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

The Muslim Family

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّ حِيْمِ

Islam, the last of the Revealed Religions, gave to the world a concept of a family, which was either not known or practiced before. It informs us that the family began with the entry of the human species on earth, as Allah created Eve out of Adam and from both of them He caused the entire human family to grow. He tells us about this as follows:

O mankind, reverence your Guardian Lord, Who created you from a single nafs; and created from it its mate; and produced from both of them countless men and women. (4:1)

Just as how the children of a husband and a wife vary in color, size, etc. so too, the children of Adam and Eve varied in color, size and tribes as they were scattered all over the earth. Allah says:

O mankind, verily, We created you from a single pair of male and female, and made you into nations and tribes. (49:13)

The Merciful Lord gave every human being a body, a soul and a free will, conditioned by an intention. He gave guidelines for interaction with one another; whether it be the immediate family members or others. The common principles are supposed to be upheld at all times in all places and under all conditions.

So important are these qualities which every human being is supposed to develop, that the Imams in many Mosques all over the world conclude their Friday sermons with reminders to their congregations of the common universal principles for a good and healthy family life. 

When observed it will result in a co-operative and productive community for each one of them. Some of the verses of the Holy Qur’an advising the believers of living a purposeful and united life are:

Verily, Allah commands justice, the doing of good, and liberality to kith and kin. He forbids all shameful deeds, injustice and rebellion. (16:90)

Be loving, kind and merciful to others as Allah is towards to you. (28:77)
 
Do not wrong and be wronged. (2:279)

When these principles are practiced the family as a unit, and society at large, will develop a special outlook of life and a unique life style. They will allow themselves to be bound together as with a rope, and will not be separated; they will be helpful to one another, and will generally make life much easier in the neighborhood.

The Qur’an gives us a beautiful example of the negative impact on society when the family, or the members of the community, do not uphold the principles that bind them together; and the positive result of prosperity when a people live like a united body. All these are found in the Story of Joseph in the Qur’an.

In the beginning the brothers of Joseph were a selfish people desiring only their material benefits. In the process of achieving their goal they did not mind causing hurt and harm to their loving brother, Joseph and did not estimate the impact that harming him was to have had on the father.

They thought that material strength was the only ingredient necessary for success in life; they never stopped for one moment to ponder on the fact that life is not just for one day, and no one knows what is in store for him or her in the days ahead. They never realized that circumstances can reduce a person from abundant of wealth to destitution. The brothers of Joseph did not take note of a very important principle regarding the daily activities of every human being, i.e. it is very difficult to climb anywhere but it is very easy to slip and fall back to the ground

On the other hand, the outlook of Joseph, was totally different from that of his brothers. He was kind, polite, respectful to his parents, and was a very righteous son who was not selfish. This story brings out two important principles that are extremely necessary in creating unity and harmony in the family and in the society. They are:

1. Sabrun jameelun: to persevere with patience is a beautiful thing.
2. Laa tai-a-su min rawhillah; or laa taqnatu min rahmatullah: do not be despondent with the soothing Mercies of Allah.

Islam teaches that there must be co-operation with one another in doing good and resisting evil. Allah says:

Co-operate with one another in righteousness and piety, and do not co-operate with one another in sin and transgression. (5:2).

Every single believer in Allah has his or her individual responsibilities, as a unit in the family, and as a unit in society. Regarding one’s attitude towards family members Allah says:

Take care, (by educating, molding the personality and helping) your nearest family members. (26:214)

There are many people even in the Muslim Society who are prepared to preach to the world, and are quick to condemn others, but their own near and dear ones are living like the brothers of Joseph instead of the loving and kind, submissive brother of Benjamin.

Because the principles for a healthy united family and by extension the society, are Qur’anic injunctions, they are universal and become part of the Islamic Culture which is universal and are based on divine revelations. As such they remain constant and are binding on every one.

Every parent is expected to transmit the basic fundamentals of this beautiful way of life to their dependents. It begins with total expression of love and compassion for the younger ones and a similar pattern of conduct towards the elders when the child grows up. This is manifested in the prayer which the adult is taught to supplicate for parents. Allah says:

Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in your life, do not say a word of contempt (to them) nor repel them; but address them in terms of honor. And out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility, and say: My Lord, bestow on them Your Mercy, just as how they cherished me when I was small. (17:23-4)

One of the ways in which Islam brought out universal brotherhood is by inclusion of every believer, irrespective of race or color, into becoming a member of the family of believers. 

This is based on the Qur’anic injunction in which Allah Commands them as follows:

O you who believe, fear Allah as He should be feared, and do not die except in a state of complete submission (i.e. in Islam).And hold fast all of you to the rope of Allah as a community and be not separate. And keep in mind Allah’s blessings on you all, when you were enemies (i.e. selfish and divided among yourselves,) he joined your hearts with love and compassion; so that, by His Grace you became brethren. (3:102-3)

Allah made it known to Muslims that situations can arise in families which may cause disunity; and when removed the family can become, once again, a beautiful unit. Such situations form part of the Message contained in the story of Joseph in the Qur’an.

Through perseverance with patience, Jacob was finally able to get the ten sons to admit that they were wrong, and Joseph finally got them to seek forgiveness from him and from Allah for their treachery against him.

Islam came to unite mankind into one community, irrespective of race and color. Allah says:

Verily, this Brotherhood of yours is one Brotherhood, and I am your Lord so worship Me (alone). (21:92)

As a perfect way of life, Islam established, among other principles, the following beliefs:

In the oneness of the Creator of the universe,

No creature can be like the Creator

A divinely revealed Code of Life applicable to all and not subject to change

A Messenger who is a universal model

In the fact that the goal of every individual should be similar as was ultimately demonstrated by Jacob and his family, when they acknowledged Jacob’s leadership over them. Even then, Joseph himself acknowledged that power and position are gifts from Allah and He may bestow them on whoever He pleases.

While the Qur’an enjoins upon us to try our best to live like one big Muslim family, enjoining good and avoiding evil, Allah makes it clear that whoever should deviate from this principle, it will be to his or her own peril. He says:

Say: shall I seek for (my) Cherisher other than Allah; when He is the Cherisher of all things (that exist)? Every soul draws the consequences of its acts on none but itself; no bearer of burdens can bear the burdens of anther. Your goal in the end is towards Allah; He will tell you the truth of the things where you disputed. (6:164)

The way to success is selfless love, total resignation and sincere dedication; as our beloved Messenger (pboh), demonstrated in his own life; as Allah tells us about him in the Qur’an.   He says:

Your Companion is neither astray nor misled; nor does he say anything of his own desire. (53:2-3)

We should try our best to avoid the negatives and uphold the positives if we are to live like one big happy family.

Maulana Dr. Waffie Mohammed

The Virgin birth of Jesus (peace be upon him)

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّ حِيْمِ

In the name of Allah the Beneficent the Merciful

By Maulana Dr. Waffie Mohammed

Transcript of discourse prepared for the Seminar for St. Andrew’s College; Wednesday 4^th December 2013.

The appearance of Prophet Jesus on the earth occurred in an unusual way, according to the teachings of Islam.  Jesus (pboh) was the only person who was sent to mankind without the agency of a father. In order to fully comprehend how he came we need to understand the events as they occurred.  It all began with a vow made by the mother of Mary concerning the dedication of her pregnancy to God.

Mary’s mother vow:

Mary’s mother whose name was Hannah (Anne) was the wife of Imran (Aaron) who belonged to one of the tribes of Israel.  He was from the priestly class.  Perhaps this is one of the reasons why her mother decided to dedicate her child who was not yet born to the service of Allah.  So she prayed as follows:

O my Lord, I do dedicate unto Thee what is in my womb, for Your special service; so accept this from me, for You hear and know all things. (3:35)

At the time of making her prayer Hannah was not aware of the sex of the fetus in her womb; so when the child was born she found out that it was a girl.  On seeing that it was a girl and not a boy as she had expected, she spoke to the Lord in the following words:

O my Lord, I am delivered of a female child; and Allah knew best what she brought forth.  But she continued her prayer as follows: and in no way is the female like the male. I have named her Mary, and I commend her and her offspring to Your protection, from the Evil One, the Rejected. (3:36)

Mary, the mother of Jesus:

Mary was put in the temple under the care of Zakaria and his wife Elizabeth, who was a cousin of Mary.  Only Zakaria was permitted into her room, to take care of her and provide her requirements.

Zakaria was always puzzled when he used to go to her room, as he found that she always had a supply of fresh fruits and food, things that he never gave to her.  When he questioned her about it, her reply was always that it came from Allah, Who is the Sustainer of all.  The Qur’an mentions about this in the following verses:

Every time Zakaria entered her chamber to see her, he found her supplied with sustenance. He used to say: O Mary, from where did you get this? She would reply; from Allah, for Allah provides sustenance to whom He pleases without measure. (3:37)

Mary grew up very pure and pretty.  She was pure because she was always in seclusion, and she never experienced any monthly cycle as other women.  Allah tells us about her as follows:

Her Lord made her grow in purity and beauty in the care of Zakaria in whose care she was assigned. (3:37)

Mother Mary grew up to be a special woman, above all other women in history. Allah tells us about this in the Holy Qur’an in the following verse:

Behold, the angels said: O Mary, Allah has chosen thee and purified thee. He has chosen thee above the women of all nations. (3:42)

Prophet Muhammad (pboh) confirmed that Mary was special.  He is reported to have said that there are four great women in history. They are:

1. The wife of Pharaoh
2. Mary the mother of Jesus
3. Lady Khadija (his wife)
4. Fatima (his daughter)

The birth of Jesus (peace be on him):

When the time came for Prophet Jesus to come into the world, Allah sent Gabriel to Mary.  He appeared to her in the form of a man.  This got Mary disturbed as she wanted to know how he could have invaded her privacy without any permission.  The Qur’an tells us about this incident as follows:

Relate in the Book the story of Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place in the east.  She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them.  Then We sent to her Our angel, and he appeared before her as a man in all respects.  She said, I seek refuge in the Merciful Lord from thee.  He said: nay, I am only a Messenger from your Lord to announce to you the gift of a holy son.  She said: how can I have a son seeing that no man hath touched me, and I am not unchaste?  He said: so it will be. Your Lord says; that is easy for Me, and We wish to appoint him as a Sign unto men, and as a mercy from Us. It is a matter decreed. (19:16-23)

After the discussion with her the angel blew into her and she conceived.  Allah says:

And Mary the daughter of Imran, who guarded her chastity, and We breathed into it of Our Spirit. (66:12)

Islamic Scholars interpret “breathing into it” to mean that he blew into her shirt. It does not say that the angel blew into her private part.

There are other occasions when the angel blew into persons and the soul went into the body. For example, about Adam, Allah says:

He Allah fashioned him in due proportion and breathed into him something of His Spirit. (32:9)

Even Jesus was able to perform this miraculous gift, when he blew into the bird which was made out of clay, and it got life and flew away.   Allah records about this as follows:

Jesus said: O Children of Israel, I have come to you with a Sign from your Lord, in that I made for you, out of clay, as it were the figure of a bird, and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by Allah’s leave. (3:49)

The conception and birth of Jesus, the son of Mary was unique, and different from the coming into the world of any other human being.  

Except for Father Adam, every single human comes into this world through conception of the sperm with the ovum.  Adam’s body was formed and fashioned and then Allah breathed (through the angel) his spirit or soul into his body.  He tells us so in the Qur’an in the following verse:

He (Allah) fashioned him (Adam), in due proportion, and breathed into him something of His Spirit. (32:9)

In the case of Prophet Jesus, the process was slightly different.  His soul was blown into Mary, and around the soul the body grew. This we know from the Qur’anic verse in which Allah says:

O People of the Book, commit no excess in your religion; nor say of Allah aught but the truth. Christ Jesus, the son of Mary was (no more than) a Messenger of Allah, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a Spirit proceeding from Him. (4:171)

When the soul of Jesus was put into Mary, and she realized that she was pregnant, she left her room quietly and un-noticed and proceeded eastwards.  She rested below a date palm tree and there Jesus was born.  The Qur’an tells us about this as follows:

So she conceived him and she retired with him to a remote place, and the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm tree.  She cried (in her anguish): Ah; would that I had died before this; would I had been a thing forgotten and out of sight.  But a voice cried to her from beneath; Grieve not, for thy Lord has provided a rivulet beneath you, and shake the trunk of the date palm towards you, it will let fall fresh ripe dates upon you. So eat and drink and cool your eyes. And if you should see any man: say; I have vowed a fast to Allah Most Gracious, and today I will not be talking to any human being. (19:22-26)

Mary gave birth to Jesus under the date palm tree. There she got food from dates and water from the stream that was flowing below her.  She stayed there until she felt strong enough to return to her people.  She then took baby Jesus and returned.

When the people saw her with a baby, they were shocked and amazed. They said:

O Mary, (it is truly) an amazing thing you have brought. O sister of Aaron, your father was not an evil man, nor was your mother an unchaste woman. So she pointed to the babe. They said, how can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle? He (Jesus) said: I am indeed a servant of Allah. He hath given me revelation and made me a prophet.  And He hath made me blessed where so ever I be, and hath enjoined on me Prayer and Charity as long as I live.  He hath made me kind to my mother and not overbearing and miserable.  So peace is on me the day I was born, the day that I die, and the day I shall raise up to life again. (19:27-33)

Prophet Jesus lived a private secluded life with his mother. They were both sustained by Allah.  Later in his life he used to preach in the Synagogue in the day and retreat to the mountain during the night.

As he was very critical of the doings of the hierarchy of the Church, they wanted to get rid of him.  They thought of many ways of doing so but finally decided upon crucifying him.  The leaders of the Church violated every form of justice against an innocent person, and although God allowed them to crucify a person, it was not Jesus the son of Mary who was crucified.  The Holy Qur’an says:

They (the people of the Book) say (in boast) We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah; but they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but so it was made to appear to them. And those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no certain knowledge; but only conjecture to follow, for a surety they did not kill him. (4:157)

Audio file: Discourse given on the auspicious occasion of Yawm al Ashura

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّ حِيْمِ

Click to listen/download Maulana Dr. Waffie Mohammed's discourse on the auspicious occasion of Yawm al Ashura.

Ashura Discourse.mp3



Utilizing the blessings of Allah

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّ حِيْمِ

Today I wish to reference two thought provoking ayats from Surah Ibrahim that are very comprehensive issues that Allah has raised for our attention.  Firstly Allah says in ayat;

But if ye count the favours of Allah, never will ye be able to number them.  (14:34)

If we were to sit down and think of all the blessings that Allah has been so merciful to bestow on us we would never finish counting them.  A simple example is how many times for the day we breathe in and out.  Is this not a blessing?  There are some with respiratory problems that has difficulty in breathing and it leads to so many medical problems.  Another is how many times for the day we blink our eyes.  These simple things that we take for granted are truly great blessings from our Lord, in addition to the other things Allah has been kind and merciful to give us.  It’s impossible to really compute His blessings and favours on us.

The other ayat I wish to reference is ayat 28;

Hast thou not turned thy vision to those who have changed the favour of Allah into blasphemy and caused their people to descend to the House of Perdition?  (14:28)

Unfortunately, sometimes we see some people who may not have much materially, and they appear to be righteous and obedient; and when they acquire something of the world they begin to indulge and lose their focus and purpose.  Sadly they may even indulge in unlawful things. 

Allah is telling us that some people do not know how to manage the blessings that He Graciously bestows.  Some get intoxicated and go off in tangents.  And after some time they fall flat.  How many times have we seen people work hard to accumulate something of the world and thereafter go off in different un-Islamic things; and finally they fall?  Allah is warning us.  Appreciate the blessings of Allah and manage them properly because the way we utilize and manage these blessings are important.  Even the way we manage our time is important as time is indeed a great blessing from Allah. 

How do you manage your time, assets and health?  Life is not just for one day.  It is a process.  Today you may be like the full moon; bright, radiant and powerful but tomorrow you may be like the last quarter; in decline.  Strength and wealth will eventually go.  These are very important blessings so don’t use it to cause your own ruin and destruction.

Prophet Ibrahim is a perfect example of how to best utilize Allah’s blessings.  He utilised the blessings to elevate himself in both worlds.  On the other hand his relative Lot; his people were so blessed with fertile land etc and look at how they utilized it.  They indulged in reprehensible actions.  On the other hand Ibrahim planted a seed at the then barren land of Bakkah and look at the outcome today. 

Understand that we are here because of Allah’s Grace and Mercy.  He has given us life and something of recourses.  Don’t complain and envy others.  Instead thank Him and manage His blessings in such a way that it will earn for you more and more in both worlds.

One of the key to success is to do things selflessly for the sake of Allah.  If you give to Him do you not think He will return something better to you?  Rest assured that He will never let you down.  This is a practical experience. 

We are seeing examples in His Words and in the life pattern His Beloved Prophet Muhammad (pboh) and also in the message of Prophet Ibrahim.  Look at Ibrahim’s status today.  We acknowledge him every day in salaat whilst reciting our darood.  They are models for us about how to manage the gifts of Allah.

On the other hand look at the people of Moses.  They we so physically blessed; and sadly they used it for their destruction.  They were so disobedient that Allah left them wandering in the deserts for so many years.

We are reminded that our existence is because of Him and we should be conscious of this and never feel or portray any feeling of superiority.  Everything we have belongs to Allah.  He says ‘and to Allah belongs whatever is in the skies and whatever is on the earth’.

If you are given a little as a trust from your Lord utilise it properly.  And this is the Message of life and Islam.  Remember this and always remember we have one life to live on the earth; so utilise it properly right now to get eternal bliss, insha Allah.

May Allah enable us to truly understand and acknowledge His countless blessings on us and may He also bless us with the maturity to utilize it in a most befitting manner, insha Allah.

Transcript of discourse delivered by

Maulana Dr. Waffie Mohammed 

Closeness to the Creator

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّ حِيْمِ

Today I wish to make mention of two pertinent ayats from the Holy Qur’an that will make us understand our topic.  Allah says in His Holy Words;

And know that Allah cometh in between a man and his heart, and that it is He to Whom ye shall (all) be gathered.  (8:24)

What does this mean?  Only Allah really knows; but what we can take from it is that Allah is with us and He is inside of us in a way that He alone knows; and He is even closer to us than our life veins.

The other I wish to reference is ayat;

It is He who sendeth the winds like heralds of glad tidings, going before His mercy: when They have carried the heavy-laden clouds, We drive them to a land that is dead, make rain to descend thereon, and produce every kind of harvest therewith: Thus shall We raise up the dead: Perchance ye may remember.  From the land that is clean and good, by the will of its Cherisher, springs up produce, (rich) after its kind: but from the land that is bad, springs up nothing but that which is niggardly: Thus do We explain the Signs by various (symbols) to those who are grateful.  (7:57-58)

Firstly, these ayats are a parable for us. Sometime we see the earth dry and parched.  Allah sends rain clouds over which and after the rain has fallen we see vegetation emerging sometime thereafter. 

What is Allah  telling us?  It is related to what was mentioned in the first ayat quoted above.  Allah is close to us; closer than we can imagine.  But look at what He says in the other ayat.  When rain falls in some parts vegetation springs forth.  In other places the rainfall has no effect.  For example if it falls on the dry mountains the water simply runs off.  It has no effect and makes no difference.  It even floods in some cases. 

This is the way with the Message and Mercy of Allah.  It comes to all human beings; some can acknowledge it, appreciate it and can benefit from it.  For others it makes no difference to their current state.  They do not heed the call and don’t remember that Allah is close to them and every day their thoughts and actions are being recorded and that one day they will have to stand before Allah with their book of deeds. 

While the Message is there, those who accede to it will benefit from it just like that part of the earth that absorbs the rainfall.  And for those whose mind is warped it makes no difference. 

For example Abu Lahab lived next to the most beautiful personality in all of creation and he could not see nor understand the message.  Instead he did so much wickedness like throwing filth on the Prophet (pboh) etc.  Why was he so unfortunately misguided?  Abu Lahab was like that hard earth that cannot absorb the beneficial rainfall.  The message and blessed personality of the Prophet (pboh) did not penetrate him.  And we find this throughout the history of all the Messengers.  Some of the people accepted and obeyed the message whilst others didn’t.

The important question we need to ask ourselves is has the message penetrated us?  Is good, beautiful vegetation growing from you or are the blessings and mercies from Allah just running off?  Our concern must be our own selves and then our families and others. 

How many of us are trying to adhere to the straight path but some family members are focused on other paths?  The message is for everyone.  Those who accept, those who ponder and take note and make sincere effort will benefit.  Those who don’t will have to answer to Allah. 

The message today is universal; the Qur’an is for everyone.  I’ve asked people of differing faiths about the concept of God.  There is the Creator, whom they all agree on and then everything else are creatures.  The creature cannot be like the Creator.  So then why worship idols? 

What should I think of in front of me whilst praying?  A lot of people say the Kaba.  That is not right.  If I say I face the Kaba, the Hindus say they face Krishna and the Christians say Jesus, then what difference does it make.  Saying we face the Kaba is contrary to what we say before we commence salaat;

Inni -y wajjahtu wajh -e li- 'alladhe fat.ara as- samaawaat wa- al- 'ard. h.anef(an) wa- maa 'anaa min al-mushriken

"For me, I have set my face, firmly and truly, towards Him (Who is facing me) Who created the heavens and the earth, and never shall I give partners to Allah."

Our direction of worship is the Kaba but we are facing our Creator.  Prophet Muhammad (pboh) is reported to have said “When you stand for salaat facing the Qibla understand that Allah is in front of you, and is between you and the Kaba”.

Understand that the message is Universal.  Understand that Allah is close to us and part of our mission is to realise how close He is to you.  This is what we do in our zikir sessions; culturing our personality to resonate Allahu.  Prophet (pboh) realised how close Allah is to him on the night of the Mir’aj.  And he says that salaat is the Mir’aj of the believer.

Salaat helps us realise how close Allah is with us.  Try to realise how close Allah is with you and make the best use of the blessings that He descends on you.  When you have the health and energy utilize it smartly. 

Make every effort and if you can understand how close Allah is with you in the process you will understand how close Prophet Muhammad (pboh) is to you.  And you would have begun to benefit from your zikir and good intentions. 

Of course Satan won’t want this so he will prevent you concentration on closeness with Allah.  This is a universal experience.  Satan will try to divert your focus away from you Lord.  Thus when you’re faced with trials understand there’s wisdom in it.  Bear it with patience and concentrate more on the relationship with your Lord.

May Allah bless us, guide us and protect us; and may He help us to ascend close to Him to benefit from what He has provided for the righteous, insha Allah.

Transcript of discourse delivered by
Maulana Dr. Waffie Mohammed