RAMADAN! A SIGN OF THE MERCY OF ALLAH

With Allah’s Name. The Merciful Benefactor, The Merciful Redeemer. We seek His Guidance in all matters and Thank Him for Prophet Mohammed, His Excellent Role Model for Humanity. We offer prayer and Peace be upon him.

Delivered At:
Islamic Center of Southern California
August 14, 2009

The literal meaning of the word RAHIM is "womb". It is derived from the root RAHIMA which means to have mercy on. Two of Allah's names - AR-RAHMAAN AND AR-RAHEEM - are derived from the same root. Allah makes this connection explicitly in hadith qudsi when He mentions that the word rahim is derived from His name Ar-Rahman.

He is the one who wills mercy and good for all creation at all times, without any distinction between the good and the bad, the faithful and the rebel, the beloved and the hated. He pours upon all creation infinite bounties. The proof is in the Qur'an:

MY MERCY ENCOMPASSES EVERYTHING (Surah A'raf 156).
The ones who know have interpreted the meaning of Rahman as the divine will toward the total good, al-iradat al-khayr, and say that Rahman, like Allah, is the proper name of the Creator, and cannot be attributed to others. Allah says:

“Say: Call upon Allah or call upon The Compassionate (AR-RAHMAN): by whatever name you call upon Him, to Him belong the most beautiful names
(Surah Isra' 17:110)

The meaning of mercy begins with a fineness of feeling and concern felt when one knows that someone is in distress. The pressure of this pain moves to help the one in distress. But the feeling of pity is not sufficient. Real compassion is when one is able to alleviate the pain and distress which the pitied one is suffering. Allah is beyond all these conditions, yet He opted for compassion rather than punishment before He ever created creation. Allah created all creation with His mercy. Everything which has come to be since the beginning is blessed with mercy.
He has created all creation, including His supreme creation, the human being, without defect and pure. He has blessed His creation with infinite bounty. In His mercy, He has shown the dangers of loss and perdition. He has given humanity and only humanity the freedom of choice between good and bad.

WHEN we error, when we sin we do not seek JUSTICE or Judgment – WE SEEK MERCY!

Human beings who have been offended are often prone to say something like I forgive but I cannot forget. That's only half of the process. When we receive the forgiveness from Allah called Gafarah – this term speaks of forgiveness that treats us as though we never committed the act. The Mercy of Allah comes to us “in Spite of” what we have done. Now that’s real Mercy. So Allahs says of Himself that He is the Most Merciful of those who show Mercy.
Abu Hurayah (Hadith) reports that the Messenger of Allah (saaws) said, Allah Most High has one hundred portions of mercy. He has sent only one portion upon the universe and divided it among all His creation. The feeling of mercy and compassion that His creatures feel among themselves is out of that share. The other ninety-nine portions he has saved for the Day of Judgment when He will bestow them upon the faithful.

Hadrat Mujahid said;Rahman belongs to the people of this world; Rahim belongs to those of the Hereafter. The ones who know pray: ya Rahman ad-dunya wa Rahim al-akhirah O Rahman of the world and Rahim of the Hereafter. Rahman is mercy upon the nafs, the worldly being. Rahim is mercy upon the heart. Rahman gives sustenance in this world. Rahim gives eternal salvation in the Hereafter.

Ramadan begins with great expectations. Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) informed us that the Satans have been chained, the Gates of Allah’s Mercy have been opened and the Gates of Hell have been closed. Many of us vowed to take advantage of this truly blessed time to regain the sweetness that we have previously known in our worship. Similarly, we vowed to reform our relationship with Allah, and to repair severed or damaged ties with our fellow Muslims.
Ramadan comes and like the days of our lives it passes through stages. Those stages are poetically mirrored by the waxing and waning of its moon. It is related that our Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) said concerning Ramadan, "Its beginning is mercy, its middle is forgiveness, and its ending is liberation from the Hellfire." (Ibn Khuzaymah, al-Sahih, vol. 3, no. 191) If we take time to reflect, I’m sure that all of us will admit that we do not adequately appreciate the magnitude of Allah’s Mercy. He, the Exalted, says in His Noble Scripture, "I afflict whomsoever I please with My punishment. As for My Mercy, it encompasses everything." [7:156]
Perhaps the greatest mercy that Allah has bestowed upon humanity is sending unto us His Blessed Messenger, Muhammad (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam). Allah informs us concerning His Messenger, "We have only sent you as a Mercy to All Worlds." [S. 21:107]
Allah mentions in the Qur’an, "If you help Allah’s Religion, He will help you." [XLVII: 7] Similarly, "Is the reward for good ever anything other than good." [LV: 60] Likewise, "Don’t be like those who forgot about Allah, and He caused them to forget about the best interest of their own souls." [LIX: 19] His Messenger (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) said, "Allah will continue to help the servant as long as the servant is helping his brother." ( Muslim, al-Sahih, no. 2699; Ahmad, al-Musnad, vol. 2, no. 252, Abu Dawud, al-Sunan, no. 3643, and others.)
The Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) said, "The merciful ones will be shown mercy by the all-Merciful (Allah). Be merciful to those on Earth, Allah will be merciful to you." Hence, if our HOMES, MASJIDS, COMMUNITIES, AND OTHER SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS should reflect the compassion and mercy at the core of their functions.
THE HUSBAND AND WIFE SHOULD BE A SOURCE OF MERCY TO EACH OTHER.
Allah says in His Noble Book, "Among His Signs is that He has created for you from yourselves spouses, in order that you dwell together with them in Peace and tranquility. And HE HAS MADE BETWEEN YOU LOVE AND MERCY. Surely in this are signs for people who do reflect." [30: 21]

PARENTS SHOULD BE MERCIFUL TO THEIR CHILDREN. SIMILARLY, THE CHILDREN SHOULD BE MERCIFUL TO THEIR PARENTS.
Perhaps the greatest example of the merciful child is that of Isma’il (‘Alayhi al-Salaam). When informed by his father, Ibrahim (‘Alayhi al-Salaam), that he was to sacrifice him, he mercifully responded, "Oh, father! Do that which you have been commanded. You will find me, Insha Allah, amongst the patient." [37: 102]
WE SHOULD SIMILARLY BE A SOURCE OF MERCY TO OUR FELLOW BELIEVERS.
Our beloved Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) said, "The similitude of the believers in their mutual love, their mutual mercy, and their mutual affection, is like a single body. If any part of it complains of an injury, the entire body responds with sleeplessness and fever." (Muttafaqun ‘Alayhi) This narration emphasizes the fact that we are a merciful people. We are a Merciful people whose mercy shouldn’t be confined to our immediate circle of associates and acquaintances. Rather it should extend to the entire Ummah.

RAMADAN - A SIGN OF THE MERCY OF ALLAH!
After 11 months of struggle with our life, Our prayers, charity, patience our Faith. In His Awesome Mercy Allah gave us a Blessed month to reflect, reform and re-dedicate ourselves to be the best we can.

Ramadan is a sign of the mercy of Allah – wherein He doubles, triples and exceeds our greatest expectation in His Mercy and Forgiveness.

Ramadan is a great sign of the Mercy of Allah, where He shuts the avenues of entry of the adversary (Shaitan) and Opens the Doors of Heaven to us.

Ramadan is a sign of the Mercy of Allah – wherein all our sins can be wiped away, all of our short comings can be forgiven and the best of our human characteristics can be supported through Fasting, Prayer and charitable acts.

1. Ramadan is a wonderful sign of the Mercy of Allah –
2. Our personal life is enhanced with seeking Allah at Fajr,
3. Our moral life is enhanced with daily abstanance from not only food and drink but from that which leads one away from the remembrance of Allah.
4. Our community life is enhanced with every Iftar,
5. Our spiritual life is enhanced with taraweeh prayer, our family life is enhanced is we set the example of one submitting to Allah who has invited “O You who believe” in Surah 2:183

THE FAST OF RAMADAN MUST BE SYSTEMIC

• OUR INTENTIONS (Niyyat) must remain focused on the fast
• OUR EYES, should abstain from breaking the fast
• EARS, should abstain from breaking the fast
• HANDS, should abstain from breaking the fast
• HEART, should abstain from breaking the fast
• FEET AND should abstain from breaking the fast and our
• MIND must should abstain from breaking the fast.



Then the fast of Ramadan will be
A COMPLETE FAST
A SYSTEMIC FAST.
A fast of the WHOLE SELF. Whose reward
Is promised in Surah 2 ayah 183 – that we may obtain Taqawah!

Ramadan Mubarak!






AN OPEN LETTER TO MUSLIMS IN BUSINESS
REGARDING RAMADAN AND THE TWO EID OBSERVANCES

By: Imam Tariq Ansaar Aquil
As I travelled across the country over the past five (5) years I have suggested to Muslims in business that they begin to advertise special sales on the occasion of the two annual Eid observances, as well as Ramadan. This would not be done to commercialize the religious observances, rather to enhance the image of positive contributions Muslims in business are making in their communities. It was pointed out that no significant cost was associated with producing signs announcing pre-Ramadan sales, or Eid product discounts. No special license is required and no laws existed to prevent such actions. The objective is to expand the thought process and introduce a bigger vision of the role that Muslims could play in the business life of their respective communities. Without stating that the owner of a business is Christian or Jewish, we see Easter discount sales in stores all across America. We also see Christmas mark down sales. The storeowners are not asking customers to join their particular religious belief, but the buyer is aware that there is a financial benefit from that particular sale. They are also aware that people of that particular religious belief are in business in their community and are contributing towards the economic development of their life. This one simple step Muslims can make towards establishing a positive presence in our local communities. The idea is based upon the obligation Muslims have to be informative in regards to clear understanding of what is Islam. Also it would increase the business visibility and most likely increase sales and it would be a public demonstration of the healthy contributions that Muslim business makes in the community.
Imam’s I hope you find merit in this suggestion and share it with those Muslim Business men and women in your respective communities.




With Allah’s Name. The Merciful Benefactor, The Merciful Redeemer. We seek His Guidance in all matters and Thank Him for Prophet Mohammed, His Excellent Role Model for Humanity. We offer prayer and Peace be upon him.


KHUTBAH NOTES

COME ALIVE TO ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING COMMUNITY LIFE

 Hayya ala salah [SaLaHa] Worship, service to God

 Hayya ala fallah [Falaha – Farmer – cultivation - ]

Success obtained through cultivating our life.

S. 71:17 [human being life compared to the life of plant]

1. If our life is a plant then who is the farmer?

2. Prepare the soil of your soul

3. Make it soft and submissive to the Will of Allah

4. Plant the seeds of piety, patience, etc
5. PATIENCE
6. The farmer has to have patience in the face of doubters
7. Water the spot where nothing is seen –
8. [Remember Prophet Nuh – building a boat in the middle of the desert 500
miles from the nearest water]

9. His job was only to obey Allah and build the boat – it was Allah that would
supply the water.

10. Do not be impatient – digging up the seeds because they do not produce as
fast as we desire.

11. When the little apple sapling comes up we cannot eat the little plant – it
has to be nurtured –

12. PATIENCE until it produces branches, then leaves – then buds and produces
apples.

13. WEEDS - We must protect the plant from weeds.

14. Weeds chock the life of plants – How do you know when you’re approached by a
weed

15. WEEDS Plant doubts about your ability to become productive

16. Your to old, not educated enough, not financially able

17. When the angel comes to Maryum, the Mother of Isa (as) she said how I could
have a son when no man has touched me. [The Arabic word means touch, feel,
put in contact with something or affected by something]

18. He told her kazaliki ( you have what you need, its already done)

19. After the plant has become productive, share the fruits of your harvest –
give back to those less fortunate.
20. Build balanced community life - SAFFAT –alignment – order

21. Perpendicular alignment is necessary before we can establish the horizontal
aspect

22. Align first under Tauheed – recognition that Allah is the True Source Then align what we think, speak, feel, do and establish (Head, mouth, heart, hands and feet) with that focus. The head, heart, hands, feet all aligned with one perpendicular focus that is Saffat. Once that perpendicular alignment is established then we can turn to the right and left and establish the family, community, economic, academic and social life. Then we have Horizontal life.

23. THE PERPENDICULAR BREAK DOWN of the family leads to the
break down of the community

24. The disarray in family life today is not a mystery
25. When the child does not have respect for God, then there is no respect for
the parents, teachers, employer, neighbors, and finally no respect for SELF.
26. Then we can turn to our right and left and say As Salaamu Alaikum wa
rahmatullah
27. Alaikum (On you is the responsibility to establish Salaam) it all starts
with the farmer Willing to cultivate the life utilizing the tools of Islam
in service to Allah.

*******************


Surah Ma’idah - 5:3 “This day have I Perfected your religion for you, completed My Favor upon you and have Chosen for you Islam as your religion] Islam is Perfect (no need to waste precious time seeking to work out the bugs)

A favor Could never have been earned, is often a Gift – something freely given, often times something that was not even deserved. And it a Favor that is so comprehensive that in and of its self is that which addresses all the concerns of humanity forever. It is referred to as a Complete Favor. Human beings are endowed with Free-Will (choice) So Allah is showing us that we have the ability to make choices but Allah is showing us the best use of that ability by Saying that He has chosen for us Al-Islam as Deen.

Allah has not given us Islam to be a burden. In fact, Islam is the natural state of creation under normal conditions.

S. 2:286 “On no soul does Allah place a burden greater than it can bear”- HaMaLa
Lā [No!] Yukallifu [TASK/Assignment] Allāhu [by Allah] [on any] Nafsāan [Soul] Wa Lā Ta ĥmil [RE – SPONSI - BILITY] [ABILITY TO RESPOND]
`Alaynā 'Işrāan Kamā Ĥamaltahu `Alá Al-Ladhīna Min Qablinā Rabbanā Wa Lā Tuĥammilnā in
Allah would never place the human being in circumstances that He had not already given human beings the proper response for. Even if that response is to Whole heartedly cry out to Allah.
In Surah 3:104 "Let there arise out of you a band of people [Ummatum – Community]
(a) Inviting to ALL that is good,
(b) Enjoining what is right, and
(c) Forbidding what is wrong:
(d) They are the ones to attain felicity.

That is describing a socially conscious people. A community that is concerned with the state of their community, the condition of the people, the goods and services of their community. Muslims have to be willing to leave their comfort zone and venture out in the path of Allah to be a service to humanity.
Praise be to Allah that American has taken a giant step into recognition of the worth of all its citizens and selected a president from among a people that less than 60 years ago was not regarded as having anything of value to offer American leadership. Yet, with that great step and economic responses to the challenging economy, Allah did not say in Qur’an that the solution to humanities problems was a Stimulus package. The social and economic problems are symptoms:
The disease is refusing to Enjoin what is right, Forbid what is wrong, and Believe in Allah. The reward of those who sit at home (in their comfort zone) is not equal to those who go forth in the cause of Allah. We as Muslim cannot be satisfied that we have made it into the house of Islam and accept to just look out of our windows of our religious security at the pitiful condition of our neighbor, our communities, our schools, businesses. "Let there arise out of you “Oh Believers” those inviting to all that is good. Tayeeb
Inviting humanity to what is good for their souls, their family life, their academic life, their economic life, good for here and hereafter.
Surah 3:110
Ye are the best of peoples [Community], evolved for mankind,
(a) Enjoining what is right,
(b) Forbidding what is wrong, and
(c) Believing in Allah.

After receiving the perfect way of living(1) Allah Says: He created everything; both men and jinn for one purpose which to serve Allah.(2) Next, Allah, explains the process that has prepared each human being to fulfill the purpose of their individual and community purpose (The Evolution)

(1)Believing in Allah.
(2)Inviting to ALL that is good,
(3)Enjoining what is right, and
(4)Forbidding what is wrong:


MAN GETS IT! …. BUT HE DOES NOT GIVE IT!The word
“It” is an infinite Pronoun… Man gets what? Man gets the information embedded in the created world – but seldom gives credit to the Creator of all creation.
(1) Lord of all the worlds – Lord of all systems of knowledge
Man recognizes that he did not create steel … and if you ask man who made steel, he will answer God. Then man takes the created material of God and manufactures objects which man takes credit for as if man not God is the benefactor for man. So man gets it but seldom gives it. So out of 114 chapters of the Qur’an Allah reminds us at the beginning of 113 – Allah is the Merciful Benefactor the Merciful Redeemer for all creation.
It is not only man that has to be redeemed. The first recycling system that man observed was designed by Allah. The water that comes in contact with that which may pollute it is carried through a process of purification by Allah and is returned to its original purity – it is redeemed. The Earth, water, air are all recipients the Beneficence and Mercy of Allah.
Man understands the message in the life of the Bee and builds energy efficient homes with the hexagon shape perfected by the bees. Computer built on the known functions of the human brain’s operation, function and memory. Locomotion for the bicycle, train and piston action of the automobile extracted from the “Ball and Socket” action of the arms and legs of the human model.
MAN GETS IT! …. BUT HE DOES NOT GIVE IT!

The question is Are we among those evolved for service to humanity?
(1) In this and every community there are single Mothers struggling to raise children without the balanced imput of a male …. The question to the Muslim male in the Ummah ... Are you among those evolved for service to humanity?

(2) In this and every community there are at risk teenagers in serious need of guidance … The question to the Muslim male in the Ummah is …. Are you among those evolved for service to humanity?

(3) In this and every community there are young women seeking intelligent, employed (handsome) mates …

(4) There are Young men seeking intelligent, moral and (Beautiful) Sisters …The question to the Ummah is …. Are you among those evolved for service to humanity?

(5) There are homeless folks that are in need of a spiritual home as much as they need a physical home but who among us will share the information they need to make the change?

(6) There are hungry folks that are in need of spiritual food as much as they need physical food but whom among us are those evolved for service to humanity?

(7) Who is using their ability to support the proper education of our youth, the proper establishment of wholesome goods and services in the inner cities, safeguarding the legitimate interest of Muslims and the people of the book … are you among those evolved for service to humanity?


The Bee: Surah 16
Goes from one flower to another. It visits the red, blue, yellow and white flowers. It does not waste time digging in the dirt,It leaves the leaves behind; the Bee goes straight for the sweet stuff. It goes for the nectar. Then Allah tells us the bee does something, it takes the nature into its stomach (you say the Imams biology is confused because I am pointing to my head instead of my stomach)
Allah says the bee takes the nature into its stomach and carries it through a process that produces a substance that is a healing for humanity. SubhanAllah! Isn’t that wonderful. Imagine Bees produce honey that man and animals enjoy but Bee’s do not eat honey. They are working to help extend the life of the plants they visit and produce something for human being that they do not even eat.
But delve deeper into this Ayat. Look at its practical application to our life. We have experiences in our life that can be represented as a variety of flowers. Red flower we experienced dropping out of school. White flower we experienced being divorced, blue flower we may have experienced spousal abuse, been oppressed under a tyrannical government, lost a child or spouse. All of these different flowers or experiences but we not supposed to dig in the dirt, sling mud, We are guided to seek the lesson, the moral of the story, what has Allah stored in that experience for us as catalysis for producing an ideal, concept, company, program – Something that is going to be a healing for humanity. A Mother that was visited by the tragic loss of her (flower) child to a drunk driver did not give up and resign from life. She took the best of her experience and produced an organization called Mother Against Drunk Drivers (MADD), and today that organization acts as a healing for others who have similar experiences. A young gang member in South Central Los Angeles that experienced the loss of life of family, friends, did not stoop to dig in the dirt of hatred and retaliation, instead he formed a community organization called: Stop the violence increase the peace. He took from his flower experience that which now acts as a healing for humanity adversely affect by gang violence. Another honey healing born of the flower of adversity is Mothers without borders.

Let us resolve to demonstrate our appreciation for the Favor Allah Has done for us, let us engage the community in a structured manner as described in S. 3:104 and let us take up the role and responsibility we were prepare for evolved to and know that we have already been given all the tools we need to respond to each and every situation whether it is within our personal live, community life or the global community.



ISLAM! Building on A Solid Foundation



With The Name of Allah, The Merciful Benefactor, The Merciful
Redeemer. We seek His Guidance in all matters and Thank Him for Prophet Mohammed, His Excellent Role Model for Humanity. We offer prayers and ask Peace be upon him.




2:115
To Allah belong the East and the West: Whithersoever ye turn, there is the presence of Allah. For Allah is all-Pervading, all-Knowing.

2:144
We see the turning of thy face (for guidance to the heavens: now Shall We turn thee to a Qibla that shall please thee. Turn then Thy face in the direction of the sacred Mosque: Wherever ye are, turn your faces in that direction.”

2:149
From whencesoever Thou startest forth, turn Thy face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque; that is indeed the truth from the Lord. And Allah is not unmindful of what ye do.

What is the Standard you live by? When a legal argument is rejected by a Court of law sometimes it is because it is without merit. The court will say the argument does not STAND for any prevailing legal proposition. It does not have a foundation in applicable law. What is the foundation for our belief?

Adam, the Prophet, is spoken of in scripture as slipping even falling this implies that whatever happened to Adam he was no longer standing upright.

2:177
It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces Towards East or West; BUT IT IS RIGHTEOUSNESS-
1. To believe in Allah and the Last Day,
2. The Angels,
3. The Book,
4. The Messengers;
5. To spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves;
6. To be steadfast in prayer,
7. To practice regular charity;
8. To fulfill the contracts which ye have made; To be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the Allah-fearing.

Allah refers to the Kabba as Baiutal Awwal, (THE FIRST HOUSE)

Wonderful language, what a wonderful picture for our reflection.
A HOUSE

The image of a House represents: SAFETY, REFUGE, COMFORT, SECURITY, EXPRESSION and the REALIZATION of our hopes and aspirations (A man is king in his own home and the Woman is Queen in her home)
Allah Says to us in Qur’an that there are different types of houses
1. He mentions a house built on sand that tumbles down
2. He mentions the flimsy house called a Spiders web
What determines the stability of the house? It’s foundation!
What it is built upon. The Question today is “What is Holding up Your House.” Your house of faith. Your Islamic life house.
Let us examine the pillars that are supposed to hold our House.
Our personal Spiritual House is to be a replication or patterned after the First House. We need to know of our house is in need of repair. What about the roof, the walls of support. Or without realizing it we may have become spiritually or religiously Homeless!

The Command of Allah directing us to Turn towards the First House establishes a logic consistent with the nature and ability of the human being to align ourselves with. Our house is established or upheld by the "Five Pillars of Islam”