WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.759 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 00:00:03.759 --> 00:00:07.860 The story of Maryam, daughter of ‘Imran. 00:00:07.860 --> 00:00:10.339 Peace be upon her. 00:00:10.339 --> 00:00:15.439 Maryam and the sanctuary of worship. 00:00:15.439 --> 00:00:22.969 Maryam, peace be upon her, was raised in a righteous upbringing. 00:00:22.969 --> 00:00:26.010 She remained steadfast in worship and obedience. 00:00:26.010 --> 00:00:31.329 So much so that she designated for herself a private sanctuary in which to worship. 00:00:31.329 --> 00:00:36.009 And she would seclude herself in intimate conversation with Allah, Lord of the worlds. 00:00:36.549 --> 00:00:40.429 Allah the Exalted alluded to this in His saying: 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) 00:00:53.289 --> 00:00:55.850 And Zakariyya took charge of her. 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) 00:01:03.729 --> 00:01:08.250 He said, "O Maryam, from where have you gotten this?" 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) 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) 00:01:21.790 --> 00:01:24.670 The *mihrab* (sanctuary) is a place of worship. 00:01:24.670 --> 00:01:30.780 This indicates the frequency of her prayers and her devotion to her sanctuary. 00:01:30.780 --> 00:01:33.980 Al-Tahir Ibn ‘Ashur, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 00:01:34.019 --> 00:01:38.980 She used to worship in a place she had taken as a sanctuary. 00:01:38.980 --> 00:01:42.959 And Zakariyya would oversee her worship. 00:01:42.959 --> 00:01:48.239 She placed her sanctuary, where she worshipped, to the east of Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem). 00:01:48.239 --> 00:01:49.920 Allah the Exalted said: 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) 00:01:56.400 --> 00:01:59.000 Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 00:01:59.000 --> 00:02:02.000 Meaning, she secluded herself from them and withdrew from them. 00:02:02.040 --> 00:02:06.099 She went to the east of the Holy Mosque. 00:02:06.099 --> 00:02:08.620 Maryam did this for a specific reason: 00:02:08.620 --> 00:02:12.259 To devote herself to worship, far away from people. 00:02:12.259 --> 00:02:16.310 So that she would not be preoccupied with them, nor they with her. 00:02:16.310 --> 00:02:18.990 Abu Zahra, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 00:02:18.990 --> 00:02:23.389 The meaning is that she withdrew from people and cast them aside. 00:02:23.389 --> 00:02:26.469 She isolated herself to worship Allah alone. 00:02:26.469 --> 00:02:29.830 And let nothing fill her heart except His remembrance. 00:02:29.870 --> 00:02:31.150 The meaning is: 00:02:31.150 --> 00:02:34.830 She withdrew from her family to an eastern place. 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. 00:02:39.430 --> 00:02:41.990 Where her sanctuary was located. 00:02:41.990 --> 00:02:46.069 And the sanctuary of her guardian, Zakariyya, peace be upon him. 00:02:46.069 --> 00:02:48.750 Behind this seclusion, 00:02:48.750 --> 00:02:52.860 She took a veil to serve as a barrier between her and them. 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. 00:02:58.900 --> 00:03:04.060 Rather, she went further by taking a veil to screen herself from people. 00:03:04.060 --> 00:03:07.180 So that she could devote herself to the worship of her Lord. 00:03:07.180 --> 00:03:08.979 Allah the Exalted said: 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) 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) 00:03:19.400 --> 00:03:22.560 Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 00:03:22.560 --> 00:03:23.879 He says: 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. 00:03:29.360 --> 00:03:32.240 And Ibn ‘Atiyya, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 00:03:32.240 --> 00:03:37.319 She took it to conceal herself from people for her worship. 00:03:37.319 --> 00:03:39.919 And al-Sa‘di, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 00:03:39.919 --> 00:03:43.360 This distancing of hers and the taking of the veil, 00:03:43.360 --> 00:03:47.000 Was to seclude herself and be alone in the worship of her Lord. 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. 00:03:53.300 --> 00:03:55.580 Therefore, my noble sister, 00:03:55.580 --> 00:03:59.740 If you wish to be among the righteous female worshippers, 00:03:59.740 --> 00:04:03.300 You must emulate Maryam, peace be upon her. 00:04:03.300 --> 00:04:06.139 The first step in emulating her is: 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. 00:04:12.819 --> 00:04:14.740 The second step: 00:04:14.740 --> 00:04:19.339 Distancing yourself from all distractions that occupy you from your worship, 00:04:19.339 --> 00:04:22.019 Or that corrupt your heart. 00:04:22.060 --> 00:04:23.939 Among the most dangerous of these distractions: 00:04:23.939 --> 00:04:26.019 The mobile phone. 00:04:26.019 --> 00:04:28.699 So, when you stand to worship your Lord, 00:04:28.699 --> 00:04:30.939 Turn off your phone completely. 00:04:30.939 --> 00:04:34.100 So that the heart is not preoccupied with it. 00:04:34.100 --> 00:04:38.259 These are the steps for preparing a place for worship. 00:04:38.259 --> 00:04:43.779 After that, you must take steps to train your soul for worship gradually. 00:04:43.779 --> 00:04:48.829 For a small, consistent deed is better than a large, interrupted one. 00:04:48.870 --> 00:04:52.470 Therefore, I advise you, my noble sister, with two things, 00:04:52.470 --> 00:04:57.709 To achieve the first steps on the path of the righteous female worshippers. 00:04:57.709 --> 00:04:59.550 The first matter: 00:04:59.550 --> 00:05:03.389 Attending to your prayers, both the obligatory and the supererogatory. 00:05:03.389 --> 00:05:06.389 For maintaining the obligatory and the supererogatory, 00:05:06.389 --> 00:05:09.949 Elevates you to the rank of Allah’s love for you. 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: 00:05:16.709 --> 00:05:18.470 Where He said: 00:05:18.470 --> 00:05:20.389 Indeed, Allah said: 00:05:20.389 --> 00:05:25.149 "Whoever shows enmity to a friend (wali) of Mine, I have declared war against him. 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. 00:05:31.149 --> 00:05:36.829 And My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory deeds until I love him. 00:05:36.829 --> 00:05:38.629 So when I love him, 00:05:38.629 --> 00:05:41.350 I become his hearing with which he hears, 00:05:41.350 --> 00:05:43.829 And his sight with which he sees, 00:05:43.829 --> 00:05:46.389 And his hand with which he strikes, 00:05:46.389 --> 00:05:49.310 And his foot with which he walks. 00:05:49.310 --> 00:05:51.750 And if he asks Me, I will surely give him, 00:05:51.750 --> 00:05:54.990 And if he seeks My refuge, I will surely grant him refuge. 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; 00:06:00.990 --> 00:06:05.139 He dislikes death, and I dislike harming him." 00:06:05.139 --> 00:06:07.490 Narrated by al-Bukhari. 00:06:07.490 --> 00:06:12.089 So the path of sainthood (wilayah) begins with maintaining the obligatory duties. 00:06:12.089 --> 00:06:16.290 Then the supererogatory deeds that follow the obligatory ones. 00:06:16.290 --> 00:06:19.529 Allah has granted you flexibility in the time of prayer. 00:06:19.529 --> 00:06:23.449 And He has not made congregational prayer in the mosque mandatory for you. 00:06:23.449 --> 00:06:27.889 So accustom yourself to a prayer filled with khushu‘ (humility) and deliberation. 00:06:27.889 --> 00:06:31.290 And choose for it the time most suitable for you. 00:06:31.290 --> 00:06:36.100 For khushu‘ and intimate conversation with Allah are the essence of prayer. 00:06:36.100 --> 00:06:39.980 And among the most important supererogatory prayers you should maintain: 00:06:39.980 --> 00:06:42.250 The regular Sunnah prayers (al-sunan al-rawatib). 00:06:42.250 --> 00:06:45.689 Umm Habiba, may Allah be pleased with her, says: 00:06:45.689 --> 00:06:50.129 I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, say: 00:06:50.129 --> 00:06:54.370 "Whoever prays 12 rak‘ahs in a day and night, 00:06:54.370 --> 00:06:57.920 A house will be built for him in Paradise because of them." 00:06:57.920 --> 00:06:59.920 Umm Habiba said: 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. 00:07:06.480 --> 00:07:08.529 Narrated by Muslim. 00:07:08.529 --> 00:07:12.810 The regular Sunnah prayers are four rak‘ahs before Dhuhr, 00:07:12.810 --> 00:07:14.930 And two rak‘ahs after it, 00:07:14.970 --> 00:07:17.250 And two rak‘ahs after Maghrib, 00:07:17.250 --> 00:07:19.649 And two rak‘ahs after ‘Isha’, 00:07:19.649 --> 00:07:23.250 And two rak‘ahs before the Fajr prayer. 00:07:23.250 --> 00:07:27.889 And among the important supererogatory acts in your life to become a worshipper: 00:07:27.889 --> 00:07:29.689 The Duha prayer. 00:07:29.689 --> 00:07:32.209 It is the prayer of the oft-repentant (awwabin). 00:07:32.209 --> 00:07:35.449 As the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: 00:07:35.449 --> 00:07:40.170 "None maintains the Duha prayer except the oft-repentant." 00:07:40.170 --> 00:07:43.930 He said: "It is the prayer of the oft-repentant." 00:07:43.970 --> 00:07:47.300 Narrated by Ibn Khuzayma in his Sahih. 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, 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, 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, 00:08:06.300 --> 00:08:09.610 Used to maintain the Duha prayer. 00:08:09.610 --> 00:08:12.810 ‘Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, said: 00:08:12.810 --> 00:08:17.730 "The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, would abandon a deed, 00:08:17.730 --> 00:08:20.170 Even though he loved to perform it, 00:08:20.170 --> 00:08:24.370 For fear that people would perform it and it would become obligatory upon them. 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, 00:08:30.569 --> 00:08:33.129 But I pray it." 00:08:33.129 --> 00:08:35.600 Narrated by al-Bukhari. 00:08:35.600 --> 00:08:38.519 As for the foundation of the worship of the righteous, 00:08:38.519 --> 00:08:40.679 It is the night prayer (qiyam al-layl). 00:08:40.679 --> 00:08:44.879 About which the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: 00:08:44.879 --> 00:08:47.440 "You must perform the night prayer, 00:08:47.440 --> 00:08:50.639 For it was the habit of the righteous before you, 00:08:50.639 --> 00:08:53.840 And it is a means of drawing near to your Lord, 00:08:53.840 --> 00:08:56.279 And an expiation for sins, 00:08:56.279 --> 00:08:59.000 And a deterrent from transgression." 00:08:59.000 --> 00:09:02.480 Narrated by al-Tirmidhi and Ibn Khuzayma. 00:09:02.480 --> 00:09:06.919 This is among the most noble deeds of the righteous female worshippers. 00:09:06.960 --> 00:09:10.679 The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, encouraged his wives, 00:09:10.679 --> 00:09:14.080 To perform the night prayer in more than one way, 00:09:14.080 --> 00:09:16.600 And on more than one occasion. 00:09:16.600 --> 00:09:18.120 Among these: 00:09:18.120 --> 00:09:21.440 The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, encouraged women, 00:09:21.440 --> 00:09:25.240 To perform the night prayer when tribulations descend. 00:09:25.240 --> 00:09:27.879 For Umm Salama said: 00:09:27.879 --> 00:09:32.279 The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, woke up one night, 00:09:32.279 --> 00:09:33.559 And said: 00:09:33.559 --> 00:09:35.360 "Subhan Allah! 00:09:35.360 --> 00:09:38.600 What tribulations have been sent down tonight! 00:09:38.600 --> 00:09:41.799 And what treasures have been opened! 00:09:41.799 --> 00:09:44.960 Wake up the inhabitants of the chambers (his wives), 00:09:44.960 --> 00:09:49.759 For many a woman clothed in this world will be naked in the Hereafter." 00:09:49.759 --> 00:09:52.019 Narrated by al-Bukhari. 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, 00:09:58.019 --> 00:10:01.669 In facing the tribulations of this time. 00:10:01.669 --> 00:10:04.549 Just as the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, encouraged, 00:10:04.590 --> 00:10:09.350 A woman to cooperate with her husband in performing the night prayer, 00:10:09.350 --> 00:10:11.750 And to invite him to it, 00:10:11.750 --> 00:10:14.980 And to respond to him if he invites her. 00:10:14.980 --> 00:10:20.220 For Abu Sa‘id and Abu Hurayra, may Allah be pleased with them, said: 00:10:20.220 --> 00:10:24.059 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: 00:10:24.059 --> 00:10:27.259 "If a man wakes his wife at night, 00:10:27.259 --> 00:10:31.179 And they both pray two rak‘ahs together, 00:10:31.179 --> 00:10:34.580 They are recorded among the men and women who remember Allah much." 00:10:34.580 --> 00:10:37.370 Narrated by Abu Dawud. 00:10:37.370 --> 00:10:42.490 This is the first matter of the first steps on the path of worship. 00:10:42.490 --> 00:10:45.690 Once you follow it and remain steadfast upon it, 00:10:45.690 --> 00:10:51.750 It will, by the permission of Allah, bring you the other steps with ease and simplicity. 00:10:51.750 --> 00:10:55.549 As for the second matter of the steps on the path of worship, 00:10:55.549 --> 00:10:58.789 It manifests in controlling the tongue. 00:10:58.830 --> 00:11:02.389 And controlling the tongue involves several matters. 00:11:02.389 --> 00:11:06.649 Among them is that it be occupied with the remembrance of Allah, the Almighty and Majestic. 00:11:06.649 --> 00:11:11.490 For Yasira, may Allah be pleased with her, who was among the emigrants (Muhajirat), 00:11:11.490 --> 00:11:12.809 Said: 00:11:12.809 --> 00:11:17.049 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said to us: 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), 00:11:21.450 --> 00:11:23.690 And count them on your fingertips, 00:11:23.690 --> 00:11:27.450 For they will be questioned and made to speak. 00:11:27.450 --> 00:11:30.970 And do not be heedless, lest you forget the mercy." 00:11:30.970 --> 00:11:33.620 Narrated by Abu Dawud. 00:11:33.620 --> 00:11:37.460 And Umm Hani’, may Allah be pleased with her, said: 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: 00:11:42.299 --> 00:11:44.019 "O Messenger of Allah, 00:11:44.019 --> 00:11:46.179 Guide me to a deed, 00:11:46.179 --> 00:11:50.139 For I have grown old, become weak, and gained weight." 00:11:50.139 --> 00:11:51.460 He said: 00:11:51.460 --> 00:11:53.980 "Magnify Allah (say Allahu Akbar) one hundred times, 00:11:53.980 --> 00:11:56.500 And praise Allah (say Alhamdullilah) one hundred times, 00:11:56.539 --> 00:11:59.460 And glorify Allah (say Subhan Allah) one hundred times, 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, 00:12:04.779 --> 00:12:07.220 And better than one hundred camels (for sacrifice), 00:12:07.220 --> 00:12:10.259 And better than freeing one hundred slaves." 00:12:10.259 --> 00:12:12.700 Narrated by Ibn Majah. 00:12:12.700 --> 00:12:16.019 This, as you notice, my noble sister, 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. 00:12:21.539 --> 00:12:25.919 And it is the remembrance of Allah, His glorification, and His declaration of oneness. 00:12:25.919 --> 00:12:29.000 The other matter in controlling the tongue, 00:12:29.000 --> 00:12:32.220 Is distancing oneself from wronging people with it. 00:12:32.220 --> 00:12:36.940 And the one a woman wrongs most with her tongue is her husband. 00:12:36.940 --> 00:12:40.820 Therefore, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, forbade, 00:12:40.820 --> 00:12:43.659 The woman from being ungrateful to her spouse (kufran al-‘ashir). 00:12:43.659 --> 00:12:45.059 He said: 00:12:45.059 --> 00:12:47.860 "O assembly of women, give in charity, 00:12:47.860 --> 00:12:50.139 and seek forgiveness frequently, 00:12:50.139 --> 00:12:53.879 for I have seen that you constitute the majority of the inhabitants of the Fire." 00:12:53.879 --> 00:12:57.159 A sensible woman among them asked, 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?" 00:13:01.240 --> 00:13:02.399 He replied: 00:13:02.399 --> 00:13:05.879 "You curse frequently and are ungrateful to your spouses. 00:13:05.879 --> 00:13:09.159 I have not seen anyone more deficient in intellect and religion 00:13:09.159 --> 00:13:12.240 who can more effectively sway the heart of a sensible man than you." 00:13:12.240 --> 00:13:14.460 Narrated by Muslim. 00:13:14.460 --> 00:13:18.820 Thus, the primary reason a woman enters the Fire is her tongue, 00:13:18.820 --> 00:13:21.990 which may even nullify her righteous deeds. 00:13:21.990 --> 00:13:25.509 For it is narrated from Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: 00:13:25.509 --> 00:13:28.509 A man said, "O Messenger of Allah, 00:13:28.509 --> 00:13:34.750 a certain woman is known for her frequent prayer, fasting, and charity, 00:13:34.750 --> 00:13:38.909 but she harms her neighbors with her tongue." 00:13:38.909 --> 00:13:41.809 He said, "She is in the Fire." 00:13:41.809 --> 00:13:44.649 The man asked, "O Messenger of Allah, 00:13:44.649 --> 00:13:50.970 what about another woman who is known for having little fasting, charity, and prayer, 00:13:51.009 --> 00:13:54.529 and she only gives small pieces of dried yogurt in charity, 00:13:54.529 --> 00:13:58.129 but she does not harm her neighbors with her tongue?" 00:13:58.129 --> 00:14:01.210 He said, "She is in Paradise." 00:14:01.210 --> 00:14:03.169 Narrated by Ahmad. 00:14:03.169 --> 00:14:06.250 Therefore, the quality of a true worshiper is not realized 00:14:06.250 --> 00:14:09.250 except by combining two matters: 00:14:09.250 --> 00:14:12.809 drawing near to Allah through righteous deeds, 00:14:12.809 --> 00:14:17.149 and restraining your harm from people in all its forms. 00:14:17.149 --> 00:14:20.789 We shall continue in a future meeting, if Allah wills. 00:14:20.789 --> 00:14:23.710 And praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.