Muslim Youth

Prophet Suleiman was famous for:

o His wisdom and sound judgement

o His wealth and kingdom

o Ability to talk to animals and control jinn

o Ability to control wind

o The incident with the Queen of Sheba

The Prophet Sulaiman (Solomon) was the youngest son of the Prophet Dawud (pbuh). He was born at Jerusalem. The name of his mother was Saba. As he was a talented fellow with versatile gifts, his father made him his heir. After the death of Prophet Dawud (pbuh) he ascended the throne of Judia on account of his wisdom, power of judgement, right understanding and spiritual insight. The Holy Qur’an says:

“And We verilygave knowledge to Dawud and Sulaiman and they said: praise be to Allah Who has preferred us above many of his believing sons“. [27:15]

Prophet Sulaiman’s Wisdom and Sound Judgement

Prophet Sulaiman (pbuh) was gifted with the quality of giving sound decision in complicated cases. Once a dispute arose between two persons. They were present before the Prophet Dawud (pbuh). One of them said: Sir, the sheep of that person have trampled over my crops. They have grazed and caused me a considerable loss. It must be compensated by the owner. The shepherd was very poor. He had nothing except sheep and the damage done to the crops exceeded the price of the sheep. The Prophet Dawud (pbuh) ordered the defaulter to give his sheep to the owner of the land as reparation. Sulaiman, the teen-aged child was listening to the judgement of his father. He, respectfully, spoke out: Dear father, undoubtedly, your decision is correct but it will be handed over to more appropriate if all the sheep are the plaintiff for the utilisation of their milk and wool only. The respondent should be directed to render services to the owner of the field until the condition of the damaged fields restores to the normal position. When it is done, sheep must be given back to the shepherd. The Prophet Dawud (pbuh) appreciated this novel way of awarding justice and the Holy Qur’an speaks very highly of him:

“And Dawud (David) and Sulaiman (Solomon) when they gave judgement concerning the field, when people’s sheep had strayed and browsed therein by night; and We were witnesses to their judgement. And We made Sulaiman to understand (the case); and unto each of them We gave judgement and knowledge.” (21: 78, 79)

Ability to Control Wind

The Prophet Sulaiman (pbuh) inherited many virtues from his illustrious father. He was endowed with special gifts. Wind was made subservient to him and he could easily perform long journey in the twinkling of an eye. The Holy Qur’an affirms:

“And (We made) the wind subservient to Sulaiman whereof the morning course was a month’s journey and thecourse a month’s journey.” (54:12)

“So We subjected the wind to his power, setting fair by his command withersoever he intended” (38:36)

“And unto Sulaiman We subdued the wind in its raging. It flows by his order towards the land which We had blessed And of every thing We are aware.” (21:81)

Ability to Understand the Speech of Animals

The Prophet Sulaiman pbuh) was gifted with the knowledge of understanding the speech of birds, animals and insects. He was also capable to talk to them. The Holy Qur’an testifies to it in the following Verses:

“He (Sulaiman) said: O’ People! We have been taught the language of the birds and have been given (abundance) of all things; this is indeed grace manifest (from Allah).”

Ability to Control Jinn

He was also given the power over Jinns and Devils. He utilized them in his service. They carried out his orders ungrudgingly and were punished when they became refractory The Holy Qur’an affirms:

“And to Solomon (We made) the Wind (obedient): Its early morning (stride) was a month’s (journey), and its evening (stride) was a month’s (journey); and We made a Font of molten brass to flow for him; and therewere Jinns that worked in front of him, by the leave of his Lord, and if any of them turned aside from our command, We made him taste of the Penalty of the Blazing Fire. They worked for him as he desired, (making) arches, images, basons as large as reservoirs, and (cooking) cauldrons fixed (in their places): ‘Work ye, sons of David, with thanks! but few of My servants are grateful!’”(34: 12 – 13)

In another Verse the Holy Qur’an says: “And before Sulaiman were marshalled his hosts–of Jinns, and men and birds and they were all in order and ranks.” (21: 17)“

It is stated that the Jinns were subjugated to the Prophet Sulaiman (pbuh) to help him in the construction of the Holy Temple – Baitul Muqaddas (Masjid Aqsa).

The Incident of the Queen of Saba (Sheba)

The area which now comprises Yemen and is known as Saba was ruled by a queen. It was a prosperous kingdom. The queen enabled its people to attain a high degree of civilisation. One day Hud (servant bird) informed the Prophet Sulaiman (pbuh) of the flourishing kingdom of Saba. It said:

“The ruler of Saba is the queen upon whom, God has bestowed His unlimited favours. Her throne is magnificent. She is depraved. The inhabitants of her kingdom worship the sun and the moon. They do not make obeisance to Allah and refrain from thanking Him Who has created all these objects.“

Sulaiman, the Prophet of Allah and the King wrote a letter and handed over to Hud to be conveyed to the queen of Saba. He warned her not to be arrogant of her power. He advised her to submit to God and abide by His Commandments. The queen read this letter and was much puzzled. As she was a prudent lady, she called her chiefs and sought their counsels. Some proud chiefs suggested to fight tooth and nail against the Prophet Sulaiman (pbuh) whereas the others left the matter for her to decide. The Holy Qur’an says:

”She said: O’ chiefs! Advise me in this affair for I never decide an affair until you are in my presence. They said: We are endowed with strength and ale possessors of mighty powers but the command is thine. Therefore see what you will command.” (27:29-33)

The queen did not like to embroil her country into war because it would cause destruction. She thought of a plan and arranged for precious gifts for the monarch. She planned to germinate cordial relations and pacify her warlike subjects by using this device. But wealth had no value for the Prophet Sulaiman (pbuh). He was annoyed at the delivery of the presents. He returned them with harsh words and said to the messenger:

“I do not hanker after wealth. I, therefore, attach no importance to there Costly gifts. I wish that the queen and his followers should submit to God and follow the true faith. I shall invade your country if the queen does not come to me in submission.”

After some time the King marched with an army and passed through the Valley of Ants on his way to the kingdom of Saba. In the Valley he overheard the conversation among the terrified ants who hurried towards their holes for fear of being crushed under the feet of the marching army. The King was moved to pity and learnt the lesson to protect the life and honour of the humble creatures. He thought that the queen and his people are just like humble ants. They should not be trampled upon and killed to win Fame in the world. An account of this incident is related in the following Verses:

“At length when they came to a valley of ants, one of the ants said: 0′ ants! Get into your holes lest Sulaiman and his hosts crush you without knowing it. Thereupon he smiled at her speech and he said: 0′ my Lord! So order the that I may be grateful for Your favours which You have bestowed upon me and my father and that I may work the righteousness that will please Thee and admit me by Your grace into the ranks of Your righteous servants.” (27: 18, 19)

The King did not proceed further because he did not like the massacre which would result in case of clash between two armies. His aim was to reform the queen and the inhabitants of Saba. He desired to bring them to the right path. He wished to save the depraved people from seduction. When the queen got wind of an expected attack of the Prophet Sulaiman (pbuh) she proceeded towards him to patch up differences. When the King came to know of her departure, he ordered one of the Jinns to bring the magnificent throne of the queen in the twinkling of an eye. The command was obeyed immediately. When the queen arrived at the court of Prophet Sulaiman (pbuh) after a long journey, she was asked to identify her

throne. She recognised the throne and said:

“I am already aware of your power and majesty. I have come to you as your submissive servant.”

The Holy Qur’an states:

“So when she arrived she was asked: Is it your throne? She said: It was just like this and we were given the knowledge before it and we were already submissive and he diverted her from the worship of others besides Allah, for she was Sprung of a people that have no faith.” (7:4L, 43)

The queen was taken to the lofty palace. Its floor was made of slabs of polished glass that deceived the eyes and looked like water. The queen tucked up her shirt to pass through it. She was reminded that that was not water. She then realised that reality did not lay at the surface and it needed eyes to see. According to the Holy Qur’an she said:

“O’ my Lord! I have indeed wronged myself; I do submit with Sulaiman to the Lord of the Worlds.” (27:45)

The queen of Saba felt penitence and accepted the religion of God. The Prophet Sulaiman (pbuh) ruled for thirty years. He died at the age of eighty-nine years. After his death Rohoboam, his son became a king. He led a luxurious life and yielded to pleasure seeking temptations. The people revolted against him and soon the glorious chapter of the reign of Prophet Dawud’s family came to an end.

His Death

Solomon lived amidst glory, and all creatures were subjected to him. Then Allah the Exalted ordained for him to die. His life and death were full of wonders and miracles; thus, his death harmonized with his life and glory. His death, like his life, was unique. The people had to learn that the future is known neither by the jinns nor by the prophets, but by Allah alone. Solomon’s effort in this direction did not end with his life, for even his death became an example. He was sitting holding his staff, overseeing the jinns at work in a mine. He died sitting in this position. For a long time no one was aware of his death, for he was seen sitting erect. The jinns continued with their strife and toil, thinking that Solomon was watching over them. Many days later, a hungry ant began nibbling Solomon’s staff. It continued to do so, eating the lower part of the staff, until it fell out of Solomon’s hand, and his great body fell to the ground. People hurried to him, realizing that he had died a long time ago and that the jinns did not perceive the unseen, for had

the jinns known the unseen, they would not have kept working, thinking that Solomon was alive. Allah the Exalted revealed:

“And We caused a fount of (molten) brass to flow for him, and there were jinns that worked in front of him by the Leave of his Lord, and whosoever of them turned aside from OurCommand, We shall cause him to taste of the torment of the blazing Fire. They worked for him what he desired, (making) high rooms, images, basins as large as reservoirs, and (making) cauldrons fixed (in their places). ‘Work you, 0 family of David, with thanks!” But few of My slaves are grateful. Then when we decreed death for him (Solomon), nothing informed them (jinns) of his death except a little worm of the earth, which kept (slowly) gnawing a way at his stick, so when he fell down, the jinns saw clearly that if they had known the unseen, they would not have stayed in the humiliating torment.”

(34: 12-14)

This is a story of a seeker of Truth, the story of Salman the Persian, which begins with his own words:

“I grew up in the town of Isfahan in Persia (now Iran) in the village of Jayyan. My father was chief of the village. He was the richest person there and had the biggest house.

Since I was a child my father loved me, more than he loved any other. As time went by his love for me became so strong and overpowering that he feared to lose me or have anything happen to me. So he kept me at home, a prisoner, in the same way that young girls were kept.

I became devoted to the Magian (or Zoroastrian – fire worshipers) religion so much so that I attained the position of custodian of the fire which we worshipped. My duty was to see that the flames of the fire remained burning and that it did not go out for a single hour, day or night.

My father had a vast estate which yielded an abundant supply of crops. He himself looked after the estate and the harvest. One day he was very busy with his duties as Chief in the village and he said to me:

“My son, as you see, I am too busy to go out to the estate now. Go and look after matters there for me today.”

On my way to the estate, I passed a Christian church and the voices at prayer attracted my attention. I did not know anything about Christianity or about the followers of any other religion throughout the time my father kept me in the house away from people. When I heard the voices of the Christians I entered the church to see what they were doing. I was impressed by their manner of praying and felt drawn to their religion. “By God,” I said, “this is better than ours. I shall not leave them until the sun sets.”

I asked and was told that the Christian religion originated in Ash-Sham (Greater Syria). I did not go to my father’s estate that day and at night, I returned home. My father met me and asked what I had done. I told him about my meeting with the Christians and how I was impressed by their religion. He was dismayed and said:

“My son, there is nothing good in that religion. Your religion and the religion of your forefathers is better.”

“No, their religion is better than ours,” I insisted.

My father became upset and afraid that I would leave our religion. So he kept me locked up in the house and put a chain on my feet. I managed however to send a message to the Christians asking them to inform me of any caravan going to Syria. Before long they got in touch with me and told me that a caravan was headed for Syria. I managed to realease myself and in disguise accompanied the caravan to Syria. There, I asked who was the leading person in the Christian religion and was directed to the bishop of the church. I went up to him and said:

“I want to become a Christian and would like to attach myself to your service, learn from you and pray with you.”

The bishop agreed and I entered the church in his service. I soon found out, however, that the man was corrupt. He would order his followers to give money in charity while holding out the promise of blessings to them. When they gave anything to spend in the way of God, however, he would keep it for himself and not give anything to the poor or needy. In this way he collected a huge quantity of gold. When the bishop died and the Christians gathered to bury him, I told them of his corrupt practices and, at their request, showed them where he kept their donations. When they saw the large jars filled with gold and silver they said.

“By God, we shall not bury him.” They nailed him on a cross and threw stones at him. I continued to serve of the person who replaced him. The new bishop was an ascetic (trying to get close to God) who longed for the Hereafter and engaged in worship day and night. I was greatly devoted to him and spent a long time in his company. “

(After his death, Salman attached himself to various Christian religious figures, in Mosul, Nisibis and elsewhere. The last one had told him about the appearance of a Prophet in the land of the Arabs who would have a reputation for strict honesty, one who would accept a gift but would never consume charity (sadaqah) for himself. Salman continues his story.)

“A group of Arab leaders from the Kalb tribe passed through Ammuriyah (West Bank in Palestine) and I asked them to take me with them to the land of the Arabs in return for whatever money I had. They agreed and I paid them. When we reached Wadi al-Qura (a place between Madinah and Syria), they broke their agreement and sold me to a Jew. I worked as a servant for him but eventually he sold me to a nephew of his belonging to the tribe of Banu Qurayzah. This nephew took me with him to Yathrib (Madina), the city of palm groves, which is how the Christian at Ammuriyah had described it.

At that time the Prophet was inviting his people in Makkah to Islam but I did not hear anything about him then because of the harsh duties which slavery imposed upon me.

When the Prophet reached Yathrib (Madina) after his hijrah (migration) from Makkah, I was in fact at the top of a palm tree belonging to my master doing some work. My master was sitting under the tree. A nephew of his came up and said:

“May God declare war on the Aws and the Khazraj (the two main Arab tribes of Yathrib). By God, they are now gathering at Quba to meet a man who has today come from Makkah and who claims he is a Prophet.”

I felt hot flushes as soon as I heard these words and I began to shiver so violently that I was afraid that I might fall on my master. I quickly got down from the tree and spoke to my master’s nephew.

“What did you say? Repeat the news for me.”

My master was very angry and gave me a terrible blow. “What does this matter to you’? Go back to what you were doing,” he shouted.

That evening, I took some dates that I had gathered and went to the place where the Prophet had alighted. I went up to him and said:

“I have heard that you are a righteous man and that you have companions with you who are strangers and are in need. Here is something from me as sadaqah. I see that you are more deserving of it than others.”

The Prophet ordered his companions to eat but he himself did not eat of it. I gathered some more dates and when the Prophet left Quba for Madinah I went to him and said: “I noticed that you did not eat of the sadaqah I gave. This however is a gift for you.” Of this gift of dates, both he and his companions ate.

The strict honesty of the Prophet was one of the characteristics that led Salman to believe in him and accept Islam.

Salman was released from slavery by the Prophet who paid his Jewish slave-owner a stipulated price and who himself planted an agreed number of date palms to secure his freedom. After accepting Islam, Salman would say when asked whose son he was:

“I am Salman, the son of Islam from the children of Adam.”

Salman was to play an important role in the struggles of the growing Muslim state. At the battle of Khandaq, he proved to be an innovator in military strategy. He suggested digging a ditch or khandaq around Madinah to keep the Quraysh army at bay. When Abu Sufyan, the leader of the Makkans, saw the ditch, he said, “This stratagem has not been employed by the Arabs before.”

Salman became known as “Salman the Good”. He was a scholar who lived a rough and ascetic life. He had one cloak which he wore and on which he slept. He would not seek the shelter of a roof but stayed under a tree or against a wall. A man once said to him:

“Shall I not build you a house in which to live?” “I have no need of a house,” he replied. The man persisted and said, “I know the type of house that would suit you.” “Describe it to me,” said Salman. “I shall build you a house which if you stand up in it, its roof will hurt your head and if you stretch your legs the wall will hurt them.”

Later, as a governor of al-Madain (Ctesiphon) near Baghdad, Salman received a salary of five thousand dirhams. This he would distribute as sadaqah. He lived from the work of his own hands. When some people came to Madain and saw him working in the palm groves, they said, “You are the Amir here and your sustenance is guaranteed and you do this work!”

“I like to eat from the work of my own hands,” he replied. Salman however was not extreme in his asceticism. It is related that he once visited Abu ad-Dardaa with whom the Prophet had joined him in brotherhood. He found Abu ad-Dardaa’s wife in a miserable state and he asked, “What is the matter with you.”

“Your brother has no need of anything in this world,” she replied.

When Abu ad-Dardaa came, he welcomed Salman and gave him food. Salman told him to eat but Abu ad-Dardaa said, “I am fasting.”

“I swear to you that I shall not eat until you eat also.”

Salman spent the night there as well. During the night, Abu ad-Dardaa got up but Salman got hold of him and said:

“O Abu ad-Dardaa, your Lord has a right over you. Your family has a right over you and your body has a right over you. Give to each its due.”

In the morning, they prayed together and then went out to meet the Prophet, peace be upon him. The Prophet supported Salman in what he had said.

As a scholar, Salman was noted for his vast knowledge and wisdom. Ali said of him that he was like Luqman the Wise. And Kab al-Ahbar said: “Salman is full with knowledge and wisdom–an ocean that does not dry up.” Salman had a knowledge of both the Christian scriptures and the Quran in addition to his earlier knowledge of the Zoroastrian religion. Salman in fact translated parts of the Quran into Persian during the life-time of the Prophet. He was thus the first person to translate the Quran into a foreign language.

Salman, because of the influential household in which he grew up, might easily have been a major figure in the sprawling Persian Empire of his time. His search for truth however led him, even before the Prophet had appeared, to renounce a comfortable and rich life and even to suffer the indignities of slavery. According to the most reliable account, he died in the year thirty five after the hijrah, during the caliphate of Uthman, at Ctesiphon (near Iraq).

Mus`ab ibn `Umayr (may Allah be pleased with him) stands the test of time when it comes to a companion’s life from whom this generation and those to come can derive valuable lessons. Of course, every companion of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) had unique qualities and characteristics, but in terms of youth who went from the lap of luxury to a righteous and humble existence, no one else’s story of transformation can compare to that of Mus`ab ibn `Umayr.

If There Was a Popularity Contest

Before he entered Islam, Mus`ab was truly the hippest, coolest, most handsome young man in all of Makkah. Preoccupied with his worldly existence, Mus`ab made full use of the family wealth at his disposal for the latest in perfumes, clothing and shoes.

Given the time period and location we are referring to, sometime in early 7^th century Arabia, it is remarkable that a young man exerted so much energy in being down with the latest trends. If there was a popularity contest in Makkah, Mus`ab would be the winner without a doubt.

Coming Down to Earth, and Staying There

Mus`ab was living a luxurious lifestyle, as he had everything one could ever dream of. He was living for the moment, like many of us during our teenage years. His parents, especially his mother, Khunas bint Malik, were bankrolling his exuberant lifestyle until one day the talk of the town grew louder and louder about a man named Muhammad who claimed to be a prophet.

Of course the Makkans had known about Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) as he was the grandson of Abdul Muttalib, a powerful and renowned leader among the Quraysh but now, there was much talk because it seemed that Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was challenging the idol worship and other longstanding traditions of Makkan society.

Mus`ab was young but wise, living in luxury but not entirely blind to the fact that something about Muhammad’s (peace and blessings be upon him) message was attracting the other youth and even older Makkans.

He knew well that his mother was the symbol of tradition; a woman who would scarcely tolerate her son’s ears being filled with messages that would threaten the very cornerstones of Makkan society. Convinced that he should at least allow himself to witness first hand the preacher and his message, Mus`ab went and joined the gathering of Makkans at Dar Al-Arqam, and in doing so, he came down to earth from his high-flying existence, and ended up staying there.

Making the Most of the Moment

Often times, we come face to face with reality, with the inner knowledge that the life we are living is not fulfilling, that there is so much more we could be learning and doing. Yet something keeps us from taking the first step towards lasting change. What keeps us from taking that first step? Why do we end up falling back into our routines, and sometimes even off the straight path?

Think about the choice Mus`ab ibn `Umayr had to make. There he was enjoying a lifestyle free of worries, anxiety and grief – never one to worry about fitting in, because everyone else in society was clamoring to be just like him. Then, he found himself listening to the message being revealed to our beloved Prophet Muhammad  (peace and blessings be upon him); verses enjoining upon the Quraysh and ultimately all humanity, to treat the orphans with love and care and to feed the needy. He was confronted with a message enjoining upon those who chose to believe, a life of purity, simplicity, humility, and most of all, moderation and mercy.

The choice to follow Prophet Muhammad ( peace and blessings be upon him) was not going to be an easy one for Mus`ab, nor was it going to be without consequence. His mother, Khunas bint Malik, saw that her teenage son was rebelling, going through a phase, and needed to be taught a lesson.

For Mus`ab, this was neither a phase nor a temporary shift in lifestyle, since his heart had inclined towards Almighty Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), and if anything, he was rebelling against the ignorance that was rampant in Arabian society, not against his love for his parents. Unlike many of us for whom a learning and critical moment passes, for Mus`ab, the moment did not pass because he made the most of it and committed his life to Islam at such a young age.

Major Milestones in Life: What Goals Have You Set?

So much happens in life, and of course all of it is according to Almighty Allah’s plan but quite often we do not spend enough time to set goals and develop our own plans. Volumes could be written about the life of Mus`ab ibn `Umayr and how he went from riches to rags, literally.

Although this brief essay cannot do justice to the full life he lived, we can highlight the major milestones and hope to carve out the essence of what it meant to have transformed one’s life and devoted it to seeking the pleasure of Allah the Almighty.

A person’s relationship with his parents in its ideal state reflects an unbreakable bond of love. After accepting Islam, the next milestone in his life came in the form of having to break that bond of love and nurturing because Mus`ab’s mother became his more severe opponent when he accepted Islam and cut him off from her motherly love as well as access to his parents’ wealth.

Shackled, imprisoned, and isolated from society by his mother, Mus`ab could have lost his mind and become irreverent towards his parents. However, the message of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) helped him to never abuse or mistreat his parents in anyway. He persevered and his opening came in the form of permission from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to join other new converts as they sought refuge in Abyssinia or present day Ethiopia.

Two other noteworthy milestones in his life are his being chosen by Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) as the first envoy to the people of Yathrib (later known as Al-Madinah) and his valiant and fatal participation in the Battle of Uhud.

Sometimes young people underestimate their own abilities and even worse, the elders in the community sometimes overlook the tremendous potentials that young people have to serve their community.

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), at whose hands Mus`ab became Muslim, knew this young man well and watched him grow into his Islamic personality and character. As word of the new Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his message spread throughout Arabia, interactions with the tribes of Yathrib increased, and a handful from among them came to Makkah and accepted Islam.

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was now confronted with the challenge of choosing an envoy from among his companions to represent him and present the message of Islam to the other tribes of Yathrib.

Despite the existence of older companions from among those from whom he could choose, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) chose Mus`ab for what can be argued as the toughest assignment a young man could have accepted. History records thatMus`ab not only met with tremendous success in using his knowledge and wisdom to win the hearts and minds of the tribes of Yathrib, but that he did so while he was still a very young man.

Finally, Mus`ab’s participation in the Battle of Uhud serves as an example of a young man who had achieved the height of belief in Almighty Allah and in striving with one’s life to serve and please Him.

In reflecting upon his life, we must pause to ask ourselves about the status of our own relationship with Almighty Allah. Where are we in terms of learning about and putting into practice our responsibilities, our duties to Allah the Almighty.

During the Battle of Uhud, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) once again honoredMus`ab with the assignment to carry the standard, or the main banner representing the Muslim army. As the readers are aware, it was during the Battle of Uhud that a portion of the Muslim forces disobeyed the Prophet’s orders and ultimately left not only the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) but much of the remaining Muslim force, vulnerable to injury and ultimately defeat.

Mus`ab fell to his death after attempting bravely and persistently to distract the forces from aiming to hurt the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). In doing so, he bore the brunt of the enemy’s attacks until he lost both his arms and was struck in his body with a spear.

Finding him dead on the battleground caused our beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to weep. It is reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), referring to the sacrifices of Mus`ab, recited from the Qur’an, (Among the believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allah.) (Al-Ahzab, 33: 23)

Final Thoughts

Even in his burial, we find valuable insights into the life of Mus`ab ibn `Umayr. After his death on the battlefield, along with the other companions who had sacrificed their lives during the Battle of Uhud, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) arranged for their funeral prayers and burial.

It is reported that the cloth to be used to shroud the body of Mus`ab was not even sufficient to cover his entire body. A young man who once wore the best clothes imported from the most exotic lands was now in a most humbling position having sacrificed his life in defense of Islam and of the life of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).

We all need to pause and reflect upon our current state of faith and ask: What condition will I be in when I meet my Lord? The life of Mus`ab ibn `Umayr has tremendous value for all of us to reflect upon and attempt to emulate.

“You are the best of nations raised up for mankind because you enjoin what is right and forbid the wrong, and you believe in Allah.” [TMQ Ale-Imran: 110]

- Allah (swt) in this noble verse, advises us that we are the best nation raised up from mankind. However greatness above humanity is conditional! Enjoin right – forbid evil – and believe in Allah in all senses of the term!

- But, if human beings stray from Allah’s guidance, that of the quran & sunnah, then can we still claim to be the best?

- Allah says: “We have indeed created man in the best of forms, Then do We reduced him (to be) the lowest of the low, Except those who believe and do righteous deeds: For they shall have a reward unfailing.” [95: 4 - 6]

- EXCEPT! Those who believe and do righteous deeds.

- When many people look to the reality of some Muslims today, and in particular the Muslim youth living in the West, they may be inclined to ask ‘how can these people be the best people raised from mankind?’

When they see some of the Muslim youth involved in gang culture or the drug culture, or they plastered over the news for their involvement in crime (assult, theft, etc) they can’t see any difference between them and the non-Muslim youth in society.

** So what is important form my talk today is that we need to look to how the Muslim youth of the past used to be leaders, not followers of the Kuffar as some of the youth have become today, and understand how the Muslim youth today still have the potential to be the leaders of mankind again. **

- It is interesting to see though, that some of the Muslim youth today have lost touch with their roots. Some have lost touch with Islam itself and others with important aspects of it, like the Islamic history and it’s sciences.

Unfortunately they know more about Western personalities, and take them as role models to follow, than they know about the greatest people in history, the Sahabah of the Messenger of Allah, and our other great predecessors.

- The prophet used to supplicate constantly to His Creator “Oh Allah, I seek refuge in you from the knowledge of no (Islamic) benefit”

Now let us see how much we know about the following people:

- In contrast, who can name the 3 stars, the true warriors, of the battle of Badr? (Ali, Hamza & Obeidah Al Harith - all from the clan of the Prophet)

- Who can name at least 4 wives of the rasool? . 1. Khadijah bint Khuwaylid 2. Sawda bint Zam’a 3. A’isha bint Abu Bakr 4.Hafsa bint ‘Umar 5. Zaynab bint Khuzayma 6.Umm Salama Hind bint Abi Umayya 7. Zaynab bint Jahsh 8.Juwayriya bint al-Harith 9. Umm Habiba Ramla bint Abi Sufyan 10. Safiyya bint Huyayy 11. Maymuna bint al-Harith 12. Maria al-Qibtiyya

- what was one thing Mus’ab ibn ‘Umayr is famous for? How did he die? (tied up by strong mum, left worldly riches, was sent to teach Islam to Yathrib/Medina which became the first Islamic state, died in Uhud carrying flag and fighting)

So you can see how the Muslim youth living in Western societies learn how to think and act in a way alien to Islam as they are continuously bombarded with Western culture via the television, school and society at large. Many of the youth glorify gangsters, pop stars, actors, sports personalities and even fictional characters (harry potter, batman, Homer Simpson!)

Through this bombardment, our youth are pushed to display kibr/pride and arrogance, use foul language, thinking its cool to take drugs, or having boyfriend/girlfriend relationships. And that these haram relationships are stronger or more meaningful than that other brotherhood or blood ties.

- It is essential that Muslim youth need to look up to the right people and must have the right role models. The youth should be acquainted with the Muslims of the past who used to be the leaders of humanity. There are many examples from young Muslims of the past to look to. In fact most of the early converts to Islam were young – most of them were under 30 years of age.

The prophet (saw) said “I was given victory at the hands of the youth”

So let me give you some small examples of what the Muslim Youth are capable of!

‘ALI IBN ABU TALIB

One of the earliest converts to Islam. Converted at 8yrs. What do we do at age of 8? WWE, Pokemon, computer games, latest Disney movie? Contrast this to the example of ‘Ali .

‘Ali embraced Islam even though his father, Abu Talib remained a non-Muslim. When he was asked, “Aren’t you going to ask the permission of your father to embrace Islam”, he answered confidently, “Allah didn’t ask the permission of my father when he created me, so why do I need my father’s permission to worship him?”

He stuck at the side of the Messenger of Allah in the early days of the da’wah in Makkah, even when the numbers of Muslims were few and the society was hostile. He was a man of courage, even at a young age. In one incident there was a gathering of about forty leaders of the Quraish – these were the most notable people in the society, similar to the most prominent politicians and celebrities of today. In this gathering the Messenger of Allah invited them to Islam, but they rejected his message. In this gathering ‘Ali stood up and looked at all of them in the face and said, “I believe in him and I stand behind him”.

Imam Ali went on to become one of the greatest of the Sahabah, he was known as the one of the most knowledgeable. He also became the fourth Khaleefah of the Muslims who ruled the people with Islam and carried Islam to the world.

‘ABDULLAH IBN MASOUD

Those ‘Wanna be Gangsers’ who drive around in lowered cars blasting out shaytan’s music who think that they are ‘legends’ should look to the example of ‘Abdullah ibn Masoud to see true bravery. ‘Abdullah embraced Islam when he was only 14 years of age.. He was also known as Ibn Ummul Abd.

The companions of the Messenger of Allah were together one day in Makkah. They were still few in number and oppressed. They said, “The Quraish have not yet heard the Qur’an being recited openly and loudly. Who is the man who could recite it for them?’ “I shall recite it to them,” volunteered ‘Abdullah ibn Masoud.

“We are afraid for you,” they said. “We only want someone who has a clan who would protect him from their evil.” “Let me,” ‘Abdullah ibn Masoud insisted, “Allah shall protect me and keep me away from their evil.” He then went out to the mosque until he reached Maqam Ibrahim (a few meters from the Ka’ba). It was dawn and the Quraish were sitting around the Ka’ba. ‘Abdullah stopped at the Maqam and began to recite,

“In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Ar-Rahman (The Most Merciful). He has taught the Qur’an. He has created man and taught him the clear speech. The sun and the moon run on their fixed courses calculated with measured out stages for each…” [TMQ Al-Rahman: 1-5] He went on reciting. The Quraish looked at him and some of them said, “What is Ibn Umm Abd saying? Damn him! He is reciting some of what Muhammad brought!” They went up to him and began beating his face as he continued reciting. When he went back to his companions the blood was flowing from his face. “This is what we feared for you,” they said. “By Allah,” replied ‘Abdullah, “the enemies of Allah are not more comfortable than I at this moment. If you wish I shall go out tomorrow and do the same.” “You have done enough,” they said. “You have made them hear what they dislike.”

‘Abdullah ibn Masoud went on to become one of the best in reciting the Qur’an of whom the Messenger of Allah said,

“Whoever wants to read the Qur’an as fresh as when it was revealed, then let him read according to the recitation of Ibn Umm Abd.” He also became one of the most knowledgeable in the Qur’an and strove to gain the knowledge of Islam.

OTHER EXAMPLES

There are many other examples from the Sahabah of youth, men and women, who were leaders for Islam. Mus’ab ibn ‘Umayr was only 24 years old and was sent by the Messenger of Allah to Madinah to spread Islam, ‘A’isha the wife of the Messenger of Allah , Asma bint Abu Bakr, al-Zubayr ibn Awwam who was only 12 when he embraced Islam, Sa’d ibn Abi-Waqqas who was 17, ‘Usamah ibn Zaid who was only 17 when he led the senior Sahabah like Abu Bakr and ‘Umar as the Amir of an army of Jihad, and Ja’far ibn Abi Talib who at the age of 20 was able to stand in the court of king Negus of Abyssinia and eloquently represent and defend the Muslims.

However we should realise that the great personalities from amongst the youth continued even after the time of the Sahabah. Imam Shafi’i, one of the greatest scholars of this Ummah, memorised the Qur’an when he was 7, and was a mujtahid, a scholar, with the ability to derive solutions from the Qur’an and the Sunnah at the age of 14. Today it is difficult for people to imagine going to a 14 year old to ask him about Islamic law. Tariq ibn Ziyad conqueror of Spain and Muhammad al-Fateh, the conqueror of Constantinople (modern day Istanbul) were young men. There are many other examples of Muslim youth who stood up for Islam and achieved great things for the sake of Allah . The important thing to bear in mind is that in the past under the rule of Islam this was the norm for the youth.

So are we leaders or gangs, or leaders of humanity??

“O Prophet! Truly We have sent you as a Witness, a Bearer of Glad Tidings, and Warner,- 46. And as one who invites to Allah.s (grace) by His leave, and as a lamp spreading light.” [Al-Ahzaab: 45]

After the death of the prophet, this trust of Islam and Islamic Dawah rests on our shoulders. And we will all be accountable on the Day of Judgement for each trust Allah endowed us with.

But do we truly have faith in Islam, and trust in Allah’s promise of victory? It is very easy to give this idea lip service, however when it requires to be put in action, by learning your Deen, carrying your Deen, accounting those fighting to corrupt both your Deen and your brothers/sisters, and attack Allah & His Prophet, what would you do?

Will you stand up courageously like ‘Abdullah ibn Masood regardless of consequence, seeking only Allah’s pleasure??

Will you learn your Deen with earnest like Zaid bin Thabit?

Will you carry the call of Islam wherever and whenever you are like Mus’ab bin Umayr?

Will you become like the one of the most pious, chaste, most knowledgable in Islam – Aisha Bin Abi Bakr?

Be careful of following non-Muslims! as the prophet said “you will follow them span by span, inch by inch, so much so that even if they went into a lizards hole, you would follow them!” They asked “Oh Rasool Allah, do you mean the jews and Christians?” and he said “who else!”

The prophet also said “Whoever imitates a people is from them.” [Ahmad]

Many youth mix freely with the opposite sex and fall into fornication and unlawful relationships. This promiscuous ‘ideal’ is peddled by the kuffar on every TV show, movie, magazine, newspaper, billboard etc as being the ultimate expression of youth and sexual freedoms.

The prophet said “If you guarantee me six things on your part I shall guarantee you Paradise. Speak the truth when you talk, keep a promise when you make it, when you are trusted with something fulfil your trust, avoid sexual immorality, lower your eyes (from haram gazes), and restrain your hands from injustice.” [Ahmad and Baihaqi in Shu’ab al-Iman]

Furthermore, the Messenger of Allah said,

“No one of has real Iman (belief) until his desires conform to what I came with.”

In another hadith :

“The clever one is he who disciplined himself and worked for what is after death, and the feeble one is he who followed his desires, then made (vain) prayers to Allah.”

So Insha Allah, I trust that we all want to be leaders of Humanity, not of the gatherings of Shaytaan!

To do this, we must:

- Reset our priorities and re-orientate our approach to life: Islamic appraoch (live and die for Allah, follow example of Messenger) v Western approach (live and die for worldly enjoyment. Priority should be Islam first. We revolve our lives around islam, not fit islam into our lives!

- Following the messenger in the complete and comprehensive sense, as examples in first talk showed

“Verily in the prophet you have the best of examples” “whatever the prophet gave you ..”

- This means praying, fasting, zakat etc, AND also working for Islam and change like the Prophet and his Companions in Makkah: challenging ideas, being brave, sacrificing time and effort in this cause.

- Understand that Youth can play a greater role because of their energy and enthusiasm. Whilst we are young we have the potential to follow Islam by advancing our understanding and carrying Islam to others. Youth doesn’t last forever so we must make good use of it before it is gone. We have to ensure that we follow the footsteps of the great Muslim youth of the past who used to be leaders of humanity. Remember the words of the Messenger of Allah who said,

Hence the Prophet (saw) said,

“Value five things before five other things: Life before death, health before sickness, free time before becoming too busy, Youth before old age; and wealth before poverty” [Tirmidhi]

- Of course changing the world is a huge task, and currently the Muslim World is in a bad situation but the revival is already under way. Our obligation from Allah is to join this revival and together the Ummah can do it. So the youth must rise to the challenge.

YES this is a big task, and required effort and sacrifice, but no one said Jannah was cheap. Last week we all become reminded of true sacrifice means with Eid al-Adha, and how Allah (swt) rewards those who believe, do righteous deeds, respond to Allah’s commands, and bear what comes to them with patience and constancy.

- we can either look to our situation and get depressed or be confident about the promise of Allah and set our own agenda for change in line with the Qur’an and Sunnah.

The choice is obvious and the rewards are great.

The influence of Western thought on the minds of many Muslims considerably changed their viewpoint on several issues regarding their way of life. Western philosophy and institutions have become exemplary to many Muslims. The definition and the subsequent role of politics has been and continues to be understood by many Muslims within the framework of the European theory and practice. Muslim scholars, in an effort to confront the corruption of thought among the Muslims declared that politics is evil and should not become a field of work for true believers. However by doing so, they acknowledged the Western outlook towards politics thereby falling victim to the idea of secularism. This meant that Muslims should not resort to politics because religion had no place for it. This lead to a large number of devout Muslims preaching Islam in a manner that was meaningful only to the individual as his private affair. The resulting isolation became an obstacle for many Muslims to actively participate in changing the society according to the precepts of Islam. Indeed many among them failed to realize, if at all, there was a need for change. It is our intention to present a general view towards politics, its role and institutions according to the Islamic Shariah Furthermore to clarify many misconceptions within the realm of political activity, we have chosen a comparative approach, bringing forth the western view point towards politics as well.

Definition

The word “siyasah” can be understood to mean politics. Siyasah is a derivative of the root “sasa” which literally means taking care of. The Arabic word “sa’is” is another derivative of the same root, and refers to one who takes care of the animals. So “siyasah” refers to taking care of the affairs of a nation. By this token the shara’i definition of siyasah is ‘taking care of the affairs of a nation according to Islam’. This view is supported by the saying of

Prophet Muhammad (SAAW),” The one who does not care about the affairs of the Muslims is not a Muslim” (Muslim).

It is worth noting at this point that the concept of politics in the west is considerably different, as summarized by Machivelli (An Italian theorist), who is considered to be a founder of modern political theory in the west. He said of politics that “it is the art practiced by the powerful to exploit the weak”. He further argues that a good politician should not be concerned with morality, but should aim to achieve his goals in a calculated and subtle manner.

A Brief Comparison

While capitalism permits and encourages interest group politics under the garb of a just and fair democratic process, Islam strictly subjects a politician to the laws of Allah (swt). There is a striking contrast between the above two definitions regarding politics. In Islam politics is subjected to the laws of Allah (SWT) and political aims are formulated on the basis of the Sharia. Politics in Islam is not directed by self interest as suggested by Machivelli. The authority exercised by rulers is not derived through a powerful elite to secure their interests as practiced in the west. In Islam political activity is accompanied by responsibility as well as accountability. Hence politics in Islam is not an art of deception aimed to assure the survival of the fittest. Contrary to this is the politics practiced in the west and the rest of the world, where accusations and convenient propaganda are the tools employed to win political battles. Such politics breeds on corrupt men who exercise their power for selfish gains. However the contemporary politics, both on national and international levels, should not come as a surprise to us, simply because the goals and the means to achieve them stem out of capitalism and are preserved by its “democratic” institutions. Capitalism has profoundly affected the politics of the West. It considers the ‘good’ of the society as a variable, that relies almost wholly on what benefits the corporation. In reality, politics in the West literally adheres to the description Machivelli alluded to.

Politics…A Dilemma

Although politics involves tact, foresight and skillful planning it nevertheless flows within an ideological framework. While capitalism permits and encourages interest group politics under the garb of a just and fair democratic process, Islam strictly subjects a politician to the laws of Allah (SWT). It was the political practice of the west that forced some Muslim scholars to declare that politics was not part of Islam and was a source of corruption. After witnessing that, the precedent laid by the west became a source of inspiration as well as a standard practice among the Muslims, these scholars resorted to political isolation instead of confronting the situation boldly. Consequently one factor, among others, for the failure of Islamic movements in certain parts of the Muslim world, was the quick acceptance by many Muslims of a secular leadership. With this attitude towards politics, it became harder for many Muslims to understand Islam in its sociopolitical context. Politics and political parties are still considered to be secular in nature by many Muslims. Not realizing the far reaching implications of political function, and more importantly its absolute necessity in changing the society, many Muslims have chosen to present Islam as a belief that influences individual practice only.

Unfortunately many among us fail to realize that it is the duty of this Ummah to be continually involved with politics and only by doing so will we change our condition. We will now briefly mention what major political functions Muslims are required to engage in. Major Political Functions

Allah (SWT) says: “And rule among them by that which Allah has revealed to you, and do not follow their vain desires…” (Surah Maidah:48).

This clearly commands Prophet Muhammad (SAAW) to rule among people by Islam, hence it is also an order for all Muslims to establish the rule of Allah (SWT). Ruling is a political function and cannot be ignored because the Ayah makes it an obligation. This perhaps is the most significant political function that the Ummah is entrusted with. Khilafah is the institution that is responsible to carry out the obligation of implementing Islam and carrying it to the rest of mankind.

Allah (SWT) orders by saying “Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good , enjoining what is right , and forbidding what is wrong: they are the ones to attain felicity”.(Surah Al Imran:114)

This requires us to form a party which invites to Islam and forbids what is wrong. Enjoining what is good requires that this group carry Islam in its totality and forbidding wrong includes checking on the implementation of Islam in all aspects. Hence inside the Islamic State Muslims, individuals as well as groups, are required to be active in politics as well. However under the present circumstances this party should engage in a political and intellectual struggle to establish the authority of Islam in the society. Establishment of Islam on a society is incumbent upon all Muslims due to the various commands of Allah (swt) that order us to rule by Islam. This objective should become our top-most priority, because only then can we accomplish the most significant political function mentioned in the preceding paragraph, i.e., ruling by Islam. Political struggle does not imply participating in a Kufr system nor does it require compromising on the principles of Islam on the grounds of expediency. Political struggle requires that the rulers, who implement Kufr and safeguard the interests of the Kuffar, be confronted without reluctance. It also necessitates that the Da’awah of Islam be given to those who either hold some sort of power or influence in the society as well as the general Muslim population.

The Meaning of Tawakkul

Placing ones trust in only the Creator is called tawakkul.

The meaning of tawakkul is expressed by the term taukeel, which means to make or appoint a representative, wakeel or agent. When one lacks the understanding and ability for something then another is appointed to execute the task. Such appointment of an agent to act on one’s behalf is the meaning of taukeel. Tawakkul then is to act in accordance with Allah’s Scheme i.e. to adopt the principles and laws of the Shari’at, and to resign one’s self unto Him. In every act or task, the means required for the task will be employed within the confines of the Shari’at and one’s trust & reliance will be placed in Allah Ta’ala.

Allah Ta’ala says:

“Upon Allah should the Believers have Tawakkul (trust).” [al-Imran:122]

Rasulullah Sallallahu alayhi wasallam said:

“When you ask, ask of Allah and when you seek aid, seek from Allah .”

How to Attain Tawakkul

To attain tawakkul we need to have a clear understanding of Tawheed in Allah (swt). Tawheed in Allah Ta’ala means: Besides Allah there is no object of worship; He is Incomparable; He has no partner; All sovereignty belongs to Him; All praise and glory belongs to Him; He has power over all things. This conception of Tawheed acknowledges that Allah Ta’ala possesses such perfect power and wisdom which make Him worthy of all praise and glory. Sincere and honest belief in this conception of Tawheed grounds true Imaan in the heart. The effect of Imaan grounding itself in the heart is Tawakkul. The condition essential for achieving this tawakkul is sincere acknowledgment of the kalima of “La Illaha illa Allah, Muhamed Rasool Allah”. The meaning of sincere acknowledgment is that this Tawheed fills the heart so much that there remains no room in one’s heart to entertain any other concept. When one acknowledges this understanding along with understanding the bounties of our lord, for having 100% tawakkul in Him, then it become easy for one to resign himself to Allah Ta’ala.

Allah Ta’ala says;

“Whoever relies on Allah (has Tawakkul), He is sufficient for him”. [At-Talaaq 65:3]

And Allah Ta’ala says;

“Indeed, there is no authority for him (Shaytaan) over those who believe and rely upon their Lord (have Tawakkul)”. [An-Nahl 16:99]

How to Have the Right Kind of Tawakkul

We should not make the mistake that others have made in thinking that if we have tawakkul in Allah Ta’ala then one should abstain from the material things which Allah Ta’ala has also created and made subservient to man. Shunning the legitimate use of the material means and agencies for legitimate purposes and needs is not lawful according to the Shariah. True Tawakkul can only have effect after one exercises great effort it what ever it may be that he expects Allah ta’ala to help him with.

Umar Bin Kattaab heard the Messenger of Allah (SAW) saying;

“If you trust Allah with right kind of Tawakkul, He will provide you sustenance as He provides for the birds – they go out in the morning with empty stomachs and come back in the evening with full stomachs.” (Tirmidzi)

From this beautiful hadith we can easily understand that the correct way to having tawakkul is to go out and put our effort in what ever it is, that we need to achieve in our life, and then put our trust in Allah Ta’ala.

What is the Reward of Having Tawakkul

Allah Ta’ala loves and rewards those who put there trust in him. Allah Ta’ala say;

“God loves those who put their trust (in Him)” [Al-Imran:159]

Ibn Abbas narrated that the Prophet (SAW) said;

“Seventy thousand of my Ummah will enter Jannah without reckoning. They will be those who did not seek cure through mantras (or false objects), who did not take omens and who had Tawakkul (Trust) in their Lord.“ (Bukhari and Muslim)

Although the Prophet (saw) only mentioned seventy thousand people, remember that Allah can multiply that number as He pleases. Furthermore, scholars say that this figure means that MANY people will enter Jannah, not just seventy thousand. So we should have hope and put our trust in Allah to make us of those who will enter the paradise without reckoning. Ameen

“O you who believe! Fear your lord, verily the earthquake of the hour is a tremendous thing”

Brothers Islam, the Prophet (saw) used to mention some great Ayat from a noble Surah in every Jummah he delivered. Until Umm Hisham Bint Al-Harith said “by Allah I did not learn Surat Qaf except from the Prophet (saw), he used to mention it in every Jummah he delivered. Ibn Kathir said what is meant by is that he used to mention this Surah in the Mosques, Eids and gatherings.

Sayed Qutub the Shaheed of Islam spoke about this Surah and said it is a mighty Surah. It speaks about life and death, the resurrection, the gathering and the judgement. It completes itsself on the weak human with its completeness and comprehensiveness.

Every soul (nafs) is limited; every soul is limited brothers. Every saying and every action is written and counted. This Surah moves the soul greatly, it shakes it enormously and places fear in it.

Allah(swt) says in these Noble Ayat:

 “And indeed We have created man, and we know what his own self whispers to him. And We are nearer to him than his jugular vein”.

Allah (swt) knows exactly what is in our soul, what we think, what comes to our minds. Allah knows mans inner most desires and motives better than man himself because He created us. He (swt) knows the secrets and what the hearts conceal.

Allah is nearer to man than his own jugular vein. The jugular vein is the big trunk vein, one on either side of the neck.  The blood which is the vehicle of life travels from the heart to the head, the phrase “nearer than the jugular vein” implies that Allah knows more truly the inner most state of our mind and consciousness than does our own ego.

Oh slave of Allah! You are under the control of the Almighty of the heavens and the earth. You are under the control of the One whose knowledge encompasses everything in this universe, even if it be an atom. Then what is for a human, when He (swt) knows what you say and do? What is for a human when He knows the treachery of the eyes and what the hearts conceal? What is for a human and the One the Supreme asks for him, the One who does not slumber or sleep?

Wherever you go Oh slave of Allah, Allah (swt) is with you, he is with you everywhere you go. On this brothers Islam, if a slave wishes to commit sin where will he go, where will he commit his sin against Allah (swt)? Will he go to a place where no one can see him? He is shy in front of people but is not shy in front of Allah. He hides from the people but does not hide from Allah. Allah is with them and with what they do is all knowing.

Two angels are constantly by him to note his thoughts, words and actions. One sits on the right side and notes his good deed and the other on the left, to note his bad deeds.

By Allah this Ayah is frightening, this Ayah is intense, this Ayah is powerful. One on the left, recording your sin, and one on the right, recording your good deeds. With this in mind, do as you please Oh slave of Allah, do as you like. If good then good and if bad then bad, but remember that there will come a day when you will return to Allah where you will be judged, there will come a day of punishment. Do as you wish, He (swt) in indeed the All-Seer in what you do.

“Not a word does he utter but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it).”

The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, “The clever one is he who disciplined himself and worked for what is after death, and the feeble one is he who followed his desires, then made (vain) prayers to Allah”

Then what is after this, Oh servants of Allah. What is after the watching of Allah (swt) and his Angels who watch and record your deeds? The human is left with his life eating and drinking, doing as he pleases. Either he is with the Saleheen (the righteous) or with the Fasikeen (the evil-doers). Either he carries Islam or does nothing, either he performs good deeds or he commits sin, and after this is what? Listen to what is after this

 “And the agony of death will come in truth: ‘this is what you have been avoiding!’.”

 Then the soul will taken, Allah (swt) says in Sarat Al-Munafiqun:

“and spend in charity of that with which We have provided you before death comes to one of you, and he says: ‘My Lord! If only You would give me respite/delay for a little while (i.e. return to the worldly life), then I should give Sadaqah (charity) of my wealth, and be among the righteous. And Allah grants respite/delay to none when his appointed time (death) comes, And Allah is All-Aware of what you do.”

Fear Allah, Fear Allah brothers, fear Allah oh slaves of Allah. Remember that death is behind you and your grave is in front of you, the soil is your mattress and the worms are your companions and the great fear, the Judgement day will meet you tomorrow with Allah the All-Mighty

I am the home of the worms, I am the home of the creatures, I am the home of the relatives. This is what I have prepared for you, so what have you prepared for me. This is what I have prepared for you, so what have you prepared for me.

So what have you done in preparation of the grave? We ask Allah to make our graves a garden from the garden of Jannah and not make them a pit from the pits of Jahannam. So, what is after the grave?

 “And the trumpet will be blown; that will be the day whereof warning (had been given)” this will be the day of resurrection. The Prophet said in a hadith “How can I enjoy myself when the Angel has already placed the horn in his mouth and is waiting the command of Allah.”

What the Prophet (saw) means by this is that there is no time for fun, no time for play, no time for enjoyment, indeed we are living towards the end of time. The first blow of the horn will kill everything every living being will die. The earth will be shaken by quakes.

“When the earth is shaken with her final quake, And the earth throws up her burdens (from within),  And man cries (distressed): ‘What is the matter with her?

“That day it will declare its information (the earth, about all that happened over it of good or evil). Because you’re Lord will inspire it.” 

The Prophet (saw) tells us that “The day of judgement will be very hot and the people will be thirsty and hungry. They will be running around, exhausted and tired. They will go to Adam (as) Adam and say, ‘You are the father of all the people, and Allah created you with His Own Hands, and ordered the angels to prostrate to you, and taught you the names of all things; so please intercede for us with your Lord, so that He may relieve us from this place of ours.’ Adam will say, ‘I am not fit for this (i.e. intercession for you).’ Then Adam will remember his sin and feel ashamed thereof. He will say, ‘Nafsi, Nafsi, myself, myself, Go to Noah, for he was the first Apostle, Allah sent to the inhabitants of the earth.’ They will go to him and Noah will say,

‘I am not fit for this undertaking.’ He will remember his appeal to his Lord to do what he had no knowledge of, then he will feel ashamed thereof and will say, ‘Nafsi, Nafsi, myself, myself, Go to the Khalil–r-Rahman (i.e. Abraham).’ They will go to him and he will say, ‘I am not fit for this undertaking. Go to Moses, the slave to whom Allah spoke (directly) and gave him the Torah .’ So they will go to him and he will say, ‘I am not fit for this undertaking.’ and he will mention (his) killing a person who was not a killer, and so he will feel ashamed thereof before his Lord, and he will say, ‘Go to Jesus, Allah’s Slave, His Apostle and Allah’s Word and a Spirit coming from Him. Jesus will say, ‘I am not fit for this undertaking, go to Muhammad the Slave of Allah whose past and future sins were forgiven by Allah.’ ”

All of mankind, all of humanity, the one’s who loved Muhammad and the one’s who didn’t. the one’s who followed him and the one’s who rejected him. The one’s who knew about him and the one’s who didn’t. They will end up having to go to him on the day of judgement. They will say

‘So they will come to me and I will proceed till I will ask my Lord’s Permission and I will be given permission. When I see my Lord, I will fall down in Prostration and He will let me remain in that state as long as He wishes and then I will be addressed.’ (Muhammad!) Raise your head. Ask, and your request will be granted; say, and your saying will be listened to; intercede, and your intercession will be accepted.’ I will raise my head and praise Allah with a saying (i.e. invocation) He will teach me, and then I will intercede. He will fix a limit for me (to intercede for, ask on somebody’s behalf) whom I will admit into Paradise.’

‘So Muhammad (saw) will make shafa’ah (intercede) which is called Al-Shafa’ah al-Uthmah (the major/great intercession) and that is the shafa’ah that will start the events of the reckoning on the day of Judgement. Because the people are so tired they are saying: “We want this to be over with even if we are sent to hell fire. So Muhammad (saw) will make his shafa’ah.

Then the reckoning, accounting, the Hisab will start. Every one of us will stand in front of Allah (swt) holding our book of deeds and Allah (swt)  will go through everything you did. Why did you do this and why did you do that? You will have to answer for everything.

Allah mentions “So whoever does good equal to the weight of an atom shall see it. And whoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom shall see it.”(TMQ 99: 7-8)

Nothing is concealed, even your inner thoughts.

Some Rules of Hisab (accounting, reckoning)

1.    It is justice, if you do good you will see it, if you do bad you will see it. There will be no thulm (oppression) on that day.

2.    you will not be held responsible for what someone else did.

3.    you will be shown your deeds. Even though it is just you will be shown exactly what you have done, why you are going to Jannah or why you are going to hell fire. So everything that you did will come in a physical form. This is when the Mizan (scale) will be erected. This is where the good deeds will be on the right side and the sins on the left side

4.    this rule is beyond justice. It is the Fadl (favour) of Allah, it is the multiplication of good deeds. The requirement of justice is that you are given one Hasanah for one good deed and one sin for one bad deed. But Allah (swt) multiplies the good deeds for you and does not multiply the sins. That is the Fadl (favour) of Allah, the additional blessings that Allah gives the belivers.

So the least is ten fold, but it could be more than 700, 7,000 and can go up to an unlimited amount like the one’s Allah (swt) describes:

 “Only those who are patient will receive their reward in full, a limitless reward” [TMQ 39:10]

5.    Finally there will be witnesses, witnesses on our actions, if there is no one who saw it, your hand will witness, your tongue will witness, your feet will witness. Allah (swt) will not establish judgement until there are witnesses who come forth and either witness for you or against you.

6.    if there is a sin committed between you and Allah, then Allah (swt) can forgive you, but if there is a sin committed between you and someone else, that has to be sorted out between you and that other person (example)

The Prophet (saw) asked the Sahabah “do you know who the bankrupt person is?” they said “the bankrupt among us is the person who does not have any wealth. He (saw) said, “The bankrupt of my Ummah, the bankrupt person is someone who comes on the day of judgement with many rewards, prayer, fasting, Zakat, but he had accused this person falsely, he abused another, cursed a third, taken the money of somebody else,  spilt the blood of someone else, so he ends up giving them from his good deeds and if he runs out of good deeds and he didn’t pay them back, then they start giving him some of their sins and he ends up going to hell fire.”

A bankrupt person is not someone who started off poor. A bankrupt person is someone who was rich and then lost their wealth. So this is someone who comes on the day of Judgement wealthy. Wealthy in what? On the day of judgement there is no money, the only wealth that exists is hasanat (good deeds) and he has a lot of them, but because of his dealings with others and because he scored low on the scales of Akhlaq (morals) and he was cursing people, backbiting others, causing fitan (mischief), He has to pay them back. There is no free ride on the day of judgement. Everything must be sorted out. He will pay them back and if his good deeds are not enough, he will start receiving some of their sins and will end up going to hell fire.

Imam al-Shafi’i had a student go to him one day and said so and so speaks against you. Imam Al-Shafi’I instead of standing on the Minbar and giving a fiery Khutbah against that person he smiled and was quite happy and went to the market place and bought some fruits and he went to this person and knocked on his door and he said, ‘I was told that you handed over to me some of your good deeds and I have no way to pay you back other that giving you these fruits. Take it as a gift, thank you very much for giving me some of your Hasanat (good deeds). This is the day of Justice and Allahs name is the Adal (The Just).

Finally, a companion asked the prophet “When is the final hour?” and he replied “What have you prepared for it?” – This is indeed the correct question we should all be asking ourselves. WHAT HAVE I PREPARED FOR IT?