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 Treasure of the Muslim* 00:00:14.449 --> 00:00:16.949 on the virtue of calling to Allah. 00:00:16.949 --> 00:00:19.949 By its author, John Yar Bamarni. 00:00:21.780 --> 00:00:25.780 Calling to Allah is the best of speech and action. 00:00:25.780 --> 00:00:28.160 Calling to Allah 00:00:28.160 --> 00:00:31.160 is the best of deeds and the finest of speech. 00:00:31.160 --> 00:00:33.450 Allah the Exalted says: 00:00:33.450 --> 00:00:40.450 "And who is better in speech than one who invites to Allah?" 00:00:40.450 --> 00:00:48.450 “And who is better in speech than him who prayeth unto his Lord and doeth right, and saith: Lo! I am of those who are muslims (surrender unto Him).” (41:33) 00:00:48.450 --> 00:00:52.320 Al-Sa'di, may Allah have mercy upon him, said 00:00:52.320 --> 00:00:54.320 in his Tafsir of this verse: 00:00:54.320 --> 00:00:58.320 "This is an interrogative form implying a definitive negation; 00:00:58.320 --> 00:01:01.320 meaning, there is no one better in speech, 00:01:01.320 --> 00:01:04.319 that is, in words, methodology, and state." 00:01:04.319 --> 00:01:06.319 “And who is better in speech than him who prayeth unto his Lord and doeth right, and saith: Lo! I am of those who are muslims (surrender unto Him).” (41:33) 00:01:06.319 --> 00:01:08.319 By teaching the ignorant, 00:01:08.319 --> 00:01:11.319 admonishing the heedless and those who turn away, 00:01:11.319 --> 00:01:13.319 and debating those who follow falsehood, 00:01:13.319 --> 00:01:17.319 by commanding the worship of Allah in all its forms, 00:01:17.319 --> 00:01:21.319 urging others toward it, and beautifying it as much as possible, 00:01:21.319 --> 00:01:24.319 and by restraining others from what Allah has forbidden, 00:01:24.319 --> 00:01:28.319 and making it appear repulsive by every means that necessitates abandoning it. 00:01:28.319 --> 00:01:30.319 Especially regarding this: 00:01:30.319 --> 00:01:34.319 calling to the foundation of the religion of Islam and refining it, 00:01:34.319 --> 00:01:38.319 debating its enemies with that which is best, 00:01:38.319 --> 00:01:42.319 forbidding what contradicts it of disbelief and polytheism, 00:01:42.319 --> 00:01:45.319 and enjoining good and forbidding evil. 00:01:45.319 --> 00:01:49.510 Al-Hasan al-Basri said regarding this verse: 00:01:49.510 --> 00:01:51.510 "This is the beloved of Allah, 00:01:51.510 --> 00:01:53.510 this is the ally of Allah, 00:01:53.510 --> 00:01:55.510 this is the chosen one of Allah, 00:01:55.510 --> 00:01:58.510 this is the most beloved of the people of the earth to Allah. 00:01:58.510 --> 00:02:00.510 He responded to Allah in His call, 00:02:00.510 --> 00:02:04.510 and he called the people to that which he responded to in Allah’s call, 00:02:04.510 --> 00:02:07.510 and he acted righteously in his response." 00:02:07.510 --> 00:02:10.509 “And who is better in speech than him who prayeth unto his Lord and doeth right, and saith: Lo! I am of those who are muslims (surrender unto Him).” (41:33) 00:02:10.509 --> 00:02:13.889 "This is the vicegerent of Allah." 00:02:13.889 --> 00:02:16.889 Good speech requires wisdom. 00:02:16.889 --> 00:02:19.080 Allah the Exalted says: 00:02:19.080 --> 00:02:27.280 “Call unto the way of thy Lord with wisdom and fair exhortation, and reason with them in the better way. Lo! thy Lord is Best Aware of him who strayeth from His way, and He is Best Aware of those who go aright.” (16:125) 00:02:27.280 --> 00:02:36.800 “Call unto the way of thy Lord with wisdom and fair exhortation, and reason with them in the better way. Lo! thy Lord is Best Aware of him who strayeth from His way, and He is Best Aware of those who go aright.” (16:125) 00:02:36.800 --> 00:02:40.800 Great reward and abundant recompense. 00:02:40.800 --> 00:02:45.509 Among the virtues of calling to Allah is the great reward, 00:02:45.509 --> 00:02:48.509 because the caller guides people to the truth, 00:02:48.509 --> 00:02:52.509 directs them to their Lord and their Worshipped One, glory be to Him, 00:02:52.509 --> 00:02:56.509 and distances them from the causes of His wrath and punishment. 00:02:56.509 --> 00:03:00.539 Allah the Almighty loves that and rewards it. 00:03:00.539 --> 00:03:02.539 It has been narrated in the two Sahih collections 00:03:02.539 --> 00:03:05.539 that the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:03:05.539 --> 00:03:08.539 said to 'Ali, may Allah be pleased with him: 00:03:08.539 --> 00:03:12.539 "By Allah, for Allah to guide a single man through you 00:03:12.539 --> 00:03:15.990 is better for you than the best of camels." 00:03:15.990 --> 00:03:17.990 This includes, in its generality, 00:03:17.990 --> 00:03:19.990 guiding the non-Muslim, 00:03:19.990 --> 00:03:22.990 and guiding the disobedient among the Muslims. 00:03:22.990 --> 00:03:25.990 So where is the seeker of high stations? 00:03:25.990 --> 00:03:30.430 Allah’s mercy for the caller. 00:03:30.430 --> 00:03:35.129 Calling to Allah is a cause for the mercy of Allah the Exalted. 00:03:35.129 --> 00:03:37.129 Allah the Exalted says: 00:03:37.129 --> 00:03:41.289 "The believing men and believing women 00:03:41.289 --> 00:03:46.289 are allies of one another. 00:03:46.289 --> 00:03:49.479 They enjoin what is right 00:03:49.479 --> 00:03:53.479 and forbid what is wrong 00:03:53.479 --> 00:04:01.740 and establish prayer 00:04:01.740 --> 00:04:04.740 and give zakat 00:04:04.740 --> 00:04:08.740 and obey Allah and His Messenger. 00:04:08.740 --> 00:04:15.740 Those—Allah will have mercy upon them. 00:04:16.740 --> 00:04:23.740 Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise." 00:04:23.740 --> 00:04:27.569 So observe how Allah has made mercy 00:04:27.569 --> 00:04:31.569 for those who possess these qualities, 00:04:31.569 --> 00:04:37.879 through calling to Allah, enjoining good, and forbidding evil. 00:04:37.879 --> 00:04:42.329 Our Ummah became the best of nations. 00:04:42.329 --> 00:04:44.589 Allah the Exalted says: 00:04:44.589 --> 00:04:52.589 “Ye are the best community that hath been raised up for mankind. Ye enjoin right conduct and forbid indecency; and ye believe in Allah. And if the People of the Scripture had believed it had been better for them. Some of them are believers; but most of them are evil-livers.” (3:110) 00:04:52.589 --> 00:04:55.589 "You enjoin what is right 00:04:55.589 --> 00:04:59.589 and forbid what is wrong 00:04:59.589 --> 00:05:02.970 [You] enjoin what is right 00:05:02.970 --> 00:05:06.970 and forbid what is wrong 00:05:06.970 --> 00:05:11.970 and believe in Allah." 00:05:11.970 --> 00:05:14.839 Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: 00:05:14.839 --> 00:05:18.839 "Whoever among this Ummah is characterized by these qualities 00:05:18.839 --> 00:05:23.839 enters with them into this praise and commendation." 00:05:23.839 --> 00:05:28.250 'Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, read this verse, 00:05:28.250 --> 00:05:30.250 then said: 00:05:30.250 --> 00:05:33.250 "Whoever is pleased to be of that Ummah, 00:05:33.250 --> 00:05:36.250 let him fulfill the condition Allah set for it." 00:05:36.250 --> 00:05:38.569 And whoever is not characterized by that 00:05:38.569 --> 00:05:43.569 resembles the People of the Scripture whom Allah condemned by His saying: 00:05:43.569 --> 00:05:52.759 “They restrained not one another from the wickedness they did. Verily evil was that they used to do!” (5:79) 00:05:52.759 --> 00:05:58.920 "Wretched is that which they were doing." 00:05:58.920 --> 00:06:02.910 Mujahid said: 00:06:02.910 --> 00:06:06.910 “Ye are the best community that hath been raised up for mankind. Ye enjoin right conduct and forbid indecency; and ye believe in Allah. And if the People of the Scripture had believed it had been better for them. Some of them are believers; but most of them are evil-livers.” (3:110) 00:06:06.910 --> 00:06:09.910 "Upon the conditions mentioned in the verse." 00:06:09.910 --> 00:06:12.910 And the conditions mentioned in the verse 00:06:12.910 --> 00:06:17.910 are enjoining good, forbidding evil, and belief in Allah. 00:06:17.910 --> 00:06:23.910 In this verse is the praise of this Ummah as long as they uphold that and are characterized by it. 00:06:23.910 --> 00:06:27.449 Imam al-Qurtubi said: 00:06:27.449 --> 00:06:31.449 "If they abandon changing [evil] and collude in the forbidden, 00:06:31.449 --> 00:06:33.449 the title of praise is removed from them, 00:06:33.449 --> 00:06:35.449 and the title of condemnation is attached to them, 00:06:35.449 --> 00:06:38.449 and that becomes a cause for their destruction." 00:06:38.449 --> 00:06:40.519 The scholars said: 00:06:40.519 --> 00:06:45.519 "Enjoining good and forbidding evil was placed before faith [in the verse], 00:06:45.519 --> 00:06:49.519 because faith in Allah is limited to the one who believes, 00:06:49.519 --> 00:06:53.519 whereas the one who enjoins good and forbids evil is a believer, 00:06:53.519 --> 00:06:55.519 and his faith extends beyond that, 00:06:55.519 --> 00:06:57.519 for he spreads what he believes in. 00:06:57.519 --> 00:07:01.519 Therefore, it was placed before the rest of the believers, 00:07:01.519 --> 00:07:06.550 just as the expiation of sins is also achieved through enjoining good and forbidding evil, 00:07:06.550 --> 00:07:10.550 as in the hadith of Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman." 00:07:10.550 --> 00:07:14.220 The caller is the best of people. 00:07:14.220 --> 00:07:17.439 It is enough that the caller lives for Islam, 00:07:17.439 --> 00:07:21.439 and carries upon his shoulders the greatest mission, 00:07:21.439 --> 00:07:25.439 to be thereby a successor to the prophets and messengers, 00:07:25.439 --> 00:07:28.439 and not one of those who live an empty life, 00:07:28.439 --> 00:07:32.439 with no concern, no goal, and no mission. 00:07:32.439 --> 00:07:37.879 Success in this world and the Hereafter. 00:07:37.879 --> 00:07:43.360 Calling to Allah is a cause for success in this world and the Hereafter. 00:07:43.360 --> 00:07:46.750 Allah the Exalted says: 00:07:46.750 --> 00:08:02.750 “And there may spring from you a nation who invite to goodness, and enjoin right conduct and forbid indecency. Such are they who are successful.” (3:104) 00:08:02.750 --> 00:08:11.000 "And it is those who are the successful." 00:08:11.000 --> 00:08:19.170 And if they undertake it, they become among the successful and the elite of the believers. 00:08:19.170 --> 00:08:23.709 Steadfastness upon the religion. 00:08:23.709 --> 00:08:28.279 Calling to Allah is one of the causes of steadfastness upon the religion. 00:08:28.279 --> 00:08:30.279 Allah the Exalted says: 00:08:31.480 --> 00:08:48.080 “O ye who believe! If ye help Allah, He will help you and will make your foothold firm.” (47:7) 00:08:48.080 --> 00:08:52.750 So let everyone who walks in the caravan of calling to Allah rejoice 00:08:52.750 --> 00:08:55.750 that Allah will grant him steadfastness upon the religion, 00:08:55.750 --> 00:08:57.750 strength in adhering to it, 00:08:57.750 --> 00:09:00.750 increase in faith, and perfection of certainty, 00:09:00.750 --> 00:09:04.750 uprightness, and a variety of righteous deeds, 00:09:04.750 --> 00:09:09.750 and that Allah will honor him as a reward for his efforts in calling to Allah. 00:09:09.750 --> 00:09:13.129 Ibn al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: 00:09:13.129 --> 00:09:17.129 "Indeed, a servant’s guiding others, teaching them, and advising them 00:09:17.129 --> 00:09:20.129 opens for him the door of guidance, 00:09:20.129 --> 00:09:23.129 because the reward is of the same nature as the deed. 00:09:23.129 --> 00:09:25.129 So whenever he guides another and teaches him, 00:09:25.129 --> 00:09:28.129 Allah guides him and teaches him, 00:09:28.129 --> 00:09:31.129 and he becomes a guide who is guided." 00:09:31.129 --> 00:09:35.230 A letter from Ibn al-Qayyim to one of his brothers. 00:09:35.230 --> 00:09:39.639 Callers are the strongest of people in steadfastness over the passage of time. 00:09:39.639 --> 00:09:44.639 This is something we see in our reality with the great scholars, 00:09:44.639 --> 00:09:47.679 and we read in the accounts of the scholars and callers, 00:09:47.679 --> 00:09:49.679 such as Ahmad ibn Hanbal, 00:09:49.679 --> 00:09:52.679 who supported and served the religion on the day of the tribulation. 00:09:52.679 --> 00:09:54.679 The fruit for him was 00:09:54.679 --> 00:09:57.679 that Allah kept him steadfast upon the religion, 00:09:57.679 --> 00:10:01.679 and granted him patience during the tribulation of imprisonment and flogging. 00:10:01.679 --> 00:10:04.740 And this is Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, 00:10:04.740 --> 00:10:06.740 who supported the religion 00:10:06.740 --> 00:10:11.740 through his writings in refutation of the followers of false religions and sects, 00:10:11.740 --> 00:10:15.740 and supported the religion by spreading knowledge in all fields. 00:10:15.740 --> 00:10:18.740 The fruit for him was 00:10:18.740 --> 00:10:21.740 that Allah kept him steadfast when he was imprisoned. 00:10:21.740 --> 00:10:26.740 They are the strongest of people in steadfastness over the passage of time and changing circumstances, 00:10:26.740 --> 00:10:29.740 and in the most difficult situations. 00:10:29.740 --> 00:10:33.080 The Rabbani caller, 00:10:33.080 --> 00:10:36.080 who cares for his spiritual cultivation, 00:10:36.080 --> 00:10:40.080 balances between worship and calling to Allah, 00:10:40.080 --> 00:10:43.080 and between knowledge, action, and teaching, 00:10:43.080 --> 00:10:47.080 and gives every aspect its due right and entitlement 00:10:47.080 --> 00:10:50.080 of time, effort, wealth, and attention, 00:10:50.080 --> 00:10:55.649 Allah will take charge of the rectitude of your affairs. 00:10:55.649 --> 00:10:59.450 By the consensus of those working in the field of calling to Allah, 00:10:59.450 --> 00:11:02.450 the more you exert yourself in this call, 00:11:02.450 --> 00:11:06.450 the more your religious and worldly affairs will be rectified, 00:11:06.450 --> 00:11:09.450 because you are living for Allah, not for yourself. 00:11:09.450 --> 00:11:12.450 This is the pinnacle of sacrifice. 00:11:12.450 --> 00:11:15.450 Therefore, you will notice, if you work sincerely, 00:11:15.450 --> 00:11:18.450 the ease and simplicity of life. 00:11:18.450 --> 00:11:22.450 Perhaps you remember the words of Dr. Al-Sumait’s wife, 00:11:22.450 --> 00:11:26.450 while she was in a frightening place in Africa, 00:11:26.450 --> 00:11:29.450 she said, "O 'Abd al-Rahman, 00:11:29.450 --> 00:11:34.450 is the happiness of the people of Paradise like our happiness now?" 00:11:34.450 --> 00:11:39.580 So accustom your family to humility and sacrifice for the religion of Allah. 00:11:39.580 --> 00:11:42.580 Yes, it is sacrifice for Allah. 00:11:42.580 --> 00:11:45.580 So what have we offered? 00:11:49.029 --> 00:11:51.669 By calling to Allah, 00:11:51.669 --> 00:11:54.830 you gain peace of heart. 00:11:54.830 --> 00:11:56.830 Do you find the delight of life? 00:11:56.830 --> 00:11:59.830 If you do not find it, then hurry 00:11:59.830 --> 00:12:02.830 and cast yourself into this call. 00:12:02.830 --> 00:12:04.830 And the days will not pass 00:12:04.830 --> 00:12:07.830 until you find solace and great comfort, 00:12:07.830 --> 00:12:10.830 and you will regret the days that have passed.