Wednesday, 3 July 2013

The Blessed Month

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّ حِيْمِ


Allah has created the entire universe and each segment functions according to the laws that He has prescribed for them.  For example He says;

Each (just) swims along in (its own) orbit (according to Law).  (36:40)

Allah is above all laws.  He is the One Who created the laws for the functioning of His creatures and those laws are not subject to change.  He says;

None can change His words.  (18:27)

Regarding human beings, Allah has given us a special facility and some special concessions.  For example Prophet Muhammad (pboh) is reported to have said that Allah says; “if the servant draws near to Me a hand span, I draw near to him an arm’s length; and if he draws near to Me an arm’s length, I draw near to him a fathom’s length.  And if he comes to Me walking, I come to him running”. (Bukhari)

Allah has given us the prerogative to choose.  And because we are humans and we do make mistakes Allah, out of His love for us, has created such occasions where we can have our wrong deeds wiped out and have our good deeds increased.  For example He says;

Allah doth blot out or confirm what He pleaseth: with Him is the mother of the Book.  (13:39)

Sometimes we have the notion that whatever goes into our book of deeds remains permanent and everlasting.  However we can have the evil deeds removed if Allah so wills and we make the appropriate effort.  For example there are the traditions concerning the benefits associated with worshiping on the 15th of Shabaan.  There are also many traditions in which Prophet Muhammad (pboh) makes mention of the benefits and rewards associated with the blessed month of Ramadhan.  One such is a Hadith Qudsi in which Prophet (pboh) reports that Allah says; “all the actions by the son of Adam are for him, except fasting for verily it is for Me and I shall reward him for it”.

We have on the horizon this special month allocated by Allah that contains so many blessings and benefits.  Prophet Muhammad (pboh) used to tell his companions ‘the month is coming’.  

Realistically, keeping the fast is not entirely easy; it has its challenges and in the past my experience was that in Ramadhan I had more responsibilities and work.  Allah wants to test us; because, if He has to wipe out our mistakes and faults there must be a good reason for doing so.  And that reason is keeping the fast sincerely for His sake; and being prepared to undertake the trials, difficulties and the hardships that come along with it.  

This month that is approaching has so much of beauty and blessings that we should cherish the fact that we are alive to observe it, insha Allah.  Ramadhan is the only principle factor of the unification of the hearts of believers all over the world. 

In Trinidad and Tobago we are blessed because the hours of fasting in the day are not too long.  In other countries, the Muslims have to fast for sometimes 19 and 20 hours.  We should thank our Lord for His continued mercies and make the best use it.

One thing that we should try to avoid in this month is not to get upset.  This can spoil our fast and we would all like to achieve the maximum blessings attainable from our fast.  It is sacrifice and challenge but try your best to keep your composure.  We all know the Qur’anic ayat;

O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint.  (2:183)

What is restraint?  When situations arise where you can take verbal or physical action; and you do otherwise, because you are reminded that you are fasting.  Try your best to bear with patience the irritable situations you will experience.

Finally, remember that Ramadhan is an institution which can help us to become a beautiful tree that can give shade and delicious fruits.  A tree doesn’t need the shade nor the fruits.  It  instead benefits  others.  Ramadhan can help us to cultivate those beautiful qualities in our personality that will makes us admirable to others. 

My dear friends, this would be our last zikir session and publication until after Ramadhan, insha Allah and I want to sincerely wish each and everyone a peaceful, successful and happy Ramadhan and may Allah bless us to experience something special; that being the visit of those special beings that He will be sending on a special night that will bring peace and tranquillity to the hearts of the true believers. 

Remember, the most effective and beneficial experience you can get is the feeling of peace and tranquillity.  We will have our trials and difficulties; in the past we had them and they are now gone.  We will experience them again maybe in a different form but it is still a trial so be prepared to do your part by showing patience and restraint. 

May Allah bless us, guide us, take care of us and enable us to observe the blessed month of Ramadhan in a manner most pleasing to Him and most beneficial to us. 


Transcript of discourse delivered by
Maulana Dr. Waffie Mohammed

The video presentation of this discourse can be accessed at



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Wednesday, 26 June 2013

Believing without reason and logic

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّ حِيْمِ



There are some things in our faith which cannot be explained through reason and logic.  In other words we cannot rationalize some of the things we do.  For example we are supposed to make wudu before salaat.  However if there is no water available or we can’t use water we are supposed to make Tayammum.  Tayammum is in no way comparable to wudu because you are not cleansing all the parts that you normally do when you’re performing wudu.  Then why do it?  This is something that cannot be explained rationally.  We believe and accept because that is what Allah has ordained for us.

So too, there are so many things that we cannot explain through scientific reasoning and logic; and, unfortunately some people, because they cannot find a suitable explanation, reject it totally or condemn it. 

For example according to our school of theology we have an understanding concerning the night of the 15th of Shabaan.  There are many traditions concerning the sacredness and benefits associated with this night.  One such belief is that a person’s sustenance is written on this night, another is that those who are to be born and those who will die for the following year is also written etc.  How can we explain these things rationally?  We cannot, and that is why we have faith in Allah. 

To become a Muslim the first thing a person says is I testify that there is no God but Allah.  Imagine those pagan Arabs who were idolaters; those who believed that Jesus (as) was God; others who believed that God somehow manifested Himself in an earthly form; and now you’re taught to say no God but Allah; that is something that comes only through faith because you cannot rationally prove the existence of God.

There is this philosophical problem termed ‘cause and effect’.  Every cause has an effect.  So we were created by God but then the problem arises, i.e. who created God?  Concerning this Prophet Muhammad (pboh) is reported to have said “Satan comes to one of you and says, ‘Who created so-and-so’; till he says, ‘Who has created your Lord?'  So, when he inspires such a question one should seek refuge with Allah and give up such thoughts”.  (Bukhari)

We need to understand that belief is something outside the realm of reason and logic.  Some people try to prove the unseen rationally.  For example have you ever seen an angel?  How can we prove the existence of angels rationally?  It’s difficult, that is why Allah begins the chapter of Baqarah with;

 Who believe in the Ghaib (unseen); (2:3)
 
Another example; how can you prove human beings possess a soul?  Has anyone seen it?  Many things we have to accept whether we can rationally prove it or not.

According to the teachings of Islamic spirituality these matters are outside the realm of reason and logic.  It is called religious experience and this can only be experienced.  It cannot be described.  You cannot tell me how sweet honey is; I have to taste it to really know.  When we say the term ‘I believe’ we are really implying that whether or not we can understand/prove we believe unconditionally.

Islamic spirituality is that realm of knowledge which is outside the references of reason and logic.  It is something that has to be experienced.  That is why a lot of Masha’ikhs do not disclose religious experiences; because of the potential backlash from those who cannot forgo rational thought. 

On the night of the Mir’aj Allah says that Prophet Muhammad (pboh) ascended higher and higher and then He revealed what He wanted to reveal.  What did Allah revealed?  No one knows.  How can the blessed Prophet (pboh) rationally describe such an experience?  The people doubted whether he travelled from Makkah to Jerusalem; what about his experiences in the heavens?

As we go along the path of Islamic spirituality always remember that it is not really permissible to discuss your religious experiences with any person.  You need to discuss it with your teacher or someone who he may refer you to.

For example there was once a great Masha’ikh called Mansur al-Hallaj.  During his time many of the Sufi masters felt that it was inappropriate to share religious experience with the masses, yet Al-Hallaj openly did so in his writings and through his teachings. He thus began to make enemies.  This was exacerbated by occasions when he would fall into trances which he attributed to being in the presence of God.  During one of these trances, he uttered Ana l-Ḥaqq - “I am The Truth”.  The masses could not understand what he truly meant and subsequently murdered him by severing limb from limb.  And when his blood flowed into a nearby river the words Ana l-Ḥaqq were formed.  How can we understand this rationally?

In the battle of Badr when the Muslim army were grossly outnumbered Allah through His Grace and Mercy send the angels to fight with the Muslims; and Companions reported that even before they could strike their blow the enemy was killed.  How can you explain this using scientific reason and logic.
As we go along this path you will hear people levelling the claim ‘bidah and shirk’.  In situations like these always remember the Qur’anic ayat; 

And the servants of (Allah) Most gracious are those who walk on the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say, “Peace”!  (25:63)

You will not be able to make an impression on these persons.  In the very beginning of the mission of man Satan confronted God with reason and logic.  He could not have seen that Adam (as) was endued with knowledge which he and the angels did not have.  That is an eye opener for all of us.


We need to go along with faith in Allah and in His Prophet (pboh) and whether we can understand it or not we do what we are expected to do.  Prophet Muhammad (pboh) demonstrated this in every way.  Do you think he knew that reasons for everything that was to happen?  For example when he was given the news that his grandson was to be martyred did he question?  He simply requested that he be brought the soil where his blessed grandson’s blood was to fall.

In Islamic spiritually you can get knowledge from Allah and He can take you closer to Him as He so desires. 

A lot of things people take for granted and they really do not know.  However, never condemn them.   They may be honest and sincere but were never exposed to these teaching and understandings and will thus have reservations.  When you experience this don’t get upset.  Instead be sympathetic and show love because all success lies through love.

If you show overflowing love for your Lord what do you think will happen?  Pursue this path with humility and sincerity and because we are touching on areas that are sensitive you will get comments and remarks; but just carry on with your own mission for success in this life and the next and let Allah take care of the rest.

May Allah bless us, enlighten us and protect us all insha Allah.

Transcript of discourse delivered by
Maulana Dr. Waffie Mohammed

The video presentation of this discourse can be accessed at