WEBVTT 00:00:00.180 --> 00:00:08.740 A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah. 00:00:08.740 --> 00:00:13.140 The principles of utilizing means. 00:00:13.140 --> 00:00:18.140 A person must be balanced in their utilization of means. 00:00:18.140 --> 00:00:21.140 They should not let it conflict with reliance upon Allah. 00:00:21.140 --> 00:00:23.140 Nor should they abandon or neglect them. 00:00:23.140 --> 00:00:27.140 For doing so is a detraction from the wisdom of Allah, the Almighty and Majestic. 00:00:27.140 --> 00:00:30.140 Who has linked effects to their causes. 00:00:30.140 --> 00:00:33.140 And it is a deficiency in intellect. 00:00:33.140 --> 00:00:35.140 To achieve this balance, 00:00:35.140 --> 00:00:40.140 One must observe the following guidelines when utilizing means. 00:00:40.270 --> 00:00:41.270 First: 00:00:41.270 --> 00:00:43.270 One must not rely upon them. 00:00:43.270 --> 00:00:47.270 Nor believe that they are independently capable of achieving the desired outcome. 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. 00:00:53.270 --> 00:00:55.270 He may strip that property from it. 00:00:55.270 --> 00:00:58.270 And there may be obstacles to it. 00:00:58.270 --> 00:01:02.270 It is Allah who perfects the cause and removes its obstacles. 00:01:02.270 --> 00:01:06.269 Whatever He wills happens, even if creation does not will it. 00:01:06.269 --> 00:01:10.269 And whatever He does not will does not happen, even if creation wills it. 00:01:10.269 --> 00:01:15.269 He prevented the fire from burning His Prophet Ibrahim, peace be upon him. 00:01:15.269 --> 00:01:19.269 And stripped it of its causality in burning. 00:01:19.269 --> 00:01:21.269 The essence of reliance (tawakkul), therefore, 00:01:21.269 --> 00:01:24.269 Is the heart’s dependence upon Allah alone. 00:01:24.269 --> 00:01:27.269 Such that engaging with means does not harm one’s faith. 00:01:27.269 --> 00:01:31.269 While the heart remains free from relying upon them. 00:01:31.269 --> 00:01:32.269 Second: 00:01:32.269 --> 00:01:37.500 One should not utilize a means without verifying that it is indeed a cause. 00:01:37.500 --> 00:01:40.500 And that it is sanctioned by knowledge and certainty. 00:01:40.500 --> 00:01:43.500 For whoever affirms a cause without knowledge, 00:01:43.500 --> 00:01:46.500 Or affirms a cause that contradicts the Sharia, 00:01:46.500 --> 00:01:50.500 Is invalid in their assertion and sinful in their belief. 00:01:50.500 --> 00:01:51.500 Third: 00:01:51.500 --> 00:01:56.719 If only a prohibited means exists to achieve a desired end, 00:01:56.719 --> 00:01:59.719 It is not permissible to engage with it or utilize it. 00:02:00.719 --> 00:02:02.719 Except in cases of necessity alone. 00:02:02.719 --> 00:02:05.719 And necessity is measured according to its extent. 00:02:05.719 --> 00:02:08.719 And in accordance with the objectives of the Sharia and their hierarchy, 00:02:08.719 --> 00:02:13.719 Which are the preservation of religion, life, intellect, honor, and wealth. 00:02:13.719 --> 00:02:16.719 As for situations other than necessity, 00:02:16.719 --> 00:02:19.719 One must never resort to a prohibited means under any circumstances. 00:02:19.719 --> 00:02:23.719 Rather, their sole means to achieve the desired end 00:02:23.719 --> 00:02:26.719 Should be pure reliance upon Allah alone. 00:02:26.719 --> 00:02:30.719 And what a blessed means that is for achieving one's goal. 00:02:32.069 --> 00:02:33.069 Fourth: 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. 00:02:38.069 --> 00:02:42.069 If it weakens it, then it is better to abandon it. 00:02:42.069 --> 00:02:46.069 If it does not weaken it, then engaging with it is better. 00:02:46.069 --> 00:02:51.069 As one thereby fulfills the wisdom of Allah in linking effects to their causes. 00:02:51.069 --> 00:02:56.069 And by doing so, one has performed the servitude of the heart through reliance, 00:02:56.069 --> 00:03:00.069 And the servitude of the limbs through the utilization of means. 00:03:00.069 --> 00:03:02.389 Fifth and finally: 00:03:02.389 --> 00:03:05.389 Utilizing means in the manner described above 00:03:05.389 --> 00:03:08.389 Is what truly realizes reliance. 00:03:08.389 --> 00:03:11.389 Whoever neglects the commanded means, 00:03:11.389 --> 00:03:13.389 Their reliance is not valid. 00:03:13.389 --> 00:03:17.389 Rather, it becomes mere passivity, helplessness, and wishful thinking.