Besides Reading the Qur'an There are Zikr and other Forms of Worship

 Besides Reading The Qur’an

There are Zikr and Other Forms of Worship

Dr Mozammel Haque

Zikr and other forms of worship

Besides reading of the Qur’an

No doubt, reading of the Qur’an in the month of Ramadan, the month of its revelation, is the best way but besides that, one can do other way of worship, Ibadah, remembrance of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala. I have seen during the month of Ramadan, many people were doing Tawaaf in Haram or some people were performing Umrah and others were engaged in Zikr or remembrance of Allah the Almighty.

The Angels are remembering Allah the Almighty by saying the third Kalimah. Islamic scholars mentioned the beginning or the originality of the third Kalimah – “Subhanallah(i) Walhamdulillah(i) Wa La Ilaha Illallah(u) Wallahu Akbar Wala Hawla Wa La Quwwata illah Billah hil Aleyeel Azeem.” (There is no Power and Might except from Allah, The Most High, The Great) and up to this day, this kalimah (or declaration of faith) buzzes around the Arsh of Almighty Allah.

Story Behind Third Kalimah

The Third Kalimah has a unique and very interesting story behind it. It all started before Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala created Adam A.S.(peace be upon him) The Angels were trying to move the Arsh (Throne) of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala but it was too heavy and would not budge. So they asked Almighty Allah for help. Allah told them to recite “Subhanallah”. The Angels did as they were told and found that it gave them the power and strength and they were able to move the Arsh. They liked this so much that they began constantly hymning, “Subhanallah,” – (Glory be to Allah)

 Then Allah created Adam A.S. When Allah blew life into Adam, the first thing he did was sneeze and say “Alhamdulillah” (All praise be to Allah). The Angels liked this act so much that they added this to their praise and glorification of Allah. Thus the kalimah became: “Subhanallah(i) Walhamdulillah”.

 Hundreds of years passed and the Prophet Nooh A.S. (peace be upon him) was now on earth. For nine hundred years he proclaimed the oneness of Allah with the words: “La Ilaha Illallah”. (There is none worthy of worship). The Angels loved this act so much that they added this to the kalimah. Thus, the kalimah  now became “Subhanallah(i) Walhamdulillah Wa La Ilaha illallah.”

The Angels kept repeating this kalimah day and night. Many centuries passed and the Prophet Ibrahim A.S. (peace be upon him) was asked by Almighty Allah to sacrifice his beloved son Ismaeel A.S. (peace be upon him). He was about to slaughter his son and He needed something to give him the courage he needed to do this difficult deed. So he recited: “Allahu Akbar”. (Allah is Great). The Angels loved this act so much that they added “Allahu Akbar” to the Kalimah. Thus the kalimah became: “Subhanallah (i) Walhamdulillah (i) Wa La Ilaha illah (u) Wallahu Akbar.”

 More centuries passed. It was the Night of Meraj, when our Beloved Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. (peace and blessings be upon him) ascended to the Heavens with Gibraeel A.S. There Gibraeel A.S. (peace be upon him) told the Prophet S.A.W (peace and blessings be upon him) the story and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) added the final part of the Kalimah: “Wala Hawla Wa La Quwwata illah Billah hil Aleyeel Azeem.”

 Thus “Subhanallah(i) Walhamdulillah(i) Wa La Ilaha Illallah(u) Wallahu Akbar Wala Hawla Wa La Quwwata illah Billah hil Aleyeel Azeem.” (There is no Power and Might except from Allah, The Most High, The Great) and up to this day, this kalimah (or declaration of faith) buzzes around the Arsh of Almighty Allah.

Third Kalimah is Tamjeed, this is the Kalimah (the first part) that is recited 33 times after each Farz Salah (Namaaz), and is called Tasbih Fatima.

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) says that if a person recites Ayatul Kursi after every Farz Salah Namaaz then there will be nothing between him and Heaven except “Death”.

There is another Tradition of the Prophet (PBUH) that says third Kalimah is such a great medicine that it cures every disease and the most minor disease it cures is – Sorrow (Gham)

 Another Hadith says if a person recites Surah Ikhlaas 10 times a day then Allah builds a palace for him in the Heaven and the last but not the least ALLAH says spread the knowledge whatever you have; it is the duty of every Muslim.

 May ALLAH accept our good deeds, especially in this blessed month of Ramadan. Ameen InshaAllah.

 

 

Divinity of the Qur'an - Read More and More the Qur'an in its month of Revelation

Divinity of the Qur’an:

Read more and more the Qur’an

In its month of revelation

Dr. Mozammel Haque

The Noble Qur’an was revealed in the month of Ramadan (Al-Qur’an, 97:1-3.). The Qur’an was sent down in the month of Ramadan on the Night of Power Lailatul Qadr. (Al-Qur’an, 91:1-3.). It is the month of Ramadan that Allah has honoured by revealing the Qur’an. Because of this strong relation between the Qur’an and the month of Ramadan, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to read the Qur’an to Archangel Jibraeel every Ramadan. I think this is the right place to discuss the purpose and objective of the revelation of the Qur’an, its importance, the campaigns against it and the do’s and don’ts of the Qur’an.

 First of all, Allah the Most High, created mankind and gave him the gift of expression. For the guidance of mankind Allah sent Prophets (peace be upon them all) to every single community. In the words of the Qur’an, "There has been no community to which God’s messengers have not come" and "Muslims should make no distinctions between them." So it is the duty of a Muslim to honour all the prophets equally.

The Qur’an represents the culmination of all other earlier Revealed Books. The Qur’an is the last of the Revealed Books. The Qur’an is the first religious book in the world, which requires the belief in other revelations, a part of its Faith. This Sacred Book was revealed to the last Messenger, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the month of Ramadan. Allah Himself said in the Qur’an: “Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur’an, as a guide to Mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong).” (2:185). Allah the Most High has especially mentioned the exact date and month of the revelation: “We have indeed revealed This (Message) in the Night of Power.” (97:1) So the purpose of the revelation of the Qur’an was for guidance of Mankind.

The Qur’an is emphatic in proclaiming that Islam is the religion of Jesus, Moses, Abraham and the Prophets Jesus and Moses were not Jews but Muslims. "Surely those who believe (in that which is revealed to Muhammad Peace be upon him) and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabaeans – whoever believes in Allah, and the Last Day and does good, surely their reward is with their Lord, and there is no fear for them nor shall they grieve." (2:62). "A Guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and judgement (between right and wrong)." This is the most important characteristic of the Qur’an, the Book that Allah has revealed in the month of Ramadan.

It is guidance for mankind. It is clear proof, clear proof of guidance and of judgement. The Qur’an is indeed a great miracle and source of blessing. The month of Ramadan, is a time that many Muslims rejuvenate their faith and take heed of the truth sent by Allah in the Qur’an unto mankind. Allah says; “This is the Book (the Quran), whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are Al-Muttaqoon (the pious and righteous persons)”(Qur’an- Al-Baqarah, Verse 2)

 A true miracle, manifestation of excellence, beautiful composition, wonderful coherence, accuracy in narration in both past and future events...It can only be The Qur’an- The Word of Allah and The Final Testament to Humanity. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) is reported to have said: “Certainly there is always a thing in which people take pride and that which is glory and pride for my Ummah is the Qur’an” (Hadith- Hiyah)

 

The Qur’an is the masterpiece of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala Himself. The Qur'an is miraculous in a many aspects: It’s linguistic perfection and inimitability, its validation by recent historical, archaeological, and scientific discoveries, its prophecies and so on. The miracle of the Qur'an is eternal and many critics have embraced its message after carefully reading it. In fact the like of the Qur’an can never be matched. Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala Himself declares; “If mankind and the jinn were to gather together to produce the like of this Qur’an, they could never produce the like thereof, even if they backed up one another.”(Quran 17:88)

In it is a solution and guidance for all of Humanity. Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala says;

“This is the Book (the Qur’an), whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)”(Qur’an Al-Baqarah 2:2)

Before the revelation of the Qur’an, it was preserved and guarded from corruption in the "Mother of the Book". Allah Himself said: "Nay this is a Glorious Qur’an (inscribed) in a Tablet Preserved" (85:21-22). When Allah wanted to give this Trust to someone, the Heavens, the Earth, and the Mountains, i.e. other creatures of Allah, besides man, refused to undertake this Trust or responsibility. They preferred to submit their will entirely to Allah’s Will, which is All-Wise and Perfect, and which would give them far more happiness than a faculty of choice, with their imperfect knowledge. Allah says in the Qur’an: "We did indeed offer the Trust to the Heavens and the Earth and the Mountains; but they refused to undertake it, being afraid thereof: but man undertook it: He was indeed unjust and foolish." (33-72).

So it is the human beings who took the responsibility of the Trust without realising its importance. The Qur’an is the revealed book of God which has been in existence for more than four hundred years and the Word of Allah is available in its original form. There has not been an iota of change in this unique historic record. Its originality and authenticity has been guaranteed by no other than Allah the Almighty who challenges in the Qur’an itself.

Allah said, "This Qur’an is not such as can be produced by other than Allah: on the contrary it is a confirmation of (revelation) that went before it, and a fuller explanation of the Book - wherein there is no doubt – from the Lord of the Worlds." (10:37). In another verse of the Qur’an Allah challenges, "Or do they say, "He forged it?" Say: "Bring then a Surah like unto it; and call (to your aid) anyone who can, beside Allah if it be you speak the truth!" (10:38). "Or they may say, "He forged it." Say, "Bring you then ten Suras forged, like unto it, and call (to your aid) whomsoever you can, other than Allah! – if you speak the truth!" (11:13).

 Allah said in the Qur’an, "And if you are in doubt as to what We have revealed from time to time to Our servant then produce a Sura like thereunto, and call your witness and helpers (if there are any) besides Allah, if you are truthful." (2:23) Allah places many verses before you. Can you produce one like it?

The world is challenged to produce a Book like it and has not produced one. It is the only Revealed Book whose text stands pure and uncorrupted today. Allah said, "Say: "if the whole of mankind and jinns were to gather together to produce the like of this Qur’an, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they backed up each other with help and support." (17:88)

 Since the revelation of the Qur’an, the enemies of Islam have been trying to distort it. Firstly, they said, it is not revelation, it is written by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Then they started attacking its authenticity and originality. In spite of their conspiracy, the Qur’an has been preserved in its original form.

The Qur’an is the only Book in the world which has remained for more than fourteen centuries pure without any interpolation or change and will remain so till the Last Day as Allah has guaranteed its purity. (15:9).

 The purity, preservation and propagation of the Qur’an were maintained by two methods: memorization of Qur’an in Qur’anic schools and the recitation of the complete Qur’an in Ramadan. In the month of Ramadan every year the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) was asked by Archangel Jibraeel to recite the whole of it twice. It was a Muzakira between the two. Abu Huraira reported that Jibraeel used to repeat the recitation of the Qur’an with the Prophet once a year, but he repeated it twice with him in the year the Prophet (peace be upon him) passed away. The Qur’an was recited in the Taraweeh for the first time during the era of Caliph Omar.

So far as the memorization of the Qur’an in Qur’anic schools is concerned, many Huffaz and Islamic scholars have been killed in different parts of the world at different times. But still there is no dearth of Islamic scholars who can recite the complete Qur’an from memory. Severe campaigns have been launched against the Qur’anic schools, which teach the study, recitation and memorization of the Qur’an. The Qur’an is the main Book of the Muslims; it is the duty of the Muslims to learn Qur’an, which contains their code of life and ethical values whose benefits have been experienced by mankind throughout the ages.

 I have already mentioned the objective and importance of the Qur’an and how its originality and purity have been maintained. Our Prophet (pbuh) and his Companions dedicated their days and nights for worship. Their lives revolved completely around the Book of Allah, the Qur’an, reciting it in and out of Salah.

The Qur’an is the basis of the religion of Islam, and on the preservation and propagation of the Qur’an depends the very existence of this Faith. Hence the virtue of learning and teaching the Qur’an is self-evident and does not need further elucidation. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The best amongst you is he who learns the Qur’an and teaches it.” (Bukhari, Daud and Tirmidhi).

A great Islamic scholar wrote in his book entitled Toward Understanding of the Qur’an: “The present arrangement of the Qur'an is not the work of later generations, but was made by the Prophet under God's direction. Whenever a surah was revealed, the Prophet summoned his scribes, to whom he carefully dictated its contents, and instructed them where to place it in relation to the other surahs. The Prophet followed the same order of surahs and verses when reciting during ritual Prayer as on other occasions, and his Companions followed the same practice in memorizing the Qur'an. It is therefore a historical fact that the collection of the Qur'an came to an end on the very day that its revelation ceased. The One who was responsible for its revelation was also the One who fixed its arrangement. The one whose heart was the receptacle of the Qur'an was also responsible for arranging its sequence. This was far too important and too delicate a matter for anyone else to dare to become involved in.”

 “Not even the most sceptical person has any reason to doubt that the Qur'an as we know it today is identical with the Qur'an which Muhammad (peace be on him) set before the world; this is an unquestionable, objective, historical fact, and there is nothing in human history on which the evidence is so overwhelmingly strong and conclusive. To doubt the authenticity of the Qur'an is like doubting the existence of the Roman Empire, the Mughals of India, or Napoleon! To doubt historical facts like these is a sign of stark ignorance, not a mark of erudition and scholarships,” he added.

 We see that many of the Pious Predecessors exerted themselves in the recitation of the Qur’an. Some would complete recitation of the whole Qur’an in three days. Others would recite it in seven or ten days as they realised its value.

Sometime we are so engrossed in the pursuit of our material objectives that we neglect the recitation of this great source of blessing. In its recitation there will always be benefit whether we truly comprehend the meaning of it or not.

Truly the benefits of reading the Qur’an are immense and in this month of Ramadan we should make a firm decision to make the recitation of the Qur’an an essential part of our daily diet which will Insha Allah pave our path to eternal happiness.

May Allah Ta’ala guide us to recite, appreciate and understand the true wisdom of the Qur’an and may He bless our hearts with the true noor (light) of the Qur’an. Ameen

First Published in 2017

 

Ramadan Mubarak 1446AH and Ramadan Greetings 2015

 Ramadan Mubarak 1446AH and

Ramadan Greetings 2025

 

Dr. Mozammel Haque

Ramadan Mubarak and Ramadan Greetings to all of you. May this holy month bring barakah, and Allah's boundless mercy upon the believers and harmony and tolerance for the world.

Ramadan Mubarak to you All

I welcome Ramadan, the month of Mercy and Repentance, the month of the Qur’an, of Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Power) and of repentance and forgiveness. Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the Pillars of the Islamic faith. It was declared an obligatory duty (Fard) in the second year of the Hijrah upon each and every mukallaf (one capable of carrying out religious duties, i.e. a sane adult).

Allah the Almighty made Ramadan fasting compulsory for Muslims. Allah said, “O those who believe, the fasts have been enjoined upon you as were enjoined upon those before so that you be God-fearing.’ [Surah Baqarah, 183]. Literally, Sawm means ‘to abstain’. In the terminology of Islamic law, Sawm means ‘to abstain from eating, drinking and sexual intercourse: with the conditions that one abstains continuously from dawn to sunset, and that there is an intention to fast.’ Therefore, should one eat or drink anything even a minute before sunset, the fast will not be valid. Similarly, if one abstained from all these things throughout the day but made no intention to fast, there will be no fast here too.

 Allah the Almighty said in the Qur’an “…And eat and drink, until the white thread of dawn appears to you distinct from its black thread…” (Al-Qur’an, 2:187) Literally defined, fasting means to abstain “completely” from foods, drinks, intimate intercourse and smoking, before the break of the dawn till sunset, during the entire month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic year.

Fasting in Islam is based on the lunar calendar and is tied to the sightings of hilal, the crescent, or new moon. Allah the Almighty stated: “They ask you concerning the new moons. Say: They are but signs to mark fixed periods of time… (Al-Qur’an, 2:189). And the Traditions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Eat until you see the crescent and break not until you see the crescent. If it is cloudy calculate the period of the month.” (Muslim and others).

Fasting in Ramadan is compulsory upon every Muslim, male or female, who has these qualifications, e.g. mentally and physically fit, adult full of age which is normally fourteen and fairly certain that fasting is unlikely to cause any harm, physical or mental, other than the normal reactions to hunger, thirst etc.

 The said qualifications exclude the following categories: children under the age of puberty and discretion; men and women who are too old and feeble to undertake the obligation of fast and bear its hardships; sick people whose health is likely to be severely affected by the observance of fast; travellers may break the fast temporarily during their travel;  pregnant women and women breast-feeding their children may also break their fast and women in the period of menstruation (of a maximum of ten days or of confinement (of a maximum of forty days. They must postpone the fast till recovery and then make up for it.

 The holy month of Ramadan is the month of mercy, forgiveness, and seeking release from the Hell-fire. It is the month of repentance and acceptance of prayers. It is the month when the devils are chained, the gates of Hell are looked and the gates of Paradise are opened.  That’s why; Muslims welcome Ramadan each year with energy and happiness, and are saddened only when the month departs. Fasting is for the living, not for mourning.

Ramadan is a month of worship. Muslims should welcome the month with repentance and seeking Allah’s pardon. We should keep away from committing sins; worship Allah sincerely and spending the night and day in prayer, supplication and recitation of the Holy Qur’an.

Fasting is a shield which helps prevent many sins and with which Muslim protects himself from Hell-fire. Fasting is more than abstaining from food and drink. It also means to abstain from any falsehood in speech and action, from any ignorant and indecent speech, and from arguing and quarrelling. Therefore, fasting helps to develop good behaviour.

Fasting inculcates a sense of brotherhood and solidarity, as a Muslim feels and experiences what his needy and hungry brothers feel. This gives Muslim a new sense of togetherness and association.

 Allah the Almighty said in the Qur’an: The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the criterion (between right and wrong). (Surah Al-Baqarah 2: 185) As Ramadan is the month of the Qur’an, every Muslim should prepare himself to welcome the blessed month of Ramadan by strengthening his relationship with the Qur’an. A Muslim is encouraged to complete one recitation of the Holy Qur’an during Ramadan.

We should engage more and more in the recitation of the Qur’an, in dhikr (remembrance of Allah), perform extra Salah (ritual prayers) at night and renew identity with one another in our obedience to Allah.

 

 

Khutbah at Masjid al-Haram on Tawheed - The Unity of Allah

 Khutbah at Masjid al-Haram on Tawheed –

The Unity of Allah*

Dr Mozammel Haque

Sheikh Dr. Bandar al-Balilah, Imam at the Masjid al-Haram, in his Jumah Khutbah Friday at the Masjid al-Haram, Makkah al-Mukarramah, said on the Unity of Allah, the Tawheed on 12 February, 2021, “We all realise that we are all hundred percent dependent on the Creator Who created human beings from nothing and Allah Subhanahu wa Taala has provided us all the facilities of life and only ask that they should believe only in Allah and worship Allah Subhanahu wa Taala sincerely with sincerity and without associating anyone . As Allah Subhanahu wa Taala is the Creator, Sustainer and Nurture, then He is only worthy of worship and He should be worshipped exclusively without any association. As Allah Subhanahu wa Taala says in the Qur’an that Allah has created and facilitated all the life and all the supports of life; so don’t associate anyone with your Creator.”

 

He also mentioned, “As Allah Subhanahu wa Taala sent Adam Alaihey wa Salam on this earth with pure Tawheed, pure worship of Oneness of Allah and Creator. People only knew Allah and their Creator, their Sustainer to worship but Shaitan and his associates they led the humanity astray into associating something with Allah Subhanahu wa Taala. As our Prophet Sallallahu Alaihey wa Sallam has mentioned that in the beginning humanity all believe in Allah but Shaitan they led humanity astray to associate and to worship other things besides Allah Subhanahu wa Taala. As Allah Subhanahu wa Taala says that people were simple and on One Deen and on one community but then they were taken away by Shaitan.”

Sheikh al-Balilah mentioned, “Then Allah Subhanahu wa Taala sent Messengers to bring them back to the way of Allah Subhanahu wa Taala – to the Unity of Allah and to the worship of Allah as Allah Subhanahu wa Taala says  We sent Messengers to bring the humanity back to recognising and worshipping Allah Subhanahu wa Taala. As Nuh Alaihey wa Salam declared that O people, worship Allah Alone. I do not know anyone else worthy of worship. Similarly, after Nuh Alaihey wa Salam, Hud and other prophets were sent; Saleh were sent; Messenger Shoaib were sent. So Prophet after Prophet they all invited people  to worship Allah, as a Oneness of Allah and not associate anything with anything else.”

 The Imam of the Masjid al-Haram said, “The Dawah and to call towards Unity of Allah, unity of worship is central to the Messengerhood. The forefathers of all the Messengers, Ibrahim Alaihey wa Salam. He is the utmost outstanding leader of the Unity, Tawheed. He re-asserted Hanifiyah which is the Oneness of Allah in purest form. Allah Subhanahu wa Taala praises him very much and ask others that people should follow Ibrahim and Millat of Ibrahim and that Millat and that religion is religion of Tawheed, the Oneness of Allah – he was not Jews and Christians but he was beyond Judaism and Christianity and he asserted Oneness of Allah only.”

Sheikh al-Balilah mentioned, “As Allah Subhanahu wa Taala chose Ibrahim to be His Khalil, His close associate and as Allah Subhanahu wa Taala chose Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihey wa Sallam as His close associate. Associate meaning in terms of the friendship inviting the most devoted person to invite towards the Unity of Allah. Ibrahim was Hanif, purifying the Unity of Allah and He never associates anything with Allah Subhanahu wa Taala. I urge all of us to follow the Millat and the Deen of Ibrahim Alaihey wa Sallam as Rasulullah Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihey wa Sallam has also urged to follow the footsteps of Ibrahim and that was Unity of Allah and bearing witness that there is no one worthy of worship except Allah without any associate.”

The Imam of the Masjid al-Haram said, “Tawheed is central to the Message of the Qur’an and there are various dimension of Unity of Allah. First of all, His Attributes, Allah Subhanahu wa Taala’s Attributes knowing and  understanding that Allah and His Attributes are all unique and there is no one anywhere near anything with Allah Subhanahu wa Taala. That is every single verse of the Qur’an - every Surah of the Qur’an is central to express about the Unity of Allah as Absolute Knowledge and Absolute Assurance that there is no one associated with Allah in Attributes, in Creation and in everything which Allah we see as a Sign of Allah Subhanahu wa Taala.  In Qur’an Allah Subhanahu wa Taala shows us and reports us all those people who associated other people with Allah and they were the losers.”

Sheikh al-Balilah also mentioned, “The Qur’an is full of description of those people who worship Allah as a Unity, as a Tawheed and those people who lost because of associating with it. Like Surat al-Fatiha is the utmost reaffirmation of Unity of Allah Subhanahu wa Taala. Rewarded are those people Who worship Allah Subhanahu wa Taala as a Unity, as only One without any association and those who led astray they are the only people who are condemned. As Allah Subhanahu wa Taala says in the Qur’an that Allah bears witness and the Angels bear witness and all the people of knowledge bear witness that there is no one worthy of worship except Allah without any association. Kalima La Ilaha Illallah is the most affirmative statement to the Unity of Allah.”

The Imam of the Masjid al-Haram said, “Tawheed means that Allah is Only Most Perfect Being one can ever  imagine and one can ever possible. This witnessing that Allah Subhanahu wa Taala asserts His Unity, His Uniqueness and His Perfection. There is nothing higher than Tawheed and nothing more derogatory than associating someone with Allah Subhanahu wa Taala in any of the creation work. As it is being re-enforced in various forms and shapes as Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihey wa Sallam was asked to say that all my prayer and all my life and all my sacrifices are for the sake of Allah alone and I don’t associate any one with Allah Subhanahu wa Taala in any form and shape.”

 Sheikh al-Balilah also mentioned, “Tawheed only means that we devotedly do worship Allah for the sake of His own pleasure and nothing else. As Allah Subhanahu wa Taala has said in Surat–ul-Bayyinah that all the people were asked to worship Allah secludedly devotedly without any association. Worshipping Allah Subhanahu wa Taala means leaving other side not calling anyone else besides Allah and no one has that knowledge and power as Allah Subhanahu wa Taala says no one has any control in this world. In all our affairs we should not think about anyone except Allah. In all our affairs, only we love Allah, our Creator and those who are worshipping Allah Subhanahu wa Taala.”

The Imam of the Masjid al-Haram said, “Tawheed is the central point to the belief system and Islamic system and Tawheed is the only which will give us salvation. Tawheed implies the rights of our Creator. As Muaiz Radhiallahu Anhu was asked by Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihey wa Sallam that do you know what is the rights of our Creator on the servants? Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihey wa Sallam explained that it is required that people just worship Allah without associating anyone else.”

 

Full Khutbah at Masjid al-Haram

Followings are the full khutbah at the Masjid al-Haram, Makkah al-Mukarramah, delivered by Sheikh Dr. Bandar al-Balilah on 12 February, 2021, [rendered into English by Mufti Barkatullah @ Islam Channel, UK]

 Sheikh Dr Bandar al-Balilah started Khutbah by saying: Indeed, all praise belongs to Allah Subhanahu wa Taala. We praise Allah and we seek forgiveness from Allah from the bad effects of all our actions. Those whom Allah leads astray nobody can guide them and I bear testimony that there is no one worthy of worship except Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His Messenger and His servant and he is the leader of the humanity. May Allah send peace and blessings on him and on his family and companions.

“After the praise, let us urge myself and you to observe Taqwa. After Taqwa let me urge myself and others that we should be sincere and devoted and secluded and worship Allah Subhanahu wa Taala. We all realise that we are all hundred percent dependent on the Creator Who created human beings from nothing and Allah Subhanahu wa Taala has provided us all the facilities of life and only ask that they should believe only in Allah and worship Allah Subhanahu wa Taala sincerely with sincerity and without associating anyone . As Allah Subhanahu wa Taala is the Creator, Sustainer and Nurture, then He is only worthy of worship and He should be worshipped exclusively without any association. As Allah Subhanahu wa Taala says in the Qur’an that Allah has created and facilitated all the life and all the supports of life; so don’t associate anyone with your Creator.

“As Allah Subhanahu wa Taala sent Adam Alaihey wa Salam on this earth with pure Tawheed, pure worship of Oneness of Allah and Creator. People only knew Allah and their Creator, their Sustainer to worship but Shaitan and his associates they led the humanity astray into associating something with Allah Subhanahu wa Taala. As our Prophet Sallallahu Alaihey wa Sallam has mentioned that in the beginning humanity all believe in Allah but Shaitan they led humanity astray to associate and to worship other things besides Allah Subhanahu wa Taala. As Allah Subhanahu wa Taala says that people were simple and on One Deen and on one community but then they were taken away by Shaitan.

“Then Allah Subhanahu wa Taala sent Messengers to bring them back to the way of Allah Subhanahu wa Taala – to the Unity of Allah and to the worship of Allah as Allah Subhanahu wa Taala says  We sent Messengers to bring the humanity back to recognising and worshipping Allah Subhanahu wa Taala. As Nuh Alaihey wa Salam declared that O people, worship Allah Alone. I do not know anyone else worthy of worship. Similarly, after Nuh Alaihey wa Salam, Hud and other prophets were sent;  Saleh were sent; Messenger Shoaib were sent. So Prophet after Prophet they all invited people  to worship Allah, as a Oneness of Allah and not associate anything with anything else.

“The Dawah and to call towards Unity of Allah, unity of worship is central to the Messengerhood. The forefathers of all the Messengers, Ibrahim Alaihey wa Salam. He is the utmost outstanding leader of the Unity, Tawheed. He re-asserted Hanifiyah which is the Oneness of Allah in purest form. Allah Subhanahu wa Taala praises him very much and ask others that people should follow Ibrahim and Millat of Ibrahim and that Millat and that religion is religion of Tawheed, the Oneness of Allah – he was not Jews and Christians but he was beyond Judaism and Christianity and he asserted Oneness of Allah only.

“As Allah Subhanahu wa Taala chose Ibrahim to be His Khalil, His close associate and as Allah Subhanahu wa Taala chose Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihey wa Sallam as His close associate. Associate meaning in terms of the friendship inviting the most devoted person to invite towards the Unity of Allah. Ibrahim was Hanif, purifying the Unity of Allah and He never associates anything with Allah Subhanahu wa Taala. I urge all of us to follow the Millat and the Deen of Ibrahim Alaihey wa Sallam as Rasulullah Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihey wa Sallam has also urged to follow the footsteps of Ibrahim and that was Unity of Allah and bearing witness that there is no one worthy of worship except Allah without any associate.

 

“Tawheed is central to the Message of the Qur’an and there are various dimension of Unity of Allah. First of all, His Attributes, Allah Subhanahu wa Taala’s Attributes knowing and  understanding that Allah and His Attributes are all unique and there is no one anywhere near anything with Allah Subhanahu wa Taala. That is every single verse of the Qur’an - every Surah of the Qur’an is central to express about the Unity of Allah as Absolute Knowledge and Absolute Assurance that there is no one associated with Allah in Attributes, in Creation and in everything which Allah we see as a Sign of Allah Subhanahu wa Taala.  In Qur’an Allah Subhanahu wa Taala shows us and reports us all those people who associated other people with Allah and they were the losers.

“The Qur’an is full of description of those people who worship Allah as a Unity, as a Tawheed and those people who lost because of associating with it. Like Surat al-Fatiha is the utmost reaffirmation of Unity of Allah Subhanahu wa Taala. Rewarded are those people Who worship Allah Subhanahu wa Taala as a Unity, as only One without any association and those who led astray they are the only people who are condemned. As Allah Subhanahu wa Taala says in the Qur’an that Allah bears witness and the Angels bear witness and all the people of knowledge bear witness that there is no one worthy of worship except Allah without any association. Kalima La Ilaha Illallah is the most affirmative statement to the Unity of Allah.

“Tawheed means that Allah is Only Most Perfect Being one can ever  imagine and one can ever possible. This witnessing that Allah Subhanahu wa Taala asserts His Unity, His Uniqueness and His Perfection. There is nothing higher than Tawheed and nothing more derogatory than associating someone with Allah Subhanahu wa Taala in any of the creation work. As it is being re-enforced in various forms and shapes as Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihey wa Sallam was asked to say that all my prayer and all my life and all my sacrifices are for the sake of Allah alone and I don’t associate any one with Allah Subhanahu wa Taala in any form and shape.

“Let us seek forgiveness and Istighfar from Allah Subhanahu wa Taala for anything we did wrong with Allah Subhanahu wa Taala, our Creator.

 

Second Part

“All praise belongs to Allah and we praise Allah Subhanahu wa Taala to re-enforce His Unity, His Tawheed and then Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihey wa Sallam is His Messenger and servant. May Allah send peace and blessings and salutation on Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihey wa Sallam. Tawheed only means that we devotedly do worship Allah for the sake of His own pleasure and nothing else. As Allah Subhanahu wa Taala has said in Surat–ul-Bayyinah that all the people were asked to worship Allah secludedly devotedly without any association. Worshipping Allah Subhanahu wa Taala means leaving other side not calling anyone else besides Allah and no one has that knowledge and power as Allah Subhanahu wa Taala says no one has any control in this world. In all our affairs we should not think about anyone except Allah in all our affairs. Only we love Allah our Creator and those who are worshipping Allah Subhanahu wa Taala.”

“Tawheed is the central point to the belief system and Islamic system and Tawheed is the only which will give us salvation. Tawheed implies the rights of our Creator. As Muaiz Radhiallahu Anhu was asked by Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihey wa Sallam that do you know what is the rights of our Creator on the servants? Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihey wa Sallam explained that it is required that people just worship Allah without associating anyone else.”

 

Dua and Supplication

“Let us send peace and blessings on Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihey wa Sallam as Allah Subhanahu wa Taala reports and asked us that Allah and Angels send peace and blessings on Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihey wa Sallam. So O Muslims, O believers you also pray for his peace and blessings on Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihey wa Sallam. Let us pray: O Allah, send peace and blessings on Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihey wa Sallam, his family and deputies – his Khulafah-e- Rashedeen – his followers and his family members and those who follow Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihey wa Sallam till the Day of Judgement. O Allah, give prominence to Islam, religion of Islam and the Muslims and put down all those who oppose Islam. O Allah, give us peace and tranquillity to the lands of Islam and all the believers’ lands. O Allah, grant us all the duas which we ask You. We ask You to guide us, give us Taqwa and give us Tawheed and Ikhlash.”

“O Allah, empower us to live like a Muslim and die as a Muslim and not being affected by any affliction or any derogation. O Allah, grant us peace on our land especially this land of Islam and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and his associate. May Allah empower our rulers to work for the betterment of this country and the people.”

“O Allah, improve the situation of Muslims around the world. O Allah, help all those security personnels who are guarding our security and peace. O Allah, give us goodness in this world and Hereafter. And save us from the torments of the Day of Judgement. O Allah, we wrong ourselves. If You don’t forgive us we will be the losers. Allah always urges you to administer justice and obedience and be away from disobedience. Allah is urging you to join the relationship. So let us thank Allah Subhanahu wa Taala and praise Him and Allah’s name be glorified and holified.”

 

*First published in March 2021

Acknowledgement

Courtesy: @Islam Channel, U.K.

 

Interfaith Lecture at St. John's Wood Church on Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

 

Interfaith Lecture at St. John’s Wood Church on

 

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as Mercy for Mankind

 

Dr. Mozammel Haque

 

Speech on Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) at

St. John’s Wood Church, Park Road, London

On Sunday, the 12^th of November, 2017, an Interfaith Lecture on the Mercy for Mankind Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was organised by St. John’s Wood Church, Park Road, London and was held at the Church premises where the Director General of The London Central Mosque and Islamic Cultural Centre, Dr. Ahmad al-Dubayan, was invited to give a talk on Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).  The Vicar of St. John’s Wood Church, Fr. Anders Bergquist, introduced Dr. Ahmad al-Dubayan who was the guest to give a lecture on the subject, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as Mercy for Mankind. Guests included Senior Rabbi Alexandra Wright – Liberal Jewish Synagogue and many others. The talk was followed by a Question and Answer session.

 Dr. Ahmad al-Dubayan

Dr. Ahmad al-Dubayan, Director General of the Islamic Cultural Centre, London started by saying, first of all, ‘bismillah hir rahman nir rahim’ this is the word meaning  ‘in the name of Most Merciful the Most Compassionate God.’ Then he addressed the gatherings by saying ‘Assalamualaikum wa rahmatullah,’ which again he explained, this is also the way that we greet in Arabic, that means ‘peace be upon all of you and with you all of you’. The nice lovely day thank you very much.

Then he said, “My friends and neighbours, thank you for this invitation. I am so happy to be here today with you and I am sure what is actually brought us together here this feeling that is we have; we have lot of things in common and that’s why I am happy to come here to speak and say to you. We are neighbours; always neighbours support actually well—connected time.”

 Why I have chosen the Prophet

In the very beginning, Dr. al-Dubayan explained why he has chosen Prophet Muhammad as a subject to talk about. He said, “There are two reasons; the first one is really the highest personality for Muslims and in Islam. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the model for all Muslims; they try to follow, to learn from his behaviour as well as from his manners. Secondly, he is also a person, who actually in many ways misunderstood, sometimes misinterpreted, not only by non-Muslims but by Muslims themselves, some times. That’s why it is very important and I am sure, not sure, may be some never read anything about him; so that’s why I chose this personality to talk about.”

Dr. al-Dubayan mentioned that the talk will not be about his biography rather he has chosen all those things of his life which is related to mercy. He said, “I have chosen or picked up, lets say, about the dimension of mercy in Islam. This is very important. I have chosen this, particularly, actually mercy has spiritual value. It is one of the well-known qualities in Christianity itself; it is also one of the higher values in Islam. It is actually the Mercy when it is in your heart you will feel that is really if in peaceful time and peaceful life. It is also the value the thing that is asking from Allah Himself from God Himself. When we ask for mercy we have to give mercy first. We have actually asked for mercy itself.

“Also there is another reason for choosing mercy. Mercy; it is the value; may be one of the most, not only the most ever, important value for us to live in harmony in one society, to love each other to be actually well-connected to have better understanding. Because without this value of mercy things will be really miserable and life will not be good at all,” he mentioned.  

 Then Dr. al-Dubayan talked about the social side of mercy itself. He said, “There is also the social side of the mercy itself. Today actually, in our modern life, mercy becomes even more important, with more this connection we have around, all this technology; with all this what we hear, what we do, and what we do every day now, we are very busy may be more than anybody else in the history in the past. Because of all these things we are having and we have in our hands. We have lot of overwhelming news coming from the media, from the internet etc; so this value is very very important which keep us in right direction of our campus where to go.”

 About the Prophet peace be upon him

After giving introduction about mercy and its importance in today’s life and in today’s society, Dr. al-Dubayan started talking about Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He said, “Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was born in Makkah. He actually was called to Islam when he was forty. He was not like Jesus Christ that he was young. He actually started calling to Islam at the age of forty. At the age of forty he received revelations, the Message. He was asked to call people. He stayed in his home town Makkah 13 years calling people, telling them and giving them guidance to give up all actually the old religion of the Arabs who used to worship idols and paganism all those things at that time. He actually suffered a lot. His first followers suffered here.”

First Generations of Companions to Abyssinia

Dr. al-Dubayan then mentioned the Hijrat or migration of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to Madinah. He said, “After this he moved to Madinah; this is another city which is 400 kilometres away; then he stayed there ten years only and then he died. So the whole actually the age of Islam with the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was 23 years only - 13 years in Makkah and ten years in Madinah. All these 23 years he actually used to tell people little by little, verse by verse, chapter by chapter the Qur’an the Holy Book of the Muslims.”

 His contact with Christians

Dr. al-Dubayan then mentioned the Prophet’s first contact with Christians. He mentioned, “Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) himself actually had the first contact with the Christians when he sent his Companions, the early generation of his Companions, the first Companions actually, sent them to African country where Christian king was ruling at that time. He said to them, ‘Just go there; there is a king, the Christian king; he is very just king; live here; it is more peaceful than Makkah in your people.’ And about 18 people - men and women with their husbands and with their children - sometimes went to Abyssinia, at that time; Ethiopia now or Somalia. They stayed there two years till the situation in Makkah becomes better. Later they came back. They stayed there as Muslims under the protection of Christian king in Ethiopia at that time. Ethiopia and Somalia they are now argue where that was actually.”

His contact with Jewish community

Speaking about his first contact with the Jewish community, Dr. Al-Dubayan mentioned, “When he moved to Madinah then he had contact with the Jewish community. There was a big Jewish community, lived and well in Madinah many years before the Prophet came to Madinah; they were living with some Arabs. The population of Madinah at that time was actually some Arabs who were not Christians but they were not Jew; but they followed their own religion before the beginning of Islam and a big Jewish community. When the Prophet peace be upon him came to Madinah, he signed a treaty which is called Madinah Treaty; it is a Convention between him and the Muslims and the Jewish community. In the text of this Convention it was said, “It is today Muslims and Jews are one nation. It means we defend you something happened to you and you defend us when something happened to us.”

 Dealing with wives

After mentioning about Prophet’s first contact with the Christians during his Makkah period and then his contact with the Jewish community when he moved to Madinah, Dr. al-Dubayan was talking about the value of mercy in his actions, his relations and sayings. He said, “During his life, we can see the value of mercy in many aspects; in actions; in relations; in his sayings also. For example, he had more than one wife  but we don’t know about harm doings with his life; in fact, he never hit any of them; he never did anything harm to any of them; he never hit a child; he never raised his hands on animal or a child.”

 

 

Dealing with servants

After citing his mercy towards his wife, Dr. al-Dubayan mentioned how the Prophet (peace be upon him) dealt with servants. He gave an example, “When Prophet (pbuh) came to Madinah, a widow who has child ten years old, his name is Anas, came to the Prophet. She said to the Prophet – ‘Can I leave my boy to you to stay between my home and your home as servant to stay with you and then to help you if you need things whatever;’ then the Prophet said, ‘yes, okay’. The boy stayed there. He used to go between his home and Prophet’s home everyday serving the Prophet, bringing something, sending here and there; and after ten years Prophet died. The servant himself, Anas the boy said himself, ‘I stayed with him ten years, he never hit me; he never said to me why did you do this; or why didn’t you do this; that was really very good treatment I got from the Prophet’. Even people used to call him the companion of the Prophet (peace be upon him) of his life about 80 years; When the prophet died he was at the age of 20 years; he lived 80 years more to reach 100 after the prophet.”

“The Prophet (pbuh) used to walk on the street; then a woman stopped him to talk to him; he used to stop to listen to her; old ladies, young ladies sometimes even teenagers, they stopped him on the street and he used to stop to listen to them. To give hear to them, to listen to their some complaints; some needs they need from him; then he said, yes, I will do it; he tried to do it,”  Dr. al-Dubayan mentioned.

 Dealing with children

Then Dr. Al-Dubayan mentioned about his dealings with children. He gave an example, “Once Prophet was actually sitting in his house; then his grand son al-Hassan who was about five years old; he was playing around him. He used to carry him from the floor and kiss him and put him back and play with him again and hug him as we all do it with children. A man from the desert, a Bedouin, came to visit the Prophet; when he saw this, that was something unusual to him; he said, ‘Muhammad, I never did this to my children that you were doing with him.’ It happened more than one time. The Prophet said, ‘what shall I do to you if Allah does not put mercy on your heart. Your problem; you have to have mercy’.”

Dr. al-Dubayan then mentioned about the first Hadith, the tradition of the Prophet (peace be upon him). He said, Muslims used to study the Qur’an and after this they used to study the Hadith, the sayings of the Prophet (peace be upon him). The chief of the Islamic Cultural Centre (ICC) said, “The first Hadith tradition started always with is the Hadith when he said those who have mercy in their hearts Allah will give them mercy. Merciful people will have mercy from Allah. We have to have mercy on people on earth Allah will then have mercy.”

Dr. al-Dubayan also mentioned another incident when Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) shortened his prayer so that the mother can take care of her crying baby. He mentioned, “Once the Prophet was in the mosque praying; he decided at that prayer a long prayer. When he started, then a child took crying in the back with his mother; then the Prophet did the prayer quickly; the companions enquired what happened Rasoolullah that you prayed very quickly today. The Prophet said, ‘Have you heard the child crying? The mother was worried about him, so I made my prayer quickly; so that she can make her prayer quickly and go to the child to see.’ This is an example.”   

 Adopting or fostering an orphan

Dr. al-Dubayan also mentioned another saying of the Prophet (pbuh) regarding adopting or fostering an orphan. He said, “The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said; ‘Anybody who adopts an orphan or fosters an orphan he will come with me in paradise the distance is like this two fingers together.’ That means together in paradise.”

 The ICC Director General also mentioned another saying of the Prophet (pbuh) about taking care of children, especially daughter. He mentioned, “The Prophet said, ‘Take care of children, especially daughters. Anybody who had two daughters, three daughters or four daughters; then he takes care of them till they are adult; their life is okay; then I guarantee that you will be in paradise.’ Specially the daughters; why? Of course boys have mercy; but why daughters, because in that society at that time daughters and women they really need support in order to have their life in order.”

 

 Take care of three things, the Prophet said

Dr. Al-Dubayan mentioned, “One of the last word the Prophet said, ‘Take care of three things; number one prayer, never forget it; number two, you have to treat woman very well, very good way; number three, do it the best with the servant; the people who worked; stay most of the servant slaves sometimes; let them to eat from your food; let them have clothes like yours clothes; whenever you cook something or they help you to cook have them first because they are the one who cook it; they are the one who serve in the fire, in the smoke; and you just come in and eat it and they don’t. These are some of the practical things he used to have doing in his daily life.”

Mercy on Animals and Birds

What about animals? Animals are also important. Dr. al-Dubayan spoke about the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) mercy on animals. He gave an example. He said, “I will give you a story which shows how much mercy he had. Once when he went to Makkah about ten thousands people was going towards Makkah that time and when they returned back in one of the valleys between the two cities they found a dog actually with puppies in one of the valleys; when this ten thousands people or the armies come it will destroy all of them. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) saw the female dog; he advised people, ‘hold on’ and then he changed the direction of the army all of it ten thousands people and he asked one of his friends ‘to stay there to guard the dog and their puppies till everyone was moved from that area’. Think about the change of direction of the whole army because of the dog in the way.”

 The ICC chief mentioned another instance to show Prophet’s mercy on birds. He said, “Once the Prophet (pbuh) was sitting with one of his companions; then he saw a bird there flying around from this wall to that wall in this area. The Prophet said, ‘anything have happened to this bird; someone has taken the chick of this bird’. One of the men sitting there said, yes. The Prophet said, ‘Put the chick back and children or something.’ All these stories and others show that this man had mercy for everything around him.”

 Earlier Dr al-Dubayan mentioned one of the sayings of Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, wherein the Prophet said, ‘Those who have mercy Allah will have mercy on them’. In order to elaborate that, Dr al-Dubayan gave an example, he said, “Once a woman who used to be working as a prostitute profession or word in Arabic which shows that this woman is working or doing this work. She was walking happily. She found a dog. This story was told by him. She found a dog, the dog was so thirsty; there was a well; you know the wells were too deep; and then the dog was going around the well because she was so thirsty trying to find a way to quench thirst; or access to the water but the water was so deep down. The Prophet said, ‘When the woman sees the dog; she thought my god; the dog is very thirsty; then she took her shoes, went down to the well, put water into the shoes and give it to the dog’. Actually, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Allah thanks for this and everything she has done’; compare between the sin itself is very big and see the action for which she was forgiven is very small compared to that, just giving water to the dog. How merciful is Allah. God Himself is very Merciful.”

 Dr. al-Dubayan mentioned another story which was said by the Prophet peace be upon him. The Prophet (pbuh) told the story: “A woman actually was put in fire because she locked a cat in her home. She did not feed the cat, she did not release the cat out; she locked the cat that is a very big sin of the woman.” Another example was: “A man said, ‘I wanted to slaughter a goat for food, when I saw her, the goat, I had mercy on my heart. He hesitates to slaughter. He has mercy; because of this mercy Allah will have mercy for him.”

That’s why, because of this, in the Qur’an Allah Himself told us that ‘We only send you, Muhammad, as Rahmatullil Alamin, Mercy for Mankind.’ The Prophet (peace be upon him), all his life, he never treated people in his house or Companions, or children or women in a bad way at all. This is actually always encouraging people talk in the mosque because for everybody the value of mercy is very important. This is very important for all of us or for all religions and all religions by the way talk about mercy,” mentioned Dr. al-Dubayan.

 The ICC chief said, “The problem comes always in the practice; when it comes to implement this actually into in our daily action, in our daily communications; in our daily sayings what we say; what we talk; it is not easy. We have to remember this value. I believe Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) himself throws this aspect that I have mentioned to you in his life; is a very good model or the best model actually with the value of mercy.”

 Dr. al-Dubayan also mentioned, “We connect this, of course, with Jesus Christ (peace be upon him) who also well known for his mercy; his messages on mercy; of course I am not going to preach Jesus Christ in the Church. If we connect also to other Prophets - Zakariyah, Jacob, Joseph, Abraham, Moses (peace be upon them all) - all of them we will find actually this aspect - taking care of other people - is always there; and always valid and always available; you may see it here, you may actually hear here very clear; see it here; no way hidden or written but need some interpretations. It is always there. Because we believe Allah chosen these people; God chosen all these Prophets because they have the ability; they have actually spread this message; they can deliver this message to us; firstly the value is the only thing that we really need today in connection with other people. This is not only, the Prophet said, this is not only for Muslims; this is for everyone; it is for mankind; for any human being; for all the mankind.”

 

“This mercy is not only for human beings, not only for animals; but of course for everybody; it is even for nature around itself; there are rules in Islam about nature; how to protect natural resources; not wasting things,” said Dr. al-Dubayan and mentioned one of the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), “If anybody kills a bird or small bird (sometimes people do it just for fun), who kills a bird without any need a small bird like the small sparrow as we see in the garden, whatever that may be, he will be asked in the day of judgement, ‘why you kill this bird.’ We have to remember this in our communication in our relation.”

 The Director General of the Islamic Cultural Centre said, “That’s the message of today and that’s the message I have taken today only particularly from the life of the Prophet (peace be upon him); of course there are lots of stories, there are lots of sayings by him besides the verses of the Qur’an about mercy; how beautiful how important how must do we have all these things are around everything.”

 Dr. al-Dubayan mentioned another Hadith. He said, “In another Hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, ‘Allah will reward you for anything, even if you have one date and you cut it into two and then you give it to somebody;’ just half of a date can you image; something very cheap; sometimes we think it’s a easy thing, a silly thing; but Allah counts everything; everything is counted. Any soul you feed or give it is a charity; even the good words you say it to somebody; it’s a charity. Even the smile when you meet somebody in the street, you just smile to make other people happy; this is a charity. This the Prophet (pbuh) said. Even when you take a food and you give it to the mouth of your wife to show her your love; to show her that you love her and appreciate everything that she did for you. This is a charity. Allah will also give you reward. Even the small thing we sometimes forget. All time all that somebody wants to be remembered how value the charity is for the cause of God. That’s why I am doing it.”

 Questions & Answers sessions

After this, there was a Questions & Answers session when many questions were asked for more elaborate discussions and clarifications; these included about definitions of Mercy and distinctions between mercy, generosity and compassion. Dr. Al-Dubayan was also asked to explain charity and its distinction and differences between charity and sadaqa and also the differences between sadaqa and Zakat. There was a lively discussion on many other related topics.

 

*First published in November 2017