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04-12-2024
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Friday Sermon (0044): Happiness
   
 
 
In the Name of Allah, The Most Gracious, Most Merciful  
 

Forward:

 Dear believing brothers, when a person sees the delights, adornments and all sorts of pleasures of Dunia (the worldly life), and when he watches all these things, knowing that they are out of his reach, he feels deeply hurt. 

 Watching a luxurious mansion which is surrounded with green gardens, a fancy passing vehicle, an elegant department store, a well furnished office that smells of wealth, a ranch that is located in a fascinating resort with a vast yard in the middle and the like of the vanity of Dunia, could make someone say to himself, "How happy those people are! How lucky they are!" Also, he may let his hopes go wild, so he says, "I wish I could own what they own."

The feeling of inferiority and its healing through Quran:

 Dear brother, what are the negative effects of these sighs? What bad impact do these tempting images have on the heart? They cause you to have a feeling of inferiority and insignificance, they make you feel deprived and miserable and they make you think that Allah randomly gives and deprives whoever He wants without any law or system. Some people might go too far with their wrong ideas and think that the religious are but people who turn to the religion in order to make up for what they lack and need, because they are deprived of the enjoyments of Dunia. 

 Dear brother, this is not but a state of serious illness that is caused by the shaky faith, deviated notions and narrow-mindedness. Actually, such a state entails a special treatment which is only found in the Noble Quran in which Allah puts healing to the souls, purification to the hearts and guidance to that which is most just and right. The healing of this state of illness is within Quran, and it is for whoever looks to those who are superior to him in Dunia. Herein the lies the point; why do we aim at being blessed by the Quran instead of comprehending it while reciting it? Why do we reauthor Quran gleefully, instead of attentively? Why do we resort to reading Quran when we get older, instead of reading it when we are still young? Why do we read it at the cemetery instead of reading it in the halls of palaces? Why do we read it for the deceased instead of reading it for the alive? Why do we read it, yet we seek cure elsewhere?

 Dear brother, let us see how Quran treat the aforementioned state of illness. Quran deals with this state in a very delicate way and through indirect and attractive narrative style, Allah says:

“Verily, Qarun (Korah) was of Musa's (Moses) people, but he behaved arrogantly towards them. And We gave him of the treasures, that of which the keys would have been a burden to a body of strong men. When his people said to him: "Do not be glad (with ungratefulness to Allah's Favours). Verily! Allah likes not those who are glad (with ungratefulness to Allah's Favours)* But seek, with that (wealth) which Allah has bestowed on you, the home of the Hereafter, and forget not your portion of legal enjoyment in this world, and do good as Allah has been good to you, and seek not mischief in the land. Verily, Allah likes not the Mufsidun (those who commit great crimes and sins, oppressors, tyrants, mischief-makers, corrupts)* He said: "This has been given to me only because of knowledge I possess." Did he not know that Allah had destroyed before him generations, men who were stronger than him in might and greater in the amount (of riches) they had collected. But the Mujrimun (criminals, disbelievers, polytheists, sinners, etc.) will not be questioned of their sins (because Allah knows them well, so they will be punished without account)* So he went forth before his people in his pomp. Those who were desirous of the life of the world, said: "Ah, would that we had the like of what Qarun (Korah) has been given? Verily! He is the owner of a great fortune."* But those who had been given (religious) knowledge said: "Woe to you! The Reward of Allah (in the Hereafter) is better for those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and this none shall attain except those who are patient (in following the truth)."* So We caused the earth to swallow him and his dwelling place. Then he had no group or party to help him against Allah, nor was he one of those who could save themselves* And those who had desired (for a position like) his position the day before, began to say: "Know you not that it is Allah Who enlarges the provision or restricts it to whomsoever He pleases of His slaves. Had it not been that Allah was Gracious to us, He could have caused the earth to swallow us up (also)! Know you not that the disbelievers will never be successful* That home of the Hereafter (i.e. Paradise), We shall assign to those who rebel not against the truth with pride and oppression in the land nor do mischief by committing crimes. And the good end is for the Muttaqun (pious - see V.2:2)* Whosoever brings good (Islamic Monotheism along with righteous deeds), he shall have the better thereof, and whosoever brings evil (polytheism along with evil deeds) then, those who do evil deeds will only be requited for what they used to do.”

[Al-Qasas, 76-84]

Some stories from Quran:

 Dear brother, in this story there are lots of indications some of which we are discussing in this lecture, and we will leave discussing the other indications in the upcoming lectures insha' Allah.

“Verily, Qarun (Korah) was of Musa's (Moses) people, but he behaved arrogantly towards them. And We gave him of the treasures, that of which the keys would have been a burden to a body of strong men.”

[Al-Qasas, 76]

 Being wealthy is not in the favor of man if it is not accompanied with faith and uprightness. There are rare cases of rich believers concerning this fact. Those rich believers are humble and forbearing, and they spend their money (in the Cause of Allah) during the day and at night, secretly and publicly in order to draw closer to Allah. Moreover, they don't brag about the things they posses, nor do they go before people in their pomp making the poor spiteful and envious towards them. Their richness doesn't make them spend their money in extravagance, luxury and lavishness. They are not trapped in the vanity of Dunia, and their wealth doesn't cause them commit sin, act immorally or lead a dissolute life. Allah says:

“Verily, spendthrifts are brother of the Shayatin (devils), and the Shaitan (Devil - Satan) is ever ungrateful to his Lord.”

[Al-Isra', 27]

 Hence, richness, in most cases, leads to spendthrifts, lavishness, and dissipation, and it is the reason behind immortality, deviation and sinning.

 Listen to the Noble Quran; lavishness is mentioned in eight places, and in each place it is accompanied with mentioning Fisq (debauchery), Fujoor (dissoluteness) and Kufr (disbelief in Allah).

“And the chiefs of his people, who disbelieved and denied the Meeting in the Hereafter, and to whom We had given the luxuries and comforts of this life, said: "He is no more than a human being like you, he eats of that which you eat, and drinks of what you drink.”

[Al-Mu'minun, 33]

“How many a town (community), that were wrong-doers, have We destroyed, and raised up after them another people!* Then, when they perceived (saw) Our Torment (coming), behold, they (tried to) flee from it* Flee not, but return to that wherein you lived a luxurious life, and to your homes, in order that you may be questioned* They cried: "Woe to us! Certainly! We have been Zalimun (polytheists, wrong-doers and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah, etc.)."* And that cry of theirs ceased not, till We made them as a field that is reaped, extinct (dead).”

[Al-Anbiya', 11-15]

“If only there had been among the generations before you, persons having wisdom, prohibiting (sh3er) from Al-Fasad (disbelief, polytheism, and all kinds of crimes and sins) in the earth, except a few of those whom We saved from among them. Those who did wrong pursued the enjoyment of good things of (this worldly) life, and were Mujrimun (criminals, disbelievers in Allah, polytheists, sinners, etc.)* And your Lord would never destroy the towns wrongfully, while their people were right-doers.”

[Hud, 116-117]

“And We did not send a warner to a township, but those who were given the worldly wealth and luxuries among them said: "We believe not in the (Message) with which you have been sent."* And they say: "We are more in wealth and in children, and we are not going to be punished."* Say (O Muhammad PBUH): "Verily, my Lord enlarges and restricts the provision to whom He pleases, but most men know not."* And it is not your wealth, nor your children that bring you nearer to Us (i.e. pleases Allah), but only he (will please Us) who believes (in the Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds; as for such, there will be twofold reward for what they did, and they will reside in the high dwellings (Paradise) in peace and security.”

[Saba', 34-37]

“And similarly, We sent not a warner before you (O Muhammad PBUH) to any town (people) but the luxurious ones among them said: "We found our fathers following a certain way and religion, and we will indeed follow their footsteps."“

[Az-Zukhruf, 23]

“And those on the Left Hand Who will be those on the Left Hand?* In fierce hot wind and boiling water,* And shadow of black smoke, (That shadow)* neither cool, nor (even) good,* Verily, before that, they indulged in luxury,* And were persisting in great sin (joining partners in worship along with Allah, committing murders and other crimes, etc.)* And they used to say: "When we die and become dust and bones, shall we then indeed be resurrected?* "And also our forefathers?"* Say (O Muhammad PBUH): "(Yes) verily, those of old, and those of later times.* "All will surely be gathered together for appointed Meeting of a known Day.”

[Al-Waqi'ah, 41-50]

“And when We decide to destroy a town (population), We (first) send a definite order (to obey Allah and be righteous) to those among them [or We (first) increase in number those of its population] who are given the good things of this life. Then, they transgress therein, and thus the word (of torment) is justified against it (them). Then We destroy it with complete destruction.”

[Al-Isra', 16]

“Until, when We grasp those of them who lead a luxurious life with punishment, behold! They make humble invocation with a loud voice* Invoke not loudly this day! Certainly, you shall not be helped by Us.* Indeed My Verses used to be reauthord to you, but you used to turn back on your heels (denying them, and with hatred to listen to them).* In pride (they Quraish pagans and polytheists of Makkah used to feel proud that they are the dwellers of Makkah sanctuary Haram), talking evil about it (the Qur'an) by night* Have they not pondered over the Word (of Allah, i.e. what is sent down to the Prophet), or has there come to them what had not come to their fathers of old?* Or is it that they did not recognize their Messenger (Muhammad) so they deny him?”

[Al-Mu'minun, 64-69]

 Dear believing brother, these are eight places in Quran in which lavishness is mentioned alongside with Fisq (debauchery), Fujoor (dissoluteness), Kufr (disbelief in Allah) and Taktheeb (denial) of Allah's Ayaht and Messengers. Accordingly, having wealth without faith and uprightness, it is not considered an advantage in the Sight of Allah. On the contrary, it is considered a disadvantage, Allah says:

“And it is not your wealth, nor your children that bring you nearer to Us (i.e. pleases Allah), but only he (will please Us) who believes (in the Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds; as for such, there will be twofold reward for what they did, and they will reside in the high dwellings (Paradise) in peace and security.”

[Saba', 37]

 The Dunia is but evanescent vanity from which the Barr (pious) and the Fajir (corrupted) make us, and

((If the Dunia to Allah were equal to a mosquito’s wing, then He would not allow the disbeliever to have a sip of water from it))

 However, poverty is not, as some might assume, considered a privilege in the Sight of Allah, especially if it is not accompanied with faith and uprightness. Poverty sometimes is a barrier (between man and his Lord) and a cure. The truth is:

“Verily, the most honourable of you with Allah is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa [i.e. one of the Muttaqun (pious)] “

[Al-Hujuraat, 13]

 The most honorable of you, whether you are poor or rich is the pious, for the patient poor man is not better than the thankful rich one, the Prophet, peace be upon him, said:

((How wondrous the matter of a believer is, for there is good in all his affairs, and this is only for the believer. If something good happens to him and he is grateful, then this is good for him, and if a calamity befalls him and he is patient, then this is also good for him))

[Muslim, Ahmad and the Darami by Suhaib, May Allah be pleased with him]

 Dear brother, ask and invoke Allah with what your Prophet, peace be upon him, asked and invoked Him, for he often supplicated:

((O Allah, make the livelihood of Muhammad's family Kafafa (the minimum necessary of sustenance to support life).))

 It means that their sustenance suffice them, so that they won't be left necessitous or in need of sh3er. Yet it is not too much lest they spend lavishly.

((Whosoever begins the day feeling family security and good health; and possessing provision for his day is as though he possesed the whole world.))

 Dear brother, call yourselves to account before you are called to do so and weigh your deeds before they are weighed. You should know that the Angel of Death has been reaching sh3er and will reach us soon, so pay heed. The clever one is he who upbraids himself and works for what comes after death; and the weak one is he who follows his desires and lives on wishful thinking, and praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.

***

The second khutbah:

 Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds and and I testify that there is no god but Allah Alone, the Guardian of the pious, and I testify that our Master Mohammad is his slave and messenger, who is on an exalted standard of character.

Supplication:

 We beseech you Allah to show us the way of rightness, together with those to whom You have showed it; and give us good health, together with those whom You have healed; and be our Protector, together with those for whom You have become their Protector; and bless us in what You have bestowed on us and save us from the afflictions that You have decreed, for You rule with justice and You are never judged. 

 O Allah, increase us [in Your Blessings] and do not decrease us, honor us and do not humiliate us, give us [from Your Gifts] and do not deprive us, be in favor of us and not against us, and make us satisfied and be satisfied with us. O Allah, dignify us by Your generosity and don't make us lose our dignity in trials, turning to the worst among your creations, praising those who give us and dispraising those who don't, for You are the One who bestows and in Your hands only the treasures of heaven and earth. O Allah, please lead us to the good deeds, for no one leads to them but You and please save us from the bad deeds, for no one saves us from them but You.

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