1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,759
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

2
00:00:03,759 --> 00:00:07,860
The story of Maryam, daughter of ‘Imran.

3
00:00:07,860 --> 00:00:10,339
Peace be upon her.

4
00:00:10,339 --> 00:00:15,439
Maryam and the sanctuary of worship.

5
00:00:15,439 --> 00:00:22,969
Maryam, peace be upon her, was raised in a righteous upbringing.

6
00:00:22,969 --> 00:00:26,010
She remained steadfast in worship and obedience.

7
00:00:26,010 --> 00:00:31,329
So much so that she designated for herself a private sanctuary in which to worship.

8
00:00:31,329 --> 00:00:36,009
And she would seclude herself in intimate conversation with Allah, Lord of the worlds.

9
00:00:36,549 --> 00:00:40,429
Allah the Exalted alluded to this in His saying:

10
00:00:40,429 --> 00:00:53,289
“And her Lord accepted her with full acceptance and vouchsafed to her a goodly growth; and made Zachariah her guardian. Whenever Zachariah went into the sanctuary where she was, he found that she had food. He said: O Mary! Whence cometh unto thee this (food)? She answered: It is from Allah. Allah giveth without stint to whom He will.” (3:37)

11
00:00:53,289 --> 00:00:55,850
And Zakariyya took charge of her.

12
00:00:55,850 --> 00:01:03,570
“And her Lord accepted her with full acceptance and vouchsafed to her a goodly growth; and made Zachariah her guardian. Whenever Zachariah went into the sanctuary where she was, he found that she had food. He said: O Mary! Whence cometh unto thee this (food)? She answered: It is from Allah. Allah giveth without stint to whom He will.” (3:37)

13
00:01:03,729 --> 00:01:08,250
He said, "O Maryam, from where have you gotten this?"

14
00:01:08,250 --> 00:01:12,090
“And her Lord accepted her with full acceptance and vouchsafed to her a goodly growth; and made Zachariah her guardian. Whenever Zachariah went into the sanctuary where she was, he found that she had food. He said: O Mary! Whence cometh unto thee this (food)? She answered: It is from Allah. Allah giveth without stint to whom He will.” (3:37)

15
00:01:12,090 --> 00:01:20,810
“And her Lord accepted her with full acceptance and vouchsafed to her a goodly growth; and made Zachariah her guardian. Whenever Zachariah went into the sanctuary where she was, he found that she had food. He said: O Mary! Whence cometh unto thee this (food)? She answered: It is from Allah. Allah giveth without stint to whom He will.” (3:37)

16
00:01:21,790 --> 00:01:24,670
The *mihrab* (sanctuary) is a place of worship.

17
00:01:24,670 --> 00:01:30,780
This indicates the frequency of her prayers and her devotion to her sanctuary.

18
00:01:30,780 --> 00:01:33,980
Al-Tahir Ibn ‘Ashur, may Allah have mercy on him, said:

19
00:01:34,019 --> 00:01:38,980
She used to worship in a place she had taken as a sanctuary.

20
00:01:38,980 --> 00:01:42,959
And Zakariyya would oversee her worship.

21
00:01:42,959 --> 00:01:48,239
She placed her sanctuary, where she worshipped, to the east of Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem).

22
00:01:48,239 --> 00:01:49,920
Allah the Exalted said:

23
00:01:49,920 --> 00:01:56,400
“And make mention of Mary in the Scripture, when she had withdrawn from her people to a chamber looking East,” (19:16)

24
00:01:56,400 --> 00:01:59,000
Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him, said:

25
00:01:59,000 --> 00:02:02,000
Meaning, she secluded herself from them and withdrew from them.

26
00:02:02,040 --> 00:02:06,099
She went to the east of the Holy Mosque.

27
00:02:06,099 --> 00:02:08,620
Maryam did this for a specific reason:

28
00:02:08,620 --> 00:02:12,259
To devote herself to worship, far away from people.

29
00:02:12,259 --> 00:02:16,310
So that she would not be preoccupied with them, nor they with her.

30
00:02:16,310 --> 00:02:18,990
Abu Zahra, may Allah have mercy on him, said:

31
00:02:18,990 --> 00:02:23,389
The meaning is that she withdrew from people and cast them aside.

32
00:02:23,389 --> 00:02:26,469
She isolated herself to worship Allah alone.

33
00:02:26,469 --> 00:02:29,830
And let nothing fill her heart except His remembrance.

34
00:02:29,870 --> 00:02:31,150
The meaning is:

35
00:02:31,150 --> 00:02:34,830
She withdrew from her family to an eastern place.

36
00:02:34,830 --> 00:02:39,430
That is, she isolated herself from her family in a place to the east of Bayt al-Maqdis.

37
00:02:39,430 --> 00:02:41,990
Where her sanctuary was located.

38
00:02:41,990 --> 00:02:46,069
And the sanctuary of her guardian, Zakariyya, peace be upon him.

39
00:02:46,069 --> 00:02:48,750
Behind this seclusion,

40
00:02:48,750 --> 00:02:52,860
She took a veil to serve as a barrier between her and them.

41
00:02:52,860 --> 00:02:58,900
Maryam, peace be upon her, was not content with merely distancing herself physically from people and isolating.

42
00:02:58,900 --> 00:03:04,060
Rather, she went further by taking a veil to screen herself from people.

43
00:03:04,060 --> 00:03:07,180
So that she could devote herself to the worship of her Lord.

44
00:03:07,180 --> 00:03:08,979
Allah the Exalted said:

45
00:03:08,979 --> 00:03:15,659
“And make mention of Mary in the Scripture, when she had withdrawn from her people to a chamber looking East,” (19:16)

46
00:03:15,659 --> 00:03:19,400
“And had chosen seclusion from them. Then We sent unto her Our Spirit and it assumed for her the likeness of a perfect man.” (19:17)

47
00:03:19,400 --> 00:03:22,560
Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, may Allah have mercy on him, said:

48
00:03:22,560 --> 00:03:23,879
He says:

49
00:03:23,879 --> 00:03:29,360
She took, apart from her family, a screen to hide her from them and from the people.

50
00:03:29,360 --> 00:03:32,240
And Ibn ‘Atiyya, may Allah have mercy on him, said:

51
00:03:32,240 --> 00:03:37,319
She took it to conceal herself from people for her worship.

52
00:03:37,319 --> 00:03:39,919
And al-Sa‘di, may Allah have mercy on him, said:

53
00:03:39,919 --> 00:03:43,360
This distancing of hers and the taking of the veil,

54
00:03:43,360 --> 00:03:47,000
Was to seclude herself and be alone in the worship of her Lord.

55
00:03:47,000 --> 00:03:53,300
And to stand before Him in a state of sincerity, humility, and submission to Allah the Exalted.

56
00:03:53,300 --> 00:03:55,580
Therefore, my noble sister,

57
00:03:55,580 --> 00:03:59,740
If you wish to be among the righteous female worshippers,

58
00:03:59,740 --> 00:04:03,300
You must emulate Maryam, peace be upon her.

59
00:04:03,300 --> 00:04:06,139
The first step in emulating her is:

60
00:04:06,139 --> 00:04:12,819
Designating a place in your home for your prayer, your dhikr, and your recitation of the Qur’an.

61
00:04:12,819 --> 00:04:14,740
The second step:

62
00:04:14,740 --> 00:04:19,339
Distancing yourself from all distractions that occupy you from your worship,

63
00:04:19,339 --> 00:04:22,019
Or that corrupt your heart.

64
00:04:22,060 --> 00:04:23,939
Among the most dangerous of these distractions:

65
00:04:23,939 --> 00:04:26,019
The mobile phone.

66
00:04:26,019 --> 00:04:28,699
So, when you stand to worship your Lord,

67
00:04:28,699 --> 00:04:30,939
Turn off your phone completely.

68
00:04:30,939 --> 00:04:34,100
So that the heart is not preoccupied with it.

69
00:04:34,100 --> 00:04:38,259
These are the steps for preparing a place for worship.

70
00:04:38,259 --> 00:04:43,779
After that, you must take steps to train your soul for worship gradually.

71
00:04:43,779 --> 00:04:48,829
For a small, consistent deed is better than a large, interrupted one.

72
00:04:48,870 --> 00:04:52,470
Therefore, I advise you, my noble sister, with two things,

73
00:04:52,470 --> 00:04:57,709
To achieve the first steps on the path of the righteous female worshippers.

74
00:04:57,709 --> 00:04:59,550
The first matter:

75
00:04:59,550 --> 00:05:03,389
Attending to your prayers, both the obligatory and the supererogatory.

76
00:05:03,389 --> 00:05:06,389
For maintaining the obligatory and the supererogatory,

77
00:05:06,389 --> 00:05:09,949
Elevates you to the rank of Allah’s love for you.

78
00:05:09,949 --> 00:05:16,709
According to the Hadith Qudsi which the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, narrates from his Lord, the Almighty and Majestic:

79
00:05:16,709 --> 00:05:18,470
Where He said:

80
00:05:18,470 --> 00:05:20,389
Indeed, Allah said:

81
00:05:20,389 --> 00:05:25,149
"Whoever shows enmity to a friend (wali) of Mine, I have declared war against him.

82
00:05:25,149 --> 00:05:31,149
And My servant does not draw near to Me with anything more beloved to Me than what I have made obligatory upon him.

83
00:05:31,149 --> 00:05:36,829
And My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory deeds until I love him.

84
00:05:36,829 --> 00:05:38,629
So when I love him,

85
00:05:38,629 --> 00:05:41,350
I become his hearing with which he hears,

86
00:05:41,350 --> 00:05:43,829
And his sight with which he sees,

87
00:05:43,829 --> 00:05:46,389
And his hand with which he strikes,

88
00:05:46,389 --> 00:05:49,310
And his foot with which he walks.

89
00:05:49,310 --> 00:05:51,750
And if he asks Me, I will surely give him,

90
00:05:51,750 --> 00:05:54,990
And if he seeks My refuge, I will surely grant him refuge.

91
00:05:54,990 --> 00:06:00,990
And I do not hesitate about anything I do as I hesitate about the soul of the believer;

92
00:06:00,990 --> 00:06:05,139
He dislikes death, and I dislike harming him."

93
00:06:05,139 --> 00:06:07,490
Narrated by al-Bukhari.

94
00:06:07,490 --> 00:06:12,089
So the path of sainthood (wilayah) begins with maintaining the obligatory duties.

95
00:06:12,089 --> 00:06:16,290
Then the supererogatory deeds that follow the obligatory ones.

96
00:06:16,290 --> 00:06:19,529
Allah has granted you flexibility in the time of prayer.

97
00:06:19,529 --> 00:06:23,449
And He has not made congregational prayer in the mosque mandatory for you.

98
00:06:23,449 --> 00:06:27,889
So accustom yourself to a prayer filled with khushu‘ (humility) and deliberation.

99
00:06:27,889 --> 00:06:31,290
And choose for it the time most suitable for you.

100
00:06:31,290 --> 00:06:36,100
For khushu‘ and intimate conversation with Allah are the essence of prayer.

101
00:06:36,100 --> 00:06:39,980
And among the most important supererogatory prayers you should maintain:

102
00:06:39,980 --> 00:06:42,250
The regular Sunnah prayers (al-sunan al-rawatib).

103
00:06:42,250 --> 00:06:45,689
Umm Habiba, may Allah be pleased with her, says:

104
00:06:45,689 --> 00:06:50,129
I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, say:

105
00:06:50,129 --> 00:06:54,370
"Whoever prays 12 rak‘ahs in a day and night,

106
00:06:54,370 --> 00:06:57,920
A house will be built for him in Paradise because of them."

107
00:06:57,920 --> 00:06:59,920
Umm Habiba said:

108
00:06:59,920 --> 00:07:06,480
I have not abandoned them since I heard them from the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.

109
00:07:06,480 --> 00:07:08,529
Narrated by Muslim.

110
00:07:08,529 --> 00:07:12,810
The regular Sunnah prayers are four rak‘ahs before Dhuhr,

111
00:07:12,810 --> 00:07:14,930
And two rak‘ahs after it,

112
00:07:14,970 --> 00:07:17,250
And two rak‘ahs after Maghrib,

113
00:07:17,250 --> 00:07:19,649
And two rak‘ahs after ‘Isha’,

114
00:07:19,649 --> 00:07:23,250
And two rak‘ahs before the Fajr prayer.

115
00:07:23,250 --> 00:07:27,889
And among the important supererogatory acts in your life to become a worshipper:

116
00:07:27,889 --> 00:07:29,689
The Duha prayer.

117
00:07:29,689 --> 00:07:32,209
It is the prayer of the oft-repentant (awwabin).

118
00:07:32,209 --> 00:07:35,449
As the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

119
00:07:35,449 --> 00:07:40,170
"None maintains the Duha prayer except the oft-repentant."

120
00:07:40,170 --> 00:07:43,930
He said: "It is the prayer of the oft-repentant."

121
00:07:43,970 --> 00:07:47,300
Narrated by Ibn Khuzayma in his Sahih.

122
00:07:47,300 --> 00:07:53,620
The Mother of the Believers, ‘Aisha the Truthful, may Allah be pleased with her, daughter of the Truthful,

123
00:07:53,620 --> 00:07:59,620
The beloved of our Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and his wife in Paradise,

124
00:07:59,620 --> 00:08:06,300
The one declared innocent from above seven heavens in a Qur’an recited until the Day of Resurrection,

125
00:08:06,300 --> 00:08:09,610
Used to maintain the Duha prayer.

126
00:08:09,610 --> 00:08:12,810
‘Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, said:

127
00:08:12,810 --> 00:08:17,730
"The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, would abandon a deed,

128
00:08:17,730 --> 00:08:20,170
Even though he loved to perform it,

129
00:08:20,170 --> 00:08:24,370
For fear that people would perform it and it would become obligatory upon them.

130
00:08:24,370 --> 00:08:30,569
And the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, never prayed the Duha prayer,

131
00:08:30,569 --> 00:08:33,129
But I pray it."

132
00:08:33,129 --> 00:08:35,600
Narrated by al-Bukhari.

133
00:08:35,600 --> 00:08:38,519
As for the foundation of the worship of the righteous,

134
00:08:38,519 --> 00:08:40,679
It is the night prayer (qiyam al-layl).

135
00:08:40,679 --> 00:08:44,879
About which the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

136
00:08:44,879 --> 00:08:47,440
"You must perform the night prayer,

137
00:08:47,440 --> 00:08:50,639
For it was the habit of the righteous before you,

138
00:08:50,639 --> 00:08:53,840
And it is a means of drawing near to your Lord,

139
00:08:53,840 --> 00:08:56,279
And an expiation for sins,

140
00:08:56,279 --> 00:08:59,000
And a deterrent from transgression."

141
00:08:59,000 --> 00:09:02,480
Narrated by al-Tirmidhi and Ibn Khuzayma.

142
00:09:02,480 --> 00:09:06,919
This is among the most noble deeds of the righteous female worshippers.

143
00:09:06,960 --> 00:09:10,679
The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, encouraged his wives,

144
00:09:10,679 --> 00:09:14,080
To perform the night prayer in more than one way,

145
00:09:14,080 --> 00:09:16,600
And on more than one occasion.

146
00:09:16,600 --> 00:09:18,120
Among these:

147
00:09:18,120 --> 00:09:21,440
The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, encouraged women,

148
00:09:21,440 --> 00:09:25,240
To perform the night prayer when tribulations descend.

149
00:09:25,240 --> 00:09:27,879
For Umm Salama said:

150
00:09:27,879 --> 00:09:32,279
The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, woke up one night,

151
00:09:32,279 --> 00:09:33,559
And said:

152
00:09:33,559 --> 00:09:35,360
"Subhan Allah!

153
00:09:35,360 --> 00:09:38,600
What tribulations have been sent down tonight!

154
00:09:38,600 --> 00:09:41,799
And what treasures have been opened!

155
00:09:41,799 --> 00:09:44,960
Wake up the inhabitants of the chambers (his wives),

156
00:09:44,960 --> 00:09:49,759
For many a woman clothed in this world will be naked in the Hereafter."

157
00:09:49,759 --> 00:09:52,019
Narrated by al-Bukhari.

158
00:09:52,019 --> 00:09:58,019
In this is an indication of the importance of raising a young woman to perform the night prayer,

159
00:09:58,019 --> 00:10:01,669
In facing the tribulations of this time.

160
00:10:01,669 --> 00:10:04,549
Just as the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, encouraged,

161
00:10:04,590 --> 00:10:09,350
A woman to cooperate with her husband in performing the night prayer,

162
00:10:09,350 --> 00:10:11,750
And to invite him to it,

163
00:10:11,750 --> 00:10:14,980
And to respond to him if he invites her.

164
00:10:14,980 --> 00:10:20,220
For Abu Sa‘id and Abu Hurayra, may Allah be pleased with them, said:

165
00:10:20,220 --> 00:10:24,059
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

166
00:10:24,059 --> 00:10:27,259
"If a man wakes his wife at night,

167
00:10:27,259 --> 00:10:31,179
And they both pray two rak‘ahs together,

168
00:10:31,179 --> 00:10:34,580
They are recorded among the men and women who remember Allah much."

169
00:10:34,580 --> 00:10:37,370
Narrated by Abu Dawud.

170
00:10:37,370 --> 00:10:42,490
This is the first matter of the first steps on the path of worship.

171
00:10:42,490 --> 00:10:45,690
Once you follow it and remain steadfast upon it,

172
00:10:45,690 --> 00:10:51,750
It will, by the permission of Allah, bring you the other steps with ease and simplicity.

173
00:10:51,750 --> 00:10:55,549
As for the second matter of the steps on the path of worship,

174
00:10:55,549 --> 00:10:58,789
It manifests in controlling the tongue.

175
00:10:58,830 --> 00:11:02,389
And controlling the tongue involves several matters.

176
00:11:02,389 --> 00:11:06,649
Among them is that it be occupied with the remembrance of Allah, the Almighty and Majestic.

177
00:11:06,649 --> 00:11:11,490
For Yasira, may Allah be pleased with her, who was among the emigrants (Muhajirat),

178
00:11:11,490 --> 00:11:12,809
Said:

179
00:11:12,809 --> 00:11:17,049
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said to us:

180
00:11:17,049 --> 00:11:21,450
"You must perform tasbih (saying Subhan Allah), tahlil (saying La ilaha illa Allah), and taqdis (sanctifying Allah),

181
00:11:21,450 --> 00:11:23,690
And count them on your fingertips,

182
00:11:23,690 --> 00:11:27,450
For they will be questioned and made to speak.

183
00:11:27,450 --> 00:11:30,970
And do not be heedless, lest you forget the mercy."

184
00:11:30,970 --> 00:11:33,620
Narrated by Abu Dawud.

185
00:11:33,620 --> 00:11:37,460
And Umm Hani’, may Allah be pleased with her, said:

186
00:11:37,460 --> 00:11:42,299
I came to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and said:

187
00:11:42,299 --> 00:11:44,019
"O Messenger of Allah,

188
00:11:44,019 --> 00:11:46,179
Guide me to a deed,

189
00:11:46,179 --> 00:11:50,139
For I have grown old, become weak, and gained weight."

190
00:11:50,139 --> 00:11:51,460
He said:

191
00:11:51,460 --> 00:11:53,980
"Magnify Allah (say Allahu Akbar) one hundred times,

192
00:11:53,980 --> 00:11:56,500
And praise Allah (say Alhamdullilah) one hundred times,

193
00:11:56,539 --> 00:11:59,460
And glorify Allah (say Subhan Allah) one hundred times,

194
00:11:59,460 --> 00:12:04,779
It is better for you than one hundred horses bridled and saddled in the cause of Allah,

195
00:12:04,779 --> 00:12:07,220
And better than one hundred camels (for sacrifice),

196
00:12:07,220 --> 00:12:10,259
And better than freeing one hundred slaves."

197
00:12:10,259 --> 00:12:12,700
Narrated by Ibn Majah.

198
00:12:12,700 --> 00:12:16,019
This, as you notice, my noble sister,

199
00:12:16,019 --> 00:12:21,539
Is a great reward for a deed that is easy for those whom Allah makes it easy.

200
00:12:21,539 --> 00:12:25,919
And it is the remembrance of Allah, His glorification, and His declaration of oneness.

201
00:12:25,919 --> 00:12:29,000
The other matter in controlling the tongue,

202
00:12:29,000 --> 00:12:32,220
Is distancing oneself from wronging people with it.

203
00:12:32,220 --> 00:12:36,940
And the one a woman wrongs most with her tongue is her husband.

204
00:12:36,940 --> 00:12:40,820
Therefore, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, forbade,

205
00:12:40,820 --> 00:12:43,659
The woman from being ungrateful to her spouse (kufran al-‘ashir).

206
00:12:43,659 --> 00:12:45,059
He said:

207
00:12:45,059 --> 00:12:47,860
"O assembly of women, give in charity,

208
00:12:47,860 --> 00:12:50,139
and seek forgiveness frequently,

209
00:12:50,139 --> 00:12:53,879
for I have seen that you constitute the majority of the inhabitants of the Fire."

210
00:12:53,879 --> 00:12:57,159
A sensible woman among them asked,

211
00:12:57,159 --> 00:13:01,240
"And why is it, O Messenger of Allah, that we are the majority of the inhabitants of the Fire?"

212
00:13:01,240 --> 00:13:02,399
He replied:

213
00:13:02,399 --> 00:13:05,879
"You curse frequently and are ungrateful to your spouses.

214
00:13:05,879 --> 00:13:09,159
I have not seen anyone more deficient in intellect and religion

215
00:13:09,159 --> 00:13:12,240
who can more effectively sway the heart of a sensible man than you."

216
00:13:12,240 --> 00:13:14,460
Narrated by Muslim.

217
00:13:14,460 --> 00:13:18,820
Thus, the primary reason a woman enters the Fire is her tongue,

218
00:13:18,820 --> 00:13:21,990
which may even nullify her righteous deeds.

219
00:13:21,990 --> 00:13:25,509
For it is narrated from Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, who said:

220
00:13:25,509 --> 00:13:28,509
A man said, "O Messenger of Allah,

221
00:13:28,509 --> 00:13:34,750
a certain woman is known for her frequent prayer, fasting, and charity,

222
00:13:34,750 --> 00:13:38,909
but she harms her neighbors with her tongue."

223
00:13:38,909 --> 00:13:41,809
He said, "She is in the Fire."

224
00:13:41,809 --> 00:13:44,649
The man asked, "O Messenger of Allah,

225
00:13:44,649 --> 00:13:50,970
what about another woman who is known for having little fasting, charity, and prayer,

226
00:13:51,009 --> 00:13:54,529
and she only gives small pieces of dried yogurt in charity,

227
00:13:54,529 --> 00:13:58,129
but she does not harm her neighbors with her tongue?"

228
00:13:58,129 --> 00:14:01,210
He said, "She is in Paradise."

229
00:14:01,210 --> 00:14:03,169
Narrated by Ahmad.

230
00:14:03,169 --> 00:14:06,250
Therefore, the quality of a true worshiper is not realized

231
00:14:06,250 --> 00:14:09,250
except by combining two matters:

232
00:14:09,250 --> 00:14:12,809
drawing near to Allah through righteous deeds,

233
00:14:12,809 --> 00:14:17,149
and restraining your harm from people in all its forms.

234
00:14:17,149 --> 00:14:20,789
We shall continue in a future meeting, if Allah wills.

235
00:14:20,789 --> 00:14:23,710
And praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.