Dr. Hamid Ghazali 7-28-17

Opening

Dear brothers and sisters, I pray to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala to bless all of you, protect you, protect your families and your children inshallah and make this hour an hour of ijabah and may Allah protect all the Muslims who are struggling all over the world and make their lives easy, especially in al-Quds.

May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala protect Al-Masjid al-Aqsa there and the Muslims there and everybody who struggles and fights for freedom and for the truth inshallah. I want to share with you, since we live in a time of difficulty, since we all suffer, since it seems that the only way out of our problems is Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala and no doubt يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ حَسْبُكَ اللَّهُ - O Prophet, sufficient for you is Allah. And if you have Allah and you don't have anything but Allah, you are the winner. And if you have everything but Allah, you are a loser.

Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa and Unchanging Facts

That's the fact that we learned from the Quran. That's the fact that establishes the truth about Islam. We look into the world and we look into what happened in Jerusalem and we realize that the people can make a difference as they did. As the people all over history made a difference and the prophets made a difference, they did. And they were ready and still ready to sacrifice their lives for the sake of Allah to protect the holy place, Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa. Allah praised that place and said, Glory be to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala who made the Isra for his journey, for his prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam his slave Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam from Al-Masjid Al-Haram to Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa that Allah blessed the area around it.

So it is the truth. It is the truth that Allah stated in his holy book that it is Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa and it is a place that is sacred to Muslims and sacred to all people who care about religion, no doubt. And when Umar radiallahu anhu refused to enter a church there so that people don't say that Umar entered it, we claim it. We realize how Islam cares about holy places and the ownership of these holy places. May Allah protect Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa, protect everyone who tries to protect it, inshallah.

I want to state a fact that is very important to remember. Facts stay facts. Circumstances don't change these facts. Saying the opposite about these facts don't change these facts. A fact is a fact. Allah blessed that place. Allah stated that it is Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa that Allah blessed it and blessed it with the presence of Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam in it. And it is a blessed place that belongs to the Muslims, no doubt.

If all people at the time of Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, majority of them, except a few, said that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam was insane, did not change the fact that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam was the best. He was the best in character. Al-Sadiq, Al-Amin, and all aspects of good character and good manhood did not change the facts.

Facts Remain Despite Opposition

Sometimes circumstances make people unable to see the facts and obscure the ability to see the facts. But facts stay facts. The Pharaoh was wrong and all the people around him blew air into him and made Musa alayhi salam look like a criminal. Musa was not a criminal. Musa was a Prophet of Allah with a noble character. Whatever they said and how loud they said it did not change the fact.

It is very important. People sometimes try to blow air from their mouth to turn off the light of the sun. But they will never be able to do that. They want to turn off the light of the sun with their mouth. And Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala will fulfill, will complete His Noor. He will not be able to do that. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam was a star. He did not lose the way. He was a star. And still was a star in spite of all the facts and in spite of all what the people did at that time. He continued to be a star until the Day of Judgment. And he is our star. May Allah have peace upon him.

The Weakest Point in Islamic History

When we look in that light and we see how Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala was comforting the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam was taking the Muslims step by step to change the circumstances around them. When everything was against them. When they stood helpless. Like we are standing helpless. Except with their bare hands and feet and bodies. Standing in different parts of the Muslim world. Including Jerusalem. Fighting for their rights to express their religion. And we see the people put in jail. We see innocent people killed all over the world. Muslims and non-Muslims. Facts stay facts. And good people will always be good people. Regardless of how loud those who want to shut them down try to be.

Very important for us to realize that. So we look and examine. When were the Muslims the weakest in the history of Islam during the time of Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam? And we realize that the 10th year was a landmark in the history of Islam. That really marked the lowest part in the history of Islam. The 10th and the 11th year.

The Journey to Al-Ta'if

And we look at the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam trying to find a way out. And he went to Al-Ta'if in Shawwal. 10th year. Means that was the last month of the 10th year. Beginning of the 11th year. Went there. Trying to find a way out. And he didn't want to bother anybody with him. He went by himself. Only Zayd was helping him. And went with him there. And he stayed there for 10 days.

And people were laughing at him saying, Is this the man? Is this the Prophet of Allah? Wouldn't Allah find somebody else to put him as a Prophet? Prophet should be a great person. He is not a great person. And Allah made them blind. To see that they were talking to the greatest person in the history of mankind. Blind. Arrogance blinds people. They were in front of the greatest man in the history of mankind. And they were blind to see it. Whatever they said did not change the fact. That Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam is the greatest man in the history of mankind. Greatest Prophet. Did not change that fact.

And the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam continued. His negotiations with them. Trying to find a safe haven for the Muslims. And all of these failed. And after 10 days he and Zayd decided to leave. But a surprise was waiting for them. As they exited the city. The children, men, women were standing in two lines. As if to welcome them. As if to salute them. But their salutations were stones thrown at them. And the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam bled as he never did. And blood was coming out of his face. It never happened before. And that was really very sad. To see the Prophet of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala in a position like that.

The Philosophy of Patience

Where is the help from Allah? Why would this happen? It's a very good question. Earlier, Al-Khabbab ibn Al-Arat came to the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. One of the companions. Unhappy. Why is this happening to us? Isn't Allah with us? Why all of these things happening to us? Why wouldn't you, the Prophet of Allah, make dua to Allah, to save us from all this humiliation?

And the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam got angry at his stand. And explained to him, that the people before you and before us, they would be cut with a saw into two halves. And this would not take them away from their religion. He's not happy with his response. Why wouldn't the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam be happy? With somebody who's asking him to make a dua.

It's very important for us to understand the philosophy of Islam. Understand what it takes to really pass the difficulty. Think with me. Why? Why? What's wrong with making a dua? Asking the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, Prophet of Allah. And when the Prophet of Allah makes a dua, Allah would respond. What's wrong with that?

Definitely, it's the understanding of Islam. What was wrong was the unsatisfaction with what Allah put in you. The impatient person that stands for that. Not accepting the difficulty that Allah put in you. Not putting the effort. And you want a quick solution to that. That is what the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam did not like. Did not want to happen.

The Prophet's Dua After Ta'if

And look now with that background. Look to the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam leaving Al-Ta'if. And all doors closed. That's 11 years of suffering. Now there is no way out. And everything is blocked. And he made, the angel came to him and said, If you wish, I would destroy the mountains, two mountains surrounding Mecca on them. And the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, No. May Allah guide them to see the truth.

And he made his famous dua. It's a long dua. And in the dua he says, O Allah, I complain to You. Not because of the difficulties and how huge the difficulties are. I complain to You about my inability. My weakness. My inability to produce a plan. He's fully satisfied with what Allah put in him. He tried. He put the effort. And at the end, tells Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, I'm weak. Find a way to help me.

And to continue to say, O Allah, if You're not angry with me, I don't care what happens to me. What a statement. Contrary to what Al-Khabab was telling the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. Did not care what happened to him as long as Allah is pleased with him. He would continue. And now he is asking Allah for help. Find the help. And definitely the help immediately came after that. Immediately after that the help came. And I will explain.

The Pattern of Divine Help

Had he made the dua earlier when the difficulties started, perhaps Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala would not respond. Because that's the law. But after going, putting the effort, trying hard, making all the things that you can do, then the victory comes. And that's why Allah sent the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam at that time. During that time we see Surah Yusuf. We see Surah Al-Anbiya. We see the Surahs that start with Alif Lam Ra. And Allah told him:

Until the messengers of Allah think that they have been lied, there is no way out, everything is locked. Then the victory comes to them.

They were shaking strongly. Until the messengers would say, when is the victory of Allah coming? Important for us to realize this.

Lessons from Surah Al-Anbiya

And let me just take an example. And show you what Allah wanted the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam to do. And show all of us what we need to do. Learn lessons. And let's pick up one of these examples. Surah Al-Anbiya. Came during that time. One of them. Anbiya. Anbiya is the plural of Nabi. Nabi is the Prophet. So it's the surah that talks about the model for all of us.

Surely you have an Uswa, a model in the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. And all the Prophets are models for us. And they are sent in the Quran as models of Tarbiyah for us. Allah was preparing the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam and raising the Prophet and his companions by these models in the Quran.

So one would think, the Anbiya are talking about how great those Prophets were. Actually, it's the opposite. Tells us how weak they were. And how great Allah made them after they were patient. How Allah strengthened them. And gave them the power. And saved them after they were patient. It's the main message that we find there.

And actually you find two themes there. One theme is to attack the people, the Kafirs of Mecca. The arrogance of Mecca. People who are standing and making blowing air. أُولَٰئِكَ حَبِطَتْ أَعْمَالُهُمْ As Allah explained. These are gone.

The Meaning of Habitat

I take an exit here to explain the word, حَبِطَتْ حَبِطَتْ from like a camel. حَبِطَ الْجَمَل Meaning, the camel, you know, got so much air when he was dying in his stomach. And he became big and big and big from eating something poisonous. And looks bigger and bigger until explodes. It's the meaning of حَبِطَتْ Which means that, those people, their deeds look big, big, big, big, big, big, and then suddenly it's nothing. حَبِطَتْ أَعْمَالُهُ

So Allah there in the Anbiya talks about them. Find strategy to deal with them. And at the same time, shows the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam the way out. And let me share with you the second part. And I did write explanation about all these in Surah Al-Anbiya. I'll be happy to share it with you. Perhaps in writing. Perhaps I can give it, the first part, can give it to Brother Ameer and you can get a copy of it.

Allah's Strength After Weakness

But let me talk about the second part. How Allah was strengthening the people who were patient.

The Prophets were nothing but human body that is weak. And then we supported them. We made them strong. And we destroyed the Musrifeen, their enemies. So here it talks about how weak they were. And how Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala saved them. And how Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala provided them with the strength and made them the greatest, the strongest. Them and the people with them. And that's what we need to understand.

Examples from the Prophets

And you look. And Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala gives us examples. How Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala made this. Always illustrate with an example. It's a good teacher, always gives examples. And you find that in the Qur'an.

Prophet Ayyub (Job)

So you think. Who was in a time of difficulty that he was so weak? Unable to do anything. And the first that comes to your mind, Ayyub. Ayyub. Suffering so much. Suffering so much. But the question. Did Ayyub complain? Didn't complain. He was so patient.

Story of Ayyub comes in two places in the Qur'an. Only two places. His name is mentioned one more time some place else. Or more. But the story itself is mentioned in this Al-Anbiya and Sa'd. Sa'd talks about, نِعْمَ الْعَبْدُ إِنَّهُ أَوَّابٌ. That's the theme of Surah Sa'd. Great was he as he returned to Allah. And talks about other prophets.

So it talks about those who are good in repentance and coming back to the way of Allah and sticking to the way of Allah. In Al-Anbiya, about patience. About how Allah supported him. So you read there:

Ayyub calls upon Allah. نَادَى when you call upon something. نَادَى الْمُنَادِي. Somebody calls for the people to come and help for example. إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُ أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الضُّرُّ وَأَنتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ Harm touched me. And you are the most merciful. He's not saying how bad is this, and how terrible is this, and how difficult my life is. He's not saying any of that. After a long period of suffering.

Then Allah said, فَاسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُ Then we responded, we answered him. With the faa. The faa means Allah responded immediately after the dua. Then after the response comes the how Allah did, or what Allah did in terms of response. فَاسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُ فَكَشَفْنَا مَا بِهِ مِن ضُرٍّ وَآتَيْنَاهُ أَهْلَهُ وَمِثْلَهُم مَّعَهُمْ رَحْمَةً مِّنْ عِندِنَا So we saved him. And the faa also comes. So the faa comes twice. In فَاسْتَجَبْنَا and in the action, which means Allah immediately did that.

Prophet Yunus (Jonah)

The next prophet. The new, Yunus Alayhi Salam. Similar situation. Wasn't it difficult? Was first impatient. So Allah let him suffer for the impatience. For the not really taking the anger of the people and continuing with them and not responding to them. And incidentally all of them became Muslims after that. And that's the team of Surah Yunus. The people of Yunus actually.

So Allah said, وَذَا النُّونِ إِذ ذَّهَبَ مُغَاضِبًا فَظَنَّ أَن لَّن نَّقْدِرَ عَلَيْهِ فَنَادَىٰ فِي الظُّلُمَاتِ أَن لَّا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ The noon went angry, and he was thought that Allah tested him. And in the middle of the belly of the whale, he shouted or he called upon Allah. فَنَادَىٰ فِي الظُّلُمَاتِ In the darkness of the belly of the whale. There is no God but You. لَّا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنتَ سُبْحَانَكَ Glory be to You. إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ I wronged myself.

No request to save himself. No complaint about what's going on. Just acknowledging his mistakes, and saying to Allah, here I am.

Allah immediately said, like He did with Ayub, فَاسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُ We immediately respond to him. But then Allah said, وَنَجَّيْنَاهُ مِنَ الْغَمِّ No. وَنَجَّيْنَاهُ مِنَ الْغَمِّ Not the fa but the wa. And that has a significance. ثُمَّ نَجَّيْنَاهُ But wa. Wa comes in between the fa and the thumma. Thumma is long time. Fa is immediate. Wa was in the middle. So Allah let him suffer a little bit. Or it took some time. Not that long before Allah saved him. So but the response immediately came. At least he is not drowning. Interesting. Very interesting conclusions that we make in here.

And Allah said, فَاسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُ وَنَجَّيْنَاهُ مِنَ الْغَمِّ And this is not special for him. Allah said, وَكَذَٰلِكَ نُنجِي الْمُؤْمِنِينَ And that is how we save the believers who come after him. He is open for all of us. We do the same. Allah will save us. Important conclusions.

Prophet Zakaria (Zechariah)

Then comes the story of Zakaria. And how he called upon Allah to bless him with a child. And Allah responded to him. Same thing.

May Allah help us all understand what it takes to pass the difficulty and bring victory to the people all over the world, especially the Muslims in Jerusalem.

Second Khutbah

Dear brothers and sisters, Islam is a beautiful religion. Religion that cares, that makes a good tarbiyah for us. Allah said, Allah saved Ayyub and also blessed his people, his family with him.

We blessed him and his people. A rahmah from us. And a reminder for al-abideen. And then we talk about al-sabireen in the next verse. Important for us to realize that.

Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham)

Another example that comes in al-anbiya is Ibrahim. And how they throw him in the fire. And how Allah saved him. He was so weak, helpless, when they threw him in the fire. But Allah saved him.

This is how Allah saved him. Said to the fire, Be cool and safe. And it was. And Allah blessed him. And blessed him with Ishaq. وَيَعْقُوبَ نَافِلَةً Extra. He didn't ask for that. Not only that, but He blessed the children and the family and the whole community that was with Him, that believed in Him.

I will reveal to them, doing of the good, the salah, the zakah and other things. As a revelation. As a reward for the patients. For the parents who were patient. Allah, this is You and Your children.

Personal Experience and Recommendation

In conclusion, that's my personal experience. I always read when I am in a difficulty after I suffer. And my suffering is not gone. And after I am patient, I read the second half of Surah Al-Anbiya. And subhanAllah, with a full confidence that this what happened in Al-Anbiya would happen to me. And it does.

Happened with one of my children who was going through difficulties, severe difficulties during labor. And subhanAllah, after I read that, came, things became so easy. And the doctors were saying, seems there is a miracle that happened. Wallahi, this is the statement. But the miracle is, trust in what happened in Al-Anbiya.

They strongly recommend to me. The middle of difficulties and suffering and shivering. And I patient, patient, patient during my sickness and disease. It's not working. Then I read the second half of Al-Anbiya. And it's gone after that. I urge you to do the same.

Closing Dua

May Allah subhanAllah save every Muslim. Save the Muslims all over the world. Every one of us.