In the name of Allah

The All Compassionate, the All Merciful

11 Dhil-Hajja 1444 (30 June 2023)

Islamic Universal Association

20 Penzance Place, Holland Park

London, W11 4 PG

www.arafeh.co.uk

 

Jihad An-Nafs – Part 138

Purification of the heart-Part 80

The Holy Quran reminds us time and time that there is a recognized right for the needy and the deprived over our wealth and I quote some relevant Ayahs:

Ayah 274 of Surah Al-Baqarah: “For those who spend their wealth (in the way of God) by night and day, secretly or openly, a reward shall be with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.”

Ayahs 117 and 134 of Surah Aale-Imran: “The similitude of what they spend in this life is like a freezing wind which smites the farmland of a people who have wronged themselves and destroys it. God will not do injustice to them; it was they who were doing injustice to their own selves.

Those who spend (in God’s way) in both prosperity and strain, and who restrain their anger and forgive the faults of men; God loves those who do good (to others).”

Ayahs 37, 38 and 39 of Surah An-Nisa: “Those who are niggardly and bid people to niggardliness, hiding away what God has given them of His bounty, We have prepared for the disbelievers an ignominious torment.

Those who spend their property (in charity) only to be noticed by men, disbelieving in God and the Last Day; he whose companion is Satan, what an evil companion he is!

What harm would it have done them had they believed in God and the Last Day and spent benevolently of what God has provided them with? Verily God is fully aware of them.”

 

Valuable points

• Donation in the way of Allah (s.w.t) can be done at any time, day or night and at every situation. Muslims should care for their brothers who are deprived and poverty-stricken and help them as much as possible, be it small or big.
• Some commentators are of the opinion that Ayah 274 of Surah Al-Baqarah refers to Ali Ibne Abu Talib (a.s.) who is reported to have given a certain sum of wealth in the manner described in the verse; he gave one quarter of it by night, one by day, one secretly and one openly.
• Donation for the sake of Allah (s.w.t.) does need to be big; it is only acceptable by Allah (s.w.t.) if the intention is pure. According to the Holy Quran says: “Verily, Allah accepts (an offering) only from those who guard themselves against evil.” (Ayah 27, Surah Al-Ma’ida).
• Ayah 117 of Surah Aale-Imran invokes the wind’s destructive power in order to describe how unrooted and sterile the actions of disbelievers are in this life.
• The main cause for the setback of the Muslims at the Battle of Uhad was their greed for wealth. They were so overpowered by their lust for booty, that, instead of pursuing their initial success to victory, they got engaged in looting the spoils.
• The Ayahs enjoin spending wealth for the good of others and miserliness as morally reprehensible, not only because it manifests a lack of charity, but it also conceals what Allah (s.w.t.) has given them from His Grace.
• To conceal the bounty of Allah (s.w.t.) is to live in a way as though Allah (s.w.t.) has not bestowed His bounty upon him. According to the Holy Prophet (s.a.), “When Allah bestows His bounty on anyone, He likes that he should show it.” That is, he should live the life of a well-to-do person and also help the needy in the way of Allah (s.w.t.). To be continued.

 

 

Second Sermon

Eid Al-Adha

The day of Eid Al-Adha is known as ‘Eid Al-Kabir’ (Major Feast), or ‘the Feast of Sacrifice’ The word Eid means a recurring festival and Eid Al-Adha is a completely different Eid, coinciding with the rituals of Hajj. It falls on the 10th of Dhil-Hajja, and it is observed in remembrance of Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismael, as an act of submission to Allah (s.w.t.), but at the last minute Allah (s.w.t.) intervened and replaced Ismael with a lamb. Almost every single ritual of Hajj, such as the stoning of Satan, the tawaf of Safa and Marwa, and the sacrificial lamb originated from Abraham as well as from Hajar and their son, Ismael, who settled in a desolate place, near the Kaaba and faced severe trials and tribulations. This stands as an example for Muslims around the world to lead a good life by way of obeying Allah (s.w.t.) and putting personal differences aside and trusting in His will. It is also a time when we celebrate Allah (s.w.t)’s mercy.

 

Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam that constitute the most demanding but rewarding form of worship performed in the sacred city of Mecca. Muslims are obligated to perform Hajj once in a lifetime if they are physically and financially capable of performing it. The primary objective of Hajj is to strengthen ones devotion to Allah (s.w.t.) and learn the lesson of humbleness and equality, and that is the reason why pilgrims wear Ihram and discard their usual attire, irrespective of ranks, status, race, caste or creed, and stand before Allah (s.w.t.) to worship Him and seek His blessings. Moreover, the act of qurbani consists of slaughtering an animal (sheep, lamb, goat, cow etc), as a sacrifice to mark this occasion in remembrance of Prophet Abraham’s sacrifice for Allah (s.w.t.). A successful completion of Hajj obliterates all sins and one’s slate is wiped clean, like that of a new born baby. There are many Ayahs in the Holy Quran relating to it; I quote below Ayahs 27-30 of Surah Al-Hajj:

 

“And proclaim the Hajj (pilgrimage) to the people. They will then come to you from every remote place, on foot and on lean camels.

That they may witness advantages for them, and mention the name of God during the appointed days over what He has provided them of livestock quadruped, and eat them and feed the poor.

Then let them complete the prescribed duties, and fulfil their vows, and let them circumambulate the Ancient House. 

Let the pilgrimage be so, and whoever honours the inviolability of God, it is best for him with his Lord. The livestock is made lawful to you, save that which has been recited unto you. Then shun the abomination of the idols, and shun vain talks.”

• In accordance with the aforesaid Ayahs, Hajj has much benefit for Muslims in this world and in the hereafter.
• The pilgrims are required to remember Allah (s.w.t) especially on certain days (10th 11th, 12th and 13th of Dhil-Hajja), which are called the Days of Tashriq, because Allah (s.w.t) blesses them specifically on those days.
• They eat and enjoy the sacrificial meat of lamb (Qurbani) and feed the poor.
• Circumambulation of the Kaaba and other prescribed deeds has to be performed.