Rabi al-awwal: the birth of our Prophet and its celebration

Many Muslims, all around the world, are today remembering the birth of the greatest of Allah’s Messengers; the Prophet Mohammad. I wish to dedicate these few lines to register my humble homage to the message and mission of our Prophet and to highlight some of my concerns about the way his birth (mawlid) is celebrated. In many cases the celebrations have become superficial and ritualistic and no longer address the meaning attached to the teachings and purpose of his prophetic mission.

As Muslims, we, of course, attach the greatest importance to following our Prophet, as a Messenger of Allah, as well as being the model for what we should strive towards in our own lives. He was the last of all the prophets and messengers that Allah sent down, for the guidance of human beings, in order for them to live blissfully in this world and so that they may enter Paradise, through the mercy of Allah, in the Hereafter.

The Prophet Mohammad’s legacy of Islamic teachings must be seen as the one of the most important guidance manuals ever designed to improve the lives of all peoples. The guidance that is held in it is safeguarded and reinforced through the revelation of the Quran, hadith and His Sirah ( biography) that records it in the minutest detail.

Much of our Prophet’s importance lies in the fact that he was the last of Allah’s messengers; to whom the Quran was revealed for the guidance of humanity for ever.  However, we should never forget that to deserve this high rank he was made the perfect model of human character and he exemplified, through his dealings and teachings, all that is necessary to become best of people in this world.

The Quran mentions his character in the surah al-Qalam (Nun, one of the earliest surah in the Quran to be revealed), in order to grant him, and others, assurances that the revelation that has come to him is from God. It says: “Nun, by the pen and what the scribes write. By your Lord’s Grace, you are not afflicted with madness. And surely yours will be a never-ending reward. And you are certainly of the most exalted standard of moral excellence”.

These early Quranic verses were meant to reassure people about the mission of the Prophet Mohammad and that he was indeed possessed of a sublime character. The verses also assured him that the revelation of the Quran was a real event, taking place with the permission of Allah and that it was not an affliction or madness, nor was it the result of it.

The completion of the revelation of the Quran and the establishing of Islam through the Prophet Mohammad was a hugely important achievement, never before witnessed in the history of mankind. It was the accomplishment of divine will for the guidance of humanity.

Such an achievement was, and always will be, worthy of celebration every time a person takes the right path and protects himself from the ways of error and temptation and guides himself towards his Creator.

However, celebrations now tend to focus mainly on the birth of the Prophet, an event which, in some quarters, is now regarded as bigger than his mission.  Indeed, it is now regarded by some as another ‘eid’, thereby equating it with the celebration of the two annual eid events.

Many diverse activities now take place on this day: events are organised in mosques, Islamic Centres, public processions take place, new clothes are worn, many dishes of sweets are proffered, public holidays are declared and much more.

 So, why do we now celebrate only his birth? Why is this ‘mawlid’ event taking place?  It was never celebrated in the time of the Prophet, nor in the times of the companions after him, or indeed for many centuries after that. If any scholarly objections to it are made now, even with the best of intentions, hostilities are quickly aroused, and the scholars may themselves be accused of being Wahhabi or being someone who has no love for the Prophet. The whole celebration has become part of 'popular' Islam and greetings that include it, are now exchanged with each other.

But surely, real love for the Prophet would be better demonstrated by following the examples set by him, by trying to emulate him, by obeying his teachings and by continuing to convey his message to humanity. Any such love for the Prophet must surely also include an understanding of his teachings and by us acting according to them in our own lives.

Allah (SWT) says in the Quran: “Surely, there was a beautiful example for you in the Messenger of Allah, for all those who look forward to Allah and the Last Day and remember Allah much”.

If every Muslim followed the beautiful examples demonstrated in the character and manners of the Prophet then many of the present problems experienced by the Muslim community could be solved.

When, Ayesha, the dear wife of our Prophet Mohammad, Peace and Mercy of Allah be upon him, was asked about the ‘akhlaaq’ or the moral character of the Prophet, she replied saying: “His character was the Quran”.

The best and a continuous celebration of his life and the ‘purpose of his birth’ would be to follow in his footsteps and strive to fill the world with peace and mercy.

If necessary, events such as these should regarded as only milestones in our determination to understand the Quran and in realising the pivotal role the Book plays in changing our lives and in our acquiring the blessings of Allah. A good understanding of its message will engender a  better understanding of Islam and, in this world which, at present, is unfortunately filled with bad practice, religious innovation, violent acts including killing and murder and a politicised Islam, we need to go back to the original teachings of Islam that the Prophet Mohammad preached and spread in his time. We don’t need rituals of celebration but we do need events of learning that could undoubtedly change our lives for the better.

This celebration in the month of Rabi al-Awwal has no authenticity and serves no purpose. But if it is necessary, let it become an event in which we remember and learn about the mission of our Prophet and how it could be preserved for the coming generations of Islam and how it could benefit the rest of humanity.    

A lesson from history – it all began with Adam

Islamic teachings can be seen as the map by which we can plot the correct course for the manner in which we live our lives. They show us that true blessings lay only in the path of obedience to the Creator, as only He knows what lays ahead and has knowledge of all future events. Indeed, Allah says in the Quran: “And no one would inform you like the one who is All-Aware”.

However, Allah created all men weak, vulnerable to Satan’s temptations and with a tendency to stray from God’s path. Many of us, unable to control our weakness, disobey God, develop negative qualities and false characters. In our God given freedom we continue to confuse wrong with what is right.  In addition, in our arrogance, some of us develop a sense of vengeance and the thought that power is a right and become willing to commit the most appalling acts in order to safeguard any such acquired power or authority.  But, worst of all, and even more dangerous, is that some of us come to think that ‘God is on our side’ and carry out the most heinous of crimes in His name.

This is a world of cause and effect and action and re-action. It is a world in which people must reap what they sow and inevitably face the consequences of all their actions; hence the well known saying  ‘those who live by the sword will die by the sword’. However, Islam directs us to correct the errors of our ways, to act only after reflection and the giving of considerable thought as to the consequences of our actions.

The Quran reminds us of the story of Adam and Eve and Satan (Iblis):

Following their creation, Adam and Eve dwelt in Paradise with the Mercy of Allah and were given the freedom to enjoy a blissful life there. However, they were given one small but important directive: not to approach a particular tree, as to do so would make them wrongdoers. They were further reminded that those who disobey God’s guidance become deprived of His mercy and blessings.

Iblis, in his arrogant belief that He was from better origins (stock) than Adam, refused to obey God's command that he together with all the Angels should bow down to Adam, became jealous of the honour that God had bestowed on him and sought a way to dishonour Adam in the Sight of God and bring him down. He plotted and planned to persuade Adam that it was not wrong to eat the fruit from that tree and said to him: “Adam! Shall I direct you to a tree of eternal life and abiding Kingdom”. S20 V120, Foolishly, Adam obeyed Satan, disobeyed God and went astray.

 Reflecting on this story, we can identify two different factors that played a role in causing Iblis and Adam to go astray and which resulted in both of them incurring the wrath of God.

In the case of Iblis, His sense of superiority over Adam was derived from their two different origins of life. Iblis was created out of fire, Adam out of earth and this was seen by Iblis as a humbler origin and a reason not to honour Adam.  For Iblis, this should not have become the cause of much attention from God in His command that all the angels bow down to Adam.

Iblis regarded his origin from fire as source of pride and argued against God’s wisdom. Hence such attitudes, that cause prejudice, suppression, injustice and wrongdoings, are forbidden in Islam, indeed, any racial consideration or discrimination, based on the colour and origins of men, are un-Islamic and ungodly.

The only measures by which people can rightfully gain high rank or can take pride in are those mentioned in this verse: ‘O people! We have created you all from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another. Verily the noblest of you in the Sight of Allah is the Most God-fearing of you. Surely Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware, S49 V13

However, God demanded obedience and not an argument from Iblis and knew of His plans.  Iblis, in His arrogance and now with a desire for revenge,  took on the task of misleading Adam and his offspring, and became blind to the path of wisdom and salvation. God gave freedom to both Adam and Iblis, with warnings as to the consequences of their actions, but they both misused the concept of freedom.

Adam ignored the warning that he had to obey the guidance of God, which demonstrated the difference between obedience and disobedience and between the blessings of God and His wrath, and not go near 'that tree'.

So what was it that made Adam disobey God? While the warnings from God for Adam were very clear, they were, subsequently, deliberately blurred by Iblis. Although he failed to pay enough attention to the consequence of his deed, very importantly, there was something else that made Adam fixate on approaching the ‘tree’. Take a closer look at the verse in which Iblis addresses Adam about the tree. He said: “Adam! Shall I direct you to a tree of eternal life and abiding Kingdom”. It is this temptation of an ‘eternal life’ and ‘abiding kingdom’ that was misrepresented by Iblis and perhaps that was the reason why God had forbidden him to approach that tree.

It was only the beginning of life for Adam and Eve and possibly the concept of death and the end of life was not yet firmly established in the mind of Adam but, even then, he felt  a compelling temptation to pay attention to it. The life after death comes only from obeying God’s commands and nothing else can prolong it or achieve an eternity of life. It is God’s world, His creation and what He commands will be.

As for the 'abiding kingdom'; who doesn’t want to own the world for ever, where he is a king? For Adam Paradise was at hand, and he was living in it and he was given a promise by the Lord: “Neither are you going to be hungry, nor naked, nor face thirst or scorching heat”.

He was given freedom by the Lord saying: “O Adam! Live in the Paradise, you and your wife and eat abundantly of whatever you wish”. However the temptation of an abiding kingdom is a much stronger concept than purely that of a heaven where he only had to live and enjoy.

These two temptations will forever live on in the children of Adam if they continue to retain the same dreams as their father. Satan (Iblis), in fulfilment of his promise, continues to lure mankind by these two dreams and in the process has been responsible for all the battles, wars, pillage, rape, murder and devastation on earth.  He has also created and encouraged every imaginable negative trait in the characters of human beings and brought them to the lowest of the low.

However, in accordance to the Quranic teachings, there is still one path by which men can regain paradise, their lost place - by returning to God and by showing complete obedience to Him:  “By the Fig and Olive, and by the mount Sanai. And by this city, a haven of peace. Surely We created men in the best mould; then We reverted him to the lowest of the low, except those who have faith and do righteous deeds. Theirs are never-ending rewards. Who, then, can give the lie to you, O prophet, about the rewards and the punishment? Is not Allah the greatest of all sovereigns”? Surah 95

The servants of the Most Merciful – A Quranic perspective

The ever widening gulf and increasing distrust in the relationships between Muslims and the rest of the world, together with considerable confusion about the interpretations of the teachings of Islam, are the causes for great concern for many people. A question that I have been asked quite a few times is; How could I define a Muslim? Others have also asked me a very blunt question; What is the Quran all about?

The current political conflict has seemingly created an adverse image in the minds of people who, for one or more reasons, have misgivings about Islam, or are unaware of the beautiful guidance written in the Quran. Indeed the Quran is regarded by some as a 'user manual' for justifying misbehaviour and even the very worst and most evil acts of violence and extremism.

The following verses from the Sura al-Furqaan are beautiful descriptions of a ‘Servant of Allah’ (Muslim); one who is truly dedicated to the good teachings of the Quran and faithfully follows that guidance to achieve spiritual and physical salvation. These verses came to my mind in the backdrop where jingoistic and threatening talk is overtaking all religious debate. I made them the topic of my sermon last week and hope that at least a few of those listening will take time to reflect on these verses, to learn what being a good Muslim is all about and what these Quranic teachings tell us.

The descriptions start as follows:

“And the (true) servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk on the earth gently and when the foolish ones address them, they simply say: Peace to you”.

What personal characteristics then should a Muslim show? He must demonstrate gentleness in all his actions and reactions. If he is confronted by an unhelpful situation or with foolish talk, instead of descending to that level and responding, he makes his own way. He is ever mindful of being a servant of Allah and never a servant to Satan’s cause.

It is also worth noticing that the descriptions start with an indication of the necessary personal character and mindset.

In any society, the above type of confrontation is all too often the starting point for any conflict and animosity and can quickly become the root cause of the destruction of peace and the removal of Allah’s blessings. In the Surah al-A`raaf, where Allah mentions Moses and his choice of seventy men chosen for an appointment with the Lord, he prayed out to Him after a violent shaking seized them saying: “Had you willed, O my Lord, you could have destroyed them and me long ago. Will you destroy us for the misdeeds of the fools amongst us?” V155

The Quranic descriptions go further saying: “Who spends the night prostrating themselves before their Lord, and standing, who entreat our Lord: “ward off from us the chastisement of Hell, for its chastisement is one that clings, verily it is a wretched abode and resting place”.

These disclosures show the sheer humility that must fill a true Muslim’s heart and the degree of fear we should feel for the consequences of our deeds.

The Quran further describes them saying:

 “They are those who are neither extravagant nor niggardly in their spending but they keep between the two”.

“Who invoke no other deity along with Allah, nor take any life which Allah has forbidden, save justly, and who do not commit adultery, and whosoever does that shall meet its penalty”.

“His torment shall be doubled for him on the Day of Resurrection and he will abide in it in ignominy, unless he repents and believes and does righteous works. For such Allah changes their evil deeds into good deeds, Allah is ever Forgiving Most Compassionate”.

The above verses highlight certain important ways in which a Muslim should believe and act. A true Servant of Allah avoids all kind of venue where someone associates any other deity with Allah. He alone is to be worshiped and to be obeyed in all aspects of this life. Allah is the only source of all guidance and, before we do anything in His Name, we need to be certain that it is the case. 

Otherwise, our misinterpretations would be regarded as an act of associating a teaching with Allah that is not meant to be, with its inevitable consequences.

Also the Quran describes a servant of Allah as one who does not take away the life of a person unjustly (meaning only by the way of legal retribution in case of premeditated murder). Life is a sacred right in Islam and one of the five essential rights that Islamic Shariah law must always seek to protect. It is an unforgivable sin to take a life unjustly. Those who attempt to justify brutally taking the lives of the innocent cannot regard themselves as ‘Servants of Allah’.

Similarly, 'Servants of Allah' do not commit adultery or fornication or seek illegal ways to indulge in sexual intercourse. A Muslim should always take the right measures to ensure he can afford  to be properly married. Respecting both women’s dignity and their own is the best path to follow. It also secures the rightful lineage and enhances the sense of responsibility towards each other’s rights.

The Quran further describes the true servants of Allah as “Those who do not bear witness to any falsehood and who, when they pass by frivolity, pass it by with dignity”.

Falsehood is a sister quality of lies and slander, in which many people become involved, without realising how they assassinate the dignity of a person and the honour of his life. In addition they show no fear of the consequences of their actions or of God’s vengeance on them. Islam develops a person’s character, resulting in a dignified soul, but, any attempt to falsify a truth is taking the side of Satan and his Devil’s work. Islam guides us to shun any act of falsehood and if we happen to pass by a frivolous situation, to pass it by with dignity and not become part of it.

Then the Quran further mentions another trait of those servants of the Most Merciful and says: “When they are reminded of the revelations of their Lord, they do not come at them deaf and blind”.

Yes, arrogance blinds a person’s ability to discern and disables his heart’s function to take the sensible path which is, in this case, the path of God. Reflecting on eternal wisdom and God’s revelations to humankind creates humility and makes people think of their own destiny and consequences of their actions.

The Quran then concludes the descriptions of those servants by saying “And those who pray: Our Lord! Grant us that our spouses and our offspring be a joy to our eyes and make us the leaders of the God-fearing”.

Looking after the spiritual welfare of one’s family and bringing up our children in a most sensible and spiritual environment is part of one’s commitments to God and are very rewarding deeds. They are the means of God’s rewards and carry high rank in His Sight. Neglecting the welfare of wives and children is not tolerable in the character of Godly people.

Life, generally, when lived in accordance to the guidance and teachings of Allah, becomes a great source of blessings and most rewarding in all its aspects. It will not and should not cause harm to oneself or to any other being. Blessings have to be felt.

The Quran mentions the rewards of being among the true Servants of the Most Merciful in this verse saying: “They are the ones who shall be rewarded for their patience, lofty palaces will be granted to them and they will be received with greeting and salutation. Therein they shall abide for ever, how good an abode and how good a resting place”.

The Quran gave us the descriptions, in detail, of Allah’s true servants, who submit themselves to Him wholeheartedly and create a beautiful life. Who will prove to the world that Allah is Most Merciful and His teachings are a mercy for the world?   

Paris - not again!

The bombshell that was the news of the appalling Paris bombing was perhaps even more shocking than the bombing itself, in that it was targeted solely and deliberately at innocent members of the public.  Once again an atrocious act of barbarity was claimed to be in the name of Islam, indeed, the action was accompanied by shouts of 'Allah o akbar' (God is the greatest), thus adding further offence to all innocent Muslims.  Shocked and condemnatory reactions have, rightly, been expressed by a host of Muslim personalities, mosques and Islamic institutes against the madness demonstrated by actions of those who committed these murders and destroyed the lives of so many innocent people, and against the people who were behind them. 

My own reaction was one of profound shock and disbelief at the news of this heinous act. That people who had lived among us could betray our trust and go so far against all the written teachings of good citizenship and mutual coexistence, beggars belief.

That these actions are absolutely contrary to Islamic guidance, beliefs, ethical foundations, and the bravery of the Muslim character, while obvious, still needs to be stressed. Acts of terrorism such as these are cowardly, treacherous, unjustifiable by any measure, totally un-Islamic in nature and the deluded individuals who commit such acts and carry them out in the collective name of Islam and Muslims, contribute only to the aims of those who seek to destroy Islam.

In my opinion, all Muslim nations and peoples should not only be openly and unambiguously condemning the criminals who committed this act, but must, by any means at their disposal, proactively counteract the extreme propaganda that is invading the minds of children and adults alike.  The consequences of this propaganda are disastrous for the image of Islam and wellbeing of the Muslim community world-wide. 

Leaders of the Muslim community, organisations and Islamic institutions must immediately join together and find a way to tackle  and destroy this ever growing menace that is tearing the Muslim community apart, creating distrust between the Muslim and non Muslim communities and making Islam the object of mockery and hate.

Should Muslims become the fifth column that seeks to tear down world communities? Is that what we want? Is that what our Islamic teachings are about? We need to reflect deeply on these questions and search our hearts and minds as to where our place should be among the nations of the world.

We have been taught that Islam is guidance and mercy for the world. Islam is peace and submission to God in humility and serenity.  Where then is there any place for violent acts such as these that have entered Islam in the name of jihad but leave Islam bleeding away?  Allah's name has no place in these violent claims. Allah is Most Compassionate and Most Merciful. This is what we recite every time we say ‘Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem’.

Khilafah, as proclaimed by some groups, contains only politics and is now being played out by undeserving incompetent people who embrace only vengeance and violence and are totally void of any true sense of Islamic mercy and kindness.

Politics and religion have, very conveniently, become intertwined in the minds of groups of people with a mindset that is far more interested in destruction and pillage than a desire to serve humanity for the sake of God. These same politics of vengeance and pure retribution will never be of any benefit to Islam nor are they in the best interests of Islam.

The very fabric of Muslim society is being torn apart, and Islam is now seen, even by many Muslims , as problematic, hindering human development, unproductive  and possessing little goodness. This must NOT be allowed to continue. Islam is progressive, it can open up human intelligence and it has and still can, win the hearts and minds of people by its simple and logical teachings, and provide a guide for all in their daily lives.

I am a proud Muslim and I firmly believe that the politics of vengeance and murder does not stem from the merciful teachings of Islam. Yes, we do have grievances and the world must help us to sort out those grievances. The world must listen and the rulers must pay attention – but employing violent politics is not the answer.

Muslim communities here in the West are part of the fabric of that society. While they can maintain the distinct nature of their religious characters they should be vigilant against all those who would commit any kind of criminal act that is treacherous and flies against the teachings of Islam. They should look to a future that is bright for everyone and be prepared to peacefully share it with their neighbours and countrymen.

Islam came as an emancipating power for humanity from the darkness of cruelty, violence, ignorance and suppression, to a world which is ruled by law, trust, peace and kindness, and knowledge.

Whether in New York, Paris or any other place, Islam should be seen as possessing the most outstanding teachings and be the brightest religion, willing and eager to help and protect the rights of all people.

Violence must not be committed in the name of Allah or in the name of His teachings. Beheading demonstrates the utmost cruelty and to do it playfully is a symptom of a sickness of the worst kind. A violent mentality has been created that seems to have overtaken any political logic. Sadly it seems that the Islamic education of many these days was not based on love and submission to God but based on hatred, fear and revenge.

It says in the Quran: ‘There is not much goodness in most of their private talks except for those who enjoins charity, or good deeds or setting the affairs of people right. And whoever does that seeking the pleasure of Allah We shall grant him great rewards’. S4 V114

It also says in the Sura Al-Asr: ‘By the time, man is in a state of loss, except for those who have faith, do righteous deeds, counsel each other to hold onto truth and counsel each other to be steadfast’.

Yes, in the chaotic world of politics these days, it is difficult to see the truth and to practice it and it is even more difficult to remain steadfast in the face of adversity.  Contained in Surah Al-Asr is the gist of the main message of the Quran to men and once read, understood and reflected upon becomes a source of guidance, peace and righteous deeds. We need to learn to work calmly, with foresight and in cooperation with all others. The alternative can only be chaos and hatred from the whole world towards us.  

Lies and their consequences

In a famous hadith, our Prophet Mohammad, Peace and Mercy of Allah be upon him, says: “There are three signs of a hypocrite: when he speaks he lies, when he promises he does not fulfil it, and when he is trusted he betrays.”

Human society is made up of people possessing many different character traits. However, what everyone should appreciate in a person is truthfulness and an abhorrence for lies. Indeed, the speaking of the truth and the telling of lies are two opposing traits by which a person's character and state of mind may be judged.

Truthfulness builds a person’s integrity, strengthens his spiritual wellbeing, grants him high social acceptance and trustworthiness and will be rewarded by Allah, both in this world and in the Hereafter.

Lying is the sign of a serious defect in a person's character. Falsehoods and lies contain no spirituality and have no place in the Sight of Allah. Those who perpetrate them build a corrupt world around themselves, only acceptable to people of a similar nature, and will come to realise how shallow and false their lives and social status are.

Telling lies is one of the cardinal sins in Islam. Sadly, many people pay scant attention to the lies they have uttered to serve their immediate ends, but later attempt to justify their actions by quoting a higher purpose. But, lies in all their forms can destroy the lives of other people. They tarnish the integrity of others and can ruin their characters. Lies are the mother of all injustice and many wrongdoings are committed as a result of them.

Whether a lie is large or small, black or white, it is not allowed, no matter what purpose it is intended to serve. In a hadith, when the Prophet was asked by his wife, ummul mumineen Ayesha, may Allah be pleased with her, saying: “O Messenger of Allah! If a woman desires for something but says she doesn’t, would that be counted as a lie?” The Prophet, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him said: “Lies are recorded and if that is a petty lie that would be recorded as a petty lie,”

This tells us that all lies, big or small, are recorded and will affect the integrity of a person, both in the sight of Allah and in that of his peers. If petty lies continue to accumulate they symbolise a hypocritical way of life and may result in the removal of blessings and happiness from a person's life.

In another hadith, the Prophet Mohammad elaborates this point with a more precise wording. He says: “Leave what is doubtful to what is not. Because truth is the (complete) state of happiness and lie is doubtfulness’.

Uttering lies, therefore, creates a false and doubtful personality whereby the liar, inevitably, can never achieve a blissful life but will bear the effects of his lies in his daily life.

When it comes to a person who is a believer in Allah, his belief (imaan) should never allow a lie if his belief is true. The Prophet, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, said when he was asked: “Would a believer be coward?” He replied: “Yes.” Then he was asked: “Would a believer be a miser?” He replied: “Yes.” But, when he was asked: “Would a believer be a liar?” He replied saying: “No.”

Therefore it is totally unacceptable for a true believer to lie. Telling lies repeatedly leads to further falsehoods, fabrication and false witness. These, in their turn, will stunt the spiritual development of a believer and here we further see why they are called 'the mother of all wrongdoing'.

The Quranic guidance leaves no doubt as to the importance of being truthful. It says in Sura 9 V119: “O believers! Have the fear of Allah and be among those who are truthful.”

Both truth and lies affect the life of a person in both worlds and whether it will be rewarding or chastising depends on which path a person chooses.

In another hadith, the Prophet, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, says: 'Truth leads to righteousness (righteous character) and righteousness leads to Paradise. A person pursues truth (in his life) till he was recorded with Allah as a truthful person, (but) lies lead to unrighteous character and hence unrighteousness leads to Hell. A person pursues lies (in his life) till he is recorded with Allah as liar.”  

Lies are accountable by Allah and no amount of ‘noble’ purposes' can ever justify a lie. But, in the greater purpose of Allah's scheme for his creation and in the competition of this life people don’t hesitate to lie or bear false witness because that is what ‘Iblis’ or Shaytan promised to Allah. A lie is spoken even when the truth is unintentionally missed.

In another hadith the Prophet says: “It is enough a lie for a man to narrate (or speak about) everything he hears’.  People need to seek out for truth and verify it before they speak. Unfortunately, lies have become part of a repertoire of clever tricks employed by many people and are now seen as a necessary skill by which they may advance their development, rather than resorting to the truth. Sadly, and increasingly, we observe that even so called practising people of faith are twisting their words and becoming part of this false world.

Any person with any sense of integrity and accountability to Allah will choose to be truthful. Lies can never be part of His life as they have no place in the spheres of spiritual development or proximity to Paradise.

Islam – politics or spirituality

Islam has become so politicised now that the original and sublime purpose of its original message, designed to raise humanity from the abyss of darkness into which it had fallen, and to which it now returns, has been lost to many people. Any sense of righteousness or spirituality is increasingly difficult to detect in any of the actions of the many people who continue to claim that they serve Islam. Indeed, many so called scholars seem to be driven more by their political and personal agendas than by any sense of duty towards Islam.

It has become increasingly apparent that many of those who convert to Islam do so solely for political reasons, wishing only to join those organisations who actively ferment turmoil and conflict amongst the Muslims, rather than embracing the Spirit of Islam and taking the opportunity to become a decent human being and become part of a positive force for good. We have also noticed that, even in our local area, some of those who entered the fold of Islam have created dichotomy among the local people, deliberately destroyed community cohesion, set themselves up as teachers of Islam and joined the same groups who continue to spearhead the politicalisation of Islam.

There is a recognised euphoria, or 'wow factor', which affects all those who revert to Islam, and many who do so become mesmerised by it, to the point where they believe that they have become the teachers and not the pupils. We, in turn, in our excitement at the conversion, lose sight of their possible intentions, and fail to distinguish whether it was for political or other reasons.  

Most of the upheavals in the Muslim community could be resolved if a positive Islamic approach is taken based on the revelations of the Quran.

The present lack of leadership in the Muslim community must be at the top of the list of our concerns. This includes not only political leadership, but religious leadership, social leadership, intellectual leadership and any other form of leadership. What little leadership there is seems to be based on individual personalities who present their own form of Islamic understanding and are unwilling to share any space with others or to recognise or accept any differences in orientation of their personal ideologies.

When Allah the Almighty chose the Prophet Mohammad, Peace and Mercy of Allah be upon him, as his final prophet and the spiritual leader of the people, He proclaimed in the Quran saying: ‘”And you are, O Mohammad, on the pinnacle of the greatest characters”.  However, does anyone think about this now when they take on the role of leadership, and on what contribution they may offer to minimise the effects of continual conflicts on the Muslim Ummah.

In a hadith of the Prophet ,narrated by Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, a Bedouin asked the Prophet saying: “When is the Hour”? He replied: “When the trust is neglected then wait for the Hour”.  The Bedouin then asked: “How would the trust be neglected”? He replied: “When the responsibility of affairs is given to those undeserving then wait for the Hour”.

This trust is a general term applied to all sense of rights, responsibilities, coupled with a sense of accountability. Its importance is apparent from the two verses below from the Quran.

First it says in the surah 2: “Allah commands you to deliver the trust back to those to whom it belongs”.

Secondly it says in the surah 33: “We presented the Trust unto the heavens, the earth and the mountains but they all feared (to deliver it) but man took it upon him. Indeed he was most unfair and most ignorant”.

This is what exactly is happening with the present Muslim leadership. They have taken the trust upon themselves but are patently unable to deliver it and their actions have resulted in conflict and dichotomy among the followers of Islam and installed a fear of Islam in the rest of the human population.

We ignore at our peril the teaching of our Prophet, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, who said of the responsible leadership: “Bring ease upon people and do not create hardship, deliver the glad tidings and do not make people run away from you”. This guidance highlights the role that leadership must play in all fields of human behaviour without compromising the essence of the purpose of Islam.

Islam, according to the Quran, is mercy to the world and the Quran says: “O Mohammad, We have not sent you but as a mercy to the worlds”. We need to explore the meaning and sense of this mercy and to what extent it is applied in Allah’s purpose of guidance.

The teaching and guidance of Islam shows us what is possible and indicates the best traits in human character, so that those of us who fail to reach them can benefit from this guidance and improve the quality of our lives. Islam has never caused, neither are its teachings meant to cause, any regressive effect on human life. A good character creates and increases the quality of our lives.

The best character is acquired by the continual practice of Islamic guidance. It is encouraged to the point that the Prophet Mohammad said: “There is nothing heavier in the scale of a believer on the Day of Judgement than the best character, and Allah dislikes the abhorrent and indecent one”.

The Prophet also said: “Of the perfect believers are those who are the best in their characters and good manners, and the best among you are those who are best to their wives”.

This hadith excludes any potential for domestic violence if the person is a believer in Allah. Yes, domestic violence is rife in the world today, regardless of the boundaries of religion and culture, but what stops, or should stop, a Muslim from perpetrating domestic violence towards their loved ones is their imaan or belief in Allah. The two cannot go together in Islamic teaching. Indeed there is no place for any kind of violence in Islam as there is accountability for all our actions, in particular where they concern human rights.

Islam educates people in good manners and in the best ways by which we may achieve harmony in our lives, but Muslims need to reflect upon what matters most to us in respect of our religion. While peace and surrender to Allah should be at the forefront of our reflections, we must also consider what Islam means to the rest of the world and on its wider ramifications on people’s lives. We should celebrate Islam and its teachings by adopting its guidance for human development and goodness in human society and in our personal life.  

  

Hijra – a turning point in Muslim history

Tomorrow the new Islamic year of 1437 begins. This year records the number of years that have passed since the Prophet Muhammad, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, emigrated from the city of Makkah, with some of his companions and their families, and where they were persecuted for their belief in One God, the Almighty and Creator of all, a belief contrary to that of polytheists, who associate many deities with One God, to the city of Madina

The Prophet Mohammad was born in Makkah to the noblest of the Quraishite clan of Hashim, themselves descended from the Prophet Ishmael (Ismail) the eldest son of Ibrahim.

From childhood he was well known amongst them for his good character, integrity and modesty. He had a reflective personality and possessed an association with godly virtues.

He preached to the people of Makkah, urging them to submit to Allah, and to return to the worship of One God and to the roots of their Abrahamic tradition, who was their forefather and who built the Ka`bah to enable people to fulfil their duty of pilgrimage to Allah.

The Prophet Muhammad, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, received his first revelation when he was 40 years old and preached for 13 years in Makkah.  The persecution and the suffering inflicted upon him and his followers resulted in them being banished from Makkah. Some of his companions emigrated to Abyssinia and received the protection of its Christian king Negus, while the rest sought relief in the city of Madina, where some in its population had become Muslims.

This migration stands as a milestone in the development of the Muslim community and its framework of co-existential laws, and in the spreading of the Islamic message, resulting ultimately in the formation of the Islamic State.

It created hope for those people who believed in God and His words, showing them that God protects His servants who believe in Him and bestows upon them His mercy and favour.

It also taught Muslims the lesson that persecution should not be allowed to manipulate a person into the abandonment of his faith. Indeed, if persecution for simply having  a belief in the true Creator is present in any country, there can be no compromise and believers should emigrate from that land.

The possession and retention of true faith is our most precious attribute and must be protected no matter what the cost. Abandoning one’s faith, even in the most testing of times, can have no validity in the eyes of the beholder of that faith.  How then could it be of any value in the Sight of God who would like to test the beholder for his faith?

The end of the old year and the beginning of the new is surely an appropriate time to take stock and reflect on our past deeds, especially for those of us who care about our time and take seriously our accountability to Allah for all our actions.  Here I remember a good story by Fudhail bin Ayadh, who was a pious scholar and who asked a man saying: ‘How old are you? The man replied: 'Sixty years'. Fudhail said: 'So you have been walking towards your Lord for the last sixty years?'  You are nearly ready to arrive at your destiny!!!' The man then realised his age and said: 'Indeed we belong to Allah and indeed we are to return to Him’. Fudhail said: ‘Do you know its meaning (of what you said)? You are saying: ‘Indeed we belong to Allah and indeed we are to return to Him’.  The man then said: 'So what shall I do?' Fudhail answered saying: 'It is simple'. The man said: 'And what is that?' Fudhail said: 'Do good in the rest of your life and Allah will forgive you for your past. But, if you continue doing wrong in the rest of your life you will be held accountable for your past wrongdoings and for the rest of your life'.

So, if someone knew he was the servant of Allah and that he would return to Him, he should also know that he will appear in front of Him. And he should know that whoever appears in front of Him must account for his actions and whoever must account for his actions must prepare his answers to His questions.

This story presents a very real scenario that helps us to understand the purpose of our lives and to change them for the better before it is too late. We need to ask ourselves such questions when we reflect on our past deeds.

In Islam, in particular, everything is spiritually based to guide people to the right path, so that they connect with what must surely be their ultimate goal – their final testing by Allah. Although as Muslims we are bound to reflect on all our actions, we rarely do so. But reflection can change the course of our lives, and provide the starting point for a new path and goal.

The hijra New Year is a time when spiritual thought processes should take place and inspire people to unite in such thoughts. We can then measure our successes or failures and alter our deeds or thoughts accordingly.

However, sadly, not many Muslims even know what or which Hijra year they are in. They hardly know of its significance and life changing ability.  As the Quran says: how many signs are out there for people but they pass by them heedlessly.

Hijra is a sacrifice for Allah the One True God and represents a commitment to the right path despite all the troubles and hurdles that may exist or block the way. People with this commitment will always be the ones who march on and the others, that fall by the wayside, will never develop any strength in their faith and practices.  

Prophet’s sermon on Arafah day – a reaffirmation of human rights

Today is Arafah; the most important day during the Hajj activities in Makkah. An extremely blessed and rewarding day for believers and for those who are seeking out Allah’s mercy and forgiveness. This day is the essence of hajj, when a person has the opportunity to proudly declare himself the servant of Allah and to show his gratitude.

Today pilgrims perform their hajj obligation, the fifth pillar of Islam, and they are very close to Allah, both spiritually and in their hearts.  They seek only one thing; the pleasure of Allah, reminding themselves of His majesty and greatness, while offering their gratitude.

Tomorrow is the Eid al Ad`ha, or the festival of sacrifice; the second Eid of Muslims. It is a day of accomplishment and happiness. Its significance is due to many things; a person's accomplishment of the fifth pillar of Islam, one's sacrifices as tokens of one’s dedication to God, the story of Ibrahim and Ishmael and their struggle to establish Allah’s eternal message of Tawheed and turning of one's life back to God, Allah the Most High and Almighty.

However, I would like to mention two other outstanding aspects of this blessed occasion. Firstly, it was on this day that the Prophet, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, performed his only and last hajj. On this blessed day a great Qur`anic verse was revealed  announcing to the people that God’s message to humanity has been accomplished through His last message; the Qur`an. The teachings and guidance that Allah had sent to different nations and peoples, through all His prophets and Messengers, had been completed and perfected and there would be no more prophets.

The Quranic verse that declared the perfection of Allah’s Message to humanity was this one: “This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion”.

This is the most outstanding announcement in the history of all the prophets and their peoples. In the past, Prophets and Messengers faced rejection, as did the Prophet Mohammad and never achieved such a blessed and accomplished outcome. Most of the nations and peoples of past Prophets were destroyed when they rejected their message, indeed many prophets had no followers. Previous prophets had to build on the scriptures or legacy of those before them, but the Prophet Mohammad was honoured with the title of the Seal of the Prophethood and Allah’s message culminated with that.

So, this is the day when all Muslims should proudly relate themselves with the honour of being the followers of the Prophet Mohammad. It is a day when we all need to return to understanding and comprehending the message which Allah announced as being the completion of His favour upon us. Until and unless we go back to embracing the spirit of Quranic guidance we will not be able to understand the meaning of the accomplishments and perfection of this religion.

The second outstanding aspect of the day of Arafah is the Prophet’s sermon on the Mount of Arafah. What a glorious reminder it was for all believers of all time. This was the last reminder given and last effort made by our Prophet Mohammad to reaffirm God's message and to encourage the followers to be straightforward in their lives.

I will quote some of the points that he tried to convey to people. He said: “O people! Indeed your blood, your property and your honour is sanctified and forbidden on you until the Day you would meet your Lord, in exact the same manner as the sanctity of this day, in this sacred month and in this sacred city”

Through this statement, the Prophet proclaimed the protection of three basic but essential human rights;  life, ownership and personal honour I. e. dignity, freedom and equality.  This message should be taught vigorously and practised as a spiritual obligation. In the present worldwide climate of mass murders, plundering and the violation of the human rights of Muslims at the hands of others, calling themselves Muslims, this guidance should be the beacon that shows those who carry out such acts what they should fear from their accountability to the Most Powerful the Almighty.

Also, in the sermon, the prophet reminded people to treat women well. He said: ‘always treat women with goodness’. Domestic violence, family breakdown, dishonouring women, violating their rights is all but the result of not treating women well. The prophet also reminded us saying: “Your women have rights on you and you have rights on them. Your rights on them is to protect your honour and dignity and their rights on you is to provide for them their needs”.

The prophet said: ‘the best among you is the one who is the best to his wife and I am the best among you in my treatment to my wives’. A message for all to take on board.

The prophet also said: “O people! The believers are brothers. It is not allowed for a person to take the property of his brother but with his permission”.

The Prophet reminded us that all forms of usury or the taking of interest on financial loans is forbidden.  This issue is extremely important in the guidance and ethics of the Islamic economy. Exploitation of one man by another is forbidden in any form or manner, especially when it relates to money and when it may place a person in a perpetual cycle of human misery, and make him a slave. The dignity of a man requires a dignified system which serves both parties and benefits them both equally.

The prophet finally reminded people of one very important guidance by saying: “O people! Your Lord is one and your father (Adam) is one. You all belong to Adam and Adam was made of earth. The most honoured among you in the Sight of Allah is the one who is most fearful of Him (in his duties). No Arab has excellence on a non-Arab, neither a non-Arab has any excellence on an Arab except by the way of piety and righteousness”.

An excellent and glorious ending to the last sermon of the last Prophet who reminded people that their creator was one and their origin is to one human father and we are all equal. No one has extra privileges over anyone else except by the way of being most dutiful to the Lord.

All pilgrims should remember these messages, as hajj is ibadah and training in Islamic teaching and ethics. For all other Muslims it is an occasion to rediscover the guidance of their prophet and find the right way that brings success, dignity, accountability, honour and rights. May Allah bless us all on this most blessed and sanctified day.

Eid Mubarak to all

Hajj – commitment towards Tawheed

The hajj season is upon us again and as usual has engendered great excitement in all Muslims. This excitement applies equally to those who are pilgrims in Makkah or those who are just celebrating their festival of Sacrifice, Eid al-Ad`ha, at home. This Eid is the celebration of the memory of a great Prophet, Ibrahim, from whom God demanded the ultimate sacrifice – the life of his son.

The Prophet Ibrahim was chosen to lead and establish the core purpose behind the missions of all prophets and Messengers sent down by Allah throughout the whole of human history. This core purpose was to induce people to a commitment to their Creator, without associating with Him any other deity or partnership with any other kind of imagined divine being. Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala says in the Qur`an: “And remember when We appointed for Ibrahim the site of the sacred House (saying) associate not anything with Me, and sanctify My House for those who encompass it round or stand up or bow or prostrate themselves therein in prayer”. S22 V26

The Hajj is regarded as one method whereby the core purpose of the message of the Quran and the Mission of the Prophet Mohammad is reinforced, by firmly establishing the notion of tawheed in the life of all people, who are the creation of God the Almighty and the Creator of all.

What is tawheed and why is it the core purpose behind all the divine messages from Allah?

Tawheed is the Islamic doctrine of Faith designed to draw people to the fact that they are all the creation of the one God, to whom He has given guidance and freedom of choice in their beliefs and who they should worship. Tawheed presents a difficult test of people’s choices, but persuades them to turn to the one God who is worthy of all praise and worship, for He is the Lord and He is the Sustainer.

Tawheed negates any notion of belief in the creation of any associate with God in worship, divinity or power. Tawheed does not oppose the notion of negating God’s existence, as that is an act of disbelief and atheism. Those who do not believe in God, and in His existence, are invited to reflect on the  most powerful of signs – the existence of the universe, the heavens and the earth and on the harmonious accomplishment of all that has and continues to happen therein, and to think about the Most Wise Creator and Sustainer. They should then turn to Him alone, without associating anything with Him, in their devotion and commitment to Him.

Hajj is the great manifestation and display of the first pillar of Islam on which all other pillars are based. The first pillar of Islam is to testify that there is no deity worthy of worship and devotion other than Allah, the Almighty alone.

When a pilgrim enters his Ihraam, or the state of sanctity, his commitment starts with declaring the talbiya: “Labbaik allahumma labbaik, labbaik laa shareeka laka laibbaik, innal hamda wan ne`mata laka wal mulk laa shareeka laka”, meaning: “Here I am O Allah here I am, here I am  there is no partner with you, here I am, indeed all praise and favours and dominion belong to you and you have no partner”.

Pilgrims continue to utter this declaration throughout their performance of the hajj or whilst they are in the hajj period.

Islam champions the cause of Tawheed and it acts as a beacon that brings light everywhere with its message. This message provides a moral compulsion for people to submit to the will of God in complete subordination and surrender. It enables a person to envisage a purpose to their life from a divine perspective and not from a personal or someone else’s perspective.

Anyone who commits evil in the name of Islamic teachings is a wrongdoer and fails to surrender to the will of God. Those who surrender to the will of God are humble, reflective in their actions, fearful of the consequence of their wrongdoings and recognise their accountability.

To embrace Tawheed is to acknowledge the Majesty of God in every aspect of His creation and pronounce His praise and to recognise that it is only God who is praiseworthy. He is the beautiful originator (badee3) of the heavens and the earth.

Tawheed is the core message of the Quranic teachings. That is its main argument which endeavours to bring people to God who is Almighty, the Creator of all and each existence in this universe. All Islamic practices revolve around it. If there are any defects in this belief then they lead to defects in all other practices and so nothing remains in its pure or original form or as they should be. 

The Ka`bah, the sacred House in Makkah, is pivotal to the notion of Tawheed, as it is a focal point in the pilgrimage and for the daily offering of the salaah. It is an obligation on all Muslims to protect its sanctity, by not surrendering to shirk or polytheism, and to turn to the one God in it either in hajj or in Salaah.

Sacrifice on this occasion is an act that is meant only for God, not the meat and not the blood, but as a demonstration that He is the core purpose behind that sacrifice. Any display of arrogance, competition, might, wealth or rank, would nullify the original purpose. We need to be very careful about the possibility of 'showing off' in the manner in which we offer our sacrifice.

When people talk about the heritage of Makkah, they talk about the places where people were born or buildings were built. There is no sanctity in any of them. The only heritage in Makkah is the Ka`bah and the only building to be protected is this sacred House, so that people can turn to God through their focus on this House.

The Prophet Ibrahim was chosen to be the source of this great pillar of Islam- Hajj. By purifying people’s belief in God and rejecting all notion of associating any other with Him, it remains a great and blessed occasion and when we celebrate it we all need to understand its purpose. By celebrating this festival, and performing this great pillar of Islam, Muslims are demonstrating the strength of their belief in Tawheed. This occasion can be life changing   and could forever be a source of guidance that will keep us on the true path and be the main factor that prevents us from any wrongdoing in the future.   

The importance of the first ten days of Dhul-Hijah

We are about to enter Dhul-Hijjah the 12^th month of the Islamic calendar.  This sacred month, sandwiched between two other sacred months of Dhul-Qa`dah and Muharram, gains its name from the fact that it is the month in which Muslims perform pilgrimage, the fifth pillar of Islam.

We will talk in our next blog about the hajj itself, but here I am going to highlight the importance of the first ten days of this month.

In a very famous hadith about the significance of this month, our prophet Mohammad, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, says: ‘There are no other days in which good deeds are so beloved to Allah the Almighty than these days which are the first ten days of Dhul-hijjah', The companions asked: 'Not even the jihad in the path of Allah?' He replied saying: 'Not even that except for a man who left with his soul and wealth and did not return with either of them’.

The whole cycle of each day is important, just not the day or night on their own but the whole period of these ten days carry significance in the sight of Allah. Their degree of significance is indicated in the Quranic verse in which Allah swears about the importance of these ten days: ‘I swear by the Fajr and by the ten nights’. These ten nights are interpreted by scholars as being the first ten days of of Dhul-Hijjah.

Included in these ten days are seven which precede those in which hajj is performed. On the eighth day pilgrims leave for Mina, outside Makkah, in preparation for the performance of hajj on the ninth day. The tenth day is the day of Eid, in which Muslims, if able, celebrate the tradition of the Prophet Ibrahim by offering a sacrifice to Allah. For the pilgrims it is also the day in which they will come out of their hajj ihram by accomplishing most of hajj obligations.

The background to these ten days makes it clear why they are so significant in the Sight of Allah and why Allah loves dedications to good deeds in this period more than on other days. They are the build-up to the days in which one of the most important pillars of Islam will be accomplished.

Unlike other Islamic obligations, hajj is the one in which all other Islamic obligations  come together, and demand the most from us in terms of hardship, financial sacrifice, fasting, attending to the call, surrendering to the Will of Allah and falling into the Path of Tawheed (oneness of Allah).

Hajj is the melting pot of all Islamic obligations and the Islamic spirit of dedication to Allah and these ten days epitomise the importance of these Islamic dedications.

While it may be obvious what a pilgrim would do, or should do, once he or she is there in Makkah, what about those believers who is not on pilgrimage? How should they dedicate themselves to ‘good deeds’?

Let us refer to some of the Prophet's hadith , peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, in respect of what a Muslim should do in these days. In a hadith narrated from Abu Hurairah by Tirmidhi and ibn Majah, the Prophet says: ‘No days are more beloved to Allah to be worshipped in than these ten days. One day of fasting in them is the equal of fasting for a whole year and the dedication of one night in ibadah equals the Night of Power (lailatul Qadr).

The message on fasting during this time is made very clear and those who are able to fast, even for one day, should do so. We should also try to spend part of the nights in remembrance of Allah, performing extra prayers, dua and reciting the Quran, and commit to    as many good and charitable acts as we can. 

In another hadith, the Prophet, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, says: ‘There are no greater days in the Sight of Allah or more beloved to Him from the perspective of good deeds than these ten days. So intensify in them the (recitation) of the glory of Allah, his praise and gratitude, His oneness and greatness'.

This is extremely important guidance as they all carry very particular rewards for their completion. One needs to learn how to engage with these very important ways of remembering Allah.

Additionally, the day of Arafah is one of the most important days, about which the Prophet says: ‘When it comes the day of Arafah , everyone,  in whose heart is left an atom's weight of Imaan, is forgiven. The Prophet was asked: ‘Is it only for those who were at Arafah, or is it for all people?' He replied saying: ‘It was for all people’.

The prophet further said: ‘The best dua is one made on the day of Arafah and the best that I said on the day and other prophets before me is this: ‘There is no God worthy of worship than Allah alone. He has no partner with Him. To Him belongs dominion of everything.  To Him belongs all praises and He is powerful over all things’.

So, for a believer, Dhul-Hijjah presents a golden opportunity to dedicate one's self, to gain from one's good deeds, from the infinite mercy of Allah and from the acceptance of dua by the Lord Who is the creator and Sustainer of every and all things.

May Allah grant us all that is beautiful in this world and in the Hereafter and make us true believers.   

Dua – the believers’ weapon

Dua, an essential part of a Muslim's life, is the Islamic term for a believer's supplications to Allah, when calling upon Him to seek help, support and blessings.  A person is expected to remember Allah in both good and bad times and in both pleasure and adversity. It is such a powerful tool in the daily life of a believer that it has been termed  ‘the weapon of the believer’. It connects a person with Allah and brings their religious and spiritual life into focus.

Dua’s importance is such, that the Prophet Mohammad, Peace and Mercy of Allah be upon him, said that ‘dua is Ibadah’ (narrated by Tirmidhi). It is also called  'an act of ibadah’, worship to Allah, in this verse from the Quran: '‘And your Lord said that call upon Me and I will respond to you. Indeed those who are  arrogant to serve (worship) Me, will surely enter  Hell contemptible’'. S40 V60

According to the Quran, man is tested by both the ‘ways of good and the ways of evil’. In both cases, a believer is expected to react in the most positive manner – either by offering his thanks to Allah or by seeking his protection against evil and his adversaries.

In a beautiful hadith, our Prophet Mohammad says: '‘the affairs of a believer are truly amazing as they contain only good. That is not the case with everyone, except for the believer. If he was bestowed with goodness and he shows gratefulness that becomes good for him. If he was afflicted by adversity and he shows patience and endurance it brings him goodness (as well). (Sahih Muslim)

Both cases, mentioned in the above hadith, gratefulness and patience require an act of dua delivered with the strength of imaan and belief.

The act of Dua, when resorting to the Lord in one's need,  is called tawakkul’. When a believer calls upon his Lord in his adversity, he seeks out His support by surrendering all his matters and problems to the One Who is the Bestower of all goodness. As a Muslim we must all surrender our will to the most Powerful Will of Allah that oversees every happening in this world. The Quran says: ‘And you do not will until it was willed by Allah, the Lord of worlds’.  S81 V29

The Quran also speaks of the ‘tawakkul’ frequently and says: ‘and those who have trust must place it in Allah. Tawakkul brings a person to Allah and that is the ultimate form of trust and faith in Allah.

Dua and tawakkul are, in a way, intertwined. People who do not place complete trust in the Almighty or fail to accept that all affairs are settled and destined by the creator and nothing can alter the fortunes of their lives, may not become enthused enough to lift their hands in supplication to Allah.

Allah has said in the Quran: ‘and your Lord said call upon  Me and I will respond to you’. 

Therefore it is the noblest of acts to come to your Lord with your praise and thanks, as well as to seek His assistance in matters that need to be resolved in your lives. Additionally, making dua is an act of obedience to Allah, and further opens our hearts to the Almighty when seeking a solution to our problems.

Dua is an act of tawheed and keeps a believer away from the act of shirk (polytheism). It is a condition for all dua that they must be purely and sincerely proffered, with the firm belief that He is the only one Who can bring any change to the situation.

The act of Dua, however, contains its own manners and etiquette and we must ensure it is done correctly. Following are some of those recommended by Islamic scholars:

1-                  To be on wudu and spiritual purity, with raised hands while facing the direction of Ka`bah

2-                  When making dua and supplicating to Allah it has to start with Allah’s praise and gratitude for His favours upon us as well as sending our prayers and mercy of Allah on to the Prophet Mohammad.

3-                  One has to own up to his mistakes and wrongdoings and surrender to the ways of goodness.

4-                  One has to be precise and insistent in his dua. The Prophet said: ‘when someone calls on to Allah he should determine his needs. He should not say: O Allah! If you would like grant me my needs, because no one can compel Allah’. (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim)

5-                  One has to lower his voice and make dua  as though he was whispering. There is no need to raise one's voice and become loud. The Quran says: ‘and call on to your Lord in humility and secrecy. Surely He does not love the transgressors’.   Also the Prophet, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, said: ‘you are not calling upon a deaf or an absent person. You are calling upon someone who is All Hearing and close to you and who is with you’.

6-                  One also needs to seek the best and most blessed times for this purpose, i.e. at the end of obligatory prayers, at the time of adhan, between adhan and iqamah, in the last third part of the night etc.

7-                  If possible people should choose a dua from among the many mentioned in the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Mohammad, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him.

Dua is also ‘zikr’ or remembrance of Allah the Almighty and it helps us remember Him often and strengthen our love for Him. Dua also helps us seek the right path and reflect upon our deeds and failings more closely.

This subject is very important as it helps all of us to learn how to call upon our Lord in humility and in secret so that we can purify our acts, strengthen our spirituality and make our dua more acceptable.