A talk followed by a Q&A on how to maintain Iman (faith) in the modern/western context. The talk includes an explanation of the reality of iman and ways to nurture it in the face of overwhelming challenges.
Ali Albarghouthi – Iman (faith) In The West
AI: Summary ©
The speakers stress the importance of belief and action in Islam, as it can lead to actions that can be taken with certainty and commitment. They stress the need to protect one's actions and commitments with certainty and commitment, as well as to learn about one's religion to increase chances of achieving success. The speakers also emphasize the importance of practice healthy eating, staying motivated, and being aware of one's natural connection to the natural world. They stress the challenges faced by Islam, including the need to learn more about their religion and find themselves in a certain area.
AI: Summary ©
Bismillah Alhamdulillah wa salatu salam ala rasulillah wasabi wassalam
begin by praising Allah subhanaw taala the All Merciful and thanking Him and sending Salaam Salaam upon the messenger salallahu alayhi wa early he was sending them a bad
today's topic, which focuses on a man
and particularly man in the modern context
is a very important topic because it really touches on so many sub topics. So many other interesting and important and even fundamental issues. That, of course, today's talk is not going to cover it or cover even most of it, but inshallah hopefully can provide some keys and some food for thought for us and maybe inshallah, through the discussion or question and answer, we can inshallah, expand on some things or elaborate a little bit more.
A man in the 15th century, a 15th century, the Muslim calendar, that's what we were talking about. And it's important to trace it with the Hijri calendar, first of all, because it's our calendar. Second of all, it makes sense. I'm sorry, if those are behind me, I cannot see you. Right. Okay. So because it traces sort of a progress or a distance that we've moved from the time of the Prophet sallallahu, Alayhi, wasallam, and the first time where that revelation came to him till today, and what are the differences? And what are the similarities?
And there are definitely similarities, and there are definitely differences.
So when we're talking about a man, a man is not different. From the time that the Quran was revealed, till it was completed, till the era of the Caleb's and so on, the man is not different. We want to understand what a man is, but a man is not different. But some of the circumstances are different. And I'm saying some not all some of the circumstances are different. And that is how or what we are trying to understand is, you have this Amen, which is similar, but some of the context, right, some of the, what they call the the harlot, the borders are a little bit different. So how do you place this a man in a new border in a new container? Let's say so, without, you know, extending
this beyond necessary, the first thing that I want to ask and I would ask myself before even we tried to answer, how to increase our email, how to treat protect our man, why does it decrease? is how do we define a man first, before we can talk about something we have to understand what that thing is? Right? Agree me, the we have to understand what that thing is. So if I were to ask you, right, I'm not asking you now. Okay. But if I were to ask you, how would you define email?
Maybe someone will say amen. I will offer sort of a translation word for word translation for it a man is belief, right?
Another person might choose a different route and say, well, amen. And this will give sort of an experiential answer. I imagine is what I felt for instance, yesterday or last week when I was praying. I felt you know, this heat inside something moving, man is what I felt last Ramadan.
A man was what I felt when I went to an ombre or hedge, man is what I felt. at this particular time when I did this particular thing, I felt something that's email. Okay.
Another person might say, you know, a man is, well, I know that there's a famous Hadith, where jabril came to the messenger sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, you know, the Harry's right. And one of the things that he had asked him is my email, what is email and the Prophet defined it, and to me Nabila, human equity, that you have a man in Allah and His prophets and angels and books, messengers, and the day and the last day and destiny.
From that, we know two things immediately, and that is, you know, the best way to approach how to define in a man we know two things. One is that a man is a set of beliefs. Right, if I that was called them things that you believe in identify with, by belief to be the truth, but because also a man includes the subsumes right includes Islam, which comes before because before the prep after the definition of Islam, the prophet gave the definition of a man. So the scholars have said, Islam is contained with any man
problem with me right? Because he asked them first what is Islam? He defined it you know, the definition of Islam right guys all know the definition of Islam, Salah CMZ, aka Hajj, and the Shahada.
So after that he asked about email. So this email also includes Islam. So now we understand something a little bit more. More than that beliefs about the heart is that a man are or is a set of actions and beliefs.
If you take other headings from the messengers of God to send them, there's a famous Howdy, for instance, an email with almost a bonus show about a man is 70 something branches, the highest of it is saying that a lot. The lowest of it is clearing harm from the road from the path of people. So it's action. It's not just a belief, right? Because he said this branches. The last branch is this Act, which might seem you know, very, very simple, but it's part of EMA. And another Heidi that says a lot minuman Amina who Nasrallah Dima him, while he, the moment is the one that people feel secure,
you know, with with regard to their blood, their life and their wealth.
Right. So they're not afraid of my, if he's around, if he's is their neighbor, they're not afraid they feel secure. And this guy is a person that we can trust, right? It's not going to kill, you're not going to steal is not going to cheat is not going to say anything bad about so feel secure. That is a man too.
So this establishes something good is very fundamental. I'm trying to understand the man and also trying to establish even strengthen a man is that he man is made up of, let's say two main things, beliefs, right in the heart, and action, belief, and action, both of them are called email.
Believe that is in the heart.
Action, that is also the action of the heart and then explain that an action of the heart. And also this movement of the tongue. And the action of the limbs, the hands, eyes, whatever the rest of your body, all of this should be email. Now, why do I say belief, but it also said action of the heart.
Now, is there a difference between saying I believe in Allah, for instance, or I believe that there is a, an island, Fiji Islands, I believe in that there's an island that are called Fiji Islands? I don't know exactly where they are. But that means somewhere, some people were talking about them is Fiji, is there a difference between believing in this and believing in that? Right?
There should be a difference, right? There should be a difference between reading and believing in something that is sort of, let's say random, not very relevant to you. It's not going to make you upset. You know, if you hear people arguing right? Beside, you know, I don't believe that Fiji Islands do exist doesn't really bother you. Unless you're attached to it. Unless you are from that area. You're from those islands and you say, you know, how come you deny, you know, my place of birth, right? That is going to make you upset? Or if you are a querulous person, you'd like to argue, so what, oh, I'm gonna get in on this argument, right? And then you take a position when you
take a position because we like to defend yourself and you'd like to win an argument, that argument is gonna matter to you otherwise really doesn't matter to you. Something that is very distant, doesn't matter. But when we say belief in Allah, Allah is not distant. It demands actions demands a reaction from you. There are those who believe in Allah.
But to them, it's like a random fact.
It doesn't translate it doesn't change their life. It doesn't affect them in any way. In fact, actually, they could be the opposite. It could do the opposite. They can reject it and become enemies of Allah.
Right? So I'm gonna ask you, maybe I will see if you know, did Pharaoh, Pharaoh, you know, Moses musella Cinema sent to Pharaoh. Did Pharaoh actually disbelieve in the existence of Allah?
No, I'm giving you an something that is even clearer than that. It believes, you know, the Grand shavon Satan, right? Did he disbelieve in the existence of Allah? no obvious right? He was speaking to Allah Allah was speaking to him. Yet he was not deemed a believer. How How? How do we explain that? If we just translate him and is just basically belief, because at least believed, but there is no consequence to that belief. There's no action following it. Did he love Allah subhanho wa Taala? Did he fear Allah? Did he have humility when it came to Allah? And did he when Allah commanded him that's an action when Allah commanded him prostrate, that he prostrate did not
okay. So, to have a man is to have all of that and to increase your Eman is to increase all of that. And for your demand to decrease is for all of that or some of it to decrease and it affects the other.
Either the belief starts decreasing. You know, what seemed to be certain at one point is not certain anymore or
A person's actions, right? The start, you know, diminishing, you know, a person used to pray, and then they pray less than less than less. They speak the truth, but they I mean, they just lived with more than a little bit more a little bit more, all of that all of those actions will, if they are disobedience of Allah, they will decrease the man right. So it's like think of a scale like that you have this belief in your heart, but also have the action of the heart, the action of the tongue and the action of the limbs. And all of them if one increases, the other should also increase with it. If the other one decreases, the other one will also decrease with it.
So we have to understand that there is a relationship between the two.
To protect our belief, okay, we need certainty.
And how do you gain that certainty?
To protect your actions, you need commitment? How do you develop that commitment? And how do you protect it? Now,
let's trace in our history back to the term of the messenger sallallahu alayhi wasallam, when the Quran was revealed, and it was revealed to a people who did not receive a book before the Arabs, and will also reveal to remnants or portions of the People of the Book who had a message from Allah subhanho wa Taala, but it was altered.
Allah subhana wa Taala in that haoran was telling everybody that it isn't compulsory on them that they have to be leaving unless panels must have email. You know how many eyes in the Koran prescribes enjoins email and on the last in our last panel data, and in this prophets will allow it. So this that this must happen, that this is fundamental, this is essential. And you'll find that peran, doing something that is amazing before and what it does is that it introduces the belief in the simplest, but the most profound ways, the closest way to the hearts of a human because who knows the heart of a human more than Allah subhanho wa Taala, who created that heart, he knows how your
heart operates, how it beats, what it likes, what it dislikes, how the shaitaan can tempt you, how can enter your heart, change it. So Allah knows all of this. So there's a blessing, there's a specific blessing in the book of Allah subhanho wa Taala. And how it introduces this man and how and supports it rationally. You find rational arguments in the Quran, right? That if they were to be more than one God in this universe, then the universe would be corrupted. That's a rational argument that is, each God would actually desire something different. When we can talk about that you can ask me why and how and all of that, but ah, God would desire something different. And they would have to
clash. And you would not find order in this universe. It's like a rational argument that if you understand, you will know that there has to be only one God because there is order in this universe, that the wisdom of this universe translate into the wisdom of the creator of this universe and that there must be a creator. So these
and also the Quran replies also eloquently to the where we could call the shoe hat. The shoe hat of the non Muslims, who had heard the message of the Quran said you know, but what, but this, but that, what is the Shiva, Shiva is something that resembles the truth but is not truth.
You hear it? Right? You see, I'm not sure about it, it might be true, but I'm still not sure that it is true. It's doubt. Let's say it's doubt. So the doubt of the non Muslims they presented about Muslims in them right about Allah but the worship of Allah and you find the Quran replying and refuting these doubts. Right? You find Allah subhana wa tada asking humanity asking every human to think for themselves right? About everything that is around them and to deduce from it to learn from it. That Allah subhanho wa Taala is one that he's the only one who's who should be worshipped. Right? Look at the universe around you look at this guy, look at the earth look in yourself within
yourself. Look at the signs that Allah has handled that have planted all around you.
This is the de facto right.
And there's this in sort of Dahlia and Milan in the face of this somehow it will actually was the last lady on the hot
tub. Indeed, in in the creation in the heavens of the earth. And the alternation of day and night are Signs for people who have minds who think.
Now, there is a condition for that to happen alladhina kurunegala tm odo Allah ginobili monitor Coronavirus system our the will of it is for those who remember Allah subhanaw taala while we're standing, I don't know the other side and sitting down and the contemplate and ponder the creation of the heavens and the earth saying or Allah our Lord
did not create all of this aimlessly and for nothing, there is a purpose, right? So save us from the punishment of fire. So you understand here that this both of these things support each other. remember Allah subhanho wa Taala often right being close to Allah opens to Windows into this universe
is the keys are in the hands of Allah Subhana data and remembering Allah is the key. So opens this keys should be able to ponder, think about amazing thing that are around you. Without that Eman and proximity to Allah you can't see it. It's like there's a blindfold on your eye. You think that you can see but you really cannot see. Right? You can see like, sometimes you're driving, maybe. And you're so focused on driving, and somebody you know, in the passenger seat said, Did you see this? You said no, I didn't see that. Because you're so focused on one thing, your eyes are really not open to the other possibilities. So is the case if for someone is so focused on this dunya are blind
they can't see anything else and place or unless Allah Subhana Allah allows him to unlock that by his remembrance by being close to him. So remembering Allah Subhana Allah, which is an action increases email, contemplating and thinking about the universe increases the amount and that is what the Quran is asking us to do. So the best thing, the best thing to increase, even before increasing to establish email, to explain what email is to increase it and to protect it from harm, is the book of Allah.
period is the book of Allah that is, if you want it. The second best thing and it really comes with it is the example of Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wasallam. Because Allah subhanho wa Taala gave this message to a prophet. And he said him as a role model, look at Candela config rasulillah he was certain Hassan that you had in him a good example the best of example, lemon cannot do lava Yeoman, Afro dakara like for the one who desires Allah and the Last Day, and
remembers Allah subhanaw taala. And Allah knew that we needed examples, right? Physical, actual examples to show us that it's not something that is theoretical, not somebody who's coming here and telling you what to do and leaving you it's showing you how to do it. And not only showing you how to do with showing you that there are struggles, going through these struggles, as you are going to go through these struggles yourself and overcoming them being hurt. But you're going to be hurt, everybody's going to be hurt, being hurt, and then healing, and then saying how did he heal, because important to see how a person heals, how a person does not despair, how a person can stay close to
Allah subhanaw taala despite all the obstacles in even when it seems hopeless, like there's almost no hope. And yet they continue believing in Allah, and they win. That's what's amazing. So you have to see that you have to see it in history, by not just a story that you hear it from, you know, Mussolini's saddam and his new hands, no, you have to see it, they had to live it, and we live it and see it through them through their experience.
So they had a role model. The third thing
that is important when we discuss a man we should
think about when we're talking about a man is that a man or our connection to Allah subhanho wa Taala is not a luxury.
It's not something that is, you know, that is secondary.
And here's my focus maybe on the context a little bit. Now, in the world today, and it's almost almost not completely a global culture, but you know, it's spreading, you're living or we're living in a society or in a culture that thinks of itself as post religious, post religion.
That is religion at one point in time was important. Right, this is more so a very pronounced in western countries. Religion at one time was was important. Tradition, at one point at one time was important. But we as humans, were able to free ourselves from the restraints of religion because they kept us backward. Right? And they were really talking initially about Christianity. But then they generalize afterwards. They kept us backward. And now when we liberated ourselves from religion, we've been able to achieve so much. There's prosperity, there are discoveries, right there is
evolution, not only I'm talking about biological evolution, but in the political evolution, social work better, we're getting better and we're getting better and better. So there is a minimal space for religion. If there's any space at all, there's a very minimal space. That is you can live your life without even paying
attention to what Allah wants to do what God wants from you live your life, for instance, go to school graduate, find a job, get married, buy your house get promoted. It's a cycle, right? That everybody goes through right? Buy, keep buying this something, you buy that thing, you and so as a consumer, you keep buying, right? And you keep buying and being attracted or attracted to that, to that wheel of consumption. So there is no place for religion. And
there might be there the hint, or the suggestion that why do we need it for? Or if it's needed, let's suppose it's needed.
I don't need it.
I need it later. So I'm young.
I can think about it later. And that happened and used to happen a lot for people who would say, No, why don't you know, pray? Why don't you know, come to Jamaica? Why don't you do this and you say, later, I have time for that later when I grow up, or go grow older.
I don't know I mean, 60s or 70s, I'll go to Hajj I'll be good and get you to Sir, you're good preparing yourself for death. So I'm just going to return to Allah then. But until that happens, I'm just overwhelmed by this dunya and I want to be overwhelmed. And it's very attractive. And I want to be part of that. But I want to say is that faith is not a luxury or a man is not a luxury in why so because if you we know that everything that is pleasant in our life has been given to us by Allah subhanaw taala not by another human being but by Allah subhanho wa Taala primarily, right, should should push us to recognize the power of Allah subhanho wa Taala no close he is to us and the debt
that we owe to Allah to everything that you have your health that you're enjoying right now. All it comes to you from Allah subhana wa tada that you're feeling safe only comes to you from Allah subhanaw taala that you fully feeling warm tonight comes to you from Allah, that you are actually not afraid for your life tonight comes to you from a lush hotel, and you keep thinking about these things, and all of them come to you from Allah subhanho wa Taala. So you're completely dependent on Allah? When do you find that abundance? When you lose when we lose some of these things that were talked about? And you say, oops, I'm not healthy anymore, who's gonna save me? You then go back to
all but he's the he's the only one who can help them. Right? You know that the shirt, pants, the phone, the car, the house, these things can't help the fence, these things can tell the only one who can help us a lot. So you go back to him, then then is when you discover your dependents. So even when that doesn't happen, I want to say really, we are autoline every birth to our dependent Allah subhanaw taala. So having faith in Him, going back to him relying on him is not a luxury is not something that is secondary. And there is something that is terrifying about saying, I'll wait.
Or it's not relevant.
One of them you know very well, which is what's going to happen? What could happen to you, if you say I'll wait. You can ask
what could happen to you. So you know, I'll wait till I am older.
You don't get older, you can just die.
The other thing is,
if Allah had given you now, an opportunity to be close to him, right now, it opened the doors for you. What guarantees do you have that this opportunity is going to present itself again, that your heart is going to be open again, that Allah will allow you to be close again. Another thing that was not merciful always wants you to come back. But will he be able to be or will he be ready? will your heart be ready? And he will take an example. For instance, you know, to take an example of a sin something simple or major. So let's say for instance, you come to someone who is
was just wants to start smoking.
And they took the just the first few puffs and he says you know, okay, maybe I'll adopt this habit. You come to tell him and say, you know,
it's Haram, you know, you shouldn't be doing that and it's gonna kill you. He said, You know what, I'll worry about that. I'll quit, you know, no, after you know, I passed this exam and after you know that, like life is stressful. And after I get my first house, settled down a little bit and, and after 2030 years pass, okay. Maybe you come to him and say, quit, and he'll say, I can't quit. That's part of my life. will say, you know what, I just went to the doctor, and it's just too late. You know, there's no sense in quitting because it's, I'm already it's my internal internals are already damaged, because of it as somebody who wants you to start drinking. Right? And he says, You
know, I can quit whenever I want come 10 years, 15 years after and you will find that his life is ruined maybe or his internals also are damaged because you
Never know how staying away from Allah subhanho wa Taala can alter your heart. You really never know. You don't know the path that your life will take when you're away from Allah subhanho wa Taala. So there's it's not a luxury, right? It's not it's like someone who telling him he then will say I'll eat in 10 years. drink alcohol drink in 20 years drink water, right the same. Drinking is no algorithm you cannot breathe nor I don't feel like breathing. Now maybe in an hour, you can do that. Eman is more important to you than breathing. Because what happens if you don't breathe, you die? What happens if you don't eat and you die? But you die in two lifes you die in this life and
you die the next one? So it's like an eternal death. Right. So
how do you increase this Eman? And something also about context because I want to finish in shall allow you to ask questions. Something else also about the modern context, in addition to the fact that
it doesn't appreciate religion anymore doesn't leave space for it anymore. What is also different about the past and the present is that there is excessive competition for your time.
Right? More so than at the term of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, there's a place then the beauty then is that you can close the door of your home and avoid temptation.
Okay, it doesn't come knocking on your door and say, Hello, I'm here. You can at least close the door.
Now, no. Now what do you do? As soon as you wake up?
What do you check?
Check your phone, you know, go to social media check with so and so had said, Go to Yahoo, Google, YouTube, whatever. So the whole world is right there. You know, between your hands? And they're all competing for your time? Why are they competing for your time?
Because your time is money.
Right? You make the money. Right? So in order, for instance, if you don't Check Twitter for some time, or you know, if you don't really update your Facebook, they send you messages and they tell you know, where are you? What do they care so much. I mean, you do wish for instance, if you're not eating healthy, you know, Twitter, do you know, email you and tell you, you're not eating healthy and to take better care of yourself? You know, you've not been studying lately, you know what you should study, pick a better mate, whatever it is, you know, like real concern? Why are they emailing you and asking you to do all of these things. Because you make the money. The more you log in, the
more time you spend, you make the money. So they want your life. It's sinister to put it that way, but they're actually sucking away your life. And because that means money for them. So there's that intense competition, and it brings all of these influences and temptations into your life. So after an hour, two hours, you know, of doing all of this, you wonder, where's my email? You know, I felt better. You know, before doing all of this now, where is my email? So, one thing that we want to do is, first of all, the Prophet sallallahu Sallam says Allah cambogia Martha into my Yakuza woman, Elena mucociliary says, stay with the group stay, you know, have company around of Muslims of pious
people, because the wolf is the solitary sheep.
Okay, you can sort of watch wildlife shows, and see how the wolf
or you know, other other predators, who do they attack, not the herd that can defend itself, but solitary animal, the weak animal. So if you stay alone, by yourself away from Muslims, and we are not only Muslims, there is Muslims, and there are pious Muslims, right? So away from pious Muslims away from the masjid, the shaytan, who is like a wolf notices that you're a solitary sheep, and runs after you. And you're very, very weak and vulnerable then. So you have to make yourself stronger,
better friends, and if there are not around, you mean, inshallah, there's always somebody around but if not around, big pick, the best of the worst, if it comes to that, right, the best of the worst, right? The ones who is not going to remind you of Allah subhanaw taala not gonna directly remind you of the opposite. There's some benefit and their friendship or their proximity but your goal always is who is going to remind me of Allah subhana wa tada when I'm close to them. That's what you want. And saturate
your environment with
what could call it with Islam. saturate because it's already saturated with the opposite. So you want to inject into it. Think of your parking Think of your time Think of your head, right? saturate like put things sometimes even physical things, right. Sounds sometimes the sound of the event sometimes makes a difference. So put the sound of the event if this is something that will help put it
Right saturated include individuals throughout your day who will remind you of Allah, places that will remind you of Allah stories, things that you're going to read, that will remind you of Allah reading the Quran reading examples of, you know, the prophets of Allah and the messenger Elisa.
That will remind you of a lie saturated to combat the saturation that others are bringing into your life. So you can actually have a fighting chance so you can actually have an email. And if it is important to you, you insha Allah will put the effort
that will conclude with that, and the Prophet sallallahu Sallam says hedis alumni and federal kohistan Billa, he will have to adjust.
So, so take care, take care on focus on what benefits you
valuable, this is really valid, very simple. It's very simple. It helps other million folks that take care and focus on what benefits you if it's not going to benefit you leave it so take care and focus on it was dine Villa and seek Allah's assistance in doing that. And incense, don't be lazy.
Don't be lazy.
And Allah subhanho wa Taala was sort of in a sense, in a figure of speech will take your hand and delivery you do your destination, but you need to do these things. It's not your Allah guide me. And I'm not doing anything. That doesn't work. Allah doesn't do that. And it's not I'm going to do anything, everything myself. And I'm not asking Allah to guide me, that also does not
he Allah guide me. Okay, and then follow the path of guidance. Okay. And don't hesitate, don't hesitate, keep going on loss of power down, I'll have the liberty to that destination. So in a sense, what is the same, the same is that a man
at the time of the Prophet sallallahu wasallam is the same as a man today, the ways to increase a man then are the same ways of increasing demand today, we can talk about that, a little bit of that if you want, the context is a bit different. Right? It presents some challenges. And the shoe will hide the doubts that the people bring about Islam are a little bit different, they're updated, essentially the same, but they're updated. Okay, so we need to pay attention to that and learn more about our religion if we encounter them. But basically, if you have that Eman and you have asked Allah Subhana Allah for support, even in the most,
in the newest of circumstances and contexts, Allah subhanaw taala will give you away
100 love without him. So
a little bit more than 20 minutes. So inshallah
so
yeah.
Early on,
correlated, one drops, the other.
One is increased. So, I wanted that, especially, again, with the context monitor society, you know, we've learned, you know, you click a button, you have something presented to you, you call a phone, and it's delivered, you know,
urgency right there in front of you.
If someone would want to increase their team, and they wanted to, you know, start performing More Actions, should they?
The principle of marginal gains apply here when, you know, you do auctions today? Tomorrow, even they're small, but they're consistent. And you know, it may not happen today or tomorrow, but maybe a week or a month, all of a sudden, you you experienced a change.
Definitely, definitely bear in mind, expect change right away. Definitely. It doesn't happen that way. Because you're building something that is very valuable and very solid. I
think of
I don't know if you guys cook or not, I don't cook a lot. But if you guys
think about cooking as a metaphor,
that typically, right, the best of meals, the healthiest of meals take time to prepare, right? The ones that are might be worse to you, right are easy to get and quick as we call them fast. It's fast, right? But it's not good for you.
There could be delicious, right? You crave them. And they're made that way, like sin, right? That's how you feel sinful and regret eating them.
But they're not good for you. And they've come quickly and I'm at a low cost.
If you want to eat healthy, right?
You have to spend time with it. Okay, and you have to buy the best of ingredients. Now
imagine
Analyze something that is
very fluid, right? You can
sometime do something, somebody can say something,
a reminder or some maybe sometimes a sentence voice of other than a voice of a foreigner. And you will feel that sometimes during man will shoot up, really go up very quickly.
And sometimes
your heart is not that it's the Quran, it's not that it's the event, it's just that your heart is at a place, it's at a distance, right? It's distracted, the like, dust all over the heart. And it needs to be cleansed, needs to be cleaned up. So, as you said, you do something, you go to the solder you maybe pray five times this day, you say, I still am not feeling you know, what I would hope to be feeling. Well, don't despair, obviously. Don't despair.
Keep on that path and keep doing and keep knocking on the door. Because the one who keeps knocking on the door, and he's the door is the door of Allah subhanaw taala His mercy, eventually the door will open. It's just keep knocking. What happened is that the knock sometimes it's very faint. Right? We pray but very fast, very quickly, we don't give ourselves an opportunity to appreciate what we're seeing in the Salah to learn from what you're saying, as London we expect, you know, magnificent results from it. And that's not going to happen that we said read the Quran, you read the Quran, it's like five pages in two seconds and under two seconds impossible. Two minutes, right?
That we don't understand what he's saying. He says I'm not I just don't feel anything after reading it.
Maybe because it was too fast. He didn't understand anything, maybe because it wasn't enough for you at this particular point. For another person, one page, half a page is enough. Not saying it's enough for a day, it's enough for him to feel or for her to feel something. But for you that in that week, that month in that here, he 10 pages. So you keep doing it, keep doing it and keep doing it and you will find out a lot something amazing is that there will be a transformation. Try it to the Quran. Don't stop at a page or two or five, read with understanding read 10. And you will find that there is something you're different from the time that you started. pray to Allah subhanho wa Taala.
And do it and give yourself time to enjoy it. To understand what you're saying, to understand the connection between you and Allah when you're doing it, you will find that you're transformed. But as you said, it's incremental. Right, it takes you know, steps and you will build up this a man build up this demand, build up this demand, until inshallah it will reach higher levels. But you're not going to be at those higher levels without trying without taking the first few steps. So yeah, not instantaneous thing. Not instantaneous, we shouldn't expect instantaneous results, although you could see sometimes instantaneous results, and instantaneous
blessings. But Don't be impatient.
I'm not sure how to do the question. But like you said, believe me, man, it's it's hard to take time and dedication.
But breaking it
too to break whatever you build. It's so easy and especially old, the media, everything is available, going on the bus stop pretending they're just the challenge, right? How do we stay motivated? How do we
study sometimes I have a feeling like between my mind and myself, who, you know, was aware of my thoughts and what's going on in my head that shape times like they're somewhere and he blocks that motivation. He breeds that or it's I don't know how to explain it, really, but
motivation somehow fails. And then, you know, somehow,
you know, sometimes you feel really motivated. You want to do it, sometimes you just, it's okay, I'll do it tomorrow. And then
like I said, I don't know how to introduce questions. I hope
I hope that I got the idea and to correct me and tell or add something to the question if I did not. Of course, I mean the shaytan is, is very crafty, right? The shavon knows you the shaitaan has studied you knows what buttons to push, how to approach you, what do you like and what you dislike.
somewhat more to more so but sort of similar in the sense to a friend, a very close friend who knows you very well. So a friend who knows you very well knows for instance, sometimes you know, you tell them what you need.
Mohammed so you say Mohammed is going to go to that market and buy something and that friend is that you know, I know him is not going to buy that thing, right? How does he know? Because he knows Mohammed
man he's been around hammered enough that he knows what Mohammed is gonna buy likes it, he doesn't like she thought is like that right? He knows your weaknesses and your strengths and he tries to use both against you.
But in Hamdulillah, Allah also gave us a weapon and that weapon is to you know, seek protection of Allah subhanho wa Taala against his plots and against his interference. And we can do that we can do that, first of all by saying, oh, the ministry found a regime because he runs away by remembering Allah subhana wa tada and the more that you remember Allah, and by remembering Allah, I mean by it holistically, remembering a lot with your tongue, right? And that's the easiest, but also thinking about Allah. Right? In your heart, trying to love Allah really likes How can I love Allah soprano with that? How can I fear a lot what is missing? Because your your, your best doctor? Is you?
Because you know yourself? Is? Am I missing? Loving a lot? That could be it? Am I missing fearing a lot that could be hoping from Allah that could be it could be any one of them. So what am I missing? How can I increase it?
So you visit your heart and you remember a lot with it, you do it with your tongue?
You do it with your body? What is it that I can do today? That will please Allah subhana wa Tada. Now, why am I saying all of this? And I know your question is about motivation. What am I saying all of this is because to say, even the shaytaan has plans, if you're weak, right? The shaytans power starts diminishing, it doesn't reach zero. But it starts diminishing, right? He becomes weaker and weaker. So they said it and it's the thing that if you were to see the shutdown of the Kaffir, you'll see him happy, sad, you know, comfortable, right? Because, you know, that guy is not bothering him. Right now mostly is not bothering him, is he? She lost a ton of the
moment. And that's there's a hadith in it.
In in a woman and she thought how can I learn how to combat
meaning that you will see the shaytaan of the believer, the more men and I like more than men and even better than believer for the reasons I explained right? Because it's a man is more general, and a lot deeper than just belief. So for the men, his shaytaan, you will find him weak, like a weak camel that you took him on a long journey, very exhausted with him. Very tired with him, right? Because he tells them to do something and he does the opposite, right? So don't go He goes, he pushups a lot so that you're done is exhausted with this guy. Right? So it's how it can happen. Right? And it's possible and others have done it. Motivation here. There are ways in Sharla to
increase our motivation.
First of all, is to make to our to Allah subhanho wa Taala earnestly, and to seek the best of times to make dua to Allah about that. And to tell Allah Allah, I have some times this problem, talk to Allah, like I have this problem, the problem is the distance between this and that, that I find in myself, I find myself weak in this area strong in that but do we can this area, y'all helped me understand the Allah helped me solve with Allah helped me overcome it. And to keep making that dua and pick the best of times. And ask Allah for what you want. That's the first. Second, we talked about company. Motivation is going to come from noticing other people it's like, if you're a
student, or if you're at work, and you're feeling lazy, but you hear a story, or you notice someone, right, was very motivated, has accomplished something, and you feel Oh, I better you know, pick it up myself. This is not good, right? So you that introduces motivation, into yourself. So that's why company is important. That's why coming to the message is really essential. Because when you come to the masjid, they don't have to talk to you necessarily, but you just see their faces, you see their fingers around you. And that gives you stability, that gives you some sort of motivation. And that gives you strength against the sheet. But
what also is very, very good is to read stories of the pious, you know, the stories of the prophets of Allah. And we might think that we know them, that's not enough, actually go spend some time with it. And imagine yourself in that situation. Imagine how much strength did he have to have like Mussolini, saddam or no hallasan or Mohammed salesianum? What strength did they have to have to be able to do these things that motivates you? Because the challenges that we have are nothing compared. I mean, there's something but really don't compare to the challenges that they had. So that is going to inspire the stories of the Sahaba will inspire you, the stories of their followers
will inspire you. So finding these types of stories will inspire you, sometimes even or we can call them non religious, you know, success stories.
That also but, but you need to change it so that it's for religion, as somebody who could as a justice
Saw that recently, somebody who had
sort of a incurable disease, right. But despite that, right, it's ms multiple sclerosis. But despite that, right, she decided that she's going to run. And she just continued to run and to continue to run. And she says, you know, became a champion, I think either in locally or no, no in her state. But there's a sort of tremendous motivation, right over the tremendous determination on her part, despite this illness that cannot be cured. She said, before, you know, it overtakes my body, I want to do something before I cannot do it anymore. Right. Now, that choice may not be the best choice, according to our Islam, but we take we can take motivation from that Subhan Allah, this is an
interim person. And she was able to do something like this. I can do I have my health, I can do something. And it could be something that great, I don't mean great that others should recognize it, that it's great. Great. And Allah site, that could be the thing that could save me today from Hellfire today, you know, so why not? I use my health. And when you find it, when there's like, that impulses comes to you like, right, do it. Okay, I'm not telling you to be foolish, right? Should we say yes, I'm gonna do this and go destroy something because of the Power BI? No, I'm not saying that. sell something. Why something good to you? No, of course, I'm just kidding, right? But I'm
saying that. If you find it, do it, don't wait. Because it's an opportunity, right? Again, it's like a knock on the door, if you don't open the door, I mean, the person knocking can go somewhere else. So that is that is the angel of Allah subhanho wa, taala touching you. Right? inspiring you take advantage of it, don't delay it, because the shaitaan is going to come and try, you know, to take his place. So maybe that inshallah can help, right? And say, to celebrate, of course, that would be called an Arabic test, we've delayed by post moltmann. Yeah, it's a disease that all of us have, all of us have, I'm not going to study now. I'm going to study later, I'm not going to pay it now. We're
going to pay it later. I'm like, we always have. But inshallah, by asking Allah subhanaw taala, that's first and then slowly changing your habits
will happen. Now. My question is, like, I already feel motivated and sharp. So do it. Yeah, go ahead.
Make a statement about, you know, as he said, about you know, technology and how to use the quick fix everything being
available, push a button, order coffee, you don't have to make it you just stand in line for half a minute and get it right.
And that's what you know, sometimes draws us away from,
from Allah from remember, we all the time, we deal with people who are non Muslims in school, at work, and whatnot. And those moments, when you get deep into a conversation about something that is more junior related, or all of it related,
it's hard to remember or relate to, sometimes, definitely, and then you need to compensate for that conversation by having a different type of conversation, right. And sometimes it's with other Muslims, but maybe there's nobody around. So you say I will talk to Allah, then you make a do, or I want to talk to me. So you will read the Quran. And that type of conversation in sha Allah just cleans, you know, erases that other type of conversation.
And about social media, something that came to mind, you know, with when I was listening to you,
it might be good at one point to practice
withdrawal from social media and withdrawal from electronics, right and staying away from them, Train yourself.
And there are some for even non Muslims who are doing that, because they recognize
the effect that has on their lives, on their conversation on their attention, right? That it's actually difficult to sustain a conversation, a deep conversation to sit and read a book.
So they intentionally turn everything off, and they spent an hour without it, or maybe two hours without it. And that is a nice way, inshallah of introducing control into your life that they don't control me. I'm the one who controls them, and I'm the one who can shut them off when I need to, or turn them off when they should serve me.
And there is, you know, some research about them being very addictive. And there is a reason why they are addictive. Right. And why do you keep clicking? Why do you keep going back because it's exciting. It's very exciting.
Because there's always something new. It's like, playing. It's like gambling. It's like gambling playing the lotto. Well, why do you keep playing the lotto, you're gonna probably lose your chances are very slim. But why do you do that? It's exciting, right. And I don't stand there, for instance, looking at people who are buying lotto and judging them, you know, you feel you feel sad, there's mercy, there has to be mercy over there. Because Subhanallah, I could be in a situation one day, I hope, you know, none of us are in a situation when they were I need that, you know, some buying it not just only because I might get rich, it's excitement, it's something interesting happens in our
life. Now, all of us, you know, through these, you know, technologies through technology, and inventions, and all have become addicts, in a sense, right? We are expecting this new thing. So it's good to notice that this is what I'm seeking, this is what it's doing to me. And maybe I should find that excitement or that happiness somewhere else for the next hour or two, or six or day. Right? wean yourself away from that influence.
Also, something that's been on my mind for a long time?
Totally not related to the topic, but meditation in Islam? Is there a way to meditate?
Because I believe it would,
we would feel that demand increase.
Very
fast, but you know, it would we could feel the difference. All of these meditations that are, you know, available today, there are more Buddhist, or yoga or some different
I don't even know how to, what to call them. It's a different it's something that is more believing that you yourself,
are the only power of everything, what happens to you, things that are that come to you, and then things that you know. So is there a way to meditate, where you gather yourself together and then somehow to there is similar to to all these other meditations, but there is this one that is, you know, it has been practiced by the prop stylist?
Well, I guess two things come to mind that
would answer your questions. And one is the doula that we talked about. The second one is that difficult, is contemplations on the ponderings that I've talked about. So with a circle really, is what the fuck God has no place has like no format, you don't have to be sitting, you don't have to be standing. But you have to be observant, you have to be thinking, and you can be sitting alone in your home. And you could be thinking, in fact, maybe a lot of times it could happen like that, you'd be thinking about almost anything, the universe around you yourself, your hand, but you've noticed a story that you've heard from your friend that has, you know, deep lessons in it, and you think about
it, right? And you think about how Allah had made it so and connected to Alice power and Allah's mercy and connected maybe to a verse that you read in the Quran, or Hadith that you heard from the messenger, and you connected back to another story and then connected to sort of this grand universe that we have.
Thinking about it, all of that, that is basically what you're asking me to do, which is, you know, what you're asking about, which is difficult. That's what it is. Right? And the Quran is constantly asking people to do that, you know, whether to believe in Mohammed Salim said them or to, and you'll find naturally that it does increase your email, right? Because it is you searching for an answer. And you're finding this answer all around you, but you never find it. Oh, it's so broad that you get lost. I mean, folk, if you can, you know, try focus. But I mean, what you want to do is that you want to relate it to Allah subhana wa Tada. And you want to lead it to his property and cinnamon?
What did they do? And how did they do it? And what did they command and exactly, and generally and in detail, and the other thing that really, really, really helps is communication. And that is
and that their heart is open. I don't mean necessarily always to stick to the prescribed that is reported to us from the Prophet sallallahu sallam, he said, 1234 This is the best. Sometimes it's beautiful to have a conversation with ilustrado dad and ask him, it Allah, this is what has happened to me and this and this and this. You're not telling him something that he does not know. Right? But you're asking him through telling him your story.
You're asking him, and then what it does is that it
informs you tells you again of how weak you are and how dependent you are on a loss of power data. And you feel better when that happens, because you've given that burden to someone else. Right? Right. So you will feel a lot better when that happens. And that is one way where you can feel one of the ways where your Eman can shoot up almost immediately when you make this because you're connected to Allah subhanaw taala
But there's no promises depending on what you're saying and your situation and then how alive Our hearts are at that time. But if we do both of these things like that, with the difficulty, I think inshallah, by the will of Allah, you'll have, what about, you know, just a downline, sitting down or lying down and just trying not to think about anything just releasing all your thoughts but let it come and go. Okay, just to calm yourself. I know, I don't know if that's where he wanted or if that's disliked? I'm not sure I know that, you know, using any substances that that might put you in a different state of mind or or relax you or or, you know, make you forget for over an hour or other
record and things that are prohibited. But what about that, that's just like self hypnosis, like something like that you just lie down and
just relax, just
release all the thoughts rushing through your mind everything?
I would say, Yeah, I would say for instance, instead of
just removing all of these thoughts from yourself, because you remove something, something must fill it something must come and take its place by saying that, that is part of the answer, what you're saying is part of the answer. A more complete answer, in my view, is to do some of the things that
some Islamic worship, and to do some Islamic worship. And I would say for instance, Vicar over last panel with that. So,
you know, for instance, meditation is about controlling your breath breathing. Yeah. Okay, about slowing down. Yeah, about controlling what happens to your mind, right, controlling your head. So if you actually start seeing sapan, Allah Subhana Allah, that's that slowing down? sapan Allah Subhana Allah and then you know, and then counter Subhana Allah, that has an effect, right, of slowing you down? Not on as positive as possible underneath, right? That's not going to be okay. So take your time with it's a panelist or panelist, it will slow you down. And so
it empties, but it fills. Yeah. Okay. So the other meditations that you're talking about, are good, maybe in the sense that they do empty, but they don't fill up with anything. And the problem with that, is that when it's empty like that, who's going to come you don't fill it with something positive? Who's going to come with fill it to something else? Yeah, exactly. That's, that's what's missing from what they're doing.
So try it, and shall I think, you'll feel better.
Feel free. I mean, don't even you guys
can ask, it could be anything. Almost anything related to what we talked about.
Or if you want to add something, in fact, I welcome that, like something that you would have liked to hear about what we didn't get a chance to talk about, cover it, or didn't cover it. well enough, maybe say, Oh, you know, there's another thing I wanted to add. There's another way to increase it. I've heard this. How do we fight this
Islamic age and being really I was at the football just on Friday, and
it was mentioned about the Muslims in the future. After the hour, the first thought was somehow there's going to be like a bowl of food on the table and all the disbelievers or countries of the nations that are in disbelief they're going to be gathered around them like hungry people.
I see the you know, the time as Islam just started in Mecca, how the, you know, the disbelievers how they wanted to destroy Islam. Game the prophet SAW
all these choices, to be the leader, leader, given women and all that stuff. But he refused. Now, how do we, we within the society, we don't have a choice really to refuse everything to go isolation. And so we need to be a part of that. How do we how do we fight that in a positive way where it doesn't impact the image of his mouth? How I know it's somewhat our fault, where sometimes we forget for we don't portray the right image, or it's also their fault with they don't educate themselves, but they look at the bad examples and then take take that as
As the real picture, so how to fight hatred of Islam
converted into, into
what it really is.
It's more of like awareness. Other people do like
there's not a phobia,
hatred, necessarily, but it could be something different. We're in media and everything. The
guy's a Muslim, he has a Muslim name doesn't pray, he doesn't really know much about Islam, but they just because of his name. They say, you know, Islamic terrorists or something. It's really
it's hard to compete with media in my world. Of course, of course. I mean, of course, I mean, today's media, I mean, it's,
it's very powerful, it's very pervasive, it means that it's everywhere, and to every home, and it is the main way that people get their information and their minds gets shaped about things around them. So you or I cannot compete with such
a huge machine.
But we don't need to, or feel the need to compete with it, because Allah did not put it within our power to compete with all of that. So
being able or having the ability to do something positive, or even if it is small, right, might be enough on might be the key at this point, to overcoming or turning that tide, that huge tide of
what she talked about. We fight the words word fight, I use it, it's no, it's figurative. You're talking about, like over exaggeration. Oh, no, it's Yeah, I understand that we do as a US Yes. To try to,
you know, make that image better? Well, I mean, the best, the first thing that you can do, obviously, is to be better yourself, is to be better. Because it's hard for you to guide people to the path or say to them, this is the path when you have not taken that path yourself. And your words are not going to have an impact. If they're not coming from your heart, if they're not true. So you may know you know what the truth is? Okay, and tell people actually to follow it. But there's no better Can you make Can we make dour, but they're not, they might not be a lot of Baraka in it. And why so because you did not follow the past have a large panel tell us what you're saying is just
you're repeating somebody else's words. So if I were to say that, there's just one thing that you can do, I would say just be a better Muslim, as close as you can to Allah subhana wa, Tada. When that happens, when more and more and more of that happens, you know, to a lot of us,
there's going to be a force there, like a positive Eman force, that is going to be able to influence people around. Right. So now maybe our man individually and collectively is very, you know, as a light is very small, very faint, not very strong. But if that power of email increases, people will be attracted to it. Right? So that's the first thing and if when your email increases, you will sort of be directed to the best way of how to approach those who might not know Islam might actually hate Islam, there are some people who you know, just don't like it, okay? might hate it, to know how to approach it, and what is the best way, the wisest way? And when to engage in a discussion and when
there is no sense in discussing with another person, what is the best way of doing it? So Allah subhanho wa Taala will guide you. So we need a lot of guidance and doing so knowing that we're not relying on ourselves and doing this, you know, this is a large religion, right? We just want Allah subhanaw taala to make us of those that help spread it. Right. So
if we have that if we really have that email in our hearts, it's possible for us to go outside and correct. You know, those bad images, if not, no matter what other things, for instance, I or somebody else might suggest, will have an impact, not going to say it's not going to have an impact, but the impact of the small minimum. Now the thing that we really ultimately want, right? And you can see that in the life of the prophets of Allah, Allah, you it was in them because their transformation he introduced is amazing. Okay, we're talking about 23 years, right and be able to do that. And it's not that he was able to consolidate all of Arabia, right? Right under Muslim control.
What the Caleb's did afterwards, right, all of his that it was because of him, you know, that successful work.
A normal Android man and it right and then the my ads after all of that success because of him. So that success is amazing 23 years only. So why did the was able to do that because he had so much a man. And he raised so much a man and the people around that they were able to do, and almost miraculous things. So that's what you want. The reason why we do do do a lot of things, and they sort of fail, or they don't achieve the results that we want them to achieve. At least let me say part of the result is that they're not supported by a strong dose of emotion behind them. So really, that's what you want, then you will find that the impact that you will have in your job, and in your
school will be greater, and discussion that you will have with a person
Subhanallah he might be, you know, transformed quicker, or accept Islam better, right? At one point, maybe you will find that you're tested because of what you'll be what you're saying, You're not harmed, maybe right? People are ridiculing you maybe. But because you have a man, you don't quit. Because you have a man, you remember the stories of all the profits, you keep doing it, and then you become successful afterwards. Right? So that's the sort of the bat pole that organizes everything else of how do we respond to this is to say that have imminent loss of panel data and spread it and increase it. Because then you'll have the ability to change the people. And you will be able also to
tolerate it. Because it's hard to live with that hard to deliver with something where you say people you know,
might hate Islam or might hate me, because I'm Muslim might accuse me and this and this. And this generates a lot of frustration inside. So how do you deal with that frustration? Okay, when you have again, I'm going to go back to you man, when you have that email, because he then gives you a release, it talks about da da gives you release, to talk to Allah subhanho data.
So you need to talk to Allah subhana wa Tada, Allah gives you that insight, that vision, say ozpin Allah. So all of this is happening through the will of Allah, as you can see to yourself, right? That could be the result of dance for all of this is happening through the will of Allah, Allah could change them all in a second second, Allah could change all of these people in a second, he has the power. So there's wisdom behind what is happening now. Right? So you find yourself that what is happening is that a lot is controlling everything. And when you know that Allah is controlling everything you relax,
right, that's the release or you relax, it's bad. But you submit, you submit exactly what wonderful you submit a lot once it this way it can change and shall I'm gonna push for it to change, but I'm not going to be frustrated. Allah wants it this way, you know, you know, Muslims got defeated in the Battle of why why did they get out? You could be angry, why did they get defeated, the Prophet did, because to teach you right to submit, Allah wants it this way, there's a lesson in it, we have to go through it.
That's the release, you feel better. Right? And then you can go forward. And then the other things that we can talk about, you know, organizing, you know, a group on campus organizer talking to people at work, for instance, reading more about Islam,
reading in depth about Islam, right, so that you know, how to counter some of the arguments that they have, how to present Islam best how to understand Islam best, all of that is essential. All that is important, right? But it must always comes with this sort of this strong dose of email.
Yeah.
the Ebola virus? Is it like a message to the people of Africa that are non Muslim?
That's good. That's good. To look at all of these things that are happening around us as messages from Allah subhanho wa, taala. Right.
From the things that happened to us individually, like today, what had happened to me today, what had happened to do today that these are messages from Allah, to the things that are happening globally, like the Ebola virus, other viruses, any type of catastrophe that takes place of flood, earthquake, that all of these things are related to what we do, and how we live our lives. Right? And that our last panel data wants us always to remember him to change our ways, and go back to him and believe in him. Right. So yeah, I would say that you're right, that that type of virus is a message I wouldn't say that it's only a message to them. Right? It's message to everybody by that
who has the power of lost power data has the power something as simple as that can kill so many
People
so that, remember a lot and remember that you're gonna die one day and remember that you can stand in front of Allah, Allah will ask you and that you must have answers. So it really reminds you offers a lot of a lot of good insights, a lot of lessons into our lives. That's a good observation.
That answer your question.
Good question.
The previous stuff that, Mohammed, as you said, submit to some things, how would you How would you know when to submit or when to, Okay, I'm gonna do something about
things that have happened. And you can change, right? So and So passed away.
These are not things that I can change, you know, so things are beyond your control.
have happened already. Right? So that is where you submit to Allah Subhana, WA, Tada. Things that now you can change, or let's say change and can do something about, okay, now you have an option of doing a or doing B or A, B, C, or D or whatever, there.
Of course,
if Allah Subhana, Allah that you want to know, let me put it this way, you want to know if Allah had allowed you to act under that circumstance? So maybe that a lot, maybe there is you can do something, but it's not the right thing. Right, you can do something, but it's not the right thing. So
at the time of Mecca, right, under that intense pressure, torture, and whatever, right, some of the companions, you know, would come to the prophets only 70 says, We want to fight these people. We can't take it anymore, the Prophet would forbid that. So here's an opportunity to do something, but it's not the right thing. So you want to find out after for instance, that there is an opportunity for you to change your reality, is it the right thing or not? Now, when you discover that this is the right thing, that it is surely a religious, Allah loves it, then you go ahead and you do it. So there is a difference between submitting. And between knowing that and, and knowing Oh, no, there is
something I could do to change that situation. And then choosing between what Allah loves that you do, and what Allah may not love that you will do about that thing that is bothering. So submission is that submission is about things that you cannot change, and about the results of what you're going to do.
Because you will do whatever you want to do, even if it's loved by Allah subhanaw taala, it may not bring results. That's where you're supposed to submit, that I tried, but it's not really tied to my effort is tied to what Allah wants to happen from my effort.
And there's a difference between the two things, right, you might study for an exam, not, you know, get the score that you want. It's so Allah subhanaw taala wanted something to happen. And this is what he wanted.
And we can talk more about that, for instance, but I don't want to it's, it is a separate, it is a separate topic, and we enter into a bind, which is, you know, separate so.
But if it did answer your question, then I'm happy. If not, then we can talk about it.
Okay.
You know, when I think of polop I feel like solar system. So you know, how
I feel like follows the sun, almost not saying in general, but like, we all rotate around him. And then I think, was almost created by Allah. And then it gets me thinking order Allah come from like, I know that he was there for a long time. But I don't think that the human mind can understand that's the general. Everybody thinks that at one point, something has to be made.
Right. Right. That's a complicated question, right?
Well, I mean, I think you're right, in the right, in the sense that we cannot think about an answer to that question. Right.
And that's part of the test that Allah Subhana den has given us, because, you know, some of the tests some tests, for instance, are as simple as you know, I like these sweets, okay, but I'm not going to eat them. Why? Because it's Ramadan morning, right? So I'm not going to eat them. So there is that type of test. So this is a test, physical test, because also mental test what physical test, but there's also some type of mental test.
Which is for you to recognize. And that's actually very important to recognize the limits of your brain limits of your experience limits of what you can think about. And one of those limits are
where did that come from? So, the messenger sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said that the shaytan is going to come to you. And he's gonna tell you, you know, Allah has created everything who created a lot. So he told you that the shaytan is gonna, you know, take on that role of the rational, right? The rational and the shaytan is not rational, because the szczepan already knows that a lie exists, it doesn't really matter, right? You know,
to him whether you know, or you don't know what he meant, what matters is that he wants you to stop worshipping Allah subhanaw taala, and have enough doubt. So he comes in that role of the rationalists will have created the law, and he just wants to leave you with that done. So the province on Islam says, when you have that sigalas refuge from the sheath and stuff,
and stuff.
So this is a prophetic medicine for this, right? It's like if you go to a specialist,
okay. And sometimes we have to give worldly examples for these things to make sense. Because we're so attached to this dunya, right.
And that's different than the time of the Sahaba. And, by the way, they didn't need these types of examples, but we need them. So you go to a specialist and you say, to the specialist, I have you know, he's the top specialist in the world and you say, I have this illness, and he says, Stop eating this. Right? If you trust that he knows best about this, you stop eating it. Trust, right, you're not going to gamble, you know, with your life. And I'm going to stop. If you believe that Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam is a profit that has come to you from Allah. If you believe that settled in your heart, if he says, This is the chiffon who is telling you to do this, seek
Allah's refuge and stop, you'll do it.
And when you do that, you feel better.
Good. Right? If you go on thinking about it, you know, you never know when that is going to take you. Now, after that, inshallah, maybe a person can say especially if he's talking to some maybe people who disbelieve in Allah or my tree, some of the socialist said, I want to see what some Muslim scholars have said about this specially in, you know,
discussions with these types of people, and they can read. Now reading is different than thinking about it in that way. Because they're reading to an expert, and the expert is telling you,
you know, even some of the philosophers have said philosophically, you have to believe that there is a creator, you have to because if you're going to tell me that this thing created itself, it doesn't make sense, somebody created it. And if you tell me somebody else, you know, somebody else created that, then somebody else was created, and then somebody else you have to reach a point when there is no creator, you have to logically says, you cannot continue like that forever, there has to be a point where there is not no one before, that is God.
And that we reach that, whether they reach that through their minds exclusively, or they took a message from the prophets, and they infused it with their own thinking, whatever it is, but logically, they said, there has to be a god, these are the ancient philosophers. So there is, you know, a God, we know that through the signs that we see, they could not have created themselves, we know that he has to be eternal, because the prophet who had sent you he sent to us tells us that he is and we know that we cannot think about it, you know, because our minds are so small. So we say we'll be leaving unless panel down and that is influence.
Okay.
You know, know that your
mind has a limit, like your eyesight has a limit, like everything else that you have, has a limit. So
I'm trying to remember I can remember that incident.
Somebody came to me via chef, a, somebody came to a chef and was asking him about the last panel data and details and this and that, and he you know, told him you know, look at that star and he looked at this time, he says, you know, give it description detail of that star. They said, I cannot, they can see but I can hardly see it right? And he said something that you see, and you cannot fathom you cannot understand, and you want the hidden Allah subhana wa tada for you to fathom and understand. As your eyesight has a limit your mind has a limit. Try to understand that's part of a loss test.
So when a human decides No, no, my mind does not have a limit. That's when they did make their brain
Allah or a God, and it starts telling them what to do and what not to do. And then ultimately they decide there is no God, I'm an atheist. Okay? So because their brains their head had become their own God. So the brain has
no nothing, you know, explains that better than you know, you, you gather the most intelligent people on this earth and tell them, you know, put them, you know, in a council and tell them what should we do about this? And what should we do about that they'll disagree.
Economically, they'll disagree socially, they'll disagree. So how come all of you are intelligent, all of you know, have PhDs all of you, how do you disagree? Because you know, all of you have limits.
It's so arrogant to think that we don't have limits will absolutely have limits.
To my other question,
you said that Ebola virus was
it was a message but
but some people do may think it's just a regular virus and not a message. So how is that?
You're right, you're right, that a lot of people
think of the messages that Allah sense that they are not messages or think that whatever happens around them happens randomly, for no purpose, no reason, there is no wisdom behind it. And our job is not to think like that. Right? Our job is to think differently. And to know that everything that happens happens because of something because a lot wants something from it, it's a consequence to what we as humans are doing, whether it's good or bad,
we react to it in the way that Allah wants us to react. So we responsible in front of it in the way that Allah wants us to be responsible. And we take all of this knowledge that we have and we share it with other people and we tell them you have to look at this as a meaningful act something that is part of a greater picture.
Okay, something that Allah or God right wants from you and wants from me, he wants us to learn something from it. So we have to teach that to other people.
You have to tell them that no, it makes sense right? You know, if you believe in God, for instance, you know, if I'm an intelligent person, I am an interviewer an intelligent person. Usually we do things for reasons, right? Because of something right? We don't do it for aimlessly for nothing. Usually if you're like an intelligent so if Allah Subhana Allah is wise, everything that happens in this world happens for a reason. So we have to discover that reasons that we can. So
since a lot of them see the future
I don't know but is is he like planning somebody? Go and tell the people of them that it's a message and if the people understand
will there be like a cure of global virus just stop? Well, yeah, God because
our teacher told us that Ebola was discovered 30 years ago and the isolated
so
we don't know what's gonna happen in the future and and begin to find a cure for it or not and even if they did,
maybe something else would come along we really don't know what the future is but
we know that it is collectively our responsibility to tell people that
to tell people about Islam right to tell them and part of what telling people about Islam is to tell them that there is a large panel data God and that his actions his the universe are meaningful and wise. So that is part of the message and who knows, maybe a person will go there, maybe we'll do it here. Maybe we don't do it. And we anywhere we'll tell people this message and we'll take it to them and maybe you can do that.
Yeah.
You want to do that.
Think about think about it. Think about it.
Thank you so much for having me and for being here tonight inshallah and
if I've said something Sharla good. That's from Milan is messenger. If not, it's from me and the shape on Milan is messenger not responsible for it. So inshallah if you feel motivated and you feel
that even man increased it humbly loudonville alameen, take it and harvest it and keep increasing it.
And ask Allah Subhana Allah to guide us all and to make us of those that he loves and is pleased with and of those who will see him on the day of judgment and be happiest because we see him szczepanik allamani hamburger Chateau de la land stockbroker.