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In the name of Allah most gracious most merciful.

Doors of grace, Worship of Allah

Written by: Abdurrazzak Taher Farih

Translated by: Dr. Faheem Bukhatwa.

27 Rabee Al-Awal 1434

08 Feb 2013

Dearly beloved, can I guide you to the gates of goodness? The answer to this question is the title of this talk on this blessed day. This was also the same question that the messenger ppbu asked his companion Muaad (معاذ). The messenger ppbu loved Muaad and had told him so many times in the past. Muad asked the messenger ppbu a question each and every Muslim today needs it. Listen to the question and you should know the answer. Muad said to the messenger ppbu: “Tell me about a deed (something I do) which will bring me into paradise and take me away from hellfire”. Do we need an answer to this question? Very much so. Is it not because of paradise that all the faithful do pray, and they do weep? Is it not for paradise that many go for Jihad, and many donate their zakah, and the pilgrims go for their Hajj, and many spend their riches, and the monotheists believe in the oneness of Allah? Is it not that they do all that in order to be rewarded with paradise and in order to be protected from hellfire? The answer is: Yes. Listen to the messenger’s reply, he said: “You have asked something tremendous. Yet it is so easy for whom Allah wishes to make it easy for”. Dear brother and sister, Learn and find out the path to paradise, the path of saving yourself from hellfire, in few concise words from the messenger himself.

معبّد). Worship also is a word referring to everything Allah likes and approves of, deeds and words, public or private, like praying, fasting, donating, hajj, spreading the word of Allah, putting your faith in Allah, having hope in Allah, seeking help from Allah, God fearing and many more. Worship is not a side-line part along the path, indeed, it is the first call of the message of every prophet. Allah says: “We sent Noah unto his people (saying): Warn your people before the painful doom come unto them. (1) He said: O my people! Lo! I am a plain warner unto you (2) (Bidding you): worship Allah and keep your duty unto Him and obey me, (3)” 71:1-3. That was the first word: worship Allah. Allah also says: “And unto (the tribe of) A'ad (We sent) their brother, Hud. He said: O my people! Serve Allah. You have no other God other than Him.” 7:65. Allah also sayd: “And We sent no messenger before you but We inspired him, (saying): There is no God except Me (Allah), so worship Me.” 21:25.

Dear beloved brother and sister, we were created only for this purpose. We must not make this worldly life our target and make worship a means of reaching this target. NO, worship is the target, and we must employ this life and all of what is in this life to reach this target of worship. You must employ your money, your wife, your mother and daughters, and your mind and brain, and your family name and your position or job, all for this purpose, the purpose of singling Allah with worship. Even if we lived for a thousand year, but we do not fulfil this target then there will be no happiness for us, not in this life and not the life after. There will be no enforcement or victory for us and no establishment. Worshipping is the first step for victory and establishment in this life, and it is the first step on the road for entering paradise and salvation from hell fire, with His permission alone.

Dearly beloved, Allah has said about worship: “I created the jinn and humankind only that they mill worship Me.” 51:56. Allah also knows if not all the creation worship Him it will not affect Him. He will not benefit by obedience and will not lose by disobedience. On the contrary, all that who is in the heavens and the earth praises Allah, and they do not feel arrogant or too big to worship Him. Allah says: “The seven heavens and the earth and all that is therein praise Him, and there is not a thing but chant His praise; but you do not understand their praise. Lo! He is ever Clement, Forgiving.” 17:44. Allah also says: “Have you not seen that unto Allah kneel down in adoration whosoever is in the heavens and whosoever is in the earth, and the sun, and the moon, and the stars, and the hills, and the trees, and the beasts, and many of mankind, while there are many unto whom the doom is justly due. He whom Allah scorns, there is none to give him honour. Lo! Allah does what He will.” 22:18. Dear brothers, we must not get board of the case of oneness of Allah and worship of Allah. Islam is a faith from which rules and regulations are extracted. Those rules control all aspects of life, and Allah does not accept the laws of people unless their faith is correct. So, the first step again is that your worship will not be accepted unless if you have sincere intention to Allah, and you were a follower to that of the messenger ppbu.

To be sincere in intentions but not following the messenger’s teachings then Allah will not accept your deeds from you. Moreover, if you follow the messenger deeds but without the pure and sincere intention to Allah then Allah will not accept from you either. Allah says: “And they are ordered nothing other than to worship Allah, keeping religion purely intended for Him,..” 98:5. Ebn Abbas said: “let it be known that the religion of Allah is built upon two roots. The first, is to worship Allah alone with no partners. The second is to worship Him with what He regulated for us through the guidance of His messenger”. Those two rules are the true meaning of our testimony call that “there is no other God but Allah, and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah”. It is with the first part of the testimony we define who is to be worshipped which is Allah, and with the second part of the testimony we define the path which leads to the one to be worshipped or how. All other routes and paths to Allah are blocked except through Muhammad ppbu. All of you who have faith in one God Allah, you should kneel down and give thanks to Allah who guided you to believe in His oneness and singularity. It is the greatest and most honoured mercy can be bestowed upon a living being. Every human is born on the natural mercy of Islam, but his/her parents turn him or her into Judaism, or Christianity or Magian (fire worshipper). We (or most of us) were reared into homes, which believe in the oneness of Allah. Thanks be to Allah it is His mercy upon us from start to finish.

Give thanks to Allah that He created you as a believer, believing into Him as one God. In addition, ask Him that He may keep you on this faith. Many people do not appreciate this mercy its true value, when it is the greatest mercy. For some, may be spending last night without supper, or without something they badly wished for, is a big problem. In fact, it is not such a problem when Allah Has bestowed upon you the mercy of believing in Him as one God. Just look round you with those we live amongst and you shall know the benefit of Islam. All they only know is the superficial outside image of this life, and they are absolutely unaware of the life after. No matter how long this life goes on, it is still short, and no matter how great this life becomes, it is still despicable and lousy, and no matter how long you live for, you will for certain one-day leave, and no matter how long your age is going to be, you will one day go into the grave. If you keep in mind the mercy Allah Has given you then you will live contented, accepted by Allah, secure and reassured, happy and thankful, remembering Allah and grateful to Him.

Allah says: In the name of Allah most gracious most merciful: “ They make it a favour unto you (Muhammad) that they have surrendered (unto Him) or became Muslims. Say: Deem not your Islam is a favour unto me; but Allah does confer a favour on you, in as much as He has led you to the Faith, if ye are earnest.” 49:17.

Second Khutba:

All thanks be to the Almighty, the One and only, and I testify that there is no other god but Allah, who has no partners. He alone shall inherit the heavens and the earth and all that is between them. I also testify that Muhammed is His slave and messenger ppbu.

Dear beloved in Allah, you need to know that Allah has not imposed upon us the worship just to cause us misery or hardship, nor He did in order for us to curse and complain. He imposed worship upon us in order to have us prepared and conditioned for the day when we stand before Him. That moment is a tremendous moment. Have you ever thought of a time when you will have to meet a minister? Or a president or a king in this life, in order so you will be honoured with something? You probably will never forget such an occasion for as long as you live. Then think if it was the king of all kings and the mighty and creator of all the heavens and the earth. Allah, the most Gracious the most Merciful has imposed worship upon us in order to bestow upon us the honour of standing before Him.

Worship is important for us and not for Allah. The messenger ppbu in speaking for Allah in hadith-Qudsi said: “O my slaves, if all of you from the first to the last, all your man kind and Jin kind, were all as God fearing as the most God fearing one of you, then that shall add nothing to my wealth or possession. O my slaves, if all of you from the first to the last, all your man kind and Jin kind, were all as sinful as the most sinful one of you all, then that shall take away nothing from my wealth or possession.” This means that Allah the Almighty is not in need of our worship, deeds and actions. He will not be affected badly by the sins of sinners, nor will the deeds of obedience will benefit Him. You people are the ones who are in need for Allah, and Allah is not the one who needs you. If He so wishes He can make you all go away and He can bring new creation, and that is not hard for Allah to do. Worshipping Allah, cleanses our hearts, purifies our souls and clears our chest. Worship removes and clears the sins of sinners.

Notes:

Adhan - The call to prayer.

Ansar (or Al-Ansar): 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.

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.

Aya (or Ayah): is a verse of the Koran. It also means a miracle or a sign from God.

Arafa (or Arafah or Arafat): 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.

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.

Duaa: a prayer in the form of talking to Allah; praising him and asking him for help.

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.

Faheem Bukhatwa, my email address is : faheemfb@gmail.com