A Nation's Strength
Arshad Gamiet/Royal Holloway College/Univ. of London /UK. Date 25May2001.
“As-salámu
'alaikum wa rahmatul láhi wa barakátuh!” [Wait
for adhán]
“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!”
My
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Islám,
The
famous American poet, Ralph Waldo Emerson, wrote these words in his poem
entitled, A Nation’s Strength: [ It is a long poem, and I quote only the last
two verses]:
”Not
gold but only men can make
A people great and strong;
Men who for truth and honour's sake
Stand fast and suffer long.
Brave men who work while others sleep,
Who dare while others fly...
They build a nation's pillars deep
And lift them to the sky.”
These
words were to inspire generations of people, to recognise the value of those
noble human qualities, rather than its mineral wealth, in building a nation.
Today’s khutbah, brothers and sisters, is about a nation’s strength. And,
the nation I refer to has nothing to do with nationalism or modern
nation-states. When we speak of a Muslim nation, we mean the Ummah. The Ummah is
our nation. The Ummah is not defined by race, or geography or language, like
other nations are. Our Ummah is a faith nation, defined by its adherence to
belief in Alláh, and the prophethood of Muhammad sws. It is the nation that
grew out of a divine invitation. We all know that beautiful verse in Súra Al
Imraan v 104:
“Wal
takum minkum ummatu[n] yad’oona ilal ghairi wa ya’ muroona bil ma’roof. Wa
yan houna ‘anil munkar. Wa ulaa ika humul muflihoon.”
“Let
there arise out of you, a band of people inviting to what is good, enjoining
what is right and forbidding what is wrong. They are the ones to attain Success.”
The
Qur'án knows how rebellious and sceptical we are as human beings, so, it
further challenges us, in many verses:
“Travel
through the earth, and see what was the end of those who stood against faith.”
6:11, and 16:36.
Those
of us who study history will find convincing proof of the wisdom of The Holy
Qur'án. The only valid criteria for building any society, is one that promotes
justice, stands for the truth and rejects falsehood. This was the kind of
society, which our beloved prophet Muhammad sws created. Until the end of time,
this will be the only kind of society that will guarantee much needed peace,
security and prosperity for all humankind. And this is the “Ummatan Wasatan,”
the “Justly balanced” nation which is described and promoted in The
Holy Qur'án.
Brothers and Sisters, let us all work hard to earn the good pleasure of Alláh, by living up to the high standards of conduct which our illustrious ancestors set for us. This is the only way we can help to rebuild that great empire of faith, that can once more show the world how to live in peace, prosperity and dignity.
“Alhamdu
lillahi Rabbil ‘Aalameen. Was-salaatu was-salaamu alaa Khairil mursaleen.
Muhammadin-nabeey-yil Ummiy-yee, 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, wa alaa
áli Muhammad, kama barakta ala Ibrahim, wa ala ali ibrahim. Fil ála meen,
innaka hameedun majeed.”
"The
world is held up by only four pillars: the Wisdom of the Learned, the Justice of
the Great, the Prayers of the Righteous, and the Valour of the Brave."
These
words were inscribed at the entrance of the University of Granada, which was
founded by Muslims in Spain during the early 15th century. As we know, Spain
enjoyed its golden age of Islamic rule for nearly 800 years. Muslim universities
like Granada and Cordoba were sought after like Oxford and Cambridge in their
time. The noble families of Europe, Africa and Asia rushed to send their
children to be educated there. So
let us reflect for a moment, on what these words signify.
Wisdom of
the learned, implies that learning for its own sake, is not enough. Education
must lead to a thoughtful and beneficial application of knowledge, to enhance
the quality of life. Also, when wealth and power is acquired, it must be applied
with justice, or else we will have tyranny. Similarly, Alláh will, always
answer the prayers of those who are righteous. And finally, we must be brave,
courageous and valiant in defending our faith and the honour of our fellow
Muslims.
Brothers
and sisters, these were the simple values that informed the lives of students at
the University of Granada, at a time when Islamic civilization was the hope, and
the light of the world. Is there not a lesson for us today, somewhere?
Many of you are now in the middle of exams, concentrating hard on doing
your best so that you can make a success of your academic career. I am sure that
those of us who are not writing exams, will wish you well and extend to you our
moral and spiritual support.
While you
are engaged in this vital part of your university life, it may be useful to
remember why you are doing it. Sure, writing exams has everything to do with
getting that degree, enjoying your graduation and finding a really good job,
providing for the material things that we need in life. But is that all? Is it
enough? Look around you and see whether material prosperity without a moral and
spiritual framework, has brought anybody any real happiness. Then, look to the
golden age of Islám, and ask whether the social problems then, could conceivably
have been about single mothers, or delinquent children, or drug abuse, or the
high divorce rate or dysfunctional families or the breakdown of family life.
We are talking
here about the values of a society, and the goals of individuals. Both are
connected and they support each other.
Dear
Brothers and Sisters in Islam, again, The Holy Qur'án has such eloquent
guidance on the subject. In Súra Al Imran, v 14 we are reminded:
"Fair
in the eyes of men is the love of things they covet: Women and sons; heaped-up
hoards of gold and silver; horses branded (for blood and excellence); and
(wealth of) cattle and well-tilled land. Such are the possessions of this
world's life; but in nearness to Allah is the best of the goals (to return to)."
Yes,
brothers and sisters, that nice car, that lovely home, satellite TV and our
wonderful children and grandchildren, these are not only blessings and gifts
from our Lord. They are also a test for us. Are we going to be so distracted by
the glitter of dunya, that we will forget Aakhira? Let us remember Alláh, in
good times and hard times, with equal devotion and gratitude. Let us constantly
seek the Help and Guidance of our Lord, to save us from temptation in times of
ease, and to relieve our suffering in times of distress.
Let us pray to
Alláh, to help all our brothers and sisters during school, college and
university exams, to pass with excellent results so that they can serve the
Ummah in their professional fields. O Alláh, please help us all, to perform
well in the life of dunya, so that when we face that final Exam known as Yawmul
Qiyyaamah, You will be pleased with our results.
Ameen! Aqeemus salaah!
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