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The Story of Saleh (AS)

 

I seek refuge in the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing from the cursed Satan.  Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Alamein (mankind & jinn).  Peace and blessings be upon our master, the most noble Prophet Muhammad.  We praise Allah, thank Him and seek His help, guidance and forgiveness.  We seek refuge in Allah from the evil in our souls and the sinfulness of our deeds.  “He whom Allah guides, he is the rightly-guided; but he whom He sends astray, for him you will find no guiding advocate”.

 

The importance of being here:

 

For all those who chose attending a religious lecture to being elsewhere or doing other things I say, may Allah (SWT) accept the efforts you have exerted in coming here.

 

No matter how crowded the place is or how tiresome being here can be, what really matters is that you are here to please Allah (SWT) and that He (SWT) sees you and hears you now and boasts about you to the Angels.  He will remind you of this gathering on the Day of Judgment, when He grants you all convenience and happiness as a reward for attending it.  

 

If we were to count the happiest hours spent in this life, they would be those spent obeying Allah (SWT).  On the Day of Judgment, when all the riches of this life are taken away, you will find that if it were not for a good deed you have done, or a prayer you have performed, you would be in a very bad position.  Therefore, we should all thank Allah (SWT), for it is only His mercy that led you to his mosque regardless of the lecture or its subject.  Spending an hour or two trying to please Allah (SWT) is all that really matters.

 

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “The angels keep asking Allah's forgiveness for anyone of you, as long as he is at his Musalla (praying place). They say, “O Allah! Forgive him, O Allah! Be Merciful to him.”[1]

 

So you can imagine how amazing it is that angles are supplicating Allah (SWT) for every one of you!

 

I see some people looking upwards!  You will not see anything! But the angels are in an emergency because we are in great numbers today and they have to envelop each of us and ask Allah (SWT) to forgive us and have mercy on us.

 

Summary of the previous lecture

 

I would like to recap on the previous lecture, which was called “The youth and summer”.  I did point out that it was not the title of a movie but of a religious lesson.

 

I will only remind you of the important points we have agreed upon.  Has anyone applied any of them?  There is nothing worse than attending one lecture after the other and not applying what you have learnt.  Beware of restricting your relation to Islam to listening and not translating that into action; you would have gained nothing.

 

Firstly: we have agreed upon the importance of learning Tajweed (proper Qur’anic recitation). A Muslim should be attached to the Qur’an.  Hence, knowing how to recite the Qur’an is of great importance.

 

Though Pakistani youth know nothing about Arabic, they recite the Holy Qur’an perfectly.  That is because every summer holiday they attend recitation schools. It takes them no more than four or five months. Just imagine how much easier it would be for an Arabic native speaker.  You will be asked about knowing the Arabic language, yet making hundreds of mistakes in one page.  Therefore please: learn recitation.

 

Secondly: every youth should have a small library containing some essential books. Here are briefly some of them:

1-     Al-Raheek Al-Makhtoom. A book of Seerah (Biography of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

2-     Tafseer Ibn Kathir (abridged) the abridged Interpretation of The Holy Qur’an by Ibn Kathir.

3-     Riyad Al-Saleheen  (Selected traditions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

4-     Fiqh Al-Sunnah (Juristic laws of Islam- teaches how to do ablutions and prayers etc. especially the first volume).    

5-     Suwar min Hayat Al-Sahaba (a simplified narration of the companions’ biographies).

6-     Al-Wabel Al-Say’eb by Ibn Al-Qay’em. It is a very valuable book, about how to love Allah (SWT) and the delightfulness of Al-Dhikr (the remembrance of Allah).

 

Thirdly: we have set a schedule for any beginner wishing to become more religious to follow. It consists of the following:

1-     Performing prayers as soon as they are due, Al-Fajr is included, no doubt.

2-     Remembrance of Allah (SWT) at least five minutes a day.

3-     Performing a daily supplication that Allah (SWT) guides us to the rightful path, steadies us, keeps us at His obedience, and keeps us away from sins.

4-     Keeping a daily recitation habit of the Qur’an; one page at least.

5-     Keeping away from bad companions, maintaining religious friends to help us along the righteous path.

 

Whoever has lost his way or has no religious information and would like to start correctly, should try this schedule, of which the most important is performing prayers as soon as they are due.

 

Although I am quite sure that those sitting here do pray, I would like you to learn what I am saying to convey it to your relatives, neighbors and friends; those who do not pray are in a very grave situation.  Not performing prayers means that you are saying to Allah (SWT) that you cannot worship him, that the act of worship is a burden, that prostration is a burden. You are capable of standing for a couple of hours, though you could be exhausted and sweating, but when it comes to standing 5 minutes for Allah you feel that it is a pain. You tell yourself, “He is my Lord, and I do believe in Him. Prayers are a must; I do believe in that, yet, I tire when I worship Him, so I do not worship out of laziness.”

This is what it means not to pray, I will keep saying it over and over; no matter how many our sins are, we hope for Allah’s mercy (SWT).  As for those who do not pray, they are in a serious predicament.

 

Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And what will make you know (exactly) what Hell-fire is? It spares not (any sinner), nor does it leave (anything unburnt)!” (TMQ 74: 27-28).[2]  Allah (SWT) also says what can be translated as, “What has caused you to enter Hell? They will say: "We were not of those who used to offer the Salât (prayers)"(TMQ 74: 42-43).  Imagine the crumbling bodies, melting because of the enormous heat of hell, and then regenerating to start all over again, burning until the skin melts and the skull crumbles. Therefore, I beseech you in Allah’s name to keep your prayers.

 

The angels stand at the doors of hell and ask “what has caused you to enter Hell?” and the answer starts with, “We were not of those who used to offer the Salât (prayers)”.   It is the first reason for entering Hell.  If you die you are in serious trouble.  Therefore, I beseech you in Allah’s name to keep your prayers.

 

In a former lecture, I recommended two things to be learnt during summer, which I think are of great importance:

 

1. Driving:

Young people tend to speed excessively on the desert highway. We tend to witness an increase in road accidents during the summer because of excessive use of speed.  We all heard of the accident that happened four days ago in which 4 youths died, the oldest aged 21 years.  Our sincere condolences go to their families.  We will supplicate for them at the end of the lecture; they need our supplications.  I would like to warn the youth present today of speeding.

 

2. Sports:

You should keep performing physical exercise; it is very important to exhaust the excessive energy you have.  If you do not use up such energy at the obedience of Allah (SWT) or at useful exercise, undoubtedly, it would be used up in committing sins.

 

Improving your skills and hobbies is possible by attending computer, Internet or driving courses.  Like any other Muslim’s duty, any kind of useful learning is also a duty. 

 

This is an anecdote that happened to me two days ago:

 

I received a phone call from an angry mother.  She said that she asked her daughter what did I tell them in the lecture and she replied, “He said that all we should do is exercise and driving cars.”  So the mother called me and said: “You should fear Allah and tell the children something useful!”   And I say to her daughter that she should have feared Allah when she said what she said. (A funny anecdote).

 

The Story of Saleh (AS)

 

Proceeding with the story of Saleh (AS), hopefully you remember how many Prophets we have talked about.  Every time I mention a Prophet, you should be proud of yourselves, not only for knowing his name, but also because you’ve established a bond with him and you have learnt to love him.

 

We started with Adam, as you know.  Then Sheeth (AS), then Idris (Enoch) (AS) followed by Nuh (Noah) (AS) then Hud (AS) and today it is Saleh (AS), and next time we will talk about Ibrahim (Abraham) (AS).

 

We last talked about the story of Hud (AS) in which Ad’s tribe was wiped out.  Hud returned with the faithful subjects and after them came a tribe called Thamud[3].  Their name refers to their great grandfather, whose name means small amount of water, for they inhabited a land that had small quantities of water.

 

The place they inhabited was called Al- Hijr.   It is now known as Mada’in Saleh; a well known tourist place north of the Arab Peninsula; 380 km from northeast Madinah.

 

The Qur’an mentions the names of the places were the two tribes Ad and Thamud existed.  The title of Surat Al-Ahqaf   refers to the place were Ad settled while the title Surat Al-Hijr refers to Thamud’s location.

 

Why were these places mentioned in the Qur’an? 

 

The Holy Qur’an contains many historical events.  Some are narrated in detail while others are totally ignored.  As a matter of fact this is something we should learn from the Qur’an.  When the Qur’an leaves out a matter, it means that it is of no importance to us.  On the other hand, any information provided by the Qur’an has a useful purpose.  In other words, do not persist in the pursuit of information not provided by the Qur’an and concentrate on what it indicates clearly to see how you can benefit from it.

 

For example, the whereabouts of Hud’s grave (AS), or Saleh’s (AS), or Nuh’s (AS) or Adam’s (AS); are not confirmed.  Besides, what is the use of such information? None.

On the other hand, we do know the accurate place of the grave of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).  Why is that?  Allah (SWT) wants all nations to focus on one Prophet; the last Prophet. So do not waste your time asking about matters that were not mentioned in the Holy Qur’an. 

 

Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And Messengers We have mentioned to you before, and Messengers We have not mentioned to you,” (TMQ 4:164).  We found out about twenty-five Prophets through the Qur’an.  Still, there are some we have never been told about.  Nevertheless, some ask, “Who are they?”  If it were of any avail, surly the Qur’an would have told us.

 

An important rule we should all learn is that whatever is mentioned in Qur’an is useful and whatever is not mentioned is not useful.

 

The place of Al-Ahqaf for instance was identified, yet nothing was mentioned about the place in which the people of Nuh were drowned.  Why? Because the relics of those identified places still exist today and show people the results of Allah’s wrath (SWT).

 

As I said before, the Arabian Peninsula was a green land, through which rivers flowed. When the tribes that inhabited the peninsula committed sins, it became a barren land as a punishment of Allah.  It is as if Allah (SWT) is warning us not to sin.  That was the reason behind naming one Surah as Al Ahkaf, to warn people of the effects of sins when they read it.  Hence we were left with two deserts, one in the south and the other in the north.

 

Saleh (AS) was sent to the tribe of Thamud, the descendants of Hud’s tribe Ad. Thamud is the fifth great grandfather of Saleh. Ad’s fourth great grandfather is Sam who is Nuh’s son. Consequently Nuh is the great grandfather of Saleh.

 

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “O Abu-Dharr, the Arabic Prophets are four: Hud, Saleh, Shoa’yb and your Prophet (Muhammad - PBUH)”. [4]

 

Many Prophets were mentioned in the Torah, such as Nuh (AS), Idris (AS), etc, yet both Hud and Saleh were not.  It is amazing that none of the Holy books ever mentioned the stories of Ad and Thamud except for the Holy Qur’an.  It is because the Jews omitted ayahs narrating both stories as they are of Arabic Prophets and Saleh is one of the four Arabic Prophets.

 

Can you imagine how jealous they were?   No doubt that both stories were mentioned in the Torah, for Musa (Moses) (AS), according to the Qur’an, talked a great deal about both Hud (AS) and Saleh (AS) along with their tribes Ad and Thamud.  This proves that he knew them, and that they were mentioned in the Torah. Hence, it was surely omitted.

 

Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And Mûsâ (Moses) said: "If you disbelieve, you and all on earth together, then verily Allâh is Rich (Free of all needs), Owner of all Praise.” (TMQ 14:8).

 
As a matter of fact, what the Jews did is not surprising.  They made a habit of omitting whatever they did not like from the Torah.  They resent any good that may come from other than Ishaq’s (Isaac’s) descendants.  They knew that the time of the Last Prophet had come.  They were sure that the long-awaited Prophet –undoubtedly- would be one of them, for all previous Prophets were.  Not only did the Torah mention the awaited Prophet, but it also mentioned all the signs that would help in recognizing him except for one thing.  Allah did not reveal to them that he would be an Arab so that they would expose themselves wandering about the whole Peninsula, warning all their enemies, especially the tribes of Aws and Khazraj, that the time of the awaited Prophet had come and that they will follow him, not only to fight them, but also to kill them the same way Ad and Eramm were killed.  Thus, they knew about Ad, yet concealed that.

 

That was what made the Ansar embrace Islam immediately; the Jews had warned them that the time of the awaited Prophet had come.  Therefore, no sooner did Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) invite them to Islam, affirming that he was the last Prophet, than they declared their Islam. Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And none can know the hosts of your Lord but He” (TMQ 74: 31).  “So glorified be He and exalted above all that they associate with Him, and in Whose Hands is the dominion of all things” (TMQ 36:83).

 

They were, inadvertently, the reason why the people of Madinah embraced Islam.

Nevertheless, as soon as the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) announced the new religion, they denied him being the awaited Prophet.  “These are not the marks we have in the Torah,” they argued.  “They are merely similar to them.”

 

Hoyayy Ibnul-Akhtab, the head of the Jews who lived in Madinah was a profound scholar in the Torah.  Although he was fully aware of the marks of the Prophet, he denied the prophecy of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

 

“As long as I’m alive, Muhammad is but my enemy” said Hoyayy to his brother, after his meeting with the Prophet (PBUH).  He asked Prophet Muhammad- scrutinizing him- about every mark he knew through the Torah; the mark of prophecy between his shoulders, whether his parents were dead or not, his grandfather, his uncle who brought him up, etc.

 

With every question he asked Prophet Muhammad, he became more and more convinced of him being the messenger of the time.  

 

Safeya bint-Hoyayy Ibnul-Akhtab -later Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) wife- once came to her father, telling him about a vision she saw.  “O father, I had such a strange dream,” said Safeya to her father.  “I saw the moon descending from the sky, settling on my lap” she continued.  Hoyayy was aware of the Torah’s contents, for it was mentioned there that that Prophet would be marrying the daughter of a rabbi. Therefore, as soon as he heard her words, he slapped her so hard that her earring fell off.  “You wish to marry the Prophet of the time, don’t you?” he said angrily.

 

Hoyayy never embraced Islam; he died a non-believer.  He was the one who incited disbelievers to gather ten thousand fighters, to fight Muslims in the battle of Al-Khandaq (the trench). 

 

Although Thamud, who were Ad’s successors, knew well what had befallen their predecessors, because their stories were handed from one generation to the next, they still disbelieved in Allah (SWT) by worshipping idols.

 

Describing humanity Allah (SWT) said what can be translated as, “Denied before them (i.e. these pagans of Makkah) the people of Nûh (Noah), and the dwellers of Rass, and Thamûd, And ‘آd, and Fir‘aun (Pharaoh), and the brethren of Lût (Lot)” (TMQ 50:12-13).

 

In this regard, I wonder: why do people disregard their religion?  We see those who attend religious lectures, yet no change occurs to them.  Why do some parents mock their daughters for being veiled? Why do we remember Allah but occasionally?

 

Some may say, “Because He granted me nothing!!” others may say, “Because His grants are few.” Is that so?  Of course not! Allah (SWT) said what can be translated as,” And whatever of blessings and good things you have, it is from Allâh” (TMQ 16:53).  Then, when harm touches you, unto Him you cry aloud for help.

 

It is not because of the good things and the blessings that Allah (SWT) grants us that we worship Him. We do worship him because He is our Lord whose presence in our hearts should be constant. Do any of you think they are capable of existing without needing Him?!  “O mankind! it is you who stand in need of Allâh. But Allâh is Rich (Free of all needs), Worthy of all praise, If He willed, He could destroy you and bring about a new creation” (TMQ 35:15-16).  Our need for Allah is absolute and in everything not just to grant us wealth.

 

The Hadith Qudsi (saying the Prophet relates from his Lord (SWT)) related by the Prophet says, “O My servants, I have forbidden oppression for Myself and have made it forbidden amongst you, so do not oppress one another. O My servants, all of you are astray except for those who I have guided, so seek guidance from Me and I shall guide you, O My servants, all of you are hungry except for those I have fed, so seek food from Me and I shall feed you. O My servants, all of you are naked except for those I have clothed, so seek clothing from Me and I shall clothe you. O My servants, you sin by night and by day, and I forgive all sins, so seek forgiveness from Me and I shall forgive you. O My servants, you will not attain harming Me so as to harm Me, and will not attain benefiting Me so as to benefit Me. O My servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you to be as pious as the most pious heart of any one man of you, that would not increase My kingdom in anything. O My servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you to be as wicked as the most wicked heart of any one man of you, that would not decrease My kingdom in anything. O My servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you to rise up in one place and make a request of Me, and were I to give everyone what he requested, that would not decrease what I have any more than a needle decreases the sea if put into it. O My servants, it is but your deeds that I reckon up for you and then recompense you for, so let him who finds good praise Allah and let him who finds other than that blame no one but himself”. (Hadith Qudsi) [5]

 

Can you live without needing Him? Then why do you forget him? Maybe you do not feel His presence in your life or you feel that He is distant.

 

A man came to the Prophet (PBUH) and asked him, “O Messenger of Allah, is our Lord far away, so that we should call to Him, or is He near, so that we should whisper to Him?”  Then the revelation came unto the Prophet what can be translated as, “And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad) concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near (to them by My Knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor)” (TMQ 2:186).

 

Allah (SWT) also says what can be translated as, “And indeed We have created man, and We know what his own self whispers to him. And We are nearer to him than his jugular vein (by Our Knowledge)” (TMQ 50:16).

 

Do we forget about Him because He is not Merciful to us? How is that when Al-Wadood (The Affectionate) is one of His ninety-nine names?

 

The Hadith Qudsi says, “O My servant, out of the nothingness I brought you out. Sight, hearing, intellect and heart, were all granted to you by Me. O My servant, I cover your sins, yet you fear me not. O My servant, I remember you, yet you forget me. O My servant, though I’m reluctant to punish you, you are not reluctant to disobey Me.  Who is more generous than Me?  Who has ever knocked on My door and I sent him away?  Who has ever asked me for something, and I gave him nothing?  Am I so closefisted that My servant gives me too little worship?”

 

Listen to the Qur’an exclaiming about people’s forgetfulness of Almighty Allah though He is the Most Giving. Allah said what can be translated as, “Were they created by nothing? Or were they themselves the creators? Or did they create the heavens and the earth? Nay, but they have no firm Belief. Or are with them the treasures of your Lord? Or are they the tyrants with the authority to do as they like? Or have they a stairway (to heaven), by means of which they listen (to the talks of the angels)? Then let their listener produce some manifest proof. Or has He (Allah) only daughters and you have sons? Or is it that you (O Muhammad (PBUH)) ask a wage from them (for your preaching of Islamic Monotheism) so that they are burdened with a load of debt? Or that the Ghaib (Unseen) is with them, and they write it down? Or do they intend a plot (against you O Muhammad (PBUH)) but those who disbelieve (in the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism) are themselves plotted against! Or have they an ilâh (a god) other than Allah? Glorified be Allah from all that they ascribe as partners (to Him)” (TMQ 52:35-43).

 

Let’s read Surat Hud and see how the story of Hud’s tribe and Saleh (AS) unfolds. “And to Thamud (people We sent) their brother Saleh. He said: "O my people! Worship Allah: you have no other ilâh (god) but Him. He brought you forth (into being) from the earth and settled you therein, then ask forgiveness of Him and turn to Him in repentance. Certainly, my Lord is Near (to all by His Knowledge), Responsive” (TMQ 11:61).

 

Did you notice how meaningful the names of Allah’s messengers are?  Saleh –in Arabic- has many meanings such as: good, useful, righteous, etc.  I wish our lives were full of such righteousness just like the meaning of this Prophet’s name.

 

Moreover, the phrase “their brother” implies the kindness of Saleh’s preaching. Accordingly, we should maintain a great deal of kindness and understanding, so that we can lead our beloved to the righteous path.  We should never treat them as if they were utterly lost.  We should lead them gently.

 

Hud’s call “O my people” refers to both men and women.  To women who ask, ‘why does the Qur’an only address men?’ I say, notice that whenever duties are mentioned, the Qur’an addresses men, while referring to both men and women.  But, when rights are mentioned, the Qur’an –separately- addresses both. 

 

“Whosoever does an evil deed, will not be requited except the like thereof; and whosoever does a righteous deed, whether male or female and is a true believer (in the Oneness of Allah), such will enter Paradise, where they will be provided therein (with all things in abundance) without limit” (TMQ 40:40).

 

“Verily, the Muslims (those who submit to Allah in Islam) men and women, the believers men and women (who believe in Islamic Monotheism), the men and the women who are obedient (to Allah), the men and women who are truthful (in their speech and deeds), the men and the women who are patient (in performing all the duties which Allah has ordered and in abstaining from all that Allah has forbidden), the men and the women who are humble (before their Lord - Allah), the men and the women who give Sadaqât (i.e. Zakât, and alms), the men and the women who observe Saum (fast) (the obligatory fasting during the month of Ramadan, and the optional Nawâfil fasting), the men and the women who guard their chastity (from illegal sexual acts) and the men and the women who remember Allah much with their hearts and tongues, Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise)” (TMQ 33:35).

 

Hence, we should learn that the Qur’an has honored women, because they were mentioned wherever rewards were mentioned.  It is only for linguistic reasons that they were not mentioned in other parts of the Qur’an.

 

“He brought you forth (into being) from the earth”.  Noticeably, the expression “brought…forth” is used when referring to Allah’s doing (SWT).  However, when referring to human beings, we say, “invent”. Bring into being means creating from the nothing, using none but His all Potency, while “invent” needs materials, intellect, knowledge and others’ help.  “… and then We brought it forth as another creation. So Blessed is Allah, the Best of creators” (TMQ 23:14).

 

“…and settled you therein” indicates Allah’s order to them to settle in the earth and work on developing it.  Therefore work becomes a religious act. Any project you do is a religious act, reclaiming lands from the desert is an act of worship so is any good idea that benefits humanity as a whole.  Any good deed you do, as long as it is only for the sake of Allah, will be rewarded.

 

This meaning is very important. Young people who decide to become religious should know that that does not mean forgetting everything else, or thinking that it is fine to fail in exams or look scruffy or not smell nice.

 

It is summer, so I urge people to ensure they do not smell bad before they come because this is an act of worship that you will be rewarded for.

 

If your aim behind learning to use a computer is to improve the world and lead people, then it is thawab (rewarded by Allah).  If you learn the internet and keep away from the forbidden sites then it is thawab. Learning a new language is thawab; if you register in a summer course in consideration of the concept that ‘the Muslim must be successful’, then it is thawab; to be one of the top students at school or avoid failing any of your subjects is thawab; building on earth to be a successful Muslim is also thawab.

 

I wish the youth would not think that religion is limited to prayers and the mosque only. Religion encompasses the whole life.  It should be present from the moment you wake up, brush your hair, go to the mosque, kiss your mother’s and father’s hands, until you go to your bed, say your prayers (Adhkar), up to the moment you become skillful in your job. Allah loves the skillful believer.

 

Let us go back to the ayahs.  The word ‘istighfar’ means to ask forgiveness for the sins one committed in the past, and to regret them. Then you perform ‘tawba’ (repent) to Him. ‘Tawba’ in Arabic means to decide not to do the same sins again in the future. From here come the conditions for tawba. In every lecture, I stress the idea that whatever your sin is, whether you drunk wine, committed adultery, etc, no sin is inerasable with repentance. What is amazing is that, this lecture could be attended by persons who have committed great sins.  This person may become so beloved by Allah, The Merciful, if s/he repents. On doing it, He shall love you, and erase all the sins you have committed in the past, even if they are so numerous that you are unable even to remember having done them. If you repent now, and pledge to practice your prayers, athkar, and supplication, to start step by step from today to live as His servant, and if you ask Him to forgive your past deeds, this shall erase all your bad past. Knowing this, why do you not ask forgiveness and repent to Allah? What about repenting now for your sins? Even the religious shall do it too! We all need it, and I before you all! Allah knows, all the attendants of this lecture may have their sins forgiven when they leave this mosque! This is not hard for Allah!

 

The conditions of tawba (repentance) are three:

 

To regret one’s deeds: it is to be sick at heart and to say “I used to disobey You, Allah, while You were watching me! Then you have made me come here to this lecture, to hear these words. You are so Merciful, to an extent I do not deserve.” Do you feel it now?

 

To feel guilty:  That has already happened, for we are here together in the mosque!

 

To be determined not to return to the wrong deeds. This will differ among each of you. There are those who cannot take the decision to stop doing the sin, such as to stop going to a bad place or leaving a girl. As a result, Allah will forgive all the attendants here, except such a person.

 

If the three conditions take place now, then congratulations to all of us for being forgiven.  The person who repents is loved by Allah. Allah is near and He answers us. Being ‘near’ means that He knows if you really did repent or not. Now there are those who live an inner conflict to stop their bad deeds. Allah can see your heart open in front of Him, and He can see whether or not there is repentance in it! On the other hand ‘He answers us’ refers to the acceptance of your repentance.

 

So people’s reply to Saleh (AS) was what can be translated as, “They said: "O Sâleh! You have been among us as a figure of good hope (and we wished for you to be our chief) till this [new thing which you have brought that we leave our gods and worship your God (Allâh) Alone]! Do you (now) forbid us the worship of what our fathers have worshipped? But we are really in grave doubt as to that to which you invite us (monotheism).” (TMQ 11:62).

 

This ayah is very critical. It is as if they said they loved and enjoyed going out and traveling with him, and that he used to be nice and kind. However after he said what he said this changed, and now he runs the risk of losing their company. 

 

Many youth are put in the same situation today when they start becoming religious.  For example, if a girl becomes religious and travels with her family to spend summer vacation on a beach, they will make fun of her clothes, and ask her about the reason of this change, since she used to have fun before, to swim and to do such and such. They wonder, what has changed her (just as the tribe of Thamud said, “You have been among us as a figure of good hope”.  Be careful of such words, for this is from Satan’s doing.

 

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) faced the same situation.  His tribe used to call him the trustworthy and truthful, but after he called them to Islam, they branded him a liar and a crazy wizard. You must not let whatever they tell you to affect you.  What is most important is to please Allah (SWT).  Do not be shy if you follow Allah’s (SWT) commands.  Put your head up among people with satisfaction, because you are wearing the veil just for Him (SWT).  If they ask you why you have become so ‘off mood’ or ‘depressed’ (“You have been among us as a figure of good hope”), don’t be affected.  I will tell you a Hadith to keep in mind, “Whoever seeks the pleasure of Allah at the risk of displeasing the people, Allah will take care of him and protect him from them. But whoever seeks the pleasure of the people at the risk of angering Allah, Allah will abandon him to the care of the people.”[6]

 

I swear they will like the person who repented, and later they will say that there is no one better than him/her, and that they are the ones who are mistaken.  All past incidents say so.  Those who have hurt you verbally will respect you later on, and wish they could be like you.  “But we are really in grave doubt as to that to which you invite us (monotheism)”.  If you ever doubt anything about Allah or Islam, I advise you to say “There is no God but Allah and I have faith in Him”.  Many people tell me that at the time they used to commit sins, they never had any doubts of the kind, but once they became religious great doubts started, even about Allah Himself.  This is because previously, Satan was happy and not worried about you. But now, after you have become religious, he starts throwing those doubts in your mind, and this means that you have put your feet on the right path. What is the solution then?  The solution is to say, whenever you get any doubts, “There is no God but Allah and I believe in Him.”  I know this is Satan’s fault not yours, so do not be depressed for you are on the right path. In the meantime, avoid reducing your worship, because Satan will make you feel bored and fed up of worshipping once you reduce it.  Ask Allah to let you love faith and to keep you away from Satan and from doubts.  Whenever this happens, give out a small charity, so that Satan would learn that if he puts you in doubts again, you shall give charity and be closer to Allah.  As a result, he will look for another way to get you.  Make the charity that you give out small, such as 10 or 25 piasters (1/4 an Egyptian pound), so that you can give it again whenever you are in doubt.  Otherwise, you will stop giving it, and Satan will put you in doubts once more.

 

Let us proceed and begin at Surat Al Shu’ar’a, ayah 141. Allah said what can be translated as, “Thamûd (people) belied the Messengers” (TMQ 26:141).

 

Why are Allah’s Messengers mentioned here in this ayah, while the Messenger the tribe of Thamud did not believe was Saleh only? This is because all religion is one.  Those who reject one Prophet, reject all the others.  So those who did not believe in Muhammad (PBUH) did not believe in any other Prophet.  The same thing can be said about Musa, Isa, etc., for it is one religion, with one source.

 

The next ayahs can be translated as, “When their brother Saleh said to them: "Will you not fear Allâh and obey Him? I am a trustworthy Messenger to you. So fear Allâh, keep your duty to Him, and obey me. No reward do I ask of you for it (my Message of Islâmic Monotheism); my reward is only from the Lord of the ‘آlamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists). Will you be left secure in that which you have here? In gardens and springs. And green crops (fields) and date-palms with soft spadix” (TMQ 26:142-148).

 

This proves that the Arabian Peninsula was green, rich and very luxurious.  Is the palm tree not from plants?  Then why did Allah specify it here, in particular?  Because it has an important characteristic. 

 

Narrated by Ibn Omar:  Allah's Apostle said, "Amongst the trees, there is a tree, the leaves of which do not fall and is like a Muslim. Tell me the name of that tree." Everybody started thinking about the trees of the desert areas. And I thought of the date-palm tree but felt shy to answer the others then asked, "What is that tree, O Allah's Apostle?" He replied, "It is the date-palm tree."[7]

 

Palm trees bring all good.  Their dates are nice, their leaves are used to make brooms, and their branches are also useful.  Look at our relationship with plants; it reminds us of faith and of the fact that this universe is one unit. Listen to what the Prophet (PBUH) used to say: “Upon sighting the crescent moon the Prophet (PBUH) said: O Allah, let the crescent loom above us in safety, faith, peace, and Islam. My Lord and you Lord is Allah.”[8]

 

If you disobey your parents, harm your neighbors, write on the school walls, tear the leather of the bus’s chairs, or spoil anything, then you are not a believer. Islam teaches us so!

 

“…date-palms with soft spadix” give very digestible dates.  The Qur’an informed us, 1400 years ago, that the food that includes the largest amount of enzymes that help in digestion are dates, and scientists have proved that recently.  Now we know why the Prophet (PBUH) ordered us to have dates when we break our fast.  We also realize the benefits of the Prophet’s (PBUH) Sunnah (habits and way of life).  In this ayah, dates are described as “hadheem”, which means easily digestible. This argument addresses whoever makes fun of the Prophet’s (PBUH) Sunnah, and says it is mere lies.  Well, I tell them it is not.  In fact, it is all good and benefits.

 

“And you hew out in the mountains, houses with great skill (TMQ 26:149).  This means that they had reached a great civilization, like the community of Ad.  These civilizations were much greater than ours today.  Yet, they were easily destroyed.  Therefore, we should not be so proud of our civilization or our high technology!

 

Saleh’s people then started accusing him in what can be translated as, “They said: "You are only of those bewitched! You are but a human being like us. Then bring us a sign if you are of the truthful.” (TMQ 26:153-154).  “We augur evil of thee and those with thee” (TMQ 27:47).  “Hath the remembrance been given onto him alone among us? Nay he is a rash liar.” (TMQ 54:25)

 

Then Allah (SWT) replied back saying what can be translated as, “Tomorrow they will come to know who is the liar, the insolent one!” (TMQ 54:26).

 

They told those who believed in Saleh that they do not believe in what they (believers) believed in.  Many harsh accusations were addressed to Saleh.  Therefore, don’t let accusations make you sad.  In a very delicately way, Prophet Saleh (AS) replied with what can be translated as, “He said: “O my people! Why do you seek to hasten the evil (torment) before the good (Allâh’s Mercy)? Why seek you not the Forgiveness of Allâh, that you may receive mercy?” (TMQ 27:46).

 

It is strange that in spite of their abundant accusations, Prophet Saleh (AS) still kindly invited them to believe in Allah, in what can be translated as, “He said: "O my people! Tell me, if I have a clear proof from my Lord, and there has come to me a Mercy (Prophethood) from Him, who then can help me against Allâh, if I were to disobey Him? Then you increase me not but in loss. (TMQ 11:63).

 

Then they reached a stage where they started challenging him saying what can be translated as, “You are but a human being like us. Then bring us a sign if you are of the truthful” (TMQ 26:154).

 

They wanted to make fun of him, so they insisted on specifying the miracle they wanted him to do.  Saleh asked them whether they would believe if he got what they asked for.  Their answer was yes.  To make sure of their promise, he (AS) asked again, “Would you swear by Allah?” They swore they would believe if they got what they asked for.  “Then choose the miracle you want,” said Saleh.  Because they were not serious, they said, “Look at that huge stone, it’s the biggest in the area.”

 

He agreed, “Yes it is!” Then they said, “Order it to crack and bring out of it a very big she-camel.  We want it pregnant in the 10^th month an