1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,200 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 2 00:00:04,450 --> 00:00:07,450 We are pleased, at the Sheikh Hasa Islamic Center, 3 00:00:07,450 --> 00:00:10,449 to present to our honorable listeners 4 00:00:10,449 --> 00:00:12,449 a reading of the book 5 00:00:12,449 --> 00:00:14,449 *Kanz al-Muslim* 6 00:00:14,449 --> 00:00:17,449 on the virtue of calling unto Allah (Da'wah), 7 00:00:17,449 --> 00:00:20,449 by its author, Junyar Bamarni. 8 00:00:20,449 --> 00:00:24,250 Salvation from Loss: 9 00:00:24,250 --> 00:00:26,920 Callers unto Allah 10 00:00:26,920 --> 00:00:29,920 are the true winners on the Day when people will be in loss, 11 00:00:29,920 --> 00:00:32,920 and they are the joyful ones on the Day when people will be in distress. 12 00:00:33,920 --> 00:00:37,140 Da'wah is a means of salvation from loss, 13 00:00:37,140 --> 00:00:40,140 which Allah Almighty mentioned in His saying: 14 00:00:41,140 --> 00:00:45,500 "By time, indeed, mankind 15 00:00:45,500 --> 00:00:48,500 is in loss, 16 00:00:48,500 --> 00:00:51,850 except for those who have believed 17 00:00:51,850 --> 00:00:54,850 and done righteous deeds 18 00:00:54,850 --> 00:00:57,850 and advised each other to truth 19 00:00:57,850 --> 00:01:00,850 and advised each other to patience." 20 00:01:00,850 --> 00:01:06,290 Reflect, then, and you will find that Allah negated loss 21 00:01:06,290 --> 00:01:09,290 from whoever believes, performs righteous deeds, 22 00:01:09,290 --> 00:01:11,290 undertakes the advising of people, 23 00:01:11,290 --> 00:01:14,290 and mutually counsels them to adhere to the truth, 24 00:01:14,290 --> 00:01:16,290 call towards it, 25 00:01:16,290 --> 00:01:20,569 and remain patient with whatever arises along its path. 26 00:01:20,569 --> 00:01:25,209 The Continuation of Your Good Deeds After Your Death: 27 00:01:25,209 --> 00:01:28,209 Calling unto Allah is among the greatest means of this, 28 00:01:29,209 --> 00:01:32,209 just as the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: 29 00:01:32,209 --> 00:01:35,209 "Whoever calls to guidance 30 00:01:35,209 --> 00:01:38,209 will have a reward equal to the rewards of those who follow him, 31 00:01:38,209 --> 00:01:41,209 without that detracting from their rewards in the slightest." 32 00:01:41,209 --> 00:01:44,209 Narrated by Muslim. 33 00:01:44,209 --> 00:01:47,620 Thus, the reward of Da'wah continues for the servant after his death, 34 00:01:47,620 --> 00:01:50,620 and even while he is asleep. 35 00:01:50,620 --> 00:01:53,620 And you can well imagine: 36 00:01:53,620 --> 00:01:56,620 if ten people benefit from you through a lecture, 37 00:01:57,620 --> 00:02:00,620 or an audio recording you distributed to them, 38 00:02:00,620 --> 00:02:03,620 or a book you gifted them, 39 00:02:03,620 --> 00:02:06,620 how many good deeds will proliferate for you 40 00:02:06,620 --> 00:02:09,620 among these people, their relatives, and others! 41 00:02:09,620 --> 00:02:12,659 And when death takes you suddenly, 42 00:02:12,659 --> 00:02:15,659 these good deeds will remain for you, 43 00:02:15,659 --> 00:02:19,099 reaching you while you are in your grave. 44 00:02:19,099 --> 00:02:22,099 Therefore, calling unto Allah 45 00:02:22,099 --> 00:02:25,099 is an easy path to acquiring reward, 46 00:02:25,099 --> 00:02:28,199 whose recompense endures for you after your death. 47 00:02:28,199 --> 00:02:31,199 Consider that everyone for whose guidance 48 00:02:31,199 --> 00:02:34,199 you became a means—all their righteous deeds, 49 00:02:34,199 --> 00:02:37,199 such as prayers, remembrance, fasting, 50 00:02:37,199 --> 00:02:40,199 charity, and Da'wah, 51 00:02:40,199 --> 00:02:43,199 will be in their scale of good deeds, 52 00:02:43,199 --> 00:02:46,199 and the like thereof will be in your scale of good deeds as well, 53 00:02:46,199 --> 00:02:49,199 without diminishing anything from their own rewards. 54 00:02:49,199 --> 00:02:52,199 How immense are these virtues! 55 00:02:53,199 --> 00:02:56,199 But where are the competitors? 56 00:02:56,199 --> 00:02:59,620 The successful merchant 57 00:02:59,620 --> 00:03:02,620 is the one who achieves the greatest amount of profit 58 00:03:02,620 --> 00:03:05,620 in the shortest period of time. 59 00:03:05,620 --> 00:03:07,620 Likewise is the wise believer 60 00:03:07,620 --> 00:03:10,620 who seeks good deeds and the high 61 00:03:10,620 --> 00:03:13,620 ranks in the Hereafter; 62 00:03:13,620 --> 00:03:16,620 he strives to attain that through calling unto Allah, 63 00:03:16,620 --> 00:03:19,620 which multiplies his deeds manifold. 64 00:03:19,620 --> 00:03:24,060 And the believers who strive 65 00:03:24,060 --> 00:03:27,060 for the Hereafter are of two types: 66 00:03:27,060 --> 00:03:30,060 the first is one who engages solely in personal worship, 67 00:03:30,060 --> 00:03:33,060 whose deeds cease upon his death, 68 00:03:33,060 --> 00:03:36,150 and his records of deeds are closed. 69 00:03:36,150 --> 00:03:39,150 The second is one who engages in worship, 70 00:03:39,150 --> 00:03:42,150 calling unto Allah, teaching 71 00:03:42,150 --> 00:03:45,250 Allah's legislation, and doing good to creation; 72 00:03:45,250 --> 00:03:48,250 this person attains the loftiest stations: 73 00:03:48,250 --> 00:03:51,250 his deeds continue, 74 00:03:51,250 --> 00:03:54,250 and his record remains open, 75 00:03:54,250 --> 00:03:58,050 filled with rewards and good deeds every single day. 76 00:03:58,050 --> 00:04:01,659 A Cause for Allah Almighty's Love: 77 00:04:01,659 --> 00:04:04,659 A question: who are the most beloved of people to Allah? 78 00:04:04,659 --> 00:04:08,039 Calling unto Allah 79 00:04:08,039 --> 00:04:11,039 is a cause for Allah Almighty's love, 80 00:04:11,039 --> 00:04:14,039 as the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: 81 00:04:14,039 --> 00:04:17,040 "The most beloved of people to Allah 82 00:04:17,040 --> 00:04:20,040 are those who are most beneficial to people." 83 00:04:20,040 --> 00:04:23,040 Narrated by al-Tabarani and graded Hasan by al-Albani. 84 00:04:23,040 --> 00:04:26,550 And the greatest benefit to people 85 00:04:26,550 --> 00:04:29,550 is guiding them to Paradise; 86 00:04:29,550 --> 00:04:32,550 benefiting them by rectifying their creed and their religion, 87 00:04:32,550 --> 00:04:35,550 purifying their character, and elevating 88 00:04:35,550 --> 00:04:39,319 the level of their faith. 89 00:04:39,319 --> 00:04:42,860 Allah loves the doers of good, 90 00:04:42,860 --> 00:04:45,860 and Da'wah is doing good to people. 91 00:04:45,860 --> 00:04:48,860 He says: "And do good; 92 00:04:48,860 --> 00:04:51,959 indeed, Allah loves the doers of good." 93 00:04:51,959 --> 00:04:54,959 And if benefiting people 94 00:04:54,959 --> 00:04:57,959 by providing food for them holds the rewards that it does, 95 00:04:57,959 --> 00:05:00,959 then how about feeding their hearts 96 00:05:00,959 --> 00:05:03,959 and nourishing their souls with the provision of faith, 97 00:05:03,959 --> 00:05:06,959 through which their true life is attained, 98 00:05:06,959 --> 00:05:09,959 and becoming a cause for their entry into Paradise? 99 00:05:09,959 --> 00:05:14,370 Hunger can be driven away with a loaf of bread, 100 00:05:15,370 --> 00:05:18,370 so why should my sorrow and worries multiply? 101 00:05:25,100 --> 00:05:28,870 The greatest concern of the caller 102 00:05:28,870 --> 00:05:31,870 is rescuing people from the Fire. 103 00:05:31,870 --> 00:05:34,870 Indeed, the master and leader of all callers, 104 00:05:34,870 --> 00:05:37,870 peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: 105 00:05:37,870 --> 00:05:40,870 "My example is that of a man who kindled a fire, 106 00:05:40,870 --> 00:05:43,870 and when it illuminated what was around it, 107 00:05:43,870 --> 00:05:46,870 moths and these creatures 108 00:05:46,870 --> 00:05:49,870 that fall into fire began to plunge into it, 109 00:05:49,870 --> 00:05:52,870 while he started preventing them, but they overcame him 110 00:05:52,870 --> 00:05:55,870 and rushed headlong into it." 111 00:05:55,870 --> 00:05:58,870 He said: "Such is my example and yours: 112 00:05:58,870 --> 00:06:01,870 I am holding you back by your waistbands from the Fire, 113 00:06:01,870 --> 00:06:04,870 saying, 'Come away from the Fire! Come away from the Fire!' 114 00:06:04,870 --> 00:06:07,870 Yet you overpower me and rush into it." 115 00:06:07,870 --> 00:06:10,870 Agreed upon. 116 00:06:10,870 --> 00:06:14,670 Allah Almighty's Praise 117 00:06:14,670 --> 00:06:17,670 and the Angels' Supplication of Forgiveness for You: 118 00:06:17,670 --> 00:06:21,500 Reflect with me: 119 00:06:21,500 --> 00:06:24,500 Da'wah is a cause for Allah Almighty's praise 120 00:06:24,500 --> 00:06:27,500 and the prayers for forgiveness from the angels and all creatures. 121 00:06:27,500 --> 00:06:30,500 The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: 122 00:06:30,500 --> 00:06:33,500 "Indeed, Allah and His angels— 123 00:06:33,500 --> 00:06:36,500 even the ant in its hole 124 00:06:36,500 --> 00:06:39,500 and even the fish in the sea..." 125 00:06:40,500 --> 00:06:43,889 And the blessing (Salat) from Allah 126 00:06:43,889 --> 00:06:46,889 means His praise, and from the angels 127 00:06:46,889 --> 00:06:50,050 it means seeking forgiveness for you. 128 00:06:50,050 --> 00:06:53,050 Thus, calling unto Allah encompasses all merits, 129 00:06:53,050 --> 00:06:56,050 rewards, and virtues. 130 00:06:56,050 --> 00:06:59,050 So what a profound loss for whoever deprives himself 131 00:06:59,050 --> 00:07:03,069 of these blessings! 132 00:07:03,069 --> 00:07:06,069 Attaining the Prophet's Supplication, Peace and Blessings of Allah Be Upon Him: 133 00:07:06,069 --> 00:07:10,100 Da'wah 134 00:07:10,100 --> 00:07:13,100 is in compliance with the command of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him: 135 00:07:13,100 --> 00:07:16,100 "Convey from me, even if only a single verse." 136 00:07:16,100 --> 00:07:19,100 Narrated by al-Bukhari. 137 00:07:19,100 --> 00:07:22,290 And whoever conveys his Sunnah, 138 00:07:22,290 --> 00:07:25,290 he supplicated for him to have a radiant face, 139 00:07:25,290 --> 00:07:28,290 in his saying, peace be upon him: 140 00:07:28,290 --> 00:07:31,290 "May Allah brighten the face of a person who hears something from us 141 00:07:31,290 --> 00:07:34,290 and conveys it just as he heard it, 142 00:07:34,290 --> 00:07:37,290 for perhaps the one to whom it is conveyed is more understanding than the one who heard it." 143 00:07:37,290 --> 00:07:40,769 Ibn al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 144 00:07:40,769 --> 00:07:43,769 "The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, commanded 145 00:07:43,769 --> 00:07:46,769 conveying from him even if it is a single verse, 146 00:07:46,769 --> 00:07:49,769 and he supplicated for whoever conveys from him even if it is a single hadith. 147 00:07:49,769 --> 00:07:52,769 Conveying his Sunnah to the Ummah 148 00:07:52,769 --> 00:07:55,769 is superior to shooting arrows into the throats of the enemy, 149 00:07:55,769 --> 00:07:58,769 because shooting arrows 150 00:07:58,769 --> 00:08:01,769 can be done by many people, 151 00:08:01,769 --> 00:08:04,769 whereas conveying the Sunan 152 00:08:04,769 --> 00:08:07,769 is the duty of the heirs of the Prophets and their successors among their nations." 153 00:08:07,769 --> 00:08:10,769 May Allah make us among them 154 00:08:10,769 --> 00:08:15,269 through His grace and generosity. 155 00:08:15,269 --> 00:08:19,199 Developing the Caller's Skills: 156 00:08:19,199 --> 00:08:22,199 Furthermore, calling unto Allah 157 00:08:22,199 --> 00:08:25,199 is among the means of increasing the caller's knowledge and skills 158 00:08:25,199 --> 00:08:28,199 through his practice of Da'wah, 159 00:08:28,199 --> 00:08:31,199 debate, and preparation for dialogue with others. 160 00:08:31,199 --> 00:08:35,799 The Reward of Patience on the Path of Da'wah: 161 00:08:36,799 --> 00:08:40,600 There is no doubt that this path is not paved with roses, 162 00:08:40,600 --> 00:08:43,600 so I give you glad tidings of immense reward 163 00:08:43,600 --> 00:08:46,600 for the harm you endure from those near before those far. 164 00:08:46,600 --> 00:08:49,600 Allah Almighty said: 165 00:08:49,600 --> 00:08:52,600 "And He rewarded them for their patience with a Garden and garments of silk." 166 00:08:52,600 --> 00:08:55,600 If you are merely righteous, 167 00:08:55,600 --> 00:08:58,659 no one will harm you; 168 00:08:58,659 --> 00:09:01,659 but if you are a reformer, 169 00:09:01,659 --> 00:09:04,659 you will inevitably face harm from the ignorant, 170 00:09:05,659 --> 00:09:08,659 and reward is commensurate with hardship. 171 00:09:08,659 --> 00:09:11,659 The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: 172 00:09:11,659 --> 00:09:14,659 "No fatigue, illness, 173 00:09:14,659 --> 00:09:17,659 anxiety, sorrow, 174 00:09:17,659 --> 00:09:20,659 harm, or grief afflicts a Muslim, 175 00:09:20,659 --> 00:09:23,659 even to the pricking of a thorn, 176 00:09:23,659 --> 00:09:26,659 but that Allah expiates some of his sins thereby." 177 00:09:26,659 --> 00:09:30,110 Narrated by al-Bukhari. 178 00:09:30,110 --> 00:09:33,110 Quraysh used to love the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 179 00:09:33,110 --> 00:09:36,110 but when, after his commissioning, he became a reformer 180 00:09:36,110 --> 00:09:39,110 spreading good and rectifying errors, 181 00:09:39,110 --> 00:09:42,110 they harmed him, showed him hostility, and fought him, 182 00:09:42,110 --> 00:09:45,110 because the reformer clashes with their whims 183 00:09:45,110 --> 00:09:48,110 when he seeks to extricate them 184 00:09:48,110 --> 00:09:51,110 from the corruption of their souls. 185 00:09:51,110 --> 00:09:54,110 The scholars have said: 186 00:09:54,110 --> 00:09:57,110 "A single reformer is more beloved to Allah than thousands of merely righteous people, 187 00:09:57,110 --> 00:10:00,110 because through the reformer, Allah protects an entire Ummah, 188 00:10:00,110 --> 00:10:03,110 whereas the righteous person merely protects himself." 189 00:10:03,110 --> 00:10:06,210 Thus, it is not befitting for a Muslim to settle for personal righteousness 190 00:10:06,210 --> 00:10:09,210 without engaging in reform, 191 00:10:09,210 --> 00:10:12,210 for that is cowardice, weakness, and abandonment of duty, 192 00:10:12,210 --> 00:10:15,210 and a cause for the Ummah's loss and destruction. 193 00:10:15,210 --> 00:10:18,210 For Almighty Allah said: 194 00:10:18,210 --> 00:10:21,210 “In truth thy Lord destroyed not the townships tyrannously while their folk were doing right.” (11:117) 195 00:10:21,210 --> 00:10:24,210 "...while its people were reformers." 196 00:10:24,210 --> 00:10:27,210 He did not say "merely righteous." 197 00:10:27,210 --> 00:10:30,210 May Allah make us among the righteous reformers. 198 00:10:30,210 --> 00:10:33,909 And since the honor of Da'wah is so sublime, 199 00:10:33,909 --> 00:10:36,909 such a noble rank 200 00:10:36,909 --> 00:10:39,909 and this noble and honorable status 201 00:10:39,909 --> 00:10:43,009 through sacrifice, steadfastness, and patience. 202 00:10:43,009 --> 00:10:46,009 Do not fear hardship in the path of calling to Allah, 203 00:10:46,009 --> 00:10:49,009 for at the very first moment in Paradise, 204 00:10:49,009 --> 00:10:52,700 you will forget all weariness. 205 00:10:52,700 --> 00:10:55,700 When a caller undertakes the mission of calling to Allah, 206 00:10:55,700 --> 00:10:58,700 he experiences two states: 207 00:10:58,700 --> 00:11:01,700 the state of people embracing him, 208 00:11:01,700 --> 00:11:04,700 as happened to the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 209 00:11:04,700 --> 00:11:07,700 when the people of Medina welcomed him 210 00:11:07,700 --> 00:11:10,799 and rejoiced at his arrival; 211 00:11:10,799 --> 00:11:13,799 and the second, the state of people turning away from him, 212 00:11:13,799 --> 00:11:16,799 as happened to the Prophet (peace be upon him) 213 00:11:16,799 --> 00:11:19,799 when the leaders of the people of Ta'if rejected him 214 00:11:19,799 --> 00:11:22,799 and incited the fools and young boys against him, 215 00:11:22,799 --> 00:11:25,830 until they pelted him with stones. 216 00:11:25,830 --> 00:11:28,830 Allah, Mighty and Majestic, does not surrender His allies to His enemies, 217 00:11:28,830 --> 00:11:31,830 but He is All-Wise, All-Knowing; 218 00:11:31,830 --> 00:11:34,830 He disciplines and refines the caller at times, 219 00:11:34,830 --> 00:11:38,440 and refines others through him at other times. 220 00:11:38,440 --> 00:11:41,440 Yet, the state of people embracing the caller is more severe and perilous, 221 00:11:41,440 --> 00:11:44,440 for vanity and self-admiration may creep into his heart, 222 00:11:44,440 --> 00:11:47,440 worldly positions may be offered to him, 223 00:11:47,440 --> 00:11:50,440 and he becomes vulnerable to the temptations of this worldly life; 224 00:11:50,440 --> 00:11:53,440 these are among the entryways of Satan, 225 00:11:54,440 --> 00:11:57,440 distracting him from religion with worldly pursuits, wealth, and status. 226 00:11:57,440 --> 00:12:00,570 As for the state of people turning away and rejecting him, 227 00:12:00,570 --> 00:12:03,570 it provides the finest and most profound spiritual training for him; 228 00:12:03,570 --> 00:12:06,570 for through it, the caller turns ever more sincerely to Allah, 229 00:12:06,570 --> 00:12:09,570 drawing nearer and devoting himself fully to Him. 230 00:12:09,570 --> 00:12:12,570 Consequently, as a result of that devotion, 231 00:12:12,570 --> 00:12:15,570 the support of Allah, Mighty and Majestic, arrives, 232 00:12:15,570 --> 00:12:18,570 just as happened to the Prophet (peace be upon him): 233 00:12:18,570 --> 00:12:21,570 when the people of Ta'if drove him out, 234 00:12:21,570 --> 00:12:24,570 he supplicated Allah, Who supported him with Gabriel 235 00:12:24,570 --> 00:12:27,570 and the Angel of the Mountains, 236 00:12:27,570 --> 00:12:30,570 then facilitated his honorable re-entry into Mecca, 237 00:12:30,570 --> 00:12:33,570 then honored him with the Night Journey and Heavenly Ascent (al-Isra' wal-Mi'raj), 238 00:12:33,570 --> 00:12:36,570 then facilitated the Migration (Hijrah) to Medina for him, 239 00:12:36,570 --> 00:12:39,570 culminating in the triumph of Islam and establishment in the land. 240 00:12:39,570 --> 00:12:42,759 Allah Almighty said: 241 00:12:54,809 --> 00:12:57,809 The period of spiritual cultivation: 242 00:12:57,809 --> 00:13:04,200 in this period, Allah tests the caller 243 00:13:04,200 --> 00:13:07,200 and refines him through what rectifies his character, 244 00:13:07,200 --> 00:13:10,200 in order to test his patience and truthfulness, 245 00:13:10,200 --> 00:13:13,200 cultivating within him the readiness to endure hardships, 246 00:13:13,200 --> 00:13:16,200 have mercy toward the creation, 247 00:13:16,200 --> 00:13:19,200 and yield with total submission to the Truth. 248 00:13:19,200 --> 00:13:22,200 Thus, he is tested with good and bad, 249 00:13:22,200 --> 00:13:25,200 wealth and poverty, security and fear. 250 00:13:25,200 --> 00:13:28,200 Allah Almighty said: 251 00:13:39,549 --> 00:13:44,659 And He Almighty said: 252 00:13:57,659 --> 00:14:00,759 "Who, when disaster strikes them, 253 00:14:00,759 --> 00:14:03,759 a calamity, 254 00:14:03,759 --> 00:14:06,860 they say: 'Indeed, to Allah we belong, 255 00:14:06,860 --> 00:14:09,860 and indeed, to Him 256 00:14:09,860 --> 00:14:12,860 we will return.' 257 00:14:12,860 --> 00:14:15,860 Those— 258 00:14:15,860 --> 00:14:18,860 upon them are blessings 259 00:14:18,860 --> 00:14:22,460 from their Lord 260 00:14:22,460 --> 00:14:25,529 and upon them 261 00:14:25,529 --> 00:14:28,529 from their Lord 262 00:14:28,529 --> 00:14:31,659 and mercy, 263 00:14:31,659 --> 00:14:34,659 and those— 264 00:14:34,659 --> 00:14:41,080 they are the rightly guided." 265 00:14:41,080 --> 00:14:44,340 The period of manifest victory: 266 00:14:44,340 --> 00:14:47,340 if the caller remains patient in the face of trials 267 00:14:47,340 --> 00:14:50,340 and persists in calling to Allah despite severe conditions, 268 00:14:50,340 --> 00:14:53,340 the scarcity of helpers, and the abundance of adversaries, 269 00:14:53,340 --> 00:14:56,340 Allah will be with him, 270 00:14:56,340 --> 00:14:59,340 answering his supplications, 271 00:14:59,340 --> 00:15:02,340 defending him, protecting him, and forsaking his enemies.