Unwavering Faith

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّ حِيْمِ

Prophet Jacob (as) taught his sons one very important principle, after they began to express remorse for their treatment and actions against their younger brother.  He said to them;

 

And never give up hope of Allah’s soothing mercy: truly no one despairs of Allah’s soothing mercy, except those who have no faith.  (12:87)

 

To have real, unwavering faith in Allah is something easier said than done.  Especially when we are faced with moments of emotional unrest.  However we must always remember and be assured of the help from Allah.  He testifies to this in His Holy Words;

 

When comes the help of Allah.  (110:1)

 

We sometimes cannot comprehend Allah’s working and His Wisdom and sometimes we may try our utmost to make a perceived unfavourable situation favourable.  Yes we have to try to seek out goodness and comfort; but remember your Lord is All Knowing and Wise. 

 

Help comes from Allah and no other creature.  Prophet Jacob (as) knew this and therefore didn’t retaliate emotionally to his sons.  He demonstrated immaculate patience and left the situation in the Hands of Allah.  For us this is something difficult to do at times.  To sit quietly and exercise patience when your emotions are running high.  Unfortunately emotional retaliation has the world in the state it is in today.

 

Allah demonstrated His Help and Guidance throughout the life of His Beloved Messenger Muhammad (pboh).  He says in Surah Dhuhaa;

 

Did He not find thee an orphan and give thee shelter (and care)?  And He found thee wandering, and He gave thee guidance.  And He found thee in need, and made thee independent.  (93:6-8)

 

And Prophet (pboh) was sent as an exemple for us.  Put your faith and trust in Him and always remember He is the One Who helps.  Yes, it requires patience and this is the advice Jacob (as) gave his sons; SabrunJameelun – patience is most fitting: it is Allah (alone) Whose help can be sought.

 

Whatever Allah has written for you; you will get it.  That has been decreed by Allah and He never changes His Word.  One thing we must try to develop is patience and trust in our Lord.  He is All-Knowing and Wise and nothing escapes His Knowledge.  He will act at the most appropriate time.  Learn to look with interest at the plan Allah has for you.  And if something should happen that may not be entirely favourable there is wisdom behind it.

 

Believers learn to put their faith in their Lord.  And we are taught to supplicate to Allah regularly and earnestly as He once told Prophet Musa (as), “O Musa! Ask Me for everything, even the mending of your shoelace”. 

 

He says ‘Call on Me and I will respond’.  Then why not do it; especially at times of emotional unrest.  Remember this acronym DAD: Dua-Adverts-Decree.  If something is written to happen to you and you make dua to Allah; He will still allow it to happen but possible in another dimension such as a dream, etc. 

 

Islam establishes in our minds and hearts to put unwavering faith and trust in Allah.  And Prophet Muhammad (pboh) epitomises this.  One beautiful example was when he (pboh) and Abu Bakr (ra) were migrating to Madinah. They hid from those who wanted Prophet (pboh) dead.  When the unbelievers were nearby Abu Bakr (ra) became worried that they would  be caught and Prophet (pboh); realising the fear of Abu Bakr (ra), said to him “have no fear, for Allah is with us”.  Allah records this incident in Surah Tawba.

 

Allah will try us to test our faith, just as he subjected His beloved Messengers to trials and tests. And He may also possible punish us in order to remove the stains and blemishes we may have accumulated over time.  None of us are sinless and it is indeed much better to ‘burn off’ our black spots in this world rather than the hereafter.  This is why we a taught to pray;

 

Our Lord! Punish us not if we forget or fall into error.  Our Lord! Lay not on us a burden like that which You did lay on those before us. Our Lord! Put not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Pardon us and grant us Forgiveness. Have mercy on us. (2:286)

 

Let us try to develop true faith and trust in our Lord. May He make us firm in this struggle. May He make us from amongst those who will never question His workings and may He always take care of all of our affairs and never leave us to our own command with our limited understanding and knowledge.

 

We ask Allah to forgive us all especially those who have passed away.  In particular we remember our brother, uncle and friend Hakim Mohammed who passed away last Saturday.  Br. Hakim was a student of our weekly zikir sessions, a graduate and eventual teacher of the Markaz al Ihsaan.  We beg Allah to forgive him for any and all of his shortcomings and to purify and sanctify his resting place, insha Allah.

 

 

Transcript of discourse delivered by

Maulana Dr. Waffie Mohammed
At his weekly Zikir session held at the Hermitage Masjid