Unconditional submission

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّ حِيْمِ

We are coming to the end of another year, and Allah has selected to leave with us a very important lesson that centres around the family of Hazrat Abraham (as). Always remember that religious benefits of everything you do will always be dependent on your intention. Prophet Muhammad (saw) is reported to have said “actions are judged on intentions”.

Allah has indicated to us that there are those who misrepresent religion. For example some may pray their salaat for show. Allah says;

‘Just look at him, who belies the religion!’ (107:1)

Some people may appear to do good but their intention is not for the sake of Allah . And this is really an unfortunate thinking. Allah has selected the event of the ritual sacrifice all through the years to teach us about perfect submission. Can you imagine the occasion of the sacrifice that Abraham (as) had to perform? He first thought that the most loved thing he had to sacrifice was his wealth so he sacrificed 300 camels in 3 days. 100 camels per night, but he kept getting the same dream over and over. He then realised that the most loved thing was his son, and he did not hesitate. We can see here that his family was prepared to live and die for Allah . Nothing was too much to give to their Lord. And this should be the attitude we should all strive to attain.

They did it in the spirit of submission; and we should look at this event and judge ourselves. Are we prepared to live and die for our Lord, unconditionally? Remember Allah says;

‘It is not their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah. It is your piety that reaches Him: He has thus made them subject to you, that ye may glorify Allah for His guidance to you and proclaim the good news to all who do right’. (22:37)

Be careful when it comes to your qurbani, because sometimes we see that the intentions of some are not for the sake of Allah . They do it for ulterior reasons. This is not true qurbani. Abraham (as) sacrificed 300 camels and was unconcerned with the outcome of the meat, because at that time Makkah was not largely populated. Don’t jeopardise your qarbani. Don’t look at it as just a ritual. We are doing this to increase our taqwa. We are doing this to earn the pleasure and love of Allah .

In the most serious situation such as the occasion of the qurbani Satan will come to contaminate your mind and your intention just as he tried with Hazrat Ishmael (as). So seek protection against him with Allah , especially during this time.

As we make our sacrifice we should also resolve to love Allah more, to submit to Him more, and be ridgId and firm against Satan. Believers are supposed to be those who are prepared to give everything for the sake of Allah and reject Satan in a way that he will never want to get close to us. Remember that just as the animal is helpless in our hands, we are also helpless in the Hands of Allah . He can do whatever He wants. Allah is As Samad. One of the possible meanings of this is that He is above all physical laws and that no one can question His Authority. We cannot question the Wisdom of Allah . We must also understand that nothing escapes His knowledge or Attention. Every single thing is in His Knowledge and Divine Presence.

May Allah permit us to have a blessed, enjoyable sacrifice and may He accept all our efforts and may He cause us to rise with the righteous, insha Allah.

Managing your time

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّ حِيْمِ

Allah says in Surah Yaseen;

“If We grant long life to any, We cause him to be reversed in nature: will they not then understand?” (36:68)

From time to time we see young, powerful people diminish in strength as they get older. And Allah is asking in the ayat above if we pay no heed to this. This ayat teaches us that it is imperative that we manage our strength and youth properly because one day it is quite possible that we can revert back to earlier stage of our life, when we were weaker and needed assistance in completing the simplest of task.

Allah makes mention of this in many other places in the Qur’an. For example in Surah Hajj Allah says ‘then do we bring you out as babes, then (foster you) that ye may reach your age of full strength; and some of you are called to die, and some are sent back to the feeblest old age, so that they know nothing after having known (much), and (further)’

We need to understand the importance of managing our time properly. A lot of the inhabitants of hell will be those who didn’t manage their youth and strength. A day will come where there will be much regret. You can have all the time and wealth in your life and still you may not be able to use it to your benefit because of ill health, because of weakness in health etc.

Always remember that one day we will have to leave this world and return to our Lord. What we have to keep in mind and be conscious about if what exactly are we doing in order to earn the Garden. Don’t let the distractions of this world divert you and take you off-course. Allah gives us a beautiful parable of how we should live our lives in this world in Surah Ibrahim;

‘Seest thou not how Allah sets forth a parable? - a goodly word like a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches (reach) to the heavens,- of its Lord. So Allah sets forth parables for men, in order that they may receive admonition’. (14:24)

Are you a “goodly tree” that is bringing benefit to yourself and others? Or are you going about your life like animal? Only thinking of yourself and causing distress to others. One action that can help us become a goodly tree and will bring about great benefit in both worlds is the servitude of humanity. Helping others sincerely and only for the pleasure of Allah .

And Allah has given a great consolation for the believers. For example Allah says in Surah Nahl;

‘What is with you must vanish: what is with Allah will and We will certainly bestow, on those who patiently persevere, their reward to the best of their actions. Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has faith, to him will We give a new life, a life that is good and pure and we will bestow on their reward according to the best of their actions’. (16:96-97)

He will elevate all the good deeds of a believer to the level of the highest / best deed performed. Meaning that if you receive immense reward for one particular deed, all your other good deeds will be upgraded to that level. And as mentioned in the ayat this blessing is applicable to both the believing men and women. How generous is our Lord.

Benefit from this beautiful life because one day you will have to go. Prophet Muhammad (saw) is reported to have said ‘health is wealth’ so we should all manage it and use it wisely. In another narration it is said that on the Day of Judgement a man will be willing to sell an entire field just to get a ride on a camel to the point of assembly. Get distracted you will regret it. Stick to your focus, which is the straight path, because it will eventually bring you to the blessed ones.

Make your vein, your mind and your blood say Allahu. Forget the doubters and you’ll have no regrets. The time to get serious is now; don’t wait when your health diminishes. Live your life only for the pleasure of Allah and you’ll have no regrets. Sometimes you will be frustrated, sometimes you may feel down and out but always remember that Allah loves you and if you have faith and trust in Him, He will take care of you and on that day the meeting with Him will be a most blessed one. We are not getting any younger so manage your time wisely because there will come a time when you may want to act but it may be too late. May Allah give us the understanding of managing our time, our health and our wealth properly and in a manner pleasing to Him, insha Allah.