How to Achieve the Best of Both Worlds – Mufti Menk in Panorama, South Africa

السلام عليكم و رحمة الله

my beloved brothers my sisters

every one of us wants goodness in this world and we as believers would like goodness in the hereafter too

I want to start with a question which is more important

the goodness of this world or the goodness of the next

there’s a lot of dhili dalling in that answer

this world or the next which one is more important

the next one Subhanallah ya Rabbi l-Alamin

that means that while we’re on earth we would be part of the plan of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala

we are and Allah expects us to lead our lives in a certain way but no matter what happens on earth for as long as you and I were within the obedience of Allah trying our best by the will and mercy of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala we will be achieving the goodness of the hereafter

Allah did not guarantee anyone that they would have everything their way in this world because then what was the point of promising you a life after death wherein you would go to a paradise where everything would be your way when already on earth it was your way

for that reason nobody has it their way on earth it is Allah’s way that’s how it is

may Allah Almighty grant us ease and goodness we have the best of creation the most noble of all messengers of Allah

sallallahu alayhi wa sallam the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him

the closest to Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala if anyone had the ease of this world we did not have been him who deserves it the most

yet Allah Almighty placed him on earth at a time where technology was not as advanced as it is for you and I today

at the time there was no electricity at the time there was no running water from a tap at the time there were no mobile phones or internet or aircraft or even motor vehicles for that matter

yet he was the most deserving of every goodness of this world he was the most deserving of everything and Allah gave him as much as Allah wanted to give him

and the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him you and I know without a doubt afflul khalki wa akramu russuli

salawat urabbi wa salamu alayhi the most noble of all prophets the greatest of all of us all

so that goes to prove that the happiness of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala with a person is not connected to how much you have

it’s connected to the contentment that Allah gives you and the conviction in your heart that Allah loves you enough no matter what challenges you are going through

and you will go through challenge upon challenge today on earth many of us are struggling with what?

unemployment, inflation, the rand is crashing as I breathe Subhanahu wa ta’ala

let me pause stop breathing for a moment we will help the rand

yes that’s just one example we are hoping after Hajj it will actually go the other way insha’Allah it will strengthen

they say when the Hajj is made do ah you watch go back they say the rand starts strengthening what happened in arafah Allah

strengthen the ram, Allah strengthen the rand, it’s a Africans.

may Allah make it easy for us but my brothers and sisters on the most serious note the challenges we face are real many have health matters and problems many cannot afford food or drink

many cannot pay rent many cannot pay the bills many cannot pay school fees is that not a real problem?

These are minor temporary issues of the dunya they are of the world for Allah Almighty to solve that matter is a flash.

before that flash the matter will be solved. may Allah grant us ease

ask Allah to grant you ease enough to be able to continue into the hereafter with his pleasure.

ask Allah to give you enough of the world that he can remain or continue to be pleased with you throughout your journey until you meet with him.

the Prophet salallahu alaikum used to say:

Allah give me a life for as long as life is better for me Allah take me away when you know it’s better for me to go Subhanallah.

another hadith the Prophet salallahu alaikum says none of you should wish for death in order to come out of a problem or a difficulty or hardship that you have on earth. consider it a gift of Allah.

Allah says Allah does not burden any soul beyond what it can take.

beyond what you can take Allah will not burden you so if Allah’s burdened you you can take it.

if you’re not managing turn to Allah seek help. do the right things. how do I seek help? number one build a connection with Allah.

how do I build a connection with Allah? your salah is extremely important. if you don’t have five salah and you’re complaining about a problem that you’re in, you haven’t even started.

you’re complaining about a cough when you don’t understand the first thing you need is a little bit of medication if you’re a person who believes in home remedies like I do you would start with warm water salt gargles.

works wonders by the way.

guys are laughing. you remember me my brothers my sisters the beginning of the remedy is connection with Allah.

what will he do for you? he’ll give you contentment, happiness. at the time of the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, they had boycotted the muslims and they had literally had sanctions against them. for some years they didn’t have proper food or drink

they were happy. they were content. they didn’t give up. one thing they did not compromise. they enjoyed the sacrifice for the sake of Allah.

we are close on to Eid al-Adha a few days remaining. it is the Eid of the sacrifice. Eid is a day of joy and happiness and sacrifice is some difficulty and hardship

isn’t it? look at the two coming together. you sacrifice. you deserve an Eid. you sacrifice. you deserve joy in the same way the sacrifice every year is celebrated with an Eid.

so don’t think that it’s going to be a walk in the park

may Allah Almighty make it easy for us my brothers and sisters. you have to face challenges every year. you have to have some form of a sickness light or heavy.

you have the annual flu. what happens you have to you have a cough. no matter how pious you are there will be something in your health that goes up and down. almost every year if not every single year.

you have to face challenges every year if not every single year. you sacrifice. you deserve joy in the same way you have to face challenges every year.

we look at ourselves in the mirror we notice one hair in the wrong place.

one hair in the wrong place. somewhere you notice it. you want to sort it out. one hair in the wrong place. come on. Subhanallah. if that is the level of scrutiny of the

imperfect body that we’ve been given as an amana in this world temporarily, can you imagine when you sacrifice for the sake of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala throughout your life what Allah will give you in return? was it not possible and is it not possible for Allah Almighty to have given you the best of the best here on earth?

and to have given you perfection on earth. it was possible, but he chose not to. he chose not to because he wants you to appreciate his favours upon you.

when Allah created you, the minimum you Owe Allah is to worship him alone. amazing. he sent to us messengers from the best of his creation in order to remind us gently to turn to him so turn to Allah.

respect and honor the messenger and the other messengers too may peace and blessings be upon them. consider yourself fortunate and considering yourself fortunate will make you fall in love with the messengers of Allah who are the Muslims.

those who say they are Muslim and they don’t love the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him are they really Muslim? it can’t be. may Allah Almighty strengthen all of us my brothers and sisters. do not despair because to achieve the best in this world you need to know what is the best in this world.

say guard me from a punishment of hell fire.

how many times we get up in prayer in this world we will never be able to do exactly the same in the hereafter if we didn’t do it here.

so Allah who might tell us to make this dua to grant us goodness in this world. what is the goodness number one?

اللہ اکبر Allah is the greatest. how many Muslims are there on earth today? perhaps two billion. how many prayers a day? five daily prayers/ how many times do you move in salah? how many times do you repeat Allah Akbar? how many times Adhan is called? how many Allah Akbars in Adhan? how many times the Iqama is called? how many times is the Allah Akbar in that statement? so every day there are billions of times of the repetition of the statement Allah Akbar. there is no other statement from the beginning of the creation of Adhan right up to this day that was ever and shall ever be repeated more than Allah Akbar.

Allah Akbar. have you ever thought about it. and then another question I have which is the dua that you and I ask for the most the most repeated supplication that you’ve ever asked for there is no supplication that you and I have repeated more than that. every time you read Surat al-Fatiha you saying guide us to the straight path. guide us to the straight path. what do I learn from this. on earth, we need to understand the biggest blessing of Allah is for someone to realize and to believe that Allah is the greatest and to continue believing that guidance is in the hands of Allah so he or she continues to ask Allah for guidance.

Allah’s guidance. what a gift. what a powerful gift. so now if you’re asking for something every single day you’re asking to pass a test. for example, Allah I’m writing my metric.

may Allah make it easy for those who are about to write. I’m sure there’s about a few months remaining. guys are writing metric soon and in other countries they call it A level. whatever else it might. be it’s fine but imagine you ask Allah.

Allah grant me the ability to pass. help me to pass. help me to pass. but you’re not reading a book. you’re not going to school. you’re not doing anything about it. what do you expect an angel is going to come and tell you all the answers?

Subhanallah you’ll be sitting and waiting the angel. where’s the angel. he didn’t come. you were a fool. because you didn’t make an effort towards what you asked Allah for. you’ve got to make an effort. you say Allah help me to get to the masjid but you sleepy when you think someone’s going to come and pick you up and drop you into the masjid just from your bed. you need to make a little effort at least. you need to get up and you need to perhaps call someone or do something about it. then Allah will make it easier for you to get there. the same applies when you ask Allah’s guidance every day. guidance is there. are you making an effort to achieve the guidance. or is it just a du’a that you don’t even realize you’re making.

Allah grant us that guidance. one of the best ways of looking at it is just to look at the five daily prayers. you see when you look at the pillars of Islam it’s another amazing fact.

the first pillar of Islam the shahada. the two shahadas we believe in Allah and worship Him alone and we believe there is none worthy of worship besides Him. Muhammad Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam the messenger and the final messenger. shahada now that is repeated every day and it actually makes up every aspect of your life. let’s get to the next pillar. you have salat. that’s just five times a day that’s compulsory. you can add some sunnah and nothing and so on but five times a day is compulsory.

we get to the next pillar. what is it? Zaka/ you take from your wealth you give the poor/ you notice how the first one is the most important one. although they are all pillars. the second one is the next most important. subhanAllah.

the third one. why is it third in order? because it’s not everyone who’s going to pay Zaka. not everyone is going to pay it. you know why? because if you take a careful look, Zaka is only compulsory upon those who have a certain amount of wealth.

if you don’t, it’s not compulsory.

subhanAllah. so that’s the next pillar of Islam. but you can still give a charity even if Zaka is not compulsory on you. you give. you see two and a half percent belongs to Allah, but what have you given? someone says what’s that question? I don’t understand it. let me explain it to you.

Allah says for every hundred two and a half is mine 97 and a half is yours. so for you to just put it in the right place you’re getting a reward for fulfilling it.

it doesn’t belong to you. if you’ve eaten it you’ve stolen it. it belongs to Allah. he’ll take it from you hook or crook.

what that means is he’ll take it from you anyhow. that’s what we mean you either get sick or ill or you suffer a loss or something happens that that money is gone.

your Zaka is still not done but that money went out of your system.

the verses of Zaka Allah says take from their wealth the Zaka that will cleanse them. it will purify them.

because when you are too attached to that wealth you know what happens you become attached to this world.

the greed overtakes you. when greed overtakes you, you become a person who wants everything in the world.

my palace in this world may be built by money, but my more important palace in the hereafter is going to be built by how much that I’ve given away and how kind and good I was and how much I worshipped Allah. so if I build someone else’s life, Allah builds mine in the hereafter.

but when I build my own here it’s not like I’m building anything besides what I’m doing on earth it’s going to help me for a few years many of us first home that they ever owned

and that’s from among those who own homes. if I were to ask you and I don’t want to ask you but if I were to ask you how many of you have your own homes in your own names it’s a minority.

most of us live in rent at the accommodation it would be a dream to ask you how old are you. you would say 65 we’re paying rent still or staying in my father’s house. agree? yes it’s a fact.

so that house even if Allah gave you the wealth to actually buy it, how many years will it help you? your kids will be living in it. say this is my dad’s house.

but where’s that he passed away a few years ago but dad worked for how many years he worked for 60 years before he paid up the house. right? what about the house of the hereafter? it takes you a lifetime to build it.

it takes you a lifetime to build it and the beauty of those payments is sometimes they are just in the form of repentance. Subhanallah.

you committed the sin and another sin and the biggest sin and even bigger sin and a major sin and a massive sin and then you said O Allah forgive me. I truly regret. I repent. I shouldn’t have done this. it was wrong. I don’t want to defy you. and I will not. and I ask you for forgiveness.

forgive me. that statement can start building you hereafter. it will start building your palace.

shaytan will come to you and tell you no. do you think it’s that easy to get forgiven by Allah. no that’s shaytan. Allah says it is even easier than that to be forgiven by Allah.

at times you do something and you don’t even know you have not sought the forgiveness from it but because it was a minor sin.

the goodness that you did after that automatically wiped it out. the good deeds automatically wipe out the minor sins.

this is Allah so Allah Almighty loves us enough to forgive us not just when we seek forgiveness but when we do good deeds as well. so that’s the next thing you need to do to build that palace. start doing good deeds. what are good deeds?

I told you about the five daily prayers. start off with it. be strong. fight yourself. fight your nafs. don’t be lazy. if you miss because you are just starting to become regular. pray in the evening as soon as you remember. as soon as you can do it. I’m talking to people whom perhaps may be struggling. we believe and we should be doing it, but I know from amongst us. because of the environment and the challenges of the globe many people are not regular with their prayers.

that’s the reason why I’m talking on this level. I know people argue with me sheikh how could you even compromise on the five. we’re not compromising we’re helping people who might be struggling with it.

I was telling you about the Zaka. two and a half percent belongs to Allah. now let’s look at you. what are you going to give after that it’s called a charity. that’s it. in some circles they call it a Lillah. I’m just giving this for Allah. it’s just in some circles that’s what they call it. it’s actually a broader voluntary Sadaka. that’s what it is. how much are you going to give?

are you prepared to put your hand in your pocket and to give when Allah says spend the son of Adam, I will spend on you. give, I’ll give you. are you going to trust me enough to put your hand in your pocket and give when you see a need more than yours? and you are in need because we’re all in need. I’m in need so by Allah are you going to give? are you going to take out? you’re going to send home for your family for your relatives for someone who’s asked? I’m talking of home meaning wherever you might be living in another city or another country wherever it may be.

you give those you know those you don’t know. Subhan Allah. you see the beggars. when you see a beggar coming and asking it’s a very interesting point mentioned it last night. Allah did not say give the beggar. Allah says: as for the beggar, do not review him, don’t belittle him, don’t insult him. that’s all. Allah didn’t say give him. because Allah Almighty doesn’t want you to beg.

but begging is the last option of some people. may Allah strengthen us and strengthen them and grant them so that they can also give others.

we created the need in the people so that you could fulfill an act of worship known as giving to the poor.

they could be such need that by you giving you building your paradise. by you giving, you building your paradise.

we see social experiments nowadays on social media where people are wealthy where they pretending to beg just to take a video to show you how people are. people don’t give and sometimes when they insult it becomes even worse. don’t insult if you don’t want. leave it.

but the point is the more you give, the more you will get that is guaranteed by Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala.

obviously your basic necessity generally you don’t give that away. you can’t take off your shirt and say right here take it.

you can’t take off something that you’re wearing covering yourself and say right take this. take that. you need that. that’s a basic need.

but just beyond your basic need, you can give and you should give. and the more you give, the more you will get and the minimum is respect the person. because you know what if Allah wanted Allah could have fulfilled that person’s need without you and I and we’re all in need. we all ask Allah. we’re all crying to Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala. when is the best time to cry to Allah?

the Hajjud. Allah you are right. we are taught that the tahajjud is by invite only, so you don’t just get up for the Hajjud. you are invited to get up by Allah.

so if you’re up for the tahajjud thank Allah because he’s invited you and he’s honored you to get up and you’re there.

that’s an invite you’re invited. the tahajjud is by invite only it’s not possible for you and I to just get up and start doing the tahajjud. no no no no it is by the invite of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala and out of his love he creates a need in your life in order for you to get up for that tahajjud. 🧎🏻‍♂️

that was the invitation. it came to you through a difficulty; through a hardship; you never ever tasted the sweetness of the tahajjud until you had a challenge that you felt nobody can solve and resolve. now you got up and you’re crying. Allah says I love you so much.

look at you. you’ve come to me. you are broken. you are softened. you’re worshipping me. you’re asking me. just that much is building your paradise.

whether Allah gave you what you wanted on earth or not is irrelevant. if Allah loves me because I got up for the tahajjud and I cried and I went for my needs and he knew he was not going to give me the needs but he knows that because of such a powerful sincere genuine act of worship and such lovely beautiful sincere warm tears rolling down your cheeks because of that I’m going to give this person paradise.

do you really mind whether or not he gives you what you are actually asking for? if it was related to this world I don’t care.

do you get what I’m saying?

didn’t I start off by asking you a question which is more important and don’t lie you guys were dilly dallying with that answer.

but the reason I asked it was to get back to it all the time to tell you you know what? this world you’re going to cry you’re going to do things you’re going to have hardship & difficulty.

whatever it may be. but Allah Almighty knows when you process it the right way you have the best of this world.

what is the best of this world is the best of this world not including that the tahajjud is the best of this world not including that you are to Allah

is the best of this world not the connection with Allah? is that not the best of this world? yes, but over and above that because I’m a human. I also want a little bit of comfort on earth.

may Allah grant us good jobs and good income. may Allah Almighty provide us with sustenance so that we don’t depend on anyone but him.

that amin was very loud. we are Muslims, we are honored, we are taught to strike a balance.

it’s not correct for you to divorce yourself from the earth because you also need to get married. may Allah make it easy for those who are not married to get married.

all the married guys are saying amin. because better be careful.

you want to get married and you want to look after your children your spouse your family members. you want to create a little bit of comfort for them. many parents you asked them why are you earning? say for my kids

you know a little bit for myself but more so for my kids I’m going to do this for my child and that for my child.

do you really think Allah who created you and your father is going to abandon you? but Allah tells you oh son of Adam adjusts to the level I’ve kept you on be happy

I’ve kept you on the level. don’t look at those who have more in terms of worldly belongings because you won’t be able to appreciate what you have.

rather look at those who have less so that you can say I’m favoured by Allah. that’s what Allah tells you. the problem with today’s world that is filled with social media is comparison.

you see someone who’s showing you something they don’t have pretending like they have it and through that pretends your life has become a misery.

because you don’t know their life is already a misery. it’s photoshopped and not only that, it’s artificial intelligence and whatever else it may be.

you are thinking they have the happiness that you are looking at them and believing they have it and they are desperately looking at your real life and hoping that they could have yours.

and you are so depressed because you think that they have what they don’t have that you want.

so confusing but that’s the life so don’t compare what you see on social media stays on social media doesn’t come into your heart and your system.

you see the comparisons people show you they’re driving a Lamborghini I promise you sometimes it’s not even a Lamborghini it’s called a green screen.

yes it is you know what’s a green screen if you don’t know find out.

only problem is you might become one of those you know but it’s a fact they showing you something that’s non-existent.

don’t be depressed Allah has given you the best of this world when Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala asked Nabi Muhammad salallahu alayhi wa sallam to crush the enemy in taif.

Allah he did chose not to. you have a problem with your blood brother. Allah destroy him. break him. finish him. you know make sure that he doesn’t ever come up again finish him up. that’s your brother.

which Nabi are you following by the way? which prophet are you proud of and you following? who’s your Nabi? are you going to follow him?

Allah soften his heart I have a problem we’re going to try and sort it out I’m going to do this and Allah soften his heart.

your trial is your paradise that’s what you forget about what’s going to happen I don’t know Allah knows. did I try twice? he swore me he insulted me no problem. that’s my brother. I’m going to try again.

and you solve the problem I’m not saying that just give up to injustices in a way that is going to be repeated again and again and again.

I mean every time you meet him he hits you with a rod doesn’t mean you must go back and try. he’ll hit you again with a rod my brother.

what we mean is common logic and common sense. so my brothers my sisters take a look at what is the best of this world you already have it.

Subhanallah you already have it. don’t you have the Deen of Allah? aren’t you in the house of Allah? didn’t you just fulfill Salah?

didn’t Allah Almighty say through the messenger the closest that the slave is to his Lord is when he’s in prostration? didn’t you prostrate just now?

is that not the closest posture and position you can ever get to to Allah? Subhanallah/ you have something moving for you man?

are we not eating and drinking no matter what the condition is of the food long as it’s halal? it’s good if a man is eating for 50 rands or 25 rands.🧎🏻

well Allah he’ll fill his belly perhaps sometimes better and more than those who go for fine dining. you know what’s fine dining?

500 rands and they give you one prawn. you’ll probably see and they put a little design of avocado sauce around there.

and you look at you say where did my money go? I’d rather go for the pub and vegetable that they give for 10 rands down the road.

do you understand what I mean?

say it’s all relative. it’s all relative. may Allah Almighty grant us goodness and ease. may Allah open our doors. you have the best.

you have the goodness of this world if you have the Dean of Allah. but work hard to achieve that which will benefit you on earth.

you want to buy a house; you want to buy a car; you want to have good things; you must get up in the morning number one salah.

number two you must make sure that you go to work. you don’t have a job, look for a job. how long? for as long as it takes. don’t give up.

I know people who’ve looked for job for six years. a guy that I know look for a job for six whole years

and we kept telling him don’t lose hope. he said come on. don’t lose hope up to when? he said/ whatever long it takes/

he ended up buying and selling things/ trust me he became a millionaire last year/ he told me I made my first million/

Allah grant all of us goodness

those billions were not Zimbabwean dollars, by the way. but I tell you my brothers and sisters what is the moral of it.

sometimes unless treacherous and prolongs your desperation and your need because he wants you to continue crying to him.

he loved you that way. it changed you. it made you a better person. six years was enough. we became people who are regular with salah. we changed our lives. we cut our sins. we spent more time with our families.

Subhanallah. when Allah gives you the feeling within your heart that you need to spend time with your family, it’s a sign that you have the best of this world.

and when Allah Almighty has not accepted you, sheytan gets hold of you and makes you feel that you need to spend time with haram.

with that which is displeasing to Allah. then you are losing the best of this world. you can never achieve the best of this world through haram.

that contentment you lose it so this brother got a job after so many years and he says I’m so thankful to Allah.

because one thing led to another to a third to a fourth. now I’m my own boss. I don’t even have a time that I need to get to a workplace at a certain time from this time to that time and I’m so thankful to Allah.

and guess what? the bowl is rolling/ I told him what exactly do you do? he said I’m not selling my secrets.

for as long as halal, I don’t care. I don’t need to know. it’s not wise to tell everyone what you do because a lot of times sheytan will come and make them do what you’re doing better than you. subhanallah. and who told them.

tell me son I won’t tell you what I’m doing, but I give you ten grand every month that’s a sharp guy I tell you that’s an intelligent man.

if only but you know someone might come to me outside there and say where’s the ten grand let’s see.

don’t despair. the challenges that you face on earth are temporary. my brothers and sisters what are they at temporary. how many of us have been through days we believe we’re not going to make it out? either because of a financial struggle, family matter, a health matter. whatever else it may be today we’re standing and we’re happy and we’re okay. who brought you out of that is the Lord of the world.

who brought you out of your initial issues not able to take you out of other issues that you’re going to face on earth and do you really think that if you came out of one issue Allah is not going to test you with another. it has to come. it’s coming. get ready for it.

subhanallah. prepare for a rainy day. connect with Allah. be happy. one of the major problems that we have is we refuse to adjust to a new level that Allah might have kept us on that may not be as high materially.

as we were in the past so because we’re too proud to adjust we suffer the consequences and we can’t face the people.

and we can’t accept that I’m no longer as wealthy as I wa.s one of the gifts of Allah is to be able to adjust.

you can’t afford school fees at the top schools, well you know what I can adjust I might even consider homeschooling. who knows.

maybe Allah wants you to take your kids out of that school for a reason. you might realize it later.

so remember to thank Allah for what you have. because the Quran clearly says that :

if you are to thank Allah Allah says if you are thankful I will grant you increase. that’s what Allah says. if you are thankful I will give you increase.

if I want increase what do I have to do? you have to thank Allah. that’s the way to grant you increase you have to thank Allah.

and Allah will bless you with more and more and more and how do you thank Allah again you start off with your salat.

you start off with your prayer you start off with worshipping Allah alone. you try and ensure that all my ibadah is focused and dedicated to my maker.

and at the same time. I’m following the sumna to the best of my ability. the best of my ability and then I’m kind to everyone.

I fulfill their rights. I go out of my way to help people. I forgive a lot of those who’ve wronged me.

a guy came to me a few weeks ago he says I’m going for Hajj. I said ey Mashallah Mubarak congrats man may Allah make Hajj easy for all those who are there.

and those who are going. and may Allah take us all again and those who haven’t been may Allah take us there.

I said yes so much I said I have a problem. what’s the problem? he says you know I went asking forgiveness and I went to ask forgiveness from this guy that really I have wronged him in quite a big way in the past.

he told me I’m not forgiving you but I’m going for Hajj. he said I’m not forgiving you, but I’m going for the pillar of Islam.

he said so what I’m not forgiving you. he said now can’t you talk to him I said well we can try talking to him but he’s well within his rights to say they’re not forgiving you.

did you get my point? why did you wrong him in the first place? this was a hard nut to crack. he said if you only knew what this guy did I’m leaving it for the day of judgment.

that’s why Allah Almighty says be careful when you’ve committed the sin between yourself and Allah it’s easily forgiven when you’ve committed the sin against the fellow human being it’s a bit tougher.

because fellow human beings are not Rahim. they’re not most forgiving most merciful. no they are human beings.

and you look at him and you say you’re so small come fix me now he says no not now he’s waiting for the day of judgment oh that’s a heavy one.

so I have to speak to this brother and I told him my brother I want to just tell you one day a point of consideration.

say you arrive on the day of judgment that this guy comes along say Allah I want justice what if something happened somehow and the tables happen to turn and the evidence is against you and on that particular day you find out that you were actually guilty of something and you had to actually pay him and now it’s the other way around. is it possible initially he said no. it’s not possible he did wrong to me. I said but haven’t you spoken about him and done this and done that and so I said I spent half a life against this guy said there you are the best thing to do is don’t leave it for the day of judgment just release it.

three days later he came to me and said I’ve released it. Subhanallah Subhanallah. he said I thought about what you said it’s not worth holding it. it’s worldly. release it. the other day I was telling some of the brothers I said you know what if someone’s caused harm to me I really don’t care.

and I wouldn’t waste my time praying against him because I need my prayers. you know I I’m going to pray for good things. nice things that I want. I can’t waste my time. all that destroy this man and that I can’t do that say you know leave it when he gets to 10 million US dollars I’ll think about it.

but 9.5 million it’s still a bit cheap why should I raise my hands? come on I’m going to raise my hands and you haven’t even caused destruction of 9.5 million to me.

I mean come on come on now. you’re talking business man. Subhanallah I’m going to talk about you. I’d rather say what I let this man be my neighbor. let’s not have any form of ill feeling in our hearts and we are all going to be together there. Subhanallah.

may Allah grant it to us through his mercy no matter how many deeds we do. do you know why we do deeds? let me explain why? you can never enter Jannah through your deeds. you can only enter Jannah and paradise through the mercy of Allah. have you ever heard that it’s a fact.

so then why do we do deeds? you know young people today are too sharp. say I do Salah I don’t do anything because I heard that we enter Jannah through the mercy of Allah not through our deeds. why should I waste my time doing this. hang on hang on hang on. you enter Jannah through the mercy of Allah how do you invoke the mercy of Allah?

through your deeds. did you hear that. how do you get the mercy of Allah? well you do deeds. so I can’t enter paradise through my deeds, but I can get the mercy of Allah through my deeds. and then I’ll enter paradise through the mercy of Allah. do you know why today we all did our Salah? let me tell you what happened today.

so the Imam came up and we were all squeezing. some were outside. some couldn’t make it. right now people are standing here. they the sisters one one this way they are I think we’re in panorama they might be in Keltar.

but in actual fact we are human so as you standing one guy is pushing you this way that way you’re looking at the spot for sujood.

well, Allah he when I was in sujood earlier as an Imam I got up slightly quicker because I thought to myself they may be people struggling to make sujood because of how narrow the space was.

I’m telling you a fact and so in reality when we are standing how’s the concentration levels? how were they today? tell me. you’re standing and you’re thinking so rather why we listen to this recitation.

you know. I stopped at a certain place and I went and I continued and I thought to myself well it would have been better meaning wise to not have actually continued there to go back a bit. but I said no. it’s okay. it’s not a mistake and all these things are going through my mind, but it’s to do with Quran right.

it’s okay. hey the concentration was nowhere near 100% for any one of us some of the guys being pushed and this guy takes you to the stamping on your toes and you see come on man.

where’s the concentration? the fact that you did your salah will call on and invoke the mercy of Allah. when Allah has mercy upon you, he will accept the salah and give you paradise through his mercy that’s what it was.

so did you try? the fact that you tried already invokes the mercy of Allah. and he’s already accepted you. your Abu and your salah. that’s it. you do your best and move on. because you’re a human. sometimes people ask me I went to the Lou and I tried to wash and wash and wash I said you don’t need to repeat that word. just say I tried to wash that’s all.

it’s like when we were young we used to say that right was long. I say the number of holes you added they make the journey even further. you just needed to say it was long. that’s it. people know it was long. that’s it. but we have a habit I washed and washed and washed and washed that means I washed a lot.

so it is a matter that affects a lot of people to be honest with you. what you need to know is Allah Almighty does not benefit from your will. do to the degree that sometimes you haven’t even cleansed with water at all and Allah allows you to use sand or stone or which is dust. dust that we consider dirty is technically or properly clean in order to cleanse you and you’re actually putting dust and you. you’r clean because there was no water. that shows you that Allah didn’t actually need that. Allah just wants you to follow instructions to the best of your ability. and believe that he’s going to accept it from me. as a human even though I might have made a little bit of a blunder here and there, it’s okay. did you try your best? yes, move on.

don’t look back that’s why when you finish your salam you’re walking out then you start doubting what did I do? it’s too late you walked out and you’re gone.

you already invoked the mercy of Allah.

we’re talking of minor things insha’Allah. but it’s accepted. it’s accepted by the will of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala. so we enter jannah through the mercy of Allah.

and we get the mercy of Allah through fulfilling our acts of worship. may Allah grant us that mercy so when Allah has allowed you to worship him in a beautiful way.

while Allah he gives you the understanding of what the meaning of the best of this world is there’s no point in saying Allah give me the best of this world and you don’t know what’s the best of this world.

you’re aiming somewhere else and as for the hereafter my brothers my sisters we are believers.

we are holders and bearers of the shahada la ilaha illa Allah Muhammad Rasulullah.

that statement has such a value in the eyes of Allah that he tells us through the blessed lips of Nabi Muhammad salallahu alayhi wa salam. that if that statement is to be put on one side of the scale and on the other side of the scale

99 files filled with sin each file as big as from the east to the west still that shahada is heavier than all those 99 files.

have hope in the mercy of Allah that doesn’t mean you must do that which is wrong and say I heard Allah’s mercy for don’t worry we’ll just drink tonight and it’s okay.

no not at all. I hope it’s water. yes I told one brother I said my man you’re getting married he says yes I said Allah bless you I have one piece of advice.

I said make sure everything is pleasing to Allah. that’s going to happen today.

he said but it’s hard. I said why. he said you know the women want to wear a short cut and this fat and you know showing the cleavage and shame this and that and everything tight.

I said you don’t need to be interested in the women. but you can let them know that look there’s a dress code.

Allah when you go to a nightclub sometimes they tell you dress code. am I right or not not? like I’ve been but I’ve seen the adverts.

I’ve seen the adverts they say dress code strictly this and strictly that you go to some restaurants to eat and they tell you strictly.

am I right or not. can’t you say strictly. this is my wedding come on it’s a day of celebration of half of my faith.

so he says nice it’s difficult I said why he said you know these youngsters they also some of them they smoke weed and all of that.

you know I said that becomes a weeding it’s not a wedding anymore it’s a weeding.

but so much happens on a day that Allah has given you that is blessed. let’s go back to what I said earlier. you only achieve and receive happiness and true joy when you have sacrificed

Eid adha those two words are actually opposite. if you look at them the joy the happiness of sacrifice.

you’re going to get that happiness in the dunya and the aakhirah and this world and the next to your best. don’t plan to send hoping that Allah is merciful.

but when you’ve wronged. when you did something wrong. don’t let shaytan make you despondent. are you alive? yes are you breathing. yes. is your heart pumping? yes. subhan Allah if that’s the case, there’s hope for you. Islam is based on the mercy of Allah and forgiveness. Allah loves to forgive.

oh Allah, you are forgiving; you love to forgive; so forgive me. he loves to forgive. you go to a man asking him for ten rands and you heard this guy loves to give.

he really thinks he’s going to give you ten rands. he’s going to give you a hundred maybe more. maybe a thousand. he’s going to give you as much.

imagine when you heard and you know and you believe and you convinced that Allah loves to forgive, can you ever lose hope in the mercy of Allah.

I am convinced for one. and I ask Allah to grant us death upon iman. when you have died upon iman, I’m convinced that we will all be going to an absolutely amazing place.

superb the best of the next life is awaiting. the best of you when you see. if you’re going to forget about this world.

nothing that you ever came across in terms of material items on earth will follow you there it doesn’t qualify.

because the Hadith says in jannah there is that which no eyes have seen, no ears have heard, and it hasn’t even crossed the heart of an individual. meaning you haven’t even thought about it.

so I’m waiting to get there because I know I existed in another form earlier.

prior to me being in the womb of my mother and in the womb of my mother I can’t remember a thing even in the womb of your mother.

so if people say where were you before you were born five years before you were born the answer is I was with my maker with Allah.

I don’t know I can’t remember so then they argue to say what if you can’t remember you were nowhere.

well I can’t remember when I was in the womb either. so was I still nowhere? they see common logic isn’t it? then they’ll tell you no. but that we saw you with a scan. isn’t it?

how many billions of people passed on without knowing what a scan was all about? when technology didn’t exist didn’t they say well you didn’t exist because you know what do you remember no I don’t.

so not everything will my brain be able to process in a proper way.

so if I were to tell you listen you and I are so sophisticated. imagine all of us have made an effort including myself to be here tonight.

we’ve all made an effort to be here may Allah accept it from us.

you’ve made an effort to be here. I see you. I love you. I feel for you. we have a connection with each other we want to talk we may want to meet.

is it humanly possible to spend a minute with everyone? it’s not. so I want to be with you I’m going to have to wait for a day.

we are so sophisticated that Allah Almighty can never ever let us just perish and we’re gone into thin air where did you go?

when I was young, I remember we passed by somebody’s house. we were walking to school and there was a funeral people of another faith and there were two pigeons or pigeons they were sitting on the roof.

and these two aunties were working on saying hey that’s her I think that’s her I mean that’s really that’s her. so fortunate.

it took us time to process what was being said. it took us time to process what was being said. you know as much as we respect human beings but our belief is different.

we believe you pass on, your soul goes into the barzakh. the barzakh is a unique place only what the messenger Salallahu alaikum has told us would we be able to know.

we don’t know more details but when we go there trust me it’s going to be beautiful.

the time between now and the day of judgment is crumpled. it’s like a flash. it passes like no time and before you know it you’re there.

the example of the sleep of a human is perhaps the closest way of explanation two guys are trying to sleep. one falls off to sleep. and the other one cannot sleep. they both next to each other.

the one who fell off to sleep in a second you have to wake him up. it’s fajr. it’s really fajr? it felt like one second. am I right? I was still dreaming.

and I still wanted the goodness it reminds me of the goodness. they say there was a guy being offered two flakes in his sleep and he was debating with the guy. no I need four flakes he says no. I only have two I can give you two. I need four flakes. I can flakes. what’s a flake?

I open. the real. I just a dream. he quickly close it. okay just give me the two. so in reality if someone is sleeping next to you, you don’t even have a few how many flakes they eat.

it’s the healthiest food because you get up in the morning is nothing happened. right? no. no calories. no nothing to burn because it was just a dream.

for the man who was awake, the night was long and he couldn’t sleep. and tossing and turning and perhaps flicking and internet and whatever else it might have been it was a long night.

similarly but obviously a higher example a believer doesn’t feel the time before you know it it’s already that’s why don’t worry about your loved ones who passed on with the iman.

may Allah grant us and them jannah and I tell you we’ll meet with them. for them it’s quick. but now we’ve got to prepare for the day we go. I want to end with one more very very important factor.

when someone passes away what do we do? so we make to offer them which is probably one of the most powerful gifts.

may Allah grant them jannah.

whatever it may be. we may pay their debts. we may give a charity. and maybe some of them. or for others. do some forms of Ibadah.

and we hope that the reward will reach them by the will of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala.

but if you go to the Hadith of the Prophet Salah Salam he says when a person passes on all his deeds are cut besides three things and then he mentions these three.

a charity that he gave in his life or she gave in her life, the reward of which outlives them the benefit of that outlives them.

it was a tree or something or whatever else it may be a charity but who gave it? you gave it when you were alive. that’s going to help you.

secondly the knowledge that that person taught that others benefited from the original Hadith is speaking about the person having done these deeds while he or she was alive before he or she passed away.

and then these deeds are benefiting them and the third one is a child that you invested in so well that the child may do supplication for you after you passed on.

that is amazing so you took the time to spend with your family, your children. you invested in them. you actually taught them. you were there for them to the best of your ability.

and you brought them up in a beautiful way by the help of Allah. when you passed on, they continued to make dua for you.

what a big blessing. so what I want to say is there are two things. what is more powerful is for you to have done it in your life.

we build a masjid on behalf of that deceased while that is in its place.

that’s a masjid I’m building is insha’Allah of my own benefit and I’ll put another one up insha’Allah on the benefit of the others.

but something I’m going to do myself why should we wait to die before others can do all of that when what is more powerful is the fact that you did it yourself

I’m not belittling what you might do for those who passed on from your family. no. that’s okay. you may do and there is a scope of doing you find out from the scholars and you can do.

but what I’m telling you is I’m trying to just highlight what is much more powerful and Allah Almighty would bless you. may Allah grant us the goodness of this world and the next.

I wanted to speak for 45 minutes but I had a panoramic view so we stretched it a few degrees this way and that way we ended up speaking for exactly one hour.

may Allah grant us the best of this world and the next

may Allah forgive us. strengthen us with our prayers, with our dress code, with our truthfulness, with our uprightness may Allah make us happy

the way He has created us because today people are challenging Allah regarding how He created us the biggest liberation today is to be satisfied with the way Allah has made you.

you are totally liberated. you are truly free from the clutches of any and everything negative. may Allah Almighty bless all of us and protect us.

may Allah bless all of us and protect us from this world and the next!

Amazon Bestseller: Luqman’s Fifty Pearls of Wisdom

This post may contain affiliate links which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through links.

The Wise Luqman gave his son advice in the form of pearls of wisdom. His advice is relevant in all times and can be used by any parent who wants to raise a child in the light of Islam. His advice is beneficial for adults too and also for new Muslims.

Amazon Bestseller: 30 Bedtime Stories For 30 Values From the Quran: (Islamic books for kids)

30 Bedtime Stories For 30 Values From the Quran

A must-have for Ramadan….and perfect for all year long

Give your kids a unique and enjoyable way to learn valuable lessons and Islamic values During the holy month of Ramadan.

As an amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

🌵 Get your copy here! 🌵

Reflections: Orientalism 11.07

What we (Muslims) say/believe is Islam is like a garment. We fit ourselves into it not the other way around. If we try to adjust this garment to our feelings and conditions, then each one of us Will make appropriate adjustments. At the end, each person’s garment will be unique to himself/herself and different from that of others. In this case we cannot say that we all follow one religion since we have all modified our religious practices that we don’t practice the same religion anymore. On the contrary, if we adjust ourselves to the demands of the religion, then everyone’s religion (garment) will be identical.

One might ask: who represents the real Islam? The majority of people take their understanding of Islam from the mass media, which is in the control of certain individuals with certain agenda. There individuals always present people with a escape-goat to cover the reality of the world and to cover their real plans. Anyone who reveals them will be labelled with names such as conspiracy theorist. This means that whatever the mass media feeds us is the reality and the truth. Anything else will be conspiracy and lies.

This article is a combination of summary of the book: Orientalism by Edward W. Said and my reflections on the contents of the book and today’s current world events.

https://amzn.to/40b3OBI

As an amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Reflections: Orientalism & Language

The importance of appealing to men through their minds by using their language. Having orient studies is not for entertainment but a policy. As was mentioned earlier, orients cannot rule themselves nor can they think for themselves. These must be done for them by the occidents. To be able to think for him, we need to get into his head. To control his mind, we need to learn his language. This is why we see Arabic and Islamic studies in every major North-Aemrican and western European universities. Arabic is the language of Islam. Closer a western country is to an Arabic (Muslim) country, more control they have on that country and the laws being passed in that country. Recently we have witnessed new and monumental events in the middle east such as new liberal rules and laws in the Kingdom to revelation and publicising of Arab-Israeli relations. What is incomprehensible is why this event was named as peace talks or peace treaties. Was there any war between the UAE and Israel? Or a war between Bahrain and Israel? The answer is definitely no. Then why is this treaty called a peace treaty. All these Arab countries have had relations with Israel for years. All they are doing now is making these relations public. The real war is between the Palestinians and Israel. Were the Palestinians part of this treaty or so-called peace talks? All these Arab/muslim governments are friends of the the big boss. Question is how much of these events are part of the US foreign policies? What is next?

Let’s not forget what was mentioned earlier: orients cannot represent themselves. They must be represented. Another point brought up by orientalist is the antiquity of Islam and that Islam needs to learn from the west and westerners. In another word, Islam needs to up-to-date itself since it is out-dated and needs to be revived and modernized. For this to happen, Islam need to adapt itself to the modernity of the western culture.

This article is a summary of the book: Orientalism by Edward W. Said and my thoughts and reflections from this book and current world events.

https://amzn.to/40b3OBI

As an amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Reflections: Modern Islam 10:27

How can we modernize Islam? Does it need to be modernized? An orientalist will answer in affirmative. A western government will answer in affirmative. Because they want to control the world and have influence on every aspect of people life. This is why they are against home schooling. As Muslims, we believe that Allah decided to reveal this book and complete the ‘deen’ (religion) for people. Deen that we call religion is translated as the way of life. The way or the path we need to walk on to be successful in this world and the hereafter. Allah knew how life is going to be and what man is going to accomplish, but still He decided to send the final revelation in the middle of The Arabian peninsula on an unlettered man. And He revealed that if you stick to his teachings you will attain prosperity. Many ask how Islam is going to adapt to today’s life. Individuals like Macron (the French boss) states that Islam is in crisis. As a manner of fact, Islam is not in crisis. Humanity is in crisis. The solution to this crisis and the problems we are going through is Islam. The real Islam not the Islam portrayed in western media or defined by the orientalist or Macron. Islam provides solution to all the problems humanity is facing in 21st century. All we have to do is to adapt ourselves to the true teachings of Islam and our beloved prophet Muhammad peace be upon him.

https://amzn.to/40b3OBI

As an amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Reflections: The Idiot

You find in many fields many specialists, but you don’t find practical people. People who can solve problems. You have many engineers, experts in various fields, and professors. Yet your economy has been going down. Yet the unemployment rate is on the rise while you live in one of the most resourceful countries on this planet. Why is it that those who are talented in field are not used in that field? On the contrary, those who occupy crucial positions are ordinary and sub-ordinary individuals. Is money to be blamed for this? Our prophet (PBUH) has been reported to have said: if you have a mountain of gold, you would wish for a second. And if you have the second mountain, you would wish for the third. The desires of human being are limitless while the resources of this world are limited. Pursuing this world greedily never ends. The greedy one is not satiated until he dies and is turned to dust. Will this kind of individual ever feel happy? A true feeling of happiness when one feels upon helping a fellow human being. Never forget your share from this world, but always be content with what you have.

This is a combination of summary, notes, and some reflections from the book: The Idiot by Dostoevsky.

https://amzn.to/3RvhF29

As an amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Reflections: Orientalism & the real Islam 10.24

What we believe is that Allah Himself protects the Quran and Islam. So if Muslims stick to this noble book and follow the teachings of the beloved prophet (pbuh), they will be successful in this world and the hereafter. As it has come in the Quran: “do not forget your share from this world.”(23:77) Here comes the confusion. How much is my share? Imagine we are riding a ship. For a ship to get to it’s destination, it needs to go through waters (sea, ocean, river). The ship needs the water to float. The ship needs the water outside it not inside it. This world is like water for our ship in our journey to the hereafter. If we indulge too much in this world, then the amount of water increases and raises so high that it will enter the ship and we will be drowned in this world. We will be so occupied that we will forget our goal in this world. We are here temporarily and to be successful, we must obey our Lord. All our actions must please Him. And the best way to please Him is to serve the humanity. This is Islam. What one Muslim asks himself is what is the real Islam? Who represents the real Islam? Certainly not the politicians since they consider their own interests and their bosses and not that of their people nor their creator. This is how they can keep their positions or achieve a higher position. Then there are scholars who are supposed to be the knowledgeable individuals in the society. They are the point of reference for people. Unfortunately, there are scholars who are linked to the politicians, so they cannot be trusted either. There is another group of scholars that are not Muslims but are scholars of Islamic studies. These are the orientalist as mentioned in the book “Orientalism” by Edward W. Said. This movement of educating western individuals about Islam and Arabs started in late 1700s when Napoleon Bonaparte started invading/colonising Egypt.

https://amzn.to/3HFTZ7J

As an amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Reflections: Corona

It has been a couple of months that the whole world is battling an insignificant yet powerful enemy. A virus called Corona, Aka COVID-19. Allah says in chapter 74:31 And none knows the soldiers of your Lord except Him. We believe nothing happens without the will of Allah. Does Allah want bad and suffering for His creations? Parents would never want to see their children go through any hardship. Allah loves His creations much more than parents love their children. We also believe that He is a loving, caring, and the most merciful. He is in control of all. Why then He would allow such a pandemic happen to us all? If He wills, this virus can disappear from the face of the earth as were the dinosaurs. Then why is Allah allowing the virus to cause some much pain? Let us see what Allah says in chapter 30:41. He says: Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea by [reason of] what the hands of people have earned so He may let them taste part of [the consequence of] what they have done that perhaps they will return [to righteousness]. SO maybe instead of blaming everything on God or others, we reflect on what we are doing. We reflect on how we live our lives. How much damage are we causing the environment? Every action has a reaction. Our actions have consequences that will come back to us. It might not necessarily be what we as individuals are doing or are not doing. It could be that the leaders or politicians are making decisions and we are oblivious about these decisions. To make it clear let us look at an example given by our beloved prophet. Two groups of people are aboard a ship with two decks. One group on the upper deck and the other on the lower deck. The group on the lower deck makes a hole on the floor of the ship to get water. The second group does not prevent the first group. what is the result? Everyone drowns. We cannot just sit and be indifferent about the actions of others in our society and on our planet. We all have responsibilities. We have responsibilities toward ourselves. This means we are responsible toward our body. This is the reason some actions are prohibited in Islam. Smoking drugs (including cigarette) and drinking alcohol, for example, are harmful to the body, so these are prohibited. We are responsible toward our family then toward our community.

Let us look at another verse from the Quran. Allah says: And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient. 2:155. This is the reality of the life of this world. Allah tests us all. Calamities fall in our lives in different forms and shapes. We persevere, put our trust in Him, and never lose faith.

Reflections: Fasting

We muslims fast in the month of Ramadhan. Let’s start by asking why. Why do we fast? What is the purpose of fasting? What are we supposed to get out of fasting? What do we we gain from it? what did we gain from fasting previous years? Unfortunately, for many of us, fasting Ramadhan has become a custom. We don’t do what breaks the fast like eating and drinking. By doing this, we get content that we fasted during this blessed month. If we ask some muslims about the reason of their fasting, the reply is to share the feeling that the poor people have. This is a very good point. When we are thirsty or hungry, we are supposed to remember the poor and the needy and their difficult life. What is the result of this? First, be grateful for what Allah has given us. No matter how little it is. Second, try to help the needy as much as we can no matter how little it is. Do not belittle an act of goodness. It can be huge in the eyes of Allah. It is not about the quantity, but the quality of our actions. We should not forget that the poor do not have food to eat to almost the entire year. While we experience thirst and hunger for a fraction of the day for only a month. They might get food or they might not. We, on the other hand, have a fridge filled with food and have someone preparing food for us. So we know there will be food when we are breaking our fast. Then how can we have the same feeling as them? There is a big gap.

Our beloved prophet PBUH has said in a narration to this meaning that some people fast in this month and all they from they fasting is thirst and hunger. May Allah not make us one them.

Allah says in quran that fasting is prescribed to us so we gain taqwa (تقوی). what is taqwa? Dues to the richness of the arabic language, this word has many meanings in the English language. One of these is to have God-consciousness. what this means is that in all situations we are conscious of Allah. That He is aware of our situation and aware of what we do. So let us ask ourselves how much taqwa we gained in the past years. If we did not gain any taqwa, then what did gain from fasting? When we gain more taqwa, we get closer to Allah. This will automatically make a better human being. This in turn, will make us care for other human beings. So we work hard during this blessed month to get closer to Allah, so we become better believers and hence better human beings. This will help us build a better community.