Friday Khutbah (29th July 2005) delivered by Shaykh Muhammad Taher
DISCLAIMER: This reminder was originally delivered in Arabic. Any meanings lost in translation are not to be attributed to the speaker as reminders are translated by volunteers. The mosque has no official translater and volunteers often have no formal qualifications to translate on the day. Please forgive any errors as they are from our human weakness and any right guidance is from Allah.The subject of this Khutba is how to develop a positive and forward way of thinking when faced with difficulties.
Allah (SWT) says in the Qur’an
“…and it may well be that you dislike something while it is good for you and you may like something while it is bad for you. Allah knows, whereas you do not know.” (Surah Baqarah: 2.216).
This verse carries great meanings, which we are all in great need of while going through difficult times. This is to develop a positive and forward way of thinking when dealing with difficulties and learning useful lessons from onerous situations.
Islam is a religion of natural inclination. It deals with human soul in an extremely sensitive way. Instead of despondence when faced with difficulties, Islam leads the way to positive and constructive thinking. There could be many good things that we cannot recognise behind trials and tribulations. By trusting in Allah – we trust that He would not let down His believers. This trust opens a window of hope during difficult times and teaches us how to look at the current moment from another perspective. We all believe that it is only Allah who knows the future. “Allah knows, whereas you do not know”.
The Qur’an teaches us this helpful way of thinking and gives us several examples of what we can gain by adopting this attitude. Allah (SWT) says in the Qur’an
“those who on being told that people have mustered a great force against you, therefore fear them, grew more tenacious in their faith and replied: Allah suffices us, He is the best disposer of affairs. So, they returned with grace and bounty from Allah. No harm touched them as they have striven to please Allah. Allah’s bounty is limitless.” (Surah Imran 3:173-174)
Allah also says:
“Indeed with hardship comes ease, with hardship comes ease.” (Surah ash-Sharh 94:5-6)
From these verses we can learn many lessons:
(1) At times of difficulty Muslims need to look at things from a different perspective. They may then be able to find good things out of these trials and tribulations.
(2) At times of difficulty Muslims need to examine their relation with Allah, and their trust in Him and to ask themselves whether they are preoccupied with this worldly life at the expense of the Hereafter. Allah says in the Qur’an:
“He that desires this fleeting life shall readily receive in it whatever We will for whomever We please. But We have prepared Hell for him, where he will burn despised and rejected. As for him that desires the Hereafter and strives for it as he ought to, being a true believer, his endeavours shall be recompensed by Allah” (Surah Isra 17:18-19)
(3) Muslims need to examine their understanding of their religion. Islam is suitable for all times and places. It is based on ease and making life easy. It requires strong belief as well as proper knowledge and understanding. This should result in good behaviour and attitude that is reflected on the Muslim person and the society he or she lives in. The obligations and duties of Islam are not all of the same importance or status. There are:
· major and minor obligations,
· priorities and things of less importance,
· things that should be done, yet with concessions in particular circumstances,
· things that are unanimously agreed upon and others where there is room for different opinions,
· duties that must be undertaken by every individual and others that it would be enough to be undertaken by few,
· things that should be done without delay and others that should be done when it is feasible.
Like a well-designed, beautiful architectural structure - you cannot enjoy and appreciate all of it unless you study it properly and examine all its aspects (opinions, rules and principles) in an accurate, clear and unbiased way.
(4) Muslims need to examine their position as a minority, are they united as one body, do they act as one body, do they speak and express themselves as one body, and do they share the same concerns? The fact that they are divided does not help the situation and does not help them to deliver the right message and to bring to surface the peaceful and tolerant image of their religion.
(5) Muslims need to establish their own media production companies. So they are able to spread the right message of Islam, help British Society understand Islam, portray the right image of Islam and uphold the rights of the Muslim minority.
(6) Mosques and community centres should pay more attention to and reach out to young Muslims by taking a part in educating them, addressing their needs and helping them to be productive, effective individuals and a part of the society they live in. It seems that there is a wide gap between Islamic institutions and the Muslim youth. Many young Muslims have the right understanding of Islam and the right attitude and interaction with society, but there are others who are either being driven away from their religion or have misunderstood or misinterpreted Islam.
Brothers and sisters, these are few examples of how to use the current situation to the benefit of the Muslim community and the whole society.
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