FROM THE MIMBAR OF THE TWO HOLY MOSQUES IN MAKKAH AND MADINA. (Friday, December 27, 2002) Faith does not hamper worldly progress: Imam Makkah IN MAKKAH The Imam and Khateeb of the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madina in their Friday Sermons urged Muslims to be thankful to Allah for His countless blessings and adhere to His commands, the Shari’ah. Sheikh Dr Saud Bin Ibrahim Al Shuraim, Imam and Khateeb of the Grand Mosque, said an ideal Muslim society is the one, which is ruled by the tenets of Shari’ah for it satisfies all its needs, maintains stability and prosperity in it, and makes it invulnerable to the enemies. “There is a common feeling among people that the world has made great progress toward material and industrial development. (Unfortunately) all this progress has been at the expense of religious duties and it has failed to produce pious and benevolent individuals (in the society), which has led to an unbalanced Muslims society and subsequently hampered is well-being,” he said. “True religious spirit implies the real belief in Allah reinforced by implementation of His laws and a system of governance with its foundation on the creed: ‘enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong,’ and observe jihad as a means of eliciting Allah’s pleasure. In this way, the gap between modem civilization and Islam can be bridged,” Sheikh Shuraim said, He added that the rights and duties ordained by Allah do not impede prosperity in life and material progress of Muslim societies, for man has both a heart and mind. “It is a wrong (notion) to believe that the awakening of heart can only be achieved by not using your mind and ignoring facts of life. It is also not prudent to believe that worldly progress can be attained by abandoning belief in Allah and separating it from everyday life,” Sheikh Shuraim said. Happiness and success can be achieved by blending both the material and spiritual aspects of life, and working for his life as well as the life to come Allah says in the Qur’an: ‘But seek, with the (wealth) which Allah has bestowed on you, the home of the Hereafter, nor forget thy portion in this world: But be good, as Allah has been good to you, and seek not (occasions for) mischief in the land: for Allah loves not those who do mischief.” (Qur’an –28:77) He asserted there is no doubt about the fact that the weaknesses among Muslims today are the result of neglect of their faith and failure to apply Allah’s law, “Adherence to Allah’s Book and Prophet Muhammad’s (Sallallaaho alaihi wa sallam) Sunnah (traditions) is the (only) way to rid of the weaknesses and overcome divisions among us,” he said. “Allah never takes back the blessings He has bestowed on people unless they themselves, change their position and turn away from Him. “Even then Allah is merciful to His slaves and keeps showering His blessing and mercy on those who are pious and thankful to Him,” he added. People have great desire to receive and enjoy the bounties of Allah but they are seldom thankful to him. And when their ingratitude and ignorance reach its limit, Allah’s wrath descends on them and their life becomes miserable. In this world and the Hereafter,” Sheikh Shuraim said. “Allah does not torment people unjustly and never desires to take revenge. Allah is (always) just and never changes, but it is people who change (their attitude) and do injustice to themselves, as Allah says: “Because Allah will never change the grace which He has bestowed on a people until they change what is in their (own) souls: and verily Allah is He who hears and knows (all things),” (Qur’an- 8:53) Sheikh Shuraim said that the urge for change should come from within the ranks of Muslims. “Those who do not fear Allah or do not believe in His Shari’ah cannot build the future of Muslim. “Muslims should (aspire to) build their own future on the (solid) foundation of the divine Shari’ah, which should not be tainted with narrow nationalism and regionalism. Once they (Muslims) show sincerity and turn to Him for His help, Allah will lift them up from their miseries, and grant them triumph,” he said. IN MADINA The Imam and Khateeb of the Prophet’s (Sallallaaho alaihi wa sallam) Mosque, Sheikh Abdul Mohsin Al Qasim, in his Friday Sermon reminded believers of the countless bounties of Allah, which He bestows on Muslims, His slaves, without limits. “Allah tests his slaves through blessing as well as misfortunes, as he says: “And We test you by evil and by good by way of trail. To Us must you return.” (Qur’an- 21:35) He said the trail by prosperity is greater than the trail by diversity. People afflicted by good and evil needs patience and thankfulness to Allah for whatever He bestows. “Patience and gratitude are two things that a faithful slave must show to His Lord. Allah Almighty has associated thankfulness with belief in Him. “Allah has created man and given him the senses of seeing and hearing, and intellect. He created the days and the nights, and he expects gratitude from his slaves for the blessing He has bestowed upon them,” he said. Sheikh Al Qasim said there are two types of people: one who praise and thank Allah and the other who reject Him. Those who reject Him can do no harm to Him. “Thanking Allah is a way of worshiping Him, and are not counted among His slaves. All of the renowned Muslim scholars unanimously agree that thanking Allah is the best form of worship. “Thanking Him is a means for obtaining His grace and blessing. Allah says in the Holy Qur’an: “And remember! Your Lord caused to be declared (publicly): If you are grateful, I will add more (favors) unto you; but if you show ingratitude, truly my punishment is terrible indeed,” (Qur’an 14:7).” He concluded. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Du’a (Supplications) Wa iz qa_la ibra_himu rabbi-j'al ha_zal balada a_minaw wa-jnubni wa baniyya an na'budal asna_m(a). Remember Abraham said: "O my Lord! make this city one of peace and security: and preserve me and my sons from worshipping idols. Rabbi innahunna adlalna kasiram minan na_s(i), faman tabi'ani fa innahu_ minni, wa man 'asa_ni fa innaka gafu_rur rahim(un). "O my Lord! they have indeed led astray many among mankind:he then who follows my (ways) is of me and he that disobeys me but thou art indeed Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful. Rabbana_ inni askantu min zurriyyati bi wa_din gairi zi zar'in 'inda baitikal muharram(i), rabbana_ liyuqimus sala_ta fa-j'al af'idatam minan na_si tahwi ilaihim wa-rzuqhum minas samara_ti la'allahum yasykuru_n(a). "O our Lord! I have made some of my offspring to dwell in a valley without cultivation by thy Sacred House; in order O our Lord that they may establish regular prayer: so fill the hearts of some among men with love towards them and feed them with Fruits: so that they may give thanks. Rabbana_ innaka ta'lamu ma_ nukhfi wa ma_ nu'lin(u), wa ma_ yakhfa_ 'alalla_hi min syai'in fil ardi wa la_ fis sama_'(i). "O our Lord! truly Thou dost know what we conceal and what we reveal:for nothing whatever is hidden from Allah whether on earth or in heaven. Al hamdu lilla_hil lazi wahaba li 'alal kibari isma_'ila wa isha_q(a), inna rabbi lasami'ud du'a_'(i). "Praise be to Allah who hath granted unto me in old age Ismail and Isaac: for truly my Lord is He the Hearer of Prayer! Rabbi-j'alni muqimas sala_ti wa min zurriyyati, rabbana_ wa taqabbal du'a_'(i). "O my Lord! make me one who establishes regular Prayer and also (raise such) among my offspring O our Lord! and accept Thou my Prayer. Rabbana-gfir li wa liwa_lidayya wa lil mu'minina yauma yaqu_mul hisa_b(u). "O our Lord! cover (us) with Thy Forgiveness me my parents and (all) Believers on the Day that the Reckoning will be established!" “O Allah! Take charge of Muslim affairs, assists their congregation; give them Your Divine support. Forgive them their sins, have mercy over them. Make the Muslims strong in faith and conviction. O Lord of the worlds, the Most Merciful.” MY Lord! I seek refuge with You from asking You that of which I have no knowledge. And unless You forgive me and have mercy on me, I would indeed be one of the losers. My Lord! Save me from the people who are wrong-doers. Our Lord! Make us not a trial for the disbelievers, and forgive us, Our Lord! Verily, You,only You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. My Lord! Forgive me,and my parents,and him who enters my home as a believer,and all the believing men and women of the world,shower the World with Your peace,tolerance and understanding. With the very best of good wishes, Musa Amadu Pembo Glasgow, Scotland UK. [log in to unmask] Da’wah is to convey the message with wisdom and with good words. We should give the noble and positive message of Islam. We should try to emphasize more commonalities and explain the difference without getting into theological arguments and without claiming the superiority of one position over the other. There is a great interest among the people to know about Islam and we should do our best to give the right message. May Allah,Subhana Wa Ta'Ala,guide us all to His Sirat Al-Mustaqim (Righteous Path).May He protect us from the evils of this life and the hereafter.May Allah,Subhana Wa Ta'Ala,grant us entrance to paradise . We ask Allaah the Most High, the All-Powerful, to teach us that which will benefit us, and to benefit us by that which we learn. May Allaah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala grant blessings and peace to our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions..Amen. _________________________________________________________________ Add photos to your e-mail with MSN 8. 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