Jumu'ah Khutbah, Muharram 1428

THE MUSLIM & THE BELIEVER

Abu Hurairah (Radiya Allahu anhu) said, I heard the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) saying in his khutbah:

"O people! The 'Abd (Allah's bondsmen) will not be considered a Muslim unless people are safe from his hand and his tongue.

And he will not attain the status of a Believer unless his neighbour is secure from his evil deeds.
And he will not be considered Muttaqi (warding off evil) until he avoids the unobjectionable out of the fear of commiting the objectionable.

O people! Whoever fears the night attack keeps moving all night, and whoever moves all night arrives safely to his destination. You will know the results of your deeds after you die.

O people! The believer's intention is better than his actions.
The sinful's intention is worse than his actions."

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'Umar bin Al-Khattab (Radiya Allahu anhu) narrated :
The Prophet said, 'O people! The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions, and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended. So, whoever emigrated for Allah and His Apostle, then his emigration was for Allah and His Apostle, and whoever emigrated to take worldly benefit or for a woman to marry, then his emigration was for what he emigrated for."
(Sahih Bukhari)

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LESSON

Beware of your intentions. If they are not purely and sincerely for the sake of Allaah and the greater good. Then think carefully about the consequence of that action in this life and the akhirra.

A loose tongue can often lead to a believers destruction. Be mindful of what you speak, and only speak that which is beneficial. Avoid backbiting, slander, hatred, harshness, arrogance and all the other traits that Allah (subhana wat'ala) and his beloved Messenger (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) forbade us from.

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The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said:
"A Muslim is the one who avoids harming Muslims with his tongue and hands. And a Muhajir (emigrant) is the one who gives up (abandons) all what Allah has forbidden."
(Sahih Bukhari)

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SIFAT AL MUNAFIQIN

The Disease

Hypocrisy is a deep rooted all encompassing spiritual disease. A persons heart could be overflowing with it yet be oblivious to it due to its hidden but subtle nature. We may frequently assume we are acting correctly but indeed be far off the mark and spreading corruption.

Prognosis

Hypocrisy is of two types: Major and Minor.
Major characteristics lead to eternal punishment in the lowest depths of the Hell, examples of which are to outwardly display faith in Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers and the Last Day, but inwardly one is devoid of such belief and disbelieves in it. He does not believe that Allah spoke to a Man amongst men who He appointed to be a Messanger; guiding them by His permission and warning them of His punishment.

"The hypocrites are in the lowest levels of Hell and you will not find anyone to help them".
[an Nisa 4:145]

Symptoms

Narrated by 'Abdullah bin 'Amr: The Prophet said, "Whoever has (the following) four characters will be a hypocrite, and whoever has one of the following four characteristics will have one characteristic of hypocrisy until he gives it up. These are: (1 ) Whenever he talks, he tells a lie; (2) whenever he makes a promise, he breaks it; (3) whenever he makes a covenant he proves treacherous; (4) and whenever he quarrels, he behaves impudently in an evil insulting manner."
(Sahih Bukhari & Sahih Muslim)

The Quran & Sunnah relate many examples of those characteristics we should all be aware of and be looking to avoid at all costs....those things we need to realise in order to purify and save ourselves... those things we need to realise before it is too late:

30 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE HYPOCRITE

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Indeed we all suffer to some extent or have lapse of judgement
or maybe motivation. But let this be a warning to you as it was
for me. You and I are only as strong and as pure as our Nafs and
our intentions. Only when we erradicate them of the diseases of
the accursed, will we begin to realise sweetness of Imaan and
closeness to Allah.
May Allah guide us and protect us all from the lure of shaytaan
and purify our nafs' so that we may be worthy of meeting Him
and His blessed Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
in the Akhirra as true believers.
Ameen
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Recommended Book on this Topic:
"Characteristics of the Hypocrite" by Shaykh Al Islam Ibn Qayyim al Jawziyyah

The Virtues of Hijab

1. An act of obedience.
The hijab is an act of obedience to Allah and to his prophet (pbuh), Allah says in the Qur'an:`It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His messenger have decreed a matter that they should have an option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allah and HisMessenger, has indeed strayed in a plain error.' (S33:36).
Allah also said: 'And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things) and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc) and not to show off their adornment except what must (ordinarily) appear thereof, that they should draw their veils over their Juyubihinna.'(S24:31).
Juyubihinna: The respected early scholars differed whether the veil cover of the body must include the hands and face or not. Today, respected scholars say that the hands and face must be covered. Other respected scholars say it is preferable for women to cover their whole bodies.

2.The Hijab is IFFAH (Modesty).
Allah (subhana wa'atala) made the adherence to the hijab a manifestation for chastity and modesty. Allah says: 'O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) over their bodies (when outdoors). That is most convenient that they should be known and not molested.' (S33:59).
In the above Ayaah there is an evidence that the recognition of the apparent beauty of the woman is harmful to her. When the cause of attraction ends, the restriction is removed. This is illustrated in the case of elderly women who may have lost every aspect of attraction. Allah (swt) made it permissible for them to lay aside their outer garments and expose their faces and hands reminding, however, that is still better for them to keep their modesty.

3. The hijab is Tahara (Purity)
Allah (swt) had shown us the hikma (wisdom) behind the legislation of the hijab: `And when you ask them (the Prophet's wives) for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen, that is purer for your hearts and their hearts.' (S33:53).
The hijab makes for greater purity for the hearts of believing men and women because it screens against the desire of the heart. Without the hijab, the heart may or may not desire. That is why the heart is more pure when the sight is blocked (by hijab) and thus the prevention of fitna (evil actions is very much manifested. The hijab cuts off the ill thoughts and the greed of the sick hearts:`Be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease (of hypocrisy or evil desire for adultery, etc) should be moved with desire, but speak in an honourable manner.' (S33:32)

4. The hijab is a Shield
The prophet (pbuh) said: "Allah, Most High, is Heaven, is Ha'yeii (Bashful), Sit'teer (Shielder). He loves Haya' (Bashfulness) and Sitr (Shielding; Covering)."
The Prophet (pbuh) also said: "Any woman who takes off her clothes in other than her husband's house (to show off for unlawful purposes), has broken Allah's shield upon her. "
The hadith demonstrates that depending upon the kind of action committed there will be either reward (if good) or punishment (if bad).

5. The hijab is Taqwah (Righteousness)
Allah (swt) says in the Qur'an: O children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover yourselves (screen your private parts, etc) and as an adornment. But the raiment of righteousness, that is better.'(S7:26).
The widespread forms of dresses in the world today are mostly for show off and hardly taken as a cover and shield of the woman's body. To the believing women, however the purpose is to safeguard their bodies and cover their private parts as a manifestation of the order of Allah. It is an act of Taqwah (righteousness).

6. The hijab is Eemaan (Belief or Faith)
Allah (swt) did not address His words about the hijab except to the believing women, Al-Mo'minat. In many cases in the Qur'an Allah refers to the "the believing women". Aisha (RA), the wife of the prophet (pbuh), addressed some women from the tribe of Banu Tameem who came to visit her and had light clothes on them, they were improperly dressed:
"If indeed you are believing women, then truly this is not the dress of the believing women, and if you are not believing women, then enjoy it."

7. The hijab is Haya' (Bashfulness)
There are two authentic hadith which state: "Each religion has a morality and the morality of Islam is haya'" AND "Bashfulness is from belief, and belief is in Al-Jannah (paradise)". The hijab fits the natural bashfulness which is a part of the nature of women.

8. The hijab is Gheerah
The hijab fits the natural feeling of Gheerah, which is intrinsic in the straight man who does not like people to look at his wife or daughters. Gheerah is a driving emotion that drives the straight man to safeguard women who are related to him from strangers. The straight MUSLIM man has Gheerah for ALL MUSLIM women In response to lust and desire, men look (with desire) at other women while they do not mind that other men do the same to their wives or daughters. The mixing of sexes and absence of hijab destroys the Gheera in men. Islam considers Gheerah an integral part of faith. The dignity of the wife or daughter or any other Muslim woman must be highly respected and defended.

When the wind blows....

SubhanAllah....so as todays been really windy and much has been happening, I thought i'd share a few ayaahs, hadith thoughts and pictures to serve as a reminder inshaAllah.

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A'Hadith

Narrated 'Aisha: (the wife of the Prophet), I never saw Allah's Apostle laughing loudly enough to enable me to see his uvula, but he used to smile only. And whenever he saw clouds or winds, signs of deep concern would appear on his face. I said, "O Allah's Apostle! When people see clouds they usually feel happy, hoping that it would rain, while I see that when you see clouds, one could notice signs of dissatisfaction on your face." He said, "O 'Aisha! What is the guarantee for me that there will be no punishment in it, since some people were punished with a wind? Verily, some people saw (received) the punishment, but (while seeing the cloud) they said, 'This cloud will give us rain.' "
(Sahih Bukhari)

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "The example of a believer is that of a fresh tender plant; from whatever direction the wind comes, it bends it, but when the wind becomes quiet, it becomes straight again. Similarly, a believer is afflicted with calamities (but he remains patient till Allah removes his difficulties.) And an impious wicked person is like a pine tree which keeps hard and straight till Allah cuts (uproots) it suddenly when He wishes."
(Sahih Bukhari)

Narrated Ata: 'Aisha said If the Prophet saw a cloud In the sky, he would walk to and fro in agitation, go out and come in, and the color of his face would change, and if it rained, he would feel relaxed." So 'Aisha knew that state of his. So the Prophet said, I don't know (am afraid), it may be similar to what happened to some people referred to in the Holy Quran in the following Verse: -- "Then when they saw it as a dense cloud coming towards their valleys, they said, 'This is a cloud bringing us rain!' Nay, but, it is that (torment) which you were asking to be hastened a wind wherein is severe torment." (46.24)

(Sahih Bukhari)

Narrated Abdullah: The Prophet used to recite: 'Is there any that remember? And a furious wind (plucking out men) as if they were uprooted stems of palm trees, then how terrible was My punishment and My warnings!' (54.20-21)

(Sahih Bukhari)

Quran Ayah's on Wind

Is not He (better than your gods) Who guides you in the darkness of the land and the sea, and Who sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, going before His Mercy (rain)? Is there any ilah (god) with Allah? High Exalted be Allah above all that they associate as partners (to Him)!

( سورة النمل , An-Naml, Chapter #27, Verse #63)

So We sent upon them furious wind in days of evil omen (for them) that We might give them a taste of disgracing torment in this present worldly life, but surely the torment of the Hereafter will be more disgracing, and they will never be helped.

( سورة فصلت , Fussilat, Chapter #41, Verse #16)

Then, when they saw it as a dense cloud coming towards their valleys, they said: "This is a cloud bringing us rain!" Nay, but it is that (torment) which you were asking to be hastened! a wind wherein is a painful torment!

( سورة الأحقاف , Al-Ahqaf, Chapter #46, Verse #24)

Or do you feel secure that He, Who is over the heaven (Allah), will not send against you a violent whirlwind? Then you shall know how (terrible) has been My Warning?

( سورة الملك , Al-Mulk, Chapter #67, Verse #17)

Today

Pictures outside my house where a hundred year old tree fell and narrowly missed a car...and of the hole it left as it ripped up the tarmac of the road, and of other disasters within 1 mile of where i live.

So this just got me thinking really....how easily we forget the power of Allah, how we don't really remember the warnings of the final hour....how easily something can be here one minute and gone the next. Yes we all see it on tv, the tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes and worse...but how many of us actually take heed to the fact that nothing happens without the will of Allah.

How many of us remember that we are here now, but may stop breathing within seconds or minutes? And similar to this, we may leave a temporary hole in the dunya, but when the dust covers our bodies and we are buried 6ft under....how is anything we did on the dunya really going to benefit us unless we remember our true purpose now???

Then when you see just a few of the pictures of "damage" to the places we live ....how many of us can REALLY imagine how the dunya will be when the final hour strikes???

Can we even comprehend that scale of catastrophe???

Let this remind you as it has reminded me....so that we can take heed before it really is too late inshaAllah.

ARROGANCE

The Prophet (SAW) said: Whoever has pride in his heart equal to the weight of a mustard seed shall not enter paradise. Someone said ' A person likes to wear beautiful clothes and fine shoes'. he replied 'Allah is beautiful and likes beauty. Pride means rejecting the truth and looking down on other people.
Muslim

The Prophet (SAW) said: Eat, drink, give charity and wear (nice) clothes, (as long as you do so) without arrogance and extravagence. Allah loves that His blessings to be seen on His servant.
Ahmad, Ibn Majah

The Prophet (SAW) said: Indeed, Allah has saved you from the ignorant practices (of the days before Islam) and the bad habits of boasting about ancestors. A person is only a pious believer or a miserable sinner. All people are the children of Adam, and Adam was created from dust.
Ahmad, Abu Dawud

The Prophet (SAW) said: Shall I not tell you who the inhabitants of Hell are? They are the people who are stuck up, arrogant and stubborn.
Bukhari

Brick and the Jaguar

A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something.

As his car passed, no children appeared. Instead a brick smashed into the Jag’s side door! He slammed on the brakes and drove the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been thrown.

The angry driver then jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up against a parked car shouting, “What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing? That’s a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost me a lot of money. Why did you do it?”

The young boy was apologetic. “Please mister. . . . please, I’m sorry.

I didn’t know what else to do. I threw the brick because no one else would stop” With tears dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car. “It’s my brother. He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can’t lift him up.”

Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive “Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He’s hurt and he’s too heavy for me.”

Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the lump in his throat. He lifted the handicapped boy back into the wheelchair, then took out his handkerchief and wiped at the fresh scrapes and cuts. Too shook up for words, the man simply watched the boy push his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward home. It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar.

The damage was very noticeable but the driver never repaired the dented side door. There are many lessons in this story; but he kept the dent to remind him of this message:

Don’t go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention. Everyday we are reminded of the ‘whispers’ of our experiences around us. When our Creator has blessed us with ’sight’; then why do we continue life blindly. Sometimes when we don’t take the time to take heed, A ‘brick’ is thrown at us ; so that we may take lessons therefrom.

Listen to the ‘whisper’…….. or wait for the ‘brick’……