Vicegerency: A divine gift

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّ حِيْمِ

After Allah created the entire universe and He had perfected the earth, then He created man, with the capability and capacity of becoming His representative on earth.  Because of the fact that man was a new species in creation, the angels and jinn were unable to assess his capacity and capability.  When it was announced to them that Adam was to be Allah’s representative on earth, they were shocked and surprised.

Adam was specially blessed by Allah in many ways.  On one hand, he was to manifest the Divine Attributes in the dealing with the rest of the creatures; and on the other hand, he was given some knowledge which was unknown to the others.

In addition to all these blessings, it was made possible for him and his progeny to meet his Lord as a human being with both body and soul.  This was made evident by Prophet Muhammad (pboh) on the night of Miraj.

Although the names of all created things were impressed in the knowledge of Adam it is left for his progeny to discover and use them as they see fit.  Perhaps, that is one of the reasons why it is believed that science discovers names of things as each name gives a concept of something that is existence.

New discoveries of things in nature confirm the Message of the Qur’anic verse in which Allah says that every day He is manifesting Himself in some form of Glory (55:29).

At the beginning Adam was not fully aware of the effect that prohibited things were to have on a person.  It was only when he tasted the tree that he realized the reason for remembering the Commands to uphold the do’s and avoid the don’ts.

With the coming of Prophet Muhammad (pboh) Allah gave clear and complete guidance regarding believers’ indulgence in permissible and avoidance of prohibited.  Allah re-enforced the message with examples of events, etc. of bygone times to help us comprehend the message in a more meaningful way.

Satan does not like the status of man in the universe and his capability of ascent back to the Creator.  As a result, he vowed to prevent this from happening by making man forget the commands, and by decorating the evil in order to divert him from the Right Way.

As indulgence in evil creates a weight on the doer of the act, he or she will not be able to rise up on the way to the Lord. Such actions will also restrict the penetration of the light of the soul in the cells of the body, so that the person will be resurrected without any light in the body and will ultimately be confined to hell.

 

Transcript of discourse delivered by

Maulana Dr. Waffie Mohammed

Can we see the Prophet (pboh)?

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّ حِيْمِ

We often say Ash-hadu anla ilaha illallaah Wa Ash-hasu anna Muhammadar Rasuulullaah; I testify that there is no god but Allah and I testify that Muhammad (pboh) is Allah's Messenger.

In order to testify definitely that there is no God but Allah we rely upon the testimony of Prophet Muhammad (pboh), because he was taken up in the Divine Presence of Allah.  And Allah says in His Holy Words; 

There is no god but He: that is the witness of Allah, His angels, and those endued with knowledge, (3:18)

So whether we can conceptualised this fact or not we accept it because Prophet Muhammad (pboh); that one who never spoke a lie and who is the most trusted said so.  So we accept it wholeheartedly.

The next part of the declaration of faith is the testimony that Muhammad (pboh) is Allah’s last Messenger.  How can we verify this statement? 

Firstly, Allah tells us this; so we accept it.  It is also necessary for us to experience and to gain knowledge about whatever Allah tells us.  That is why He says; 

Men who celebrate the praises of Allah, standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and contemplate the (wonders of) creation in the heavens and the earth, (with the thought): "Our Lord! not for naught hast Thou created (all) this! Glory to Thee! Give us salvation from the penalty of the Fire.  3:191

What then about the finality of the Messenger?  Every Messenger who came before brought something about the messenger, but they never brought the comprehensive message.  How then can we say with certainty that Muhammad (pboh) is the last Messenger?

Allah says in Qur’an ‘take note that amongst you is the Messenger of Allah’.  And the Qur’an contains the message for all times, not just during the life of Prophet (pboh).  Some scholars interpret this ayat to mean that it is his sunnah that is with us.  They also say the recitation of Al Qur’an is another way that he is with us because he taught us its recitation.

Whilst these are all true the ayat reflects more than that.  For example he is reported to have said: “Whoever sees me in a dream actually sees me”.  What does that mean? 

In other narrations we see that when a person is being questioned in the grave he visits them while the angels are questioning the person.  Physically he is not with us but he still maintains a connection with us.

This is possible why Allah says ‘amongst you is the Messenger of Allah’ 

Understand that you don’t have to wait until the time of death comes in order for you to have vision of the Beloved Prophet (pboh).  If you purify yourself and connect to him, insha Allah you can achieve it in this realm.

May Allah bless us and enable us to connect and attach ourselves to His Beloved (pboh) in this world and the next.

Transcript of discourse delivered by

Maulana Dr. Waffie Mohammed

Our Wasila

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّ حِيْمِ

If you have to meet any important dignitary’s it is necessary that you get all the knowledge of the protocol.  That is just for ordinary human beings; what about the meeting with the Lord?

Allah wants us to approach Him in a particular way.  In order to get this done properly He gives us a command which He says in Surah Maa-idah; 

O ye who believe! Do your duty to Allah, seek the means of approach unto him, and strive with might and main in His cause: that ye may prosper.  (5:35)

Scholars discuss this particular principle in many ways but one thing they all agree on is that if you want to get to Allah you have to follow Prophet Muhammad (pboh).  Why, because he already met Allah and he is already aware of the etiquettes of getting to Allah.

So in essence what Allah is really telling us is; O you who believe; follow the Prophet (pboh).  Make him your wasila.  A wasila is like a middle person; therefore make Prophet (pboh) your means of getting closer to Allah.

We worship only Allah and do not ascribe any partners with Him.  This is something that is very clear to all Muslims.  We can go directly to Allah because He says ‘if you call on Me, I will respond’.  But there are many things which require some bit of information or example in order that we may maximise our capacity and capability in the short period of time.  That is why we need to tread that path that will not waste our time and resources.  That is called Siratal Mustaqeem.

Prophet Muhammad (pboh) is the best model and vehicle to take us to Allah.  Because Allah says 

And As one who invites to Allah’s (grace) by His leave, and as a Lamp spreading light.  (33:46)

He invites you to go to Allah and to take you along and to show you the path.  The path to Allah is Siratal Mustaqeem; that is the straight path; for which we always pray.  Allah says about the Prophet (pboh); 

So hold thou fast to the Revelation sent down to thee; Verily thou art on a straight way.  (43:43)

If the Prophet (pboh) is on the straight path and we want to get on the straight path; what then do we have to do?  We have to follow him (pboh).  As a result Allah says to us; 

Say: If you love Allah, then follow me.  (3:31)

That is why Prophet Muhammad (pboh) is our wasila.  He is that one who connects us with our Lord.  Why do we need to follow him if Allah gave us a Book of which is guidance?  You will see for example even in the time of the Companions they always looked towards the Prophet (pboh) for help and guidance; even though they were taught the Qur’an directly from him.  One simple example is that he taught us the times for salaat.  Allah commands us to establish our salaat, however nowhere in the Qur’an is the specific period of  timings mentioned.

He taught us how to follow the straight path to get to Allah.  So when Allah says seek the means of approach unto him we can take it to possibly mean; follow the Prophet (pboh) and make him your model and guide.  He is Siratal Mustaqeem.

The next very important point is that Prophet Muhammad (pboh) is very concerned for the believers.  Can you imagine how he will feel if we are deliberately going on the wrong path?  And he is connected to us, as Allah says; 

And know that among you is Allah’s Messenger.  (49:7)

And the Qur’an is a message for all times.  Allah didn’t say it was only relevant when he was alive.

Has his mission come to an end or does it still continue?  My dear friends, there are those who keep in constant contact with the Holy Prophet (pboh).  In other places in the Qur’an Allah says he and the angels pray for us; 

And the Messenger had asked forgiveness for them, (4:64)

If you want to get close to Allah then get as close to His Beloved (pboh) as much as possible.  Any form of disrespect to him will render your deeds null and void.  Get closer to Allah by showing love and honour for Prophet Muhammad (pboh) and following his way.  Connect to Allah through him and insha Allah you will have no regrets.

May Allah increase our love and attachment to His Beloved (pboh) and through him as our wasila may we attain closeness to Him, insha Allah.

Transcript of discourse delivered by

Maulana Dr. Waffie Mohammed

The best of peoples

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّ حِيْمِ

Allah tells us in the Holy Quran;

‘Ye are the best of peoples, evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in Allah’  (3:110)

After Allah sent 124000 Messengers; after He gave so much tangible care and blessings to the previous nations, He then sent Prophet Muhammad (pboh).  And with his coming, we didn’t see any such visible favours.  Of course, generosity flowed from his personality; but compared to how Allah treated the Israelites, for example; He did not treat the Muslims like that.  The Muslims were subjected to a lot of trials in the early stage of Islam.

And in spite of it all, Allah says in His Holy Words, that we are the best of people that emerge from mankind.  Why did Allah say so, and what is it that makes us the best?  There are many reasons; but today we will just touch a few.

Firstly, one tangible reason is that Muslims are the only people that have been given a piece of paradise on earth.  No other nation has this great blessing.  Prophet Muhammad (pboh) is reported to have said “the area between my house and my minbar is one of the gardens of Paradise”.

Another important reason is that, Allah created Prophet Muhammad (pboh) very special.  He was invited to the presence of the Lord on the blessed night of the Mir’aj, and on our behalf; he was able to witness all of the unseen verities.  He is our witness to those things that you cannot experience through your senses.  What are angels, paradise, Hell, Who is Allah?  We cannot get surety of this through our five senses.  But we are sure about, is that Prophet Muhammad (pboh) was invited to witness all of these; and because he never told a lie we accept his testimony with full convection.  When Moses delivered the message to his people they use to question him

Allah says;

There is no god but He: that is the witness of Allah, His angels, and those endued with knowledge, (3:18)

We know that Prophet Muhammad (pboh) never told a lie nor said anything out of his personal desires; so if he says there is no God but Allah; we take it.  This is another reason why we are the best of people.  We have been given first-hand knowledge of the unseen verities through the witness of Prophet (pboh).

Another reason, is that Prophet Muhammad (pboh) was invited in the presence e of Allah; and he was given a special blessing that night which we call salaat.  Allah gave him a special gift and sent him back to earth; and continues to bestow this special blessing upon him because Allah never changes His habit;

The nature (i.e. the habit and practice) of Allah, is the nature He has bestowed on mankind.  Allah does not change His habit; that is the Straight Way, but a lot of people cannot understand. (30:30)

So Prophet Muhammad (pboh) is a real gift to humanity because he is receiving a special gift from Allah that he distributes to mankind.  This special blessing is received on behalf of human beings and anyone who attaches themselves to him shares in it, even up to today.  No other Messenger was given this special blessing.

When Allah says we are the best; this is one of the reasons why.  Regardless of the time period; so long you are one of his followers and engage in darood you continue to get that special blessings that will coming to you, because of your recitation of the zikr. 

Perhaps this is one of the reasons why he is reported to have said ‘he who reads a single Durood upon me, Almighty Allah blesses him ten times, ten of his sins are forgiven, and he is increased ten times in stages’.

Understand that we are special in the sight of Allah and it is important for us to remain at our best in this world and in the next.  One way of doing this is to send abundant darood on the Messenger; a simple formula that has great returns.

May Allah bless us, guide us and take care of our affairs.

Transcript of discourse delivered by

Maulana Dr. Waffie Mohammed

Al Kauthar: A Divine Gift

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّ حِيْمِ

As a special blessing to the Believers in the Oneness of Allah and the Last Day, Allah gave to them, through His beloved Messenger Muhammad (pboh), Al Kauthar - abundance of good, generosity, overflowing.  Such a blessing was not given to any one before the coming of the Prophet (pboh) and will continue to benefit Muslims in this world and in the Hereafter.

The promise of Kauthar to the Prophet (pboh) was made when the Muslims were few in numbers and Allah had taken back the son of the Messenger, so the detractors of Islam were propagating the belief that Islam will die out after the Prophet’s demise, due to the fact that he was not leaving any male issue behind him to carry on his mission.

Perhaps, they were looking at the ways adopted by Father Abraham who prayed sincerely to the Lord to bestow on him a righteous son who was to preserve and propagate the noble mission he started.

The Kuffar were also conscious of the fact that the small number of Believers would be unable to effect economic and political change at that time. This situation could have been a cause for concern, had not Allah made it known that “truth will finally prevail over falsehood”. The Kuffar did not have the foresight to see that Islam was to spread all over the earth.

The Kuffar in Makkah at that time were thinking like the brothers of Joseph, who taught that Joseph was an insignificant little brother and they were a powerful group, so, if Joseph was put away their influence would have prevailed. That was not to be.

So the revelation of Al-Kauthar was an assurance to the Believers that the mission of the Prophet was not going to fail, and that anyone who accepted him as the Final Messenger, was to be successful in this world and in the next. This assurance continues even to this day.

The blessings conferred on the Prophet (pboh) through Kauthar are immense and numerous. Some are:

1.   Believers will be blessed upon entering Paradise as they will be given a drink from Al Kauthar which is a fountain by the gate of Paradise.

2.     Generosity and abundance flowed from the personality of the Prophet (pboh) while he was living amongst the people. For example, as soon as Haleema took him, she immediately felt her bosom was full of milk and she was able to nurse him and her son from then onwards. Also her sick donkey and old camel became energized and they led the homeward journey with the women whom they accompanied to Makkah.

3.     From the time Haleema went back home with him, her animals never suffered for lack of feed, as, her lands were always full of grass to feed her sheep and goats.

4.    The Prophet (pboh) provided many miracles of giving his followers water and even food at times from sources they did not know.

5.      Many companions were cured by the touch of the Prophet (pboh).

6.     All those who sent and are sending Darood and Salaams upon him are blessed in this life and will be blessed in the next.

7.    The Prophet (pboh) will light up the grave of all the believers when they are buried; as he will visit them; and because he is described by Allah as siraajun muneera their graves will not remain dark

8.    On the day of Qayamah he will be looking for those who truly maintained love for and will intercede on their behalf.

Believers should thank Allah for enabling them to be from amongst the brotherhood of those who will be happy to be part of the “spiritual family” of the Prophet (pboh).

Transcript of discourse delivered by

Maulana Dr. Waffie Mohammed