1 00:00:00,180 --> 00:00:08,740 A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah. 2 00:00:08,740 --> 00:00:13,140 The principles of utilizing means. 3 00:00:13,140 --> 00:00:18,140 A person must be balanced in their utilization of means. 4 00:00:18,140 --> 00:00:21,140 They should not let it conflict with reliance upon Allah. 5 00:00:21,140 --> 00:00:23,140 Nor should they abandon or neglect them. 6 00:00:23,140 --> 00:00:27,140 For doing so is a detraction from the wisdom of Allah, the Almighty and Majestic. 7 00:00:27,140 --> 00:00:30,140 Who has linked effects to their causes. 8 00:00:30,140 --> 00:00:33,140 And it is a deficiency in intellect. 9 00:00:33,140 --> 00:00:35,140 To achieve this balance, 10 00:00:35,140 --> 00:00:40,140 One must observe the following guidelines when utilizing means. 11 00:00:40,270 --> 00:00:41,270 First: 12 00:00:41,270 --> 00:00:43,270 One must not rely upon them. 13 00:00:43,270 --> 00:00:47,270 Nor believe that they are independently capable of achieving the desired outcome. 14 00:00:47,270 --> 00:00:53,270 For it is Allah, glorified be He, who made a thing a cause for the occurrence of an effect. 15 00:00:53,270 --> 00:00:55,270 He may strip that property from it. 16 00:00:55,270 --> 00:00:58,270 And there may be obstacles to it. 17 00:00:58,270 --> 00:01:02,270 It is Allah who perfects the cause and removes its obstacles. 18 00:01:02,270 --> 00:01:06,269 Whatever He wills happens, even if creation does not will it. 19 00:01:06,269 --> 00:01:10,269 And whatever He does not will does not happen, even if creation wills it. 20 00:01:10,269 --> 00:01:15,269 He prevented the fire from burning His Prophet Ibrahim, peace be upon him. 21 00:01:15,269 --> 00:01:19,269 And stripped it of its causality in burning. 22 00:01:19,269 --> 00:01:21,269 The essence of reliance (tawakkul), therefore, 23 00:01:21,269 --> 00:01:24,269 Is the heart’s dependence upon Allah alone. 24 00:01:24,269 --> 00:01:27,269 Such that engaging with means does not harm one’s faith. 25 00:01:27,269 --> 00:01:31,269 While the heart remains free from relying upon them. 26 00:01:31,269 --> 00:01:32,269 Second: 27 00:01:32,269 --> 00:01:37,500 One should not utilize a means without verifying that it is indeed a cause. 28 00:01:37,500 --> 00:01:40,500 And that it is sanctioned by knowledge and certainty. 29 00:01:40,500 --> 00:01:43,500 For whoever affirms a cause without knowledge, 30 00:01:43,500 --> 00:01:46,500 Or affirms a cause that contradicts the Sharia, 31 00:01:46,500 --> 00:01:50,500 Is invalid in their assertion and sinful in their belief. 32 00:01:50,500 --> 00:01:51,500 Third: 33 00:01:51,500 --> 00:01:56,719 If only a prohibited means exists to achieve a desired end, 34 00:01:56,719 --> 00:01:59,719 It is not permissible to engage with it or utilize it. 35 00:02:00,719 --> 00:02:02,719 Except in cases of necessity alone. 36 00:02:02,719 --> 00:02:05,719 And necessity is measured according to its extent. 37 00:02:05,719 --> 00:02:08,719 And in accordance with the objectives of the Sharia and their hierarchy, 38 00:02:08,719 --> 00:02:13,719 Which are the preservation of religion, life, intellect, honor, and wealth. 39 00:02:13,719 --> 00:02:16,719 As for situations other than necessity, 40 00:02:16,719 --> 00:02:19,719 One must never resort to a prohibited means under any circumstances. 41 00:02:19,719 --> 00:02:23,719 Rather, their sole means to achieve the desired end 42 00:02:23,719 --> 00:02:26,719 Should be pure reliance upon Allah alone. 43 00:02:26,719 --> 00:02:30,719 And what a blessed means that is for achieving one's goal. 44 00:02:32,069 --> 00:02:33,069 Fourth: 45 00:02:33,069 --> 00:02:38,069 One should examine the permissible means and its effect on the realization of reliance in their heart. 46 00:02:38,069 --> 00:02:42,069 If it weakens it, then it is better to abandon it. 47 00:02:42,069 --> 00:02:46,069 If it does not weaken it, then engaging with it is better. 48 00:02:46,069 --> 00:02:51,069 As one thereby fulfills the wisdom of Allah in linking effects to their causes. 49 00:02:51,069 --> 00:02:56,069 And by doing so, one has performed the servitude of the heart through reliance, 50 00:02:56,069 --> 00:03:00,069 And the servitude of the limbs through the utilization of means. 51 00:03:00,069 --> 00:03:02,389 Fifth and finally: 52 00:03:02,389 --> 00:03:05,389 Utilizing means in the manner described above 53 00:03:05,389 --> 00:03:08,389 Is what truly realizes reliance. 54 00:03:08,389 --> 00:03:11,389 Whoever neglects the commanded means, 55 00:03:11,389 --> 00:03:13,389 Their reliance is not valid. 56 00:03:13,389 --> 00:03:17,389 Rather, it becomes mere passivity, helplessness, and wishful thinking.