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Yusuf
– 5B:
Yusuf (PBUH) knew that
one was to live and one was to die; yet why did he call both unto Allah's (SWT)
path? This has a very significant importance; it means that no matter what, one
must call anyone who has a soul unto Allah's (SWT) path. Do you
understand this meaning? He refused to tell the dying man that he was going to
die until he called him unto Allah's (SWT) path; pay attention to this
serious issue of da'wa, it is a religious duty not an option. Allah the
Almighty says what can be translated as, “Let there arise out of you a group
of people inviting to all that is good (Islam), enjoining Al-Ma‘rouf (i.e.
Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do) and forbidding Al-Munkar
(polytheism and disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden.)” (TMQ, 3:104). Allah (SWT) also says what can be
translated as, “You [true believers in Islamic Monotheism, and real
followers of Prophet Muhammad and his Sunnah] are the best of peoples
ever raised up for mankind; you enjoin Al-Ma’rouf and forbid Al-Munkar
and believe in Allah.” (TMQ, 3:110). But why are we the best of all nations?
Brothers, Allah (SWT) doesn't hide anything, He carefully chooses His
people. The Prophet (PBUH) says, “You
shall enjoin good deeds and forbid bad deeds or else Allah will inflict you and
never answer your supplications.” (Sahih at-Tirmidhi, 1762). If you don't help others into Islam, your
supplication will not be accepted or answered, and you will be punished before
everybody else.
Da'wa is much more than this; it is the most rewarding act in this life.
I'm saying all this hoping that everyone present today will start planning to
help his or her friends. By helping others into Allah's (SWT) Path, you
will get the highest rewards in your life. Allah the Almighty says what can be
translated as, “And who is better in speech than he who [says: “My Lord is
Allah (believes in His Oneness),” and then stands firm (acts upon His Order),
and] invites (men) to Allah’s (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds,
and says, “I am one of the Muslims.”“ (TMQ, 41:33). Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) says, “If Allah guides one man through you, it is better for
you than having the best of camels.” (Sahih Bukhari, 2942). Nowadays the best of camels are equivalent to
the best Mercedes. In another Hadith, “If Allah guides one man through you, it
is better than the whole world and what is in it.” Allah the Almighty says what
can be translated as, “Because of
that We ordained for the Children of Israel that if anyone killed a
person not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread mischief in the land -
it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved a life” (TMQ,
5:32).
One day
a man called me on the phone and told me that his son is taking drugs and asked
me to help him, when the man felt I was busy he said, “..and whoever brings
a soul to life brings all people to life”. I was really touched when I thought that by
helping one man I would reform all mankind, you would bring him back to life,
which proves the meaning that Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “Is he who was dead (without Faith by
ignorance and disbelief) and We gave him life (by knowledge and Faith) and set
for him a light (of Belief) whereby he can walk amongst men - like him who is
in the darkness (of disbelief, polytheism and hypocrisy) from which he can
never come out?” (TMQ, 6:122). Thus to those without faith their own deeds
seem pleasing. Brothers, bring all those
around you back to life. It would be as if you have brought the whole universe
back to life because you'll bring one back, and he or she will bring another
back, and he or she will bring another back.
Pay attention to this Hadith, “Whoever calls for a
good deed shall reap its reward and the rewards
of those who abide by it.” (Sahih al-Albany, 65). Have you tried to guide someone? Was he or
she guided? If yes, then you shall reap his or her rewards, all his or her
prayers and all forms of worship, etc...until he or she dies. Similarly you will
reap the rewards of whoever was guided through him or her; it's a chain that
extends even after death. On the Day of Judgment, you will find that you have
much more hasanat (good deeds) than you had expected. As you had guided
one person, he guided someone else, and he in turn guided another etc…
Brothers, this issue could lead you to Heaven even if you had many sins, so
choose those whom you shall guide, because they shall guide others. Choose the
most effective member in your group of friends, let him love Allah (SWT) and
be patient with him until he is guided, and when he is, the rest of the group
will be guided and this will all go into your balance of good deeds. Islamic da'wa,
brothers, is helping people into Allah's (SWT) Path, and it has great
rewards, other than the fact that it’s a duty and it's the only remaining hope
for Muslims.
I'm
telling you frankly that the only hope left for Muslims is through da'wa,
not through bombs or weapons. We should do what our Prophet (PBUH) did. What did he do? He only had
his friend, Abu-Bakr, while their whole environment was of disbelievers, he
started correctly. Now the world has one billion and four hundred million
Muslims thanks be to Allah (SWT). So he started with Abu-Baker, and he
in turn started with seven and the seven helped seven, till they became
seventy. Six of the people of Madinah came to the Prophet (PBUH), and told him they will return the following year, and twelve
returned. The Prophet (PBUH) was very happy, that meant that everyone
brought someone, so he told them to leave and return the following year, so
seventy three men and two women returned the next year. Then he told them leave
now and I'll come to you the following year, and the next year there wasn't a
single house in Madinah that didn’t have a Muslim. If you ask what the plan to
aid Islam was, it did not lie in violence or fighting, but in simply waking
those around you up. If we become good Muslims, our problems will be solved, “Verily!
Allah will not change the (good) condition of a people as long as they do not
change their state (of goodness) themselves (by committing sins and by being
ungrateful and disobedient to Allah).” (TMQ, 13:11) “Allah has promised those
among you who believe and do righteous good deeds, that He will certainly grant
them succession to (the present rulers) in the land, as He granted it to those
before them …” (TMQ, 24:55).
It's
clear, leading Islam to victory is your responsibility, don't slack off and
blame circumstances, wake your neighbors and your workmates up. Friends, Islam is the responsibility of
everyone hearing this until Judgment of Day; the more people you wake up, the
more reward you get from Allah (SWT).
You must tell others of what you heard today. There's no other hope, plan, or pride for Islam
other than that which our Prophet (PBUH)
did. The Prophet (PBUH) used to perform tawaf (circumambulation of the Ka'ba)
while there were 76 idols; he didn't destroy any of them, so a new Muslim
joined Islam everyday. He called them to
Islam with all due respect and proper manners.
In turn they had a life full of success and hence they led the whole
world for a whole 25 years.
Now let
us start with the fourteen points. Some people say that they didn't help others
into Allah's (SWT) Path because they don't have much knowledge, and
we'll answer them by saying what the Prophet (PBUH) said “report on my behalf, even if just a single verse,” if
you know just one verse, tell it to others”. Didn't you know that praying is a
duty? Help people into liking prayer. Tell your friends and family about this
lecture. Al- Imam Ibn Hanbal says, “Whoever knows of something becomes
knowledgeable about it.” Do you hear
this? You have become knowledgeable. Didn't you know that Friday Prayer (al-Jama’a)
is important? Then tell others about it, but don't tell others about things you
have no knowledge about. Moreover, many
people say they don't know how to call others into Allah's (SWT) Path
because they're not good believers. Some say that they're new in religion and
women who don't wear Hijab feel that they can't call anyone to Allah's (SWT)
Path. How shall they call to Allah's (SWT) Path if they're not
veiled, or have many sins? But of course you can. Allah the Almighty says what
can be translated as, “Enjoin you Al-Birr (piety and righteousness
and each and every act of obedience to Allah) on the people and you forget (to
practice it) yourselves. “ (TMQ, 2:44). Allah (SWT) forbids us to neglect
ourselves. It's very dangerous to order others to do what's good while we're
planning not to apply it ourselves. If a person smokes, he should advise
another smoker to quit, while having the intention to quit himself. Da'wa
lets you reform yourself. If I don't lower my gaze, I can advise someone to
lower his gaze, while bearing witness in front of Allah (SWT) that I
shall quit staring myself. The advice for you and me, is that whomever orders
people will start to feel ashamed of himself and will eventually quit, thus
you're the first one to benefit from da'wa.
If you
want to remain steady in obeying Allah (SWT), call people into Allah's (SWT)
Path; similarly, you can do the same if you want to renew your faith after
a period of alienation. Many men and
women present here today were strong believers and then started to drift away
because they got used to being religious. If you want to renew your faith, call
someone into Islam and at the same time you will be renewing your own faith, as
if your cells are renewing themselves. Al-Imam Ibn Taymiyya has a very nice
word on this, “Don't say you will not call others until your faith is
complete, for you will face one of two situations: either you come one day to
the belief that your faith has been completed - only then you must know that
you’ve been led astray - or you may die with incomplete faith.” Therefore,
call others into Islam with your current capacities, and maintain a balance in
calling others and working on your self.
You have no excuse, Islam is your responsibility and you will reap great
rewards. Now, let us learn the art of da'wa. Let us read some verses, and live so closely
with them. Sheikh Shaaban will recite to
us from verse 37 till 41, and I will derive all 14 points, and whoever guesses,
even five of them, will receive great rewards.
Recitation:
“He said, “No food will come to you (in wakefulness or in dream) as your
provision, but I will inform (in wakefulness) its interpretation before it (the
food) comes. This is of that which my Lord has taught me. Verily, I have
abandoned the religion of a people that believe not in Allah and are
disbelievers in the Hereafter (i.e. the Kan‘anyyûn
of Egypt
who were polytheists and used to worship sun and other false deities. And I
have followed the religion of my fathers- Ibrahim (Abraham), Ishaq (Isaac) and
Yaqoub (Jacob) and never could we attribute any partners whatsoever to Allah.
This is from the Grace of Allah to us and to mankind, but most men thank not
(i.e. they neither believe in Allah, nor worship Him). “O two companions of the
prison! Are many different lords (gods) better or Allah, the One, the
Irresistible? “You do not worship besides Him but only names which you have
named (forged) - you and your fathers - for which Allah has sent down no
authority. The command (or the judgment) is for none but Allah. He has commanded
that you worship none but Him (i.e. His Monotheism); that is the (true)
straight religion, but most men know not. O two companions of the prison! As
for one of you, he (as a servant) will pour out wine for his lord (king or
master) to drink; and as for the other, he will be crucified and birds will eat
from his head. Thus is the case judged concerning which you both did inquire”(
TMQ, 12:37-41).
1-
We have started
with the verse that Sheikh Shaaban recited, “Verily, we think you are one of
the Muhsinun (doers of good).” (TMQ, 12:36). Thus, the first step in the art of da'wa is
having good manners. If you don't perform good deeds, people will not like you,
not even a single person will be guided by you, but if you perform good deeds
and have little knowledge, ten people may be guided by you. Please dear
brothers, concentrate on these fourteen steps and try to apply them. I've tried
to search the Qur’an for other verses that contain the art of da'wa, but
I realized that they are all found in these verses, so please concentrate on
them if you want to have a role in Islam.
2-
Again, we will
discuss the verse that can be translated as, “Verily, we think you are one
of the Muhsinun (doers of good).” (TMQ, 12:36) Because it has
two meanings, the outside appearance and the behavior. We've already discussed
the last; as for the first, it means that one must take care of his or
her outer appearance. If you want to have a good impression about people, take
care of your appearance. Dress nicely and take care of your hygiene and
tidiness. Buy your clothes with the intention of leaving a good impression of a
well-dressed religious people. Appearances are really important dear brothers.
You find some young men who grow untidy beards and look like prisoners! Please
take care of keeping a tidy beard even if you had to pay some extra money. Be a
good example for guidance. Wear clothes that are customary in your country. A
man came to the Prophet (PBUH)
dressed as a priest, so the Prophet (PBUH)
asked him why he was dressed like that, the man answered that it was a dress
for humbleness, so the Prophet (PBUH) asked him, “are you a priest?” the
man replied that he was not, so the Prophet (PBUH) said, “then wear what your people wear.” The Muslim man
doesn't have a specific dress code, the Prophet (PBUH) wore what the Romans (who were enemies back then) wore, and
wore Ethiopian clothes, armors and iron suits, so that people won't say
dressing in a foreign manner was against the Sunnah. As long as it is not revealing or tight. The
real meaning behind dressing as your people dress is for you to make yourself
familiar to people.
3-
“He said, 'No
food will come to you (in wakefulness or in dream) as your provision, but I
will inform (in wakefulness) its interpretation before it (the food) comes.' “
(TMQ, 12:37). Prophet Yusuf (AS) had the gift of interpreting dreams. Use your gift to guide
people. What can you do really well? Do you know how to use the computer? Teach
others how to use it, and through contacting others you'll be able to guide
them into Allah's (SWT) Path. Everyone has a gift, which Allah (SWT) has
granted them, he or she should be able to take advantage of this gift. One's
gift may be friendliness. Prophet Yusuf (AS)
took advantage of his gift. When people find that they need someone for his
talent, he or she’ll affect them. You should be able to know your gift, and how
to lead people into guidance and affect them utilizing this gift.
4-
Self-confidence
but not arrogance. If you want to leave a good impression on people, don't be
shy when you talk to them. Be sure of your da'wa, and talk with absolute
confidence. In the verse that can be translated as, “He said, 'No food will
come to you (in wakefulness or in dream) as your provision, but I will inform
(in wakefulness) its interpretation before it (the food) comes.' “(TMQ,
12:37). Prophet Yusuf (PBUH) was
very sure of himself without being arrogant. He told them that his vision was
so powerful that he could tell them what kind of food he saw so accurately.
Many people talk about religion so timidly. A girl may be talking her friend
into wearing the veil with hesitance, being scared that she may make fun of
her, and similarly a young man who is afraid of the ridicule of his friends. Be
confident in yourselves. Ali Ibn Hatem Al-Ta’ee, the son of the leader of
Arabs, the famous man we all know, came to the Prophet (PBUH), so the Prophet (PBUH)
called him into Islam, but Ali rejected. So the Prophet (PBUH) confidently said, “I know why you don't want to become a
Muslim,” and Ali replied, “what is it?” the Prophet rejoined, “You say we are
weak and poor. I swear by Allah, (notice the Prophet's (PBUH)
confidence), this deen shall prosper, and there will excess wealth, and
a woman shall leave al-Hira, do you know al-Hira, Ali?” Ali said, “I heard of
it,” The Prophet (PBUH) continued, “ a woman shall leave al-Hira and
perform tawaf around the Ka'ba and will only be afraid of Allah” Ali
said that he only believed the Prophet (PBUH)
when he talked so confidently, thus when the Prophet (PBUH) died, two prophecies came true, I saw the woman leave al-Hira
being only afraid of Allah (SWT) and the deen prospered, and I'm
still waiting for the third, having too much money to be spent, because the
Messenger of Allah (PBUH) told me so”
5-
Talk to people with
love and affection, love people so they will believe you. Is it possible that
the key to one's mind is his heart? Yes, this is found in the verse that can be
translated as, “O my two companions of the prison!”( TMQ, 12:39). This is how Prophet Yusuf (AS) addressed his prison companions,
even though one of them served wine to the King. Imagine that Prophet Yusuf (AS) wanted to touch the man's heart
(whom we might want to beat up instead of trying to help). Friends, this is a
very important issue, if you don't apply it, no one will accept you or love
you. Loving people and being loved by them is essential for da'wa. We
all know the story of the orphan believer in Surah Yassin who was killed and
was sent to Heaven. When he was lead into Heaven he said what can be translated
as, “Would that my people knew” (TMQ, 36:26). Can you love people that much? If you want to
win people's hearts you should love them. How can you let people love you? I'll
tell you a few simple things. If you want people to quickly love you, buy them
gifts. The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Give
each other gifts in order to love each other.” (al-Albany, 3004). Always have little gifts with you, like
chocolate or candy or a religious tape. Safwan ibn Omayya said that he used to
hate the Prophet (PBUH) so much until
that day in Hunein when he kept giving him gifts until he loved him. He
couldn’t help but love him because he gave him so much and treated him so
kindly. If you want people to love you, give them gifts, or pay them visits at
home.
The Prophet (PBUH) says,
“Allah will send an angel to every man who visits a brother for the sake of
Allah, who says you are blessed as you walk, and you are blessed with Heaven”.
(Sahih Ibn-Majah, 1184). You're so
lucky, an angel will follow you and bless you because you're visiting someone
to affect his heart. If you want to guide people, you should talk to them
kindly. Some people are very harsh in their approach. I just heard the story of
a son who told his father that he will not go to Heaven if he kept doing the
things that he was doing. Brothers, you should talk to people with much
kindness. The Prophet (PBUH) used to treat the companions very kindly.
Once the Prophet (PBUH) was walking and met one of the companions named
Zaher who was not good looking, so the Prophet (PBUH) hugged his back.
Being a tough man who wasn't used to people being kind to him, Zaher asked who
was hugging him, so the Prophet loosened his grip and opened his arms for him.
This is utmost kindness. Thus, Zaher said, “I have never been as happy in my
entire life as when the Prophet's body touched mine, and then he raised my arm
in the market and called, “who will buy this slave, who will buy this slave?”
The Prophet (PBUH) was joking with him. So Zaher said, “who will
possibly buy me?” thus the Prophet (PBUH) replied, “You are very
precious to Allah.” Do you think that Zaher ever disobeyed Allah (PBUH) again?
If you want to help people, show them you care. In another incident, the
Prophet (PBUH) and Abu-Baker went to meet a tribe which had a poet
called Ka'b. The Prophet (PBUH) used this information very wisely when
he was introduced to Ka'b and showed him attention by boosting his ego, thus,
Ka'b really loved the Prophet (PBUH). Show people you care by boosting
their egos. In an American survey, it was discovered that the most commonly
used word in telephone conversations is “I”. People like to feel confident, so
work with people on this basis without making them feel arrogant. Smile, for
the Prophet (PBUH) said, “smiling at your brother is a form of charity.”
(al-Albany – the authentic series – 572).
Smile with the intention that you hope Allah (SWT) will guide
that person's heart. Shaking hands warmly with a person is like joining two
hearts with faith. I'm giving you an international recipe for da'wa:
First, good manners, then, good appearance, the last one being really
important.
- Show
interest in people's problems and try to help them solve them. Prophet
Yusuf (AS) didn't take the matter of listening to his prison
companions' dreams lightly, nor did he tell the man who served wine that
he was going to Hell. He tried to help them solve their problems, which
were related to their livelihood, and said what
can be translated as,
“No food will come to you (in wakefulness or in
dream) as your provision, but I will inform (in wakefulness) its
interpretation before it (the food) comes.” (TMQ, 12:37). The
art of da'wa entitles that you listen to people's problems first
and try to find out how you can help them solve them, thus they will start
to listen to you and take your advice.
- Do
not insist. What does that mean? If a woman has become religious recently,
while her husband still doesn’t pray, she shouldn't be too insistent when
she asks him to start praying, since this will make him hate religion.
Many women do so with their children, and many sons do so with their
parents, and this is really bad and misleading. The Prophet (PBUH)
never used to insist, as his companions used to say. He used to talk a
little and then be silent. Take a look at verses 37, through 41. You will
notice that verse 37 talks about dunya (this life), whereas verses
38 through 40 talk about deen (religion), then verse 41 talks about
dunya. What should we do? Brothers, you should be careful. Don't
talk about religion all the time. Be diverse, talk about sports, for
example, or any other thing the person likes.
- Search
for attractive methods of approach. Search for whatever will make people
interested in what you are about to say. Look at what Prophet Yusuf (AS)
did. His companions in the prison wanted to ask him to interpret their
dreams and he wanted to call them to Allah's Path. He didn’t answer their
question right away or else, they would have heard the answer and left. He
knew they needed him and he wanted to get his message through, so he
started off by saying what can be translated as, “No
food will come to you (in wakefulness or in dream) as your provision, but
I will inform (in wakefulness) its interpretation before it (the food)
comes” (TMQ, 12:37)
thus, they paid careful attention to him, then he started telling them
about what he wanted to say. If a girl talks to you about fashion, don't
tell her that what she's wearing is haram and will only lead her to
Hell, talk to her about what she likes in detail, then discuss religion
right after you finish the first part as Prophet Yusuf (AS) did,
and finally give her some names for shops that sell decent but fashionable
clothes. If someone asks you about computers, you answer him about
computers and not religion, and similarly if a friend of yours asks you
about sports. Don't tell him that his talk is silly and useless, or else
you will lose this friend forever. Start with daily matters, then move to
religion, and finally end with daily matters. Use an attractive approach.
If your friend likes parties, make her a small gathering. If your friends
like football, schedule a small match. If you want people to listen to
you, you have to listen to them.
- Approach
people's minds not only their emotions. Some women and men are very
emotional, and they like to approach others this way, but one must also
approach people's intellects. “(I ask
you): are many lords differing among themselves better, or Allah, the One
Supreme and Irresistible?”( TMQ, 12:39).
How
should you do that? For example, ask them, how long do you think you will
live? Where are you going? Where do you think we'll go after death? Do you
think we were only created to eat and drink? What are your goals in life?
Be diverse. Approach people by appealing to both their minds and emotions.
- Talk
about Allah's (SWT) blessings on you. Use the verse 38 that can be translated as, “that (comes)
of the grace of Allah to us and to mankind: yet most men are not grateful “ (TMQ,
12:38). When you start mentioning Allah's (SWT)
blessings upon you, people's hearts will be moved.
- Talk
politely. Don't embarrass people.
If you want to leave a good impression on people, talk to them using the
kindest words. Let me show you some nice examples from Prophet's Yusuf's (AS)
story. He didn't accuse the man who served wine of being a disbeliever
although he really was. He told them (his prison companions) what can be translated as, “I have (I assure you) abandoned the ways of a people that
believe not in Allah and that (even) deny the Hereafter.” (TMQ, 12:37)
“Are many different lords (gods) better or Allah, the One, the
Irresistible?”
(TMQ, 12:39).
He
didn't want to insult them. Don't tell anyone that he will go to hell, or
that he's totally lost. Search for the kindest words. Prophet Yusuf (PBUH)
didn't tell one of his prison companions that he was going to die so
bluntly, instead he said what can be translated as, “O my two companions of the prison! As to one of you, he will
pour out the wine for his lord to drink: as for the other, he will hang
from the cross, and the birds will eat from off his head.”( TMQ,
12:41). Sometimes, we make people hate religion
because we are too blunt. I remember one time I was in Alexandria with friends and we were
standing near a funfair, while people where screaming and playing as
normally happens in such places. One of my friends was religious and the
other wasn't, so the first wanted to bring the other closer to religion
and said, “Do you know what all this screaming reminds me of? It reminds
me of people screaming in hell,” He wanted to touch his heart and instead,
he made him want to leave as quickly as possible. Please choose your words
carefully.
- This
step is very useful. Open up to people. Don't be mysterious instead let
people know the real you. This will make a big difference, because when
people know who you are, they find it easy and interesting to deal with
you. As long as they feel you're mysterious or that you're frowning all
the time, they will not trust you. I've deduced this point from verse 38 that can be translated as “And I have
followed the religion of my fathers, - Ibrahim (Abraham), Ishaq (Isaac)
and Yaqub (Jacob) and
never could we attribute any partners whatsoever to Allah.” (TMQ, 12:38). Prophet Yusuf (AS) introduced
himself as the grandson of Prophet Ibrahim (AS); therefore, you
should introduce yourself to people and open your heart to them.
- You
must remind people of the hereafter but in a proper manner “and are disbelievers in the Hereafter.” Remind people of the
hereafter, Day of Judgment, and heaven, but without scaring them, or else
it will be useless.
- Be vehement about Islam. This is found in the verse that can be translated as “Are
many different lords (gods) better or Allah, the One, the Irresistible?” (TMQ,
12:38). Prophet
Yusuf (AS) wasn't embarrassed to call his prison companions to
Islam even though they were criminals.
Let us summarize those fourteen steps:
1- Good manners
2- Good appearance
3- Use your gifts to
guide people
4- Have unshakeable
self-confidence
5- Love people and make
sure they love you back
6- Be interested in
knowing and solving people's problems
7- Do not be too
insistent in matters of religion
8- Search for the most
attractive ways to approach people
9- Approach people's
minds and not only their hearts
10- Emphasize Allah's
blessings upon us
11- Talk politely without
having to hurt people
12- Open up to people and
introduce yourself to them
13- Remind people of the
Hereafter
14- Be vehement about Islam.
I ask Allah the Almighty that those fourteen
steps were of benefit to you.
The first ten days of the month of Dhul-Hijja
are the dearest days of the year to Allah (SWT), even more than the last
ten days of the month of Ramadan. The Prophet (PBUH) says, “There aren't
any days in the whole year where good deeds are more loved by Allah (SWT)
than the first ten days of Dhul-Hijja,” (Narrated by al-Albany, Sahih
Ibn-Majah, 1404), so they asked him, “Not even jihad, O Messenger of
Allah?” and he replied, “Not even jihad, except that a man sacrifices
his life, leaves with all his money and returns with nothing.” The Prophet (PBUH) means that
worshipping and obedience in these ten days are more loveable to Allah (SWT)
than jihad itself. Many scholars
say that Allah the Almighty ordered hajj to take place during these
days, because these days are most loved by Allah (SWT), and because the
day of Arafa is the most beloved day of the year, Allah (SWT) forgives
people during that day more than any other day of the year. However, why isn't
it as famous as the night of al-Qadr in Ramadan?
Unfortunately, the fact that it isn't famous is
a problem in our nation. Does anyone know when exactly the night of Qadr is?
However, we know when the day of Arafa is, so we should take good advantage of
it. The scholars were debating the issue of the favorite days to Allah (SWT).
Some argued that Allah (SWT) says what can be
translated as, “The night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand
months.”( TMQ, 97:3). Others argued that Allah (SWT) says what
can be translated as, “By the dawn. By the ten nights. (i.e. the first
ten days of the month of Thul-Hijjah)”( TMQ, 89:1-2). The scholars were in disagreement, as to which
days are dearer to Allah (SWT). Are they the last ten nights of Ramadan
or the first ten days of Dhul-Hijja? Finally, they reached an agreement that
the best nights of the year are the last ten nights of Ramadan and the best
days of the year are the first ten days of Dhul-Hijja. Therefore, take good
advantage of these nights and days to double your hasanat (good deeds).
Allah (SWT) wants us to remain steady in our faith, thus, He sends us
the month of Ramadan, and the last ten nights and finally the night of Qadr
to maintain our faith, and when we start to slack, He asks us to fast six days
of Shawwal to be revived again.
People complain that they miss the days of
Ramadan, so Allah the Merciful and Great sends them ten days from Dhul-Hijja,
for these are the best days. The Prophet (PBUH) used to fast the first
nine days. The last day would be the feast which is included in those ten days,
however many people ruin the blessings of those ten days during the feast. When
people are in hajj, the tenth day is the most difficult one. The Prophet
(PBUH) always fasted the first nine days so that he will encourage us to
regain the strong spirituality we acquired during the month of Ramadan. He also
used to give a lot of money in charity. Just like we advised you to double your
hasanat in Ramadan, we will tell you the same thing in Dhul-Hijja. Read
more Qur’an and visit your relatives. These days are exactly like the days of
Ramadan. If we fast on the day of Arafa, Allah (SWT) will forgive us for
a whole year that has passed and a whole year ahead. What's really nice in our
country is that you find the same spirit of the days of Ramadan during the day
of Arafa when you're walking in the street.
All people fast on the day of Arafa,
so please remind your family of the blessings of this day, and call them to
Allah (SWT) since we talked about the art of da'wa today. Fast
together those ten days, and remind others of fasting, dhikr and
supplication. The Prophet (PBUH) says, “The best supplication is made on
Arafa Day,” (Narrated by al-Albany, Sahih at-Tirmidhi, 2837), your supplication
will be answered on this day, whether you are in hajj or not. Allah (SWT)
answers the supplications of all Muslims around the globe. Allah SWT) chooses
those who have worshipped Him sincerely and forgives them completely on the day
of Arafa; therefore, don't disobey Allah (SWT) at all these days. It is
well known that you should make supplications all day and night, fast, and call
people to Allah's (SWT) Path as a reminder for Allah's (SWT) blessings
on that day. We're approaching the best days of our lives.
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