Interpretation of the Quran- Surat Al-Nisa' (4) Lesson (56)- Verses [ ]

Transcription

1 Interpretation of the Quran- Surat Al-Nisa' (4) Lesson (56)- Verses [ ] Praise be to Allah, the Lord of Creations, and Peace and blessings be upon our prophet Muhammad, the faithful and the honest. Oh, Allah, w e know nothing but w hat You teach us. You are the All- Know er, the Wise. Oh Allah, teach us w hat is good for us, and benefit us from w hat You taught us, and increase our know ledge. Show us the righteous things as righteous and help us to do them, and show us the bad things as bad and help us to keep aw ay from them. O Allah our Lord, lead us out from the depths of darkness and illusion, unto the lights of erudition and know ledge, and from the muddy shallow s of lusts unto the heavens of Your Vicinity. Godship and Lordship: Dear believing brothers: This 56th. lesson of Al-Nisa' lessons is a repeat of the verses that w e interpreted in the last lesson, because these verses strongly reflect the reality of the Moslems today. Dear brothers: Who is the Moslem? He believes in Allah as Sustainer and the only One w orthy of w orship. Sustenance refers to the fact that He created man and bestow ed on him from his bounty. Worthy of w orship means that He is The One w ho is in control. And to Him return all affairs (for decision) The Hand of Allah is over their hands [Surat Hud, Verse 123.] [Surat Al-Fateh, Verse 10.] It is He (Allah) Who is the only Ilah (God to be w orshipped) in the heaven and the only Ilah (God to be w orshipped) on earth He makes none to share in His Decision and His Rule [Surat Az-Zukhruf, Verse 84] [Suart Al-Kahf, Verse 26.] Quran and Sunna are the reference for believers: Not a single leaf falls but He know s it. A leaf not a rocket! We are not in more need now to other than the doctrine of Monotheism. Allah, Glory be to Him, is the Creator, The Sustainer, and the Only One w orthy of w orship. He exists, He is One, and He is Perfect. In His Hand is the Creation and the Decision. Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is the Wakeel (Trustee, Disposer of Affairs, Guardian) over all things And you (Muhammad Pbuh) threw not w hen you did throw, but Allah threw [Surat Az-Zumar, Verse 62.] [Surat Al-Anfal, Verse 17.]

2 This Moslem believed in Allah as Sustainer and entered the fold of Islam the religion of Allah and the religion of the Truth. He believed in Mohammed, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, as a prophet and a messenger of Allah. He came w ith the Quran as the Way for man to live by, and in explaining it he clarified the Way of Allah. These, dear brothers, are matters taken for granted as the corners of faith. A Moslem is he w ho accepts Allah as Sustainer, and accepts Islam as his religion, and accepts Mohammed (Pbuh) as prophet and messenger. Now you cannot find one Moslem trying to interpret and explain w hat has happened aw ay from the Quran and the Sunnah. Otherw ise he w ould not be considered a believer in Allah as Sustainer nor in Islam as his religion, nor in Mohammed (Pbuh) as a prophet and a messenger. The minimum degree of someone's Islam requires him to return to the Quran in analyzing w hat happens. In other w ords as though he asks the Quran: Oh Allah, w hy did such and such happen? Where is the defect? Your Promise is True, and victory comes from you, and all Decision is w ith You, and none can reverse w hat you ordain, therefore w hy did such and such thing happen? A true Moslem does not revert to any analysis other than the Quran's. A true Moslem does not invent hooks on w hich to hang his problems. Most Moslems say: imperialism, Zionism, the mason movement Where is Allah in our analysis? The defect is w ithin us. The hero is the one w ho looks for the defect w ithin himself instead of others. A Moslem returns to the Quran to understand w hat happened. A Moslem returns to the Quran to analyze w hat happened. He returns to the Quran to look for a w ay out of w hat w e are in. A Moslem also gleans from the Quran the destiny of aggressive tyrants. Quran is our reference. Allah does not take the side of anyone: Dear brothers: Allah Almighty has law s and rules that do not change regardless of how much man tries to bypass, ignore, or devalue them. The clearest example is the law of falling objects! How can w e benefit from this law? We apply it in using parachutes! Anyone w ho w ants to protect himself from the consequence of this law must respect it by using a parachute in order to fall to the ground safely. On the other hand another person may not pay attention to this law, does not respect or believe it and falls w ithout a parachute. This non belief in the law does not cancel it or its effects! The point is very subtle! The law is a fact, if you go by it you benefit, but if you do not go by it its action w ill affect you w hether you like it or not. Until w hen therefore shall w e continue to refuse to deal w ith this (divine) book on the basis that it is a series of fixed and unchangeable law s and rules that can be neither frozen nor stopped nor modified? The w ay of Allah Almighty is constant and real regardless of anything. Allah Almighty does not take sides w ith anyone. In the dealings of people there is side-taking. You may therefore turn a blind eye from someone's mistake because he is your relative, or you may justify someone else's mistake because he is your partner. You may even ignore someone else's crime because he is a member of your family or clan. This happens w hen people deal and interact w ith each other. But Allah does not take sides w ith anyone. Verily, the most honorable of you w ith Allah is that (believer) w ho has At-Taqw a (i.e. he is one of the pious ones) [Surat Al-Hujurat,Verse 13.] Dear brothers: All w hat has happened in the Moslem w orld cannot please even an enemy, never mind a friend! Therefore w e must w ake up to reconsider, account, and discover w hether or not w e have follow ed the Book and the Sunnah (w ay of the Prophet). We must be guided by the analyses of the Quran. I am not specifically referring to any one individual or group, I am talking about the law s of Allah Almighty. It w ill not be in accordance w ith your desires (Muslims), nor those of the people of the scripture (Jew s and Christians), w hosoever w orks evil, w ill have the recompense thereof

3 [Surat An-Nisa', Verse 123] This is one of the law s of the Creator of the universe. Whosoever w orks evil, w ill have the recompense thereof And w hosoever has done evil and has not been recompensed accordingly w ill be recompensed in due course unless he repents. Do not feel sorry for the people of this country or that if they have done evil deeds. They shall receive w hat is destined for them. This is a general rule! If we want victory we must pay for it: Therefore, dear brothers, if w e go back to the Quran w e w ill read: And w hatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of w hat your hands have earned. And He pardons m uch [Surat Ash-Shura, Verse 30.] (What is the matter w ith you?)when a single disaster smites you, although you smote (your enemies) w ith one tw ice as great, you say:"from w here does this come to us?" Say (to them), "It is from yourselves (because of your evil deeds). [Surat Al-'Imran, Verse 165.] The ostrich alw ays hides its head in the sand in order not to see the truth. The person w ho fails in his life alw ays looks for a hanger on w hich to hang his problems, so he accuses others w ho are non-believers, and it is clear that a non-believer w ants to take everything and leave nothing. He w ants to be the strongest on earth regardless of the price that has to be paid, and the richest on earth w hatever the cost. There are no values to control them, except their belief that their might and pow er makes right! If you are strong that means you are right even if you w ere criminal and brought misery to people. As long as you are strong you are right. That is their w ay. What concerns us is to apply the w ay of our Lord. Therefore dear brothers, As though Moslems live their lives making w ishes from Allah. And w ishes as I said in a previous lesson are the goods of simple people. A simple person makes w ishes then entertains and amuses himself, he sits and does not move, and w atches but does not respond. This is the Moslem's reality, and I alw ays say the bitter truth is a thousand times better than the comfortable illusion. A person w ho may deserve to be disciplined by Allah shall be disciplined w hether or not he makes a fluent supplication. Of course a sincere supplication may counter another supplication, but an insincere supplication w ill not counter w hat is destined. Unless he makes changes, Allah does not change. I hope this fact is as clear as the sun. Anyone of us w ho w ants to w itness victory for these Moslems, or if he w ants to hear new s that fill his heart w ith joy. If he w ants to be truly happy w ith victory from Allah, he must pay the price for that. The price is to live Islam as a commitment and an obligation, not as outw ard appearances. Allah Almighty says: Discipline is a favor from Allah: It w ill not be in accordance w ith your desires (Muslims), nor those of the people of the scripture (Jew s and Christians) [Surat An-Nisa', Verse 123.]

4 Some Moslems say: Oh Allah, you commanded us and w e disobeyed. You forbid and w e commit. Your favor is sufficient to us. This is the modern version, he know s w hat is commanded and w hat is forbidden by Allah, but he disobeys these commands and commits w hat is forbidden, then says: Your favor is sufficient unto us. This is the favor of Allah: Discipline. Allah Almighty says: And fear the Fitnah (affliction and trial) w hich affects not in particular (only) those of you w ho do w rong (but it may afflict all the good and the bad people). [Surat Al-Anfal, Verse 25.] Trials are coming to one country at a time. A w hile ago to our neighbors to the West, now to our neighbors East of us. A w hile ago it came to those in the South. These are the trials referred to by the Prophet (Pbuh) w hen he said w hat w as reported by Abi Hurayrah, w ho said: ((The Prophet (PBUH) said: w oe to the Arabs from an evil that is coming soon, trials like pieces of a dark night. A time in w hich a man may w ake up a believer only to become a disbeliever by evening. A time during w hich some people w ill sell their faith for a meager price from w orldly things. He w ho holds onto his faith then is like one w ho holds onto a red hot coal)) [Musnad Imam Ahmed] Speeches made in the Moslem w orld are endless. But the speech that should be said carefully is that if each one of us w ants to see the Moslem nation victorious, if he does not w ant to be afflicted w ith a heart attack w hen he hears the daily new s. A doctor told me that he saw tens of patients w ho came to him w ith a sudden heart attack because of w hat they heard on the new s or saw on the screens. These people lived as w e do. Suddenly w hatever happened took place. Allah is All Just and w e must be careful. It w ill not be in accordance w ith your desires (Muslims), nor those of the people of the scripture (Jew s and Christians). Whosoever w orks evil, w ill have the recompense thereof [Surat An-Nisa', Verse 123.] Supplication without work shall not be accepted by Allah If you((believers)) do not enjoin good and forbid evil, Allah w ill punish you. You w ill then supplicate to Him but He w ill not answ er your prayers. This w as referred to in some Hadeeths. Supplication w ithout w ork shall not be accepted by Allah. It w ill not be in accordance w ith your desires (Muslims), nor those of the people of the scripture (Jew s and Christians)., and he w ill not find any protector or helper besides Allah [Surat An_Nisa', Verse 123] I often said: Moslems did not pay attention to Allah therefore He did not pay attention to them. Every person is according to his thinking, if he sincerely repents to Allah, and becomes steadfast in becoming obedient to Allah, and if he does w ell at home and at his w ork and brings up his children w ell, then he shall find a new treatment from Allah unknow n to him in the past. He shall find reconciliation, truth, advocacy, peace and rest. If you cannot convince others w ith repentance to Allah, then at least take refuge for your ow n self and repent to Allah, mend your relationship w ith others and make your home an Islamic one, and perform your w ork as a Moslem w ould, then advise other Moslems to do as you do. Maybe then Allah w ill remove this black cloud hanging over us. And w hoever does righteous good deeds, male or female,, and is a (true) believer

5 [Surat An_Nisa', Verse 124.] Allah also says: Allah has promised those among you w ho believe and do righteous good deeds, that He w ill certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers) in the land [Surat Al_Nur, Verse 55.] The Plotting of disbelievers doesn t harm the believers: His belief is a righteous good deed. I have said on another occasion: Salvation of the Moslems is in tw o w ords in this Ayah. Allah says: Indeed, they planned their plot, and their plot w as w ith Allah, though their plot w as not such as to remove the mountains from their places [Surat Ibrahim, Ayah 46.] Allah Almighty describes the plotting of the non-believers in a w ay that makes one's hair stand on end. Their plotting causes the mountains to be removed from their places. Allah says: So think not that Allah w ill fail to keep His Promise to His Messengers. Certainly Allah is All-Mighty, All-Able of Retribution This plotting that moves mountains, w e can very easily escape from if Allah is w ith us. He said: [Surat Ibrahim, Verse 47.] But, if you become patient and pious, not the least harm w ill their cunning do to you [Surat Al-'Imran. Verse 120.] In other w ords, the believer, according to the text of this Ayah and its meaning, cannot be harmed by the plotting and cunning of the non-believers. This cunning that can move mountains has no effect on the believer w hatsoever. Because w ho has the ability to harm you if Allah is w ith you? And if He is against you w ho then is able to help you? There are messages from Allah: One storm has stopped one hundred and fifty planes. Couldn't Allah make it last for tw enty days? Everything is subject to Him. Therefore man must only be afraid of his w rongdoings, and must not fear any other than his God. We Can t be victorious unless we obey Allah: Dear brothers: The time for long speeches is over. Now it is time to w ork. I sw ear by Allah that if every Moslem does one in ten thousand of w hat he know s, w e w ould be in a different state than the one w e are in now. The Prophet (Pbuh) asked one of his companions to call a certain Arab tribe to Islam. He returned to the Prophet and said: Oh Prophet of Allah, they are as ignorant as w ild camels. They understand nothing. The Prophet said: Are you surprised at them? He said, yes, Prophet of Allah. The Prophet then said

6 ((I am amazed at he w ho know s (the truth) but does not do (accordingly)) This is more severe. You see the w rongdoings on the streets. These girls that w ear outrageous clothes, don't they have fathers w ho go to the mosques? Don't they have mothers? Don't they have brothers? Where are their fathers, mothers and brothers? These are w rong deeds. And w hen such deeds increase there is no w ay to counter the enemy's aggression. I spoke in the Khotbah today about how Salhuddin Al-Ayyoubi, may Allah have mercy on him, w as able to conquer tw enty seven armies that came from the lands of the Christians! He countered these armies,w hich w ere led by kings, first by removing w rong deeds. We are not responsible for the actions of others. If each one of us mosque goers returned to his home and paid attention to the behaviors of his w ife and his sons and daughters, and if he considered how he earns his money and how he spends it and w hat his w ife does. If he applies this according to Allah's Way, then he is assured of Allah's victory and blessings. It is as though the era of speeches is over and that speeches have no meaning anymore. You have seen people's demonstrations all over the w orld, has it done any good? Endless denouncements confirming that this sort of thing is against international law! Nothing happened as a result of these denouncements!!!!! We need to do something effective. Allah is the One w ho does, He does w hat He w ants to do. And if He pits one group against another there is no pow er on earth that can prevent its aggression because Allah is the One w ho pitted them against one another. But this tyrant pow er may disappear once w e repent to Allah. There are many examples, history is w itness to that. I w anted to stay in this lesson w ith this Ayah: It w ill not be in accordance w ith your desires (Muslims), nor those of the people of the scripture (Jew s and Christians). If you w ant to hear good new s in the battle field about the battle betw een truth and evil, you must first and foremost obey Allah. Our master Omar, may Allah be pleased w ith him,, said something w onderful. He said: We are victorious due to our obedience to Allah and their disobedience to Allah. If w e become equal in disobedience w ith them then they w ill be victorious over us due to their strength. The truth is there is a big difference in how w e fight and how they fight. From very high above they can see the entire city in color. He does not only see our home, he can even zoom in on the sw imming pool, then blow s it up w ith one click. There is very advanced technology. They prepared against us and w e did not prepare against them. They have prepared massive force that w e cannot face. Only Allah is above them and above all of us. If w e are w ith Him w e w ill be above them, but if w e are not w ith Him then they w ill be above us. This is a constant truth. Wishing does not change anything, we need obedience to Allah and His Messenger But those w ho obey Allah's Orders w ill be above them on the Day of Resurrection [Surat Al-Baqarah, Verse 212.] If w e are not w ith Allah Almighty then they w ill be above us w ith their (physical) strength. Thus, brother, w hat can your supplications do w hilst your camel is sick? The man said: I shall ask Allah to cure him. Then (Omar, may Allah be pleased w ith him) said: w hat can supplication (by itself) do? Why don't you use some medicine in addition to your supplication? And as to those w ho believed but did not emigrate (to you O Muhammad,Pbuh), you ow e no duty of protection to them until they em igrate [Surat Al-Anfal, Verse 72.] Emigration implies movement. If there is no movement then there is nothing. Crying and sympathizing w ill not change matters for better or for w orse. When a person needs a surgical operation it does not matter w hether he cries or smiles, w hether he is patient or impatient, the operation is a must. Courage then means that w e put speeches aside for now. I sw ear by Allah, dear brothers: I never w ished to be silent as much as I do now! We have spoken a lot. If w e do not follow w hat Allah and His Prophet (Pbuh) have called us to follow then there is no hope for anything.

7 And w hoever does righteous good deeds, male or female [Surat An-Nisa', Verse 124] There is good new s in this tow n and much giving and generosity but w e need guidance, rationalization and clarification of the truth. This is a serious lesson. If w e do not become w iser then w e have a great problem w ithin ourselves. I mentioned in my khotbah today that w hen Salhuddin Al-Ayyubi opened Jerusalem, his soldiers did not take anything from the enemy. Instead they bought w hat they needed and paid for it. What is happening now is unbelievable. What happened to our faith? Universities are being burnt. Everything is being stolen or burnt. Who is responsible for all this. There is a huge conspiracy. Many verse urges us to work: Dear brothers: I sw ear that our destiny is black. This destiny has been planned for many years. I do not doubt that every Moslem country is part of such a plan. The matter requires an aw akening and a commitment. It requires movement, co-operation and obedience to Allah Almighty. It is not a matter of speeches and loud supplications. What w e need is action. Whosoever w orks evil, w ill have the recompense thereof [Surat An_Nisa', Verse 123] And he w ho w orks deeds of righteousness, w hile he is a believer (in Islamic Monotheism) then he w ill have no fear of injustice nor of any curtailment (of his rew ard) [Surat Ta-Ha, Verse 112.] So w hoever hopes for the Meeting w ith his Lord, let him w ork righteousness and associate none as a partner in the w orship of his Lord [Surat Al-Kahf, Verse 110.] And w hoever desires the Hereafter and strives for it, w ith the necessary effort due for it(i.e. does righteous deeds of Allah's obedience)w hile he is a believer (in Islam ic Monotheism) [Surat Al-Isra', Verse 19.] All the verses talk about doing. There are no verses that talk about listening only. Verses that refer to personal interaction that are full of action. The clearest one is: And as to those w ho believed but did not emigrate (to you O Muhammad Pbuh), you ow e no duty of protection to them until they em igrate [Surat Al-Anfal, Verse 72.] Our knowledge of Allah leads us to His love You must take a position. Allah says: You (true believers in Islamic Monotheism and real follow ers of Prophet Muhammad, Pbuh, and his Sunnah) are the best of peoples ever raised upfor mankind

8 [Surat Al-'Imran, Verse 110.] The reason behind being the best of peoples is that you enjoin Al-Ma'roof (i.e Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam ordained) and forbid Al-Munkar (polytheism, disbelief, and all that Islam has forbidden), and you believe in Allah. Therefore if w e stop enjoining Al-Ma'roof (i.e Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam ordained) and forbidding Al-Munkar (polytheism, disbelief, and all that Islam has forbidden) w e lose our classification as "best" and w e become a nation like any other on earth w ith no special status from Allah. This is confirmed by Allah's w ords: And (both) the Jew s and the Christians say:" We are the Children of Allah and His loved ones." Say: Why then does He punish you for your sins?" Nay, you are but human beings of those He has created [Surat Al-Ma'idah, Verse 18.] Allah Almighty did not accept their claim that they are His beloved ones. Had He done that He w ould not have punished them. And because He punishes them they do not love Him. "Say (O Muhammad to mankind): If you (really) love Allah, then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Quran and the Sunnah), Allah w ill (then) love you and forgive your sins. [Surat Al-'Imran, Verse 31.] Our love of Allah is a call (invitation). If w e had loved Him w e w ould have obeyed Him. And one of the strangest things is to know Allah but not love Him. Strange also is to love Him but disobey Him. To know and love leads to obedience. Know ledge w ithout love is not right.. Same for love w ithout obedience. I personally doubt know ledge if it is not accompanied w ith love. I also doubt love if it is not accompanied w ith obedience. Practical steps to get Mercy and Victory from Allah: Dear brothers: there are practical steps. Proper w orship. Remembering Allah Almighty. Low ering one's gaze. Controlling one's tongue. Co-operation. Giving good council. Enjoining good and forbidding evil deeds. Regulating the behavior of one's family and especially one's daughters and one's home. Earning. Spending. These are all practical steps that can be reasons for mercy and victory to come from Allah. And w hoever does righteous good deeds, male or female, and is a (true) believer (in the oneness of Allah Muslim), such w ill enter Paradise and not the least injustice, even to the size of a speck on the back of a date stone, w ill be done to them [Surat An_nisa', Verse 124.] No more injustice today, not even the size of a seed of mustard. Allah does not deal unjustly w ith anyone. This day,i have perfected your religion for you, com pleted My Favor upon you, and have chosen Islam for you as your religion. This religion that Allah has chosen for us has a specific definition. Allah Almighty says: [Surat Al-Ma'idah, Verse 3.] And w ho can be better in religion than one w ho submits his face (himself) to Allah (i.e. follow s Allah's religion of Islam ic Monotheism)

9 [Surat An-Nisa', Verse 125.] Dear brothers: Do you submit to w hat is in the Quran and Sunnah and accept none other than them of w hatever you hear or read? A pure heart is one w hich is saved from believing anything that contradicts the divine message of Allah. Is everything you believe in accordance w ith the Holy Book and the Sunnah or are there things that you believe that are contradictory to the w ay of Allah? True religion is take everything in the Quran and Sunna and leave anything else: And w ho can be better in religion than one w ho submits his face (himself) to Allah (i.e. follow s Allah's religion of Islam ic Monotheism) [Surat An-Nisa', Verse 125.] He believed w hat is in Allah's Book. He balanced his life w ith the balance of the Quran, not w ith the balance of the people on this earth. He does good deeds. You, dear brother, do know right from w rong, w ith your natural innate make up. Everyone is capable of that on his ow n w ithout being told. True religion means that you turn to Allah and follow all that came in His Book and the Sunnah of His Prophet (Pbuh), and to leave all else. This is the meaning of: And w ho can be better in religion than one w ho submits his face (himself) to Allah (i.e. follow s Allah's religion of Islam ic Monotheism) [Surat An-Nisa', Verse 125.] How can one be a Moslem and yet does not believe in not mixing w ith the opposite sex relying on w eak reasons? Or that w ho does not w ant us to be together thus dividing the one family? How can one be a Moslem and believe w hat the Prophet said that the brother-in-law is like death unto the brother's w ife, and yet you allow mixing of men and w omen on every occasion. This is a mockery of Allah's religion. How can one say that there is no harm in a little bank interest? How can you feel comfortable w ith a fatw a expressed by a man w ho w orks in the public sector in Egypt to please his masters, then you believe it and live by it as though he is going to be your savior on the Day of Resurrection? This is the state of today's Moslems!!! I am zooming in on big problems w hich may very w ell be behind w hy Allah has abandoned us. And w ho can be better in religion than one w ho submits his face (himself) to Allah (i.e. follow s Allah's religion of Islam ic Monotheism) [Surat An-Nisa', Verse 125.] Submission to Allah in one's doctrine, in the truth about the universe, life on earth and man himself, as w ell as the Day of Resurrection, Prophethood and the Book, and doing w hat he believes in, in addition to doing good tow ards others. That is religion w ithout any complications. Some people do complicate this religion. Those w ho do that are not know ledgeable of the religion. This religion is like air. We must breath it in in a simple manner. Heroism is in making it easy, in applying it and being sincere w ith it. Make it simple, apply it and be sincere w ith it. And follow s the religion of Ibrahim (Abraham) Hanif (Islamic Monotheism to w orship none but Allah alone) Hanif means loving of Allah Almighty and leaning tow ards Him aw ay from all else. [Surat An-Nisa', Verse 125.]

10 Allah has complete possession of everything: And follow s the religion of Ibrahim (Abraham) Hanif (Islamic Monotheism to w orship none but Allah alone) I had mentioned in a previous lesson that the Prophet (Pbuh) used to say: [Surat An-Nisa', Verse 125.] I am the supplication of my father Ibrahim and the glad tidings of my brother Jesus Our Lord! Send amongst them a Messenger of their ow n (and indeed Allah answ ered their invocation by sending Muhammad (Pbuh) w ho shall recite to them Your Verses and instruct them in the Book (this Quran) and Al-Hikmah (full know ledge of the Islamic law s and jurisprudence or w isdom or Prophet's legal w ays), and purify them. The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, used to say: ": [Surat Al-Baqarah, Verse 129.] I am the supplication of my father Ibrahim and the glad tidings of my brother Jesus w ho said that there w ill come after me a Messenger (from Allah) named Ahmed Allah says: And Allah did take Ibrahim (Abraham) as a Khalil (an intim ate friend)! And to Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. [Surat An-Nisa', Verse 125] [Surat An- Nisa', Verse 126.] To Allah Almighty belongs everything and all praise. Some people, like tyrants, are w ealthy but they do not praise Allah. Others are not w ealthy but they praise Allah. Kind but w eak. Man w ants a great God to w hom belongs all including Praise. His ow nership is absolute. Allah Almighty Creates, Sustains, and Destines. You may ow n w ithout benefiting, and you may benefit w ithout ow ning. You may even ow n and benefit but you cannot destine. Allah is the Creator and Controller of everything in Heavens and Earths: But w hen Allah says: And to Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. This includes ow nership, sustenance, and destiny. Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is the Wakil (Trustee, Disposer of affairs, Guardian) over all things. [Surat Az-Zumar, Verse 62.]

11 In His hands are the keys of the heavens and the earth. And Allah is Ever Encom passing all things. [An-Nisa', Verse 126. ] Dear brothers: These big events that the Arab and Moslem nation is going through these days must aw aken us and motivate us to do something. This something is to return to Allah, to His Divine Book, and the Way of His Prophet. Look at how people spend their evenings. In obedience to Allah or disobedience? This disobedience includes your looking at a strange w oman or at the screen. How do people talk? Do they back bite each other? How do they earn their money? Is there doubt regarding its legitimacy? How do they meet w ith one another? Do their meetings involve the mixing of men and w omen together? How do they celebrate? Do their celebrations include disobedience? How do they mourn? Do they do that in a w ay contrary to the Sunnah? The matter is very simple: So ask the people of the Reminder (Scriptures, The Torah, The Injil) if you do not know [Surat Al-Anbiya', Verse 7.] How many forbidden things do Moslems commit w hile they are distracted w ith their pastimes and amusements? Someone said: O Prophet of Allah, please advise me but make it short. The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him said: "Say I believe in Allah then stand firm and straight (on the religion of Islamic Monotheism). The man said: I w ant something lighter than that. The Prophet said: Be prepared for the ordeal. The disbelievers cannot escape the punishment of Allah: Then there has succeeded them a posterity w ho have given up the prayers ( i.e. made their prayers to be lost either by not offering them or by not offering them perfectly in their proper fixed times)and have follow ed lusts. So they w ill be throw n in Hell [Surat Maryam, Verse 59.] The Moslems have met that Hell! In the Name of Allah I ask you: is there a w orse hell than the one the Moslems have fallen into these days? Lands and oil resources considered to be the largest reserves in the w orld. It cost us eight cents per barrel w hile in some countries it cost eight dollars per barrel! Bounties only know n to Allah, are now under their control. All achievements of this nation have been burnt, destroyed or scattered. Is there any w orse humiliation than this? Dear brothers: Our calamity is great and dangerous and close. Nothing w ill benefit us other than a revolution in our lives, in our beliefs, in our dealings w ith one another, in how w e earn our money, and in how w e care for and love one another. Verily, Allah loves those w ho fight in His Cause in row s (ranks) as if they w ere a solid structure [Surat As-saff, Verse 4.] Put your selfishness under your foot. You belong to all believers w ho follow the Way of Allah. Perhaps then Allah w ill have mercy on us and w ill grant us, through His Might and Pow er, victory that w ill make us happy Inshallah. And to Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And Allah is Ever Encom passing all things [Surat An-Nisa', Verse 126.]

12 The non-believers did not do anything against the w ill of Allah. The plan of Allah has encompassed their plan. They w ill not escape from the torment of Allah. In a previous Khotbah I promised to talk about w hat is mentioned in the Quran regarding the dangers that aw ait the disbelievers. Allah has promised their destruction and let dow n. Previous nations have committed w hat these have committed and Allah Almighty destroyed them all. All Praise be to Him. Translation : Iman Nashar Auditing : Zena El-Abaza