral high ground, do not give an inch to shaitan. Do not throw away this special blessing from Allah.
An excellent way of perceiving Ramadan is by starting at the end. At the end of Ramadan, we celebrate Eid Ul Fitr or the original pattern for human beings established by Allah in His creation, in Adam. If we work backward from that, if we look at what eleven months has down to distract, confuse, blur and seduce the human being from the human model, then we will see the function of Ramadan. So powerful is Allah that no matter what eleven months have done to pull us away from the correct conduct, in one month, in one special month, Ramadan – Allah can bring us back to basics. So powerful is Allah that after eleven months of being assaulted by the enemy of our best expressions, our best pursuits, that in one month, in one special month, Ramadan, Allah can reverse the affect and bring us back to a moral foundation.
In Qur’an Allah Says, there is a night in the last ten nights of Ramadan that is better than a thousand months. That is eighty-three years, or another way of seeing it, this is a lifetime. A night spent seeking the guidance of Allah with no other niyyah than what the Prophet had. Seeking guidance from Allah that aids man in being a service to humanity. He who is the most useful to humanity is the best among you. So a night, a single night spent sincerely seeking from Allah His guidance that will facilitate fulfilling the purpose of human existence is better than a lifetime spent in other pursuits.
Ramadan has given us the foundation from which we can grow. The foundation, which can launch us towards the model life of Muhammad, the prophet. It is from Ramadan that we can move through the (7)heavens. Eid ul Adha the Big Eid is seventy days from Eid ul Fitr.
Praise be to Allah who has guided us to the ways that we follow- praise be to Allah for His prophets, Messengers and Guides – and for this Day of Eid. Amen
RAMADAN! A SIGN OF THE MERCY OF ALLAH
With Allah’s Name. The Merciful Benefactor, The Merciful Redeemer. We seek His Guidance in all matters and Thank Him for Prophet Mohammed, His Excellent Role Model for Humanity. We offer prayer and Peace be upon him.
Delivered At:
Islamic Center of Southern California
August 14, 2009
The literal meaning of the word RAHIM is "womb". It is derived from the root RAHIMA which means to have mercy on. Two of Allah's names - AR-RAHMAAN AND AR-RAHEEM - are derived from the same root. Allah makes this connection explicitly in hadith qudsi when He mentions that the word rahim is derived from His name Ar-Rahman.
He is the one who wills mercy and good for all creation at all times, without any distinction between the good and the bad, the faithful and the rebel, the beloved and the hated. He pours upon all creation infinite bounties. The proof is in the Qur'an:
MY MERCY ENCOMPASSES EVERYTHING (Surah A'raf 156).
The ones who know have interpreted the meaning of Rahman as the divine will toward the total good, al-iradat al-khayr, and say that Rahman, like Allah, is the proper name of the Creator, and cannot be attributed to others. Allah says:
“Say: Call upon Allah or call upon The Compassionate (AR-RAHMAN): by whatever name you call upon Him, to Him belong the most beautiful names
(Surah Isra' 17:110)
The meaning of mercy begins with a fineness of feeling and concern felt when one knows that someone is in distress. The pressure of this pain moves to help the one in distress. But the feeling of pity is not sufficient. Real compassion is when one is able to alleviate the pain and distress which the pitied one is suffering. Allah is beyond all these conditions, yet He opted for compassion rather than punishment before He ever created creation. Allah created all creation with His mercy. Everything which has come to be since the beginning is blessed with mercy.
He has created all creation, including His supreme creation, the human being, without defect and pure. He has blessed His creation with infinite bounty. In His mercy, He has shown the dangers of loss and perdition. He has given humanity and only humanity the freedom of choice between good and bad.
WHEN we error, when we sin we do not seek JUSTICE or Judgment – WE SEEK MERCY!
Human beings who have been offended are often prone to say something like I forgive but I cannot forget. That's only half of the process. When we receive the forgiveness from Allah called Gafarah – this term speaks of forgiveness that treats us as though we never committed the act. The Mercy of Allah comes to us “in Spite of” what we have done. Now that’s real Mercy. So Allahs says of Himself that He is the Most Merciful of those who show Mercy.
Abu Hurayah (Hadith) reports that the Messenger of Allah (saaws) said, Allah Most High has one hundred portions of mercy. He has sent only one portion upon the universe and divided it among all His creation. The feeling of mercy and compassion that His creatures feel among themselves is out of that share. The other ninety-nine portions he has saved for the Day of Judgment when He will bestow them upon the faithful.
Hadrat Mujahid said;Rahman belongs to the people of this world; Rahim belongs to those of the Hereafter. The ones who know pray: ya Rahman ad-dunya wa Rahim al-akhirah O Rahman of the world and Rahim of the Hereafter. Rahman is mercy upon the nafs, the worldly being. Rahim is mercy upon the heart. Rahman gives sustenance in this world. Rahim gives eternal salvation in the Hereafter.
Ramadan begins with great expectations. Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) informed us that the Satans have been chained, the Gates of Allah’s Mercy have been opened and the Gates of Hell have been closed. Many of us vowed to take advantage of this truly blessed time to regain the sweetness that we have previously known in our worship. Similarly, we vowed to reform our relationship with Allah, and to repair severed or damaged ties with our fellow Muslims.
Ramadan comes and like the days of our lives it passes through stages. Those stages are poetically mirrored by the waxing and waning of its moon. It is related that our Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) said concerning Ramadan, "Its beginning is mercy, its middle is forgiveness, and its ending is liberation from the Hellfire." (Ibn Khuzaymah, al-Sahih, vol. 3, no. 191) If we take time to reflect, I’m sure that all of us will admit that we do not adequately appreciate the magnitude of Allah’s Mercy. He, the Exalted, says in His Noble Scripture, "I afflict whomsoever I please with My punishment. As for My Mercy, it encompasses everything." [7:156]
Perhaps the greatest mercy that Allah has bestowed upon humanity is sending unto us His Blessed Messenger, Muhammad (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam). Allah informs us concerning His Messenger, "We have only sent you as a Mercy to All Worlds." [S. 21:107]
Allah mentions in the Qur’an, "If you help Allah’s Religion, He will help you." [XLVII: 7] Similarly, "Is the reward for good ever anything other than good." [LV: 60] Likewise, "Don’t be like those who forgot about Allah, and He caused them to forget about the best interest of their own souls." [LIX: 19] His Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) said, "Allah will continue to help the servant as long as the servant is helping his brother." ( Muslim, al-Sahih, no. 2699; Ahmad, al-Musnad, vol. 2, no. 252, Abu Dawud, al-Sunan, no. 3643, and others.)
The Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) said, "The merciful ones will be shown mercy by the all-Merciful (Allah). Be merciful to those on Earth, Allah will be merciful to you." Hence, if our HOMES, MASJIDS, COMMUNITIES, AND OTHER SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS should reflect the compassion and mercy at the core of their functions.
THE HUSBAND AND WIFE SHOULD BE A SOURCE OF MERCY TO EACH OTHER.
Allah says in His Noble Book, "Among His Signs is that He has created for you from yourselves spouses, in order that you dwell together with them in Peace and tranquility. And HE HAS MADE BETWEEN YOU LOVE AND MERCY. Surely in this are signs for people who do reflect." [30: 21]
PARENTS SHOULD BE MERCIFUL TO THEIR CHILDREN. SIMILARLY, THE CHILDREN SHOULD BE MERCIFUL TO THEIR PARENTS.
Perhaps the greatest example of the merciful child is that of Isma’il (‘Alayhi al-Salaam). When informed by his father, Ibrahim (‘Alayhi al-Salaam), that he was to sacrifice him, he mercifully responded, "Oh, father! Do that which you have been commanded. You will find me, Insha Allah, amongst the patient." [37: 102]
WE SHOULD SIMILARLY BE A SOURCE OF MERCY TO OUR FELLOW BELIEVERS.
Our beloved Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) said, "The similitude of the believers in their mutual love, their mutual mercy, and their mutual affection, is like a single body. If any part of it complains of an injury, the entire body responds with sleeplessness and fever." (Muttafaqun ‘Alayhi) This narration emphasizes the fact that we are a merciful people. We are a Merciful people whose mercy shouldn’t be confined to our immediate circle of associates and acquaintances. Rather it should extend to the entire Ummah.
RAMADAN - A SIGN OF THE MERCY OF ALLAH!
After 11 months of struggle with our life, Our prayers, charity, patience our Faith. In His Awesome Mercy Allah gave us a Blessed month to reflect, reform and re-dedicate ourselves to be the best we can.
Ramadan is a sign of the mercy of Allah – wherein He doubles, triples and exceeds our greatest expectation in His Mercy and Forgiveness.
Ramadan is a great sign of the Mercy of Allah, where He shuts the avenues of entry of the adversary (Shaitan) and Opens the Doors of Heaven to us.
Ramadan is a sign of the Mercy of Allah – wherein all our sins can be wiped away, all of our short comings can be forgiven and the best of our human characteristics can be supported through Fasting, Prayer and charitable acts.
1. Ramadan is a wonderful sign of the Mercy of Allah –
2. Our personal life is enhanced with seeking Allah at Fajr,
3. Our moral life is enhanced with daily abstanance from not only food and drink but from that which leads one away from the remembrance of Allah.
4. Our community life is enhanced with every Iftar,
5. Our spiritual life is enhanced with taraweeh prayer, our family life is enhanced is we set the example of one submitting to Allah who has invited “O You who believe” in Surah 2:183
THE FAST OF RAMADAN MUST BE SYSTEMIC
• OUR INTENTIONS (Niyyat) must remain focused on the fast
• OUR EYES, should abstain from breaking the fast
• EARS, should abstain from breaking the fast
• HANDS, should abstain from breaking the fast
• HEART, should abstain from breaking the fast
• FEET AND should abstain from breaking the fast and our
• MIND must should abstain from breaking the fast.
Then the fast of Ramadan will be
A COMPLETE FAST
A SYSTEMIC FAST.
A fast of the WHOLE SELF. Whose reward
Is promised in Surah 2 ayah 183 – that we may obtain Taqawah!
Ramadan Mubarak!
AN OPEN LETTER TO MUSLIMS IN BUSINESS
REGARDING RAMADAN AND THE TWO EID OBSERVANCES
By: Imam Tariq Ansaar Aquil
As I travelled across the country over the past five (5) years I have suggested to Muslims in business that they begin to advertise special sales on the occasion of the two annual Eid observances, as well as Ramadan. This would not be done to commercialize the religious observances, rather to enhance the image of positive contributions Muslims in business are making in their communities. It was pointed out that no significant cost was associated with producing signs announcing pre-Ramadan sales, or Eid product discounts. No special license is required and no laws existed to prevent such actions. The objective is to expand the thought process and introduce a bigger vision of the role that Muslims could play in the business life of their respective communities. Without stating that the owner of a business is Christian or Jewish, we see Easter discount sales in stores all across America. We also see Christmas mark down sales. The storeowners are not asking customers to join their particular religious belief, but the buyer is aware that there is a financial benefit from that particular sale. They are also aware that people of that particular religious belief are in business in their community and are contributing towards the economic development of their life. This one simple step Muslims can make towards establishing a positive presence in our local communities. The idea is based upon the obligation Muslims have to be informative in regards to clear understanding of what is Islam. Also it would increase the business visibility and most likely increase sales and it would be a public demonstration of the healthy contributions that Muslim business makes in the community.
Imam’s I hope you find merit in this suggestion and share it with those Muslim Business men and women in your respective communities.
With Allah’s Name. The Merciful Benefactor, The Merciful Redeemer. We seek His Guidance in all matters and Thank Him for Prophet Mohammed, His Excellent Role Model for Humanity. We offer prayer and Peace be upon him.
KHUTBAH NOTES
COME ALIVE TO ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING COMMUNITY LIFE
Hayya ala salah [SaLaHa] Worship, service to God
Hayya ala fallah [Falaha – Farmer – cultivation - ]
Success obtained through cultivating our life.
S. 71:17 [human being life compared to the life of plant]
1. If our life is a plant then who is the farmer?
2. Prepare the soil of your soul
3. Make it soft and submissive to the Will of Allah
4. Plant the seeds of piety, patience, etc
5. PATIENCE
6. The farmer has to have patience in the face of doubters
7. Water the spot where nothing is seen –
8. [Remember Prophet Nuh – building a boat in the middle of the desert 500
miles from the nearest water]
9. His job was only to obey Allah and build the boat – it was Allah that would
supply the water.
10. Do not be impatient – digging up the seeds because they do not produce as
fast as we desire.
11. When the little apple sapling comes up we cannot eat the little plant – it
has to be nurtured –
12. PATIENCE until it produces branches, then leaves – then buds and produces
apples.
13. WEEDS - We must protect the plant from weeds.
14. Weeds chock the life of plants – How do you know when you’re approached by a
weed
15. WEEDS Plant doubts about your ability to become productive
16. Your to old, not educated enough, not financially able
17. When the angel comes to Maryum, the Mother of Isa (as) she said how I could
have a son when no man has touched me. [The Arabic word means touch, feel,
put in contact with something or affected by something]
18. He told her kazaliki ( you have what you need, its already done)
19. After the plant has become productive, share the fruits of your harvest –
give back to those less fortunate.
20. Build balanced community life - SAFFAT –alignment – order
21. Perpendicular alignment is necessary before we can establish the horizontal
aspect
22. Align first under Tauheed – recognition that Allah is the True Source Then align what we think, speak, feel, do and establish (Head, mouth, heart, hands and feet) with that focus. The head, heart, hands, feet all aligned with one perpendicular focus that is Saffat. Once that perpendicular alignment is established then we can turn to the right and left and establish the family, community, economic, academic and social life. Then we have Horizontal life.
23. THE PERPENDICULAR BREAK DOWN of the family leads to the
break down of the community
24. The disarray in family life today is not a mystery
25. When the child does not have respect for God, then there is no respect for
the parents, teachers, employer, neighbors, and finally no respect for SELF.
26. Then we can turn to our right and left and say As Salaamu Alaikum wa
rahmatullah
27. Alaikum (On you is the responsibility to establish Salaam) it all starts
with the farmer Willing to cultivate the life utilizing the tools of Islam
in service to Allah.
*******************
Surah Ma’idah - 5:3 “This day have I Perfected your religion for you, completed My Favor upon you and have Chosen for you Islam as your religion] Islam is Perfect (no need to waste precious time seeking to work out the bugs)
A favor Could never have been earned, is often a Gift – something freely given, often times something that was not even deserved. And it a Favor that is so comprehensive that in and of its self is that which addresses all the concerns of humanity forever. It is referred to as a Complete Favor. Human beings are endowed with Free-Will (choice) So Allah is showing us that we have the ability to make choices but Allah is showing us the best use of that ability by Saying that He has chosen for us Al-Islam as Deen.
Allah has not given us Islam to be a burden. In fact, Islam is the natural state of creation under normal conditions.
S. 2:286 “On no soul does Allah place a burden greater than it can bear”- HaMaLa
Lā [No!] Yukallifu [TASK/Assignment] Allāhu [by Allah] [on any] Nafsāan [Soul] Wa Lā Ta ĥmil [RE – SPONSI - BILITY] [ABILITY TO RESPOND]
`Alaynā 'Işrāan Kamā Ĥamaltahu `Alá Al-Ladhīna Min Qablinā Rabbanā Wa Lā Tuĥammilnā in
Allah would never place the human being in circumstances that He had not already given human beings the proper response for. Even if that response is to Whole heartedly cry out to Allah.
In Surah 3:104 "Let there arise out of you a band of people [Ummatum – Community]
(a) Inviting to ALL that is good,
(b) Enjoining what is right, and
(c) Forbidding what is wrong:
(d) They are the ones to attain felicity.
That is describing a socially conscious people. A community that is concerned with the state of their community, the condition of the people, the goods and services of their community. Muslims have to be willing to leave their comfort zone and venture out in the path of Allah to be a service to humanity.
Praise be to Allah that American has taken a giant step into recognition of the worth of all its citizens and selected a president from among a people that less than 60 years ago was not regarded as having anything of value to offer American leadership. Yet, with that great step and economic responses to the challenging economy, Allah did not say in Qur’an that the solution to humanities problems was a Stimulus package. The social and economic problems are symptoms:
The disease is refusing to Enjoin what is right, Forbid what is wrong, and Believe in Allah. The reward of those who sit at home (in their comfort zone) is not equal to those who go forth in the cause of Allah. We as Muslim cannot be satisfied that we have made it into the house of Islam and accept to just look out of our windows of our religious security at the pitiful condition of our neighbor, our communities, our schools, businesses. "Let there arise out of you “Oh Believers” those inviting to all that is good. Tayeeb
Inviting humanity to what is good for their souls, their family life, their academic life, their economic life, good for here and hereafter.
Surah 3:110
Ye are the best of peoples [Community], evolved for mankind,
(a) Enjoining what is right,
(b) Forbidding what is wrong, and
(c) Believing in Allah.
After receiving the perfect way of living(1) Allah Says: He created everything; both men and jinn for one purpose which to serve Allah.(2) Next, Allah, explains the process that has prepared each human being to fulfill the purpose of their individual and community purpose (The Evolution)
(1)Believing in Allah.
(2)Inviting to ALL that is good,
(3)Enjoining what is right, and
(4)Forbidding what is wrong:
MAN GETS IT! …. BUT HE DOES NOT GIVE IT!The word
“It” is an infinite Pronoun… Man gets what? Man gets the information embedded in the created world – but seldom gives credit to the Creator of all creation.
(1) Lord of all the worlds – Lord of all systems of knowledge
Man recognizes that he did not create steel … and if you ask man who made steel, he will answer God. Then man takes the created material of God and manufactures objects which man takes credit for as if man not God is the benefactor for man. So man gets it but seldom gives it. So out of 114 chapters of the Qur’an Allah reminds us at the beginning of 113 – Allah is the Merciful Benefactor the Merciful Redeemer for all creation.
It is not only man that has to be redeemed. The first recycling system that man observed was designed by Allah. The water that comes in contact with that which may pollute it is carried through a process of purification by Allah and is returned to its original purity – it is redeemed. The Earth, water, air are all recipients the Beneficence and Mercy of Allah.
Man understands the message in the life of the Bee and builds energy efficient homes with the hexagon shape perfected by the bees. Computer built on the known functions of the human brain’s operation, function and memory. Locomotion for the bicycle, train and piston action of the automobile extracted from the “Ball and Socket” action of the arms and legs of the human model.
MAN GETS IT! …. BUT HE DOES NOT GIVE IT!
The question is Are we among those evolved for service to humanity?
(1) In this and every community there are single Mothers struggling to raise children without the balanced imput of a male …. The question to the Muslim male in the Ummah ... Are you among those evolved for service to humanity?
(2) In this and every community there are at risk teenagers in serious need of guidance … The question to the Muslim male in the Ummah is …. Are you among those evolved for service to humanity?
(3) In this and every community there are young women seeking intelligent, employed (handsome) mates …
(4) There are Young men seeking intelligent, moral and (Beautiful) Sisters …The question to the Ummah is …. Are you among those evolved for service to humanity?
(5) There are homeless folks that are in need of a spiritual home as much as they need a physical home but who among us will share the information they need to make the change?
(6) There are hungry folks that are in need of spiritual food as much as they need physical food but whom among us are those evolved for service to humanity?
(7) Who is using their ability to support the proper education of our youth, the proper establishment of wholesome goods and services in the inner cities, safeguarding the legitimate interest of Muslims and the people of the book … are you among those evolved for service to humanity?
The Bee: Surah 16
Goes from one flower to another. It visits the red, blue, yellow and white flowers. It does not waste time digging in the dirt,It leaves the leaves behind; the Bee goes straight for the sweet stuff. It goes for the nectar. Then Allah tells us the bee does something, it takes the nature into its stomach (you say the Imams biology is confused because I am pointing to my head instead of my stomach)
Allah says the bee takes the nature into its stomach and carries it through a process that produces a substance that is a healing for humanity. SubhanAllah! Isn’t that wonderful. Imagine Bees produce honey that man and animals enjoy but Bee’s do not eat honey. They are working to help extend the life of the plants they visit and produce something for human being that they do not even eat.
But delve deeper into this Ayat. Look at its practical application to our life. We have experiences in our life that can be represented as a variety of flowers. Red flower we experienced dropping out of school. White flower we experienced being divorced, blue flower we may have experienced spousal abuse, been oppressed under a tyrannical government, lost a child or spouse. All of these different flowers or experiences but we not supposed to dig in the dirt, sling mud, We are guided to seek the lesson, the moral of the story, what has Allah stored in that experience for us as catalysis for producing an ideal, concept, company, program – Something that is going to be a healing for humanity. A Mother that was visited by the tragic loss of her (flower) child to a drunk driver did not give up and resign from life. She took the best of her experience and produced an organization called Mother Against Drunk Drivers (MADD), and today that organization acts as a healing for others who have similar experiences. A young gang member in South Central Los Angeles that experienced the loss of life of family, friends, did not stoop to dig in the dirt of hatred and retaliation, instead he formed a community organization called: Stop the violence increase the peace. He took from his flower experience that which now acts as a healing for humanity adversely affect by gang violence. Another honey healing born of the flower of adversity is Mothers without borders.
Let us resolve to demonstrate our appreciation for the Favor Allah Has done for us, let us engage the community in a structured manner as described in S. 3:104 and let us take up the role and responsibility we were prepare for evolved to and know that we have already been given all the tools we need to respond to each and every situation whether it is within our personal live, community life or the global community.
ISLAM! Building on A Solid Foundation
With The Name of Allah, The Merciful Benefactor, The Merciful
Redeemer. We seek His Guidance in all matters and Thank Him for Prophet Mohammed, His Excellent Role Model for Humanity. We offer prayers and ask Peace be upon him.
2:115
To Allah belong the East and the West: Whithersoever ye turn, there is the presence of Allah. For Allah is all-Pervading, all-Knowing.
2:144
We see the turning of thy face (for guidance to the heavens: now Shall We turn thee to a Qibla that shall please thee. Turn then Thy face in the direction of the sacred Mosque: Wherever ye are, turn your faces in that direction.”
2:149
From whencesoever Thou startest forth, turn Thy face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque; that is indeed the truth from the Lord. And Allah is not unmindful of what ye do.
What is the Standard you live by? When a legal argument is rejected by a Court of law sometimes it is because it is without merit. The court will say the argument does not STAND for any prevailing legal proposition. It does not have a foundation in applicable law. What is the foundation for our belief?
Adam, the Prophet, is spoken of in scripture as slipping even falling this implies that whatever happened to Adam he was no longer standing upright.
2:177
It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces Towards East or West; BUT IT IS RIGHTEOUSNESS-
1. To believe in Allah and the Last Day,
2. The Angels,
3. The Book,
4. The Messengers;
5. To spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves;
6. To be steadfast in prayer,
7. To practice regular charity;
8. To fulfill the contracts which ye have made; To be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the Allah-fearing.
Allah refers to the Kabba as Baiutal Awwal, (THE FIRST HOUSE)
Wonderful language, what a wonderful picture for our reflection.
A HOUSE
The image of a House represents: SAFETY, REFUGE, COMFORT, SECURITY, EXPRESSION and the REALIZATION of our hopes and aspirations (A man is king in his own home and the Woman is Queen in her home)
Allah Says to us in Qur’an that there are different types of houses
1. He mentions a house built on sand that tumbles down
2. He mentions the flimsy house called a Spiders web
What determines the stability of the house? It’s foundation!
What it is built upon. The Question today is “What is Holding up Your House.” Your house of faith. Your Islamic life house.
Let us examine the pillars that are supposed to hold our House.
Our personal Spiritual House is to be a replication or patterned after the First House. We need to know of our house is in need of repair. What about the roof, the walls of support. Or without realizing it we may have become spiritually or religiously Homeless!
The Command of Allah directing us to Turn towards the First House establishes a logic consistent with the nature and ability of the human being to align ourselves with. Our house is established or upheld by the "Five Pillars of Islam”
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