Bismil-lāhir raḥmānir-raḥîm

Alḥamdulillāhi rabbil ‘ālamîn

Waṣṣalātu was-salāmu ‘alā-ashrafil mur-salîn

Sayyedinā wa maulāna Muḥammadin wa’alā ālihi

Wasaḥ̣̣ bih ajma’în

Mr MC, Respected families of Klerksdorp & the Northern Province, honoured members of the Islamic Medical Association and all new health worker graduates in the Northern Province

Assalāmu ‘alaykum wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh

Alḥamdulillāh, praise be to Allah! I am deeply honoured and privileged to share some of my thoughts and experiences with so many young and aspirant leaders tonight. And even more so in the presence of the ever vigilant IMA [Islamic Medical Association] Klerksdorp Branch. As an educator I see a close, even complementary relationship between the health worker and the educator – they are both concerned with the wellbeing of their fellow beings. Hence my references to education are equally applicable to health.

Please permit me to preface my talk with this inspiring and oft quoted verse from the Holy Quran:

“Allah is the Light of the heavens and earth. The parable of His Light is (as if there were) a niche and within it a lamp: the lamp is in a glass, the glass as it were, a brilliant star, lit from a blessed tree , an olive, neither of the east nor the west whose oil would almost glow forth (of itself) though no fire touched it. Light upon Light! Allah guides to His Light whom He wills. And Allah sets forth parables for mankind, and Allah is All-Knower of everything.”
(24:35) (Sūrah An-Nūr : 35)

My comments on reading this verse are a personal response, not the learned tafsir of the ‘ālim. I speak as I, an educator and learner am inspired by Allah SWT’s Sublime Word.

Allah is the Source of Enlightenment, of Perfect Knowledge, of a Perfect Education. The magnificent imagery of the lamp in the niche may well be interpreted by modern educationists and lawmakers to express the universality of education: the lamp in the niche casts no shadows, symbolic of Allah’s Divine Design of providing the facility to ALL humankind. Hence any government or individual that denies anyone access to education, violates that person’s divinely ordained right! The glass cover protecting the light adds to it the component of security as a condition for meaningful education. But it may well serve as a reminder to the ummah to protect the Message from adulteration.

A brilliant star – another beautiful symbol of the dynamism of education that constantly attracts the learner and the teacher to respond.

The olive, the oil that keeps the light glowing is fired from within – the enthusiasm and commitment of the dedicated educator that keeps the light glowing and, in the words of Imam Al-Ghazali “burns him/herself out” only to find the light in those whom he/she had taught.

But Allah SWT reminds us that the curriculum of education is “neither of the east nor the west”, but related to the totality of life’s needs. And then the wonderful, triumphant expression of “Light upon Light (Nur alan-nur)” with the promise of success and eternal joy: search and Allah lights the way to success!

Tonight we pay tribute to the many health graduates who find themselves performing their in-service training in institutions throughout the Northern Province and particularly in the fair city [or is it dorp?] of Klerksdorp. We acknowledge and thank them for their years of study, perseverance and sacrifice. We know how many temptations they faced and requests to abandon their studies for greener pastures. Alḥamdulillāh, they have achieved and travelled the first few steps on the Path to Success, the Path to Allah SWT and today we rejoice with you.

In Western Universities during the previous century all new graduates used to sing a special song… How well some old students still remember the opening line:

Gaudeamus igitur
Juvenes dum sumus.
Gaudeamus igitur
Juvenes dum sumus.

meaning literally “therefore, let us rejoice, enjoy our youth..” Of course the words, “rejoice” and “enjoy” have a different connotation to us as Muslims. Allah SWT does promise us a tremendous amount of pleasure not only after but in the process of striving in His Path. Do you remember the two little verses in Suratush-Sharḥ: that send such a comforting, lekker feeling through your entire being as you just recite these verses: “Fa Inna ma ‘al ‘usri yusra! Innama ‘al ‘usri yusra!”

“Truly with every difficulty there comes relief”
“Truly with every difficulty there comes relief” (Qur’ān: 94:5-6)

The joy, the feeling of fulfilment, is in the relief you experience not only on the completion of your studies, but after every assignment, after every test or self-assessment and reassertion. That is Allah’s gift to those who strive in His Path: the little boy at school enjoys it no less than the student working on his PhD or the scientist working on a new cure …just the possibility of a breakthrough is in itself, relief!

A week or two ago I heard a Maulana in Cape Town relate his experiences climbing Mt Kilimanjaro. As he approached the summit, he felt tired and it was difficult to breathe. Something or someone was pulling him to the top. The relief he felt when he looked down was a joy he had never experienced before. He experienced so much pleasure that he forgot to thank Allah. It was only later when he looked at the beauty of nature from the top of a high mountain, that he realized the extent of Allah’s mercy and compassion towards all creation. When this profound truth sank in, he performed his prayer of thanks. That relief is further proof of Allah’s reassurance in Surah al-Baqara: 286:

“Allah burdens not a person beyond his scope…”

You have qualified and have started with your first adventure into the health service. Sure there will be a mixture of excitement and disappointment and even frustration in with your daily tasks or service conditions. Some of the conditions you are bound to encounter may even militate against your principles as a Muslim. What are you to do? As health workers you are fortunate to have a committed band of professionals, health workers like yourselves in your midst. My first advice to any Muslim healthcare-giver, whether medical doctor, nurse, dentist physio- or occupational therapist and so on, is to link up with your local IMA, in this case, the IMA Klerksdorp Branch, where you are sure to meet someone with similar problems or someone more experienced to guide you.

As a family they care, enough to ease your frustrations and share certain sensitivities as Muslim care-givers.

Whatever direction your first experiences take you, don’t lose hope. Don’t even ask, as people so often do: “I wonder what the future has in store for me?”

If I should overhear you, my answer would be: “Nothing!” Remember what Qur’an promises us: “And man shall have nothing but what he strives for!” Go out and add value to your task; make a difference. Creativity in any undertaking is infectious or is it contagious? There is bound to be somebody who would notice, who cares enough to help you change the situation.

Those of us who have seen many years pass by, are living in the future of our youth! Yes, we are reaping the fruits of some seeds we sowed in the past! We are able to judge the effectiveness of our education to deal with our future which is the PRESENT, TODAY!

If you ask me whether my education at school, in the madrasah or in the community prepared me adequately for the future, then, sadly, I must reply with an emphatic NO! 50 years ago, when the whole world marvelled at the great feat of the Russians to send a satellite, Sputnik into space, in my first teaching post, I was excited and shared my enthusiasm with my students. We visualized the future with man going to the moon and the planets beyond, and my whole class could draw the Sputnik and the Soyuz rocket.

But I did not realize that their parents were experiencing a future shock: their religious orientation did not make provision for such an event. The next day the teacher was castigated by the parents and the ‘alim of that state-aided Muslim School for supporting idolatrous actions of people who meddled in the affairs of Allah, upsetting Allah’s creation! Astaghfirullah! In the same year (1958) the youth of Cape Town involved in tertiary education established the Muslim Youth Movement (MYM).

After 911 and attacks on Islam by Bush and his cronies in the West, the entire Muslim ummah became painfully aware of our material, economic, military and political inadequacy to meet the challenges of the present times. We stood helpless when the West threatened the entire ummah , more than a billion of us…and we stood helpless: our education, even our Muslim education did not prepare us for the present: yesterday’s future! Even our Muslim governments with massive economic resources did not use their Allah-given resources to prepare their citizens and create infrastructures for meaningful change. Instead the rulers amassed billions of dollars for their personal self-aggrandizement.

Since their status quo and woes are not the purpose of this talk, we need to look at our own future shock we are likely to experience 10 -15 years from now when these innocent children find that they are ill-prepared to meet the socio-economic and ideological challenges of their day. Often the problems originate in our very homes: Our children’s education starts with us.

Where do we start? Unfortunately we often cannot change the policies and nature of education in our state schools. But it does not mean that we should not remain vigilant of their effects/influence on our children. Even in our community-based Muslim schools our educationists often delude ourselves by claiming that we have integrated the so-called religious and secular aspects of our education into an Islamic educational model. We concentrated on the content to produce learning material that would produce a Muslim student equipped with so-called integrated Islamic knowledge. But have we?

It is not the learning material that would produce the committed Muslim student equipped with the life skills to live and become contributive to the wellbeing of the Muslim ummah. The curriculum includes such aspects as the student, text books, syllabi, the teacher and his/her teaching style/methodology, the physical conditions/facilities, the school management & administration, the role of parents and student bodies and liaison with other schools/institutions. Collectively these factors contribute to the nature of the school atmosphere, which reflects the nature.

We have sat through numerous workshops and meetings and have even written texts for teachers and their students. But, in retrospect, as I am in the future of those years, I can say with conviction that we have failed simply because we did not project our vision beyond the present day needs and facilitated progressive scholarship in our schools.

Alhamdulillah! There is always hope: To reduce the possibility of a future shock, we need to be guided by the advice of our Prophet Muhammad saw: “Teach your children to live in an age different to yours.” Become fully involved in our children’s education to the extent that our efforts reinforce those of the teacher or vice versa. I see at least 5 options open to us as parents:

2. Get onto the school’s governing body and be part of the policy-making processes of the school
3. Establish Muslim schools but do not compromise their effectiveness i.t.o. quality of education
4. Home-schooling: if you can form a group of families working together, but there are many pitfalls (see Gatto on the internet) c/f Mpumalanga
5. Madāris: This is a valuable asset and educational resource of the community, but please look beyond the traditional curriculum and offer compensatory/complementary education in these educational institutions
6. Masājid: non-formal / informal classes for parents to empower them as co-educators
7. Liaison with the Broader Community: Klerksdorp displays a healthy camaraderie of communal co-operation
8. Do not confuse religion education with religious education (not allowed in secular schools)

Our time is limited, even for our country and if Muslim education has something to offer, the administrators of education in our country and abroad will embrace it. I have deliberately stayed clear of the term, Islamic Education, since I associate Islam with perfection. Our education which is our proposed plan of action for Muslims, may not meet the criteria of Islamic.

Finally, Mr MC, I have seen the progress of this community and as I received news reports from my friends I am amazed at their unity of purpose and willingness to reach out to those in need of help, through sheer love for humankind. May Allah accept your efforts fee sabeelillah! I don’t need to visit your museum to believe that civilization may have started in this region! Once again, my good wishes to the parents and their children. Remember, go out fearlessly to create your future. To the new boys and girls round the block: you’re not alone in your struggle, but continue with your education.

Imam Shafi’I was once asked: “When will a man become learned?” He replied: “When he concentrates on one science until he masters it and at the same time addresses himself to the other sciences, and surveys what he does not know; then he would become learned”.

To our hosts, the Islamic Medical Association of South Africa, Klerksdorp Branch, I have travelled this far to say to you personally what I have said so many times on the IMA website, “You may be one of the smallest branches in the country, but dynamic enough to be an example of commitment to many of the larger ones.” May Allah SWT bless your members and your families to continue with your work in the Path of Allah SWT.

* Although this article addresses Medical graduates in the small town of Klerksdorp in South Africa, the message is so universal and so potent that we felt it deserves wider attention. We know that visitors to khutbahbank will benefit from it. Brother Rashard Jedaar has served his professional lifetime in Education, first as a teacher, then as a Head Teacher/Principal and finally as a Rector of the Islamic College of South Africa: ICOSA

We thank and praise Allah SWT, The Truth, and Who enjoins truthfulness as a way of life for all mankind. We bear witness that there is no other god worthy of worship but Allah, Who has no partner. And we bear witness that Sayiddina Muhammad SAWS is His Messenger — the living symbol of truthfulness, trustworthiness and justice. O Allah, bestow Thy choicest blessings upon him, his friends and relatives, all those who strove their entire lives in search of the Truth, and many of whom sacrificed their lives for the perpetuation of truth.

My dear Brothers and Sisters

During the past few weeks we have focused our khutbahs on the everyday life of a Muslim: his daily ‘ibaadah, how he cleans and dresses himself and cares for his body, how he educates himself and his children, how he earns his livelihood, and so on. And in all our daily actions one message stands out clearly: the message of Tauheed. Whatever we do, whatever we say or even think, we must harmonise our actions and behaviour, with the Will of Allah, the natural law of creation, we must conform to the values of Islam! In this khutbah we hope, Insha-Allah, to look at the conduct of a Muslim, our virtues, and forms of behaviour, those small things in life which can bring so much peace and contentment and its neglect so much dissension and untold misery.

Allah SWT places a great deal of emphasis on truthfulness as a basic quality which all Muslims should have. Again and again in the Qur’an Allah urges us to adhere to the truth at all costs, even if it goes against those whom we love. In fact, a Muslim should stand out as one who is always truthful and who loves the truth and would die for the Truth. If a non-Muslim politician can stand up and proclaim to thousands that he is prepared to die for what he believes is right, how determined should we not be to dedicate our entire lives to LIVE the Truth ? In Surah ‘Asr Allah SWT enjoins us to go out and proclaim the Truth:

“By (the Token of Time (through the ages),

Verily man is in loss,

except such as have faith and do righteous deeds,

and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth,

and of Patience and Constancy.”

(Q. CII: 1-3)

We start with ourselves. Our truthfulness is not merely the words that we speak, although this is the most obvious way to reveal our truthfulness or lack of it. We know we can speak something and believe something else. When you commit yourselves to Truth, then it transforms your whole body and soul. If this living personality of mine: these hands, this heart and mind, if every drop of blood that flows in this body is steeped in truth, then my words and my actions, my thoughts and my prayers are sincere and can only reflect genuine truthfulness. For then I am sincere and genuine when I say: “Verily my prayers, and my spirit of sacrifice, and my life and death are all for Allah, Lord of the Worlds…”

Can you and I honestly say that we have committed ourselves unequivocally, unconditionally to the Truth? The question may be very painful, but it forms the basis of our existence as Muslims and sooner or later we must come to grips with ourselves. If the answer is yes, then, Algamdulillah, we are truly free. We can free ourselves from the stranglehold of our own passions, we can rise above the shackles of enslavement, and the fears of oppression: Our commitment to the truth has made us spiritually FREE.

Truthfulness, justice, sincerity and honesty all flow from the same fountain. You cannot be trustworthy and sincere unless you are truthful. You cannot love and practise justice unless you love truth. Let us consider Sayeddina Umar’s RA love for truth and justice in this incident in Makka. Performing the Tawwaaf with S. Umar was his close friend and king of a neighbouring state, Jabala. As Jabala was walking around the Ka’aba, an Arab peasant accidentally trod on the point of his scarf and it was dragged off his shoulders and fell on the floor. The king became so angry that he did not wait for the peasant to apologise or explain, but hit the man with his full force in his face, bruising him rather badly. The man complained to the Caliph Umar about his treatment and explained that he had not seen the point of the scarf on the ground as he walked. S. Umar asked his friend the King Jabala if he had assaulted the man and he replied ever haughtily, “Perfectly true, this rascal trod on my scarf and uncovered me in the House of Allah.” The Caliph reminded him sternly that it was an accident. But the arrogant king was as defiant as before and replied: “I care not, and had it not been for my reverence for the Kaa’aba and the fact that I dare not shed blood within the Sacred City, I would have killed him on the spot!”

Jabala was a powerful ally and personal friend of the Caliph and he seemed convinced that S.Umar would not lay a finger against him, a king. But he was wrong. In a calm, but stern voice S. Umar replied: “Jabala, you have confessed your guilt, and unless forgiven by the complainant (the peasant), you must submit to the law of retaliation and be beaten by him in return. The king was shocked and answered proudly: “I am a king and he is but a peasant!” S.Umar replied: “You are both Muslims and before Allah, you are equal.” He proceeded with the dispensing of justice.

Our Nabi, the teacher of Umar and the other Sagaabats, was known as Saadiq Al-ameen, the Truthful, the Trustworthy. The critics of Islam often find fault with Islamic concepts or with the Muslim Ummah, but never question the truthfulness of the Nabi Muhammad SAWS. Because of his glowing example, the quality of truth was so deeply imprinted in the hearts of the Sagaabats that they not only loved it, but suffered the severest hardships for the sake of truth. In fact, years after the Nabi’s death, when they compiled the Hadith, there was agreement amongst the compilers that no companion of the Prophet SAWS uttered a deliberate falsehood and if a narrative can be traced to one of them, there would be no doubt to its authenticity.

If we love we would spend endless hours, days and even years proclaiming the truth. Thus Allah SWT emphasises patience and perseverance as essential qualities of a Muslim’s character. Consider the sublimity of the Nabi’s advice to Abu Bakr while they were hidden in the cave on their flight to Madeenah. The search party could be seen at the mouth of the cave and the Prophet calmly consoled his friend: “Have no fear, for Allah is with us….” (Q. IX: 40) Patience (Sabr) and Prayers are the doors to help from Allah SWT, as Allah reminds us in the Holy Qur’an:

“O ye who believe! Seek help with patient

perseverance and prayer: for Allah is with

those who patiently persevere.”

(Q.II: 153)

Another virtue flowing from a truthful personality is courage. After our commitment to truth, our personality is free of fear and we would courageously stand up for truth and justice.

Rasoolullah SAWS reminds us: “The most excellent Jihad is the uttering of truth in the presence of an unjust ruler.”

But courage is not displayed only in the wake of battles or facing the enemy. Every day of our lives we need to show some courage and face up to the problems confronting us. A local personality was recently asked to name his most courageous act and he replied: “To get up in the morning and face the day.” At work we often do not have the courage to ask for a raise. Or we allow the boss to do with us as he pleases. Concerning our ‘ibaadah we may think: “I have been so negligent in my salaah or I have been so untruthful and I do not have the courage to start NOW.” How can I regain my courage ? Allah SWT gives us the answer:

“He said: Fear not: For I am with you:

I hear and see (everything).” (Q. XX: 46)

Allah SWT has made us and accepts us as imperfect beings and He reminds us that the doors of mercy are always open. It is never too late for us to repent. We have a direct link with Allah through our salaah, through our tasbeegh and du’ahs. We can speak to Him when our faith starts to flay and grow weak, and Allah promises us: “Call upon Me: I will answer your prayer.”

As Muslims our courage is counterbalanced with our humility. It is our salaah that has taught us to be humble. Let others sing our praises, we are ever-thankful to Allah SWT for the gifts He is constantly bestowing on us. Your achievements in your studies, in your career, in sport or in business are a result of your personal efforts BLESSED by Allah SWT. The very fact hat Allah SWT has honoured you with success makes you humble. Arrogance and boastfulness is a sign of a misplaced thankfulness. The arrogant person thanks himself for his own successes.

In his arrogance he often humiliates and derides his brother whom he considers as inferior to him. Consider carefully the wisdom contained in these two verses of the Holy Qur’an:

“O ye who believe! Let not some men among you laugh at others: it may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): nor let some women laugh at others: it may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): nor defame, nor be sarcastic to each other by (offensive) nicknames: ill-seeming is a name connoting wickedness, (to be used of one) after he has believed: and those who do not desist are (indeed) doing wrong.”

“O ye who believe! avoid suspicion as much as possible: for suspicion in some cases is a sin: and spy not on each other, nor speak ill of each other behind their backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother ? Nay, ye would abhor it…but fear Allah: for Allah is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful.” (Q.49: 11-12)

To be sarcastic, to call each other offensive nicknames and to laugh behind the backs of others Allah condemns in the strongest terms. So often a brother or sister does not speak as well as you do or has misunderstood what you are trying to tell him. His answer is not merely some empty words. No, they represent HIM. By laughing at him you destroy his dignity and self-respect, that special quality which Allah has given all humanbeings. Respect the opinion of your brother, even if you don’t agree with it. Let him also have an opinion. You may try to convince him that he is wrong, but also in a civil and respectful manner.

One, who sows suspicion by telling untruths about his brother, has a deep-seated spiritual problem. The tongue merely expresses what is in the heart. His heart is black: he is the one who would “eat the flesh of his dead brother”. Our Nabi Muhammad SAWS warned the Sagaabats about the dangers of the tongue, as he said:

“A Muslim is he from whose hand and tongue the Muslims are safe.”

In conclusion, Brothers and Sisters, let us strive in our daily lives to be true in our words as well as in our deeds. It is so easy to promise but more often so difficult to fulfil that promise. So why promise unless you are very certain that you can keep your word. One simple way to remain truthful is to speak little, but always the truth, offer little but honour your offers. Make few promises, but keep every one. May Allah SWT open our hearts to the truth and let the truth remain our beacon in life, Insha-Allah,

Ameen! Aqeemus salaah!

* This khutbah was delivered in Cape Town, South Africa.

We thank and praise Almighty Allah, Who has prohibited the taking of DRUGS in any form and enjoined the abstaining from all that is harmful. For surely He is the Merciful, the Beneficent and the Sustainer.

We bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, the One Who is gracious to all His servants, having allowed them to partake of everything that is beneficial to themselves and society, and prohibited everything that is harmful. Allah is the All-seeing, the All-knowing.

We bear witness that our Nabi Muhammad (SAW) is the Messenger of Allah, the best who has ever called to that which Allah loves and which pleases Him. O Allah, we invoke Thy blessings and mercy on him, his Companions and relatives, and all those who have carried out the commands of Allah and have kept aloof from those things which He has prohibited: thereby gaining nobility in this world and in the Hereafter. Allah SWT warns us in the Holy Qur’an :

O ye who believe ! Intoxicants and gambling, (Dedication of ) stones, and divination by arrows, are an abomination,– of Satan’s handiwork: Eschew such (abomination), that ye may prosper.

Satan’s plan is (but) to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah, and from prayer: will ye not then abstain ?

(Q. 5, verses 93 and 94)

Brothers and Sisters

In these ayaat Allah SWT warns us in the strongest terms that the taking of intoxicants, gambling, idol-worshipping and fortune-telling are an ABOMINATION — abominable sins and seeds which Shaytaan sows to cause destruction, enmity and hatred among us. Through intoxicants and gambling Shaytaan hopes to divert our minds from remembering Allah — knowing well that only by remembering Allah are the hearts of the believers at rest and will there not be need for drugs to provide a false sense of security. These basic sins prevent us from performing our ‘Ibadah, performing our salaah; fulfilling our purpose on earth as Allah’s vicegerent, and serving the Ummah with our full capacity which Allah has given us. In the last statement Allah asks us: “Will ye not then abstain ?” In the same way that we abstained in the Ramadhan and which will help us to fight this evil.

This Qur’anic warning has as much if not more relevance today than what it had 1400 years ago. We read about a new culture, a new set of values which permeates and takes over existing cultures and ideologies. This so-called DRUG CULTURE, Brothers and Sisters, is right on our doorstep and in many cases right in our very homes. It has come in via the TV and the radio, the newspapers and magazines, man’s greed and love of money, and, above all, our failure to “shield” our children against it. It threatens to corrode our culture and destroy our Islamic values. In many families it has already taken its toll and deprived them of their loved ones, either a son or a daughter. It could have been my son or your daughter.

Allah warns us that drug dependence affects not only the individual but the entire Ummah. The World Health Organisation came to the same conclusion and defined drug dependence as “a condition of partial or persistent intoxication which is detrimental to the individual, to society, or both.” In a Hadeeth, narrated by Anas our Nabi Muhammad SAWS shows us how this concept affects both the individual as well as society through this beautiful assertion, when he says:

“Ten are cursed concerning wine: the one who presses it, the one who is engaged for pressing it, the one who drinks it, the one who carries it, the one who gives it to drink, the one who sells it, the one who devours its price, the one who buys it, and the one for whom it is bought.”

If we examine this Hadeeth closely we will realise that it cuts across the whole spectrum of life: social, economic as well as political. Can anyone blame the Muslim Ummah of the Cape when it took to the streets to demonstrate its absolute abhorrence of drug abuse? Can anyone deny us the right to draw the attention of the authorities and their decadent Western culture to this scourge they have let loose on our youth? When we gathered at the masjid and in the streets of Salt River, we, by our very presence, declared war on all those associated with drugs, in terms of the definition of our Nabi Muhammad SAWS.

In our anger, in our determination to eradicate this problem of drug abuse in our community, we may think that, by removing the drug pedlars and the junkies we remove the cause and the root of our ummah’s affliction. Do we really remove the cause ? Do we really believe that by removing the “pushers” and every trace of drugs available in the community, we have put an end to this menace ? No, we may succeed in removing a possible source of drug distribution, but other sources may soon come to light so long as the demand for drugs exists among our children and among our older brothers and sisters. Our Ummah has been afflicted and before we square up to fight, we must realise the extent of the problem. The problem involves the easy availability and the wide variety of drugs, the subtle and often blatant positive publicity given to drug-taking by the media. In this regard you only have to switch on the TV and watch the “hero” smoking or sniffing drugs. But more serious than the availability or the subtle approval given by the authorities is the ignorance and state of lethargy of the Ummah. This, in turn, reflects the extent to which we have abandoned our Islamic values and adopted values which are not our own.

Our Ummah and, indeed, many of our homes have become fertile grounds for the so-called drug culture. Sad to say, you and I may recognise some of these situations in our own homes. Let us look at the home where the father absents himself from the home with so many commitments outside, perhaps his business, social or sport commitments. Often the father is physically prsent but emotionally absent. He simply does not communicate with his children. Let us look at the home where both parents are working. This poses a strain on the family which many cannot cope with. Let us look at the double standards of values in the home or the inconsistency between teaching and action. The child is sent to madrassah to learn about the halaal form of dress, that gambling is haraam or that salaah is compulsory, yet parents adhere to the latest styles, frequent the casinosand when the athaan is sounded, the call is simply ignored. This type of hypocricy provides an ideal environment for taking drugs. Let us examine our “soft” attitude towards people whom we know are obviously drug dealers and pedlars. We tolerate them and some of them are often even allowed to remain prominent members of the community! Let us look at our socalled “liberal” attitude to TV viewing, attending cinemas and discos, especially with regard to our children. Can you see, Brothers and Sisters, how easy it is for a foreign value to gain a foothold in our homes. All this obviously have a negative effect on our value systems. You cannot accept Islam in theory only — you either accept the WHOLE of the Islamic way of life or not at all. In Sura Luqman Allah SWT reminds us:

“Whoever submits his whole life to Allah, and is a doer of good, has grasped indeed the most trustworthy handhold. ” (Q. XXXI : 22)

It is our duty to combat this evil in our midst, but a far greater fight is to build an environment in our homes and in our community where no pusher or junkie, no drug, no matter how attractive it may appear, can influence our children. Where do we start ? If we are to get to grips with the root of this question, then we will need to reassess our values and priorities as individuals, as a family and as a community. At the level of a child, learning to recognise harmful drugs, of the destructive effects, the dangers of drugs may be a good starting point. Our attack should, therefore, also be directed at our own weaknesses. The “cure” to our problem is to reverse the cause. Let us ask ourselves the question: Why have we adopted a life-style and pattern of behaviour so different from that prescribed by Islam ? Let those brothers and sisters in our jamaa’ah with the expertise to deal with such problems of drug-abuse, join existing bodies, and, if needs be, set up clinics at masaajid where there are facilities, to help our children and older members of the Ummah who are affected. Remember, our fight is not only to prevent, but also to cure. We cannot abandon our children or brothers and sisters who have become enslaved to drugs. We are reminded of the anecdate of Bayazid, the celebrated Muslim scholar. One night, as he was returning home from the graveyard, a noisy drunkard, who was playing on his lute, stopped his playing to abuse and swear at everyone passing him in the foulest language. Bayazid walked over to the drunkard and asked him not to abuse passers-by. The drunk became so angry that he turned his dirtiest tongue on Bayazid. He became so angry that he broke his lute on Bayazid’s head. The lute broke into little pieces. Early the next morning Bayazid prepared a basket full of sweetmeats and placed some money on top of it. His servant delivered the gift to the drunk with the following message: “Last night, my head was responsible for breaking your lute. Please buy yourself a new one from the money in the basket. Please remove the sourness of your tongue by taking these sweetmeats!” Can you imagine how the drunk felt ? He was so struck with shame and repentance, that he rushed to Bayazid, begged his forgiveness and vowed to stop drinking. Bayazid believed that while we should condemn the actions of the drug user, we must continue to assist him overcome his problem.

Let us appeal to our young Muslims brothers and sisters: Your youth is your most precious gift. Don’t let dope take it away from you. The euphoria (state of well-being) that the drug gives you is short-lived and its after-effects devastating. It cannot bring you happiness, love, success and peace. It cannot make you forget the pressures of life or help you to COPE with life. It will only increase your suffering and dependence on more and stronger drugs. There are alternatives. The best way to cope with the pressures of life is not to wish it away but to come to terms with life. Allah is near and His beneficence and mercy within our reach.

But the drugs like dagga, mandrax, LSD, alcohol, and so forth, do not attract only the younger section of society. How many homes are not broken up because father or mother had been so demoralised by drugs that he or she had forgotten their responsibilities as husband and wife or parents ? How many little children are not sent out begging for want of food because of the Devil’s brew ? How many young girls and boys are not so debased morally that they end up as prostitutes or murderers ? Most crimes in our society result from the indulgence in liquor, but other drugs seem to be on the ascendency if they have not already overtaken alcohol. There are those who indulge who would say: “We are only social drinkers or smokers and do not over-indulge. There is no yardstick. Partaking of drugs can NEVER be justified. Quran CONDEMNS INDULGING IN INTOXICANTS IN WHATEVER MEASURE.

No wonder Rasoolullah Saw. referred to it as the “Mother of all evils.” For surely, it is the key to every horror. Thus he said: “Keep yourself aloof from the mother of all evils.” UMMUL GHABAA-IETH.

This is why the Prophet S.A.W. said: “Keep yourself away from intoxicants, for surely faith (Imaan) and intoxicants cannot combine in the body of one person — when the one enters the other departs.” He also said:

“Allah curses intoxicants, and the one who buys intoxicants, the partaker of intoxicants, the one who wraps or pours intoxicants, the one who sells it, the one who presses and packs it, the one who carries and the one to whom it is carried, and the one who gets the profits derived therefrom.”

You, therefore, see O Muslims,

Obey the Commands of Allah. Keep away from this terrible evil, so that we may be free of Allah’s wrath. It is reported by Bukhari and Muslim:

“Everything which intoxicates you is “Ghamr” and everything which intoxicates is prohibited; and whosoever partakes of Ghamr in this world and dies without Taubah, will not partake of the pleasures of the Hereafter.”

Can we allow ourselves to be diverted from the Path of truth and justice, respect and responsibility, physical health and human dignity and above all, submission and thankfulness to Allah SWT by indulging in drugs and intoxicants?

Ameen! Aqeemus salaah!

We thank and praise Allâh SWT, the Oft—forgiving, the Merciful. We bear witness that there is no one worthy of worship except Allâh ——Who has revealed the Qur’ân as His greatest blessing to humankind.

We bear witness that Prophet Muhammad (may the peace and blessings of Allâh be with him) is the true Messenger of Allâh. He encouraged his followers to observe the fast and remember Allâh by reading the Qur’ân throughout the month of Ramadhân. 0 Allâh, shower Your choicest blessings on him, his friends and relatives, all those who sought to move nearer to Allâh SWT by reading, understanding and living according to the Qur’ân . Allâh SWT reminds us in the Holy Qur’ân :

“Ramadhan is the (month) in which was sent down

the Qur’ân , as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs)

for guidance and judgement (between right and wrong).

So every one of you who is present (at his home)

during that month should spend it in fasting,

but if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period

(should be made up) by days later. Allâh intends every

facility for you; He does not want to put you to difficulties.

(He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify

Him in that He has guided you; and perchance you shall be grateful.”

(q. II: 185)

Brothers and Sisters in Islam

Al-hamdulillah, we have entered this blessed month of Ramadhân and have already become so attached to it that we fear it will be over all too soon:

Have we done enough to gain of the limitless rewards and blessings that Allâh has promised those of us who do good in this month? Will we get another chance to experience another Ramadhân? Opportunities to indulge in acts of ‘ibâdah (worship) are within your and my reach: your prayers, your remembrance of Allâh, your reading of and listening to the Qur’ân, your kindness and helpfulness to your fellowmen are not onerous tasks demanding superhuman effort. They are the ordinary things which young and old alike can do and enjoy doing.

In the opening statement of the verse I have quoted, Allâh SWT informs us that the month of Ramadhân is the month in which Allâh sent the Qur’ân as a guide to humankind. It is a guide to know and uplift ourselves, a guide to attain true fulfillment in life, a guide to know and move nearer to Allâh SWT.

In a hadeeth, Ibn Abbas narrated that the Rasûlullah (Messenger) sollallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam (s.a.w.s.) , may the peace and blessings of Allâh be with him, was the most generous of people, and he used to be more so in the month of Ramadhân when S. Jibreel (Angel Gabriel) visited him. S. Jibreel used to meet him every night of Ramadhân till the end of the month. The Prophet s.a.w.s. used to recite the Holy Qur’ân to S.Jibreel, and then, when Jibreel met him, he was even more generous than a fast wind (which brings rain and good crops) — Bukhari.

Hence the Prophet s.a.w.s. became even more generous after he had read the Qur’ân.

We as the ummah (community) of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.s. are blessed with the prestine pure Word of Allah which has been preserved for us for more than 1400 years — free from interpolation and liberal revisions…a fate which other holy books suffered. We have the means to know Allâh SWT. The Qur’ân’s wording has remained exactly as it was revealed to our Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.s. It tells us of Allâh, of His Attributes, of how He rules over His creation, how He relates to us and how we should relate to Him and our fellowmen. It is Allâh’s greatest gift to us. A gift is something that is useful to you, something that makes life easier for you, and more often something that gives you pleasure. The Qur’ân is more than an ordinary gift. It is a Divine Gift, tailor—made for my and your special needs. One writer describes it as:

“…..the only nur (or light) as you grope in the darkness. It is our compass with which to find our way to success and salvation. It is the only Shifâ (or healing) for your inner sicknesses, as well as the social ills that may surround you. It is the constant reminder (or Dhikr ) of your true nature and destiny, of your station, your duties, your rewards, your perils.”

Unlike the reading of a reference book, tilâwah or reading and reciting of the Qur’ân is an act in which your whole being: your soul, your heart, your tongue, your mind and body participate. When you recite Qur’ân in your salâh (daily prayers), you try to think of every word that you are reciting. Reading or reciting Qur’ân, should never become mechanical. As the tongue recites, the words flow from the lips, the mind ponders, the heart reflects, the soul absorbs, tears well up in your eyes, your heart quakes and trembles. Allâh SWT describes what the Qur’ân does to us in the following ayah (verse):

“Allâh has revealed from time to time the most beautiful Message in the form of the Book, consistent with itself, (yet) repeating (its teaching in various aspects): the skins of those who fear their Lord tremble thereat; then their skins and their hearts do soften to the celebration of Allâh ‘s praises. Such is the Guidance of Allâh : He guides therewith whom He pleases, but such as Allâh leaves to stray, can have none to guide.” (Q. XXXIX: 23)

The Qur’ân has a personal appeal to each one of us. Allâh SWT, our Creator, knows our strengths and weaknesses: He sees our smiles, but knows our suffering. As the Healer He prescribes the means to cure our weaknesses, and gives us a “tonic” to fortify ourselves and provides us with directions to keep us on the “healthy” path. The value of this wonderful Prescription is lost if it is placed on the highest shelf in the house and taken off and read only when someone dies. On the other hand, it is equally useless (as a prescription) if the only reason for reading it is to vie with someone else for the honours of the most melodious recitation. The prescription needs to be read, to be interpreted, understood and acted upon. Anyone who can read, whether in Arabic or English or any other language, can also read the Qur’ân . But to read to uncover the treasures it contains, to read to learn to know Allâh through His Word, you need to approach your reading differently to that of reading the newspaper.

Firstly, anyone who wishes to read the Qur’ân , must approach the Qur’ân with a strong and deep faith that it is the Word of Allâh. This fact Allâh emphasises in the Qur’ân:

“This is the Book; in it is guidance sure,

without doubt, to those who fear Allâh.” (Q.II: 2)

Only with this deep faith and conviction, will we open our hearts to let the words soak in, awaken us, heal and transform us. When we listen to the words of the Qur’ân, it is not the voice but the words that enchant us — it is Allâh speaking! When the Qur’ân enters our hearts, we are filled with a tenderness , with such qualities as humility, sincerity, love and compassion, truthfulness and gratitude, and an eagerness to accept and respond to Allâh’s Message. Yes, how do we get this faith and how can we keep it alive ? The easiest and most effective way is to read or recite the Qur’ân. The more we recite it, the more will we recognise it is the Word of Allâh and the more will our faith increase in intensity and depth.

Secondly, if you and I are convinced and have faith that the Qur’ân is the Word of Allâh, then we must consider carefully our Niyyah or your intention of purpose: Why do we want to read the Qur’ân ? It is not enough to read it to improve our knowledge or for pleasure: how many people do not spend a lifetime studying the language, the style and history or the law of the Qur’ân and yet remain untouched by its Message! On the other hand, you may go astray if you read it for the wrong purposes and motives. Our beloved Prophet s.a.w.s. warned us strongly against approaching the Qur’ân for the wrong motives.

He said: “Whoever interprets the Qur’ân using only his personal opinion, shall take his place in the Fire.” (Tirmithi)

Nothing brings us nearer to Allâh than during the moments we spend with His Words. Our niyyah is to receive guidance from Allâh … to come nearer to Him….and to seek Allâh ‘s good pleasure. Let us always ask ourselves: “Why am I reading the Qur’ân ?” And let us constantly reassert ourselves with the answer.

Thirdly, with the strong faith that the Qur’ân is the Word of Allâh and the niyyah firmly embedded in our hearts, we become so thankful that Allâh has blessed us and guided us to read and study the Qur’ân. Al-Hamdulillah, praise be to Allâh , and in the words of the Qur’ân (translated):

“….And they shall say: “Praise be to Allâh ,

Who has guided us to this (felicity):

never could we have found guidance, had it

not been for the guidance of Allâh :

indeed, it was the Truth.” (Q. VII:43)

When we are so thankful, we feel the urges growing stronger and stronger in us to read and discover new truths, discover new secrets, discover new riches that the Qur’ân has to offer. This upsurge in creativity can only be attained if we have indeed moved closer to the Creator. Yes, Brothers and Sisters, you can only attain true success, contentment, wisdom and power through Allâh. You have this Guidance in your homes; you have the potential to become truly successful in life! Go home, take it up and READ. Allâh is right there with you and understands your problems and knows your needs.

To repeat, when we read or recite the Qur’ân, we involve our whole being — not only our tongues or our eyes or our intellect. This inner self of ours which the Qur’ân calls the qalb or the heart, is not the physical heart, but the centre of our prayers, our hopes and our drives. It is Prophet Muhammad’s s.a.w.s. heart that received the First Message from Allâh, as Allâh SWT informs us in the Qur’ân in Surah: Al—Shuaraa (XXVI: 192— 194):

“Verily this is a Revelation from the Lord

of the worlds: with it came down the Spirit

of Faith and Truth — to your heart and mind

that you may admonish…”

When the heart is involved then, and only then, can we feel and appreciate the joys and the blessings of reading and reciting the Qur’ân .

Brothers and Sisters,

We have a beautiful tradition of opening all our functions with a recital of the Holy Qur’ân, be it a wedding ceremony or a lecture, or even the naming of a newborn baby. In some communities, the 27th Night of Ramadhân (Laylutul-Qadr) is commemorated with Qur’anic recitals and dhikrullah throughout the night. Such functions are commendable and help our younger generation become emotionally attached to the Qur’ân , which is an excellent starting point for launching more intensive study and reading. It may also be useful, particularly in non-Arabic speaking communities to have similar sessions to read and discuss translations of the Qur’ân, which may, insha-Allah, lead to learning Arabic to understand and interpret the original Word of Allah.

O Allâh , increase our Eemân in intensity and depth;

Strengthen our niyyah (our resolve) to read the Qur’ân ;

Grant us, through the barakah of the Qur’ân , true guidance and pleasure;

Help us, o Allâh, become thankful and increase our eagerness to uncover the riches of the Qur’ân;

Help us, to transform our gratitude into deeds for the benefit of the entire ummah;

Keep the Qur’ân alive in the minds and hearts of our ghufâz, those who bear the Qur’ân in their memory and in their hearts, and help our children to perceive it as a beacon of light in their lives.

Ameen! Aqeemus salaah!

We thank and praise Allah SWT, the Compassionate, the Wise. We bear witness that there is no one worthy of worship except Allah — Who has provided mankind with clear guidelines how to live a pure and healthy life.

We bear witness that our Nabi Muhammad SAWS is the true Messenger of Allah, who taught by personal example the need for us to be pure and clean on our bodies, in our minds and soul and express this in the environment. O Allah, shower Thy choicest blessings on him, his friends and relatives — all those, who, through love for Allah SWT, approached Him in a state of cleanliness and spiritual purity. Allah SWT reminds us in the Holy Qur’an:

“And those who pray, “Our Lord !

Grant unto us wives and offspring

who will be the comfort of our eyes,

and give us the grace to lead the righteous.”

(Q. XXV, 74)

My dear Brothers and Sisters

This little du’aah from the Holy Qur’an we recite so often. It expresses our love for our wives or our husbands and our children; our concern for their wellbeing and our desire to have a peaceful and blessed home. In other words, we are asking Allah SWT to give us a good family and let the very presence of each member, father, mother or child be a “comfort” to the other, not a source of suffering or disharmony. In this Khutbah, we shall, Insha-Allah, look at this basic form of ‘Ibaadah: building a Muslim family.

A family, like a little plant grows, and grows well in the surroundings which suit its needs, but at times when it rains too much or the wind blows too fiercely, it can adapt. Soon there will be a clump of trees each providing protection to the other against the elements. The family starts off as the young husband and wife who had entered into a marriage that would be based on mutual co-operation, love and compassion, as Allah advises in the Holy Qur’an:

“And among His Signs is this, that He

created for you mates from among yourselves,

that ye may dwell in tranquillity with them,

and he has put love and mercy between your hearts:

verily in that are Signs for those who reflect.”

(Q. XXX: 21)

Those ingredients for a pious and peaceful life we have within ourselves and together with the physical conditions they help to provide the proper environment for the family to grow. But, unlike the little plant, a family does not merely grow, aided by the environment, a family makes a determined effort to become strong and to live together with respect and dignity. Yes, Brothers and Sisters, we need to work hard, and very hard at it.

Firstly, we must choose and commit ourselves to a particular way of life and within this framework we set ourselves realistic goals that would benefit the whole family. We are Muslim ! And surely there is only one way for us — the way prescribed by the Shariah. and, as we saw in last week’s khutbah, it’s a path that lends itself well to all people, even the so-called progressive “go-getting” Muslim. The word, “progressive”, does not refer to the degenerate, purely materialistic and selfish practices of western society, but to those who are determined to progress materially and spiritually within the values of Islam. Does this mean that we cannot strive for our own home or a car or that our children should not qualify with a good profession? We can, as long as these achievements form part of our total ‘ibaadah and do not detract us from our ultimate goal — to please Allah SWT.

Secondly, we must set up proper relationships among ourselves: between husband and wife, between parents and children and among the children. The Qur’an informs husbands and wives:

“….they are your garments and ye are their

garments. Allah knoweth what ye used to do

secretly among yourselves…” (Q. II: 187)

The commentator comments that “they are for mutual support, mutual comfort, and mutual protection.” Support goes much further than material or physical support and protection. It is the love for each other expressed in words of encouragement, caring, understanding, feeling responsible for and having a deep respect for each other’s person, ideas and beliefs. Consider the support S. ‘Ali gave his wife, Fatima, in this incident:

One day Hasan and Hussain, the Prophet’s grandchildren fell seriously ill. The parents, S. ‘Ali and Fatima, were very much upset. At last they took a vow that, if, by the grace of Allah, their little ones recovered, they would fast for three consecutive days. Allah listened to their prayer and shortly afterwards the boys got well. The grateful parents began to fast. At sunset ‘Ali and Fatima broke their fast by drinking a cup of water. They were about to stretch out to eat the few cakes of barley when they heard a voice at the door: “For the love of Allah, please relieve my hunger and save my family from starvation.” Fatima looked at her husband for support and said: “How can we eat to our satisfaction when this man and his family will be starving ?” ‘Ali felt proud of his wife and nodded his approval. Fatima gave their evening meal to the old man.

On the next night, before they could break their fast, Fatima found two orphan children at the door appealing for food. Once again Fatima looked to her husband for support and once again he was struck by his wife’s concern for the plight of the orphan that he agreed to go without food for the second night. When the Nabi Muhammad SAWS heard this he exclaimed that all generations will call him blessed for being the father of such a noble lady.

Support is a mutual expression of love, and has no pre-conditions other than that it should subscribe to the Shariah. Sad to say, sometimes we support or withhold our support as a means of rewarding or punishing our family. Can you imagine a man suddenly falling out of love with his wife because the tomato breedie was too sweet ? Can you imagine a man wanting to divorce his wife because his shirt was not ironed properly ? His shirt is his garment….not his wife as Allah has commanded him to be! Support must have the effect of helping our partner gain fulfilment in the special gifts or interests which Allah has given her or him. Behind every great man is a woman. Add to this “behind every great woman there is a man.

What about our relationship with our children ? In the following verse from the Holy Qur’an, we are given an indication:

“Ye know not whether your parents or

children are nearest to you in benefit.”

(Q. IV: 11)

When the child is little he is so tender and fully dependent on us until he reaches adulthood and can fend for himself. In the same way, in old age a man becomes like a small child, weak in body and mind. As parents we are their custodians, and their teachers. They follow our example and it is therefore necessary that we set a proper lead and give them the right advice. Remember they are not going to remember what we once told them but what they always saw us DO. They learn values by watching and imitating us.

Take the example of the teacher… (let us call him Teacher X) who conducted a madrassah in his home. Among the children was his own little son, Fareed. While the children were busy reading he caught a glimpse of Fareed tickling the ear of the little girl in front of him. The girl turned around and stared angrily at Fareed. This was punishment enough for Fareed, but no, not for his father. The father beat Fareed, swore at him and humiliated him in front of his friends, until the girl had to remind him that her father did not talk like that. Teacher X gained his composure and informed his children: “Today we are going to talk about mercy and compassion according to the Qur’an.” As the teachera began to lecture some of the children laughed unabatedly. Can we blame them for laughing? This teacher and father punished his child unnecessarily; virtually destroyed his self-ego; used threats; lost his temper; became rude and conveyed false values. His lecture was a sheer sham. Mercy can only be taught mercifully and so can love and compassion. This our Nabi Muhammad SAWS demonstrated this in various Aghadeeth.

“Abu Huraira related that Allah’s Apostle (SAWS) kissed

his Al-Hasan bin ‘Ali while Al-Aqra said, ” I have ten

children and I have never kissed anyone of them, ” Allah’s

Apostle (SAWS) cast a look at him and said, “Whoever is

not merciful to others, will not be treated mercifully.”

( Bukhari: 18, 26 Vol.8, p.18)

It is wise to remember that the purpose of discipline is not merely to prevent wrong-doing, but to mould the child’s behaviour and character and help to determine his future. True, we must be compassionate and merciful, but at the same time let us not be so soft-hearted or permissive in our actions and turn a blind eye towards a child’s transgressions. Nor must we, as mother and father differ in our behaviour towards the child. Do you recognise this scene: Father says: “Go and water the garden” and mother makes excuses: “Shame, he still has a slight cold, and in any case the plants aren’t too dry.” In this way the child learns to play the one parent off against the other, and thus no firm discipline can be established.

Today we have become so sensitive to the question of RIGHTS and this is cause for concern in our ummah. If we live according to Shariah then there would be no need to demand rights. Qur’an guaranteed human rights relating to all people, wives and husbands, mothers, fathers and children. Coupled with rights and inter-related with them are duties. The rights of the wife become the duty of the husband. Similarly the rights of the child become the duty of the parents. If a wife has to demand that right to be supported, then the husband is not performing his duty — he is transgressing the Shariah. Why should a child have to demand to be loved ?

But let us also remember, and here I am speaking to the younger people in the Jamaa’ah, that parents, too have rights and children duties. Your mother’s or your father’s heart is the fountain-head of the love for you; and this love becomes their life-blood. In their lonely hours who do they think of most ? you. When you have gone out, who do they worry about most? you. Your parents live for you and is it not fair that they should be given some form of appreciation and consideration particularly when they are not well or when they get on in years ? They won’t ask this of you. They give without expecting anything in return, but Allah expects us to do so. Allah says in the Holy Quran:

“Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none

but Him, and that ye be kind to parents.

Whether one, or both of them attain old age

in thy life, say not to them a word of contempt,

nor repel them, but address them in terms of honour.

And out of kindness, lower to them the wing of

humility, and say: “My Lord! bestow on them Thy

Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood.”

(Q. XVII: 23 – 24)

To build a good family life all of us, mother, father and children have a role to play. We need to know each other well, respect each other and even our right to differ in our opinions, care for how each one feels, if one of us is unwell, show compassion, and feel responsible for each other. Let us, as a family strive to keep ugly, destructive things out of our homes and make our homes not only comfortable, but , more important, let it be peaceful and cheerful and have the right atmosphere for serving Allah sincerely.

May Allah SWT strengthen our families, increase the love among us, make us worthy and respected parents,

show us the way to guide our children to the Right Path, open the hearts and minds of our children to knowledge and belief.

O Allah, make our homes abodes of cheerfulness and peace, let us experience Your Presence for every moment of our

lives, and let there be enough for all who come within those walls. Bless our parents and if they are old and infirm, relieve

their pain and suffering, and if one or both of them have passed on, forgive their sins and grant them a place in Thy Jannah.

Ameen! Aqeemus salaah!

We thank and praise Allah SWT, Who sent to an unlettered people a Messenger from among themselves, one who heard the True Word of Allah and taught them his wisdom and what is good.; one who concerned himself with people’s welfare — who always tended and protected his flock, lest they fall victim to sorrow or suffering. We thank Thee, o Allah, ask forgiveness of our sins and invoke Thy guidance.

We bear witness that there is no one worthy of worship except Allah, Whom no one can equal, and we bear witness that the Holy Prophet Muhammad SAWS is a servant and Messenger, who has been sent as a mercy to all mankind. O Allah, shower Thy blessings on him, his friends and relatives — all those who assimilated his guidance, faithfully followed his practices and helped the Deen, thereby earning for themselves Allah’s satisfaction. Allah describes him in the Holy Quran:

“Now hath come unto you an Apostle from

amongst yourselves: it grieves him that

ye should perish: ardently anxious is

he over you: to the Believers is he most

kind and merciful.”(Q. IX, 128)

O Muslims, this is, indeed, a very important month, for it is in this month of Rabi-ul-awwal that the chosen one, Muhammad SAWS was born. On the day of his birth there were many indications of what were to come from this blessed infant. He was reared in the most perfect manner and complete in character: he was kind of heart and gentle of manner….there was no goodness which cannot be ascribed to him.

The beauty of his character was expressed in his behaviour towards others. He used to attach himself to his family, honour his guests and at all times lent a helping hand to the poor, the needy and the oppressed, and no one called upon him in vain. He became renowned among his family and friends for his noble character. No wonder they referred to him as Al’Ameen” (the Trustworthy). But Allah SWT had a reason for instilling such perfect human qualities in one human being. He was being prepared for prophethood. And when he reached the ripe age of forty, Allah inspired him and sent him to all his people as a Bringer of Good News and a Warner — a guide to all good and a warner against all that is evil. Allah sent him as a mercy to all humanity, for the whole world was on the brink of disaster. People had neglected their duties to each other and had gone astray. Through him Allah bound their hearts with love and guided them to the Straight Path. He delivered the Message of his Lord so faithfully and so completely, and carried out the task with which he was entrusted with competence and honour — even at the expense of personal injury. Remember how he was treated at Ta’if and ultimately had to abandon his birthplace and his own family! Throughout his life he strove to please his Allah. For this Allah rewarded him and he lived to see Islam manifested in his land. He called humanity to the Unity of Allah, and that He Alone should be worshipped sincerely. He warned against Shirk (Associating anything or anyone with Allah or humbly submitting to anyone except Allah, whether he be rich, a ruler or a mere idol. Out of this Unity of Allah, flows the unity of mankind. He called people to equality — that there should be no distinction between people except on the basis of Taqwah (piety). Thus he reminded the Ummah:

“There is no distinction of an Arab over a non-Arab, neither for a white over a black person, except through service to Allah and Piety.”

Allah SWT emphasises this equality of man in the Holy Qur’an:

“HE created you (all) from a single person:

then created of like nature his mate;

and He sent down for you eight head of cattle in pairs:

He makes you in the wombs of your mothers….” (Q. 39, 6)

In another verse Allah further elaborates:

“O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of male and female,

and made you into nations and tribes,

that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise each other).

Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is he

who is the most righteous of you.

And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted with all things.”

(Q. 49, 13)

Thus Allah created us with a common purpose: to be righteous and to live in peace and harmony with one another. We must oppose with impunity any act or person who threatens to disrupt this harmony, who sows suspicion or dissension amongst us.

With our Holy Prophet SAWS came science and other branches of knowledge which would cleanse the soul and strengthen our Iman (faith), guard the senses as well as our honour and property. He taught us to use our intelligence, our powers of observation and forbade us to follow blindly our fathers or forefathers or to be guided by our Nafs (passions) or whims without reflecting or putting our decisions to the test of reason. How often does Allah not ask us to reflect in the Holy Qur’an: Do you not see? Muhammad SAWS came with a light and guidance while the people were in absolute darkness (ignorance) groping like a blind man in the dark, unaware of the pitfalls before him. He came at a time when all belief took the form of superstition and fantasies. Human values were ignored: people did not know the meaning of justice and respect. Morality was trodden under foot, innocent blood was spilt through arrogance and lack of reason. How low can man sink! Honour among people did not exist — in fact, all goodness was looked upon as being detrimental to progress.

Brothers and Sisters, do we not find something familiar with this picture of Jahiliah? The decadence with which our Prophet had to contend is back with us and threatens to devour us as individuals, families and an Ummah. The Message delivered by our Nabi changed injustice to equity, aggressiveness to knidness and brotherhood, cruel, ruthless inhumanity to mercy and forgiveness. Through the mercy of Allah SWT his followers became the leaders of the then civilized world. They ruled with justice and called people to the true religion of Peace. Surely Allah honoured the world with Muhammad (SAWS). The true followers of Muhammad spread the teachings of this great religion throughout the world until the flag of Islam flew over the earth from east to west. The life of the Holy Prophet was one great example of how to build up, guide and strive in the way of Allah. He guided humanity and called them to the truth and to those things in which lie their success and happiness. He warned us against all things which are harmful to ourselves and reason. It, therefore, behoves us to beseech Allah day and night to put his choicest blessings and mercy on Muhammad, for was he not a mercy to the entire universe? It is unfortunate to note that there are some people who celebrate the day of his birth every year simply because they feel that if they do not do so annually, he shall be forgotten and his message shall fall by the wayside. They are merely commemorating the birthday of yet another hero like a soldier who had done great service in a war for which he is remembered. They do not realise that the Nabi is greater and nobler than any hero who has ever lived,, and in being so cannot be forgotten. Mughammmad lived his teachings! Therefore, in remembering him, we cannot lose sight of his teachings — the greatest remedy for all ills, and the Quran the greatest memory of the Holy Prophet.

His religion and universal message shall live to the day of resurrection. Allah himself has pledged that this memory, the Qur’an, will prevail for all times, for Allah says:

“Surely We have revealed the Quran and we are its Guardian”

His Sunnah shall remind us of him every moment of the day if we practise it. Allah has elevated his home with his own – whenever we call to prayer five times a day we mention his name.

We cannot do anything ordered by Allah without mentioning the name of Muhammad (SAWS). So, O, muslims, the memory of Muhammad is alive when we practise his sunnah! Do we take from his example the manner of striving in the way of Allah? Do we try to emulate his moral code? Remember, there cannot be success, prosperity and happiness except for those who follow this noble Prophet sincerely and practise what he taught. The Muslims did not become weak, neither were they humiliated, nor were their enemies given the upperhand over them, except when they left the teachings of Nabi Muhammad SAWS and when their faith weakened. Such people cannot regain their lost ground, their lost authority, except when they turn back to their Deen and hold fast to the Rope of Allah.

For Rasulullah. SAWS said:

“Every one of you shall enter paradise except he who refuses:” Whereupon the companions asked,” O messenger of Allah, who then is he who refuses to enter paradise?” The messenger replied: “He who obeys me will enter paradise and he who disobeys has refused.”

Ameen! Aqeemus salaah!

We thank and praise Allah SWT, the Compassionate, the Merciful. We bear witness that there is no one worthy of worship except Allah — Who is so near to all of us and so ready to respond to our pleas for help and guidance.

We bear witness that our Nabi Muhammad SAWS is the true Messenger of Allah, who called on Allah SWT night and day in his salaah and in humble supplications (du’aah) appealed for guidance. O Allah, shower Thy choicest blessings on him, his friends and relatives, all those who, through their fear of Allah, their love and their total dependence on Him, spent their time in the remembrance of Allah (Thikrullah) and beseeching Allah to accept their efforts in life. Allah SWT invites us in the Holy Qur’an:

“And your Allah says: “Call on Me:

I will answer your prayer.”

My dear Brothers and Sisters

So often those of us who are old, who are lonely, who feel abandoned by our children and loved ones, whose hearts are filled with so much disappointment and sadness, have a deep need to speak to someone who would listen, who cares enough to want to help. So often, too, those of us who are young may feel equally depressed, overcome by loneliness or faced with the pressures and the complexities of life that we need to share our most intimate feelings with Someone who understands us far more intimately than our own parents. And sometimes, Algamdulillah, our hearts overflow with so much joy when we experience one success upon another, that we need to reach out and tell the world about it. In the ayah I have quoted, Allah SWT invites us to come and talk with Him and He promises that He will answer our prayers.

Unlike talking to our friends in a conversation, a du’aah or supplication, stems from a deep, personal need which no human being can fulfill, no matter how rich or important he or she may be, no matter how intimately he may know or love you. We don’t ask Allah those things that we can, by our own effort attain. We can ask Allah to bless our effort so that, by striving to achieve our goal, we do not compromise our Islamic values and ignore the the prescriptions of the Shari’ah. Allah will certainly not give you a new house if you do not put an effort into achieving it. At the same time your effort and apparant “success” will have no barakah if you strove in an un-Islamic way. Du’aah, belief and effort go together. This Allah SWT reminds us in the Holy Qur’an:

“When My servants ask thee concerning Me,

I am, indeed, close (to them): I listen

to the prayer of every supplicant when he

calleth on Me. Let them also, with a will,

listen to My call, and believe in Me, that

they may walk in the right path.”

(Q. II: 186)

In this ayah Allah assures us that He is very close to us and listens to the prayers of everyone who calls on Him. At the same time Allah expects us to believe, to have Eemaan and, secondly, “to walk in the right path”, that is, to have Istijabah or accept and strive actively in accordance with Allah’s rules and regulations. This emphasises the Islamic concept of belief and action as the basis of a balanced life. Faith without knowledge and a readiness to act on it is weak and contrary to the dynamic spirit of the Muslim personality. It is only the true believer who is committed to the teachings of our Nabi Muhammad SAWS, that would call on his Creator with complete submission and genuine humility. When the true believer makes du’aah to his Maker, he has never a doubt that Allah listens. He repeats his du’aah over and over again not merely with his mouth but his entire being.

Eemaan and Istijabah as pre-requisites to du’aah, ensure that we approach Allah SWT in a manner befitting Allah’s Majesty. Equally important is how we make our du’aah. Let us picture ourselves standing in front of the boss, ready to ask for a raise. It is a decision we had planned for some time but have been too scared to approach him. Finally we selected a convenient time and in the privacy of his office. Some of us may tremble with fear that he may say no, or worse, that he may fire us. Some may be more confident and express our true feelings about the job — how much they enjoy working there, and also our need to earn more to meet our commitments. Others may be so attached to the boss that they may, in all humility, tell him of their domestic problems, how their family struggles to make ends meet, of the children who need medical attention, the ever-increasing rent and prices of foodstuffs. The tone of our voice would hardly be demanding, but more subdued or even beseeching. If we would stand in front of our employer with so much humility, so much fear and respect and speak with so much emotion, consider, Brothers and Sisters, a situation far more profound: you are standing before the One Who is your Creator and to Whom you are accountible.

How should we address Allah in our du’aahs? What does Allah SWT say in the Holy Qur’an ? Allah enjoins:

“Call on your Allah with humility and

in private! for Allah loveth not those

who tresspass beyond bounds.

Do not mischief on the earth, after it had

been set in order, but call on Him with

fear and longing (in your hearts): for

the mercy of Allah is (always) near to

those who do good.”

(Q. VII: 55 – 56)

In this ayah Allah SWT asks us to observe FOUR values when making du’aah:

• Firstly, the du’aah must be made with humility;
• secondly, it must be made in private, and intimately;
• thirdly, it must be made with a deep fear of Allah; and
• fourthly, it must be made with what Allah calls “longing (in your hearts)”, in other words, with love.

But the main theme of this verse and constant reminder in the Qur’an to mankind is to be found in the closing statement: “for the mercy of Allah is (always) near to those who do good.” What Allah is telling us is: Don’t ask for favours and help unless you yourselves are prepared to do good!

In the ayah, Tadarru’ ( ) is more than the humility the subject has for the king or the pupil for the teacher or the child for the parent. It is a state of total respect and submission to Allah SWT Alone. One scholar puts it this way. He says: “When you approach Allah with your supplications, don’t talk to Allah merely with your tongue, but with the totality of yourselves: your emotions, your hopes, your spirit, your blood and flesh — every cell in your body should reach out to supplicate.”

The second requirement of Khufiyah ( ) or private and secret, refers to your sincerity and intimacy. Du’aah, in its purest form is an intimate communication between you and Allah. It is one secret you do not share even with your best friend. No one should see or even know that you are making du’aah. You may cry, but not intentionally to attract the attention of others. You may make your du’aahs in the middle of the night, but do not wake up the entire household with your pleas and supplications. Otherwise it becomes a show, a mockery and the supplicant nothing less than a hypocrite. We must try to enjoy making our du’aah, and, at the end of it experience a deep feeling of satisfaction and achievement, a feeling of thankfulness to Allah SWT for listening to us, and allowing us to talk to Him, a catharsis or purification.

Throughout our du’aah we are in a state of khauf ( ) or fear. Fear of Allah is not, as the critics of Islam want their followers to believe, the fear of a subject for a tyrant (astaghfirullah). Fear of Allah is unlike any feeling for a human being. It is a combination of respect, awe and reverence. We are anxious of not pleasing Allah, or that our du’aah may not be accepted. We fear that we may not be able to repent for our sins before we die and be denied the mercy of Allah SWT. It is this Fear of Allah that helps us to become effective and purposeful in our du’aahs, in our salaah and in all our actions in life.

The fourth value or requirement of the supplicant is that his heart must overflow with love for Allah, a state of Tama’( ). Like Khauf, Tama’ cannot be compared with any human love for another human being. Love for Allah is so dynamic and so self-enhancing that it is able to transform the believer from a beggar to a provider, from being lonely and unloved to being accepted and loved. Love for Allah is not a passive feeling, but an active act of giving. What do we have to give to Allah ? Everything ! To love Allah is to surrender ourselves totally to Allah. Hence, in our du’aah we try to forget our pains or worries, we forget our wealth or poverty. We try to rise above those things which are the cause of our misery or detract us from our ‘ibaadah. We should try to become more and more aware of Allah’s nearness to us and ever-mindful that Allah loves us and will answer all our calls. Remember, brothers and sisters, Allah’s constant reminder in the Holy Qur’an:

“For the mercy of Allah is (always) near

to those who do good.” (Q. VII: 56)

The characteristics of the sincere supplicant that Allah SWT described in the verses we have quoted cannot be rehearsed. Eemaan and Istijaaba, for example, form part of a Muslim’s way of life and cannot simply be used for the purpose of making du’aah and discarded after the du’aah. We must constantly strive to make these values part of us, so that we are always humble (Tadarru’), we always seek Allah’s help intimately and privately, we always fear and respect Allah, we always love Allah. We are always patient and do not expect an immediate reply to our call. Allah knows when and how best to answer our prayers. So often Allah’s answer is delayed for years, but our faith never fades. Let us consider the du’aah of Nabi Ebraheem AS for offspring from Nabi Isma-eel, who would call all people to worship Allah. Nabi Ebraheem AS made his famous reply when he brought his son, Isma-eel, to Makka from Palestine:

“O our Allah: I have made some of our offspring

to dwell in the valley without cultivation, by

the Sacred House, in order, o our Allah, that

they may establish regular prayer: so fill the

hearts of some among men with love towards them,

and feed them with fruits, so that they may give

thanks.”

“O our Lord! Truly Thou dost know what we

conceal and what we reveal: for nothing

whatever is hidden from Allah, whether on

earth or in heaven.”

“Praise be to Allah, Who hath granted unto

me in old age Isma-eel and Is-ghaaq: for

truly my Lord is He, the Hearer of prayer!”

“O my Lord! Make me one who establishes

regular prayer, and also (raise such)

among my offspring O our Lord! And accept

Thou my prayer.”

(Q XIV: 37 – 40)

This beautiful du’ah of Nabi Ebraheem AS was heard by Allah SWT and answered — not immediately, but 3 000 years later when Nabi Muhammad SAWS came to Makka. Is there anyone of us who can honestly say that he does not need to make du’aah? of course not. Let us in all humility and sincerity, call upon Allah. The Qur’an is the best source of du’aah. Let us, after our salaah, and in our quiet moments pick up the Qur’an and read it so that we can learn the verses relating to du’aah. Learn the du’aahs and make these du’aahs regularly. Allah SWT will listen and, Insha-Allah will answer our prayers.

Rasoolullah SAWS said:

“Supplication — Du’aah is the brain of worship.”

Ameen! Aqeemus salaah!

We thank and praise Allah SWT for his abundance of generosity and goodness to us. We bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah — the One to whom we submit totally and unconditionally in our Salaah.

We bear witness that the Holy Prophet Muhammad SAWS is the true Messenger of Allah, who invited us to perform our salaah, thereby thanking Allah SWT and sharing in the success it brings to mankind. O Allah, shower Thy choicest blessings on him, his friends and relatives — all those who strengthened their belief and purified their hearts through performing their salaah. Allah enjoins all Muslim in the Holy Qur’an:

“Guard strictly your (habit of) prayers, especially the Middle Prayer; and stand before Allah in a devout (frame of mind).”

(Qur’an: II, 238)

In this ayah Allah commands us to be steadfast in our daily prayers; perform our salaah at the exact, prescribed times and do so with a devout frame of mind. In other words, prayer should be a sincere, intimate communication with our Maker and we must think of Allah and only Allah in our salaah.

My dear Sisters and Brothers

In our materialistic/capitalistic world where the value of every action is assessed in terms of material benefits, we are bound to be asked: “Of what benefit is salaah to me?” Will I become richer, healthier, more popular if I perform my salaah? The very question sends blood boiling in the veins of the pious ones….can we ever thank Allah sufficiently for the bounties He bestows on us even when we are asleep? But we are tolerant: all of us do not have the same level of understanding or spirituality. One thing is certain, our salaah does not benefit Allah!

We eat, we sleep, we cover our bodies, we breathe in the fresh air around us. WHY? We have no choice. We realise that these “favours of Allah” are necessary to LIVE a healthy life. You and I know that eating can only be good for the body if done in moderation, and at prescribed times. Remember the prophetic saying: “You are what you eat.” Similarly, sleep, like food or fresh air is a tonic for living effectively.. But surely we have other needs to function effectively !

How often do we not need moral strength when we are afraid to undertake something new ? We need true knowledge of our direction in life; we need to feel that we are not alone; we need to love and feel loved; we need to feel part of a greater humanity or an even greater creation; we need to feel inspired and acknowledged for the good we do; we need to talk to Someone who really CARES, Who accepts us as we are, Who knows our intimate secrets, our strengths as well as our weaknesses and the way we function; we need to communicate with the Source of all Power, of all Knowledge so that we can strengthen these qualities in ourselves. Allah SWT in His infinite wisdom and mercy has provided us with the means to gain such spiritual strength — our acts of ‘Ibadah: our SALAAH, our SAUM (FASTING), our ZAKAAH and our HAJJ are channels of piety, of self-fulfilment. Through these we can fulfil our spiritual needs to develop a balanced personality and a balanced attitude in life. Salaah, like the Ghadj, is a spiritual experience in which the entire body, physical, intellectual and emotional participate and harmonize: if we feel upset or over-excited to the extent that our health suffers or we cannot think rationally, then salaah acts as regulator — a regmaker. It reduces the tensions, the emotions, and strengthens and increases the intellectual and physical components of our personality: we can think clearly and feel physically strong again. The cold intellectual or the emotional fanatic each has an attitude problem and needs to regulate his unbalanced personality with salaah. Thus Allah SWT reminds humanity in the Holy Qur’an:

“Seek Allah’s help with patience and Salaah.”

No wonder our Nabi Muhammad SAWS advised us to precede any new or unknown venture with salaah. When we decide to go on Ghadj or to get married or when we suffer a misfortune, sight the new moon, and so on. In short, salaah forms an integral part of our existence as Muslims. In our salaah, particularly, we have the means to success and victory. This Allah guarantees us in the Holy Qur’an:

“The Believers must eventually win through:

those who are steadfast in their prayers.”

Rasoolullah SAW confirms this injunction and emphasizes the need to perform it properly:

“He whosoever guards, protects and observes his five daily prayers, its rukoos, sujoods and its prescribed times, and verily, believes and knows that indeed it is truly from Allah, shall enter the Jannah.”

It stands to reason that we need to approach salaah with sincerity, humility and purity of body and heart in addition to understanding how to perform it. Allah prescribed it and made it incumbent upon us. But, like our sleeping and eating habits, He commanded us to perform it at its prescribed times and in a particular manner. For only then does it become a tonic, only then does it become effective, only then can it transform us and only then can we attain victory not only over our insecurity, our fears and anxieties, but also over our oppressors.

Rasoolullah SAW prayed with such sincerity, serenity and humility that his personality overflowed with these characteristics. Thus he taught by precept and example. He reminded the noble Companions (the as-haab):

“Perform your salaah in the manner you saw me perform it.”

On another occasion he advised someone who did not complete his rukoo and sujood properly: “Go back, and repeat your salaah.” Three times Rasoolullah sent him back. The man replied: “I swear upon the one who sent you with the truth. I do not know and cannot do better, so please teach me.” The Prophet SAW obliged:

“When you stand for salaah, then takbir (Allahu Akbar), then read from the Qur’an what is easy for you, then rukoo (bow down) , then rise from the rukoo until you stand up straight (pausing), then sujood (prostrate) until you rest in the sitting, then sujood again until you rest in the sujood, repeat the entire procedure in your salaah.”

The Prophet taught him how to perform the salaah correctly. It is only then that he could find peace of mind, and reminded him that salaah which is not performed peacefully and respectfully is not correct and permissible, as he admonished him: “Go back and repeat the salaah, for you have definitely not performed salaah.”

It is only if we understand the purpose and potential effects of Salaah on the human personality that we can realise why we must first meet with the basic requirements before we can perform salaah. Allah SWT enjoins the one who intends to perform the Salaah as follows:

“O ye who believe! When ye prepare for prayer, wash your faces, and your hands (and arms) to the elbows; rub your heads (with water); and was your feet to the ankles. If you are in a state of ceremonial impurity, bathe your whole body. But if ye are ill or on a journey, or one of you cometh from offices of nature or ye have been in contact with women, and ye find no water, then take for yourselves clean sand or earth, and rub therewith your faces and hands. Allah doth not wish to place you in a difficulty, but to make you clean, and to complete His favour to you, that ye may be grateful.”

(Qur’an: S.V, 7)

We need to have Wudoo and purity of the whole body. Our clothes and the very ground on which we hope to perform our salaah should be clean. Allah is Pure and how else can we get access to Him but through personal purity. It is sad to note, brothers, that some of us leave bits of skin or nails behind where they had been sitting and another musallee is left to salaah in this filth. Is this fair? Do we think only of ourselves and the acceptance of our own salaah ? Salaah has a social as well as a personal value. And our Nabi Muhammad SAWS placed so much emphasis on the jamaa’ah (salaah in congregation) rather than alone. Let us through our salaah, enhance not only ourselves, but the entire Ummah, Insha-allah. Allah SWT further reminds us in the Holy Qur’an:

“O Children of Adam! Wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer…..”

(Qur’an: S.vii, 31)

We cannot be pure unless our clothes are clean. Allah goes beyond this and advises that we wear “beautiful apparel”. Why not ? As long as we are dressed properly. The commentator comments on the word Zeenat as referring not only to clothes but personal grooming. How pleasant is it not to salaah next to a person with a fragrant, fresh smell (e.g. using atar )! And how odious the stench of a heavy smoker’s breath! Salaah requires concentration. Through uttering our Niyyah (intention) and facing the Qiblah (in Makkah) we direct our minds and our hearts to Allah SWT. When we salaah alone, we recite with our hearts and not merely with our tongues. When we salaah in Jamaa’ah we follow the Imam and let the words of the Qur’an sink into our hearts. And let us remember the teachings of Rasoolullah SAWS:

“The Imaam has been chosen to be followed, so when he takbirs, you takbir; when he recites, you listen attentively and when he takbirs and rukoos, then you takbir and rukoo.”

Salaah in Jamaa’ah emphasizes social discipline: the Ummah pray together as one and the Imaam directs them to a united action. Our Nabi Muhammad SAWS comments on the dissenting Musallee as follows:

“Does he not fear, who raises his head before that of the Imaam, that Allah SWT will change his head into that of an ass.”

My Brothers and Sisters,

Fear Allah, and be constant in your prayers and attend Jumu’ah as our Nabi Muhammad SAWS commanded us. He stressed this and did not absolve even a blind man who had no guide and requested that he be excused from attending Jamaa’ah. Rasoolullah asked: “Do you hear the Call (Athaan)?” “Yes”, replied the blind man. Rasoolullah SAWS said: “I do not find any excuse for you.”

Let us, Insha-Allah be steadfast in our prayers and perform them in the prescribed times. Let us submit ourselves in all humility and let not the weather or business or work lead us to negligence. And those of us, who through weakness of will or understanding, had neglected salaah, now is as good a time to start. Let those of us who are strong help them, teach them and show them the way. Remember Allah and surely, HE shall remember you.

Ameen! Aqeemus salaah!

We thank and praise Allah SWT, Who appointed us as trustees of the children born onto us, and enjoins us to rear them in such a way that they will grow up to assert the values of Islam in word and deed and, by so doing, gain fulfilment in life. We bear witness that there is no one worthy of worship except Allah.

We bear witness that our Nabi Muhammad SAWS is the true Messenger of Allah, who inspired the ummah to guide their children to the right way by precept and personal example. O Allah, shower Thy choicest blessings on him, his friends and relatives.

Brothers and Sisters in Islam

In our previous khutbah we reminded ourselves of the precious gift which Allah SWT has given us in the form of our children. They are ours, even if only as a trust, and we have the pleasure and the honour of helping them grow up and take up their rightful place in society. They need our constant guidance and support, even if it is only a nod of approval or a pat on the back. Our problem is not our willingness to give them the guidance and support, but rather how to give them the right KIND of guidance and support. It is made even more difficult and frustrating when we are constantly challenged by demands of so-called modern culture and its emphasis on what it calls human values and modern discipline. Allah SWT reminds us in the Holy Qur’an:

“But when He giveth them a goodly child, they ascribe to others a share in the gift they have

received: but Allah is exalted high above the partners they ascribe to Him.”

(Q.VII: 190)

Our very first act, when Allah SWT gives us a little child, is to dedicate him to the service of Allah SWT. We make athaan and recite aayaat from the Holy Qur’an in his or her ear and we invite the family, who have come to the doopmaal, to bear witness to this dedication. We are determined to prove ourselves worthy parents. Yes, brothers and sisters, you have been dedicated to Allah’s Cause by your parents and you and I have, in turn, promised to bring up our children to serve Allah. In the verse I have quoted, Allah SWT warns us not to “ascribe to others a share in the gift”. Our children are our special gift from Allah…so special that no one can lay claim to it…so special that we cannot, we dare not deny our children our constant care and guidance. Our guidance also makes us special to them. As such, we are their lifeline, their teachers, their models and, above all, their guide to Allah SWT. It means that we must be ever mindful of our personal example as Muslims. It is this example that they emulate and which may form the basis of their own adult life in years to come. Allah SWT warns us in the Holy Qur’an against this duality of believing one thing and doing another:

O ye who believe! Why say ye that which ye DO not? Grievously odious is it in the Sight of Allah that ye say that which ye do not.

(Q. LX1: 2-3)

Our Nabi Muhammad SAWS made it clear that there must be no difference between our words and our actions. What you know should reflect in what you do. On a certain occasion he told a group of his Sagaabats: “Learn what you will; but Allah will not reward you until you employ it.” He regarded education as being essentially the learning and living of values or adab. He said:

“My Lord, educated (Addaba) me and made my education (ta’dib) most excellent.”

What we teach our children at home we must believe in and do ourselves. We cannot tell our children to be honest and trustworthy while we go out buying and selling stolen goods or underpay our employees. We cannot insist that our children perform their salaah regularly while we are never home to lead them in the salaah. We cannot teach them the meaning of peace and to abhor violence while we allow them to watch violent TV programmes. We cannot have two sets of values: that which is pure and good for our children and that which is good for us. Such values our children will not accept, and rightly so. They are of us, love us and want to be like us. And is that asking too much? So, let us not fool ourselves into believing that we can produce good Muslim children while we ourselves remain nominal Muslims, if that is at all possible. Values do not flow from our mouths but from our deeds.

Our biggest problem is HOW to deal with the false values of so-called modern culture and its new fad of liberalism. To give you an example: we are now being told by modern educationists not to prescribe a set of values to our children, but that they must choose for themselves what to believe. Astagh-firullah! This is exactly what is happening in the West, where schools are not even allowed to teach religious values, where there is little or no respect between parents and children. Our reply to this is that our Islamic values are prescribed by Allah SWT and not by us as parents. We are duty-bound to inculcate these in our children. For Allah knows what is best for us! How beautifully Allah reminds us of our duties in the Holy Qur’an by way of Luqman’s advice to his son:

“O my son! establish regular prayer, enjoin what is just, and forbid what is wrong: and bear with patient constancy whatever betide thee; for this is firmness (of purpose) in (the conduct of affairs.”

“And swell not thy cheek (for pride) at men, nor walk in insolence through the earth; for Allah loveth not any arrogant boaster.”

“And be moderate in thy pace, and lower thy voice; for the harshest of sounds without doubt is the braying of the ass.”

(Q. XXXI: 17-19)

Can these values of justice, patience, firmness, humility and moderation be harmful to any person ? Can they ever become old-fashioned? Of course not. These are values which Allah has chosen for us so that we can make these values a part of us. I would agree that in inculcating these values, we must be careful not to use methods that will negate the very value we try to teach. If we want to teach our children to lower their voice in their daily life, then we will not achieve it by constantly shouting at them….like “the braying of the ass,” but by talking to them with respect.

These liberals even warn against disciplining our children for fear of disorganising their personalities. Is it wrong to tell your child that he or she is doing something wrong? The Qur’an instructs us not to stand by idly when we see something wrong being done, but to “enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong.” Our Nabi Muhammad SAWS went to the extent of advising the Ummah to remove a wrong with their hands, failing which, by speaking out against it, and if this is impossible, then through the power of prayer. A wrong must not go unchallenged, least of all in our homes. When we discipline our children, we prevent them from getting hurt, we help to mould their behaviour and character and to determine their future. It is as an act of love.

There is, of course, a way of maintaining discipline in our homes. And this is, unfortunately, where so many of us fall short and end up doing our children more harm than good. Our main problem is often our inconsistency. Sometimes we punish our children for watching TV during Maghrib while on another day, it may all right to do so. This inconsistency makes the child unsure of himself and gives him the right to do so. We must set limits to what we are expected to do or not to do at home. These limits or home rules, all of us: mother, father and children respect alike. Take, for example, greeting. If the rule in our home is that the child should take his father’s hand while greeting, then he will not leave the home without first doing this…it becomes a habit and a clear indication of what is expected of him. Such limits may be set for performing salaah; how we speak to each other; at what time we read Qur’an; sharing what we have; home chores; going to bed at night; and so on. Occasionally we can deviate from these rules, but then it will become the exceptions. Remember, our home is our community in miniature form. The limits we set ourselves in our homes, are the laws which we are expected to obey in the community. We are busy building a bridge for our children to the community. Such inconsistencies sometimes arise because of differences in attitude of mother and father. This can be damaging not only to the child but to the integrity of the family and the marriage itself. Mother and father must never allow such a situation to arise. Try to plan limits beforehand. Remember, our children expect us as parents to present a united front.

Our Nabi Muhammad SAWS encouraged parents to be kind and gentle towards their children. He described the suffering of parents in providing for their children as a “screen from the Fire” for the parents (Bukhari). Let us remember this when we have to discipline them. A child with a behaviour problem often needs nothing more than the warmth and gentle caring of loving parents. Yes, we are disappointed when our children “let us down” after “we have done so much for them”. It is our personal pride that has been bruised, but let us think of the emotional and moral turmoil in which our son or our daughter finds himself or herself. We can pick ourselves up when we are down. But can he? or can she ? Sometimes we need to take firm action when children transgress, but remember, our sense of compassion and mercy is in itself a moral lesson to them. It is a good rule never to punish them when we are angry. Even if we are faced with the most serious problem, we do not lose sight of the child’s dignity and right to be respected. Let us draw a lesson from this simple anecdote of our Nabi Muhammad SAWS:

A man once came to our Prophet SAWS and related that he was passing a bush when he heard the chirping of little nestlings. He picked up the little birds and placed them in his cloak. Their mother saw her empty nest and cried piteously while she followed him. He opened the cloak and she sat down to feed her babies. While he was talking, the Prophet was growing more and more uneasy, and when he opened the cloak to show the birds, the Prophet demanded that he return the birds to their nest. After some moments he (Rasoolullah SAWS) turned to his Companions, his eyes full of tears and he said: “How immense is the affection of a mother! How full of anxiety is the heart of this bird-mother for her young ones! But, my Companions, Allah is full of infinitely greater anxiety for His Creation!” (Mishkat)

Our anxiety for our children will always be there. It is an expression of our love for them and a concern for their wellbeing. Let those of you who have parents, also realise and appreciate the sacrifices they are making for you, even at the expense of much personal hardship. Go to them and show them that you appreciate, that you care. Let us repeat a little du’aah we recited in our previous khutbah and ask Allah SWT to accept it from us as the parents and teachers of our children:

O Allah, the Wise, Bestower of Wisdom

Help me to remember that I care for the most precious of all

Thy creation, the Innocent Child.

Help me always to remember that I am leaving my mark on him,

which Time will never erase.

Give me patience with those who are slow to learn, and tolerance

with those who don’t want to learn.

When I have to discipline them, help me to do so with firmness,

and yet, with Love.

Keep me from using a sarcastic and biting tongue, and help me

always to encourage and never to belittle those who are doing

their best, even if their best is not very good.

Help me to let the children not only store things in their

memories, but create things with their minds.

And amidst all the worrying and irritation of my task, help me

to remember that the future of the community and the world is

in my hands.

Help me to follow in the footsteps of the best of parents and teachers, the guide of all humanity, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Help us, O Allah, my children and me!

AMEEN

Ameen! Aqeemus salaah!

* This khutbah was delivered in Cape Town, South Africa

We thank and praise Allah SWT, Who prescribes moderation as the ideal way in our dealings and as a means of attaining socio-economic growth and stability. I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship but Allah — Whose dîn guarantees social and material security for all its followers.

I bear witness that Prophet Muhammad (saws) is the Messenger of Allah, who encouraged Muslims to shun extremes and to be moderate in every facet of life. O Allah, shower Your choicest blessings on him, his noble Companions and relatives… all those who preferred humility to pride and arrogance.

Allah SWT enjoins in the Holy Qur’ân:

“Thus have We made of you an Ummah, Justly balanced, that you might be witnesses over the nations. ”

Quran (2: 143)

Brothers and Sisters in Islam

A question most frequently asked when Muslims meet, is: Why are we so divided today? And almost in the same breath we venture reasons and solutions straight from sociology textbooks or try to justify the division as unity in diversity to quote the hackneyed phrase! Common sense tells us that the more we discard our human values — the values prescribed by Allah SWT and exemplified by His Prophet Muhammad (saws), the more we estrange ourselves from one another ans destroy the coherence of the ummah.

We often wrongly emulate what we perceive as “commendable values” only to find ourselves moving further from the mainstream of the community. One such perception is the so-called the bigger-the better-syndrome which dictates our mode of functioning. Extremism is a new sickness that seems to plague us individually and collectively in relationships with one another. We express extremes in our interpersonal behaviour, extremes in our lifestyles, extremes in our habits, like eating and sleeping and even talking, extremes in our interpretation of our dîn or political ideals, extremes in our expectations of our children’s abilities and many, many more.

These extremes are often not related to natural, God-given values and make it difficult for anyone…even our closest kin… to live in peace and harmony with us. In this khutbah we hope, insha-Allah, to look at and rid ourselves of this scourge, which threatens our survival as an ummah.

In the above verse of the Holy Qur’ân, Allah SWT offers us a clear direction on our stand in life: to be justly balanced in everything that we do ! Only then, says Allah, can we truly be witnesses over the nations . Parties often argue with one another because they hold extremely opposite views and refuse to compromise and accommodate each other’s views. It is only an outsider who is just that can bring them back to reason and make them realise their faults.

How often do we not suffer untold misery because of our excessive practices? Do we constantly have to blame market forces or use other capitalist euphemisms to justify our excessive spending? Sure, everyone loves a beautiful home, but do we have to land ourselves into financial difficulty and subject our families to humiliation and ridicule to acquire one? We would all love to have the beautiful things in life …and why not — most of them are free. But let us plan and budget carefully, even if it means taking longer to get the things we want. Allah SWT advises us in the Holy Qur’ân on the management of our spending:

“Those who, when they spend, are not extravagant and not niggardly,But hold a just balance between

those extremes…..” (25: 67)

The secret of success in any effort lies in our ability to keep a “just balance” between the extremes. There are some of us who are by the means to eat or dress properly, but we are thrifty to the extreme — to the extent that we starve ourselves and our families and dress like tramps. Once again let us keep the just balance between the extremes of extravagance and stinginess. We are reminded of the Hadîth in which Prophet Muhammad saws advises the ummah to dress according to their means. Abul Ahwâs reported from his father who said: “I came from the Messenger of Allah while there was a torn cloth on my person. Rasûlullah saws asked: “Do you have wealth ?” “Yes,” said I. He asked: “What wealth do you have?” “Every kind of wealth,” replied I, “Allah has given me camels, cows, sheep, horses and slaves.” Rasûlullah saws said: “When Allah has given you wealth, let the signs of the gifts of Allah and Allah’s generosity be shown upon your person.” (Nisa-i)

In another Hadîth Rasûlullah saws said: “The generous man is near Allah, near the Jannah (Paradise), near the people, and far from the Jahannam (Hell); and the ignorant charitable man is dearer to Allah than the pious miser.” (Tirmizi)

In our ‘ibâdât, the extremes in which we express our piety may well nullify our efforts. Let us consider the person who reads the Qur’ân so loudly in the mosque that his/her reading disturbs the mussallee next to him/her–similarly, a mussallee who recites his/her prayers so loudly that it distracts others around him/her. Hence Allah SWT reminds us:

“……..neither speak your prayer aloud, nor speak it in a low tone, but seek a middle course between.”

(Q. XVII:110)

And speaking of solâh, how often do we not miss our fajr (morning) prayer because we overslept (excessive sleep). On a lighter note, a visiting lecturer to Cape Town was asked for his observation of the Muslims of the city. His comments were that we eat too much, hence many of us are overweight; we talk too much, hence we often find ourselves in trouble; and we sleep too much, hence we are often late for our fajr prayers. I’m sure that if he had stayed longer he would have had a longer list! The Golden Rule is once again moderation. Let us consider the wisdom of Luqman as he addresses his son, as Allah SWT describes it in the Holy Qur’ân:

“And swell not your cheek (for pride) at men, nor walk in insolence through the earth; for Allah loves not the arrogant boaster. And be moderate in your pace, and lower your voice; for the harshest of sounds without doubt is the braying of the ass.”

(S31: 18-19)

How true do these words not ring out when we think of those around us: the boaster and his/her despicable arrogance or the loud-mouth outbraying an ass! Not only are they despised by people but by Allah! Moderation is the middle way. ‘Alama Yusuf ‘Ali, in his comments on these Quranic verses, says: “In all things be moderate. Do not go the pace, and do not be stationary or slow. Do not be talkative and do not be silent. Do not be loud and do not be timid or half-hearted. Do not be too confident, and do not be cowed down.” So often we remind ourselves of the limits of our modesty in dressing, but we forget to remind ourselves of the undignified use of our voices in public. Many of us have forgotten how to laugh. It is reported that, when Prophet Muhammad saws laughed, it was hardly audible.

Another equally despicable practice among some of us is to appear self-righteous or religious and to regard all those who do not subscribe to our ideas, as lesser beings or being outside the fold of Islam. It is true that Allah commands us to enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong. But let us not overstep the authority given to us by Allah SWT by humiliating and hurting the feelings of those that see and interpret things differently. Allah is the ONLY Authority on HIS Qur’an and HIS dîn. Our interpretations are subject to our limited human understanding and intellectual capacities. This is precisely what we are warned against in the Holy Qur’an:

“O you who believe! Make not unlawful the good things which Allah has made lawful for you, but Commit no excess: for Allah loves not those given to excess.” (S.5: 87)

To be tolerant is to adopt a moderate, balanced attitude towards a person or an idea. Even if we don’t agree with a brother or sister, we can at least control our emotions and give him or her the right to say his or her piece. Why upset ourselves with those around us if they do not see things our way or move around too slowly or speak too softly for our liking (perhaps through old age)? Why should we and our likes and dislikes become criteria for judging others? Have we become too important, too learned to give our attention to those in need of our help. Once again, be careful: don’t become self-righteous …let’s not become an ummah unto ourselves, cut off from the rest of humankind. Let us rather be tolerant of one another by controlling our emotions and being consistent in all our actions. This is not such a difficult task. In fact, in a Hadîth, Prophet Muhammad saws narrated by Bukhari, Abu Hurraira reported that the Messenger of Allah saws said: “The dîn is easy, and nobody make it difficult…it will overcome him/her. So be steadfast and seek Allah’s Nearness. Give good news and seek help at morn and at dusk and some part of a dark night.” (Bukhari)

In another Hadîth, S. Ayesha reported that the Messenger of Allah saws said: “The most pleasing of actions to Allah is that which is done continuously (consistently) though it be little.” In this Hadîth, Rasûlullâh saws gives us the secret of moderation and success, which is consistency and steadfastness. Do a little at a time, but do it continuously or regularly. Let our students or even our athletes struggling to get fit, take a lesson from this Hadîth — do a little at a time…but be consistent. How much wisdom is there not in the nursery school ditty?

“Little drops of water,

Little grains of sand,

Make the mighty ocean and the mighty land….”

And finally, Brothers and Sisters

I will be failing in my duty if I do not remind myself and you of a potentially destructive extreme we often resort to in our relationship with our friends and more especially with our children. We expect too much of them…to the extent that we fail to see their real qualities. When our little daughter puts on her mother’s clothes, she is not being stupid or exhibitionist, just a little child learning through her fantasies. When our son at College or high school does not get an A-pass in mathematics, he is no less human than his friend who did get it. Our expectations must consider reality, not the reality we choose to create in our minds, but the reality that IS. Our expectations must be rooted in patience and constancy. How beautifully the Qur’an expresses this simple truth:

“And join together in mutual

teaching of Truth, and of Patience

and Constancy.” (S.103: 3)

Let us remember that we are part of Allah’s creation and have a duty to harmonise our will with the rest of creation. Only when we are able to do this and to live in peace and harmony with one another, then are we ready to submit ourselves fully and unconditionally to the Will of Allah. Then and only then, can we take up our place as Allah’s Vicegerent on Earth.

Hadîth: Ibn Mas’ud reported that the Messenger of Allah said: “Nobody who has faith in his heart to the weight of the mustard seed, shall enter Hell; and nobody who has pride in his heart to the weight of the mustard seed, shall enter Paradise.” (Muslim).

Ameen! Aqeemus salaah!

We thank and praise Allah SWT, the Compassionate, the Wise. We bear witness that there is no one worthy of worship except Allah — who loves us so much that He has made the heavens and the earth subservient unto us.

We bear witness that our Nabi Muhammad SAWS is the true Messenger of Allah, who enjoined us to explore the far corners of the heavens and the earth to know Allah’s creation and worship Allah with understanding. O Allah, shower Thy choicest blessings on him, his friends and relatives — all those who enjoined what is right and forbade what is wrong. Allah SWT reminds us in the Holy Qur’an:

“Let there arise from among you a band of people inviting to all that is good: enjoining what is right and forbidding what is evil. They are the ones to attain felicity.”

My dear Brothers and Sisters

Let us, for a moment pause to consider the wisdom and guidance contained in this very short ayah: Allah SWT advises us: “Let there arise from among you a band of people”. Such a band could possibly be a group of teachers in a school or madrassah, a group of concerned parents serving on a school’s PTA, or a group of men or women who organise themselves and set out to combat ignorance, such as fighting drug abuse or reminding the Ummah of their religious duties (e.g. the Tableeghi groups). These people do not wait to be asked, or to be elected or employed, they arise out of love for their fellowmen. They see the problems in the Ummah and accept responsibility for doing something about it. We are further advised HOW to set about the task of teaching them: the ayah continues: “inviting to all that is good”. Allah reminds us to go out and “invite”, not to intimidate or to humiliate, not to hurt or abuse those whom we wish to guide, but to encourage, to inspire, to comfort and to stimulate them to do good. Let those of us who are teachers or parents take note. We can do so much more with kindness and love than with insults and abuse. Goodness, in fact all knowledge, can only be taught with goodness. At the same time Allah SWT reminds us to “enjoin what is right and forbid what is evil”. We are required to stand up firmly for truth and to condemn any form of evil. On this we do not compromise. At the end of the ayah those of us who are involved are promised our just reward.

Education like feeding or clothing the child is the responsibility of the parents, with the Ummah (or the State) through its agencies providing the facilities and ensuring that we can afford it. At first it is the mother who, in the quiet moments while she is alone with her little baby, teaches him or her, later on the father and the whole family become his teacher. But he needs to socialise, to learn to play and ultimately to live with other people. Hence we send him to school and madrassah. Can we as mother and father now sit back and say to the new teachers: “I’m handing my child over to you. It is now YOUR responsibility!” In other words, are we as parents absolved from all responsibility for our children’s education when they go to school ? Of course not. We can enlist the help of as many teachers or aids, but the responsibility for educating our child remains ours.

This gives rise to the question of involvement and participating meaningfully in the child’s education. Why is it necessary for us to become involved in our child’s education outside of the home ? Will the madrassah or school not see it as interference in their affairs ? In our area there are so few Islam-oriented primary schools and we are forced to send our children to schools run by the State. The officials who draft the syllabuses are non-Muslim and choose subject-matter which would fulfil their cultural and religious needs. Often the learning material is not only un-Islamic, but blatantly anti-Islamic. This is more than enough reason for us to become actively involved in the organisation of the school or at least the teaching of our own children. Our Nabi Muhammad SAWS laid much emphasis on need-related education, that is, giving the child knowledge which he can USE. On one occasion he said:

“The best of men is the learned believer who, if he is needed, he will be useful; and if dispensed with, he will be self-sufficient.”

Our duty is to ensure that our children feel physically as well as ideologically comfortable, that they are not subjected to values which are foreign to Islam. Secondly, that the values with which they come to school are respected by the teacher and considered in his teaching. Thirdly, that the “school work” is discussed at home where it is re-interpreted from the Islamic perspective so that it becomes relevant and meaningful in terms of our culture and beliefs. For example, the child was given a science lesson on the flower and the functions of its parts. He knows the names of all the parts, from the corolla to the stamens and he even knows what work each one does or where such a flower grows. This information is not un-Islamic, the child learns about Allah’s creation, but does this information bring him any closer to Allah? In other words is this kind of teaching education as Muslims see it ? No, the child is presented with cold, theoretical data rather than meaningful knowledge. The learner must become so involved to the extent that he appreciates that he is part of the flower’s world, the flower, like him, is part of Allah’s creation. In this lesson the teacher failed to direct his pupils towards Allah. He has given them new information, but he has not educated them ! Education is a movement towards Allah! We as parents can re-direct our children’s attention to the flower as one of Allah’s most colourful creations. With them we marvel at Allah’s great Wisdom to create colours so pleasing to our eyes. What about those small parts which work so closely with each other to produce little seeds and ensure that more and more flowers and food is produced. Let them consider how dependent it is on the other bodies in creation, such as the sun, the soil, the animals. Allah must surely love us and all creation to be so merciful to us and even to the little bee in search of nectar. The lesson becomes more than a science lesson, it becomes part of the study of Taugheed so beautifully described in the Holy Qur’an:

“Behold! In the creation of the Heavens and the Earth; in the alternation of the Night and the Day; in the sailing of the ships through the ocean for the profit of mankind; in the rain which Allah sends down from the skies, and the life which He gives therewith to an earth that is dead; in the beasts of all kinds that He scatters through the earth; in the change of the winds, and the clouds which they trail like their slaves between the sky and the earth;– Here indeed are Signs for a people that are Wise.”

(Q.II: 164)

If we are sufficiently involved in our children’s education, we may bring about far-reaching changes in the school’s organisation and the teaching programme. We can help to change the school’s uniform so that it caters for the needs of the Muslim girl; we can demand that children should be allowed to perform Jumu’ah and even Thuhr salaah (if there are facilities at school); where there is a Muslim teacher available, the Muslim children may even get special Islamic religious education. In fact, if we work closely with the school, we may even influence the principal to work in collaboration with local Muslim organisations and make the education far more relevant to us as Muslims.

We are duty-bound to become involved in our children’s education. We cannot surrender and forfeit our right to our children to a foreign agency! How can we become involved ? The onus is on us to introduce ourselves to the teachers as the parents and express our willingness to assist the child at home or offer our co-operation. The teacher who is sincerely interested in the wellbeing of the child, would welcome this offer, for he knows that he needs the full participation of the parents if he is to become a successful educator. He does not know the child as well as the parents and need their feedback. The next stage is to participate actively on the school’s Parent-teachers Association and making ourselves available for election to the school committee. At these meetings we must not be afraid to lobby among our fellow-Muslim brothers and sisters to bring about changes in the interest of our children. We must also study the progress reports of each class as they are tabled and voice our approval or disappointment. The school principal would soon become aware of our presence and needs, and if he is a fair-minded person, he would try to meet as many of our demands as possible.

What is our attitude with regard to the Madrassah or Islam- oriented primary schools? We should be no less vigilant of the actual teaching given to our children at these institutions than our involvement in the primary schools. While we are ever-watchful of malpractices or ineffective teaching methods used, we must also adopt a positive attitude to them. What the Madrassah strives to do is a form of complementary education. That is, they try to fill the gaps left by the so-called secular schools and the homes. Unfortunately there is little or no communication between the secular school and madrassah and each goes along its own path believing that its learning content is superior to the other or that it holds the key to the child eventually reaching Jannah! It is up to us, the parents, to bridge this gap between the two: if we cannot bring the Madrassah and the secular teachers to talk to each other, then we have to find a way to reconcile the two “systems” of education. Admittedly, this is no easy task. Muslim educationists throughout the world are meeting regularly to find common ground between the two. In fact, in this very week some of our young educationists are meeting at the University of Cape Town to discuss this and related problems.

As we re-interpreted the school work to make it relevant and meaningful to our children, so too, we may have to do likewise with the Madrassah work. Let us remember that our children may be far too young to understand the highly abstract and philosophical concepts that we take for granted, for example, Taugheed, or the various kalimas. And we may have to explain these in terms of their experiences and limited understanding. Let us also remember that knowledge of the practical daily practices of a Muslim, moral values and etiquette must be reinforced with the REAL thing. There are no theories in Islamic knowledge. Thus Allah SWT warns us in the Holy Qur’an:

“Do you enjoin right conduct on the people, and forget to practise it ourselves, and yet you study the Scripture ? Will you not understand ?

(Q. II: 44)

Most of our madaris are community-based and rely heavily on subscriptions and donations to pay for the teachers, maintain the buildings and provide equipment for effective teaching. We must try to serve on their committees and help bring about an efficient organisation so that the time of the teacher is spent teaching our children rather than organising fund-raising efforts.

In this Khutbah we have considered ways of making our children’s education relevant and meaningful and we have come to realise that it is necessary for us as mother and father of that child entrusted to our care, to become fully involved in the school or madrassah. In our next Khutbah, we hope, Insha-Allah to look at the duties of the teacher and student for successful teaching to take place.

In conclusion, let us be guided in our search for effective education by the Hadeeth of our Nabi Muhammad SAWS:

“Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah said: “The likeness of learning from which no benefit is derived is as the likeness of a hoarded wealth of which nothing is spent in the way of Allah.” — Ahmad, Darimi.

Ameen! Aqeemus salaah!

* This khutbas was delivered in Cape Town, South Africa.

We thank and praise Allah SWT, the Compassionate, the Wise. We bear witness that there is no one worthy of worship except Allah — Who has entrusted mankind with the responsibility of caring for and enhancing His creation.

We bear witness that our Nabi Muhammad SAWS is the true Messenger of Allah, who reminded us of our duties and responsibilities as teachers and the proper behaviour accorded to teachers by the those who are being taught. O Allah, shower Thy choicest blessings on him, his friends and relatives — all those who committed themselves to his teachings and spent the rest of their lives teaching others. Allah SWT reminds us in the Holy Qur’an:

“It is He Who has sent amongst the Unlettered

an apostle from amongst themselves to rehearse

to them His Signs, to sanctify them, and to

instruct them in Scripture and Wisdom, — although

they had been, before, in manifest error;–…”

(Q.LXII: 2)

My dear Brothers and Sisters

In our previous two khutbahs we tried to understand the concept, education, from a Muslim’s point of view. We see it as the process of learning how to live a full life as good Muslims. We realised that we need a comprehensive, all-embracing education to achieve this end. In the process we became aware of the weaknesses in both the so-called secular and religious systems and considered ways of bridging the gap between the two. One way is to become directly involved in our children’s education such as to communicate closely with the teachers and to serve on school committees in order to give guidance to those who educate our children.

What is the duty of the teacher in the educational experience ?

In the ayah I have quoted “It is He (Allah) Who has sent…..” Allah SWT gives us an indication of what He expects of a Prophet as the Teacher of mankind: not only must a teacher “instruct…in Scripture and Wisdom” , but to “rehearse to them His Signs and sanctify them”. In other words, the teacher must be the LIVING EXAMPLE of his subject-matter. He must be committed to and BELIEVE in what he teaches. This Allah further emphasises in the Holy Qur’an:

“Do ye enjoin right conduct on the people,

and forget to practise it yourselves, and

yet ye study the Scripture ? Will ye not

understand ? (Q.II: 44)

Imam Al-Ghazzali, one of the most outstanding Muslim scholars and teachers of all time, regards the first duty of a teacher to accept the child unconditionally as his own. He quotes the saying of our Nabi Muhammad SAWS:

“I am to you like a father who desires to save his child from the fires of hell, which is more important than any of the efforts of parents to save their children from the fires of earth.”

From this statement we can further see that a teacher’s concern is not only to achieve immediate and short-term success, such as good examination results, but to inculcate values which are formative, more permanent and would help his student to meet Allah SWT. Al-Ghazzali explains that the teacher and child are travellers journeying to Allah, and starting from this world, they follow the path to Allah. Education is a journey to Allah!

Another important duty is that the teacher should adjust his teaching to the level of intelligence and needs of the child. This is a basic principle of modern education. Our Nabi Muhammad SAWS said: “No one ever relates a tradition to a people which is beyond their minds to understand without being the cause of perplexity to some of them.” In another Hadith he said: “We prophets have been commanded to give every man his rightful place and to communicate with everyone according to his own ability to understand.” Let me appeal to our teachers, do not neglect this basic duty and leave our innocent little children to grope helplessly as they struggle to understand the work which is obviously above them ? Do not allow yourselves to become the cause of your pupils suffering untold frustration and misery which may even leave permanent scars on their personalities. Allah has created them with dignity. Let us not deny them the right to express that dignity and self-respect.

This duty further implies that the teacher must KNOW his children intimately and understand their problems so that he can help them overcome or cope with these problems. He is duty-bound to point out any wrong action or form of behaviour in them. Sufyan al-Thawri, a teacher, was once found sitting so depressed and when his friend asked him the cause of his sadness he said: “We have become a traffic for the children of this world. One after another would attach himself to us until he had acquired a measure of learning; whereupon he would be appointed a judge, or a governor, or a mayor of the place.”

Closely related to this duty is the teacher’s duty to teach in a manner that befits his dignity, authority and honour that we , the parents and children bestow on him. Allah SWT warns us to “invite to all that is good.” Let us remember that often it is not WHAT we teach our children that will influence them, but HOW we teach it. Your patience when you wait for the slowest child to arrive at an answer. Your humility when you say to the child, “I don’t know the answer, let us look it up!” The encouragement that you offer the slower child and the generous praise when he can master even a small part of the work! The child (not to mention the parents) appreciates your readiness to persevere with him and this quality he is bound to emulate and express in his life perhaps twenty years later. We, as parents and teachers, are the mirrors to our children. The dedicated teacher, according to Imam Al-Ghazzali, is like the wick of a lamp which burns itself out in giving light for others.

If so much is expected of the teacher in the educational situation, how much more is not expected of the student? Like teaching, learning is part of a Muslim’s ‘ibaadah (his worship). Our first duty as students is to develop such noble qualities as truthfulness, sincerity, piety and humility. This Imam Ghazzali calls “the adornment and beautification of the inner self”. With a “beautiful inner self”, with a pure heart, with noble intentions, we approach our learning. We must constantly be aware of WHY we seek education: not just to get a good job or to be respected by our friends. These are important goals, but they form part of the main reason, which is to serve Allah through His creation, and ultimately to move closer to Allah SWT. With this in mind, our studies at high school or university, whether we study medicine or ghifz, become so much more meaningful. In other words, we can see where we are heading for. At the same time we cannot ignore our other forms of ‘ibaadah such as our salaah, for these give direction to our studies.

Like the teacher, we must at all times be humble. We are NOT the owners, but merely the trustees of the knowledge we gain from Allah. As long as we are proud and arrogant, and as long as we are filled with self-glory, we do not hear or see anything else. Even the teacher’s guidance means nothing to us: we did not learn true knowledge, for:

“Knowledge humbleth the haughty youth,

As the flood washeth away the hill.”

It is related by Al-Sha’bi that one day when Zayd ibn-Thabit was leaving a janaaza at which he officiated, his mule was brought to him and as he was about to mount it, Ibn-’Abbas (the cousin of the Prophet) rushed and held the stirrup for him. Zayd was so taken aback by this honour that he said: “O, no, don’t bother yourself, o Cousin of the Prophet of Allah! Ibn ‘Abbas replied: This is how we are taught to treat the learned and the illustrious.” Zayd bent over and kissed Ibn ‘Abbas’s hand, saying: “This is how we are taught to honour the household of our Prophet.”

Humility is the key to successful learning. Yes, but don’t become so submissive to your teachers that you are too meek to ask questions to improve your understanding. Your teachers would expect you to question them, to participate actively and to contribute to the lessons. In fact, Allah SWT enjoins us to ask questions to arrive at the Truth:

“And before thee also the apostles We sent

were but men, to whom We granted inspiration:

if ye realise this not, ask of those who

possess the Message.” (Q. XVI: 43)

It is your right to get up in the classroom and be heard! It is your right to contribute to the organisation of the school through student councils and other such bodies. It is your right to help decide what you need to know. This no one can deny you. Similarly, it is your duty to respect the authority and dignity of the teacher as representative of your parents! Sayiddina ‘Ali went so far as to say: “Among the obligations which you owe the teacher are: not to pester him with too many questions nor expect him to reply to all your inquiries… Furthermore, do not seek to trap him; whenever he commits a mistake, be ready to excuse him. In obedience to Allah, it is your duty to respect and honour him as long as he himself continues to obey Allah. Remain standing in his presence and whenever he needs something, be the first to wait on him.”

Such were the students, the calibre of men who followed our Nabi Muhammad SAWS. They committed themselves fully to the task of being a seeker after Truth and Allah SWT in His Infinite Mercy inspired them with the true knowledge of His Deen. One Muslim scholar puts it this way: “Knowledge will surrender nothing to man unless man surrenders his all to it.” If anything needs to be studied, strive to know everything about it (although this may be impossible): a good student is not just satisfied with what he learns from his teacher, but also what he gains through his own research. Allah SWT enjoins him to persevere in his observation and research:

“He Who created the seven heavens one above

another: no want of proportion wilt thou see

in the creation of Allah Most Gracious. So

turn thy vision again: seest thou any flaw ?

Again turn thy vision a second time: thy vision

will come back to thee dull and discomfited, in

a state worn out.” (Q.LXVII: 3 -4)

In this ayah Allah SWT asks us to observe and study creation (plants, animals, natural phenomena, and so on, over and over again and as closely as our powers will allow. How many thousands of scholars in the Muslim world were not inspired by this and other verses of the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of our Nabi Muhammad SAWS to research the different parts of creation and make a positive contribution to human progress? No wonder Allah SWT rewarded the Muslim Ummah with such brilliant scholars as Al-Ghazzali (Philosophy and education), Ibn Sina (Medicine), Zakariya Razi (Chemistry), Al-Jahiz (Biology), Ibn Khaldoun (History), Ibn Rushd (Theology), Ibn Arabi (Literature and Philosophy), and so on. These scholars had one ambition…to serve Allah and perpetuate His Deen, not merely through preaching, but through building a body of knowledge of Allah’s creation and prove themselves worthy of the honour with which Allah has created them as “Fee agsani taqweem” (the best of creation).

Like these great scholars of the 11th, 12th and 13th century, we also have the Qur’an and the Sunnah of Nabi Muhammad SAWS. We, too, are agsani taqweem”. What is there to prevent our young students to become like them and exemplary leaders of tomorrow ? Nothing. Allah SWT has promised us in the Qur’an:

“Verily man shall have nothing but what he strives for.”

If we dedicate ourselves to the task of studying Allah’s creation with a view to serving Him; if our search for Truth is accompanied by a search for Taqwa (piety); if our knowledge becomes our tools rather than our adornment, then, Insha-Allah, Allah will open our minds and our hearts to His Secrets.

May Allah SWT in His Infinite Mercy, place teachers among us who are fired with Taqwa;

who accept our children as their own without preconditions;

who care for and selflessly lead our children on the Straight Path.

May Allah SWT endow our students with an intimate knowledge of themselves and help them to gain fulfilment according to their abilities.

O Allah, in these trying times, let us, through education, become a creative and vibrant Ummah. Help us to regain our self-respect and assert our identity in this land. Ameen.

Hadeeth:

Ibn ‘Abbas reported that the Messenger of Allah said:

“The nearest of men in the rank of Prophethood are the learned and the fighters for religion.”

Ameen! Aqeemus salaah!

* This khutbah is delivered at Cape Town, South Africa

We thank and praise Allah SWT, the Compassionate, the Wise. We bear witness that there is no one worthy of worship except Allah — Who has made the heavens and the earth our classroom so that we may know Allah’s creation and serve Allah with understanding.

We bear witness that our Nabi Muhammad SAWS is the true Messenger of Allah, who emphasised our need to gain true knowledge of life to live a life in complete submission the Allah SWT. O Allah, shower Thy choicest blessings on him, his friends and relatives — all those, who, sought to improve their understanding of Islam so that they might teach their progeny and keep the Deen alive among the Ummah. Allah SWT enjoins us in the Holy Qur’an:

“Proclaim ! (or Read !) in the name of thy Lord and Cherisher, Who created; Created man out of a (mere) clot of congealed blood: Proclaim! And thy Lord is most Bountiful, He Who taught (the use of) the Pen, Taught man that which he knew not.” (Q. XCVI 1 – 5)

My dear Brothers and Sisters

When we hear this First Revelation, the first words revealed by Allah SWT…..Iqraa! Read ! we marvel at the greatness of Allah’s Divine Wisdom. Of the infinite number of messages Allah could have given to Mankind (for we have so many needs and so many weaknesses), Allah Who knows all Man’s secrets, and his most intimate needs, chose learning, gaining knowledge or seeking and providing education as the First Message to mankind. It was revealed in the time of the Jaahiliyah and money or power in the hands of the Jaahil would be self-destructive. Hence Allah did not say in His First Message: “Go out and get rich!” or “Go out and destroy the enemies of Islam!” They could not handle power, or for that matter their own desires.

Like food or sleep we have a basic need to know. True knowledge, or knowledge of Allah, gives us the strong motive, the dryfkrag to believe and to live correctly. Remove our understanding from our belief and we have blind faith or dogmas which can evaporate and disappear as easily as a drop of water on a hot sunny day. On the other hand, without Faith, we cannot gain true knowledge. Knowledge and Faith complement each other. Thus Allah SWT reminds us:

“And those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say: “We believe in the Book; the whole of it is from our Lord:” and none will grasp the Message except men of understanding.” (Q.III: 7)

Education or the process of seeking knowledge or sharing it with others is part of life itself. We cannot live properly without learning HOW to live ? Just as we cannot talk or walk without having been taught by our parents how to do so. Remove it and we stop living, but we merely survive. This need our Nabi Muhammad SAWS emphasised in numerous Aghadeeth.

In one ghadeeth narrated by Abu Huraira, the Messenger of Allah SAWS said: ” When a man dies, all his actions are cut off from him except three: (1) an ever-recurring charity (sodiqati-jaariyah); (2) knowledge from which benefit is derived, and (3) a virtuous son praying for him.” (Muslim)

There are still so many diverse attitudes among us concerning the kind of knowledge with which we need to equip ourselves: there are those who strongly believe that the only true knowledge is knowledge of the Deen which is being taught in the traditional schools (madaris); then there are some who strive as a matter of religious duty to provide their children with a good education which they see as having passed matric or higher in order to obtain a good job. Both are sincere in wanting to see their children successful in life: one, spiritually and the other one materially. But, unfortunately, both ascribe a somewhat limited goal to education.

How do we, as Muslims see education ? What are its goals ? What kind of knowledge should we seek? What is our role as parents ? To help our parents and students gain a clearer understanding of their role in the educational experience, we hope, Insha-Allah, to focus on this form of ‘Ibaadah for the next few Khutbahs . At the offset it must be said that no single person knows all the answers and I would welcome some of your ideas, particularly those of our students — whether they attend an Usuluddien college or university.

Let us consider the first question: What do we understand by Islamic Education ? This will depend on how we interpret the concept ‘Ibadah: does ‘ibaadah refer to purely spiritual acts such as salaah or fasting or does it encompass every form of life-activity of a Muslim (acting within the Shariah)? If we adopt the comprehensive meaning, then a person’s work is part of his ‘ibaadah and consequently learning to do the job, part of his Islamic education. When a doctor treats a patient, is he performing an act of ‘ibaadah ? If so, can his education be something foreign to Islam ?

The Qur’an is very clear on man’s need for a broad-based education. Consider the following verses:

“And He taught Adam the nature of all things…” (Q. II: 30)

Not all knowledge comes from man. There are things which Allah places in our hearts if we sincerely strive in His Path. In the following verse Allah SWT directs our attention to creation and urges us to study the sense of harmony:

“Seest thou not that Allah sends down rain from the sky ? With it we then bring out produce of various colours. And in the mountains are tracts white and red, of various shades and colour, and black intense in hue. And so amongst men and crawling creatures and cattle, are they of various colours. Those truly fear Allah, among His servants, who have knowledge : for Allah is Exalted in Might, Oft-forgiving.” (Q. XXXV: 27 – 28)

When Allah describes the beautiful colours of the things growing and the red and white tracts on the rocks, a student will naturally suggest the mineral content of the rock: the red is possibly laterite and the white tracts, veins of marble or quartz. The way Allah SWT in His Infinite Wisdom presents this “lesson” to mankind is being used by all teachers throughout the world today. Maulana Ansari maintains that Allah asks people to use REASON when interpreting physical, social and other phenomena, in the Qur’an no fewer than 48 times. In order to do so (that is, to reason) we must have some basic knowledge about the matter.

Brothers and Sisters, consider the implications of this saying of our Nabi Muhammad SAWS:

“Educate your children; they must live in a time different from yours.”

Our Nabi makes it quite clear that children must be educated to LIVE. Secondly, they must live in the future. Education must, therefore anticipate the future. Can you and I honestly say that our schools are preparing our children for the future ? Our Nabi further suggests that we must be taught what we need to know. This question we hope, Insha-Allah, to discuss later.

Living within the Shariah means that we must have a good knowledge of the Shariah. Since we, as Muslims LIVE the Shariah, don’t you think that all knowledge must be seen in the light of Deen and the Shariah? in the light of Taugheed ? Our Deen becomes a sieve through which all knowledge must pass before it is taught to a child. I cannot see the Great Trek passing through that sieve! Islamic education, therefore, does not accept a difference between what is religious and what is secular, but what is good and bad. If you like, then all knowledge is religious, is sacred. Education is truly an act of ‘Ibaadah.

Before we can even consider what kind of knowledge we and our children must learn to live a balanced life, we must ask ourselves the question: What do we ultimately hope to achieve through our education?

To become a doctor or an Imam are short-term goals. We can also say to become an independent adult; to make correct decisions in life, and so on. Allah SWT makes it clear in the Holy Qur’an why He has created us. How often do we not read this verse in our Salaah:

“Verily my prayers, and my spirit of sacrifice and my life and my death are all for Allah, Lord of the Worlds.”

In another ayat Allah says:

“I have only created Jinns and men, that they may serve ME.” (Q. L1: 56)

Our purpose on earth is to serve Allah with our different strengths and aptitudes He has given us. As His Vicegerent on earth we have to help our fellowmen in need, care for Allah’s creation: the plants and animals, the institutions of the ummah like the masaajids, madaris, hospitals and homes and so on. It stands to reason that all our learning must be directed at Allah, not for self-aggrandizement, not for our personal pride or social status, not to amass money, but to serve Allah and His creation. When the medical student studies the human body as part of Allah’s creation, he does not only see an intricate network of arteries or nerves, but he sees and marvels at the Supreme Wisdom of the Creator of that body. And so, at every new step that he learns, he becomes inspired to serve the Creator. The little boy in class, who can suddenly do a sum when he had been struggling so long to master it, must also realise that understanding didn’t just occur by accident. The bricklayer, the tailor, the nurse alike can gain divine inspiration in their work if it is directed at serving Allah. Serve Allah with love and complete submission and we will, Insha-Allah move closer to Him. Education is the process of growing closer to Allah. Our Nabi Muhammad SAWS once said:

“Should the day come wherein I increase not in knowledge wherewith to draw nearer to Allah, let the dawn of the day be accursed.”

The next question which we shall discuss in our next Khutbah concerns the kind of knowledge we need to attain and the effectiveness of our secular schools as media of Islamic Education.

May Allah SWT, the Merciful, the Wise, guide our little children and, especially those who will be starting school for the first time this year;

Open their little hearts and minds to the learning material and grant them the perseverance to master it.

help them to discriminate between truth and falsehood and let the truth become part of their growing personalities;

protect them and their older brothers and sisters from the false values of secularism;

strengthen them in Eemaan so that their knowledge becomes meaningful and an effective tool rather than useless adornments;

O Allah, place wisdom and tolerance in the minds and hearts of our teachers, help them to accept our children with love and understanding.

O Allah accept our ‘ibaadah as parents, teachers and pupils and make us ever-mindful of our Deen and Shariah.

Ameen! Aqeemus salaah!

* This khutbah was delivered at Cape Town, South Africa

We thank and praise Allah SWT, the Compassionate, the Wise. We bear witness that there is no one worthy of worship except Allah — Who has prescribed for mankind a complete and easy way of life and provided the means to live that life.

We bear witness that our Nabi Muhammad SAWS is the true Messenger of Allah, whom Allah has guided to see the beauty in man and the rest of His creation. O Allah, shower Thy choicest blessings on him, his friends and relatives, all those who strove their entire lives to beautify their personalities not only with material adornments but spiritual beauty, with Taqwa. Allah SWT reminds us in the Holy Qur’an:

“O ye Children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover your shame, as well as to be an adornment to you. But the raiment of righteousness, — that is best. Such are among the Signs of Allah that they may receive admonition.” (Q.VII: 26)

My dear Brothers and Sisters

On your way to the masjid today, did you pass a garden and pause for awhile to admire the beautiful flowers? Or did you perhaps admire someone’s beautiful thaub? How often did you not wait to watch the sun setting like a fiery red ball into the red-blue sea? How often did you not listen to the beautiful voice of a Qaari reciting from the Holy Qur’an and express your satisfaction? When you appreciate the beauty of nature, and, indeed the beauty all around us, think on it for awhile: Why did Allah create everything so beautiful around us ? Was it by accident ? or is this part of Allah’s Divine Design ? Allah’s Plan for mankind.

Allah wants us to beautify all our actions in life and often the same word (gasanah) is used in the Qur’an to mean beauty AND good. Thus, when Allah says:

“Wa quloo lin-naasi gasanaa” “Speak to people employing beauty (and goodness) in your speech.” or in another ayah “And if anyone earns any good, We shall give him an increase in beauty (and good) in respect thereof.” (Q. XLII: 23)

In the first ayah I have quoted, Allah reminds us in respect of dress to cover our shame, but also as a means of beautifying ourselves. This is, of course not done out of vanity or to impress others, but for personal satisfaction. In the same ayah Allah clarifies that the clothes of Piety (our ‘Ibaadah) are the best. In other words, our mode of dress can be beautiful, but must subscribe to the prescriptions of the Shari’ah.

No limitations are placed upon the form or quality of clothing, either in the Qur’an or Hadith, except that it must be clean and good ( good, once again, according to the Shari’ah. Our Nabi Muhammad SAWS said:

“Eat and drink and wear clothes and be charitable, not being extravagant or self-conceited.” (Bukhari).

Ibn Abbas said: “Eat what you like and wear what you like, so long as you avoid two things, extravagance and vanity.” Thus Islam does not prescribe a particular style of dress or quality of material. A simple sheet of material wrapped around a man’s body (like the Igraam) or a pair of trousers, a shirt or a coat would serve the same purpose so long as it covers the aurah. The aurah is the part or parts of the person which is indecent to expose, and while we cannot enter into the finer details of the Law, we can generalise by saying that in a man it is what is between the navel and the knees; and in the woman all the person except the face and the hands.

If we speak of Muslim dress, it is not a style or mode of clothing, but any clothing that conforms to the requirements of the Shari’ah. If we are Chinese and wear the Chinese style or the Kaftan in North Africa or the punjabi in India — it does not make us less of a Muslim as one who wears an Arab abaya. We enter Islam with our distinctive cultures. You don’t need to become an Indian or an Iranian to become a good Muslim. The values of Islam are so powerful, so dynamic that it can penetrate and permeate any culture on earth and transform that culture and its people. Our own culture with its rich basis of Islamic values can be enriched far more if we emulate rather than ape. It is far more beneficial to me if I recognise and incorporate values of a person into my personality than merely imitating his walk or the way he dresses or wears his beard. If Western culture has something to offer, such as their technology in computer science or medical science, then we take the technology without aping their mode of dressing or other aspects of their lifestyle. The minute we ape them, then we lose our values and our identity, those values for which our forefathers sacrificed so much over the past few centuries.

In deciding on a mode of dress, let us be guided by Quranic values such as decency, simplicity, purity and goodness. If a woman over-exposes her body by wearing scanty clothing or displays her form through tight-fitting clothing, then it affects her sense of decency and self-respect. If she has so little regard for her self-worth, how much regard does she expect others to have for her ? On the other hand, wearing rolls upon rolls of gaudy, brightly coloured material, hanging like a train on the floor can hardly be called beautiful if the wearer’s motive is to attract attention. Our Nabi Muhammad SAWS censured those who wear long garments and trail the train of the garment, in order to be looked at or for vanity. (Buhkari). Simplicity has its own built-in beauty. In the Shari’ah certain forms of material such as silk are forbidden to men while women are permitted, but not really encouraged to wear. The reason is to encourage simplicity and the avoidance of extravagance and self-conceit.

This does not mean that we have to go around wearing a uniform form of dress. Allah SWT is Al-Khaaliq (The Creator) and we are enjoined to be creative in all our actions: in our thinking, in our behaviour, in our work, as long as we do not overstep the boundaries of the Shari’ah. If we assimilate this creativity as part of our personality, then we will do things our way. In other words, we will be original and creative in everything that we do, including the way we dress, the way we decorate our homes, our personal tastes in art, and so on. Let us remember the saying: “Allah SWT is Beauty and loves beautiful things”.

What has become very disturbing of late is the total disrespect shown for the sanctity of our masaajid by musallees both young and old in their mode of dress. We dress according to the occasion. Visiting the masjid to perform salaah or become involved in thikrullah cannot be compared with visiting a cricket match or going on a picnic. Yet, so often we see our musallees during Jumu’ah dressed in a jeans and T-shirt, a mode of dress appropriate to a picnic. I ask you, Brothers and Sisters, does Allah SWT deserve to be faced, to be approached in such an undignified manner ? Are we ashamed to wear our cleanliest, our best clothes or thaub (torp) for masjid? Let us bear in mind that tight-fitting clothes, displaying the body form are as prohibited for men as they are for women. Let us remind our younger people and parents that their T-shirts with pictures and emblems written all over it, are downright distracting to the person performing salaah in front of or next to them and a violation of the sanctity of the masjid.

Let those who are by the means, dress well without being vain and extravagant. Do not be stingy. Allah SWT warns us against being stingy or covetous in the Holy Qur’an:

“And let not those who covetously withhold of the gifts which Allah has given them of His Grace, think that it is good for them: Nay, it will be the worse for them: soon shall the things which they covetously withheld be tied to their necks like a twisted collar, on the Day of Judgment. To Allah belongs the heritage of the heavens and the earth; and Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do.” (Q.III: 180)

In a hadith of our Nabi Muhammad SAWS, Abul-Ahwas reported from his father who said: “I came to the Messenger of Allah while I wore a torn cloth.” He (The Messenger) asked: “Do you have wealth ? “Yes,” said I. He asked: “What wealth do you have ?” ” Every kind of wealth,” replied I. “Allah has given me camels, cows, sheep, horses and slaves.” The Messenger of Allah said: “When Allah has given you wealth, let the signs of the gifts of Allah and His generosity be shown upon your person.”

Once again, Brothers and Sisters, let us remember that the way we dress cannot be separated from the way we care for our bodies, the way we behave in our homes, in our work places and in public, the way we educate our children, the way we worship Allah in our daily beliefs and actions. The way we dress is part and parcel of our ‘Ibaadah and helps to develop that beautiful, that balanced and unique Muslim personality which functions in Taugheed. The choice is ours: let us go all the way. It is an easy and exciting way. Let us set the pattern of dressing that even our non-Muslim friends, and, indeed, the whole world will follow, Insha-Allah.

Our Holy Prophet Muhammad SAWS said:

“Verily, Allah hath made obligatory the employment of beauty in respect of everything.” (Saghigh al Muslim)

Ameen! Aqeemus salaah!

* This khutbah was delivered in Cape Town, South Africa.

We thank and praise Allah SWT and praise Him for His tolerance and goodness. We bear witness that there is no one worthy of worship except Allah. He has ordered us to honour and be good to our parents.

We bear witness that the Holy Prophet Muhammad SAWS is the true Messenger of Allah, who warned us not to be disobedient to our parents: Allah has made disobedience to parents one of the major sins. O Allah, shower Thy choicest blessings on him, his friends and relatives — all those who were tolerant of one another and who guided others on the Straight Path. Allah says in the Holy Qur’an:

“Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him, and that you be kind to parents.” (Q. 17, 23)

In this ayah Allah commands that HE Alone be worshipped. The word, worship, means to glorify or to elevate. Glorifying anyone or anything other than Allah is strictly forbidden in Islam. This immediately rules out any form of idol-worshipping — be it a film star, or money. Allah further commands us to treat our parents in the kindliest and most civil manner. Even this would not be enough to compensate for the love and sacrifice they made for us.

O Muslims,

What you sow you shall reap! The way we treat others so shall we be treated. How often do we not see this statement lived in everyday life? Look around you at some of your friends or acquaintances and reflect on their successes and failures in life. What stands out clearly is that he whosoever sows a good seed, shall reap goodness and he whosoever sows evil can only reap sorrow. The reward for a good deed is but a good deed, while an evil deed is a destructive weapon against its user!

Who have the most right to your hearts, to your love and respect? Who deserve to hear your words of kindness or receive your token of goodness and appreciation? Your parents! A mother’s love for her child is a du’ah, an invocation for the wellbeing of her child. It is through her love that he or she learns to crawl, to walk, to speak, to relate to others in the community. Surely we can offer them a word of comfort and our companionship! It is narrated by Abu Huraira that a man once approached our Nabi and asked:

“O Apostle of Allah, who has the most right to my companionship? To this our Nabi replied: “Your Mother. “Thrice the man asked the same question and thrice our Nabi replied,”Your Mother”, until the fourth time when our Nabi replied, “Your Father”. (Bukhari: Vol.8, v.2)

How true is this anecdote not ? Can you or I ever repay even one moment of the time and effort our mother gave to us? Has she not sacrificed her health and her wealth to bear us ? What great pains did she not endure during childbirth ? For two years we were helpless and she sacrificed her strength, her personal comfort to breast-feed and carry us around. How many times did we not cause her embarrassment and humiliation? Did she ever complain when she had to feed, clean and clothe us? No, she served us with love! How young and beautiful was she then ? How healthy and energetic? Today she may be grey and wrinkled not so much with age, but endless hours, days and years of sacrifice as mother. Love deserves love! Allah reminds us in the inspiring words of the Holy Qur’an:

“WE have enjoined on man, kindness to his parents: in pain did his mother bear him, and in pain did she give him birth. The carrying of the child to his weaning is (a period of) thirty months…” (Q. 46, 15)

When we were ill, she suffered with us, fearful that some misfortune might befall us. In her worry and anxiety she would cry and beseech Allah to restore us to good health and grant us a long and prosperous life. In the same way, too, a good deed from us brings joy to her heart, but something wrong fills her heart with disappointment and tears stream down her cheeks. Love deserves love!

Besides your mother no one deserves your mercy, your respect, your kindness and your bounty more than your father. It is he who struggled in the rain the cold and the heat of the day to earn enough to feed, clothe and educate us. He was responsible for teaching us what was of benefit to us materially and spiritually. Let us take care not to display any animosity or unkindness towards him, for then our children will treat us in like manner. If we did not get what our friends got from their parents, let us not blame them or hold it against them: they did their duty as far as they were able to do. Let it rather be a lesson to us to improve on their failings. A famous Muslim philosopher once told his son on his death-bed:

“My son, do not forget to visit the graves of your parents, for it will not be long when you, too, will be carried to the same places where they are. And when you visit them at any time, read what you are able to from the Holy Qur’an and send it as a present to their souls. O my son, why have you been so disobedient? Why have you shut yourself from your parents? What was their crime against you ? Was it a crime to rejoice when you had done a good deed? Was it a crime to find the world becoming dark before us when we heard of your evil or wrong actions ? Was it a crime to have shouldered a burden as heavy as a mountain when you were ill ? Was it a crime when we wished to bear your pains rather than to see you suffer ? To what extremes did we not resort to restore your health ? If a certain part of your body had been needed to restore your health your mother would not have hesitated to cut it off from her own body. The very evening your mother was buried you forgot what she had done for you. When you inherited the house, you forgot what sacrifices we had made to acquire it. Surely you are going to follow us tomorrow just as we shall follow our parents. And you shall regret your ill-treatment of us just as we regretted ill-treating our parents. My son, I strongly implore you: accept these last few words of mine, then, perhaps, you shall gain the mercy of your Lord, Allah SWT; and remember, your children shall also become parents.”

This anecdote further illustrates the importance of obedience to parents. Disobedience to parents is a great sin. Rasoolullah SAW said:

“For all sins, if Allah Wills, He will punish you on the Day of Judgement except to go against your parents, when he will punish you both in this world as well as in the Hereafter.”

To honour parents is, therefore, one of the noblest human deeds. For this reason Allah compares a child’s obedience to his parents to theirs to Him. Allah says in the Holy Qur’an:

“And We have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents: in travail upon travail did his mother bear him, and in years twain was his weaning: (hear the command), “Show gratitude to Me and to thy parents: to Me is thy final goal. (Q. 31, 14)

What then are the good deeds you must do for your parents? honour them; spend of your wealth in their welfare; strive in their interests; tolerate and bear with them in old age, serve them; do not tire of serving them; treat them gently when they are old and weak and do as Allah enjoins us in the Holy Qur’an:

“Whether one or both of them attain old age, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honour, pray to your Lord to keep them, as He reminds us the Holy Qur’an: “My Lord, Bestow on them Thy mercy even as they cherished me in childhood.” (Q. 17, 23)

O Muslims, serve your Allah, and be determined to gain the satisfaction of your parents, for such will be your happiness on earth and in the Hereafter. Rasoolullah SAW reminded us: “The satisfaction of Allah lies in the satisfaction of your parents, and the wrath of Allah lies in the displeasure of your parents.”

In another Hadeeth he said:

“Be good to your parents and your children shall be good to you, be chaste and your wife shall be chaste unto you.”

It is reported that a young man once complained to the Prophet that his father was taking his money. The Prophet summoned the father. An old man, leaning heavily on his walking-stick, made his appearance. When asked if, what the son complained about was true, the old man stared long at the Prophet and softly replied, “O Apostle of Allah, my son used to be weak and I strong; he used to be poor and I rich, and what I had in my possession I spent for his wellbeing. Today I am poor and weak and my son cannot afford to spend even a small amount on me!” The Prophet was overwhelmed by this and a tear rolled from his eye as he spoke: “There is no stone or any hard object but cries when he hears such sentiments expressed. You (young man) and all your property belong to your parents.” Twice the Prophet repeated this sentence.

On another occasion a son came to complain about his mother’s strong temper. Did she have a strong temper when she bore you ?” the Prophet asked. Did she have a strong temper when she spent numerous night sleepless, suckling and guarding you when you were ill, going out of her way to feed you ?”The young man replied that he had already rewarded for all her actions by carrying her on his back while they were on Pilgrimage to Makkah. The Prophet looked at the son and replied: “My son, (you have done a noble deed) but you can never repay one single drop of milk which she gave you.”

Let our youth, our boys and girls take special note of today’s lessons. Your education which starts in the home, cannot not be successful unless you honour and obey your educators, your parents. Remember, too, that after Allah come your parents: “The Jannah lies at the feet of the Mother.”

Al-Walid bin “Aizar narrated that the Prophet was once asked which deed is loved most by Allah. He replied: “To offer prayers at their stated times.” ‘Abdullah asked, “What is the next in goodness?” The Prophet said: “To be good and dutiful to one’s parents.” ‘Abdullah asked what is the next (in goodness). The Prophet replied: “To participate in Jihad for Allah’s Cause.” (Bukhari: Vol.8, v.1)

Ameen! Aqeemus salaah!

We thank and praise Allah SWT the Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. We bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah — the One to Whom we direct our ‘Ibaadah and on Whom we depend for its acceptance.

We bear witness that the Holy Prophet Muhammad SAWS is the true Messenger of Allah, who lived a life in total submission to Allah SWT and taught mankind the true meaning of ‘Ibaadah. O Allah, shower Thy choicest blessings on him, his friends and relatives — all those who served Allah selflessly and in every moment of their lives. Truly they understood the meaning of ‘Ibaadah, and, indeed the purpose of their lives on earth, as Allah explains in the Holy Qur’an:.

“I have only created Jinns and men, that they may serve ME.” (Q. 51, 56)

My dear Sisters and Brothers

It is clear from this verse that the purpose of our birth and our life is no other than to worship Allah. We use the word, ‘ibaadah, so glibly and with so much confusion that it is necessary to consider the true meaning of the concept and how it affects our lives individually and collectively.

How often do we not hear such statements as: “First do your ‘ibaadah, then your worldly things.” or “Ibaadah and pleasure don’t mix.” or “He’s a man of ‘ibaadah, he salaahs regularly.” or “‘Ibaadah is one thing, business is another!” These statements imply that a Muslim lives two lives: a religious and a worldly life — a kind of apartheid rooted in our very personalities. Often we are torn between two loyalties. We succumb to the demands of the decadent materialist West with its philosophic base: “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s or “Do not let noble religious values deter you from making money or oppressing others.” Sayyid Qutb maintains that “It is not natural for religion to be segregated from life in this world, nor is it natural for the Divine System to be confined to conscientious feelings, ethical rules, and ritualistic worship.”

What, then, is ‘Ibaadah ? Is it passive worship in the form of prayers or the reciting of litanies (dhikrs)? The word worship is defined in certain English dictionaries as meaning: courtesy or reverence paid to worth, honour, respect, dignity, worthiness, repute, an act of paying divine honours to a deity, religious reverence, etc. Are these meanings contained in the verse from Surah Faatigha: “Thee do we worship, and Thee Alone do we beseech for help”? Superficially, yes. Scholars of the Qur’an point out that the word ‘ibaadah appears in the Qur’an no fewer than 264 times and in 51 different forms. In the Arabic language, the word ‘ibaadah, is derived from the root ‘Abd, meaning a servant or a slave. ‘Ibaadah consists of those actions associated with a slave — particularly expressed in honour of his Master. A slave’s first form of behaviour is fidelity or faithfulness to his Master; secondly, obedience to his Owner and His Law and thirdly, respect and reverence. Let us consider the ayat, “I have only created Jinns and men, that they may serve ME” in terms of this definition of ‘Ibaadah: Allah created us so that we will be faithful only to Him, and to no other being, that we should follow the commandments of Allah only (obedience), that we will not listen to the order of anybody else against Allah, and will bow our heads in respect and reverence only to Him and to no one else. This ayat calls upon us to strive ACTIVELY within the framework of Allah’s Law.

A’la Maududi describes ‘Ibaadah in these words: “You obey the Law of Allah in your life at every step and in every condition and free yourself and your fellowmen of the shackles of every such man-made law as is opposed to the Law of Allah. Every move of yours should be within the limits prescribed for you by Allah.” ‘Ibaadah is the dynamic, positive action that the individual takes to live a life according to the method laid down by Allah. It stands to reason that the life that you and I lead is an embodiment of our ‘Ibaadah. Our ‘Ibaadah, therefore, embraces our sleeping and our being awake, taking food and drinking water, learning and even kissing our little babies. The way we conduct our business is an extension of our ‘Ibaadah and even our pleasures.

Brothers and Sisters,

Can you and I, in all sincerity and truthfulness to ourselves, say that our daily lives are an embodiment of our ‘ibaadah, our service to Allah SWT ? Can we honestly say that by living two distinct lives, with two sets of values, we are living effectively ? We need not live two lives and struggle to do justice to each! one would be easier and more manageable. We do not know where religion ends and so-called worldly life begins….there is no worldly life. Remember, we cannot say: “At this moment, while I am sitting in the masjid I am a servant of Allah, but later at work I am not a servant of Allah !” Nor can we decide to give only a certain time to Allah… we and everything we do, belong to Allah. Allah is the Master of time.

You may well ask: What then is salaah, fasting, zakaah and Ghajj ? These ‘ibaadaat Allah has made obligatory on us at fixed periods of time with the aim of preparing us for that big ‘ibaadah that we have to perform throughout life and in all conditions — our daily actions in life. Allah, in His Infinite Wisdom, knows that we are weak and our personalities need to be strengthened with such values that will enable us to make the right decisions and the conviction to fight evil. Salaah, which is described in the Qur’an as Remembrance, helps us develop that consciousness of being Allah’s slave and maintaining subservience to Allah Alone; it is a practice in obedience and discipline; it creates in us a reverence and a love for Allah which is so dynamic that it overflows and affect our relationships with our fellowmen; it inculcates in us an awareness of the Divine Law through our daily contact with the Qur’an; it makes us conscious of our fellowmen and inspires us to live and fight for social justice. The regular practice of zakaah, fasting and the performance of ghajj too, helps to develop these and other values and the personality to live a life of ‘ibaadah.

Allah SWT has given us clear guidance on our approach to a life of ‘ibaadah as well as the possible pitfalls we can encounter in our ‘ibaadah. Allah enjoins mankind to approach his worship with purity of intention. Hence the Prophets of Allah called their followers worship Allah SWT and not them. Concerning Nabi Noogh A.S. Allah says in the Holy Qur’an:

“We sent Noah (of old) unto his people, and he said: “O my people, serve Allah. Ye have no other God save Him. Lo! I fear for you the retribution of an awful day.” (Q.7, 59)

Nabi Ebrahim AS prayed for protection against idolatry:

“And when Ebrahim said: My Lord! make safe this territory, and preserve me and my sons from serving idols.” (Q. 14, 35)

Nabi Hud’s call was to the worship of the ONE Allah and the active struggle of his people to fight the forces of evil:

“And unto the tribe of “Aad (We sent) their brother, Hud. He said: O my people! serve Allah. Ye have no other  God save Him. Will ye not ward off (evil) ?” (Q. 7, 65)

Nabi Muhammad SAWS, too, pleaded for worship and practical involvement as an expression of ‘ibaadah:

“O mankind! Worship your Lord, Who hath created you and those before you, so that ye may ward off evil.” (Q. 2, 21)

O Muslims,

Let us not mar our ‘ibaadah with hidden, greedy motives. Let us not set conditions to our ‘ibaadah such as “if Allah does not give us immediate benefits then we will not worship Him.” This type of sanctimonious worship and hypocrisy nullify whatever good we have done, and Allah warns us in the Holy Qur’an:

“And among mankind is he who worshippeth Allah upon a narrow marge so that if good befalleth him, he is content therewith,but if a trial befalleth him, he falleth away utterly. He loseth both the world and the Hereafter. That is the sheer loss.” (Q. 22, 11)

Allah warns us against the worship of Taghoot — symbolising the oppressive leader. Even if he promises to bring the Muslims to power, we cannot compromise with one who deliberately and unashamedly violates the rights of man embodied in the Law of Allah. On the contrary, we are required to oppose him and his system with impunity. Thus Allah enjoins us in the Holy Qur’an:

“……whoever rejects Evil and believes in Allah hath grasped a firm handhold which will never break. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things.” (Q. 2, 256)

And in another ayah we are warned against the treachery of these people:

“Hast thou not turned they vision to those who declare that they believe in the revelations — that have come to thee and to those before thee ? Their (real) wish is to resort together for judgement (in their disputes) to the Evil One, though they were ordered to reject him. But Satan’s wish is to lead them astray.” (Q. 4, 60)

Another kind of worship which weakens the effectiveness of our ‘Ibaadah, is the worship of idols in their various forms. Not only does it undermine mankind’s relationship with Allah SWT, but it reduces their dignity and self-respect. Qur’an relates how Nabi Ebrahim removed the idols from the temple and how Nabi Muhammad SAWS demolished all the idols around the Ka’aba. Allah says in the Holy Qur’an:

“When he said to his father and folk: What are these images unto which ye pay devotion ?” They said: “We found our fathers worshippers of them. He said: “Verily ye and your fathers were in plain error.” (Q. 21, 52-54)

Let us look at the idols we are creating around us and how they prevent us from becoming effective and successful in our lives. Consider the time we spend with a past-time, listening to our favourite pop singer, caring for and maintaining our car or our homes, amassing wealth for the sake of personal achievement and self aggrandizement when we could have become involved in something more uplifting.

Qur’an also condemns the worshipping of Jinn and Shaytan as media for accomplishing success or harming competitors. If we work with evil we will be destroyed with evil. Let those among us who think that there is an alternative to effort and hard work as a means of achieving success, or defeating the ends of divine justice, know that these media cannot do good or harm to people unless it is dictated by Almighty Allah. In the story of Nabi Ebrahim in the Holy Qur’an, we are enjoined:

“O my father! serve not the devil. Lo! the devil is a rebel unto the Beneficent.” (Q 34, 41)

Often our admiration for a person borders on worshipping him. In this regard we must be careful that we don’t deify a leader because of his achievements or generosity. Islam has no place for a Hitler or a Mussolini, people who abuse the power of the State. To this list may be included such people as priests, political despots, religious zealots, etc. It needs to be noted that there is no priesthood in Islam. No living person can arrogate to himself the right to act as intercedent between his follower and Allah. Hence Allah SWT reminds us in the Qur’an:

“They take their priests and their anchorites to be their lords in derogation of Allah, and (they take as their Lord) Christ, the son of Mary; yet, they were commanded to worship but One Allah: there is no god but He. Praise and glory to Him: far is he from having the partners they associate with Him.” (Q 9, 31)

In conclusion, brothers and sisters,

The ultimate approach to ‘ibaadah is that of Ihsaan: worshipping Allah as if you are seeing Him. Our Nabi Muhammad SAWS defines Ihsaan as follows:

“Ihsaan is to worship Allah as if you see Him. If you cannot comprehend or perceive His presence, be sure He sees you.”

We have, within our grasp, the means to a life of ‘ibaadah, the only kind of life accepted in Islam. We have the channels of ‘ibaadah (salaah, zakaah, fasting and hajj), we have the comprehensive guidance in the Qur’an and manifested in the life and teachings of Nabi Muhammad SAWS, we have the collective experiences and writings of men of learning, and we have our own unique personalities which Allah describes as the best of creation. We have the means to transform not only ourselves but the world outside. The choice is ours: acquiesce and become the slaves of men, living in a perpetual state of insecurity and oppression or assert a life of ‘ibaadah and live creatively and with dignity.

Allah SWT enjoins us in the Holy Qur’an:

O ye who believe! Be not forward in the Presence of Allah. Lo! Allah is Hearer, Knower.”

May Allah SWT in His Infinite mercy strengthen our faithfulness, obedience, respect and reverence for Him, accept our ‘ibaadah; let its values run deep into our personalities and transform us individually and collectively into a dynamic, respected ummah, free of the shackles of oppression and humiliation, steeped in love and respect for each other.

Ameen! Aqeemus salaah!

ALLAH is Great: whenever those who have fasted gain the satisfaction of the Most Merciful.

ALLAH is Great: when their souls and bodies are purified in Ramadhan through obedience to the Creator.

ALLAH is Great: when the person who has fasted sincerely, gains forgiveness.

ALLAH is Great: when the Muslim are loving and kind to each other, meeting each other with happiness, love and peace.

Glory be to Allah Who planned His creation with His Great Wisdom. Glory be to Allah Who created all creation with His Supreme Power.

Glory be to Allah Who is Most Compassionate and Whose mercy permeate all creation.

Glory be to Allah Who has enjoined everyone to eat and not to fast on this day.

We thank and praise Allah SWT, Who has given us this Eidul-Fitr at the beginning of Shawwal as a gift to those who have fasted and performed the Taraweegh salaah.. We bear witness that there is no one worthy of worship but Allah Alone, the One Who has filled this day with His Blessings and Mercy for mankind.

We bear witness that our Nabi Muhammad SAWS is the true Messenger of Allah, the best to please the All-Knowing, the All-Powerful. We invoke Allah’s blessings on him, his family and noble Companions.

My dear Brothers and Sisters

Allahu Akbar! How deeply the takbir touches our souls as it rings out in our homes and our masjids! Allahu Akbar! How strong is the combined voice of the Ummah as we glorify Allah SWT together! Allahu Akbar! Through the takbir we realise our tremendous power as an Ummah. The Ramadhan brought us together in a common bond of brotherhood. Together we sacrificed our food, together we abstained from vain talk and useless acts. And, Together we performed our Taraaweegh and recited Qur’an. For a whole month we and our Muslim brothers and sisters in other parts of our town and, indeed the whole world have bowed together in complete obedience. We shared a common desire to gain Allah’s satisfaction, we cherished a common goal, that is, to move nearer to Allah SWT. It is our ‘ibaadah, our acts of goodness that have brought us together and it is in serving Allah with our lives and our possessions that we will, Insha-Allah, remain together.

Al-hamdulillah, on this joyous day Allah SWT keeps His Promise when he says in the Holy Qur’an:

“So, verily, with every difficulty, there is relief: Verily, with every difficulty there is relief.” (Q. XCIV : 4-5)

This is the natural law of Allah, that after difficulty or sacrifice, there will be relief and pleasure. The relief and the joy are our achievements. We have sacrificed our energy, belongings, money and even our persons in the month of Ramadhan. In the process we have purified and strengthened ourselves, and, Al-hamdulillah, in achieving this we rejoice today! Yes, brothers and sisters, you have striven, you have sacrificed and today you experience your success. Allah rewards every noble effort that you do, and this too, He promises us in the Holy Qur’an:

“But those will prosper who purify themselves, And glorify the name of their Guardian-Lord, and (lift their hearts in prayer.” (Q. LXXXVII: 14-15)

Hence on this day we reap the rewards of our efforts. With humility, we celebrate our achievements. How do we as Muslims celebrate on this day? This is a day on which we appreciate the changes we have undergone during the month of Ramadhan. Changes which have directed us towards Allah SWT. To make a complete about-turn is to commit spiritual suicide and nullify every effort we have put into our fasting, our thikrullah and our actions fee sabeelillah. Today, in your du’ah in the few brief moments of privacy you may get, rededicate yourselves. Make your niyyah with all sincerity and truthfulness to continue with the acts of ‘Ibaadah which have brought you so much joy. Allah SWT has given us so many opportunities for our spiritual and even material advancement. Take it and be successful in life. Remember, ‘Eid is not for him who has all the delicacies to eat, but lacks in his service to Allah. For Allah reminds us in the Holy Qur’an:

“And take provision, for the best provision you can have is service to Allah.”

A Muslim poet wrote (a translation goes as follows):

The person who clothes himself but not in piety,

Walketh naked, though in grandeur attired.

This is a day on which we rededicate ourselves to forge a more cohesive solidarity among the Ummah. And in these times, when political and interest groups are talking of alliances or of a constituent assembly, it is necessary that we, as Muslims, establish a basis for co-operation among ourselves so that we can make a positive contribution and give a united response to national questions. Let us support or at least attend any effort organised by the community to effect unity among the Ummah or to discuss our problems. We can no longer afford to be divided. Divided we and all that we stand for will be destroyed and our children will grow up with the shame of an impotent ummah.

Let us start today, Brothers and Sisters, let us go out and congratulate each other and in doing so, express a prayer that Allah SWT would accept their and our efforts in the Ramadhan. It is an occasion for us to renew the brotherhood, tighten the bonds of unity among us. How ? Let us discard all notions of destructive arguments, enmity, jealousy, malevolence, backbiting, personal prejudice and scandal-mongering. Let us swallow our personal pride and renew a badly battered friendship. Let us accept the differences among us, the variety of interpretations of religious issues as a sign of the wealth of ideas of a vibrant ummah. Let those of us who are leaders remember that Allah Alone knows His Deen. Our understanding as ‘ulema is not absolute, cannot be final… Allahu ‘alam. Allah Knows Best! New leaders may arise. Allah gives guidance to whomever He pleases. Do not let your and my loyalty to personalities blur our vision or prevent us from listening to the insights of other members of the Ummah. Take the example of the Asgaab, the Companions of our Nabi Muhammad SAWS who went out of their way to wish and shake the hands of even their enemies with sincerity and love. They were tolerant and imbibed with kindness, they visited each other’s home and extended a hand of friendship and help. Let us heed the call of our Nabi Muhammad SAWS:

“Do not hate one another, and do not be jealous of one another and do not boycott one another, and be servants of Allah as brothers (and sisters).”

We commemorate this day by sparing a thought for, and visiting the orphans and the widows, our less fortunate brothers and sisters in hospitals, institutions for the disabled and homes for the aged. Let us not forget those who are languishing in the prisons of this state for fighting in the cause of justice. On this day they, too, yearn for the warmth and comfort of a home and to share the joys with their mothers or their children.

This is a day on which we recall our family and friends who are no longer with us. Perhaps it is your mother or your father whom you loved dearly, a brother or a sister or even a little child who had given you so much joy and pleasure and whom Allah had called away. Last year or just a few days ago you may have laughed together or shared a meal. Today they are no more. We can remember them by visiting the Kabrstan and saying a prayer in their memory.

We commemorate this day by spending time with our parents. Help them to forget the agony and loneliness of old-age or the pains of physical weakness. Remember that that same mother who is now so bent and wrinkled, who can now hardly speak, was once young and would have cut off her arms for you. What are you prepared to do for her ? Prove to your parents that you are worthy of being a son or a daughter. Even in her weak state your mother still loves you, still worries about you. And still holds the key to your success, as our Nabi Muhammad SAWS reminds us: “Heaven lies at the feet of mothers!”

We, as parents commemorate this day, by creating opportunities for our children to enjoy themselves. Children, you are not only part of your little family, but an important part of our Muslim community. You are part of us. Your parents and all of us feel proud of your efforts during the past month. You fasted, went to school and still found the time and the energy to come to the masjid with your fathers for Taraweegh. You have learnt values no school book can teach you. Your journey towards Allah SWT has begun. And, Insha-Allah, as you move nearer and nearer to Allah, you will find yourself becomming more and more effective in everything that you do at your school or in your home.

We commemorate this ‘Eid by expressing our solidarity with the Mujaahideen in Afghanistan, with our Muslim brothers fighting the oppression of the Russian puppet government. In the Ramadhan we suffered with the Muslims of Kashmir who were brutally driven from their homes and their masaajid by the Indian army and today we share with them their plight. We condemn the atrocities committed against innocent women and children by the savage Zionists illegally occupying the lands of Palestine. Our hearts reach out to them and all our brothers and sisters in other parts of the world who suffer under oppressive regimes on this day. We ask Allah SWT to remove from their lands and ours the Fir’ouns, remove all forms of discrimmination and restore peace and justice to all.

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

O, Most Gracious, Most Merciful Allah, we turn to Thee in prayer, to express our thanks on this blessed day of ‘Eidul-Fitr, that Thou hast bestowed on us the blessings of this Great Day.

We beseech Thee, o Creator of all mankind, free us from egoism, greed, lust and hatred and replace it with humility, contentment, compassion and love. We humbly place ourselves at Thy mercy: forgive us our sins and protect us from all evil.

O Allah, bless our parents for placing the Kalima on our tongues and helping us to express it in our deeds. Instil Thy mercy in the hearts of those who rule over us. We place their concept of justice, truth, freedom and human dignity in Thine Power.

O Allah, free us from the chains of all evil powers. Relieve the loneliness, pain and suffering of our aged, our brothers and sisters who are ill in hospitals and institutions or at home, or languishing in detention for serving humanity. We pray for those souls who have departed from this dunya.

Grant us the strength and faith to tread the months ahead with revitalised patience and sacrifice. We pray for our Gujjaaj: that Allah accept their Hajj and return them safely to us again.

May the blessings of this GREAT DAY abide with us and serve as a source of comfort during our moments of suffering and despair. We have answered Thy Call to draw closer to Thee. We beseech Thee, O Allah, answer the call we make to Thee on this holy morning. Ameen.

Ameen! Aqeemus salaah!

Al-hamdulillah, praise be to Allâh SWT, the Compassionate, the Merciful. I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Allâh, Who provides humankind with the institution of saum or fasting as a channel of piety and a means of strengthening us individually and collectively as an ummah.

I bear witness that our Prophet Muhammad saws is the true Messenger of Allâh, who encouraged his followers to fast not only in the month of Ramadhân, but on various days throughout the year. 0 Allâh, shower Your choicest blessings on him, his noble companions and relatives — all those who faithfully followed his example and ennobled themselves through fasting and good deeds.

Brothers and Sisters in Islam

We are approaching the month of Ramadhân and in this preparatory phase — the last few days, we evaluate our beliefs and our actions…a process, which we may consider as our spiritual stocktaking. Yes, we do not sit and wait passively for this special month to arrive to fill the atmosphere with a spirit of piety and virtue and hope that it will inspire us and set us alight! Al-hamdulillah, we are far more dynamic, far more creative and inspired…..we create the “spiritual atmosphere” within ourselves and facilitate our adjustment to a heightened spirituality in the month of Ramadhân. In a sense, that “atmosphere” is the development of Allâh-consciousness to the extent that we perceive Allâh to be near in every facet of our daily lives. How can our fasting and ‘aml or good deeds, not be effective? So effective that they help transform and direct our lives towards Allâh permanently? This is our prayer and our hopes for the Ramadhân and, inshâ-Allâh (Allâh-willing), there is no reason why it cannot be attained!

To those of us who are looking forward to the new millennium for personal growth, personal transformation, let the Ramadhân become our means to attain that new life. Let us move forward to experience the Fast and all the values accompanying this ‘ibadah with excitement. How will we emerge from it? Perhaps more disciplined, more focussed in our goals, more affable and acceptable to those around us, more successful in our interpersonal relationships, the list of possibilities is limitless! It is a month of blessings — blessings that we gather without realising it. Allâh promises us in the Holy Qur’ân:

“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may learn self-restraint.” (S.2:183)

In this often quoted verse, we are reminded that fasting or saum was observed by people long before the advent of our Prophet Muhammad saws — the rules or method differed but the goals remained the same. The verse ends with an initial goal of fasting clearly defined, which is to “learn self-restraint”. In a sense, therefore, the institution of saum is an essential part of humankind’s lifelong education in his/her quest for personal transformation. This adds a basic dimension to the Ramadhân — as an open-ended educational experience. It’s an experience with the potential of personal transformation. Through the method of self-restraint — yes, the initial end becomes a means, and insha-Allâh, a part of our personality to enable us to gain complete control of our emotions, our speech and our actions.

How many of our problems and difficulties, the arguments and bitterness around us, are not caused by a mere slip of the tongue or a hasty word or action ? We may well tell ourselves: “If we had kept our mouth, we would not have lost a close friend, or a brother or sister or that elusive deal!” Haste or impulsive behaviour, remains one of our greatest enemies and our bent on self-destruction. We often think that to restrain ourselves is to show weakness and, at the slightest provocation allows our anger to blur our intelligence! May Allâh SWT safeguard us against this weakness!

Let us consider the incident of S. Husain (R.A.), the grandson of our Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s) and his exercise of self-restraint. He was getting ready to have his meal when his slave accidentally dropped a cup of water which she had held above his head for his use. The cup broke and the water fell on him. S. Husain (R.A.) looked at the slave in anger. The loyal slave was deeply grieved by her actions, but instead of beseeching his pardon, she recited the verse from the Holy Qur’an:

“Allâh loves those who restrain their anger and pardon men.”

S. Husain (R.A.) looked up at her and felt his anger melting into a deep compassion, and he answered almost apologetically: “I forgive you.”

The slave then recited:

“And Allâh loves the doers of good (to others).”

Innallâha yuhibbul muh-sineen

At this S. Husain (R.A.) cried out: “I liberate you from the servile strings that bind you to me!”

Allâh SWT prescribed self-restraint as one of humankind’s greatest strengths and a potential for spiritual and even physical or socio-economic power. It is not surprising that oppressed people throughout the world often resort to fasting to attain liberation! In South Africa a Muslim leader in the struggle against Apartheid invited the regime to shackle his body, but he warned: “You can put me in chains , but you can never regiment my soul!” He was in control, not his torturers or their generals. May Alllâh SWT grant us that spiritual strength to be in control of all our functions!

Our beloved Prophet saws taught his followers:

“Fasting is a shield…” At first, fasting offers us that outward protection as we experience in the Ramadhân. But in the course of time , that shield grows onto us and becomes part of our inner armour, our personalities. We are then able to withstand any onslaught or temptation, any attempt to disrupt our values and our beliefs as Muslims. One writer so aptly describes the blessings of fasting as follows: ” When Islam introduced this matchless institution, it planted an evergrowing tree of infinite virtue and invaluable products..”

For one short month we will be able to pick of the fruit of Fasting, enjoy it and strengthen our faith ( Eemân) and our piety (taqwa) in the process. The tree remains and the fruit is there for the picking!

For this reason the Prophet (saws) said:

“Every good deed of man gets some increase from Allâh: one good deed flourishes ten times to seven hundred times. But Allâh says: ‘Fasting is exempted from this. It is exclusively for Me (Allâh) and I reward it as much as I want.’”

This is Allâh’s guarantee, Allâh’s Promise to us that all our good deeds will be rewarded over and over, but in the case of fasting our progress, our success, our achievements are limitless. Abul A’la Maududi puts it this way: “The more you perform well-motivated deeds in this month (Ramadhân), the greater their blessings, and they radiate their benefits to your other brothers and sisters; and if you maintain the effects of this month at a high pitch during the next eleven months, this garden will flourish.”

Brothers and Sisters

Is it difficult to see why the month of Ramadhân has an atmosphere, a spiritual atmosphere that draws you and me closer to Allâh SWT ? Do we need to ask what the ultimate goal of Fasting is? Of course not, every blessing directs us towards Allâh and helps us to attain nearness to Allâh. And if the evidence is not manifest enough, Allâh reminds us in the Holy Qur’an:

“Let them also, with a will, listen to
My Call (by fasting), and believe in Me.
That they may walk in the right way.” (2: 186)

At the same time, we need to remind ourselves that fasting is an ‘ibâdah, an act of worship: to abstain from eating and drinking or the physical component, is really a small part of the ‘ibâdah. The moral component is equally if not more important: how can we serve Allâh if we indulge in immoral acts or behaviour that alienates us from our brothers and sisters ? Often the fasting person is far more irritable and quarrelsome than the one that is not fasting, Astaghfirullah! Let us not allow our fasting to degenerate into starving. Then it is surely not for Allâh and not worthy of Allâh’s blessings. Hence our Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.s. warns us like a true father concerned for the wellbeing of his children:

“Many are the fasters whose fasting does not bring them anything except hunger and thirst, and many are those who keep standing in the night (taraweegh), but their standing does not bring anything except being awake in the night.”

The message cannot be clearer: to be hungry and thirsty throughout the day is not in itself ‘ibâdah, but an instrument for performing real ‘ibâdah. Let us not violate the Shari’ah for that would negate the very basis of our Faith. Let us rather walk through the fertile fields, perform our ‘ibâdât and gather the fruits of our efforts (Allâh’s blessings). Let us spend our time with acts of kindness , reading Qur’ân, thikrullâh (remembrance of Allâh), invocations and seeking to please Allâh. Thus will we be able to help form the atmosphere of Allâh-consciousness. Our Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.s. advises:

“Whoever observed Fast imbued with faith and with the expectation of reward from Allâh, all his past sins are forgiven.”

Brothers and Sisters

You and I and indeed the whole Muslim ummah have waited for a year to experience the blessings of this Ramadhân. Some of us are frail with illness or old-age and may not see another Ramadhân. Al-hamdulillah, praise be to Allâh, we are grateful for these few days or hours and ask Allâh to grant us the benefit of every moment we are able to spend in His Divine Presence. Some of us are young and eager to start our young lives nobly. We seek Allâh’s guidance to enter with the correct spirit and a commitment to move closer to Allâh SWT.

Let us pledge ourselves here today, you and I, to remove the cause of bad blood between us and our nearest and rid ourselves of any form of behaviour which hurts others;

Let us strive instead to don the noble qualities of conduct so beautifully exemplified by our beloved Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.s.;

Let every action that flows from us be steeped in kindness and helpfulness;

Let our hearts reach out to our less fortunate brothers and sisters wherever they may be and ask Allâh to remove their suffering and hardship and grant them victory over their oppressors;

Let us pass our quiet moments remembering Allâh through reading Qur’ân or making tasbeegh;

Let those of us who have parents, bring joy and comfort to their hearts;

And let those who have lost their parents or dear ones, remember them in all their prayers;

Let those of us who have recently reverted to Islam find solace in the knowledge that Allâh knows and accepts us with our imperfections.

O Allâh, strengthen our eemân (faith) and our understanding of the purpose of Fasting Accept our fast and all our ‘ibâdât.

Ameen! Aqeemus salaah!

We thank and praise Allah SWT the All-knowing. We bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah — the One who made the passage of time a lesson for those who are alert and willing to learn and adapt.

We bear witness that the Holy Prophet Muhammad SAWS is the true Messenger of Allah, who invited us to perform our salaah on time and reminded us to spend every moment of our lives in the praising of Allah SWT. O Allah, shower Thy choicest blessings on him, his friends and relatives — all those who spent their lives doing good deeds and pleasing Allah SWT. Truly they are on the Right Path, for Allah afforded them Hidayat (Guidance) and they are the ones who understood.

My dear Sisters and Brothers

Allah SWT reminds us in the Holy Qur’an:

“By the token of Time (through the Ages), Verily Man is in loss, Except such as have Faith, And do righteous deeds, And (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of Patience and Constancy.” (Qur’an: 103, 1-3)

In this ayah Allah personifies Time to make us aware of its importance in our daily lives and so that we may make good use of it. Everything appears in time: the good and pleasant things, the joys and laughter as well as the evil and unpleasant experiences, the suffering and crying. Everything is recorded. The poet, Umar Khayyam once wrote:

“The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ,
Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,
Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it.

Don’t we often wish that the wrong things we did, never happened or our successful undertakings would recur over and over again? The very fact that we now want to forget or prevent certain things from happening again or to repeat other things, shows that we have learnt from our experiences in time. Yes, brothers and sisters, Allah SWT has placed time at our service as our teacher: it is a teacher that allows things to happen, but leaves the decisions to us.

It is good to look back into history and study the successes and failures of the leaders of the world: we see how Allah SWT punished and humiliated the proud and arrogant oppressors of people. What was the lot of Fir’oun (Pharaoh)? We also see in history how Allah SWT elevated the humble, those who served their fellowmen. Thus Allah honoured the Saaligheen (the pious ones) and bestowed His blessings on the just. By the same token He brought dishonour to bear on the unjust and punished the sinners. Thus Allah SWT reminds us in the Holy Qur’an:

“The one who performs a good deed, does so for himself, but the one who does evil, only harms himself.”

A common misconception is that time is responsible for good or bad occurrences. We often hear such sayings as “Time is the best healer!” “Time Destroys! or “Time, the saviour”. Time has none of these qualities. Allah is the Owner of time, the Healer, the Saviour of mankind. Allah reminds us in the Holy Qur’an:”

“Everyone shall taste death, and We let good and evil befall you as a test; and truly, your return is to Allah.”

Allah Alone is the Master of time. And Allah metes out punishments and rewards in relation to how we use our time. If we arm ourselves with knowledge, and do good deeds; if we are diligent in our work and constantly plan ahead for the time to come; and if we use our reasoning faculties whenever we do something, then we shall earn Allah’s reward. Allah SWT will grant us strength instead of weakness, wealth instead of poverty, and honour instead of humiliation.

O Muslims, we have the power to use time to the advantage of ourselves and the entire Ummah. But are we truly aware of the value of time ? Does our use of the time show that we were created by Allah SWT for a purpose ? Do we fully realise that we cannot escape Allah’s judgement? Allah created us to serve Him and Him Alone, and all our actions in life must be in harmony with the rest of creation and the Divine Plan of Allah SWT. Certain forms of ‘Ibaadah need to be observed at definite, prescribed times, for example our salaah, saum, ghadj, jumu’ah, etc. We cannot perform jumu’ah when we have the time to do, say on a Saturday afternoon ! Our activities in life must harmonise with these responsibilities which are time-related. For then our daily activities will become an extension of our ‘Ibaadah.

Time is valuable to us. Let us not waste it on vain conversations and arguments which are irrelevant to our upliftment individually and as an ummah. Let us be constantly aware that every moment in time is a favour Allah SWT bestows on us, and surely we repay honour with honour. Let us express our gratitude to Allah SWT by using every moment in His service: teaching others, inviting others to good and serving our less fortunate brothers in distress. Al-Fudayl, a wise man of Islam, once asked a man his age. The man looked at Al-Fudayl puzzled and gave his age. “Sixty years !” exclaimed Al-Fudayl. “Do you realise that for sixty years you had been on a journey towards your Creator and that you have almost reached your destination ?” He looked at his questioner and replied (quoting from the Qur’an:

“We are Allah’s and unto Him is our return.”

Al-Fudayl half expected this reply and went on to tell the man the significance of his reply. Consider the wisdom of his explanation: “The one who realises that he is the servant of Allah and that he would return to Allah, should know that he would face his Creator, and would be questioned on his doings and misdoings. he should, therefore, prepare himself here in order that he might give a favourable reply.” The man asked Al-Fudayhl to give him a plan whereby he could escape the dangers of that day. “Do good in the time you still have to live,” came the reply, “and all your past would be forgiven. If you continue with the evil of the past, you would be punished for both the past and the present.”

Rasoolullah SAWS advised the ummah thus:

“Observe five things before five others:
Your life before your death,
Your good health before your illness,
Your leisure before your busy times,
Your youth before your old age,
Your days of wealth before you become poor.”

Brothers and Sisters in Islam,

Take your lessons from our beloved Prophet Muhammad SAWS and face life with confidence. Do not sit idly and ask: “I wonder what the future holds in store for us ?” The future is here ! Islam has no place for fatalism. You have the power to design the future! If we consider the uncertainties, the insecurity of the community in South Africa, then now is as good a time as ever to go out and become part of the future. Everyone of us, no matter what our circumstances, can play a meaningful role in designing the future: be it the education of our children in the madrassah or the so-called secular schools, the plight of the physically and mentally handicapped, maintaining the community’s institutions, establishing a new socio-political order, and so on. Let us make a start today by joining existing organisations in which we have a contribution to make. There cannot be true happiness without involvement in the affairs of man. This Allah SWT confirms in the Holy Qur’an:

“The one who does good, whether male or female
and he is a believer, will live a happy life
on this earth and shall be rewarded in the best
of manner for the good he has done.”

Let us, at the same time, safeguard ourselves from falling prey to the Christmas-New Year seasonal decadence in Cape Town. Many of us have worked hard during the year and deserve this annual rest, even if it is for three weeks. Our children, too, have spent so much time without us while we were busy working and they occupied with schooling. Do not let our desire for fun and relaxation drive us into the Satanic web of Western fasaad assisted and abetted by their media, the TV and the press. Let us take our children out and let them experience the beauty of creation. Our youth have a positive and significant role to play. I can only appeal to them to stay away from nightclubs, disco’s and such dens of iniquity. Such places mean business to a few unscrupulous people who do not care how many young people they corrupt, how many innocent lives they destroy in the process, as long as their money is made. Do not allow yourselves to be exploited for the sake of being “with it”. Remember, you have the intelligence, strength, stamina, and creativity which are needed by the community. Get involved in activities which will benefit you and the entire ummah.

Let us remember our accountability to Allah SWT. Tabraani relates that Ma-aath ibn Jabal reported that once, while on a journey with the Prophet SAWS, he heard the Nabi saying:

“Every person would be asked of four things:
of his life, ………how he lived it.
of his youth, ………..what he did with it.
of his wealth,…………how he earned it.
of his knowledge what he did with it.

Did he share it or keep it to himself. If he kept it to himself,
then he betrayed the Amaanah (trust) which was given to him.

Knowledge is like wealth, both having been entrusted to one.
It should not only be spent on one’s self but on one’s fellow humans.

Ameen! Aqeemus salaah!

We thank and praise Allah SWT, Who has honoured humankind as the best of all creation and has given us responsibilities befitting such an honour, We bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah.

We bear witness that our Prophet Muhammad saws is the true Messenger of Allah, who, as Allah’s vicegerent on earth, strove so selflessly to remove human suffering and generally improve the state of humanity. 0 Allah, shower Your choicest blessings on him, his friends and relatives, all those who actively strove to remove discrimination against and oppression of the weak by the Jahiliyyah and to restore the rights given to them by Allah SWT.

Brothers and Sisters in Islam

Al-hamdulillah, praise is to Allah! In most of our communities we have very active organisations working selflessly to uplift the state of the ummah. In many instances it is virtually impossible to attend to every individual in need of help — this would be financially and organisationally impossible. What they and all Muslim jamaa’ahs hope to achieve is an awareness that touches the heart and soul of every Muslim: an awareness that moves us to become involved in the service of our less fortunate brothers and sisters; an awareness that will inspire us to ask Allah SWT in our’ du’aahs “0 Allah, grant us an ever-wakeful conscience”, a conscience that helps us to fulfil our obligations as Muslims; a conscience that reminds us that we are Allah’s vicegerents and trustees on earth, and a conscience that prevents us from doing anything that is contrary to the teachings of Islam. Allah says in the Holy Qur’an:

“O mankindl We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may KNOW each other (not that you may despise each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is he (who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well-acquainted (with all things).” (Q.49:13)

In this ayah Allah SWT informs us that we have been created close to each other so that we may Know each other. Not merely to gain information about each other, but to understand and care for the needs of each other, and then Allah reminds us that the best of us are those who have the best conduct. On this ayah, one writer comments; ‘ In this way Allah…draws attention to this universal bond which should foster mutual sympathy, respect, collaboration and solidarity among all members of the large yet single human family.” To become aware is to know and to care. Let me repeat: to become aware is to know and to care.

Do we Know, that, among us are an insecure and oppressed minority who are denied basic human rights to move around freely and safely, to earn a living without feeling patronised, even to have free access to a masjid? Yes, my friends, our aged parents, those who are physically challenged, the blind, deaf and mentally challenged, live in constant fear for their personal safety. We only have to read our papers to realise the cold ruthlessness of people who exploit and even physically abuse them. They live in fear of being rejected by their able-bodied brothers and sisters. You and I know that to reject. a person is to say: “You are not fit to be a part of us, to be a humanbeing!” Let us not forget our own experiences under the colonialism or the Apartheid system in South Africa?

They live in fear of inconveniencing others. They have needs which they cannot fulfil by themselves. The weak old man is at this moment sitting at home longing to be at the masjid and attend jumu’ah as he had done in his younger days. He cannot walk unaided to the gate let alone the masjid. But he is so considerate and does not wish to inconvenience his family or neighbours. The blind brother would rather sit in his dark world than dare to ask someone for help. Being alone, they are afraid even of themselves. Let us imagine the dangers facing the epileptic who suddenly gets an attack while crossing a busy road? His or her fears and anxieties reflect the inconsideration, the lack of support of the community and the inhumanity of the authorities.

This absence of feeling is certainly not the way of our Prophet Muhammad saws. Caring for the weak was his constant reminder to his Companions. How beautifully S. Abu Bakr R.A. expressed his determination to help the weak when he said: “0 you people, by Allah, there shall be no stronger person with me than a weak person until I restore him to his right, nor shall there be a weaker person with me than a powerful one, until I extract the right of others from him.”

Our Nabi Muhammad saws’s whole mission is characterised by his consideration for the wellbeing of all people. Allah SWT makes this purpose very clear in the verse of the Holy Qur’an:

“We sent you not, but as a Mercy for all creatures.” (21:107)

This divine mercy flows through the Shariah and becomes part of our being here on this earth. Rasûlullâh saws describes this bond and love for each other as follows:

“The likeness of the believers in their mutual empathy and cordiality is like the human body in that when a part of it complains (of some pain) all the other parts share its misfortune, suffering, fever and sleeplessness.”

We share the pain and anguish of the mother whose child suffers from cerebral palsy, and who cannot find a place for him in the special school. We share the frustration of the paraplegic in the wheelchair who cannot find a public toilet, spacious enough for his needs. We share the disappointment of the partially deaf person who struggles to follow the Imâm in his salâh in the absence of adequate sound, or the partially blind who tries in vain to read even a few gurûf of the Qur’ân in the absence of adequate lighting. If we share their discomfort, then we are already on our way to helping them. Our first step towards helping them is to realise that they have needs and rights given to them by Allah SWT. Let us consider the Revelation of the Surah -’Abasa or “He Frowned”. One day when our Nabi saws was deeply engaged in trying to explain the Holy Qur’ân to a few leaders of the Quraish (who were not Muslim), a blind man, ‘Abdullah ibn Umm—i-Maktoom interrupted him. ‘Abdullah, who was also very poor, wanted to learn the Qur’ân. The Prophet saws had to choose between enlightening the group of leaders or this poor blind man whose feelings would be hurt if refused or rejected him. Allah SWT advised the Prophet through this Revelation:

“In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

1. The Prophet frowned and turned away,

2. Because there came to him the blind man (interrupting).

3. But what could tell you but that perchance

he might grow (in spiritual understanding)?-

4. Or that he might receive admonition, and the teaching might profit him?

5. As to one who regards himself as self-sufficient,

6. to him do you attend;

7. though it is no blame to you if he grows not (in spiritual understanding).

8. But as to him who came to you striving earnestly,

9. and with fear in his heart,

10. of him were you unmindful.

11. By no means should it be so! For it is indeed a Message of instruction:

12. therefore let whoso will, keep it in remembrance.”(Q. 80 : 1—12)

This Universal Message should be made the preamble to the oppressed minority’s fight for liberation: Liberation from their fears, liberation from being labelled handicapped citizens. This Message should inspire them to know that Allah is fully on their side and that their needs are, in fact, rights that they do not request but demand, and fearlessly proclaim their Bill of Rights. This Message demands that we remove from ourselves personal prejudices and accept them as equals. Allah SWT removes the myth which people so often believe that a person with a physical disability also has a mental disability, when Allah says:

“Or that he might receive admonition, and the teaching might profit him.”

This same blind man lived to become the Governor of Madina! We may well ask: How many of our own brothers and sisters denied the right to participate as equals in public life, may not perhaps become our leaders, our ‘Abdullah ibn Umm-i-Maktoom ?

Sometimes, our failure to respond to their plight is not due to our lack of feeling for them, but rather our ignorance of how we can help them. Let us not forget the stirling work done by the numerous organisations all over the world. Let those of us who are not so well-informed, get to know those who are disabled/challeged — by visiting institutions for the blind, homes for paraplegics, special schools, hospitals, old age homes and so on and let us strive to create conditions for them in our own institutions that will not let them feel uncomfortable or “different”. Let us help them bring pressure to bear on local authorities to provide adequate facilities on public transport and public amenities; let us encourage the big businesses to help finance medical and social projects to improve their quality of life; let us appeal to employers to employ those who are adequately qualified for certain jobs. Above all, let us help without making them feel helpless, let us give without humiliating them, let us love by letting them feel our warm sincerity.

Our Prophet Muhammad saws said:

“When a man loves his brother, let him inform him that he loves him.” (Abu Daud, Tirmithi)

Ameen! Aqeemus salaah!