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» “And Never Give up hope Of Allah’s Mercy” - By Shaykh Ashraf Salah
“And Never Give up hope Of Allah’s Mercy” - By Shaykh Ashraf Salah
“And Never Give up hope Of Allah’s Mercy”
By Shaykh Ashraf Salah
Dear Muslims:
Allah (SWT) says:
“Thus We have made you (true Muslims) a just nation, that you be witnesses over
mankind.” (Al-Baqarah 2:143). He (SWT) also declares the Muslims as the best
community, “You (true Muslim) are the best of people ever raised up for
mankind; you enjoin all that is good, forbid all that is evil and you believe
in Allah.” (Aal ‘Imran 3:110). The Muslims are also those whom Allah
describes: “Those who, if We give them
power in the land enjoin performing prayers, paying of Zakaah, enjoin all that
is good and forbid all that is evil. And with Allah rests the end of (all)
matters.” (Al-Hajj 22:41).
This should not be
surprising, for our righteous predecessors were the builders of the imposing
edifice of Islamic civilization and the bearers of the light of guidance. They
raised the banner of prosperity for all mankind and presented abundance gift to
humanity. None can really know this honour except him who takes Allah as his
Lord, Muhammad (PBUH) as his prophet and Islam as his religion.
Dear
Muslims:
Allah (SWT)
has foreordained the fate of all creatures, written down their impacts and
deeds, portioned out between them their livelihood and wealth and created death
and life that He (SWT) may test them which of them is best in deed. Nothing
happens in this universe except by Alla`s will.
This life is full
of misfortune and sorrow. It is destined to be a place of hardships and
trouble. Trials and tribulations are as inevitable in this life as cold and
heat. Allah (SWT) says, “And certainly We shall test you with something of
fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to those
who are patient.” (2:155).
In another verse
Allah (SWT) says: “Do people think that they will be left alone because they
say, 'We believe,' and will not be tested”. (29:2).
Dear Muslims:
The human soul
does not become pure except through trials, and it is during tribulations that
real men are known. Ibn Al Jawzie said, "Whoever wants to have everlasting
peace and well-being with no affliction does not understand the meaning of
Allah's commandments, nor does he perceive the meaning of submission to Allah.
Every soul (either believing or disbelieving) shall inevitably taste suffering
in this world, for this life is based on hardships. Man lives between comfort
and suffering.
Prophet Aadam
(PBUH) , for instance, had the angels prostrated before him and yet was soon
after expelled from paradise. A believer is afflicted with trials in order to
refine him, not to punish him. He is tested in ease as well as in hardship.
Allah (SWT) says, “..And We tried them with good (blessings) and evil (calamities)
in order that they might turn (to Allah's obedience).” (7:168).
Dear
Muslims:
Patience is enjoined upon believers and
made a condition of success and prosperity: “O you who believe! Persevere in
patience and constancy; vie in such perseverance; strengthen each other; and
fear Allah; that you may prosper” (3:200). Also, the Holy Quran tells us that
the rewards of those who exercise patience will be doubled: “Twice will they be
given their reward, for that they have persevered…” (28:54). According to
another verse: “…Those who patiently persevere will truly receive a reward
without measure!” (39:10). Allah (SWT) will reward those who have patience with
a threefold reward: blessings, mercy and guidance: “…but give glad tidings to
those who patiently persevere – who say, when afflicted with calamity: ‘To
Allah we belong, and to Him is our return’ – they are those on whom (descend)
blessings from their Lord, and Mercy and they are the ones that receive
guidance” (2:156-157).
Dear
Muslims:
Patience and îmân are prerequisites for
leadership in religion: “And We appointed, from among them, leaders, giving
guidance under Our commands, so long as they persevered with patience and
continued to have faith in Our Signs” (32:24).
Patience is the way to earn the companionship
of Allah (SWT): “…and be patient and persevering: for Allah is with those who
patiently persevere” (8:46).
Dear Muslims:
Patience is a means of seeking Allah’s help: “…seek (Allah’s) help with
patient perseverance and prayer…” (2:45). Allah (SWT) also said: “Yea – if you
remain firm, and act aright, even if the enemy should rush here on you in hot
haste, your Lord would help you with five thousand angels making a terrific
onslaught” (3:125). And: “…But if you are constant and do right, not the least
harm will their cunning do to you…” (3:12).
Allah (SWT) has promised the believers His support and victory, and has
said that they deserve this because of their patience: “…The fair promise of
your Lord was fulfilled for the Children of Israel, because they had patience
and constancy…” (7:137).
We should put our trust in the Omnipotent Lord and take refuge with Him
with humble hearts, He will open the doors of His mercy for us. Fudayl Ibn
'Iyaadh said, "If you lose hope in all people and you do not ask anything
from them, your Lord will give you all that you want." Whoever leaves his
affairs to the hands of Allah will achieve what he aspires: Always recite the
prayer of Prophet Yoonus: “None has the right to be worshipped except You (O
Allah) Glorifed (and exalted) are You (above all that they associate with You)
Truly I have been of the wrong doers. ” (21:87). The 'Ulamaa said, "No one
in distress recites this prayer except that Allah gives him relief from his
distress".
We should put
ourselves under the protection of Allah (SWT), depend upon Him, submit our
affairs to Him and ask Him for relief. We should supplicate in the most
appropriate periods like during prostration and the last hour of the night.
Dear Muslims:
We should do our best to overcome the
calamities and crises our world is facing nowadays. We should unite together.
We should not dispute or differ. We should be one body as our Prophet Mohammad
(PBUH) advised us. We should take practical steps to promote our nation and add
to it`s spritual, material, scientific and economic stregnth.
O Allah, strengthen our resolve and give us courage and patience to
endure hardship and overcome evil. May Allah (SWT) forgive our sins, increase
our Iman, and security and bless us all (Ameen).
