1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,299
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

2
00:00:04,459 --> 00:00:07,620
We are pleased at the Sheikh Hasa Islamic Center

3
00:00:07,740 --> 00:00:10,519
to present to our esteemed listeners

4
00:00:10,519 --> 00:00:12,740
a reading of the book

5
00:00:12,740 --> 00:00:14,560
The Treasure of the Muslim

6
00:00:14,560 --> 00:00:17,120
on the virtue of calling to Allah

7
00:00:17,120 --> 00:00:20,260
by its author, John Yar Bamarni.

8
00:00:22,160 --> 00:00:25,199
Gentleness is the adornment of the caller.

9
00:00:26,390 --> 00:00:28,050
Allah the Almighty says:

10
00:00:28,420 --> 00:00:35,570
“It was by the mercy of Allah that thou wast lenient with them (O Muhammad), for if thou hadst been stern and fierce of heart they would have dispersed from round about thee. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult with them upon the conduct of affairs. And when thou art resolved, then put thy trust in Allah. Lo! Allah loveth those who put their trust (in Him).” (3:159)

11
00:00:36,009 --> 00:00:40,810
Had you been harsh and hard-hearted,

12
00:00:40,810 --> 00:00:45,579
they would have dispersed from around you.

13
00:00:46,079 --> 00:00:47,840
So pardon them,

14
00:00:47,840 --> 00:00:49,920
and ask forgiveness for them,

15
00:00:49,920 --> 00:00:52,920
and consult them in the matter.

16
00:00:53,240 --> 00:00:58,840
“It was by the mercy of Allah that thou wast lenient with them (O Muhammad), for if thou hadst been stern and fierce of heart they would have dispersed from round about thee. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult with them upon the conduct of affairs. And when thou art resolved, then put thy trust in Allah. Lo! Allah loveth those who put their trust (in Him).” (3:159)

17
00:00:59,159 --> 00:01:07,239
“It was by the mercy of Allah that thou wast lenient with them (O Muhammad), for if thou hadst been stern and fierce of heart they would have dispersed from round about thee. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult with them upon the conduct of affairs. And when thou art resolved, then put thy trust in Allah. Lo! Allah loveth those who put their trust (in Him).” (3:159)

18
00:01:08,750 --> 00:01:12,349
Even if it were the Messenger of Allah, the best of mankind,

19
00:01:12,349 --> 00:01:15,069
if he had been harsh and hard-hearted,

20
00:01:15,069 --> 00:01:16,469
they would have fled from him.

21
00:01:16,469 --> 00:01:19,340
For humans are emotional beings;

22
00:01:19,340 --> 00:01:21,900
they are drawn to noble and kind treatment,

23
00:01:21,900 --> 00:01:25,299
and repelled by rebuke and harsh criticism.

24
00:01:25,299 --> 00:01:28,900
The ruling on calling to Allah.

25
00:01:29,760 --> 00:01:33,480
Scholars have differed regarding the obligation of calling to Allah:

26
00:01:33,480 --> 00:01:36,480
Is it an individual obligation or a collective one?

27
00:01:36,480 --> 00:01:39,079
Some hold the view that it is an individual obligation

28
00:01:39,079 --> 00:01:41,599
upon every Muslim man and woman,

29
00:01:41,599 --> 00:01:44,799
and they have their proofs which they cite

30
00:01:44,799 --> 00:01:47,000
from the Qur'an and the Sunnah.

31
00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:49,519
Even if it is not an individual obligation today,

32
00:01:49,519 --> 00:01:51,920
while nations have gathered against us,

33
00:01:51,920 --> 00:01:55,159
and the number of those stepping forward to call to Allah is small,

34
00:01:55,159 --> 00:01:58,000
when does it become an individual obligation?

35
00:01:58,079 --> 00:02:02,200
Others hold the view that it is a collective obligation.

36
00:02:02,200 --> 00:02:04,159
There is no doubt that calling to Allah

37
00:02:04,159 --> 00:02:07,560
is a duty upon every Muslim man and woman,

38
00:02:07,560 --> 00:02:10,479
each according to their knowledge and ability,

39
00:02:10,479 --> 00:02:13,159
so that all religion may be for Allah,

40
00:02:13,159 --> 00:02:16,719
and the word of Allah may be the highest.

41
00:02:16,719 --> 00:02:19,719
It is the responsibility of the entire Ummah,

42
00:02:19,719 --> 00:02:23,520
and it is likewise a need of the entire Ummah,

43
00:02:23,520 --> 00:02:26,800
because calling to Allah is one of the greatest causes of guidance,

44
00:02:26,840 --> 00:02:31,139
the increase of faith, and the abundance of deeds.

45
00:02:31,139 --> 00:02:34,180
Some are sinful if they do not act.

46
00:02:34,180 --> 00:02:35,979
How many students of knowledge

47
00:02:35,979 --> 00:02:38,780
have had the wealth of the Muslims spent upon them,

48
00:02:38,780 --> 00:02:41,379
and they possess the knowledge and the skills,

49
00:02:41,379 --> 00:02:45,620
yet they abandon calling to Allah under the pretext of seeking a livelihood?

50
00:02:45,620 --> 00:02:49,379
Yes, they are in need of seeking a livelihood,

51
00:02:49,379 --> 00:02:53,099
but not with all of their efforts and energies.

52
00:02:53,099 --> 00:02:57,300
Let them dedicate half of their time and wealth to calling to Allah.

53
00:02:57,300 --> 00:03:01,219
And how many Muslim men and women possess wealth,

54
00:03:01,219 --> 00:03:06,610
and they spend it on everything except calling to Allah?

55
00:03:06,610 --> 00:03:08,439
Cautions.

56
00:03:08,439 --> 00:03:11,520
The general public must restrict their calling

57
00:03:11,520 --> 00:03:14,469
to the scope of clear matters.

58
00:03:14,469 --> 00:03:18,110
Many texts have indicated the necessity for the caller

59
00:03:18,110 --> 00:03:21,030
and others to remain within the circle of their knowledge.

60
00:03:21,030 --> 00:03:23,870
It is feared, in the event of stepping outside of it,

61
00:03:23,870 --> 00:03:25,990
that one might speak about Allah the Almighty

62
00:03:25,990 --> 00:03:32,020
and His Messenger (peace be upon him) without knowledge.

63
00:03:32,020 --> 00:03:35,240
The status of calling to Allah.

64
00:03:35,240 --> 00:03:37,840
Regarding the status of calling to Allah,

65
00:03:37,840 --> 00:03:41,719
Sheikh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim al-Tuwayjiri says:

66
00:03:41,719 --> 00:03:43,439
Calling to Allah

67
00:03:43,439 --> 00:03:46,800
is how the purpose of Allah for His creation is fulfilled,

68
00:03:46,800 --> 00:03:50,599
which is to worship Allah alone, with no partner.

69
00:03:50,599 --> 00:03:53,159
Calling to Allah is the mother of all deeds,

70
00:03:53,159 --> 00:03:56,919
and through it, the obligatory acts, the Sunnah, and etiquettes are revived,

71
00:03:56,919 --> 00:04:01,509
and through it, the entire religion is revived throughout the whole world.

72
00:04:01,509 --> 00:04:04,469
Calling to Allah is the greatest of all vocations,

73
00:04:04,469 --> 00:04:07,740
and worship is the greatest of all deeds.

74
00:04:07,740 --> 00:04:11,500
The vocation of calling to Allah is like the vocation of a king,

75
00:04:11,500 --> 00:04:13,460
and the rest of the vocations

76
00:04:13,460 --> 00:04:17,529
are like the vocations of those beneath him, such as workers and servants.

77
00:04:17,529 --> 00:04:21,089
Many people have busied themselves with the vocation of servants

78
00:04:21,089 --> 00:04:23,970
and abandoned the vocation of the prophets and messengers,

79
00:04:23,970 --> 00:04:25,930
which is calling to Allah,

80
00:04:25,970 --> 00:04:29,290
enjoining good and forbidding evil,

81
00:04:29,290 --> 00:04:32,060
and offering sincere advice to every Muslim.

82
00:04:32,060 --> 00:04:35,540
Have you heard in the history of humanity of an honor

83
00:04:35,540 --> 00:04:38,370
that equals the honor of the caller?

84
00:04:38,370 --> 00:04:42,759
Have you seen a status that rivals the status of calling to Allah?

85
00:04:42,759 --> 00:04:45,160
If such is the case,

86
00:04:45,160 --> 00:04:47,199
then set forth, O youth,

87
00:04:47,199 --> 00:04:49,480
into the arena of calling to Allah,

88
00:04:49,480 --> 00:04:51,639
sincere and truthful,

89
00:04:51,639 --> 00:04:54,079
to attain the reward and recompense,

90
00:04:54,079 --> 00:04:56,120
and the elevation and honor,

91
00:04:56,120 --> 00:04:59,759
“Firmly established in the favour of a Mighty King.” (54:55)

92
00:04:59,759 --> 00:05:04,519
with the prophets, the truthful, the martyrs, and the righteous.

93
00:05:04,519 --> 00:05:09,209
And excellent are they as companions.

94
00:05:09,209 --> 00:05:13,399
The punishment for abandoning calling to Allah.

95
00:05:13,399 --> 00:05:17,399
After having mentioned the virtue of seeking reward and the work of calling to Allah,

96
00:05:17,399 --> 00:05:19,399
we must remind ourselves

97
00:05:19,399 --> 00:05:22,639
of the punishment and consequences of abandoning this call.

98
00:05:22,639 --> 00:05:27,759
Allah has threatened those who are negligent in performing it with punishment.

99
00:05:27,800 --> 00:05:31,000
For it is narrated from Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman (may Allah be pleased with him),

100
00:05:31,000 --> 00:05:34,680
from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him):

101
00:05:34,680 --> 00:05:36,800
"By Him in whose hand is my soul,

102
00:05:36,800 --> 00:05:38,920
you must enjoin good

103
00:05:38,920 --> 00:05:41,319
and forbid evil,

104
00:05:41,319 --> 00:05:45,920
or Allah will soon send upon you a punishment from Him;

105
00:05:45,920 --> 00:05:50,000
then you will call upon Him, and you will not be answered."

106
00:05:50,000 --> 00:05:52,569
Narrated by al-Tirmidhi.

107
00:05:52,569 --> 00:05:56,129
It is known that among the barriers to the answering of supplication

108
00:05:56,170 --> 00:05:58,370
is consuming and wearing what is unlawful.

109
00:05:58,370 --> 00:06:00,889
As in the authentic hadith,

110
00:06:00,889 --> 00:06:03,689
he then mentioned a man who travels a long distance,

111
00:06:03,689 --> 00:06:05,250
disheveled and dusty,

112
00:06:05,250 --> 00:06:07,689
stretching his hands toward the sky,

113
00:06:07,689 --> 00:06:10,569
"O Lord, O Lord,"

114
00:06:10,569 --> 00:06:12,329
while his food is unlawful,

115
00:06:12,329 --> 00:06:14,250
his drink is unlawful,

116
00:06:14,250 --> 00:06:16,290
his clothing is unlawful,

117
00:06:16,290 --> 00:06:18,370
and he has been nourished by the unlawful,

118
00:06:18,370 --> 00:06:21,319
so how could he be answered?

119
00:06:21,319 --> 00:06:25,680
But few know that abandoning calling to Allah is also

120
00:06:25,680 --> 00:06:28,800
among the barriers to the answering of supplication.

121
00:06:28,800 --> 00:06:30,199
This means

122
00:06:30,199 --> 00:06:34,759
that the obstacles that prevent our supplications from being answered

123
00:06:34,759 --> 00:06:38,560
include abandoning enjoining good and forbidding evil.

124
00:06:38,560 --> 00:06:42,560
As the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

125
00:06:42,560 --> 00:06:45,959
"Enjoin good and forbid evil

126
00:06:45,959 --> 00:06:50,079
before you call upon Him and are not answered."

127
00:06:50,079 --> 00:06:53,160
The matter is grave and shakes the heart.

128
00:06:53,199 --> 00:06:57,439
How can the ship of society be protected from sinking

129
00:06:57,439 --> 00:06:59,680
if those in the lower deck are left

130
00:06:59,680 --> 00:07:02,639
to bore a hole in their section,

131
00:07:02,639 --> 00:07:06,079
under the pretext that it is personal freedom?

132
00:07:06,079 --> 00:07:07,279
At that point,

133
00:07:07,279 --> 00:07:10,639
everyone on board the ship will perish.

134
00:07:10,639 --> 00:07:12,759
But if those in the upper deck restrain

135
00:07:12,759 --> 00:07:14,759
those in the lower deck,

136
00:07:14,759 --> 00:07:17,839
because it is not personal freedom,

137
00:07:17,839 --> 00:07:18,800
then,

138
00:07:18,800 --> 00:07:20,560
everyone will be saved.