WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.700 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 00:00:04.700 --> 00:00:08.199 The story of Maryam, daughter of ‘Imran. 00:00:08.199 --> 00:00:10.199 Peace be upon her. 00:00:10.199 --> 00:00:16.699 Maryam shakes the date palm while she is in the throes of childbirth. 00:00:16.699 --> 00:00:27.980 Usually, a woman immediately after childbirth is in her weakest physical state. 00:00:27.980 --> 00:00:31.480 Even carrying her newborn may be difficult for her. 00:00:31.480 --> 00:00:35.479 She is in need of care during this period. 00:00:35.479 --> 00:00:38.479 Until she recovers her strength. 00:00:38.479 --> 00:00:43.570 And the people who support a woman most during this critical time are, 00:00:43.570 --> 00:00:46.070 Her mother and her sisters. 00:00:46.070 --> 00:00:49.570 This is why it has been the custom in some societies 00:00:49.570 --> 00:00:52.570 That a woman, immediately after childbirth, 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, 00:00:58.570 --> 00:01:01.570 And teach her from her life experience, 00:01:02.070 --> 00:01:05.569 How to care for the newborn. 00:01:05.569 --> 00:01:09.760 As for the case of Maryam, peace be upon her, 00:01:09.760 --> 00:01:12.760 She lacked all of what we have mentioned. 00:01:12.760 --> 00:01:15.760 In fact, the situation was far more difficult than that. 00:01:15.760 --> 00:01:21.760 She was suffering psychologically from the prospect of facing her people with her newborn. 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, 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. 00:01:34.760 --> 00:01:38.959 Thus, the first remedy for the psychological state of Maryam, peace be upon her, 00:01:38.959 --> 00:01:43.959 Was to remove sadness from her soul by looking at the blessings around her. 00:01:43.959 --> 00:01:47.959 As Allah the Almighty said in His Book: 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) 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) 00:01:55.019 --> 00:01:59.019 And the presence of water around her was a great blessing. 00:01:59.019 --> 00:02:01.019 Then He said to her: 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) 00:02:07.019 --> 00:02:10.020 He asked her to shake the date palm, 00:02:10.020 --> 00:02:15.020 The very tree she had been leaning against just a moment before during her labor, 00:02:15.020 --> 00:02:20.020 Due to the strength of its trunk, its solidity, and its firmness in the ground. 00:02:20.020 --> 00:02:23.020 He asks her to shake it. 00:02:23.020 --> 00:02:27.180 How can Maryam, peace be upon her, shake the trunk of a date palm? 00:02:27.180 --> 00:02:31.180 A date palm whose trunk cannot be moved even by a strong, powerful man. 00:02:31.180 --> 00:02:34.180 Furthermore, she is in a postpartum state, 00:02:34.180 --> 00:02:39.180 Meaning she is in the most severe state of weakness a woman can experience. 00:02:39.180 --> 00:02:41.280 Add to that, 00:02:41.280 --> 00:02:45.280 That dates do not usually fall just by shaking the tree, 00:02:45.280 --> 00:02:51.280 Rather, a farmer must climb up and pick them directly from the tree. 00:02:51.280 --> 00:02:54.280 Yet, despite all this, He says to her: 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) 00:03:01.280 --> 00:03:04.439 Al-Shinqiti, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 00:03:04.439 --> 00:03:09.439 Some scholars derived from the words of Allah the Almighty in this noble verse, 00:03:09.439 --> 00:03:13.439 "And shake toward you the trunk of the palm tree," 00:03:13.439 --> 00:03:18.439 That striving and taking the means to obtain provision 00:03:18.439 --> 00:03:21.439 Is a matter commanded by the Sharia, 00:03:21.439 --> 00:03:25.439 And that it does not contradict reliance (tawakkul) upon Allah the Almighty. 00:03:25.439 --> 00:03:29.439 This is a matter known as a necessity of the religion, 00:03:29.439 --> 00:03:35.439 That taking the means to obtain benefits and ward off harms in this world 00:03:35.439 --> 00:03:37.439 Is a matter commanded by the Sharia, 00:03:37.439 --> 00:03:41.439 And it does not contradict reliance upon Allah in any way. 00:03:41.439 --> 00:03:46.439 Because the accountable person engages with the means in compliance with the command of their Lord, 00:03:46.439 --> 00:03:52.439 While knowing and being certain that nothing happens except what Allah wills to happen. 00:03:52.439 --> 00:03:54.439 So, they are reliant upon Allah, 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. 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. 00:04:07.439 --> 00:04:12.629 Among the clearest proofs of this is the saying of Allah the Almighty: 00:04:12.629 --> 00:04:17.629 “We said: O fire, be coolness and peace for Abraham,” (21:69) 00:04:17.629 --> 00:04:19.720 The verse. 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. 00:04:25.720 --> 00:04:28.720 Yet, it burned the firewood, 00:04:28.720 --> 00:04:31.720 Turning it into ashes with its heat, 00:04:31.720 --> 00:04:36.720 At the same time that it was "coolness and peace" for Ibrahim. 00:04:36.720 --> 00:04:41.720 This is definitive proof that the actual effect 00:04:41.720 --> 00:04:45.720 Is only by the will of the Creator of the heavens and the earth, 00:04:45.720 --> 00:04:51.720 And that He causes whatever outcomes He wills through whatever means He wills, 00:04:51.720 --> 00:04:57.720 And that nothing has any effect except by His will, the Almighty. 00:04:57.720 --> 00:05:00.790 Among the clearest proofs of this 00:05:00.790 --> 00:05:04.790 Is that He may make a thing a means for something else, 00:05:04.790 --> 00:05:06.790 Even though it is contrary to it. 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. 00:05:14.790 --> 00:05:20.819 Striking him with a dead piece of a dead cow is contrary to his life, 00:05:20.819 --> 00:05:24.819 Since life is not gained by striking with a dead thing. 00:05:24.819 --> 00:05:30.819 This clarifies that He, the Almighty, causes whatever outcomes He wills 00:05:30.819 --> 00:05:33.819 Through whatever means He wills, 00:05:33.819 --> 00:05:36.819 And no effect occurs at all 00:05:36.819 --> 00:05:39.819 Except by His will, the Almighty. 00:05:39.819 --> 00:05:45.170 Among what clarifies that engaging with the means does not contradict reliance upon Allah 00:05:45.170 --> 00:05:48.170 Is the saying of Allah the Almighty about Ya‘qub: 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) 00:05:56.170 --> 00:06:00.329 He commanded them in this statement to engage with the means, 00:06:00.329 --> 00:06:03.329 And He caused that by commanding it, 00:06:03.329 --> 00:06:07.329 Because he feared for them that people might strike them with the evil eye, 00:06:07.329 --> 00:06:12.329 Since they were eleven men, sons of one man, 00:06:12.329 --> 00:06:16.329 And they were people of beauty, perfection, and physical stature. 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. 00:06:22.329 --> 00:06:27.329 Thus, he commanded them to disperse and enter through separate gates, 00:06:27.329 --> 00:06:31.329 Engaging with the means for safety from being struck by the evil eye, 00:06:31.329 --> 00:06:35.329 As more than one of the scholars of the salaf have said. 00:06:35.329 --> 00:06:39.399 And despite this taking of means, Allah said about him: 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) 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) 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) 00:07:11.620 --> 00:07:15.970 So look at how he combined taking the means in his saying, 00:07:15.970 --> 00:07:21.970 "Do not enter from one gate," and reliance upon Allah in his saying, 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) 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. 00:07:33.970 --> 00:07:40.100 Allah the Almighty is capable of making the dates fall for her without shaking the trunk, 00:07:40.100 --> 00:07:45.100 But He commanded her to take the means of making them fall by shaking the trunk. 00:07:45.100 --> 00:07:48.259 Some have said regarding this: 00:07:48.259 --> 00:07:52.259 Do you not see that Allah said to Maryam, 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," 00:07:56.259 --> 00:08:00.259 And had He willed for her to gather them without shaking it, 00:08:00.259 --> 00:08:04.259 She would have gathered them, but everything has a cause. 00:08:04.259 --> 00:08:07.420 This means, my dear sister, 00:08:07.420 --> 00:08:13.420 That sitting and lamenting our state and situation without taking the means 00:08:13.420 --> 00:08:15.420 Is contrary to the Sharia. 00:08:15.420 --> 00:08:20.550 It is not enough for us to sit and talk about the deviation of girls today, 00:08:20.550 --> 00:08:23.550 And the efforts of the people of corruption in that, 00:08:23.550 --> 00:08:30.550 Rather, we must work with the legitimate means that resist such deviations, 00:08:30.550 --> 00:08:33.549 At the forefront of which is calling to Allah, 00:08:33.549 --> 00:08:37.639 And spreading the truth with which Allah destroys falsehood. 00:08:37.639 --> 00:08:41.639 Likewise, the injustice occurring against women in some societies 00:08:41.639 --> 00:08:45.639 Due to Jahili (pre-Islamic) customs and traditions 00:08:45.639 --> 00:08:49.639 Cannot be changed by weeping and silence, 00:08:49.639 --> 00:08:51.639 But it is changed by denouncing it, 00:08:51.639 --> 00:08:57.639 And clarifying the truth that Allah the Almighty has legislated for women in such issues 00:08:57.639 --> 00:08:59.639 In which they are wronged, 00:08:59.639 --> 00:09:03.639 Such as preventing them from inheritance in some societies, 00:09:03.639 --> 00:09:07.639 And the male relatives seizing their wealth, 00:09:07.639 --> 00:09:10.639 And some guardians consuming their dowries, 00:09:10.639 --> 00:09:13.639 And forcing them to marry someone they do not want, 00:09:13.639 --> 00:09:15.639 And other forms of injustice 00:09:15.639 --> 00:09:20.840 Stemming from Jahili customs that contradict the Sharia. 00:09:20.840 --> 00:09:22.840 Also, my dear sister, 00:09:22.840 --> 00:09:28.840 Marital problems are not solved without taking the legitimate means for a solution, 00:09:28.840 --> 00:09:31.840 The most important of which is changing oneself, 00:09:31.840 --> 00:09:33.840 According to His saying: 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) 00:09:40.870 --> 00:09:47.190 Then consulting specialists early before the problem escalates. 00:09:47.190 --> 00:09:50.190 And the girl who has not yet married, 00:09:50.190 --> 00:09:52.190 And wishes to marry, 00:09:52.190 --> 00:09:56.190 She also needs to take the legitimate means 00:09:56.190 --> 00:09:58.190 To attain what she wishes, 00:09:58.190 --> 00:10:00.190 Among which is supplication (du‘a), 00:10:00.190 --> 00:10:02.279 Which is at the forefront. 00:10:02.279 --> 00:10:05.279 It is not among the legitimate means to display one's beauty (tabarruj), 00:10:05.279 --> 00:10:10.279 Or to get to know young men through social media, 00:10:10.279 --> 00:10:12.279 Nor is mixed-gender work. 00:10:12.279 --> 00:10:16.279 For what is with Allah is not attained by disobeying Allah. 00:10:16.279 --> 00:10:18.480 And know, my dear sister, 00:10:18.480 --> 00:10:23.480 That one of the greatest means that helps you in your goals in life 00:10:23.480 --> 00:10:28.480 Is the strength of your connection and relationship with Allah the Almighty, 00:10:28.480 --> 00:10:31.480 In times of ease and hardship. 00:10:31.480 --> 00:10:35.480 This relationship between you and Allah the Almighty 00:10:35.480 --> 00:10:38.480 Is manifested in your obedience to Allah, 00:10:38.480 --> 00:10:42.570 And your drawing near to Him through various types of worship. 00:10:42.570 --> 00:10:45.570 And contemplate the state of Maryam, peace be upon her, 00:10:45.570 --> 00:10:48.570 How she was before her pregnancy. 00:10:48.570 --> 00:10:54.570 She had prepared for herself a special place for her worship and drawing near to Allah, 00:10:54.570 --> 00:10:59.570 And she was frequent in prayer and intimate conversation with Allah the Almighty. 00:10:59.570 --> 00:11:02.570 So when her Lord tested her with pregnancy, 00:11:02.570 --> 00:11:06.570 He did not leave her alone in this trial, 00:11:06.570 --> 00:11:10.570 But rather, He helped her through it in every respect, 00:11:10.570 --> 00:11:13.570 As passed by you in a previous episode, 00:11:13.570 --> 00:11:18.570 And as we will mention in a coming episode, if Allah wills. 00:11:18.570 --> 00:11:21.639 This relationship with Allah, 00:11:21.639 --> 00:11:27.639 Its effects are manifested for you in situations where material means are cut off 00:11:27.639 --> 00:11:30.639 Regarding the matter you are going through, 00:11:30.639 --> 00:11:33.639 Like what happened to the Companions of the Cave, 00:11:33.639 --> 00:11:36.639 Who were trapped in the cave, 00:11:36.639 --> 00:11:40.639 And could not move the rock from its place, 00:11:40.639 --> 00:11:43.639 Even though they were three men. 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. 00:11:50.639 --> 00:11:54.639 When they did that, Allah relieved them. 00:11:54.639 --> 00:11:58.019 Indeed, your steadfastness, my dear sister, upon the truth, 00:11:58.019 --> 00:12:03.019 In a time of trials that surround people today from every side, 00:12:03.019 --> 00:12:06.019 Requires taking the legitimate means, 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. 00:12:13.019 --> 00:12:16.080 For on the authority of Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, he said: 00:12:16.080 --> 00:12:21.080 The Prophet, peace be upon him, used to frequently say: 00:12:21.080 --> 00:12:26.080 "O Turner of hearts, keep my heart firm upon Your religion." 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, 00:12:33.080 --> 00:12:35.080 So do you fear for us?" 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." 00:12:44.080 --> 00:12:46.080 Narrated by Ahmad. 00:12:46.080 --> 00:12:49.240 This is one of the means. 00:12:49.240 --> 00:12:52.240 Among them also is righteous companionship, 00:12:52.240 --> 00:12:55.240 According to the saying of the Prophet, peace be upon him: 00:12:55.240 --> 00:12:58.240 "A man is upon the religion of his friend, 00:12:58.240 --> 00:13:01.240 So let one of you look at whom he befriends." 00:13:01.240 --> 00:13:03.240 Narrated by Abu Dawud. 00:13:03.240 --> 00:13:08.529 Among them is staying away from places of trial and not approaching them, 00:13:08.529 --> 00:13:12.529 For you do not know how they will affect your heart. 00:13:12.529 --> 00:13:15.529 Among the most dangerous places of trial 00:13:15.529 --> 00:13:18.529 Are fields of mixing with men, 00:13:18.529 --> 00:13:20.529 Such as mixed universities, 00:13:20.529 --> 00:13:22.529 And mixed workplaces. 00:13:23.529 --> 00:13:26.529 Do not let those who beautify mixing for you deceive you, 00:13:26.529 --> 00:13:31.529 Under the pretext of calling to Allah and learning religious knowledge, 00:13:31.529 --> 00:13:35.529 For this is one of the ways Iblis enters upon the righteous. 00:13:35.529 --> 00:13:37.659 Among the places of trial 00:13:37.659 --> 00:13:41.659 Is exposing oneself to doubts under the pretext of refuting them, 00:13:41.659 --> 00:13:46.659 Before one's feet are firmly planted with deep knowledge and correct creed. 00:13:46.659 --> 00:13:51.690 These are means, do not be heedless of them, my dear sister, 00:13:51.690 --> 00:13:54.690 For you are commanded to take them, 00:13:54.690 --> 00:13:58.690 Just as Maryam was commanded to shake the palm tree to eat. 00:13:58.690 --> 00:14:00.690 It is not conceivable in our religion 00:14:00.690 --> 00:14:04.690 That taking the means is required in seeking provision, 00:14:04.690 --> 00:14:09.690 And neglected in seeking guidance and steadfastness upon it. 00:14:09.690 --> 00:14:14.879 I ask Allah to keep us firm upon the truth until the day we meet Him. 00:14:14.879 --> 00:14:19.110 We will continue in a coming meeting, if Allah wills. 00:14:19.110 --> 00:14:22.110 And praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.