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Doors of grace, Worship of Allah 2
Written by: Abdurrazzak Taher Farih
Translated by: Dr. Faheem Bukhatwa.
24 Safar 1440
01 Nov 2018
Dear beloved, can I guide you to the gates of goodness? The answer to this question is the title of this talk on this blessed day. This was also the same question that the messenger ppbu asked his companion Muaad (ãÚÇÐ). The messenger ppbu loved Muaad and had told him so many times in the past. Muad asked the messenger ppbu a question each and every Muslim today needs it. Listen to the question and you should know the answer. Muad said to the messenger ppbu: “Tell me about a deed (something I do) which will bring me into paradise and take me away from hellfire”. Do we need an answer to this question? Very much so. Is it not because of paradise that all the faithful do pray, and they do weep? Is it not for paradise that many go for Jihad, and many donate their zakah, and the pilgrims go for their Hajj, and many spend their riches, and the monotheists believe in the oneness of Allah? Is it not that they do all that in order to be rewarded with paradise and in order to be protected from hellfire? The answer is: Yes. Listen to the messenger’s reply, he said: “You have asked something tremendous. Yet it is so easy for whom Allah wishes to make it easy for”. Dear brother and sister, Learn and find out the path to paradise, the path of saving yourself from hellfire, in few concise words from the messenger himself.
The messenger ppbu said:
1) Worship Allah, the one and only with no partners.
2) Do your prayers and give your donation (Zakah), and fast Ramadan, and go to the old mosque for pilgrimage (Hajj).
Then the messenger ppbu said to Muad: can I guide you to the gates of goodness? Muad said yes. The messenger ppbu said: “Fasting is a protection from sins, and donations (sadaqa) wipe off sins just as water puts out fire, and a man’s prayer in the heart of the night (middle of night) …”. The messenger ppbu started reciting those verses from the Quran: “Who forsake their beds to pray unto their Lord in fear and expectation, and spend of that We have bestowed on them. (16) No soul knows what is kept hidden for them of joy, as a reward for what they used to do. (17) ” 32:16-17. Then the messenger ppbu went on to say: Shall I tell you about the head of the whole thing and its main column and the peak of its highest point? Muaad said: “Yes, O messenger of Allah”. The messenger ppbu said: the head of all matters is Islam, and its main column is prayer and the peak of its highest level is Jihad. The messenger ppbu said shall tell you how to get control of all that? The messenger ppbu pointed at Muaad’s tong and said: “hold on to that”. Muaad getting astonished asked: “is it that we are questioned and we get held responsible for mere words we say?” The messenger ppbu said: Muaad, many people are pushed into hellfire just because of their tongs.
Those few words told by the messenger ppbu will need many Fridays to talk about. The messenger ppbu was granted eloquence by Allah. His words were few, concise and to the point. Back to Muaad original question: “Tell me about a deed (something I do) which will bring me into paradise and takes me away from hellfire”. The messenger ppbu said: {Worship Allah, the one and only with no partners}. Yes, my brothers Worshipping Allah is the first practical step on to the road of salvation from hellfire and the road to paradise. Worship also is a word referring to everything Allah likes and approves of, deeds and words, public or private, like praying, fasting, donating, hajj, spreading the word of Allah, putting your faith in Allah, having hope in Allah, seeking help from Allah, God fearing and many more. Worship is not a side-line part along the path, indeed, it is the first call of the message of every prophet. Allah says: “We sent Noah unto his people (saying): Warn your people before the painful doom come unto them. (1) He said: O my people! Lo! I am a plain warner unto you (2) (Bidding you): worship Allah and keep your duty unto Him and obey me, (3)” 71:1-3. Allah also says: “And unto (the tribe of) A'ad (We sent) their brother, Hud. He said: O my people! Serve Allah. You have no other God other than Him.” 7:65. Allah also sayd: “And We sent no messenger before you but We inspired him, (saying): There is no God except Me (Allah), so worship Me.” 21:25.
Slaves of Allah, we were created only for this purpose. We must not make this worldly life our target and make worship a means of reaching this target. NO, worship is the target, and we must employ this life and all of what is in this life to reach this target of worship. You must employ your money, your spouse, your sons and daughters, and your mind and brain, and your family name and your position or job, all for this purpose, the purpose of singling Allah with worship. Even if we lived for a thousand year, but we do not fulfil this target then there will be no happiness for us, not in this life and not the life after. There will be no enforcement or victory for us and no establishment. Worshipping is the first step for victory and establishment in this life, and it is the first step on the road for entering paradise and salvation from hell fire, with His permission alone.
Dear beloved in Allah, you need to know that Allah has not imposed upon us the worship just to cause us misery or hardship, nor He did in order for us to curse and complain. He imposed worship upon us in order to have us prepared and conditioned for the day when we stand before Him. That moment is a tremendous moment. Have you ever thought of a time when you will have to meet a minister? Or a president or a king in this life, in order so you will be honoured with something? You probably will never forget such an occasion for as long as you live. Then think if it was the king of all kings and the mighty and creator of all the heavens and the earth. Allah, the most Gracious the most Merciful has imposed worship upon us in order to bestow upon us the honour of standing before Him.
Worship is important for us and not for Allah. The messenger ppbu in speaking for Allah in hadith-Qudsi said: “O my slaves, if all of you from the first to the last, all your man kind and Jin kind, were all as God fearing as the most God fearing one of you, then that shall add nothing to my wealth or possession. O my slaves, if all of you from the first to the last, all your man kind and Jin kind, were all as sinful as the most sinful one of you all, then that shall take away nothing from my wealth or possession.” This means that Allah the Almighty is not in need of our worship, deeds and actions. He will not be affected badly by the sins of sinners, nor will the deeds of obedience will benefit Him. You people are the ones who are in need for Allah, and Allah is not the one who needs you. If He so wishes He can make you all go away and He can bring new creation, and that is not hard for Allah to do. Worshipping Allah, cleanses our hearts, purifies our souls and clears our chest. Worship removes and clears the sins of sinners.
Notes:
Adhan - The call to prayer.
Ahmad (Ahmed)- Another name for the messenger Muhammad (PPBU).
Allah - The Arabic word for "god." It is often used as a name for God in Islam.
- 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.
