بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّ حِيْمِ
Dear readers, the following is the transcript of the feature address given by Maulana Dr. Waffie Mohammed at the Graduation Ceremony of the Markaz Al Ihsaan held on Sunday 29th September 2013.
The Merciful Lord wants mankind to be special; to know and appreciate something of His Divine Wisdom; to live with a purpose in life; and to cultivate the correct focus along the journey back to Him. It was because He created man to know more about Him than any other creature in the universe that His first Revelation to the illiterate Arabs at that time was the Command to learn to read and write, while believing that He Alone is the Creator of the universe. He says:
Read in the name of your Lord Who has created; has created man from a clot. Read and your Lord is the Most Generous; Who has taught by the pen; has taught man that which he knew not. (96:1-5)
When Pharaoh wanted to dominate the Israelites, the first thing he did was to prohibit them from reading their book. After that he was able to get them to forget the Messages from the Lord, and ultimately commanded them to prostrate to him, as he was their god.
Jalaludding Rumi tells us about a conversation between a mule and a camel. It runs like this: the mule said to the camel; "how it is that when I am walking I find myself stumbling and falling down; and when you walk you never make any false step, nor do you stumble"? The camel replied that when he walks he looks up and in front of him, not like the mule that looks below its feet and is unable to see the danger that lies ahead.
Students of the Markaz Al Ihsaan are taught to look ahead with a fixed aim, purpose and focus in life; to know where the pitfalls on the journey of life are and how these can be avoided. The wise person has to learn how to move along cautiously when confronted with the challenges of life, all the time maintaining refinement of personality and speech; and avoiding inflicting stress and strain on others. He has to familiarize himself with the Islamic position in every situation; and strive hard to maintain a good connection with the Lord and a good relationship with fellow human beings.
Allah wants believers to develop beautiful personalities based on knowledge and refinement. He says:
Recite what is sent to you of the Book by Wahy, and establish regular prayer, for prayer prevents one from shameful and unjust deeds; and remembrance of Allah is the greatest; without doubt; and Allah is aware of all that you do. And do not dispute with the People of the Book; except with means that are better and more refined. (29:45-46)
Prophet Muhammad (pboh) is reported to have said:
Wisdom increases the honor of the noble and exalts a servant as high as to raise him to the land of the kings.
He is also reported to have said:
The best of people is a believing learned man, who does good when sought for, and when the people keep away from him he also stays away from them.
My dear students, as you move along the journey of life, you will realize that graduation marks the end of one part of the journey and the beginning of another. Make every effort to put into practice what you have learnt; and also teach it to others. A good way of reminding yourself about part of the mission of life is:
1. Teach what you know;
If you can abide by these simple reminders, Allah will cause your status to be elevated in this world and also in the next. He says:
Allah will rise up, to (suitable) ranks (and degrees), those of you who believe; and who have been granted) knowledge; and Allah is well- acquainted with all ye do.(58:11)
Prophet Muhammad (pboh) is reported to have said:
May Allah bless us all with guidance and protection; may He enable us to do His Work for His sake; may He cause us to leave this world believing in His Oneness and to rise with the righteous on the Day of Reckoning.
Congratulations to all those who have
received Certificates today. May Allah continue to bless you with love for
acquisition of Knowledge that will enable you to earn the best of both the worlds.
The acquisition of Knowledge is one of
the most sacred of all good deeds and pursuit of it is the best way to become
elevated in the sight of Allah and man. Allah says:
Say (O Muhammad); Are those who have
knowledge, equal to those who do not have knowledge? It is only those who are
endued with wisdom and understanding that will really be God conscious. (39:9)
The Merciful Lord wants mankind to be special; to know and appreciate something of His Divine Wisdom; to live with a purpose in life; and to cultivate the correct focus along the journey back to Him. It was because He created man to know more about Him than any other creature in the universe that His first Revelation to the illiterate Arabs at that time was the Command to learn to read and write, while believing that He Alone is the Creator of the universe. He says:
Read in the name of your Lord Who has created; has created man from a clot. Read and your Lord is the Most Generous; Who has taught by the pen; has taught man that which he knew not. (96:1-5)
When Pharaoh wanted to dominate the Israelites, the first thing he did was to prohibit them from reading their book. After that he was able to get them to forget the Messages from the Lord, and ultimately commanded them to prostrate to him, as he was their god.
Jalaludding Rumi tells us about a conversation between a mule and a camel. It runs like this: the mule said to the camel; "how it is that when I am walking I find myself stumbling and falling down; and when you walk you never make any false step, nor do you stumble"? The camel replied that when he walks he looks up and in front of him, not like the mule that looks below its feet and is unable to see the danger that lies ahead.
Students of the Markaz Al Ihsaan are taught to look ahead with a fixed aim, purpose and focus in life; to know where the pitfalls on the journey of life are and how these can be avoided. The wise person has to learn how to move along cautiously when confronted with the challenges of life, all the time maintaining refinement of personality and speech; and avoiding inflicting stress and strain on others. He has to familiarize himself with the Islamic position in every situation; and strive hard to maintain a good connection with the Lord and a good relationship with fellow human beings.
Allah wants believers to develop beautiful personalities based on knowledge and refinement. He says:
Recite what is sent to you of the Book by Wahy, and establish regular prayer, for prayer prevents one from shameful and unjust deeds; and remembrance of Allah is the greatest; without doubt; and Allah is aware of all that you do. And do not dispute with the People of the Book; except with means that are better and more refined. (29:45-46)
Prophet Muhammad (pboh) is reported to have said:
Wisdom increases the honor of the noble and exalts a servant as high as to raise him to the land of the kings.
He is also reported to have said:
The best of people is a believing learned man, who does good when sought for, and when the people keep away from him he also stays away from them.
My dear students, as you move along the journey of life, you will realize that graduation marks the end of one part of the journey and the beginning of another. Make every effort to put into practice what you have learnt; and also teach it to others. A good way of reminding yourself about part of the mission of life is:
1. Teach what you know;
2. Learn a little more than what you know;
3. Practice what you teach.
If you can abide by these simple reminders, Allah will cause your status to be elevated in this world and also in the next. He says:
Allah will rise up, to (suitable) ranks (and degrees), those of you who believe; and who have been granted) knowledge; and Allah is well- acquainted with all ye do.(58:11)
Prophet Muhammad (pboh) is reported to have said:
Whosoever removes a worldly grief from a
believer, Allah will remove from him one of the griefs of the Day of Judgment.
Whosoever alleviates the lot of a needy person, Allah will alleviate his lot in
this world and the next. Whosoever shields a Muslim, Allah will shield him in
this world and the next. Allah will aid a servant of His so long as the servant
aids his brother. Whosoever follows a path to seek knowledge therein, Allah
will make easy for him a path to paradise. No people gather together in one of
the houses of Allah, reciting the Book
of Allah and studying it among themselves, without tranquility
descending upon them, mercy enveloping them, the angels surrounding them, and
Allah making mention of them amongst those who are with Him.
May Allah bless us all with guidance and protection; may He enable us to do His Work for His sake; may He cause us to leave this world believing in His Oneness and to rise with the righteous on the Day of Reckoning.
