What have you done for your religion?

Since 2012-11-13

Allāhi Dhālikum Khayrun Lakum 'In Kuntum Ta`lamūna My dear brother! Have we examined ourselves and wondered how much the amount of our concern towards Islam is? How much do we sacrifice, tire, and concern for the sake of this worldly life? And in turn, how much do we sacrifice and concern for religion?

All the praises and thanks be to Allah, Who created us from non-existence, made us adults after being children and made us strong after being weak. In addition, He made us able to hear after being deaf, made us rich after being poor and taught us after being ignorant. Moreover, He made us safe after being afraid, and He guided us rather than going astray. I praise Allah Almighty and I thank Him. As long as one is grateful, He will increase him [in favor]. I testify that there is no god but Allah Alone, and that He has no partner.

 

I testify that our Prophet Muhammad is the slave and Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, and upon his family and Companions.

 

Indeed, in this age, falsehood has a clout and a bout, an utterance and an action. It has plots, programs, and channels. Falsehood has spread and become elevated only when the people of truth lagged behind. In addition, they retreated from confrontation, and from showing the advantages of truth which they hold and to which they belong.

 

 

 

Indeed, the people of falsehood advocate their falsehood and they exert their utmost for spreading it by offering all that which is valuable and precious.

 

 

 

This matter is not limited to propaganda only, but they spread their followers among the masses. This is in order to make them firm on being loyal to this malicious principle, evil aim, and defeated purpose.

 

 

 

Have you remembered, my brother, that your religion which you embrace is targeted by severe hostility and long plotting? And if you wish, read this book entitled, (The Leaders of the West Say Destroy Islam and Exterminate its Community) and you will know something about this hostility.

 

My brother! Are you hurt by the massacres of Muslims and their cheap blood? Their blood is cheaper than the water of the sea, their cities are being exterminated, and their countries are being swallowed.

 

My dear brother! What have you done for the religion of Allah?
It is a question that we should not be weary to ask or to repeat. This is in order to revive in the hearts the issue of working for this religion. For the sake of this religion, Adam got exhausted, Noah felt the grief, and Abraham was thrown into fire. For the sake of religion, Ishmael was laid down to be slaughtered, Joseph was sold for a low price and he stayed in prison for a few years. Moreover, Zechariah was sawed and John -the prophet who was noble and who was keeping away from sexual relations with women- was slaughtered. Moreover, Job suffered distress, David cried, Jesus walked with the monster, and Muhammad, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, bore poverty and other kinds of harm.

 

Allah Almighty says, {You [true believers in Islâmic Monotheism, and real followers of Prophet Muhammad, prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) and his Sunnah] are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind; you enjoin Al-Ma‘rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm has ordained) and forbid Al-Munkar (polytheism, disbelief and all that Islâm has forbidden), and you believe in Allâh.} [Surat Al-'Imrân: 110]

 

{كُنْتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَتَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ} [آل عمران:110]

 

Transliteration: Kuntum Khayra 'Ummatin 'Ukhrijat Lilnnāsi Ta'murūna Bil-Ma`rūfi Wa Tanhawna `Ani Al-Munkari Wa Tu'uminūna Billāhi

 

He, the Almighty, also says, {March forth, whether you are light (being healthy, young and wealthy) or heavy (being ill, old and poor), and strive hard with your wealth and your lives in the Cause of Allâh. This is better for you, if you but knew.} [Surat At-Tawbah: 41]

 

{انْفِرُوا خِفَافًا وَثِقَالا وَجَاهِدُوا بِأَمْوَالِكُمْ وَأَنْفُسِكُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ذَلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ} [التوبة:41]

 

 

Transliteration: Anfirū Khifāfāan Wa Thiqālāan Wa Jāhidū Bi'amwālikum Wa 'Anfusikum Fī Sabīli Allāhi Dhālikum Khayrun Lakum 'In Kuntum Ta`lamūna

 

 

 

My dear brother!
Have we examined ourselves and wondered how much the amount of our concern towards Islam is?

 

How much do we sacrifice, tire, and concern for the sake of this worldly life? And in turn, how much do we sacrifice and concern for religion?

 

I remember the story of some Christian woman who attended one of the conferences that were held for introducing Islam. After she heard a brief introduction about the characteristics and advantages of this religion, she said, "If what you mentioned about your religion is true, you would be unjust." It was said to her, "Why?" She said, "Because you did not work for this religion to spread it among people and to call for it."

 

Moreover, one of the preachers said that he was in a visit to some African countries in a hard journey to one of the villages and the car was moving into a thick forest. The road was rough that it was impossible for the car to run more than 20 kilometers per hour. They were extremely exhausted to the extent that it seemed that some of us were fed up with the length of the journey. They began to grumble because of the hot weather, the large number of flies, and the dust which filled the car. Suddenly, he said, we saw a European woman in the middle of the road and she was riding a donkey. She was hanging a big cross on her chest and holding a telescope with her hands. When she was asked about the reason her existence in that forest, the answer was that she had been calling for Christianity in a church in the village for two years. My friend said, "We said, 'O Allah! We seek refuge with You from the endurance of the dissolute and the lack of confidence (in You from the believers)."

 

My brother! Have you exerted any effort to serve your religion even if it was little?

 

Have you presented a tape after you heard it to a relative or a friend? Or have you given a book as a gift after reading it?
These evil deeds of our communities did not spread overnight. However, they spread because someone acted while another kept his mouth shut. Thus, the two persons are partners in this sin. No one will be rescued except the one who forbids what is wrong and enjoins, in good attitude, what is right.

 

Have you felt the necessity of your participation in forbidding the evil?

 

My Muslim brother! In our gatherings and communities, there are ones who cause confusion for people concerning their concepts and religion. In addition, they belittle of the people of righteousness among them. Have you stood courageously repelling by [means of] what is best?

 

What have you offered for the religion of Allah?
My brother! Who will support this steadfast religion after the Lord of the worlds except you and your peers? Who would hold such responsibility if you did not bear it?

 

Zeal towards the religion of Allah is a proof of loving Allah and a proof of true faith in the heart of the slave. Whoever does not have zeal towards the sanctuaries of Allah is someone who has weak faith. This was told by the truthful Messenger, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him. Imam Muslim reported that the Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has said, "He who amongst you sees something abominable should modify it with the help of his hand; and if he has not strength enough to do it, then he should do it with his tongue, and if he has not strength enough to do it, (even) then he should (abhor it) from his heart, and that is the least of faith." [Reported by Muslim: 49]

 

«من رأى منكم منكرًا فليغيره بيده، فإن لم يستطع فبلسانه، فإن لم يستطع فبقلبه، وذلك أضعف الإيمان» [مسلم:49]

 

Dear brother! Have you ever seen the great sea with its huge waves? It is roaring out of zeal against violating the sanctuaries of Allah.

 

What have you offered for the religion of Allah?

 

My dear brother! Do you know that it took only one year for the Missionary organizations (calling for Christianity) to gather around 193 billion American dollars? The number of the Missionary organizations reached up to 23300 effective ones. In addition, the Missionary organizations which send Missionaries to other countries are 4500. Do you know that the number of the Bible copies which were being distributed during only one year is 178,317,000 copies? Moreover, Missionary television and radio channels are around 3200 ones specialized in that field.
The weapons of mass media are launched to obliterate the light of the natural disposition of Allah, upon which He has created all people. The mass media are full of series, films, programs and songs which kill virtue and obliterate honor. This caused vice to be taken as a custom and falsehood as a habit.

 

What have you offered for the religion of Allah?

 

Look at the hoopoe! Such non-Arabic-speaking bird was working at a kingdom led by a Prophet (Solomon). This bird did not take a leave except for working for the religion of Allah. The Hoopoe moved to work for the sake of religion when he saw people who are worshipping the sun instead of Allah. What has it done? The Hoopoe did not stand passively, instead; it moved on and investigated the matter. In addition, it brought the news to Solomon, peace be upon him, and exerted his utmost to chane the evil.

 

The hoopoe did all this without having prior entrustment or carrying out orders. It brought for the faithful leadership the news that led to the conversion of an entire nation to Islam.

 

What have you done for the religion of Allah?

 

Working for religion is not restricted to certain time, age or place. Instead, it is the job of a lifetime.

 

My Muslim brother! Working for the sake of Allah, defending religion and having zeal towards it is not a characteristic of only the scholars. Instead, it should be a characteristic of every Muslim. This is because every Muslim is a worker for religion as long as he belongs to Islam. Whatever the mistakes he does and whatever his negligence is, he should avoid adding another mistake to his other mistakes. This mistake may be his heedlessness towards working for religion.

 

His work for religion may extinguish the heat of sins and the increase of misdeeds.

 

What have you offered for the religion of Allah?

 

One of the first priorities of the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, is formulating the preaching personality which holds the responsibility of religion and exerts efforts for it. The first one that the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has called for Islam was Abu Bakr As-Siddîq. As-Siddîq started from the first day to spread this religion to the extent that he caused five among the ten who were promised of Paradise to embrace Islam.

 

In addition, the Kuwaiti preacher 'Abdurrahman As-Simît called unto Allah in the jungles of Africa. Consequently, about three million people have converted to Islam through his call.

 

Another woman calls unto Islam through chatting via the internet and thousands convert to Islam because of her call. This is although she is a handicapped as she cannot move any part of her body except her head.

 

Another example is an Egyptian young man who causes more than five hundred Christians to convert to Islam.

 

The Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has said, "If anyone calls others to follow right guidance, his reward will be equivalent to those who follow him (in righteousness) without their reward being diminished in any respect." [Reported by Muslim: 2674]

 

«من دعا إلى هدى، كان له من الأجر مثل أجور من تبعه، لا ينقص ذلك من أجورهم شيئًا» [مسلم: 2674]

 

One man being guided by your call and advice is better than all riches. The Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has said, "By Allah, if a single person is guided by Allah through you, it will be better for you than a whole lot of red camels." [Reported by Al-Bukhâri and Muslim]

 

«فوالله لأن يهدى بك رجلًا واحدًا خيرٌ لك من حمر النّعم» [متفق عليه]

 

This is the case of scholars and preachers at every age as they are the lamps through which the nation is guided. In addition, they are the examples of good preaching which are followed by people. Moreover, they are the bright stars and shining sun of nation. Hard-working scholars and truthful preachers are the means for keeping the religion of the nation, guarding the pillars of religion and raising the flag of Sunnah. In addition, they are the honor and dignity of nations as they are the inheritors of Prophets among their nations and their trustees upon their religions.

 

So, be like them; a preacher, an adviser, a caller to good and a forbidder of evil according to what you have of knowledge, effort, ability, and energy. Do this according to your position and rank and offer anything even if a simple work for calling unto Allah. Such call may be while you are at your home, your school, or at your job. Call unto Allah by your pen if you are a writer, by your brain of you are an intellectual and by your money and honesty if you are a merchant. In addition, you can call unto Allah by your precision and your quickness of fulfilling your tasks if you are an employee.
 
The Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has said, "Convey [the message] from me, even if only one verse." [Reported by Al-Bukhâri]
 
«بلغوا عنِّي ولو آية» [البخاري]
 
The word "convey" is an entrustment, the word "from me" is an honor and "even if only one verse" is alleviation.

 

Man should exert his utmost to seek the good
But it is not up to him to fulfill it.

 

What have you offered for the religion of Allah?

 

My beloved brother! I hope that these words would set on the fire of zeal towards Islam in our hearts. I hope that the feeling of our duty towards concerning about the Muslims would motivate us. Moreover, I hope that the clouds of leaning towards this worldly life, sleep and laziness would fade away. In this way, we will work for religion and support the victory of Islam.

 

How can you serve the religion of Allah?

1- One of the greatest deeds which serve this religion is to set up a Muslim home with Muslim individuals, Muslim infrastructure and Muslim equipment. Such home should spread virtues and fight vices.

 

2- Participating with your righteous brothers in their activity of calling unto Allah, Glorified and Exalted, with wisdom and beautiful preaching. You can be in contact with them and work with them as the person is little by himself but great by his brothers.

 

3- Participate in calling unto Allah through an act of Sunnah that you spread or a virtue that you call for. In addition, you can do this through a speech delivered or a [religious] pamphlet. What is important is to be positive in your community.

 

4- Allocate some of your time in order to learn your religion, to have a clear understanding of your religion through effective scholars and truthful preachers. This is because it is impossible to support something of which you are ignorant.

 

5- Get rid of your sins by sincere repentance and be aware that the sons of Israel were deprived of rains because of the sin of a man among seventy thousand ones.

 

6- Follow the Sunnah of your Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, and know that Muslims were defeated in the battle of Uhud because of disobeying the order of our Messenger, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him.

 

7- Be sincere and truthful in all your sayings, actions, movements and even your motionless moments.


 

8- Have good behavior and know that actions speak louder than words.

 

9- Invite unto the way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching. In addition, know that calling unto Allah will continue with or without you. Therefore, ask Allah to honor you by calling unto his religion.

 

10- Choose the companion who supports you in the good and guides you towards it. Choose the companion who supports you when you remember Allah and reminds you when you forget. Moreover, choose the companion who reminds you with your faults in order to correct them not to disgrace you with them.

 

11- Deal with people gently, be tender with them and be good-hearted with your brothers and with people. In addition, you should know that being tender in speaking with people and smiling at their faces are the keys to their hearts.

 

12- Spend some of your money for calling unto Allah as the inviter to the good is like its doer.

 

13- Ask Allah in your supplication to honor Islam and to support the fighters [for the cause of Allah]. Ask him to support truthful preachers and to defeat anyone who fights the call [unto Allah] and everyone who obstructed the way of the Messages of Prophets.
 

 

Dear brother!
Let us join hands in order to serve that religion as man is little by himself but he is great with his brothers. Come on to cooperate and increase the number of Muslims through serving religion sincerely. May Allah gather me and you in the settlement of His mercy and the abode of His dignity.

 

Prayers and peace of Allah be upon our Prophet, Muhammad, and upon all his family and companions, and upon all his followers till the Day of Judgment. The last of our invocation is all the praises and thanks be to Allâh, the Lord of the ‘Âlamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists).


 

Prepared by
Amir Mohamad Al-Mudri
Imam and preacher of Al-Iman mosque - Imran

 

Slightly modified

 

 

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