Utilising time
Written by: SK.
Translated by Dr. Faheem Bukhatwa
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Thanks be to Allah, the
Lord of the worlds. Peace and prayers be upon the
most honorable of all messengers Mohammad; and all his folks, companions, and
followers to the day they are all summoned together.
This Friday the talk is
about a number of points with regard to the summer holiday. The first of these
points is the importance of time. Allah says: {وهو
الذي جعل الليل والنهار خِلفَةً لمن أراد أن يذكر أو أراد شكورًا
}, {And He (it
is who) has put the night and the day in succession, for such who desires to
remember or desires to show his gratitude.}
Allah has made pledges
using time, he says: {By Al-'Asr (Mid-evening time). Verily! Man is in loss,
except those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and recommend one
another to the truth and to patience}
This time, man is either
a looser or a winner. This is determined how man utilizes his life time. Allah
used the start of the day and the end of the day when he pledges. Like: {By
the time of forenoon (after sun-rise); And by the night when it is still (or
darkens)}. He also says: {By the night as it envelops; And by the day as it
appears in brightness}. He also says: {By the dawn; By the ten nights}. Why
does Allah pledge?
Allah does make pledges
so that we know how important they are. So we keep them and take care of them.
This life time you live in this garden whose fruits you pick in the next life.
If you plant with goodness and good deeds, you will harvest happiness and
success. And you shall be of those in the next life called upon: {Eat and
drink with comfort for that which you have done in the days gone by}. And if
you have wasted the life time with forgetfulness and sowed with defiance and
violation, then you will be sorry when it will do no good. Such a person will
wish to be returned to this life and he will be told: {Didn’t we give you long
age, so those who remember will remember, and a portent or preacher came to
you. Taste, for those who transgress have no supporter}.
The messenger (PPBU)
said: {In the day of resurrection, the feet of any slave shall not budge until
he/she is asked about four: about his life time what it was wasted in. and
about his youth, in what it was worn out. His money or treasure, from where he
earned it and in what he spent it, and about his knowledge, what he did with
it.}
This is you life time,
the most precious thing you have, do not waste it. For Allah made different
functions for his slave in each day. Some are compulsory tile the five
prayers, and some that are recommended like the nafilah prayers, and praising
of Allah.
Allah made functions for
the different months like fasting, zakah, and Haj. Allah made some times
better than other times where reward is multiplied many fold, and in answering
prayers like in the haram months and the month of Ramadan. Also the month
Muharram, the night of Qadr, and the day of Arafah.
Each of seasons or times
blows a breeze on to us and Allah includes whom he wishes with his mercy.
Allah has asked us to spend the time remembering and praising him and obeying
him at the end of the day and early mornings. Even if you get board saying out
load, remember him within your self in hope and fear.
Allah did not specify
any thing to remember him with or a special way or position. It is left open,
Allah says: {Those who remember Allah standing, sitting or laying on their
sides, and think of the creation of the heavens and earth. Lord you did not
create all this in vain}. In bed you can think of Allah, while you are on your
way to work, or while you are waiting on the bus, or waiting on someone you
can think of Allah. Allah says: {Hail Allah when you come to the night and the
morning. Thanks be to him in heavens and in earth, in the evenings and at
noon.}
Your life is between
praising and thanking Allah. What are we going to do with our times now that
the summer holiday is here? People are either of three types: (those who sell
them selves, those who disentangle and free them selves, those who destroy
them selves.)
The second point is: the
types of people in the summer holidays.
In the way they utilize
the summer holidays, people are of many types. There are those who utilize the
times in getting more of the good and knowledge. They get useful books; attend
valuable lectures, Quran and Hadeeth of the Messenger PPBU. Some even travel
to where the scholars are to meet them and sit at their classes to gain
enormously.
Some other type of
people travel to make contact or connect with their blood relatives.
Some travel with their
families for what Allah has permitted to enjoy what Allah has created.
Reminding them of the powerful and the capable, praising him.
Some others spend their
times in giving advice to the Muslims. This whom Allah has giving him or her
knowledge, goes out to teach people, about the oneness of Allah, about Salah,
about halal and haram. For who is better in words and in action than such
people.
There is another type of
people whom I ask Allah that we shall not be one of. This type occupies their
time with haram. At night they watch videos, or TV channels that transmits the
unacceptable, and what destroys good traits and moral excellence. The
messenger PPBU said: {Allah hates every x x x x x x , loud in the
markets, a corpse at night and a donkey at day}. Those who never checks what
is Halal and what is Haram. To them all they get is hala, and all they can not
get is haram.
The final point is: how
do we utilize the holidays.
1)
Remember the Islamic science of priorities. Arrange all matters
according to their importance. Also remember the balancing things is a sign of
success.
2) Read
about the subject of utilizing time. There are many books by Muslim authors.
3)
Keep your emotional and caring credit towards your family and children.
Do not ruin it by rough and ill treatment.
4)
Conditional entertainment. Meaning make a good goal for all your trips
or entertainment. Make positive comments on events, or situations, social or
otherwise.
5)
Do not gamble with the most valuables, your children. Do not with the
intention of entertaining them; do not expose them to temptations and
seductions. Do not be ignorant of what images may stick into their memories
and minds that may cause some behavioral deviation.
6)
Before you leave, stop a little and think, did you leave your parents
or one of them to go to keep your children safe? Did you leave someone to take
care of your affairs here? Don’t forget about your neighbours.
Don’t go with your
friends and leave your family and children between temptations and those who
may prey on them.
7)
Be warned of the power of addiction to habits, and yearnings. So many
no longer have power to take a decision because of some habit they put them
selves into.
8)
Take enough to spend so you will not be burden on to others.
9)
Where you travel may be good religious or scientific activities and
programs in which you may participate. And avoid clusters of bad acts and bad
deeds.
Notes:
-
Adhan
- The call to prayer.
-
Ansar (or Al-Ansar):
The inhabitants of the city of Al-Medina that received and supported the
messenger (PPBU) when he immigrated from Mekkah in the very early years of
Islam.
Assalam Alaikum -
The Islamic greeting, literately means: Peace
be with you. Used when approaching or leaving. When used during approaching
it will be like saying: I bring no harm to you . and when said during
leaving somebody it will mean: No harm will come to you after I leave.
Aya (or Ayah):
is a verse of the Koran.
It also means a miracle or a sign from God.
Arafa (or Arafah or Arafat):
is a mountain
outside the city of Mecca
that represents the climax of the Hajj worship. All doing
Hajj must stay at this location on the same
day.
Badr
- The place of the first significant battle between the Muslims and the
pagans of the Quraish. It is located in Saudi Arabia.
Caliph
- A Muslim ruler. See:
(Khalifa)
Dajjal
- Antichrist or the False Massiah.
Dawah
- The proliferation of Islamic teachings through word and deed.
Deen (Din)
- Religion or way of life.
Duaa:
a prayer in the form of
talking to Allah;
praising him and asking him for help.
Fatwa
- Legal verdict given based on the Qur'an (Koran) and the Sunnah which are
the recorded sayings and deeds of Muhammad.
Ferdose:
is the highest level of
the all the gardens of Eden or paradise.
Fiqh
- Religious law.
Hadeeth:
is something reported
that the messenger have said. It includes all the speeches and ceremonies he gave.
It is usually narrated or told by one
of his companions. There is a list of hadeeths approximately 14000 that are
reported and checked to be genuine. No
more hadeeths are acceptably added to this list.
Hajar -
The Black Stone set into the corner of the
Ka'aba in Mecca. It is said to be a stone from Heaven.
Hajj -
The pilgrimage to Mecca which takes place in
the last month of the Islamic calendar. One of the five pillars of Islam.
Hasana or hasanas:
is the reward for a good deed. a hasana is a point or a merit for a good deed.
Hadith
- The sayings and not deeds of the prophet Muhammad recorded by his
followers. Considered authoritative and perfect.
Hajj: is
the worship of pilgrimage.
Hijra (or
Hejrah):
the event of the immigration of the messenger from Mekkah to Madina. This
event marks the start of the Islamic calendar. the Islamic calendar has 12
months based on the lunar cycle, each is 29.5 days. Hijra is also used as a
name for the Islamic dating system.
Ibadah -
Worship. All the words and deeds with which
Allah is pleased. These deeds could be prayer and charity.
Iblis - (Ibleese):
On of Satan's names.
Ibn (Ebn): the son of. Used
by Arabs as part of an individual's name. Example: Ali whose father is Omar
or the son of Omar, would be called: Ali Ibn
Omar.
Imam
(or Emam)- The leader for a prayer. In the Shiaa sect, an Imam is the individual who has the religious authority.
Iman:
belief or faith
Injil (Enjeel) -
The Bible. The book inspired to Jesus for the
Christians.
Islam
- Submission, the religion of all the
prophets of Allah culminating in Muhammad.
Jannah -
The heavenly garden, Paradise. The place of
the faithful in the afterlife.
Jihad:
is striving in the
line
of Allah in many forms. Includes a very wide scope varying from improving
oneself to fighting a defensive war in protection
of Allah's word. The greatest Jihad is the
fight one's self against temptations.
It also means "holy war."
Jinn
-
Supernatural, invisible beings race of
beings, below angels. They were made from fire. Like humans, there amongst
them are the faithful and the non beleivers and Jinn shall be judged on
Judgment Day.
Ka'aba:
A cube shaped building in
Mecca containing a stone laid there by Abraham and Ishmael. Some say
Ka'aba was first built by Adam, and some say by
Abraham. It is the holiest place for Muslims. It is where all Muslims face in their daily prayers.
Ka'aba also makes a major part of the pilgrimage
in a ritual known as Tawaf.
Khalifa:
is the Muslim ruler. Head of the Islamic empire. Exact translation:
"Successor".
Khutbah -
A sermon given in a Mosque, usually on Friday.
Kufr -
Denial or Disbelief. A term Muslims use for
anyone who denies existence of Allah or the prophecy of Muhammed.
Koran
- Also spelled Qur'an. The holy book
of Islam revealed to Muhammad by Allah through the Archangel Gabriel. Koran
literally means "the recital." It is the final revelation of Allah given to
the prophet Muhammad. It consists of 114 surahs (or chapters.)
Madinah - (Medinah): A city in the
Arabian
peninsula
(in the country known now as Saudi Arabia). A city where the messenger had to
immigrate to.
Then it was called Yathrib.
Masjid -
A
center for Muslim activity. It is referred to as a mosque.
Masiah -
A
sin, or a sinful act
Mecca or Makkah:
is
the holiest city for Muslims. It contains the Ka'aba mosque with the famous
black cubical shape. Mecca is the birth place of the messenger (PPBU).
Mosque - A Muslim
house of worship.
Muhajir -
(Muhajireen)
Immigrant, one who leaves his home town due to lack of religious freedom. It
was first used to describe early Muslims immigrating from Mecca to Median
and Ethiopia.
Muhammad -
the final messenger and
prophet of God whose message abrogated all previous revelations. He
received the Koran through the angel Gabriel over a 23 year period. Born in
Mecca and died in Medina at the age of 63. His full name: Muhammad
ibn Abd-Allah
Muslim
- One who holds faith to the religion of
Islam.
Nafilah:
a voluntary prayer other
than the five obligatory prayers; performed at any time.
Nasara -
Christians. Nasrani:
A Christian individual. Nasraniah:
Christianity.
Ommah:
is the Arabic word for a
nation. It usually refers to
the Islamic nation unless otherwise specified.
Paradise -
Another word for heaven. A
garden of bliss, fruits, rivers and all forms of pleasures imaginable and
imaginable. No suffering, disease or death. Service is provided by angels.
All live in it an ever lasting youthful life. Promised by Almighty
Allah to all faithful, true Jews, true Christians and True Muslims. Paradise
is one of two places every person will go to, either Paradise or Hellfire.
PPBU
(P.B.U.H.) :
Peace and Prayers Be
Upon him. A statement Muslims use any time they mention the name of the
messenger or make a reference to him.
Qadar -
Fate. Preordainment is the teaching that all
things, good and bad, are preordained to occur.
Qadr - (night of Qadr):
The night when the first
revelation of the Koran took place. Most likely it happened during one of the
last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. Or when the Koran was brought down to
the nearest heaven in one go, and from there it was brought down in bits and
few verses at a time over a period of 23 years. This night is considered the
holiest night for Muslims with tremendous advantages.
Qibla -
The direction which Muslims turn for daily
prayers, towards Mecca.
Quraish -
An ancient Arab tribe to which the messenger
Muhammad belonged.
Ramadan -
The ninth month of the Islamic calendar which
is the month of the fast. The holiest month in the Muslim colander.
Salat -
Prayers. Generally it covers all forms of
worship, but more specifically refers to the Muslim rituals which is
performed to worship Allah five times daily.
Shiaa:
A sect of Islam that teaches that a religion
leader (Imam) should be the political ruler and must be direct descendants
of the messenger (PPBU). Therefore, disapproving of all Muslim leaders who
ruled After the messenger (PPBU) except Ali, the messenger's grandson.
Shirk -
Associating another god with Allah. Or associating anyone or anything with
Allah. Or using anyone or anything as a medium to Allah. The opposite of
Monotheism or Tawheed.
Siam or Soam-
Fasting
Sunni:
is a the title of those Muslims who are suppose to be following the life
style of the messenger. This differentiates them from the Shiaa of Iran.
Sunna (Sunnah):
Is how the Messenger PPBU lived, what he did or said. It includes the way he
dressed, ate, drank, prayed, interacted with other people and fought.
Basically, sunnah is the life style of the messenger PPBU. It is considered
the second source of legislation in Islamic laws and it is considered to be an
important reference to be used for concluding arguments and disputes.
It is also a title give to the main stream Muslims who make 90% if all
Muslims.
Surah -
A
chapter of the Koran.
Tawaf:
part of the pilgrimage (Hajj)
ritual. It involves walking round the Ka'aba Mosque in anti-clock wise
direction a number of seven circles.
Tauhid - Tawheed -
Monotheism, in Islam is the teaching that
there is only one God who alone is worthy of worship. The first requirement
of becoming a Muslim. It is included in the testimony of faith for new
Muslims when declaring that God is one: (No God but Allah)
Taqwah -
Proper fear and veneration of Allah. A divine spark that enables the person
to understand God.
Taurat: The old
Testaments and scriptures of Mosa.
Ummah -
the word means: a Nation. Usually refers to
the Islamic nation unless otherwise stated.
Umrah - (Amrah):
A mini hajj. A Minor form of pilgrimage to
Mecca. Unlike Hajj which can only be done on the 12th month of the Islamic
year, Umrah can be performed at any time.
Wathoo (wadoo): a washing up ritual
done by Muslims before each of the five daily prayers known as ablution.
Zaboor -
The
Psalms
Zakat -
The
third pillar of Islam. Alms giving, charity that is given to the poor.
