Luqman Wisdom of a Nubian Man

Luqman: Wisdom of a Nubian Man - Sheikh Abdullah Hakim Quick

Opening Praise and Testimony

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, and to the righteous, and to none but the wrongdoers. I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. Peace be upon him, and upon his family and his companions, and upon all who call upon him and wait for his message until the Day of Judgment.

Peace be upon you. Next, I advise you and myself to be mindful of Allah, the Exalted in Might, and to listen and to obey Him. Allah, the Exalted, says:

"O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted."

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds. And surely, the best reward, ultimately, in the end, is for those who have taqwa. And surely, there is no animosity or ill-feeling except for the oppressor.

Second Testimony and Blessings

And I bear witness that Allah is One and has no partners. And that Muhammad, the son of Abdullah, is His servant and His last messenger. And may Allah always, constantly, send peace and blessings to Muhammad, to his family, to his companions, to all those who call to his way and establish his sunnah to the Day of Judgment.

The Importance of Taqwa

As to what follows, I remind myself, I caution myself about the critical nature of taqwa. The consciousness of Allah. Being mindful of the Creator. Meaning that in every aspect of our life, whether it be within the masjid walls or outside, we remember Allah. Whether it be reading the Quran or reading a newspaper, we remember Allah. In everything that we do, we recognize that there is One mighty in power. There is One who is well aware of all that we do.

The Miraculous Nature of the Quran

And Allah has revealed in His glorious book in a way which defies repetition. That nobody, no human being was able to create the Arabic language in such a way that not only would it be the pinnacle of Arabic linguistically, but also it would serve people as a light in the times of darkness throughout history. No other textbook, no other set of poetry has ever reached this level.

The Divine Standard of Honor

And Allah has revealed in Surah Al-Hujurat verse 13, O humanity, surely we created you from a male and female and made you into nations and tribes that you would know one another. Surely the most honored with Allah is the one who is most mindful of Allah. And surely Allah has knowledge of all things and He is aware of everything that we do.

And so Allah told us (إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ) - that the one who is the most honorable, the highest standard with Allah, is the one who has the highest standard of taqwa. That we fear Allah, we hope in His mercy and we keep this in everything that we do. And so the Quran speaks here not just to believers, but it speaks to humanity.

The Spread of Humanity and Divine Wisdom

And humanity spread thousands of years ago all throughout the planet. From the African continent spreading to Asia, Europe, to the Americas, spreading all over the planet. And people went through changes because of the environment that they lived in. Colors began to change. Texture of skin changed. Relationships started to change because of the environmental influences.

But Allah made it clear to us that this change is to know one another. It is not to disrespect one another or to feel that because of the color of skin or because of language, that one is higher than another.

The Colonial Destruction of Knowledge

And so when the people of the Americas by the 15th, 16th century had reached 75 million people with great civilizations, they were struck with a calamity. A colonial onslaught where the people's culture was destroyed, their languages broken into pieces, their literature ruined. And during this colonial period, during this period of conquest, one of the worst things that happened to the people in this part of the world is not just genocide, the killing of the body, but it was the killing of the mind.

The Spanish, when they conquered territories based upon their fear of knowledge coming out of Andalus, after Muslims had ruled for almost 800 years and dominated the world, the Spanish then, in trying to take them down, destroyed everything they could find of knowledge. And so in Granada and Cordoba and Toledo and the great cities of Andalus, they burnt millions of books. And they brought this understanding here to the Americas. And every place the Spanish would conquer, they would pile all the written literature they could find in the middle of the square and they would burn it.

The Continued Suppression of History

When the other nations came from Europe to take over the land, in many cases they did not burn the books. In many cases they hid the books in libraries, in archival sections, and they wrote new books to change the history. And so they wrote out the history of the indigenous people. They wrote out the history of the Latino people,

Black History Month and the Recovery of Knowledge

And so it is in this struggle to bring back the mind of people that many scholars of African descent, especially in the 20th century, struggled to bring back a history that reflected all human beings, especially in this part of the world. And so it was in 1926 that Carter G. Woodson started Black History Week. He chose February, not because of the climate, because this is the worst time of the year, but he chose it because February 12th was the birthday of President Abraham Lincoln and February 14th was the birthday of Frederick Douglass, who was a great African American abolitionist who struggled for freedom in this part of the world.

And we have proof that Frederick Douglass originally came from a Muslim family. And so this was adopted by the United States as Black History Month in 1976 and by Canada in 1995.

Surah Luqman: A Divine Answer to Racism

But Allah had revealed in his divine revelation, he had revealed a chapter which stands in the face of racism, a chapter which taught believers right from the beginning that it is not the color of skin which separates human beings' creations of Allah. And so Allah revealed Surah Luqman, the 31st chapter of the Book of Allah, a chapter filled with wisdom and guidance.

The Identity of Luqman

Who was Luqman? According to many of the great scholars, companions and tabi'een, and the report coming in to reflect this, Yahya ibn Said al-Ansari, he said that on the authority of Said ibn al-Musayyib, rahimahullah, that Luqman belonged to the black people of Egypt, we now know as Nubians. He belonged to the Nubian people. And Almighty Allah granted him wisdom but not prophethood.

Luqman's Humble Response to Recognition

According to Yahya ibn al-Musayyib, while he was preaching, while Luqman was preaching, a man came to him who used to know him and he said, "Aren't you the slave so and so who used to look after my sheep not so long in the past?" And Luqman said, "Yes." The man said, "What raised you to this high status?" And Luqman answered, "The divine decree. Qadrullah." This is where the wisdom comes in. He said, "The divine decree, repaying trusts, telling the truth, and discarding and keeping silent regarding what does not concern me." Deep wisdom he is revealing.

Allah's Gift of Wisdom to Luqman

And it is reported and came through revelation, which confirmed what came in our reports. In surah Luqman verse 12, Allah revealed:

"And We had certainly given Luqman wisdom [and said], 'Be grateful to Allah.' And whoever is grateful is grateful for [the benefit of] himself. And whoever denies [His favor] - then indeed, Allah is Free of need and Praiseworthy."

We bestowed wisdom upon Luqman, saying, "Give thanks to Allah." And whoever gives thanks to Allah does so to his own good. And whoever is ungrateful, then know that surely Allah is knowledgeable of all things and that he is sufficient and he is immensely praiseworthy.

Luqman's Perceptive Nature

And so Luqman, rahimahullah, according to the stories of the Quran by Hafiz Ibn Kathir, rahimahullah, Luqman was described as a perceptive man, always watching animals and plants in his surroundings. And he tried to understand the world based on what he saw. So if he lived today and he saw what was happening to the climate and he saw that over 50% of mammals and birds have been destroyed, he would be in great stress.

The Divine Dream and Choice

Back to the report: One day while sleeping under a tree, he was inspired by Allah and informed that he would be given a gift. Either kingdom, to be a great king or to be a knowledgeable person. And so he chose knowledge. And when he woke from his slumber, he became aware that his senses and his understanding had sharpened. He felt in complete harmony with nature and could understand the inner meaning of things beyond their physical reality. Immediately he prostrated to Allah and he thanked Allah for this mighty gift.

The Test of Slavery

But Luqman had to go under a test. Slavery was an international institution. People of all colors could be taken slave. And in the ancient world you were either free or slave. So many of the companions of the Prophet, like Salman al-Farisi the Persian, Suhayb al-Rumi the Roman looking person, they were slaves. Zayd ibn Haritha the Arab was a slave. So slavery was a worldwide institution. But it still took the rights away from the person.

And so Luqman, although he was given this natural insight, this wisdom, he was caught in a slave raid and he was made a slave. But he suffered through his bondage with faith and with hope in the mercy of Allah.

The Wisdom of the Tongue and Heart

Hafiz ibn Kathir reports that the man who bought Luqman was a good, intelligent person. He treated Luqman with kindness and he sensed that Luqman had a special kind of wisdom. And so he tested him one day and he said to Luqman, "I want you to slaughter a sheep and bring me back the worst part of the sheep. Bring me back the worst part of the sheep." And so Luqman slaughtered the sheep and he brought back the tongue and the heart.

And the man was shocked at the wisdom of Luqman. And he wanted to see more about this insight. And so he said, "Slaughter another sheep and bring me back the best part of the sheep." And so Luqman slaughtered the sheep and he brought back the same two parts. The tongue and the heart.

The man was shocked and he said to Luqman, he asked Luqman, "Why do you say this?" And Luqman showed him that if a person is pure, then his tongue and his heart is sweet. But if he is wicked, then the tongue and the heart is bitter. And it is wicked as well.

Luqman's Growing Reputation

Luqman, rahimahullah, shared his wisdom. His knowledge became known amongst the people. And again, slavery was not all ball and chain and whip. Luqman had his home, he had his family. He was basically working for the man. And people would come to him for wisdom. Seeking wisdom from this Nubian man. A person described as dark skinned person from Africa. They would seek knowledge from all over the country side.

Luqman's Advice to His Son: The Foundation of Tawheed

To the point where Allah showed how Luqman in sharing his knowledge, shared his knowledge first with his family. And he spoke to his son in the oft repeated verses. Speaking to his son. And in verse 13 in the chapter of Luqman, Allah tells us:

"And [mention, O Muhammad], when Luqman said to his son while he was instructing him, 'O my son, do not associate [anything] with Allah. Indeed, association [with him] is great injustice.'"

He then revealed, Allah revealed, and called to mind when Luqman said to his son, while he was teaching him, "My son, do not associate partners with Allah. Because associating partners with Allah is a terrible wrong. It is a grievous sin." (لَا تُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ) - So Luqman above all was muwahid. He was a person of tawheed. And he showed very clearly the first wisdom you must learn, is not to associate partners with Allah in any possible way. And the chapter continued.

Honoring Parents

And in the next verses, in verse number 14, Allah said, "And We commanded people to be good to their parents. The mothers carried them with strain upon strain. And it took two years to wean them." And Allah then sent the knowledge through Luqman. Not just for his son, but he sent that knowledge for us today. And this is where the Quran breaks through racism. It breaks through the concept that based on the color of your skin, you are intelligent. That is what the Hindu-Brahman system says. That is what Apartheid system said in South Africa. That is what Jim Crow said in the Americas. That the lighter the more intelligent. It breaks through the racism and gives us knowledge that we need right now.

Establishing Prayer and Commanding Good

How do you act as a Muslim under the terror that we are facing? Luqman then said, in verses 17, "O my son, establish prayer, and be mindful of what you receive. This is a matter of determination." Luqman continued, "O my dear son, establish prayer. Encourage what is good, and forbid evil, and endure patiently with whatever befalls you, for surely this is the most resolute of the affairs in your life."

Establishment of prayers, calling to the good, and forbidding evil. So we are not supposed to be stagnated Muslims. If we see evil, we need to take a stand. Either with our tongue, with our hand, our tongue, at least feel it in the heart. If we can call to the good, we need to call to the good. And when we do this, we will be under attack. And this is where sabr comes in. This is the most resolute.

Avoiding Arrogance and Maintaining Moderation

Luqman continued:

"And do not turn your cheek [in contempt] toward people and do not walk through the earth exultantly. Indeed, Allah does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful."

Allah continued revealing the wisdom of Luqman. And do not turn up your nose to people. Do not be arrogant. For surely Allah does not love those who are arrogant and boastful.

"And be moderate in your pace and lower your voice; indeed, the most disagreeable of sounds is the voice of donkeys."

And the wisdom of Luqman continued on when he said, "Moderate your pace. Moderate. Don't be an extremist. Not one extreme or another extreme. Keep a moderate pace." This is great wisdom for us today. "Lower your voice. Because surely the ugliest voice in the sight of Allah is the braying of the donkey."

The Timeless Wisdom of Luqman

And so Luqman not having received prophethood but having received wisdom. The wisdom from Allah which is a direct revelation that has come to us here today in the 21st century.

Summary of Luqman's Practical Wisdom

And Ibn Wahab, rahimahullah, great scholar, he summarizes in the wisdom of Luqman. He brings out some important points. And he takes us back to when Luqman was first coming out and people wanted to look down on him. And say, "Why are you in this high position?" And Luqman then said to them, "My advice to you is lower what I do. Lowering my gaze. I watch my tongue. I eat what is lawful. I keep my chastity. In other words,

I'm not involved in immorality. I undertake my promises. I fulfill promises. If I am given a trust, I fulfill the trust. I fulfill my commitments. I am hospitable to my guests. I take care of my guests. I respect my neighbors. And I discard what does not concern me. All of these made you see the person who you're looking at today."

Closing Prayer for Wisdom

So this is the wisdom of Luqman, rahimahullah. And I pray that Allah would give us this wisdom. Give this to the Muslim world, especially the leaders of the Muslim world. To bring us from darkness into light in these difficult times.

I say this, and I ask Allah forgiveness for you and for the rest of the Muslims from every sin. Ask forgiveness. Indeed, He is Forgiving, Merciful.

Second Khutbah

Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds. And I pray and I submit to the Master of the first and the last. Our Prophet Muhammad. And to his family and his companions. All of them. And more.

The truth says, glory be to Him. He says, peace be upon him. Every nation has a trial and test. And the trial and test of this nation is wealth.

The truth says, glory be to Him. In the name of Allah, the most gracious, the most merciful.

Closing Supplications

O Allah, do not remove our hearts after You have guided us. And grant us from Your mercy. You are the bestower.

O Allah, forgive us our sins. And remove from us our sins. And grant us death with the righteous.

O Allah, do not make us a sin unless You forgive us. And do not make us a worry unless You relieve us. And do not make us a debt unless You repay us. And do not make us sick unless You heal us. And do not make us dead unless You have mercy on us. And do not make us a need of the needs of this world. And do not make us a burden unless You have removed it. O most merciful. There is no god but You. Glory be to You. We have been of the wrongdoers.

Final Reminder

O servants of Allah, may Allah have mercy on you. Allah guides with justice and kindness and gives to the close. And forbids immorality and wrongdoing. He warns you so that you may remember.

Stand up for your prayer. May Allah have mercy on you.