Nuh

In all our previous meetings, I used to start by welcoming you; but this time I have to say, “We missed you; we’ve missed you since Ramadan.”

Truly, I would like to begin today’s episode, or the third stage of Sunaa’ al-Hayah (Life Makers), with feelings of endearment, brotherhood and love. I wish I could stretch my hand out through the screen to shake hands with all the people and the youth and smile to them; I wish I could greet our mothers, fathers and ladies. I wish this to be not a hand to hand greeting but a greeting that conveys a pledge of allegiance; a greeting that affirms our determination to do something of worth for our countries and our religion. We want to work and share in this revival. Therefore, the idea of shaking hands here affirms such a pledge without the need for actually meeting face to face, since our souls are able to meet and greet one another regardless. In fact, we will shake hands on the Day of Judgment and in Jannah (paradise) and we will tell one another that although we never met in this earthly life, our intentions behind these screens were true in carrying on the revival in our countries.

These are the feelings I wanted to begin this episode with and this is my wish to greet every person, embrace every young man, and encourage every young woman, may Allah (SWT) accept all our efforts and bless us with the strength we need.

Before we start the third stage of Sunaa’ al-Hayah, I have a quick word to say. We have not started Sunaa’ al-Hayah out of our own accord, or to hear some one say, “Well-done; it is a wonderful idea.” We started this program because we have no other option but to do what we are doing now. There is no escape from this reality. Our hopes are held on all of you: the youth, the ladies, the viewers, the groups of Sunaa’ al-Hayah, and the university youth; there is no other option.

We can consider this episode an introduction explaining what we will be doing over the coming year, Allah (SWT) willing; may He lengthen our lives and bless us with success. You will be able to download this episode from the website in order to keep it and there will be a written version provided as well since this is the episode that clarifies the plan for this year. Thus, it is a very important episode to which we might refer to from time to time as a reminder of the particulars that we have agreed on. Therefore, all the agreements will take place today while the actual work in every field of the revival will start with the next episode. However, there will be some work required for this episode as well since there is plenty to do and there is no time for laziness or rest. In fact, Allah (SWT) is our witness that since we started Sunaa’ al-Hayah, there has been no time for rest; something which we will only enjoy in paradise after our hard work in this life and after the revival has been established. When Imam Ahmad Ibn-Hanbal was asked when a person could enjoy resting, he answered, “With the first step he makes into paradise and not before that.”

We will make our utmost effort in Sunaa’ al-Hayah and forget resting. This is one of the pledges we undertook when we shook hands at the start of this episode.

We will explain in detail what we will be doing during this coming year and the conditions with which we have to comply in order to reach success, as we will see later on in this episode.

Wait! This word is not exactly right. I said, “Let us start the third stage of Sunaa’ al-Hayah” when I should have said, “Let us start Sunaa’ al-Hayah.” What do I mean? I mean that the actual start of Sunaa’ al-Hayah begins today. Thus, remember this date, February 22^nd, 2005, and never forget it; this is the date of which we will remind one another in 19 years. Have we not agreed that the revival will take twenty years? Therefore, one year has passed and 19 years are still to come.

Last year, we gave our pledge of allegiance on sincerity and determination. It was the will of the young men and women living inside and outside the Arab world that made them work on initiating the revival in our countries and maintaining the idea in their minds.

Does this mean that last year, including all its projects, was not part of the actual revival? That is was only a proof of seriousness? Yes. That is what it was.

What about all the projects that we accomplished during the first and the second stages last year: the anti-smoking campaign, the ‘Guardians of the Future’ anti-addiction campaign, the clothes’ collection campaign? They were all a proof of seriousness.

Do you remember when we said that we could board the ‘revival plane,’ taxi on the runway, depart, fly, and then discover that the plane was empty and all the people were gone or asleep? This could have happened if we had relied on momentary enthusiasm. In fact, there can be no revival without patience and sacrifice. Therefore, I kept on telling you to remain steadfast on the path and to follow the steps we carefully designed. Even during Ramadan, we narrated the stories of different Prophets to illustrate that the secret behind their success, and the success of their followers, in achieving victory through Allah’s blessings, was based on patience, sacrifice, determination and seriousness.

Thus, last year was the foundation year in order to avoid relying on momentary enthusiasm that would disappear shortly afterwards. “O, Messenger of Allah, I give my pledge of allegiance but…”

Do you know the story of a man called Bashir who went to the Prophet Muhammad (SAWS[1]) full of enthusiasm? Bashir Ibn-Maabad narrated, “I went to the Prophet to give my pledge of allegiance and he offered to accept if I were to comply with these conditions: to bear witness that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is his slave and Messenger, perform the prayers, pay Sadaqa (alms), perform the pilgrimage of Islam, fast the month of Ramadan, and perform jihad (strive) for the sake of Allah. I told him, ‘O, Allah’s Messenger, two of these conditions are difficult for me to comply with: jihad, since I was told that whoever flees from the enemy would acquire Allah’s anger and I am worried that I might panic in battle and hate to meet death, and Sadaqa, since I swear that all I have is a few sheep already being used by my family.’ The Prophet (SAWS) pulled back his hand and waved saying, ‘No Jihad and no Sadaqa? Then how will you enter paradise?’ I said, ‘O, Allah’s Messenger, I do give pledge of allegiance.’ Thus, I gave it on all these conditions.” [2](1)

Now, do you understand this point? We had to have the whole of last year as a test of seriousness to see whether or not you will make the necessary ‘deposit.’ We continued for one full year to be certain that on this day, February 22nd 2005, we would be able to announce the actual start of Sunaa’ al-Hayah, the actual start of the revival project.

I understand that many youth will wonder about their effort throughout last year, and whether or not it was a waste. Of course it wasn’t. What happened last year was remarkable. Our extraordinary success in the first and the second stages at the hands of not thousands, but millions of participants was great and it transformed the idea of the revival into an actual subject of discussion instead of a mere word to be told.

Moreover, last year was quite significant for one more thing: it produced a pledge among the youth who efficiently worked together, succeeded and proved their seriousness to participate in the revival of our countries. We are not talking of tens or hundreds of youth but of thousands and hundreds of thousands, even one million youth who shared with us twice: once in the clothes collecting campaign and once in voting for the dreams.

Last year was the foundation year and not a waste; it was a great achievement that will enable us to start the actual revival project.

Last year compared to al-Ansar (people of Madinah who supported the Prophet,), may Allah be pleased with them:

What happened last year could be compared to what happened with al-Ansar, may Allah (SWT) be pleased with them. Do you know how they embraced Islam? It started when the Prophet (SAWS) saw six youth – notice the word youth - sitting down and he went to them to present himself and to get to know them. When he asked them whether he could talk to them about Islam, they did not refuse. Having listened to him for a while, the youth realized that he was the promised Prophet (SAWS) whom they had heard about from the Jews in Madinah. Thus, they embraced Islam and offered to pledge allegiance to him. However, when they asked him to return with them to Madinah, he refused and asked them to return the following year to meet him at the same place and at the same time. Why did he do this? Wasn’t there a possibility that they may not return? Of course there was. Why did he not finalize the matter with a pledge there and then, when he needed them to overcome the difficult situation in Makkah? Why did he not go with them to Madinah?

He did what he did to be certain of their seriousness. Let me give you an imaginary example: if he had gone with them to Madinah, and they had behaved inappropriately with the Muhajireen (Muslims who emigrated from Makkah to Madinah), he would have been in a dilemma trying to return to Makkah. Therefore, he had to be certain of how serious they were. He thought of the two possibilities: they would either return the following year, which would be good, or they would not return and in that case it would be better to let them decide freely on what they really wanted. However, he remembered the appointment and so did they. They were serious.

Allah’s Prophet (SAWS) continued to follow the pilgrims during the pilgrimage season and to go to them wherever they stayed in Majna, Okath, and Minah. He used to say, “Who will take me in and support me until I deliver Allah’s message in return for the reward of paradise? No one used to answer him. Even worse, whoever used to enter the surrounding suburban areas coming from Mudur or Yemen used to be visited by his people who would warn him of the young man from Quraysh. Nevertheless, the Prophet (SAWS) continued to walk among them while they were pointing at him. This was the case until Allah (SWT) sent us from Yathrib and each one of us met the Prophet (SAWS), believed him, recited the Qur’an, and returned to his family who would embrace Islam after him. This continued until all the houses in Yathrib had some people who had declared their Islam. Afterwards, Allah (SWT) made us meet, all seventy of us, and I said, “How much longer will the Prophet suffer rejection and fear throughout the mountains of Makkah? When we went back to him the following season, he promised to meet us in al-Aqaba where we all gathered and told him, “O, Messenger of Allah, on what shall we give a pledge of allegiance?” He said, “You give it on obedience if occupied or idle; on giving money in easiness or misery; on preaching righteousness and forbidding wrongdoing; on being truthful to Allah without fearing anyone’s blame; on supporting me if I come to you in Yathrib and protecting me from whatever you protect yourselves, your wives and your children. If you do, you will be rewarded with Jannah.” We said, “We give our pledge of allegiance.”

However, one man called Asa’ad Ibn-Zirarah, who was the youngest among all the attendants except for me, held out his hand and said, “Slow down, people of Yathrib. It is true that we did not go through all this trouble to come here except knowing that he is Allah’s Messenger but taking him in today means breaking up with the Arab tribes, fighting, and the death of your best men. Therefore, you either be true in supporting him and endure all these hardships for the sake of Allah’s reward, or, if you feel that you might weaken afterwards, leave him and Allah might forgive you.” They answered, “O, Asa’ad Ibn-Zirarah, keep your hand away. We swear by Allah that we will neither miss this pledge nor break it.” Then, we approached the Prophet one man at a time affirming his conditions in return for his promise of Jannah.”[3] (2)

Therefore, what took place last year was a great accomplishment. It was proof of seriousness. Having proved the seriousness and the collaboration of many, we can consider today, the 13^th of Muharram (an Islamic lunar month); the 22^nd day of February, the actual start of the revival project.

What about those who did not participate with us last year but are listening to this program for the first time, or those who watched us last year but did not have faith in our success? To those, we say, “Come and join us; stretch out your hand and pledge allegiance to Allah as we do. It is not speed that counts; but sincerity.” It is very possible that a person, who has not participated last year, boards the train today, gives his pledge of allegiance to Allah (SWT), and exceeds, with his sincerity and determination, all those who preceded him.

To all those watching us today for the first time, I would like to say that Omar Ibnul-Khattab (RA) did not embrace Islam except five years after the message of Islam was revealed, but he exceeded many of those who preceded him and became al-Faruq (an honorable title meaning he who separates right from wrong). Similarly, Khaled Ibnul-Walid embraced Islam at a very late stage after many others had already become Muslims but he exceeded them and became Saif Allah al-Maslool (an honorable title meaning Allah’s drawn sword). Thus, I say to those listening to us today for the first time, “Stretch out your hands and let us give our pledge of allegiance together. Last year was only a ‘deposit’ for seriousness, therefore, whether you shared in it or not, you can still give your pledge of allegiance to Allah (SWT) that you will participate with us in achieving the revival of our countries, so that we can all stand before Him with hands full of light.” Allah says what can be translated as, “On the Day you shall see the believing men and the believing women: their light running forward before them and by their right hands. Glad tidings for you this Day! Gardens under which rivers flow (paradise), to dwell therein forever! Truly, this is the great success! (but no one knows its true meanings except Allah).” (TMQ, 57:12)[4]. Thus, it is very important that when we all meet Allah (SWT) that we would be able to raise our hands and state firmly that we made the effort for this revival.

Having affirmed that today is the real start, let us see the plan for what should take place next.

We have agreed, given a pledge of allegiance, and stretched out our hands to confirm that we will all share in this revival, including those who are listening to us for the first time and those who worked with us last year. Nevertheless, I know that some might wonder about what has been achieved during this past year. Therefore, I will mention last year’s five main achievements by which we can tell that we have moved ahead and paid the ‘deposit’ necessary to prove our seriousness. What are the five achievements?

Seventy thousand participants took part in this project. We calculated this number based on the number of downloads of the banners related to this project on the website. Those banners have been spread throughout the Arab world.

The Second Project: Guardians of the Future (anti-addiction awareness campaign)

Twenty thousand people have already taken part in this project and they are still working on it in Lebanon, Bahrain, Qatar, and England.

We collected one million bags according to our count but there might have been more bags that weren’t included in this count.

Your wishes of how our countries should be in twenty years. Seven hundred thousand suggestions reached us and they are all still posted on the website.

Voting for the dreams, placing them in order of importance, starting with the most important and ending with the least important. One million people took part in this vote and they were counted through a poll of all the voters on the website.

These were last year’s achievements. These achievements are the foundation for our new projects. When we started Life Makers, we said that we wanted to do many things, but we did not really have any power to do what we wanted to do. Now, with these five achievements, we can start our new projects.

To be realistic, what we achieved last year would not build a civilization. It was only a test of how serious we were. Putting up posters and gathering clothes for the poor would not improve the conditions of our countries significantly. Thus, we should realize that what we did was indeed a great achievement, but its only goal was to prove how serious we are, not to revive our countries.

Do you remember when we started the first episode of Life Makers? We said that the youth had ten things which were hindering their achievements: the absence of a goal to live for, being passive in their communities and so on. We showed a cartoon where a young man was in a dark room and we encouraged him to come out of the room. Getting this man out of the dark room was what we were doing in the first stage of our project. We are very happy with the achievements, but my point is that we should all appreciate that this was only a proof of how serious everyone was. Now, most of the members of our projects are youth who probably haven’t yet graduated from college, or are still school students, or have graduated and don’t have jobs yet. Most of them are dependent on their parents, without much experience in work. A very small proportion of our teams are experienced with fieldwork. Thus, experience is not available for our teams. Also, sources that can be used to achieve their goals are not provided for them. As I said, they are mostly dependent on their parents.

It is a fact: we cannot cause a revival in our countries with the youth alone. The activism of the youth should be coupled with experience to give us the improvement we aspire for in our countries.

You may be asking yourself why I did not mention this when we started our project. The answer to that question is that if I had said this right from the start of the program, we would never have been able to get the youth out of the dark rooms they lived in. If I mentioned that we needed money, experience and support from organizations, everybody would have given up on the project right from the start, but now with the youth realizing their roles, I can start explaining what we really need for our rise. We were moving step by step.

This episode is very important for our project, and the most important part is what I am going to say now: we need to form partnerships with experienced people, those people who have the capital for projects, and all those who sincerely want the conditions of their countries to improve. This is the condition we need to fulfill to call the third stage of our project a success.

How will we form these partnerships? We will do this through everyone who worked with us: let us all look at everyone in our families. Find those who can be a source of experience in a particular field. We will talk about each field and you can start looking for people in the suggested fields. We need everyone with experience to become a partner with the youth: your uncle, your aunt, and your mothers and fathers. Ask those you know who have PhDs, Masters or other degrees. Ask those who own factories and farms. School students should consider the headmasters of their schools; they should think together about how they could improve education in their country. We should talk to college professors about how to make use of their researches. I want the youth to look for every potential partner.

Many of these people could have been too busy to watch the program, and may know little about us. We should all be thinking of how they could be helpful. How can we make use of their knowledge, love for their countries and their experiences?

Often we see old people in the mosques, sitting in corners by themselves while the youth sit in another part of the mosque. No exchange of knowledge occurs between the two groups. Those older people have a great deal of experiences that we could use to improve ourselves, but they cannot find those who are willing to learn it from them. How can we form relations between the youth and those people who posses the valuable experience the youth need? We need the youth to approach these people, ask for their help, and ask them about their previous experiences. The young and the older should work together to make life. This so far neglected experience of the older has to be put to use. The older people would be very glad to help give the youth a clear idea of what is going on around them, so that they can worship Allah (SWT) in the best possible way. We should be the ones moving towards them and encouraging them to share their experiences.

We can benefit greatly from the ministers we have personal relationships with, those who are responsible for charity organizations, those who work with groups trying to improve the conditions of our countries, our scientists who live abroad and all those who can help with the development of the country. How can we ask for their help? When you access the website www.amrkhaled.net, you will find a document in both Arabic and English. Print it and give it to all those who you think can help with the building of our countries. You will also find three brief pages talking about the project and its achievements. Give it to your parents, uncles, aunts and all those who can help.

I will reemphasize my point: we need to form partnerships with everyone who possesses experience. We need to ask for their help. We have already started doing this if you noticed: do you remember ‘Guardians of the Future?’ We wanted to inform people about drugs; especially students. We knew that we couldn’t succeed alone, thus we asked those who could offer help to join us; a program cannot do such a task alone. We found that the Dubai Police Department was willing to help us, and to our surprise, the United Nations as well. This is how the project succeeded. Why would they work with us? The reason for their involvement is that they realize they cannot succeed without partnering with the youth, who are willing to do the actual work. Thus, for any project to succeed, we need both the efforts of the youth and the support of organizations.

I will show you the partnership contract we signed with the two organizations to give you a better picture of what we are trying to achieve in the third stage of the program. Those achievements you saw couldn’t have happened without the partnerships I am talking about.

Our aspirations are great. When I started the ‘Guardians of the Future’ project, I only had a dream. If it weren’t for the help of the organizations, this project would not have taken off. Our previous goals are now accomplished. Our new goals will also be accomplished by Allah’s will. We should all be optimistic.

We received people’s aspirations for the 23 fields suggested. Then, experts in each field looked at the suggestions and chose what would be best for our countries nowadays and what could be achieved. We looked at agriculture, industry and all the other fields. The people who worked were all volunteers. They agreed to be partners with the youth. This is another example of the partnerships I am talking about: forming committees of the experts in different fields that include people from our countries, Muslims and Arabs who live abroad and everyone who can help. The committee I formed had both Muslims and Christians: it is a project for the whole nation, not just for Muslims.

Those committees met for two months to choose the suggestions that were really valuable. They started dividing them into what would work and what would not. They then decided which projects we should start working on as soon as possible. We then organized a conference and invited officials who had worked in the fields we looked at. Thus, we combined the opinions of the youth and the professionals to give the final goals we ought to work on. The professionals were gathered from every single Arabic country, not from any country in particular. People were keen to attend to give their opinions about what we had to say.

Effort was put into this work. There is no point in making a project that depends only on passion without effort and experience. We have to work according to scientific methods. We consulted the youth so that they would feel that the project was their own, and then we consulted the professionals. We arrived at one fundamental project in each field, which we will talk about in detail starting from the next episode. We will start with industry and unemployment. We will talk about a project that can help solve the problem of unemployment. Then we will talk about industry, agriculture, health, environment, adhering to religious values, education and tourism. You will then appreciate the effort put into this work.

We have eleven fields. We started with twenty-three fields, which we rearranged into the present eleven fields through putting related fields together; for example, the fields of sports, health and environment were grouped together into one category. These fields are what constitute the third stage of the project. We will talk about each filed in one or two episodes so that we can arrive at an understanding of how the work should be done at the end of this year. We will explain each project, ask the youth to look for partnerships that can help with this project, and then we will start working on the project itself, depending on Allah’s help. The project is supposed to bring about improvements in the particular field it deals with.

These are what the episodes are going to discuss. During each discussion we will link the field with our religious beliefs and how our deeds are to be approved by Allah (SWT). Then we will ask the youth to carry out the projects and devote their lives to them.

When we started the episode, asking everyone to look for partnerships, I did not ask for much; but if you cannot participate, then at least tell others who can help to participate and provide them with the essential information to do so. I want the youth to realize that without these partnerships, the project will not succeed.

What will happen if we succeed in this task? If we establish these partnerships, by the end of the year, the dream of the revival of our countries will be in the minds and hearts of our youth and women. This will be the idea that unites the people, the idea they think and live for. This is what we want to achieve. The idea of the revival will be at the heart of all our countries and in the west through Muslims living there as well. Thus, the youth will carry on these projects and it will become their biggest aspiration.

Each young person should decide which field they want to work on and he/she should be true to him/herself. They should promise Allah (SWT) that although they might have done some mistakes in the past, they will devote their lives from this point forward to the revival of their country. S/he must no longer stand looking at the worsening conditions passively, saying we cannot do anything to make an improvement. Otherwise we will stay for another hundred years in declining conditions claiming that we cannot change. If that is how we think, then who will trigger the change? Never say it is impossible because if we don’t do it, no one else will.

The third stage of our project is like opening the way for the river to run. We are trying to get the youth and the experienced in contact, then we will let them work together for the best of the countries.

We want to revive our countries, and there will come a time when the program will end. It does not make sense for the program to go on for twenty years, but we will all still live for this idea. We will live for it because our lives depend on it. I will live for it and you will all live for it too. This is what we have all agreed on.

Our role now is to start the projects and let the river run through the land. After years of hard work, the projects will grow bigger and bigger. The businessmen will then start helping to allow more growth. Also, national entities will start taking part. This is because we are going in the right way and we will be able to see our dream coming true.

We will hear after some years that the unemployment in Arabic countries has dropped from 35% to 5%. We will make our own medicines; we will make our own wheat and not receive it from others. Mosques will be full of worshippers during Fajr (dawn prayer) the same way they are during Jumua’a (Friday prayer). Love will return to families.

I know some people are laughing at what I am saying right now, but with Allah’s help, it will come true. I derive this hope from Allah (SWT), the Almighty. I derive this hope from the youth, whose eyes are full of hope and determination, from the women, who work actively, hoping to achieve their aspirations of a better future, and from the old ladies who insist on participating with us with what ever they can do.

How could I not have hope when Allah (SWT), the Almighty, is the creator of the universe? How could I not have hope when our book and guide is the Qur’an? How could I not have hope when we have the greatest method for success in life? How could I not have hope? How could I not have hope when I see all those young men and women who love Allah (SWT), the Almighty? How could I not have hope when Allah says in the Qur’an what can be translated as, “Say, O Allah, (The Arabic word has the supplication suffix umma) Possessor of the Kingship, You bring the kingship to whomever You decide, and You draw (Literally: pluck out) the kingship from whomever You decide, and You render mighty whomever You decide, and You humiliate whomever You decide. In Your Hand is (the) Charity; (i.e., the choicest) surely You are Ever-Determiner over everything. You insert the night into the daytime and You insert the daytime into the night, and You bring the living out of the dead, and You bring the dead out of the living, and You provide whomever You decide without reckoning.” (TMQ, 3:26-27).

The enemies of Islam and the devil aim at one thing now: to kill this hope. Killing hope has a more drastic effect than killing people themselves. The believers realize that Allah (SWT) will never make our sincere efforts go to waste if we plan our work properly, think thoroughly about what we are doing, keep our determination, act with patience and sacrifice for Allah’s cause. Allah says what can be translated as, “Surely the ones who have believed and done deeds of righteousness, surely We do not waste the reward of him who does fair deeds.” (TMQ, 18:30).

Watch out! The Muslims were lost for one hundred years during the time of the Mongols. Two million Muslims were killed. They plundered Baghdad and entered the Levant countries. The whole nation was destroyed, but then, what happened? We stood on our feet once again and we restored our lost dignity. What are one hundred years in the age of nations? Why would such a thing work before and not now? The same way we made it before, we’ll make it this time.

Khaled Ibnul-Walid faced the Persians and the Romans with 18,000 soldiers. They were later increased to 30,000 soldiers. When he entered Persia he had to face 200,000 enemy soldiers. He kept achieving one victory after another and the King of Persia was about to lose his mind. He sent for the generals of his armies asking them, “How can 18,000 soldiers defeat you?” Their reply was, “Your majesty, this man and his soldiers have faith in the promise their God has made them, the same way we have faith that the sun exists. They are capable of doing anything.” We too, have been promised by Allah (SWT).

Take care, every one hundred years a new idea takes hold of the minds of people. The whole world is transformed every one hundred years; ideas are transformed. What does that mean? It means that every one hundred years someone comes with an idea that takes hold of the minds of the people to the point that they can’t imagine the world without it.

At one time, this idea was Communism. No one imagined that the world could survive without it, yet, after one hundred years the world changed. At one time this idea was Nationalism. Then it was Colonialism. Why am I reminding you about all this now? Because all these ideas are over now.

This century has come with totally new ideas, so why can’t we be one of these ideas? This is how the world goes. Do you realize now why the Prophet (SAWS) said, “At the start of every century, Allah will send for this nation someone who will revive its religion?”[5] (4). Because every one hundred years the ideas change and the whole world changes.

Do you realize now the meaning of the ayah that can be translated as, “Or (such as) he who passed by a town, and it was completely devastated upon its trellises. He said, “However will Allah give life to this (town) after its death?” So Allah made him die a hundred seasons; (i.e., years) thereafter He made him rise again.” (TMQ, 2:259). I’m not saying that the digit (one hundred) is a fixed digit. I’m saying that the whole world changes and that ideas also change. Now all the ideas have evaporated - all the international ideas, not just in our countries. The whole world is stumbling in search for new ideas.

We must have an assignment; we can’t just sit around doing nothing! Actually we have three assignments this time.

We want this program to be seen by at least 15 million viewers. Is it because we want everybody to watch us on TV? Definitely not, we don’t care about fame and this is totally out of our consideration, but we want to instill the idea of the revival in as many viewers as possible. That is why we have to be seen by as many of them as possible.

Other satellite channels also want viewers. That is why they advertise to attract viewers. As for us, we won’t advertise because you’re our advertising tools. We’ll be handing out loudspeakers to all of our viewers right now (this is just a figure of speech)! You know that our nation (the nation of Muhammad (SAWS)) and our countries need loudspeakers in every alley and every street, in every club, mosque and school. “Wake up, we have a revival to achieve.” Let everybody wake up, there’s no more time for sleep.

We have a big task to achieve. We want to do what the Prophet (SAWS) did when he was ordered by Allah, “So profess openly what you have been commanded…” (TMQ, 15: 94). Allah (SWT) ordered him to announce to the public, so he didn’t go to do so in secret. Instead, he went to the top of the Safa hill (we go back and forth between this hill and the Marwah hill during Hajj (pilgrimage)). He called all the people from the top of the hill. He was not seeking fame; he just wanted to pass on the idea because it had to be passed on.

We want everybody to see the episodes, even if we’re not talking about a heart-softening topic. I know that what we’re talking about is realistic and practical, but it is a hope and there’s no other hope except in this. I have nothing else to give to you except making our revival.

Gather all your relatives and acquaintances from your phonebooks or on the internet. Gather all those whom we might need for our revival and send us their names and contact details on the numbers provided below. We’ve provided you with all the possible means by which you can reach us. Find us partners, even the journalists, celebrities or people in the media. Ask all those who you can reach to participate with us and watch us.

This will start with the next episode. At the end of every episode, we’ll agree together on a certain project. The participants will then step forward to be in charge of it. They will carry it forward and the river will flow again. This is going to be our cargo and we have nothing else to be happy about on the Day of Judgment.

Hopefully the meaning has reached all of you. Hopefully the amount of zeal and hope has increased. No more despair. We will never take the route of despair.

[1] Sala-llahu Alahi Wa Salam = All Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him.

[2] Strange recitation, Ibn-Katheer, Interpretation of the Qur’an, 3/568.

[3] Good Hadith, Adhahabi, Al-Muhadhab, 7/3509.

[4] TMQ = Translation of the Meaning of the Qur’an. This translation is for the realized meaning, so far, of the stated (Surah: Ayah) of the Qur’an. Reading the translated meaning of the Qur’an can never replace reading it in Arabic, the language in which it was revealed.

[5] Authentic, Al-Albani, the authentic Hadith series, 599.

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Episode 33: Introduction to the third stage