How revelation from Allah SWT is comparable to the life given to the earth by the water.

Allah SWT speaks of the blessing of revelation and His guidance in numerous places in the glorious Quran. Not only is the guidance of Allah SWT a requirement for us as Muslims, but it is also something which our hearts crave.

The imam reminded us of the 16th and 17th ayat of Sura Al-Hadid which is translated to say:

Has the time not come for those who have believed that their hearts should become humbly submissive at the remembrance of Allah and what has come down of the truth? And let them not be like those who were given the Scripture before, and a long period passed over them, so their hearts hardened; and many of them are defiantly disobedient.

Know that Allah gives life to the earth after its lifelessness. We have made clear to you the signs; perhaps you will understand.

Dear brothers and sisters, there are so many lessons to learn from the Glorious Quran. Often, they are clear and require little explanation. On other occasions, we have the benefit of the best of teachers, Prophet Muhammad SAWS, educating us on the ayats.

The imam reminded us of the following hadith in which the Prophet SAWS taught us the meaning of revelation to us. It is translated to say:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “The example of guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me is like abundant rain falling on the earth, some of which was fertile soil that absorbed rain water and brought forth vegetation and grass in abundance. (And) another portion of it was hard and held the rain water and Allah benefited the people with it and they utilized it for drinking, making their animals drink from it and for irrigation of the land for cultivation. (And) a portion of it was barren which could neither hold the water nor bring forth vegetation (then that land gave no benefits). The first is the example of the person who comprehends Allah’s religion and gets benefit (from the knowledge) which Allah has revealed through me (the Prophets and learns and then teaches others. The last example is that of a person who does not care for it and does not take Allah’s guidance revealed through me (He is like that barren land.)”

Dear brothers and sisters, if we ponder over these lessons, we can see that it is not enough to simply declare oneself a Muslim and give it no further thoughts. As Muslims, we cannot be heedless or thoughtless in our living. Every day we have an opportunity to ponder over the creation, blessings and wonders of Allah SWT.

In actual fact, the root cause can often be attributed to the heart not being connected to Allah SWT. This is a disease of the heart which we need to identify and fix if we are worried that our actions and thoughts are of those who are heedless and not taking the guidance of Allah SWT.

And so, this reminder concludes with 3 tips that can be implemented to increase ones chances of being rightly guided:

  1. Sincerity in actions. If we are to achieve guidance from Allah SWT then we need to have the right intention. And this is dependent upon the sincerity with which we carry out prayers and other acts of worship
  2. Increase remembrance and worship of Allah SWT. This is an obvious point but worth emphasising how important our supplication/dua is for receiving guidance. Our prayers are a two way communication and we should use the opportunity at least 5 times each day to ask for guidance.
  3. And lastly, humble yourself. Arrogance about our lives, our possessions, our talents etc. can be a barrier to receiving guidance. We need to be careful that we don’t think that we deserve more than others – even if we appear more steadfast in our worship than them. We need to always be mindful of the fact that everything is through the divine will of Allah SWT and so be grateful for all that we do have.

Dear brothers and sisters, we are living in times where misguidance and misinformation is the key weapon of those against the path of Islam. Therefore we need all the help and guidance we can get from Allah SWT to carry us through these times and back to Him in victory. We can do this by focusing on pondering over Allah SWT’s revelation in the Quran, and guidance from the Prophet SAWS.

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Love for Allah

Allah (SWT) says in sura Al Maidah ayat 54

 

O you who have believed, whoever of you should revert from his religion – Allah will bring forth [in place of them] a people He will love and who will love Him [who are] humble toward the believers, powerful against the disbelievers; they strive in the cause of Allah and do not fear the blame of a critic. That is the favor of Allah ; He bestows it upon whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.

 

It is probably impossible to find a human being who does not love. Most people love their families, spouses and friends. Others love status and money. You can tell a person’s love for something or someone by what they do and how they act.

And we love all of these things despite their temporary nature, despite the fact that they disappoint us sometimes. It is almost an intrinsic part of a human being. And we all love for similar reasons—we love people for the perceived good qualities that we see in a person or the way they treat us. We love things because of the way those things make us feel.

In sura Al Fusilat aya 17

 

And as for Thamud, We guided them, but they preferred blindness over guidance, so the thunderbolt of humiliating punishment seized them for what they used to earn.

 

The Glorious Quran clearly demonstrates the danger of pursuing the love of this Dunya, of this life.

 

So what does it mean when we say we should we love Allah SWT?

 

How can we not? If we put together all the reasons why we love other people or things, and then apply it to Allah (swt), we should see that truly it is Him that deserves our love. And because human beings are naturally inclined to love, it is only the love of Allah (swt) that can satisfy this need.

 

Try to count everything good in your life, and everything that seemed bad but turned out to be good. All that is from Allah (swt).

 

The fact that you are Muslim. The fact that, as the Prophet ﷺtold us, everything that happens in the life of a Muslim is good, and this is only for the believers.

 

If you are given blessings, then it is an opportunity to be thankful, and if you are tested, it is for you to be patient and to be rewarded for that patience. Nothing a believer does goes to waste inshallah.

 

 

So how does one make one’s heart love Allah SWT? One’s heart begins to feel the love for Allah SWT through:

 

Reading the Quran with reflection

Performance of more voluntary prayers

The remembrance of Allah SWT through Zikr

Choose what Allah SWT prefers over what you prefer

 

There is a Hadith which demonstrates how the best of Creation performed such a requirement and is an example for us all once more:

 

‘A’isha reported: One night I missed Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) from the bed, and when I sought him my hand touched the soles of his feet while he was in the state of prostration; they (feet) were raised and he was saying:” O Allah, I seek refuge in Your pleasure from Your anger, and in Your forgiveness from Your punishment, and I seek refuge in You from You. I can’t do justice to praise You. Only You can praise Yourself as you deserve”

 

We should all aim to strive to match this level of devotion and love for Allah SWT. True happiness and contentment from this life can only come when our hearts feel this love for Allah SWT.

 

One last reminder is a dua that was recited by the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him):

 

“Oh Allah I ask you for your love, and love of those who love you, and love of any action that will make me close to loving you”

 

We ask Allah swt to be from the people who love him and he loves us. We ask Allah to help us to remember him. We ask Allah to help us to thank him. and we ask Allah to help us to worship him.

 

We ask for his forgiveness, his mercy on ourselves and our family and ummah.

 

Ameen. Alhamdullilahi rabill alamin

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