In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Within the embrace of Allah, happiness pours into the hearts.
Seek to increase your closeness to the Most Merciful.
The Muhammad Ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz al-Musa Mosque.
Proudly presents.
The Musk of Discourse.
By Sheikh Usama Bahr.
May Allah preserve him.
Whoever obeys the Divine dissolves into the sweetest of feelings.
I desire Paradise.
And who among us does not desire Paradise?
Yet Paradise requires action and patience.
It is futile to seek Paradise without action and patience.
For Paradise is surrounded by hardships.
And the Fire is surrounded by desires.
Paradise is the ultimate aspiration.
Yet it is a precious commodity.
Its price is action.
And patience is its path.
It is not right for any rational person.
To seek Paradise.
While possessing none of its price.
Just as it is not right for a suitor.
To propose to a woman.
While possessing none of her dowry.
Is it reasonable to seek Paradise.
Without performing any deeds?
Is that not absurd?
That is why our master 'Ali.
May Allah be pleased with him, said.
Seeking Paradise without action.
Is a sin among sins.
Indeed.
A grave sin.
Rather, it is a mockery of Allah, the Almighty and Majestic.
Ibn Sirin says.
The scholar known for the interpretation of dreams.
A man once asked him.
O Imam.
I saw in my sleep that I was swimming in water that was not there.
And flying without wings.
Ibn Sirin replied.
You are a man of many wishes and dreams.
You desire what will not happen.
And dream of what will not be realized.
This is the case for the one who says.
O Allah, admit us into Paradise.
But what have you done for its sake?
What deeds have you offered?
What stand have you taken for the sake of Paradise?
What have you abandoned?
What have you sacrificed?
What have you restrained yourself from?
From what have you abstained?
What ties have you maintained and what have you severed?
What have you given and what have you withheld?
For whom have you shown anger and for whom have you shown pleasure?
This is the one who says.
Our Lord, admit us into Paradise.
While remaining exactly as he is.
Having offered nothing for Paradise.
Such a person adds a new sin to his existing sins.
One of the scholars of the heart says.
Patience is the cause for entering Paradise.
He was asked, "How so?"
He replied, "Because the Prophet, peace be upon him, says:"
"Paradise is surrounded by hardships."
"And the Fire is surrounded by desires."
Therefore, you must be patient in the face of hardships.
And you must be patient in the face of desires.
Until you are permitted to enter Paradise.
So, you who desire Paradise.
Work for it and prepare its dowry.
Strive for its sake.
And beware of seeking it while you do not work for it.
For we all desire Paradise.
But Paradise requires action.
And whoever thinks he can fly to Paradise.
Without the wings of action.
His thought is but a mirage.
And life after it.
If Allah wills a thing.
He says to it, "Be," and it is.