Do you intend to question the Messenger

Do You Intend to Question the Messenger?

Opening Praise and Supplication

اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِيْنَ، وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلٰى سَيِّدِ الْاَنْبِيَاءِ وَالْمُرْسَلِيْنَ وَعَلٰى اٰلِهٖ وَصَحْبِهٖ مَنِ اسْتَنَّ بِسُنَّتِهٖ اِلٰى يَوْمِ الدِّيْنِ. اَللّٰهُمَّ اجْعَلْنَا مِنْهُمْ وَمِنَ الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ . اٰمِيْن يَا رَبَّ الْعَالَمِيْن

Alhamdulillahi Rabbil Alameen, wassalatu wassalamu ala sayyidil anbiya wal mursaleen wa ala alihi wa sahbihi manastanna bisunnatihi ilayumiddeen. Allahumma ja'alna minhum waminallatheena amanu wa amilusalihat wa tawasaw bilhaqq wa tawasaw bilsabr. Amin, Ya Rabbil Alameen.

Introduction to the Central Ayah

InshaAllah in this brief discussion I'd like to share with you a profound lesson based on a handful of ayat I've selected from Surah Al-Baqarah. And one of those ayat, the center of this discussion, is actually an interrogation, it's an interrogative statement made by Allah to the followers of the Messenger, salallahu alayhi wa sallam, and it goes:

"Do you intend to question your Messenger like Musa was questioned before? Whoever replaces their faith with disbelief, iman with kufr, then they have gone far off the path.

Understanding the Gravity of Questioning

Now the first part of the ayah just spoke about one issue, questioning the Messenger. It said nothing about leaving Islam, it said nothing about walking out of the faith and saying I no longer believe in this. All it said was, the criticism was, questioning the Messenger.

The latter part however, declared that questioning of the Messenger as tantamount to what? Disbelief. So it's a pretty strong statement, right? To say that on the one hand, all you did was ask a question. And on the other hand, the Lord is responding, your question is now equal to your iman, your faith being negated altogether, you're considered a disbeliever.

Learning from the Story of Musa (Peace Be Upon Him)

Now to speak about, to understand this context properly, we have to travel to the life of Musa alayhi salam. Because in the ayah, when Allah tells us, are you questioning your Messenger? He didn't just say

that. He added one thing. He said, do you intend to question your Messenger as though Musa was questioned before? And if you study Surah Al-Baqarah, there are multiple instances where Musa is being questioned by his supposed followers.

The Miraculous Crossing

Imagine yourself as one of the followers of Musa alayhi salam. You've come to believe that he's a Messenger and you belong to the children of Israel and he's challenging the Pharaoh. He's challenging this power at the time, you mess with him too much, he'll execute everybody.

And he's challenging him day in and day out. And there's this debate going back and forth. And tensions are rising. And you're the follower of Musa alayhi salam and what you see is nine signs come from, you know about the history, right? Nine signs that were given to Musa alayhi salam to give Pharaoh an idea of who he's dealing with.

Now let's fast forward and now the children of Israel are about to escape the clutches of the Pharaoh. They're at the brink of the water. The armies are raging from behind. The cloud of dust is rising. These guys are thinking, we're going to get killed. Musa alayhi salam strikes his staff, water parts, and they cross.

The Contradiction of Questioning After Witnessing Miracles

Now imagine you were in that gathering. At that point, if you had any doubt about him being a Messenger, those doubts would have disappeared. At that point, before then you said, I'm following along, I think he's a Messenger, but you know, we'll see. And maybe right before the water parted, there's a person in that audience thinking, man, I got myself killed for nothing.

But as soon as that water shifts, you say, you know what? I believe in the Lord of Musa and Harun, and you follow along, right? Now imagine this person, who followed Musa alayhi salam along in this miraculous crossing of the water, they get to the other side, and they start questioning Musa alayhi salam's judgment. They start questioning him.

The Foundation of Belief vs. Questioning

Once you've established that this man doesn't speak on his own behalf, and you've experienced with unequivocal proof that he in fact speaks on the Lord's behalf, then whether what he says makes sense to you or not, the room to question him has disappeared.

And if after experiencing that miracle, being convinced beyond the shadow of a doubt that he does in fact speak on behalf of Allah, even then if you question him, isn't that the same as saying you don't really believe he's a messenger? It is. Because the foundation was, I came to conviction, absolute conviction that he is in fact a messenger.

The Difference Between Questioning and Asking Questions

I want to make sure you understand the other side, the other balanced side of the picture, which is this. Is it okay to ask questions about the religion? Absolutely. That's actually encouraged. The companions would continuously ask the messenger questions. So then there's a difference between asking questions of the messenger and questioning the messenger.

When we pose a question in Islam, it can be a question, I don't understand this. Or what is the correct way of doing this? Right? Or I'm doing this, is it right or wrong? These are questions. Fine. Or how do I do this? That's a question.

But asking a question is not the same as questioning. Why does Allah say that? Why is zakah this percent? Why do I have to pray five times? Why is it that I can't have relations outside of marriage? Etc, etc, etc. You can't ask those questions because now you're not asking a question, rather you're questioning God Himself.

A Real-Life Example

A few weeks ago, must have been more than a month now, I was in a city where I was invited to speak to some teenagers at a brunch. So a couple of girls from the family, you know, Muslim family, and you know, they've been raised but they didn't really learn Islam formally, right?

The first girl, you know, she says, well, you know, a couple of my friends are gay, what's so bad about being gay? They haven't killed anyone, they haven't stolen any money, they're good people, what's so bad about that? Another question after that, she says, well, why does God want to punish people in hellfire? Why does even hellfire exist, etc., etc.

The Root Question

So when I came to the root of the problem, I asked those girls this question flat out, do you actually believe this man named Muhammad, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, do you actually believe that this man received revelation, and whenever he said something is right and wrong, it wasn't his opinion, it was the position of the Divine, that we have no say in. Do you actually believe he spoke on behalf of God? And both of those teenagers said, actually we're not so sure.

So none of their questions, I could have given them a proper response. You know why? Because there's only one question you have to ask them. Do you really believe he's a messenger? If you answer that question, and if you're convinced of that answer, then all of these questions automatically disappear.

Allah's Laws and Human Understanding

Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, He reveals laws, and sometimes He gives us a rationale for those laws. Sometimes. For instance, with alcohol, one of the early revelations is:

Their harm is greater than their benefit.

For alcohol and gambling, there's more harm than there is benefit. Before they were absolutely forbidden, it was hinted that they're bad ideas. Though you might get some money out of it sometimes, or there may be some benefit that comes out of it, in the end, the harm far outweighs the benefit.

The Ultimate Reason

Now, Allah doesn't have to even tell us that. He could just say, don't drink, and don't gamble. That's it. End of story. He doesn't have to explain to you and me, well, don't drink because it has this, this, this side effect.

The correct position is, why is it forbidden? He said so. That's the correct position. Now, why did he say so? Maybe we'll learn something about why he did it. Maybe we'll learn some benefits of the law. But in the end, we're never really going to know truly why is it that this law is in place.

It's very possible that you really like something, and it's harmful for you. And it's very possible that you detest something, you find it disgusting, you find it unacceptable, but it's better for you. And it is Allah who knows, and you have no idea. You don't know. You're not the ones who know.

The Test of Absolute Obedience

The concluding ayah that I wanted to share with you, just to bring this point home. Allah puts a scenario in front of us which is really remarkable. This is the 66th ayah of Surah An-Nisa:

If we had ordained upon people, if divine law was revealed, that people should commit suicide, kill themselves, or that they should leave their homes. They should expel themselves from their homes. Become homeless despite owning or having a home.

Allah said, leave your home despite owning a home. Don't go back to your home again. Allah says, even if He said something that irrational, because both of those things are clearly irrational, right? They don't make any sense to us. But Allah is not saying if it makes sense or not. Allah is making one point. If He said it لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَّهُمْ - No doubt it would have been better for them.

For what reason? Because it makes sense? No. For the simple reason that it is He who said it. That's the heart of the matter that's being driven home.

The Real Question for Muslims Today

The subject is critical because Muslims nowadays, most of the questions that the average Muslim has, that hasn't had any real chance to convince him or herself of Islam. They were kind of born into the religion. Or they came into the religion kind of half-heartedly, etc. They didn't really thoroughly get a chance to ingrain themselves into conviction of this religion.

The kinds of questions they have aren't questions about Islam. Most of the time they end up being questions, questioning Islam itself. Questioning the validity of a particular hadith. The validity of a particular principle in the Qur'an. The validity, the rationale behind something.

So the real question to ask, and the real question to make common discourse among Muslims and non- Muslims is, is this in fact the word of God? Is this in fact the truth? Is he in fact a messenger? Is it true that in fact when he says something, and does something, and lives by something, it is not because he wants to, because that's how the Lord wants him to. And therefore that's how the Lord wants us to.

Question and Answer Session

Question About Intimate Relations

Question: I'm having a hard time giving up sex with my girlfriend as long as I give her dawah, is it okay? Will Allah punish me? So many people are doing far worse.

You know, I'm not a psychologist, but I'm a student of psychology. And I read into things a lot. And if you study the language of the question, it's really the last statement that this person made, that's the key. He said, so many people are doing far worse.

Actually by the tone of the question, I already know that he knows it's not okay. The fact that he asked this question, there's something in his conscience telling him, I'm doing something wrong. And to beat that conscience down, the best thing to do is get somebody else to tell you, man, it's alright, you're doing okay.

Allah swears by the guilty self, the person that feels guilty on the inside. So use that as a means to come closer to Allah.

The Two Groups in the Quran

For the Muslim, in the Qur'an, in the Qur'an, there are two kinds of groups that have already been outlined in Surah Fatiha:

On one side, the path of those who you favored, who you showered favors upon, and then the other two groups, those who earned wrath, and those who are lost.

Comparing Ourselves to Better People

As a Muslim, as a Muslim who's concerned with their salvation, with concern that they will stand in front of Allah. We always compare ourselves to people that are better than us. Not with people that are worse than us. This is the first key principle.

The guy that kills a hundred people will say at least I didn't kill a thousand. Because I know of someone who did. Right? So there's always going to be someone worse. So if that's your measuring stick, if you're saying so many people are doing far worse, then there's no end to how low you can go.

Role Models from the Past

And even bigger advice, and this is taken from the linguistic aspect of the Qur'an, when we ask Allah to guide us to the path, Allah says أَنْعَمْ, the path of those who you favored. It's in the past tense. The word favored is in the past tense. Meaning we don't look for role models, first role models in our time. We are to look for role models in the past.

Of course the ultimate role models, who are these people?

- The prophets, those who confirm the truth in the prophets, the martyrs, and the righteous.

Question About Non-Muslims Questioning Islam

Question: How do you answer a non-Muslim who's questioning Islam?

When you are asked a question, especially a critical question, like you Muslims have this crazy law about fighting and killing everyone, blah, blah, blah, something like that. I'm reminded of the story of Musa alayhi salam. Musa alayhi salam walks up to Firaun, in the middle of the court, and says, I'm the messenger of the lord of the worlds. Deliver Bani Israel with me.

Firaun looks at him and says, didn't I raise you as a boy? He changes the question, doesn't he? Then he says to him, didn't you do that thing that you did? What's he referring to? The murder that he committed.

Didn't you commit that murder? Firaun doesn't want to respond to the statement. He wants to change with other questions.

Redirecting the Conversation

When non-Muslims ask you about any one issue of Islam, try to find a way of tying that back into one central discussion, is the Quran the word of God? Is Muhammad the messenger of Allah? You want me to answer that question for you? Yeah, yeah, yeah. What makes you so sure he's a messenger?

All those other questions are actually avenues, they're windows, which you want to get them to the door. Whatever questions they ask, your best response for example on the fighting issue. Well, it's in the Quran. And first of all, there's a specific context where it applies. But we believe it's absolutely true. Because we believe that the Quran is the literal word of God.

Question About Business Taking Away from Allah

Question: My business seems to take me away from getting close to Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala. What should I do?

Allah installed an automated mechanism, a divine given mechanism, so no one, whether they live in a desert, or they live in a jungle like New York City, or if they live out in the middle of the woods, doesn't matter where, they will remain connected with Allah through what? Salah. The prayer.

The true believers have come to succeed. Those who have khushur, awe, humility, being overpowered, concentration, all these things in one word, in their prayer.

As soon as I say Allahu Akbar, I have entered another dimension. That world doesn't exist for you. Your kids don't exist for you, your wife doesn't exist for you, your work doesn't exist for you, nothing exists for you. It's just you and Allah.

Advice for Prayer Concentration

Before you start prayer, stand there for a couple of minutes, and let everything out of your system. Just flush your brain. With all the thoughts that are running, just get them out. And then just engage yourself in prayer.

Learn some vocabulary of what you're reciting. And listen to talks, lectures, study tafsir, of those few ayahs that you've memorized. So you have a deep connection with at least those ayahs.

These small phrases, it's not overwhelming vocabulary, even if you learn those a week, you'll be alright. But learn that vocabulary, and have a deep connection with that vocabulary.

Question from a New Muslim About Losing Job

Question: I'm a new Muslim, just took my shahadah about a month, month and a half ago. I just lost my job about a week ago. And that's been really tough for me. For me, it's kind of pushing me away.

The fundamental issue here is our definition of what is good and what is bad. Allahazza wa jal says, it may be that you really like something but it's harmful for you. And it may be that you really detest something but it's good for you, right?

But this reliance on Allah, acknowledging that Allah knows better, what's better for me, than even I know for myself. And that He cares more for me than anyone in the world would care for me. Allah loves His believing slave more than anyone else will love Him.

Tell them, if you love Allah, then follow the messenger, Allah will love you.

The Example of Prophet Yusuf

Take the story of Yusuf alayhi salam. We just look at it as a story, we don't see the power in it. I mean, imagine a kid, you know, an 8, 9, 10 year old kid, being thrown, kidnapped by his own brothers, and being thrown in a well in the middle of the woods, and being left alone.

Allah was overlooking and was dominant over his affair.

My Lord is subtle. My Lord is subtle.

Faith in the Unseen

Those who believe in the unseen. Because that's in the unseen, the workings of Allah, the plan of Allah, that we feel like Allah has abandoned us. That's the feeling that one gets when they're in distress. But it is at that very moment when we are in distress, that Allah really tests who are the people who believe, and who are the people who only believe when times were good.

Allah's Dominance Over Our Affairs

وَاللَّهُ غَالِبٌ عَلَى أَمْرِنَا

He's dominant over our affairs. Perhaps Allah took some worldly things away from you, so you learn to rely more on Allah. What is a slave to do but to rely on Allah? We're the continuation of the legacy of Ibrahim alayhi salam. The essential teaching he has is, he relies only on Allah.

He feeds me. He gives me to drink. He guides me.

Good Expectations from Allah

(Hadith Qudsi - Bukhari 7405)

Allah says in the Hadith, in the Hadith Qudsi, He says, I am as my slave assumes I am. If you expect Allah to keep you healthy, you will stay healthy by Allah's permission. If you expect Allah to provide you, He will provide you.

Question About Hip-Hop and MTV

Question: I listen to lots of hip-hop and watch MTV Cribs. I can't seem to focus on getting close to God. What's your advice?

Stop watching MTV Cribs. And don't listen to hip-hop. It's probably a good start. I think nowadays, music is probably one of the easiest means to lose your moral sense. Music is audio pornography today.

(449:11 Quran Even the name, the mention, the word of something bad, is terrible once you have faith.

(17:53 Quran) Tell my slaves to say that which is the best.

When you constantly listen to garbage like that, then you get deviated. And you don't find pleasure, except in disobedience to Allah. And that's the sign of a sick heart.

Question About Not Praying Five Times

Question: I'm a new Muslim, but I can't seem to pray five times a day. It's been a year now, but does God really even care if I pray five times as long as I'm doing good, right?

Allah does not burden anyone except unless they are able to carry that burden. Allah said He does not burden anyone with any responsibility unless they are capable of living up to that burden.

You're saying you're not able to live up to a responsibility that Allah gave you. And Allah is saying, yes, you can. So, I have a choice between believing you and believing Allah.

Two Types of Good

There are two kinds of good in this world. There's ethical good. I'm good to my neighbor. I'm honest at work. I'm nice to people. These are ethics, basic ethics.

Then there are religious goods. I go to Hajj. I give Zakat. I pray five times a day. I fast in the month of Ramadan.

What Allah does in the Quran is, fuses them together in the ayah, this one ayah, it's called ayatul birr, the ayah of goodness. What does it mean to be good? It's a combination of ethical principles and religious goodness at the same time.

Question About Wife and Hijab

Question: How can I get my wife to take hijab serious? It's been a few years now, and she still won't put it on. She thinks it's no big deal.

Don't tell her about hijab. Stop talking to her about hijab. Altogether. The people least effective with dawah are members of the family. Find a really good speaker about the hereafter, the day of judgment.

The biggest problem for your wife, first of all, is not hijab. Hijab is a symptom, not the disease. The disease is a weakness of iman. How do you strengthen iman? You strengthen iman with reminder. What's the most powerful reminder? Quran.

Closing

May Allah let us pass all of our tests, inshaAllah.