Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim
Let us congratulate honorable members of this noble platform on the occasion of first anniversary of your weekly reading of our khutbah. Your being there for us is a source of inspiration and with your goodwill in this direction together we shall ride on to greater height. Thank you for the good work you do.
This week's episode is dedicated to you on the pedestal of re-examination, re-strategization and re-vitalization. The gradation of patience in question is perseverance which towers on the survival and success of individual, family and corporate society. Before long, our mind must be addressed to the inevitability of good and bad things to happen in humans' life. The approach and resilience towards bad happenings brings about victory or otherwise from the situation.
Allah (SWT) states categorically in the Glorious Qur'an 29: 2-3 that: "Do men think that that they will be left alone on saying, 'We believe', and that they will not be tested? We did test those before them, and Allah will certainly know those who are true from those who are false." These Ayaat serve at pointer to vicissitudes of life as impacting on human behavior and dispositions. In the same vein, the noble Messenger Muhammad (SAW) was reported having warned against unnecessary and funny behavior at the instance of misfortune. He said on the stable of Anas bn Malik: "Surely, greater reward is attached to greater trial; when Allah loves a people they are tested, in case they appear calm they are further blessed and if they contemplate they are given stiffer burden" (TN 166). This shows that tests and examinations are but instruments of grading a man's perseverance. Shaykh Abdul Qadir Kaylaniy wa Jaylaniy exclaimed: "Oh son, misfortune does not come to destroy you; it often comes to test perseverance and faith in you. Oh son, destiny is not unlike a tiger, whereas tiger dovours not swine." The implications of this statement makes a similitude of misfortune to rot that covers gold, wherein either gold emerges better refined after tormenting fire or the rot giving way after all.
The question coming to mind is 'What does a man stand to lose after suffering the pain of misfortune?' Expected of him is an array of dutifulness and responsiveness at the instance of scolding unfortunate incidence if only he might emerge victorious and re-branded and in case he passes away during the misfortune, he is considered in the position of martyrdoms. Our next episode shall take care of that aspect, In Sha'a Allah.
To this end, what excuse does a man have to claim innocent of life misfortune? Prophet Dawud was tested but was rewarded with Sulayman with pomp and un-equal celebration in all ramifications. Prophet Ayyub was afflicted but he came out stronger. The following factors stand as solutions to various unfortunate issues that crop up in the way of life. They include but not limited to: i. Making Allah a unique in in Lordship as a matter of Theology. ii. Adhering to Allah's uniquiness of Godship. iii. Unity of Allah in knowledge and convinction. iv. Regarding Allah as beyond being oppressive. v. Acknowledging himself as having shortfall and inclining to humble himself before Allah. vi. Requesting unto Allah with lofty ideas and admirable names and attributes of Allah such as Al-Hayyu Al-Qayyum. vii. Seeking Allah's help alone and no others. viii. Confirming the man's request heavily on Allah. ix. Attesting to the complete reliance on Allah. x. Taking to the holy Qur'an as overall governor of his life. xi. Seeking for forgiveness (saying Istighfar). xii. At-Taobah (cause for repentance). xiii. Al-Jihad (striving in Allah through humanity). xiv. As-Salat (establishing regular Salat); and xv. Al-Bara'atu minal haoli wal quwwah (Staying clear from being funny or claiming trick or power).
Summarily, the thrust of this write-up is that misfortune is capable of re-branding a Muslim to be more stronger, resilient, teacheable and courageous. In fact, perseverance strikes
0 Comments