Brexit, Trump and the Prophetic Way
Khutbah: Brexit, Trump and the Prophetic way
By Arshad Gamiet.
Royal Holloway University of London 3rd November 2016
Text version below
For the Audio Version, please click here: ag-brexit-trump-and-the-prophetic-way
A-úthu billáhi minash shaytánir rajeem. Bismilláhir rahmánir raheem
Al hamdu lillahi nahmaduhu wanasta’eenahu, wanastagh-firuhu, wanatoobu ilayhi, wana’oothu Billaahi min shuroori an-fusinaa, wamin sayyi aati a’maalinaa. May- Yahdillahu fa huwal muhtad, wa may- yudlill falan tajidaa lahu waliyan murshida. Wa ash-hadu an Laa ilaaha ill-Alláh, wahdahoo laa shareeka lah, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhoo warasooluh”
All Praise is due to Alláh, We praise Him and we seek help from Him. We ask forgiveness from Him. We repent to Him; and we seek refuge in Him from our own evils and our own bad deeds. Anyone who is guided by Alláh, he is indeed guided; and anyone who has been left astray, will find no one to guide him. I bear witness that there is no god but Alláh, the Only One without any partner; and I bear witness that Muhammad, peace and blessings on him, is His servant, and His messenger.
Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem! Ya Ay-yuhal-latheena ‘aamanut taqul-laaha, haqqa tuqaatihee wala tamu tun-na, il-la wa antum Muslimoon.”
O You who believe, – Be aware of Allah, with correct awareness, an awe-inspired awareness, and die not except as Muslims.
Ya Ay-yuhal-latheena ‘aamanut taqul-laaha, wa qooloo qawlan sadeedaa. Yuslih-lakum a’maalakum wa yaghfir lakum thunoobakum, wamay yu-til-laaha warasoolah, faqad faaza fawzan atheemaa.”
O You who believe, – Be aware of Allah, and speak a straightforward word. He will forgive your sins and repair your deeds. And whoever takes Allah and His Prophet as a guide, has already achieved a mighty victory.
In the opening verse of Sura An-Nisaa’, Allah says:
“O mankind! Show reverence towards your Guardian-Lord Who created you from a single person, created, of like nature, his mate and from the two of them scattered (like seeds) countless men and women;― Be conscious of Allah, through Whom you demand your mutual (rights) and (show reverence towards) the wombs (that bore you): for surely, Allah ever watches over you.”
My Dear Sisters and Brothers,
The whole world seems to be anxiously awaiting the outcome of the US Presidential elections. Will it be Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton? In 4 days’ time we’ll know the answer. And: What about Brexit? Will it be a hard or soft departure from the European Union? What does all this mean for Muslims?
As people of imaan, true Believers, our answer is a very simple one. It doesn’t really matter who wins or what happens next! We have faith in Allah. We trust Allah. Everything is safe in Allah’s hands. “Biyadikal khair,” says the Holy Quran. (Sura Al ‘Imran, v 26).
“Qulil-laahumma Maalikal mulki tu’til mulka mantashaa, watanzi-ul mulka mim-man tashaa, wa tu’izzu mantashaa, wa tuzillu mantashaa. Biyadikal khair. Innaka ala kulli shay in qadeer.”
“O Allah! Lord of Power(and Sovereignty) You give power to whom You please, and you strip off power from whom You please. You honour whom You please, and You bring low whom You please. In Your Hand is all good. Truly, You have power over all things.”
Dear sisters and brothers, these are indeed very comforting words for us. And again, in the opening verse of Sura Mulk:
“Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem! Tabaarakal lathee biyadihil mulk wahuwa alaa kulli shay in qadeer. Al lathee khalaqal mawt wal hayaata liyab’luwakum ayyukum ahsanu ‘amalaa. Wahuwal ‘azeezul ghafuur!”
“Blessed is He in Whose Hand lies the Kingdom. He has power over all things. He created death and life so that He might test you, to find out which of you is best in conduct. He is the Mighty, the Most Forgiving One.”
We know that life is full of ups and downs. In politics as well as in our personal and family situations, in our work and in our financial affairs, there will always be ups and downs. That’s life. As believers we accept that. The life of this world was never meant to be a place of endless comfort and ease. That will be in the life to come, when we all get there, insha-Allah, Ameen. Let’s be positive and devote our whole lives to Allah’s service so that we earn our place in His garden.
Allah reminds us in Sura Al Baqara v.155.
“Wa lanab’luwan nakum min shay in minal ghowfi wal joo’i wanaq sinn-minal amwaali wal anfusi wath-thamaraat. Wa bash-shiris-saabireen”
“Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your hard work), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere; who say, when they are afflicted with a calamity: (Inna lil-Laahi wa inna ilayhir raaji-oon) To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return. They are the ones on whom (descend) blessings from Allah, and Mercy, and they are the ones that receive guidance”
So, my dear sisters and brothers, let’s take comfort from those words. Allah promises us His blessings, His mercy and His guidance, if we patiently and joyfully endure all the difficulties that life may throw at us.
We should take our lessons from the Prophets, Nabi Ibrahim alayis salaam, and Nabi Muhammad sws. They both endured hardships that make our own problems look very small by comparison. Nabi Ibrahim was thrown into a raging fire, but he made a powerful prayer and the fire turned cool. He emerged unharmed. The same prayer was repeated by Nabi Muhammad sws and his followers when a mighty army prepared to attack them. With this duah, they won the battle. This amazing prayer, this magical du’ah can also save us from serious danger:
“Hasbun-Allah, wa neya’mal wakeel!”
Please remember those words, my dear brothers and sisters:
“Hasbun-Allah, wa neya’mal wakeel! .
It means: “Allah (alone) is sufficient for us! What an excellent Guardian He is! He is the best disposer of affairs!
Things may well become more difficult for Muslims in the short term. We may well see more harassment, more verbal abuse, and even more violent attacks in some cases. We should take sensible precautions and report any incidents to the University and the Police. But we must never despair, never give up hope. We must continue to engage with our neighbours and our fellow students, our colleagues at work and others in the wider community. We must show them, by personal example, what a beautiful way of life Islam has to offer. Allah will guide us and protect us. We are the windows through which our neighbours can see the real Islam.
“Alhamdu lillahi Rabbil ‘Aalameen. Was-salaatu was-salaamu alaa Khairil mursaleen. Muhammadin-nabeey-yil Ummiy-youe, wa-‘alaa aalihee, wasah-bihee, aj-ma’een. Ammaa ba’ad:
“Innalláha wa malaaikata yusallúna alan nabi. Yá ay yuhal latheena ámanu sallú alayhi wasalli mú tas leema. Allahumma salli alá Muhammad, wa ala áli Muhammad, kama salayta ala Ibrahim, wa ala ali Ibrahim. Allahumma barik ala Muhammad, kama barakta ala Ibrahim, wa ala ali ibrahim. Fil ála meen, innaka hameedun majeed.”
(Second Khutbah):
“Soob’ hanallahi wal hamdu lillah, wala hawla wala quwwata illah billah yu althi yual theem”
Glory to Allah! Praise to Allah! There is no power and no strength except from Allah!
Those sisters and brothers who helped at our recent Open Day in Staines will confirm this. So many people expressed their appreciation. We gave them a rare opportunity to talk, to ask questions about Islam and Muslims. Over tea, coffee, sandwiches and cakes, we were able to dispel a lot of myths and fear-mongering spread by some parts of the mass media. Our guests appreciated that. Some asked us to have another Open Day soon. They want to bring their family and friends along. It may seem just a small effort for us, but it does count. Allah puts the Baraka into every good action. We should never dismiss or belittle even the smallest good deed that we can do to serve Allah and to serve others.
Never ever fool yourself thinking you can’t change things. Don’t ever adopt a defeatist attitude. To despair and give up all hope is a grave sin. Life is a challenge, it’s a test from Allah; and Allah’s help is always near (Sura Al-Baqara ch.2 v 214). “Alaa, inna nasral-Laahi qareeb.”
A learned Shaykh once told the story of a hummingbird that flew back and forth with a few drops of water in its beak, trying to put out a forest fire. The elephants, buffaloes, giraffes and other animals looked on, bemused, and asked: “How can a mere hummingbird like you hope to put out a forest fire?” The wise little hummingbird replied: “I do what I can. That’s all. Allah won’t hold me responsible for the results, only for my efforts.”
In the face of all the world’s problems, we may feel that we are like little hummingbirds trying to quell the fires with a few drops of water. Our efforts may seem so small and insignificant. But Allah puts His barakah into those efforts. Our tiny efforts can grow, just as little drops of water make a stream, a river, a flood, an ocean; and little snowflakes can become an avalanche, an irresistible force of nature that sweeps away everything in its path.
While we’re talking of birds and elephants, do we not remember another story mentioned in the Holy Quran? Sura Al-Fiil tells us about the year when Prophet Muhammad sws was born. Wasn’t that the “Year of the Elephant?” And why was it named The Year of the Elephant? Didn’t a flock of birds destroy an army of elephants that was on its way to trample the Kaaba in Makkah? Weren’t those elephants bemused to see birds flying high above them, dropping little pellets of baked clay? Didn’t they first wonder at the futility of such a sight? But Allah empowered those birds. Allah magnified the ferocity of their attack and gave them victory against overwhelming odds. Isn’t there an important lesson for us today?
Allah will hold each and every one of us to account for what we could do within our capacity. Don’t belittle the smallest good deed that you can do, to relieve suffering and by your living example to promote Allah’s beautiful religion.
My respected Sisters and Brothers, Don’t let Brexit or the possibility of a President Trump depress you or cause you any sleepless nights. You and I must carry on worshipping Allah and serving His creation wherever our help is needed most. We must take care of the efforts, sincerely seeking only Allah’s good pleasure. He will take care of the results.
We are going through a period of fitna, a period of sorting out good from bad. When all the turmoil subsides, there will be a great future for Islam. Remember what our beloved Prophet Muhammad declared, as he returned from exile into Makka. He rode up to the Kaaba and raised his walking stick to topple the idols with these simple words:
“Wa qul jaa al haqq, wa zahaqal baatil. Inna baatilan qaana zahooqaa(n).
“And say: Truth has come, and falsehood has perished; for falsehood by it’s nature is bound to perish.” (Sura Al Isra’ 17:81)
Who knows? Perhaps one day, insha-Allah, those who hate us, those who seek to harm us, they or their children may stand side by side with us, facing Qibla, and bowing down with us in sujood, seeking forgiveness from Allah. This has already happened to ex members of the Klu Klux Klan and a leader of Right-wing Muslim hating party in Europe, Both of them are now are our brother Muslims. Anything is possible for Allah. Please say, Ameen!. That is all within Allah’s gift. Allah can do as He pleases. Allah is, after all, muqallibul quluub, He is the Turner of Hearts.
Let’s also memorise this short prayer of Rasool-Allah, sws:
“Ya Muqallibul quluub, thabbit qalbee ala deenik.”
“O Turner of Hearts, turn my heart towards your Religion” (repeat).
I pray that in these testing times, Allah will help us to complete our Islam, strengthen our Iman and illuminate our Ihsaan. Say, Ameen.
Finally, my dear brothers and sisters, I’d like to remind you that the four of us who deliver the khutbah here on a regular basis are all volunteers. We are not professional scholars of Islam. We are doing a service to the community to make the Jumu’ah possible. There are not enough real scholars to go around, to lead every Jumu’ah prayer. It’s the duty of those who can deliver a khutbah, to do so if no qualified scholar can be found.
I’m sure that amongst you there may be someone who has experience of leading the prayers and delivering the khutbah. If you can help us from time to time, please do come forward and make yourself available. Allah will reward you for it. Delivering a khutbah has nothing to do with showing off or trying to impress people. It’s about sharing your knowledge of Islam, and helping to inform and inspire others. We must try to energise our community. If you can deliver such a khutbah, of if you know someone who can, please come forward and help us.
InnaAllaha, Yamuru bil adel, wal ihsaan, wa eetaa-i zil qurba; wa yanha anil fuhshaa-i, wal munkari walbaghi; ya-idzukhum lallakum tathak-karoon. (Sura 16:90), Fadth kuroonee adth kurkum, wash kuroolee walaa tak furoon [2:152]. wala thikrul-Laahi akbar, Wal-Laahu ya’lamu maa tasna’oon.” [29:45].
“Surely Allah commands justice, good deeds and generosity to others and to relatives; and He forbids all shameful deeds, and injustice and rebellion: He instructs you, so that you may be reminded.” “And remember Me: I will remember you. Be grateful to Me, and do not reject faith.” “and without doubt, Remembrance of Allah is the Greatest Thing in life, and Allah knows the deeds that you do.”
Ameen. Aqeemus salaah!