WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.299 In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. 00:00:04.450 --> 00:00:07.450 We are pleased at the Sheikh Hasa Islamic Center 00:00:07.450 --> 00:00:10.449 to present to our esteemed listeners 00:00:10.449 --> 00:00:12.449 a reading of the book 00:00:12.449 --> 00:00:14.449 The Muslim’s Treasure 00:00:14.449 --> 00:00:17.449 on the Virtue of Calling to Allah 00:00:17.449 --> 00:00:20.449 by its author, John Yar Bamarni. 00:00:20.449 --> 00:00:25.699 The misconception of being infallible. 00:00:25.699 --> 00:00:29.699 How many people love to offer much for their religion, 00:00:29.699 --> 00:00:33.700 yet they think that the caller to Allah, the one who enjoins good, and the one who forbids evil 00:00:33.700 --> 00:00:36.700 must be infallible, 00:00:36.700 --> 00:00:38.700 acting upon everything they command, 00:00:38.700 --> 00:00:41.700 and refraining from everything they forbid. 00:00:41.700 --> 00:00:44.700 This is a difficult station 00:00:44.700 --> 00:00:46.700 that only the Messengers attain. 00:00:46.700 --> 00:00:50.700 Consequently, no one would enjoin good, 00:00:50.700 --> 00:00:52.700 no one would forbid evil, 00:00:52.700 --> 00:00:57.700 and no one would introduce Islam to non-Muslims after the Messengers. 00:00:58.700 --> 00:01:00.979 This is a deception of Satan, 00:01:00.979 --> 00:01:03.979 so beware. 00:01:03.979 --> 00:01:06.980 It is no excuse that some people offer, 00:01:06.980 --> 00:01:08.980 claiming they are falling short; 00:01:08.980 --> 00:01:11.980 how can they call others when they are falling short themselves? 00:01:11.980 --> 00:01:14.980 This is from the deceptions of Iblis. 00:01:14.980 --> 00:01:17.980 For if only the perfect among people were to call others, 00:01:17.980 --> 00:01:20.980 no one would have called to the path after the Prophets. 00:01:20.980 --> 00:01:22.019 Indeed. 00:01:22.019 --> 00:01:27.019 It is unsightly for a caller to have their actions contradict their words. 00:01:27.019 --> 00:01:29.079 Allah the Almighty said: 00:01:29.079 --> 00:01:33.340 ﴾ O you who have believed, why do you say what you do not do? * Great is hatred in the sight of Allah that you say what you do not do. ﴿ 00:01:33.340 --> 00:01:38.340 “O ye who believe! Why say ye that which ye do not?” (61:2) 00:01:38.340 --> 00:01:43.140 [See line 29]. 00:01:43.140 --> 00:01:49.140 “It is most hateful in the sight of Allah that ye say that which ye do not.” (61:3) 00:01:49.140 --> 00:01:56.250 However, the solution is not for the Muslim to withdraw from calling to Allah, 00:01:56.250 --> 00:02:01.250 but rather, it is their duty to strive against their own self to adhere to what they say, 00:02:01.250 --> 00:02:03.250 to repent from sins, 00:02:03.250 --> 00:02:06.250 and to continue on the path of calling to Allah. 00:02:06.250 --> 00:02:11.250 For calling to Allah is not the exclusive domain of any one person or segment of society. 00:02:11.250 --> 00:02:15.250 The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: 00:02:15.250 --> 00:02:18.250 "Convey from me, even if it be a single verse." 00:02:18.250 --> 00:02:22.250 This command is general for every Muslim man and woman, 00:02:22.250 --> 00:02:24.250 and each according to their capacity. 00:02:24.250 --> 00:02:27.250 The scholar has duties that others do not have; 00:02:27.250 --> 00:02:31.250 callers vary in their knowledge and abilities, 00:02:31.250 --> 00:02:35.250 but each does what they can. 00:02:35.250 --> 00:02:41.250 This religion is a trust upon the neck of every Muslim, the righteous and the sinful alike. 00:02:41.250 --> 00:02:45.539 The sin of Abu Mihjan, may Allah be pleased with him, 00:02:45.539 --> 00:02:48.539 was not a barrier to supporting the religion. 00:02:48.539 --> 00:02:50.539 Likewise, my dear brother, 00:02:50.539 --> 00:02:54.539 do not let your shortcomings prevent you from calling to Allah. 00:02:54.539 --> 00:02:59.719 The misconception of "I do not have knowledge." 00:02:59.719 --> 00:03:02.389 Some people say: 00:03:02.389 --> 00:03:05.389 "I should not call to Allah 00:03:05.389 --> 00:03:10.389 because I am not among the people of knowledge who are qualified for that, 00:03:10.389 --> 00:03:12.389 and I do not grasp it, 00:03:12.389 --> 00:03:16.389 and I lack the method or knowledge for calling to Allah." 00:03:16.389 --> 00:03:17.389 Despite that, 00:03:17.389 --> 00:03:22.389 I do not want to deprive myself of the ritual of accountability and calling to Allah. 00:03:22.389 --> 00:03:27.460 We say there are many things you can do, 00:03:27.460 --> 00:03:32.460 such as distributing dawah materials to Muslims and non-Muslims 00:03:32.460 --> 00:03:34.460 through various means, 00:03:34.460 --> 00:03:38.460 like modern methods via the internet, 00:03:38.460 --> 00:03:41.460 social media sites, 00:03:41.460 --> 00:03:43.460 participating in printing, 00:03:44.460 --> 00:03:47.460 spreading clips of callers and scholars, 00:03:47.460 --> 00:03:49.460 financial contribution, 00:03:49.460 --> 00:03:53.460 and serving callers and caring for new Muslims. 00:03:53.460 --> 00:03:58.460 Everyone can distribute the books and lectures of the people of knowledge. 00:03:58.460 --> 00:04:01.490 For example, 00:04:01.490 --> 00:04:03.490 if you see someone who has abandoned prayer, 00:04:03.490 --> 00:04:08.490 does your encouraging them to perform prayer require much knowledge? 00:04:08.490 --> 00:04:09.490 No. 00:04:09.490 --> 00:04:14.490 Rather, it is enough for you to know that prayer is one of the pillars of Islam, 00:04:14.490 --> 00:04:17.490 and Islam cannot stand without it. 00:04:17.490 --> 00:04:22.899 Some of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:04:22.899 --> 00:04:27.899 as soon as they embraced Islam and learned from the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:04:27.899 --> 00:04:29.899 the essential matters, 00:04:29.899 --> 00:04:31.899 he, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, would command them 00:04:31.899 --> 00:04:33.899 to call their people, 00:04:33.899 --> 00:04:35.899 and to enjoin and forbid them. 00:04:35.899 --> 00:04:38.899 Among these is the story of the conversion of Abu Dharr, 00:04:38.899 --> 00:04:40.899 may Allah be pleased with him, 00:04:40.899 --> 00:04:44.899 when the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said to him: 00:04:44.899 --> 00:04:47.899 "Will you convey from me to your people? 00:04:47.899 --> 00:04:52.939 Perhaps Allah will benefit them through you and reward you for them." 00:04:52.939 --> 00:04:54.939 So I came to Unays, and he said: 00:04:54.939 --> 00:04:56.939 "What have you done?" 00:04:56.939 --> 00:04:57.939 I said: 00:04:57.939 --> 00:05:00.939 "I have done that I have embraced Islam and believed." 00:05:00.939 --> 00:05:01.939 He said: 00:05:01.939 --> 00:05:04.939 "I have no aversion to your religion; 00:05:04.939 --> 00:05:07.939 I have embraced Islam and believed." 00:05:07.939 --> 00:05:09.939 Then we came to our mother, 00:05:09.939 --> 00:05:10.939 and she said: 00:05:10.939 --> 00:05:13.939 "I have no aversion to your religion; 00:05:13.939 --> 00:05:17.000 I have embraced Islam and believed." 00:05:17.000 --> 00:05:21.000 So we traveled until we came to our people, Ghifar, 00:05:21.000 --> 00:05:23.000 and half of them embraced Islam. 00:05:23.000 --> 00:05:25.449 Sahih Muslim. 00:05:25.449 --> 00:05:27.449 So Abu Dharr, may Allah be pleased with him, 00:05:27.449 --> 00:05:31.449 did not stay with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:05:31.449 --> 00:05:34.449 until he learned many things from him; 00:05:34.449 --> 00:05:36.449 rather, as soon as he embraced Islam 00:05:36.449 --> 00:05:39.449 and learned the essential matters— 00:05:39.449 --> 00:05:41.449 he learned prayer and ablution from him, 00:05:41.449 --> 00:05:44.449 as in the second narration— 00:05:44.449 --> 00:05:46.449 he called his brother and his mother, 00:05:46.449 --> 00:05:49.449 then he called his people after he returned to them, 00:05:49.449 --> 00:05:53.449 and the result was that half of them embraced Islam. 00:05:53.449 --> 00:05:59.449 The other half embraced Islam after the migration of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, to Medina, 00:05:59.449 --> 00:06:03.449 as in the remainder of the mentioned hadith. 00:06:03.449 --> 00:06:05.769 Also in this category 00:06:05.769 --> 00:06:09.769 is the story of Malik Ibn al-Huwayrith and the young men with him, 00:06:09.769 --> 00:06:13.769 whom the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, commanded 00:06:13.769 --> 00:06:15.769 to return to their families, 00:06:15.769 --> 00:06:17.769 to teach them and command them. 00:06:17.769 --> 00:06:21.769 As Malik Ibn al-Huwayrith, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates, 00:06:21.769 --> 00:06:23.769 he says: 00:06:23.769 --> 00:06:26.769 "We came to the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:06:26.769 --> 00:06:29.769 and we were young men of similar age. 00:06:29.769 --> 00:06:33.769 We stayed with him for twenty days and nights. 00:06:33.769 --> 00:06:38.769 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was merciful and kind. 00:06:38.769 --> 00:06:42.769 When he thought that we missed our families, 00:06:42.769 --> 00:06:44.769 or that we longed for them, 00:06:44.769 --> 00:06:47.769 he asked us about those we left behind, 00:06:47.769 --> 00:06:48.769 and we informed him. 00:06:48.769 --> 00:06:49.769 He said: 00:06:49.769 --> 00:06:52.769 'Return to your families, 00:06:52.769 --> 00:06:56.769 stay among them, teach them, and command them'— 00:06:56.769 --> 00:07:00.769 and he mentioned things I remember or do not remember— 00:07:00.769 --> 00:07:03.769 'and pray as you have seen me pray. 00:07:03.769 --> 00:07:05.769 When the time for prayer arrives, 00:07:05.769 --> 00:07:08.769 let one of you call the adhan for you, 00:07:08.769 --> 00:07:11.769 and let the oldest of you lead you in prayer.'" 00:07:11.769 --> 00:07:13.769 Reported by al-Bukhari. 00:07:13.769 --> 00:07:16.279 If no one were to call to Allah 00:07:16.279 --> 00:07:19.279 except the scholars and students of knowledge, 00:07:19.279 --> 00:07:22.279 this noble work would be paralyzed, 00:07:22.279 --> 00:07:26.279 because scholars and students of knowledge are few in society. 00:07:26.279 --> 00:07:27.279 Consequently, 00:07:28.279 --> 00:07:30.279 enjoining good and forbidding evil in society, 00:07:30.279 --> 00:07:32.279 and calling non-Muslims, 00:07:32.279 --> 00:07:35.279 would remain in a narrow circle. 00:07:35.279 --> 00:07:37.279 So, one who does not have knowledge 00:07:37.279 --> 00:07:40.279 calls people to follow the Messenger and the scholars 00:07:40.279 --> 00:07:44.279 by using the many available means, 00:07:44.279 --> 00:07:46.279 as Allah the Almighty said 00:07:46.279 --> 00:07:48.279 about the man from Yasin: 00:07:48.279 --> 00:07:53.600 “And there came from the uttermost part of the city a man running. He cried: O my people! Follow those who have been sent!” (36:20) 00:07:53.600 --> 00:07:55.600 "And there came from the farthest end of the city a man, running. 00:07:55.600 --> 00:08:01.730 He said, 'O my people, follow the messengers. 00:08:01.730 --> 00:08:07.730 “Follow those who ask of you no fee, and who are rightly guided.” (36:21) 00:08:07.730 --> 00:08:14.540 and they are [rightly] guided.'" 00:08:14.540 --> 00:08:17.540 Each of us offers to spread goodness 00:08:17.540 --> 00:08:20.540 according to what they have of knowledge, time, 00:08:20.540 --> 00:08:24.430 effort, and wealth. 00:08:24.430 --> 00:08:29.300 The misconception that most people are lost. 00:08:29.300 --> 00:08:32.299 Al-Fudayl Ibn Iyad, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 00:08:32.299 --> 00:08:36.299 "Do not feel lonely on the paths of guidance because of the fewness of those who travel them, 00:08:36.299 --> 00:08:39.299 and do not be deceived by the multitude of those who are perishing." 00:08:39.299 --> 00:08:43.809 What the caller says if they are not followed. 00:08:43.809 --> 00:08:45.809 Allah the Almighty said: 00:08:45.809 --> 00:08:50.809 “Now, if they turn away (O Muhammad) say: Allah sufficeth me. There is no Allah save Him. In Him have I put my trust, and He is Lord of the Tremendous Throne.” (9:129) 00:08:50.809 --> 00:08:56.350 “Now, if they turn away (O Muhammad) say: Allah sufficeth me. There is no Allah save Him. In Him have I put my trust, and He is Lord of the Tremendous Throne.” (9:129) 00:08:56.350 --> 00:08:59.350 What the caller does if their heart becomes distressed. 00:08:59.350 --> 00:09:01.419 Allah the Almighty said: 00:09:01.419 --> 00:09:11.539 “Well know We that thy bosom is oppressed by what they say,” (15:97) 00:09:11.539 --> 00:09:20.860 “But hymn the praise of thy Lord, and be of those who make prostration (unto Him).” (15:98) 00:09:20.860 --> 00:09:28.990 [See line 167]. 00:09:28.990 --> 00:09:34.389 Sufyan al-Thawri, may Allah have mercy on him, was asked: 00:09:34.389 --> 00:09:38.389 "Should a man command someone who he knows will not accept it from him?" 00:09:38.389 --> 00:09:45.389 He said: "Yes, so that it may be an excuse for him before Allah the Almighty." 00:09:45.389 --> 00:09:47.870 And if people do not embrace Islam, 00:09:47.870 --> 00:09:51.870 the solution is more supplication, self-reflection, 00:09:51.870 --> 00:09:55.870 perfection in performance, increasing skills, 00:09:55.870 --> 00:09:57.870 willpower, perseverance, 00:09:57.870 --> 00:10:00.870 steadfastness, and high ambition. 00:10:00.870 --> 00:10:05.309 High ambition 00:10:05.309 --> 00:10:08.049 is one of the strongest causes of success. 00:10:08.049 --> 00:10:13.049 High ambition, not despairing, and not giving up. 00:10:13.049 --> 00:10:15.210 There are two types of people; 00:10:15.210 --> 00:10:18.210 let us see which one you are. 00:10:18.210 --> 00:10:22.240 The first is one who is overcome by despair, hopelessness, and lethargy, 00:10:22.240 --> 00:10:25.240 so their strength collapses and they become sad; 00:10:25.240 --> 00:10:29.240 this type are those of weak ambition, 00:10:29.240 --> 00:10:32.240 and failure is always their ally. 00:10:32.240 --> 00:10:34.269 The second category 00:10:34.269 --> 00:10:37.269 is one who, if they encounter failure at the beginning of the matter, 00:10:37.269 --> 00:10:41.269 tries again, once and many times, 00:10:41.269 --> 00:10:46.269 and this failure gives them more strength and insistence on continuing the path. 00:10:46.269 --> 00:10:49.269 They overcome all stumbling blocks, 00:10:49.269 --> 00:10:53.269 and shatter all obstacles with patience and determination. 00:10:53.269 --> 00:10:56.269 These are the people of high ambition. 00:10:57.559 --> 00:10:59.559 So, my brother, the caller, 00:10:59.559 --> 00:11:00.559 contemplate the verse: 00:11:00.559 --> 00:11:04.559 “Even so have We appointed unto every prophet an opponent from among the guilty; but Allah sufficeth for a Guide and Helper.” (25:31) 00:11:04.559 --> 00:11:07.559 "Indeed, Allah is with the patient." Victory is your ally as long as Allah is with you, 00:11:07.559 --> 00:11:10.559 for He is your Guide and your Helper. 00:11:10.559 --> 00:11:12.559 So why the sadness and distress? 00:11:12.559 --> 00:11:14.559 And why the coldness and laziness? 00:11:14.559 --> 00:11:16.559 Do not be incapable. 00:11:16.559 --> 00:11:18.559 Beware of the disease of incapacity, 00:11:18.559 --> 00:11:20.559 for it is a destroyer. 00:11:20.559 --> 00:11:23.559 The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, says: 00:11:23.559 --> 00:11:26.559 "Be eager for what benefits you, 00:11:26.559 --> 00:11:29.559 seek help from Allah, and do not be incapable." 00:11:29.559 --> 00:11:31.620 And he, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:11:31.620 --> 00:11:34.620 He would seek refuge in Allah from incapacity and laziness. 00:11:34.620 --> 00:11:36.620 Observe how Allah has sternly rebuked 00:11:36.620 --> 00:11:39.620 those who desired the worldly life and its fleeting glitter, 00:11:39.620 --> 00:11:43.620 and turned away from the Hereafter and its eternal bliss. 00:11:43.620 --> 00:11:45.750 O you who have believed, 00:11:45.750 --> 00:11:47.750 “O ye who believe! What aileth you that when it is said unto you: Go forth in the way of Allah, ye are bowed down to the ground with heaviness. Take ye pleasure in the life of the world rather than in the Hereafter? The comfort of the life of the world is but little in the Hereafter.” (9:38) 00:11:47.750 --> 00:11:49.750 “O ye who believe! What aileth you that when it is said unto you: Go forth in the way of Allah, ye are bowed down to the ground with heaviness. Take ye pleasure in the life of the world rather than in the Hereafter? The comfort of the life of the world is but little in the Hereafter.” (9:38) 00:11:49.750 --> 00:11:52.750 why are you so heavily inclined toward the earth? 00:11:52.750 --> 00:11:56.820 “O ye who believe! What aileth you that when it is said unto you: Go forth in the way of Allah, ye are bowed down to the ground with heaviness. Take ye pleasure in the life of the world rather than in the Hereafter? The comfort of the life of the world is but little in the Hereafter.” (9:38) 00:11:56.820 --> 00:12:00.820 “O ye who believe! What aileth you that when it is said unto you: Go forth in the way of Allah, ye are bowed down to the ground with heaviness. Take ye pleasure in the life of the world rather than in the Hereafter? The comfort of the life of the world is but little in the Hereafter.” (9:38) 00:12:00.820 --> 00:12:02.879 except for a few. 00:12:02.879 --> 00:12:06.879 “If ye go not forth He will afflict you with a painful doom, and will choose instead of you a folk other than you. Ye cannot harm Him at all. Allah is Able to do all things.” (9:39) 00:12:06.879 --> 00:12:08.879 He will replace you with another people, 00:12:08.879 --> 00:12:11.879 and you will not harm Him in the least. 00:12:11.879 --> 00:12:15.879 And Allah is over all things competent. 00:12:15.879 --> 00:12:19.879 “If ye help him not, still Allah helped him when those who disbelieve drove him forth, the second of two; when they two were in the cave, when he said unto his comrade: Grieve not. Lo! Allah is with us. Then Allah caused His peace of reassurance to descend upon him and supported him with hosts ye cannot see, and made the word of those who disbelieved the nethermost, while Allah's Word it was that became the uppermost. Allah is Mighty, Wise.” (9:40) 00:12:19.879 --> 00:12:21.259 A person of high aspiration 00:12:21.259 --> 00:12:25.259 does not accept that their good deeds should die with them. 00:12:25.259 --> 00:12:28.620 A person of high aspiration is never satisfied with the mediocre, 00:12:28.620 --> 00:12:31.620 and accepts nothing less than the most noble of pursuits. 00:12:31.620 --> 00:12:36.620 Therefore, do not accept to live anywhere but at the highest of peaks.