|
Friday Talks |
 |
|
158 |
|
Friday Talks |
|
|
158 |
|
|
|||
Oppression and the end of the oppressor
Written by: Sk Omar Ali
Translated by: Dr. Faheem Bukhatwa
30 Safar
1432.04 February 2011.
Dear brothers in faith,
Today’s talk is about oppression which Allah Has made prohibited for Himself, and made it prohibited to His slaves. The messenger ppbu told us that Allah said: {My slaves, I have made oppression prohibited to Myself, and I have made it prohibited for you. So do not practice injustice or oppression against each other}. Oppression here refers to doing things the wrong way. Oppression is considered to be one of the greater sins. All faiths and religions including Islam have condemned oppression and injustice throughout history. The messenger ppbu said: {fear or avoid oppression, for oppression is darkness on the day of resurrection}.
Allah, as well as prohibiting oppression to Himself and to His slaves, He also promised to revenge for the victim from the aggressor. Allah says: {By all My dignity, I will make you victorious, even if after a while}.
The messenger ppbu told us that towards the end of this life it will fill up with oppression and injustice. Today we witness with our own eyes the truth in his words. Oppression has spread out among the people. Oppression happens in blood, money and honor. Oppression has become so common that it has almost become the norm.
This world has become a world ruled by the law of jungle, and policies of threats and terrorism, and the language of challenges, and fear, and self interests, and the single pole systems, and the one man rule. A world led by policies of where one deals with others the way a master deals with slaves, and a leader with those who are led. Policies based on interests rather than on values, policies which do not rule with equality, and do not practice justice, and only deal with partiality and with multiple standards.
It is a clear image with well defined dimensions clearly denied and detested by every free individual. Today the mask has fallen off another face which used to falsely talk of freedom, justice and equality, and human rights. Where are the human rights in the face of what is happening today to our brothers in Egypt, the heroic and faithful Egypt. Egypt where oppression is being carried out in a controlled and calculated manner by militia belonging to the oppressive government and oppressive ruler. This ruler who has been rejected clearly be the people of Egypt. We can barely hear out of embarrassment the minimum of condemnation from some of the western governments. They have no value or meaning for justice. They talk of freedom but they do not accept for our people. They call for democracy but they find it too much for our nations. They have double standards and they use two different scales. But, times go round. Islam is awakening in the hearts of its children to breathe life into this nation. This nation is the best nation brought out to humanity, giving guidance, putting right, and steers in the good direction, command the good and deters against evil. It takes its place amongst the nations of the world.
Dear Muslims, times are of two types, sweet and sour, or times of difficulties and times of ease and serenity. Every difficulty and crises will be followed by prosperity. And every distress shall be followed with peace. Even the sun disappears only to come out again. Allah has days which will take revenge from an aggressor and from an antagonist. And this who knows Allah in prosperity, Allah will know him/her in difficulties. Allah says: O you who believe! If you help Allah, He will help you and will make your foothold firm (7) And that who disbelieve, misery is for them, and He will make their actions vain (8) That is because they hated that which Allah has revealed, therefore He makes their actions fruitless (9) Have they not travelled in the land to see the nature of the consequence for those who were before them? Allah wiped them out. And for the disbelievers there will be the like thereof (10) That is because Allah is patron of those who believe, and because the disbelievers have no patron (11)47:7-11.
Dear Muslims, support and help your faith and your brothers and sisters in Egypt, just as Allah Has made it your duty to do so. And some of the ways in which you can help them are:
Prayers (Duaa):
It is our brothers’ right in Egypt upon us that we should diligently say prayers for them so that Allah will clear their distress and takes them out of their calamity, and support them against their enemy and the enemy of Allah. We must not forget about this form of worship which many people do. Let us not forget a time for prayer for them; in submission to Allah in between our endless talking about the events and constantly following up the news and watching the TV. Prayer time is easily forgotten.
Making Duaa (a prayer) is a great form of worship, which has a great status, and it is one of the best acts of worship. It is one of the worships which that give a greater status to Allah. Allah says: {And your Lord has said: Pray unto Me and I will hear your prayer. Those who scorn My worship, they will enter hell, disgraced} 40:60. A man once asked the messenger ppbu: “Is Allah near by so we talk to Him or far away so we shout when calling Him?”. The messenger ppbu went silent until Allah brought down His verse: And when My servants question you concerning Me, then surely I am close. I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he calls unto Me. So let them hear My call and let them trust in Me, in order that they may be led aright. (186)2:186.
On the night of the battle of Ahzab and at Badr when the messenger ppbu went out to meet the disbelievers, and while his people were asleep he spent the night in prayers making supplications to Allah. Despite the fact that Allah promised him victory, he still remained up in the darkness of the night asking and crying to Allah, and begging Allah with a humble heart and an open hand. When the morning broke on that day, the day of the battle of Badr, the messenger ppbu looked at the enemies, the disbelievers. They were over a thousand, and his followers were three hundred and nineteen men. The messenger ppbu faced the Qiblah (direction of prayer towards Mekka) and put his hands up and started calling his God saying: Dear God, fulfill your promise to me. Dear God bring me what you promised. God, if this Muslim gang is defeated then you won’t be worshiped in the land. He kept on calling his God with his hands up until his rope fell off his shoulders. AboBakr picked up his rope and came behind him and said: “O messenger of Allah, enough calling your God, He will fulfill His promise to you”. Allah says: When you sought help of your Lord and He answered you (saying): I will help you with a thousand of the angels, rank on rank8:9. Many people of faith and others have reported that at difficult and rough times they truly made refuge to Allah and made prayers and problems were lifted off them. It is at times like these that a Muslim ought to take refuge to Allah with prayer (duaa). Allah loves those who insist when they make a prayer to Him. The messenger ppbu said: {Allah loves those who keep insisting when they make duaa (prayer)}. And he also said: {this who does not ask Allah, then Allah will be angry with him}
Remember, that in the face of this disaster, it is necessary for a Muslim to remember Allah’s wisdom in the way He runs events. Allah gives time to the oppressor but He takes him at the end in a painful manner. The messenger ppbu said: {Allah gives time to an oppressor so when He takes him, he will not escape Him}, then the messenger ppbu read: Even thus is the grasp of your Lord when He grasps the townships while they are doing wrong. Lo! His grasp is painful, very strong.11:102.
At last, we say to our brothers in Egypt what Allah says: If you have received a blow, the other people have received a blow the like thereof. These are (only) the alterations and changes which We cause to follow one another for mankind, to the end that Allah may know those who believe and may choose witnesses from among you; and Allah does not love oppressors or wrong-doers. (140) And that Allah may prove those who believe, and may blight the disbelievers. (141) Or did you deem that you would enter paradise while yet Allah does not know those of you who really strive, nor knows those (of you) who are steadfast or patient?3:140-142. I would say to our enduring, patient and striving brothers in Egypt, who unite in their call for the oppressor to leave. I say to them: remain patient, at the end winning is always for those who are God fearing, and for those who endure and face up. Allah says: Or did you think that you will enter paradise while yet there has not come unto you the like of (that which came to) those who passed away before you? Affliction and adversity befell them, they were shaken as with earthquake, till the messenger (of Allah) and those who believed along with him said: When does Allah's help come? Now surely Allah's help is near.2:214. Allah's help is near Allah's help is near.
Notes:
Adhan - The call to prayer.
- 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.
Ansar (or Al-Ansar):
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.
- is a verse of the Koran. It also means a miracle or a sign from God.
Aya (or Ayah):
- 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.
Arafa (or Arafah or Arafat):
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.
- talking to Allah; praising him and asking him for help.
Duaa: a prayer in the form of
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.
