1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:04,700 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 2 00:00:04,700 --> 00:00:08,199 The story of Maryam, daughter of ‘Imran. 3 00:00:08,199 --> 00:00:10,199 Peace be upon her. 4 00:00:10,199 --> 00:00:16,699 Maryam shakes the date palm while she is in the throes of childbirth. 5 00:00:16,699 --> 00:00:27,980 Usually, a woman immediately after childbirth is in her weakest physical state. 6 00:00:27,980 --> 00:00:31,480 Even carrying her newborn may be difficult for her. 7 00:00:31,480 --> 00:00:35,479 She is in need of care during this period. 8 00:00:35,479 --> 00:00:38,479 Until she recovers her strength. 9 00:00:38,479 --> 00:00:43,570 And the people who support a woman most during this critical time are, 10 00:00:43,570 --> 00:00:46,070 Her mother and her sisters. 11 00:00:46,070 --> 00:00:49,570 This is why it has been the custom in some societies 12 00:00:49,570 --> 00:00:52,570 That a woman, immediately after childbirth, 13 00:00:52,570 --> 00:00:58,570 Spends her postpartum period at her mother’s home so she can assist her with what she is going through, 14 00:00:58,570 --> 00:01:01,570 And teach her from her life experience, 15 00:01:02,070 --> 00:01:05,569 How to care for the newborn. 16 00:01:05,569 --> 00:01:09,760 As for the case of Maryam, peace be upon her, 17 00:01:09,760 --> 00:01:12,760 She lacked all of what we have mentioned. 18 00:01:12,760 --> 00:01:15,760 In fact, the situation was far more difficult than that. 19 00:01:15,760 --> 00:01:21,760 She was suffering psychologically from the prospect of facing her people with her newborn. 20 00:01:21,760 --> 00:01:28,760 She was not thinking now of who would serve her or help her with the pains of childbirth and the postpartum period, 21 00:01:28,760 --> 00:01:34,760 But rather, she was thinking of how to face her people and what she would say to them. 22 00:01:34,760 --> 00:01:38,959 Thus, the first remedy for the psychological state of Maryam, peace be upon her, 23 00:01:38,959 --> 00:01:43,959 Was to remove sadness from her soul by looking at the blessings around her. 24 00:01:43,959 --> 00:01:47,959 As Allah the Almighty said in His Book: 25 00:01:47,959 --> 00:01:52,019 “Then (one) cried unto her from below her, saying: Grieve not! Thy Lord hath placed a rivulet beneath thee,” (19:24) 26 00:01:52,019 --> 00:01:55,019 “Then (one) cried unto her from below her, saying: Grieve not! Thy Lord hath placed a rivulet beneath thee,” (19:24) 27 00:01:55,019 --> 00:01:59,019 And the presence of water around her was a great blessing. 28 00:01:59,019 --> 00:02:01,019 Then He said to her: 29 00:02:01,019 --> 00:02:07,019 “And shake the trunk of the palm-tree toward thee, thou wilt cause ripe dates to fall upon thee.” (19:25) 30 00:02:07,019 --> 00:02:10,020 He asked her to shake the date palm, 31 00:02:10,020 --> 00:02:15,020 The very tree she had been leaning against just a moment before during her labor, 32 00:02:15,020 --> 00:02:20,020 Due to the strength of its trunk, its solidity, and its firmness in the ground. 33 00:02:20,020 --> 00:02:23,020 He asks her to shake it. 34 00:02:23,020 --> 00:02:27,180 How can Maryam, peace be upon her, shake the trunk of a date palm? 35 00:02:27,180 --> 00:02:31,180 A date palm whose trunk cannot be moved even by a strong, powerful man. 36 00:02:31,180 --> 00:02:34,180 Furthermore, she is in a postpartum state, 37 00:02:34,180 --> 00:02:39,180 Meaning she is in the most severe state of weakness a woman can experience. 38 00:02:39,180 --> 00:02:41,280 Add to that, 39 00:02:41,280 --> 00:02:45,280 That dates do not usually fall just by shaking the tree, 40 00:02:45,280 --> 00:02:51,280 Rather, a farmer must climb up and pick them directly from the tree. 41 00:02:51,280 --> 00:02:54,280 Yet, despite all this, He says to her: 42 00:02:54,280 --> 00:03:01,280 “And shake the trunk of the palm-tree toward thee, thou wilt cause ripe dates to fall upon thee.” (19:25) 43 00:03:01,280 --> 00:03:04,439 Al-Shinqiti, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 44 00:03:04,439 --> 00:03:09,439 Some scholars derived from the words of Allah the Almighty in this noble verse, 45 00:03:09,439 --> 00:03:13,439 "And shake toward you the trunk of the palm tree," 46 00:03:13,439 --> 00:03:18,439 That striving and taking the means to obtain provision 47 00:03:18,439 --> 00:03:21,439 Is a matter commanded by the Sharia, 48 00:03:21,439 --> 00:03:25,439 And that it does not contradict reliance (tawakkul) upon Allah the Almighty. 49 00:03:25,439 --> 00:03:29,439 This is a matter known as a necessity of the religion, 50 00:03:29,439 --> 00:03:35,439 That taking the means to obtain benefits and ward off harms in this world 51 00:03:35,439 --> 00:03:37,439 Is a matter commanded by the Sharia, 52 00:03:37,439 --> 00:03:41,439 And it does not contradict reliance upon Allah in any way. 53 00:03:41,439 --> 00:03:46,439 Because the accountable person engages with the means in compliance with the command of their Lord, 54 00:03:46,439 --> 00:03:52,439 While knowing and being certain that nothing happens except what Allah wills to happen. 55 00:03:52,439 --> 00:03:54,439 So, they are reliant upon Allah, 56 00:03:54,439 --> 00:04:01,439 Knowing that nothing will befall them except what Allah has decreed for them of good or evil. 57 00:04:01,439 --> 00:04:07,439 And if Allah had willed for the effect of the means to be separated from their outcomes, they would have been separated. 58 00:04:07,439 --> 00:04:12,629 Among the clearest proofs of this is the saying of Allah the Almighty: 59 00:04:12,629 --> 00:04:17,629 “We said: O fire, be coolness and peace for Abraham,” (21:69) 60 00:04:17,629 --> 00:04:19,720 The verse. 61 00:04:19,720 --> 00:04:25,720 The nature of burning in fire is a single concept that cannot be divided into different meanings. 62 00:04:25,720 --> 00:04:28,720 Yet, it burned the firewood, 63 00:04:28,720 --> 00:04:31,720 Turning it into ashes with its heat, 64 00:04:31,720 --> 00:04:36,720 At the same time that it was "coolness and peace" for Ibrahim. 65 00:04:36,720 --> 00:04:41,720 This is definitive proof that the actual effect 66 00:04:41,720 --> 00:04:45,720 Is only by the will of the Creator of the heavens and the earth, 67 00:04:45,720 --> 00:04:51,720 And that He causes whatever outcomes He wills through whatever means He wills, 68 00:04:51,720 --> 00:04:57,720 And that nothing has any effect except by His will, the Almighty. 69 00:04:57,720 --> 00:05:00,790 Among the clearest proofs of this 70 00:05:00,790 --> 00:05:04,790 Is that He may make a thing a means for something else, 71 00:05:04,790 --> 00:05:06,790 Even though it is contrary to it. 72 00:05:07,790 --> 00:05:14,790 Like His making the striking of the dead man of the Children of Israel with a part of a slaughtered cow a means for his life. 73 00:05:14,790 --> 00:05:20,819 Striking him with a dead piece of a dead cow is contrary to his life, 74 00:05:20,819 --> 00:05:24,819 Since life is not gained by striking with a dead thing. 75 00:05:24,819 --> 00:05:30,819 This clarifies that He, the Almighty, causes whatever outcomes He wills 76 00:05:30,819 --> 00:05:33,819 Through whatever means He wills, 77 00:05:33,819 --> 00:05:36,819 And no effect occurs at all 78 00:05:36,819 --> 00:05:39,819 Except by His will, the Almighty. 79 00:05:39,819 --> 00:05:45,170 Among what clarifies that engaging with the means does not contradict reliance upon Allah 80 00:05:45,170 --> 00:05:48,170 Is the saying of Allah the Almighty about Ya‘qub: 81 00:05:48,170 --> 00:05:56,170 “And he said: O my sons! Go not in by one gate; go in by different gates. I can naught avail you as against Allah. Lo! the decision rests with Allah only. In Him do I put my trust, and in Him let all the trusting put their trust.” (12:67) 82 00:05:56,170 --> 00:06:00,329 He commanded them in this statement to engage with the means, 83 00:06:00,329 --> 00:06:03,329 And He caused that by commanding it, 84 00:06:03,329 --> 00:06:07,329 Because he feared for them that people might strike them with the evil eye, 85 00:06:07,329 --> 00:06:12,329 Since they were eleven men, sons of one man, 86 00:06:12,329 --> 00:06:16,329 And they were people of beauty, perfection, and physical stature. 87 00:06:16,329 --> 00:06:22,329 So their entering through one gate was a cause for them to be struck by the evil eye. 88 00:06:22,329 --> 00:06:27,329 Thus, he commanded them to disperse and enter through separate gates, 89 00:06:27,329 --> 00:06:31,329 Engaging with the means for safety from being struck by the evil eye, 90 00:06:31,329 --> 00:06:35,329 As more than one of the scholars of the salaf have said. 91 00:06:35,329 --> 00:06:39,399 And despite this taking of means, Allah said about him: 92 00:06:39,399 --> 00:06:51,620 “And he said: O my sons! Go not in by one gate; go in by different gates. I can naught avail you as against Allah. Lo! the decision rests with Allah only. In Him do I put my trust, and in Him let all the trusting put their trust.” (12:67) 93 00:06:51,620 --> 00:07:00,620 “And he said: O my sons! Go not in by one gate; go in by different gates. I can naught avail you as against Allah. Lo! the decision rests with Allah only. In Him do I put my trust, and in Him let all the trusting put their trust.” (12:67) 94 00:07:00,620 --> 00:07:11,620 “And he said: O my sons! Go not in by one gate; go in by different gates. I can naught avail you as against Allah. Lo! the decision rests with Allah only. In Him do I put my trust, and in Him let all the trusting put their trust.” (12:67) 95 00:07:11,620 --> 00:07:15,970 So look at how he combined taking the means in his saying, 96 00:07:15,970 --> 00:07:21,970 "Do not enter from one gate," and reliance upon Allah in his saying, 97 00:07:21,970 --> 00:07:26,970 “And he said: O my sons! Go not in by one gate; go in by different gates. I can naught avail you as against Allah. Lo! the decision rests with Allah only. In Him do I put my trust, and in Him let all the trusting put their trust.” (12:67) 98 00:07:26,970 --> 00:07:33,970 This is a known matter that is not hidden except from one whose insight Allah has blinded. 99 00:07:33,970 --> 00:07:40,100 Allah the Almighty is capable of making the dates fall for her without shaking the trunk, 100 00:07:40,100 --> 00:07:45,100 But He commanded her to take the means of making them fall by shaking the trunk. 101 00:07:45,100 --> 00:07:48,259 Some have said regarding this: 102 00:07:48,259 --> 00:07:52,259 Do you not see that Allah said to Maryam, 103 00:07:52,259 --> 00:07:56,259 "And shake toward you the trunk of the palm tree, it will drop upon you fresh, ripe dates," 104 00:07:56,259 --> 00:08:00,259 And had He willed for her to gather them without shaking it, 105 00:08:00,259 --> 00:08:04,259 She would have gathered them, but everything has a cause. 106 00:08:04,259 --> 00:08:07,420 This means, my dear sister, 107 00:08:07,420 --> 00:08:13,420 That sitting and lamenting our state and situation without taking the means 108 00:08:13,420 --> 00:08:15,420 Is contrary to the Sharia. 109 00:08:15,420 --> 00:08:20,550 It is not enough for us to sit and talk about the deviation of girls today, 110 00:08:20,550 --> 00:08:23,550 And the efforts of the people of corruption in that, 111 00:08:23,550 --> 00:08:30,550 Rather, we must work with the legitimate means that resist such deviations, 112 00:08:30,550 --> 00:08:33,549 At the forefront of which is calling to Allah, 113 00:08:33,549 --> 00:08:37,639 And spreading the truth with which Allah destroys falsehood. 114 00:08:37,639 --> 00:08:41,639 Likewise, the injustice occurring against women in some societies 115 00:08:41,639 --> 00:08:45,639 Due to Jahili (pre-Islamic) customs and traditions 116 00:08:45,639 --> 00:08:49,639 Cannot be changed by weeping and silence, 117 00:08:49,639 --> 00:08:51,639 But it is changed by denouncing it, 118 00:08:51,639 --> 00:08:57,639 And clarifying the truth that Allah the Almighty has legislated for women in such issues 119 00:08:57,639 --> 00:08:59,639 In which they are wronged, 120 00:08:59,639 --> 00:09:03,639 Such as preventing them from inheritance in some societies, 121 00:09:03,639 --> 00:09:07,639 And the male relatives seizing their wealth, 122 00:09:07,639 --> 00:09:10,639 And some guardians consuming their dowries, 123 00:09:10,639 --> 00:09:13,639 And forcing them to marry someone they do not want, 124 00:09:13,639 --> 00:09:15,639 And other forms of injustice 125 00:09:15,639 --> 00:09:20,840 Stemming from Jahili customs that contradict the Sharia. 126 00:09:20,840 --> 00:09:22,840 Also, my dear sister, 127 00:09:22,840 --> 00:09:28,840 Marital problems are not solved without taking the legitimate means for a solution, 128 00:09:28,840 --> 00:09:31,840 The most important of which is changing oneself, 129 00:09:31,840 --> 00:09:33,840 According to His saying: 130 00:09:33,840 --> 00:09:40,870 “For him are angels ranged before him and behind him, who guard him by Allah's command. Lo! Allah changeth not the condition of a folk until they (first) change that which is in their hearts; and if Allah willeth misfortune for a folk there is none that can repel it, nor have they a defender beside Him.” (13:11) 131 00:09:40,870 --> 00:09:47,190 Then consulting specialists early before the problem escalates. 132 00:09:47,190 --> 00:09:50,190 And the girl who has not yet married, 133 00:09:50,190 --> 00:09:52,190 And wishes to marry, 134 00:09:52,190 --> 00:09:56,190 She also needs to take the legitimate means 135 00:09:56,190 --> 00:09:58,190 To attain what she wishes, 136 00:09:58,190 --> 00:10:00,190 Among which is supplication (du‘a), 137 00:10:00,190 --> 00:10:02,279 Which is at the forefront. 138 00:10:02,279 --> 00:10:05,279 It is not among the legitimate means to display one's beauty (tabarruj), 139 00:10:05,279 --> 00:10:10,279 Or to get to know young men through social media, 140 00:10:10,279 --> 00:10:12,279 Nor is mixed-gender work. 141 00:10:12,279 --> 00:10:16,279 For what is with Allah is not attained by disobeying Allah. 142 00:10:16,279 --> 00:10:18,480 And know, my dear sister, 143 00:10:18,480 --> 00:10:23,480 That one of the greatest means that helps you in your goals in life 144 00:10:23,480 --> 00:10:28,480 Is the strength of your connection and relationship with Allah the Almighty, 145 00:10:28,480 --> 00:10:31,480 In times of ease and hardship. 146 00:10:31,480 --> 00:10:35,480 This relationship between you and Allah the Almighty 147 00:10:35,480 --> 00:10:38,480 Is manifested in your obedience to Allah, 148 00:10:38,480 --> 00:10:42,570 And your drawing near to Him through various types of worship. 149 00:10:42,570 --> 00:10:45,570 And contemplate the state of Maryam, peace be upon her, 150 00:10:45,570 --> 00:10:48,570 How she was before her pregnancy. 151 00:10:48,570 --> 00:10:54,570 She had prepared for herself a special place for her worship and drawing near to Allah, 152 00:10:54,570 --> 00:10:59,570 And she was frequent in prayer and intimate conversation with Allah the Almighty. 153 00:10:59,570 --> 00:11:02,570 So when her Lord tested her with pregnancy, 154 00:11:02,570 --> 00:11:06,570 He did not leave her alone in this trial, 155 00:11:06,570 --> 00:11:10,570 But rather, He helped her through it in every respect, 156 00:11:10,570 --> 00:11:13,570 As passed by you in a previous episode, 157 00:11:13,570 --> 00:11:18,570 And as we will mention in a coming episode, if Allah wills. 158 00:11:18,570 --> 00:11:21,639 This relationship with Allah, 159 00:11:21,639 --> 00:11:27,639 Its effects are manifested for you in situations where material means are cut off 160 00:11:27,639 --> 00:11:30,639 Regarding the matter you are going through, 161 00:11:30,639 --> 00:11:33,639 Like what happened to the Companions of the Cave, 162 00:11:33,639 --> 00:11:36,639 Who were trapped in the cave, 163 00:11:36,639 --> 00:11:40,639 And could not move the rock from its place, 164 00:11:40,639 --> 00:11:43,639 Even though they were three men. 165 00:11:43,639 --> 00:11:50,639 So they resorted to seeking nearness to Allah through the most hopeful deed they had, which they thought they had performed with sincerity. 166 00:11:50,639 --> 00:11:54,639 When they did that, Allah relieved them. 167 00:11:54,639 --> 00:11:58,019 Indeed, your steadfastness, my dear sister, upon the truth, 168 00:11:58,019 --> 00:12:03,019 In a time of trials that surround people today from every side, 169 00:12:03,019 --> 00:12:06,019 Requires taking the legitimate means, 170 00:12:06,019 --> 00:12:13,019 Such as the abundance of supplications narrated from the Prophet, peace be upon him, regarding the turning of hearts. 171 00:12:13,019 --> 00:12:16,080 For on the authority of Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, he said: 172 00:12:16,080 --> 00:12:21,080 The Prophet, peace be upon him, used to frequently say: 173 00:12:21,080 --> 00:12:26,080 "O Turner of hearts, keep my heart firm upon Your religion." 174 00:12:26,080 --> 00:12:33,080 He said: We said, "O Messenger of Allah, we believe in you and in what you have brought, 175 00:12:33,080 --> 00:12:35,080 So do you fear for us?" 176 00:12:35,080 --> 00:12:44,080 He said: "Yes, for the hearts are between two fingers of the fingers of Allah the Almighty; He turns them." 177 00:12:44,080 --> 00:12:46,080 Narrated by Ahmad. 178 00:12:46,080 --> 00:12:49,240 This is one of the means. 179 00:12:49,240 --> 00:12:52,240 Among them also is righteous companionship, 180 00:12:52,240 --> 00:12:55,240 According to the saying of the Prophet, peace be upon him: 181 00:12:55,240 --> 00:12:58,240 "A man is upon the religion of his friend, 182 00:12:58,240 --> 00:13:01,240 So let one of you look at whom he befriends." 183 00:13:01,240 --> 00:13:03,240 Narrated by Abu Dawud. 184 00:13:03,240 --> 00:13:08,529 Among them is staying away from places of trial and not approaching them, 185 00:13:08,529 --> 00:13:12,529 For you do not know how they will affect your heart. 186 00:13:12,529 --> 00:13:15,529 Among the most dangerous places of trial 187 00:13:15,529 --> 00:13:18,529 Are fields of mixing with men, 188 00:13:18,529 --> 00:13:20,529 Such as mixed universities, 189 00:13:20,529 --> 00:13:22,529 And mixed workplaces. 190 00:13:23,529 --> 00:13:26,529 Do not let those who beautify mixing for you deceive you, 191 00:13:26,529 --> 00:13:31,529 Under the pretext of calling to Allah and learning religious knowledge, 192 00:13:31,529 --> 00:13:35,529 For this is one of the ways Iblis enters upon the righteous. 193 00:13:35,529 --> 00:13:37,659 Among the places of trial 194 00:13:37,659 --> 00:13:41,659 Is exposing oneself to doubts under the pretext of refuting them, 195 00:13:41,659 --> 00:13:46,659 Before one's feet are firmly planted with deep knowledge and correct creed. 196 00:13:46,659 --> 00:13:51,690 These are means, do not be heedless of them, my dear sister, 197 00:13:51,690 --> 00:13:54,690 For you are commanded to take them, 198 00:13:54,690 --> 00:13:58,690 Just as Maryam was commanded to shake the palm tree to eat. 199 00:13:58,690 --> 00:14:00,690 It is not conceivable in our religion 200 00:14:00,690 --> 00:14:04,690 That taking the means is required in seeking provision, 201 00:14:04,690 --> 00:14:09,690 And neglected in seeking guidance and steadfastness upon it. 202 00:14:09,690 --> 00:14:14,879 I ask Allah to keep us firm upon the truth until the day we meet Him. 203 00:14:14,879 --> 00:14:19,110 We will continue in a coming meeting, if Allah wills. 204 00:14:19,110 --> 00:14:22,110 And praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.