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Friday Talks |
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Friday Talks |
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139 |
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Hearts
Translated by: Dr. Faheem Bukhatwa
18 Shaban 1431 h.
30 July 2010 ac.
It is part of Allah's justice and mercy and knowledge and wisdom that He created His slaves equal at the time of their creation, equal in their abilities and potentials. He put in place guidance factors and He called upon them to follow. He made clear to them the path of evil and warned them against. Allah created His slaves with none of them having any prior knowledge; but He created the tools for them to acquire knowledge. Allah says: {Allah brought you out from the wombs of your mothers knowing nothing and He made for you the hearing, sight and hearts so you may give thanks} 16:78.
In general created humans are given hearts which are the essence of wisdom and comprehension, and the place of learning, understanding and making sense, and hearts are the viewing and like an a laboratory of analysis and testing and evaluation and a place of forming intention and developing will power. Hearing is merely a device, which brings in the sounds from the outside into the heart. In addition, sight is merely a tool, which brings images from its external visual state into the heart. However, the heart, that identifies facts, and takes lessons and draws conclusions, and accepts or questions and queries and analyses. The heart is the place of endeavor and resolve. It is the focus of loosing and winning or success and defeat.
Hearing and sight are for transferring images and sounds. Hands and legs are tools for implementing and doing work. The heart evaluates matters and makes decisions. All other organs obey and follow the heart and go per its will and command. That is the function and duties of organs as created by Allah. Hearts are quite important to physical doctors and are also very important to spiritual doctors. If the physical wellbeing of a human being in this life of his is directly associated with, the physical wellbeing of his or her heart, then similarly, his or her eternal wellbeing and success is also associated with the heart being free from ailments warned against by the Koran.
Because hearts are the devices, which can identify the paths for guidance, and to study and analyse Allah's message, and study the universe and the Koran, therefore, the heart is the most dangerous device. It is also a very sensitive and a thin transparent container which can breakdown or malfunction at any moment. The messenger ppbu said: {There is a small part in the body if it becomes good then the whole body turns good, and if goes bad then the whole body goes bad. It is the heart}. Without a heart, one would not fathom what one sees or hears. Looking at a funeral for example, all one would see is a group of people carrying a dead person and nothing beyond that. And one may hear a verse in the Koran warning against something and it would mean nothing to him or her. It is just words and sentences with nothing and no consequences. Indeed, two big beautiful eyes are of no value if there is not a sane and sensible heart behind them that can really see.
However, why do most hearts keep on the task of pumping blood but fail to perform their greater task. That happens because of lack of protection against temptations. The messenger ppbu said: {temptations are offered to the hearts continuously and plentifully one temptation at a time, when a heart accepts a temptation a black dot is dispersed into it. In addition, if a heart denies it or refuses a temptation then a white dot is dispersed into it. That is until all hearts shall return as either of two hearts. Either a black heart which acknowledges no good deed and denies no evil, or a white heart which no temptation will do it any harm for as long as the heavens and the earth last}. Yes, if the heart is not cleaned and kept shining it can take to sin as a sponge would suck and saturate with water. Allah has described the failing hearts with many different descriptions such as those that are sick with deeds which are close to being sinful (suspicious deeds), and those hearts which are sick with lust and desires. Or those hearts which can not resist temptations. And because there are such sick men in society, that women are told against soft and sweet talk to avoid stimulating those who are sick.
Another type of description, which Allah gave, is the digressing and wandering or roaming hearts. Other descriptions include the sealed hearts, and the wrapped hearts, and the tough and harsh hearts, and the engulfed or enshrined. Allah will not accept on the day of resurrection an individual with a sick heart. Allah says: {on the day when no money or off springs will be of benefit. Except he who comes to Allah with a good heart} 26:89. A heart which is free from lust to disobey Allah's commands, or a heart which disagrees with His book, and free from slavery to any other than Allah, and free from following any other than His messenger ppbu. A heart which is sincere in worship to Allah alone at free will, and a heart which loves and depends on Allah, and only fears Allah and returns only to Allah, and has hope into Allah and does the deed purely for Allah. If the heart loves; it only loves for Allah and if it despises it does so for Allah, and if it gives; it gives for Allah, and if it holds back it does so for Allah. It becomes satisfied for Allah and gets upset for Allah. A heart which has very little and yet it shines up like a bulb. Transparent and sensitive and delicate, shy and feels pity and very sensitive to what satisfies or dissatisfies Allah. Very aware of what brings closer to hell fire and what brings away from it.
You would recognize those with these types of hearts by their eyes which fill with tears, and their God fearing senses, clean spoken tongs, plentiful in remembering Allah and reciting the Koran, continually doing prayers and fasting. You would recognise them as they get upset when Aallah's prohibitions are violated, or when a sin is made public. They seek out groups of good; and attentively listen to preaching of good. They get away from places of evil and those who attend such places. Hearts get sick only when the owner of the heart commits sins and does not follow them with repentance.
When Allah punished the children of Israel he did not punish them through taking away their riches or children. Allah says: {And because of their breaking their covenant, We have cursed them and made their hearts hard}5:13. Allah also says: {So when they went astray Allah sent their hearts astray} 61:5.
Also remember that the heart of an unbeliever is a dead heart. And as the heart dies it ceases to hear or see. Allah says: {Allah has sealed their hearing and their hearts, and on their eyes there is a covering. Theirs will be an awful doom.}2:7. Allah also says: {Deaf, dumb and blind; and they return not}2:18.
On the day of resurrection, the Koran gives an indication of their minds, Allah says: {And they say: Had we been want to listen or have sense, we had not been among the dwellers in the flames. So they confess or acknowledge their sins; but far removed (from mercy) are the dwellers in the flames}67:10-11. Sure they may seem intelligent but they are not brainy. Allah says: {Is he who knows that what is revealed unto you from your Lord is the truth like him who is blind? But only men of understanding heed} 13:19.
Dear Muslims, as Allah extends life for a believer, each day spent ought to be used as an opportunity to increase what will benefit him/her in the next life. Now that the month of Rajab has finished and the month of Shaban has started. The winner is he who started getting ready for the month of Ramadan back during the month of Rajab. But, many people have been unaware that the month of Shaban has started. Let us look at the messenger ppbu and some of the earlier generations. Osama ebn Zaid said to the messenger ppbu: "I have not seen you fast in any other month as much as you fast during the month of Shaban ". The messenger ppbu said: {This is a month, during which people tend to forget about. In addition, it is a month when the deeds are elevated to the Lord of the worlds, and I would like my deeds to be brought up while I am fasting}. Anas ebn Malik said: "The most loved fasting for the messenger ppbu is during Shaban". Om-Salamah said: "I have never seen the messenger ppbu fast two consecutive months except the two months Shaban and Ramadan".
The earlier companions used to call the month of Shaban the month of recitation. Omro ebn Kaise used to close his shop and free himself for reciting the Koran. Abu-Bakr Al-Bulkhi used to say: "the month of Rajab is the month of sowing and planting. And the month of Shaban is the month of irrigation. And the month of Ramadan is the month of harvesting". How could anyone harvest during Ramadan if he/she did not plant during the month of Rajab and did not irrigate during Shaban. The month of Rajab has come and gone. What are you going to be doing during this month of Shaban.
O Allah we ask you mercy to guide our hearts
We ask you to grant us sincerity in words and in deeds.
Grant us God fearing at all times,
Make us trust into you, and depend on you.
Help us to perfect worshipping you.
Notes:
Adhan - The call to prayer.
- The inhabitants of the city of Al-Medina that received and supported the messenger (PPBU) when he immigrated from Mekkah in the very early years of Islam.
Ansar (or Al-Ansar):
Assalam Alaikum - The Islamic greeting, literately means: Peace be with you. Used when approaching or leaving. When used during approaching it will be like saying: I bring no harm to you . and when said during leaving somebody it will mean: No harm will come to you after I leave.
- is a verse of the Koran. It also means a miracle or a sign from God.
Aya (or Ayah):
- is a mountain outside the city of Mecca that represents the climax of the Hajj worship. All doing Hajj must stay at this location on the same day.
Arafa (or Arafah or Arafat):
Badr - The place of the first significant battle between the Muslims and the pagans of the Quraish. It is located in Saudi Arabia.
Caliph - A Muslim ruler. See: (Khalifa)
Dajjal - Antichrist or the False Massiah.
Dawah - The proliferation of Islamic teachings through word and deed.
Deen (Din) - Religion or way of life.
- talking to Allah; praising him and asking him for help.
Duaa: a prayer in the form of
Fatwa - Legal verdict given based on the Qur'an (Koran) and the Sunnah which are the recorded sayings and deeds of Muhammad.
Ferdose: is the highest level of the all the gardens of Eden or paradise.
Fiqh - Religious law.
Hadeeth: is something reported that the messenger have said. It includes all the speeches and ceremonies he gave. It is usually narrated or told by one of his companions. There is a list of hadeeths approximately 14000 that are reported and checked to be genuine. No more hadeeths are acceptably added to this list.
Hajar - The Black Stone set into the corner of the Ka'aba in Mecca. It is said to be a stone from Heaven.
Hajj - The pilgrimage to Mecca which takes place in the last month of the Islamic calendar. One of the five pillars of Islam.
Hasana or hasanas: is the reward for a good deed. a hasana is a point or a merit for a good deed.
Hadith - The sayings and not deeds of the prophet Muhammad recorded by his followers. Considered authoritative and perfect.
Hajj: is the worship of pilgrimage.
Hijra (or Hejrah): the event of the immigration of the messenger from Mekkah to Madina. This event marks the start of the Islamic calendar. the Islamic calendar has 12 months based on the lunar cycle, each is 29.5 days. Hijra is also used as a name for the Islamic dating system.
Ibadah - Worship. All the words and deeds with which Allah is pleased. These deeds could be prayer and charity.
Iblis - (Ibleese): On of Satan's names.
Ibn (Ebn): the son of. Used by Arabs as part of an individual's name. Example: Ali whose father is Omar or the son of Omar, would be called: Ali Ibn Omar.
Imam (or Emam)- The leader for a prayer. In the Shiaa sect, an Imam is the individual who has the religious authority.
Iman: belief or faith
Injil (Enjeel) - The Bible. The book inspired to Jesus for the Christians.
Islam - Submission, the religion of all the prophets of Allah culminating in Muhammad.
Jannah - The heavenly garden, Paradise. The place of the faithful in the afterlife.
Jihad: is striving in the line of Allah in many forms. Includes a very wide scope varying from improving oneself to fighting a defensive war in protection of Allah's word. The greatest Jihad is the fight one's self against temptations. It also means "holy war."
Jinn - Supernatural, invisible beings race of beings, below angels. They were made from fire. Like humans, there amongst them are the faithful and the non beleivers and Jinn shall be judged on Judgment Day.
Ka'aba: A cube shaped building in Mecca containing a stone laid there by Abraham and Ishmael. Some say Ka'aba was first built by Adam, and some say by Abraham. It is the holiest place for Muslims. It is where all Muslims face in their daily prayers. Ka'aba also makes a major part of the pilgrimage in a ritual known as Tawaf.
Khalifa: is the Muslim ruler. Head of the Islamic empire. Exact translation: "Successor".
Khutbah - A sermon given in a Mosque, usually on Friday.
Kufr - Denial or Disbelief. A term Muslims use for anyone who denies existence of Allah or the prophecy of Muhammed.
Koran - Also spelled Qur'an. The holy book of Islam revealed to Muhammad by Allah through the Archangel Gabriel. Koran literally means "the recital." It is the final revelation of Allah given to the prophet Muhammad. It consists of 114 surahs (or chapters.)
Madinah - (Medinah): A city in the Arabian peninsula (in the country known now as Saudi Arabia). A city where the messenger had to immigrate to. Then it was called Yathrib.
Masjid - A center for Muslim activity. It is referred to as a mosque.
Masiah - A sin, or a sinful act
Mecca or Makkah: is the holiest city for Muslims. It contains the Ka'aba mosque with the famous black cubical shape. Mecca is the birth place of the messenger (PPBU).
Mosque - A Muslim house of worship.
Muhajir - (Muhajireen) Immigrant, one who leaves his home town due to lack of religious freedom. It was first used to describe early Muslims immigrating from Mecca to Median and Ethiopia.
Muhammad - the final messenger and prophet of God whose message abrogated all previous revelations. He received the Koran through the angel Gabriel over a 23 year period. Born in Mecca and died in Medina at the age of 63. His full name: Muhammad ibn Abd-Allah
Muslim - One who holds faith to the religion of Islam.
Nafilah: a voluntary prayer other than the five obligatory prayers; performed at any time.
Nasara - Christians. Nasrani: A Christian individual. Nasraniah: Christianity.
Ommah: is the Arabic word for a nation. It usually refers to the Islamic nation unless otherwise specified.
Paradise - Another word for heaven. A garden of bliss, fruits, rivers and all forms of pleasures imaginable and imaginable. No suffering, disease or death. Service is provided by angels. All live in it an ever lasting youthful life. Promised by Almighty Allah to all faithful, true Jews, true Christians and True Muslims. Paradise is one of two places every person will go to, either Paradise or Hellfire.
PPBU (P.B.U.H.) : Peace and Prayers Be Upon him. A statement Muslims use any time they mention the name of the messenger or make a reference to him.
Qadar - Fate. Preordainment is the teaching that all things, good and bad, are preordained to occur.
Qadr - (night of Qadr): The night when the first revelation of the Koran took place. Most likely it happened during one of the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. Or when the Koran was brought down to the nearest heaven in one go, and from there it was brought down in bits and few verses at a time over a period of 23 years. This night is considered the holiest night for Muslims with tremendous advantages.
Qibla - The direction which Muslims turn for daily prayers, towards Mecca.
Quraish - An ancient Arab tribe to which the messenger Muhammad belonged.
Ramadan - The ninth month of the Islamic calendar which is the month of the fast. The holiest month in the Muslim colander.
Salat - Prayers. Generally it covers all forms of worship, but more specifically refers to the Muslim rituals which is performed to worship Allah five times daily.
Shiaa: A sect of Islam that teaches that a religion leader (Imam) should be the political ruler and must be direct descendants of the messenger (PPBU). Therefore, disapproving of all Muslim leaders who ruled After the messenger (PPBU) except Ali, the messenger's grandson.
Shirk - Associating another god with Allah. Or associating anyone or anything with Allah. Or using anyone or anything as a medium to Allah. The opposite of Monotheism or Tawheed.
Siam or Soam- Fasting
Sunni: is a the title of those Muslims who are suppose to be following the life style of the messenger. This differentiates them from the Shiaa of Iran.
Sunna (Sunnah): Is how the Messenger PPBU lived, what he did or said. It includes the way he dressed, ate, drank, prayed, interacted with other people and fought. Basically, sunnah is the life style of the messenger PPBU. It is considered the second source of legislation in Islamic laws and it is considered to be an important reference to be used for concluding arguments and disputes. It is also a title give to the main stream Muslims who make 90% if all Muslims.
Surah - A chapter of the Koran.
Tawaf: part of the pilgrimage (Hajj) ritual. It involves walking round the Ka'aba Mosque in anti-clock wise direction a number of seven circles.
Tauhid - Tawheed - Monotheism, in Islam is the teaching that there is only one God who alone is worthy of worship. The first requirement of becoming a Muslim. It is included in the testimony of faith for new Muslims when declaring that God is one: (No God but Allah)
Taqwah - Proper fear and veneration of Allah. A divine spark that enables the person to understand God.
Taurat: The old Testaments and scriptures of Mosa.
Ummah - the word means: a Nation. Usually refers to the Islamic nation unless otherwise stated.
Umrah - (Amrah): A mini hajj. A Minor form of pilgrimage to Mecca. Unlike Hajj which can only be done on the 12th month of the Islamic year, Umrah can be performed at any time.
Wathoo (wadoo): a washing up ritual done by Muslims before each of the five daily prayers known as ablution.
Zaboor - The Psalms
Zakat - The third pillar of Islam. Alms giving, charity that is given to the poor.
