Mohammed Faqih – Friday Khutbah 03-05-2024
AI: Summary ©
The focus on the reality of one's life and the potential for victory is crucial for pursuing success. It is inevitable for everyone and reward is just a means to something greater. The speaker emphasizes the need to be moderate and careful in pursuing success and finding a path of learning for one's own success. The importance of celebrating the generation of seekers of knowledge is also emphasized, and the upcoming D----
AI: Summary ©
My dear brothers and sisters,
it's that time of the year
when many families
are celebrating
a milestone
or more
with their children's
academic
journey,
graduation season.
May Allah
bless each and every graduate. May Allah
continue
to give success to those
who are still at the beginning or somewhere
in the middle of their,
pursuit
of success,
because everyone
is in pursuit of
success.
So it's very important that
we remind ourselves
of the true definition or
the true concept of success, What it is
that we
are pursuing.
Because very often as human beings we can
easily we have the tendency
to
turn means into
goals.
Means
become
the very destination
or objective
or
the,
end that
we are looking for. So,
that is why many people, subhanAllah, it's,
a well known
documented, well researched
phenomena that many people
experience
after a a breakthrough,
some sort of success and accomplishment, they experience
the same emotions that some people experience
when they have
a breakdown.
Because
when you
focus on the very
matter that is supposed to be just a
means to something else and greater and bigger.
And if you don't have a master plan,
if you don't have, if you lose
sight of the big picture or what it
is that you're doing, whatever you're doing for,
once you accomplish it and you get there,
you're like, okay. What's next?
Was that it?
So after the
ceremonies and the graduation
parties and the gifts and all of that,
many people feel this
dip
emotionally and psychologically,
and it's very painful. It's as painful as
someone that tried to accomplish whatever they accomplished
but wasn't able to,
in some cases.
So it is important
for us as believers to remind ourselves,
and to remind our loved ones, and to
remind our children, and our students, and our
mentees,
and our youth
of what it is that we're pursuing. What
is our ultimate
goal
in this life? Now obviously,
we were all created to worship Allah Subhanahu
Wa Ta'ala
and to establish Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala's,
Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala's
guidance
for others.
But Allah ajwal in the Quran tells
us in multiple places
what victory
or what success
looks like.
Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala for instance tells us,
Successful are the believers.
Allah subhanahu
wa ta'ala tells us,
and this is what I want to talk
to to to talk to you about today
and focus on inshallahu ta'ala.
Allah subhanahu ta'ala tells us about the reality
of this life, because I'll tell you one
thing.
No matter what it is that you have
now,
no matter what it is that you are
able to accomplish,
You you know, some of some of us
or maybe most of us have things that
other people are dying to have,
We don't even realize it. We don't even
feel it.
Many of us have things that other people
are dying to have.
Most of us don't even realize
how good we have it.
Now,
we look at it and we're like,
okay.
What's what's the big deal? We take it
for granted. This is human tendency.
But many,
they're like amazed or they're impressed with what
they have.
Like, look at what I have. Look at
look at this. Look at that. Great.
Regardless of where you which type of person
you may be, someone who is well aware
of the blessing that they have
or someone who's not aware of the blessing
that they have.
Bring up the topic of death,
which is inevitable for each and every single
one of us,
And
then,
everything becomes irrelevant.
Everything becomes
worthless,
except that which we can count on
after death.
This is precisely why it's said
prophet is
reported to have said
that
the the smart or intelligent, the wise person
is one who works for that which is
after death,
Controls himself and his desires and his whims
and
in this life,
but then works for that which comes after
death,
because everything loses
its meaning,
once you bring up the subject. Unless again,
it's something that is dedicated for the life
after. So Allah
reminding us of this
reality. Allah
says in Surat Al Imran verse
185.
Every soul
will taste death.
Every soul, every living being
will taste death.
Your reward,
your wages
is that which you will be
compensated. Your compensation is that which will be
given to you and and delivered to you
on the day of judgment or the day
of resurrection.
Your reward is not in this life.
That degree is not your reward.
That shouldn't You should not think of it
as the reward of your efforts. The fruits
of your hard work and sincerity.
Because if you think of it as
the reward
in and of itself, then that's it. Once
you get it, you get nothing.
The opportunities that that degree is going
to provide you with
isn't in and of itself your reward.
Because that's gonna be very cheap, to be
honest with you.
So no matter what it is that Allah
Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala gives you in this life,
remember that it's not an end. It's not
a goal in and of itself. It's a
means to something greater and bigger.
See one of the sahaba, may Allah subhanahu
wa ta'ala be pleased with them, zubuqaan ibn
al Badr,
came and and and he shared he spoke
before the prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam and he
praised his tribe and what they were able
to accomplish. This is before Jahiliyyah. They were
one of the most powerful, most accomplished, most
celebrated tribes in the Arabian Peninsula.
And then Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala guided them
to Islam.
So in Azza prophet salallahu alaihi wa sallam
said,
The best of you during the days of
the pre Islamic era turn out to be
the best
after Islam. When Islam comes
if they pursue knowledge and if they
excel in
in seeking knowledge and having the proper understanding
of the deen.
This this powerful tribal leader and poet stood
in front of the prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam,
started to speak about his
tribe's accomplishments and legacy.
And then after he talked about how they
were able to accomplish, how they were able
to be on the top in every area,
in warfare, in in poetry,
in in generosity,
in all of the areas that
they would compete with other tribes in.
He says,
and we
are yet
All of this is nothing. We are actually
pursuing something bigger. We have reached
the stars but we're looking for something beyond.
So the prophet
said, what is beyond that?
Say, you're saying that we have reached the
stars.
What is beyond that?
And he said,
He said, Jannah.
Whatever it takes
to make it to Jannah.
It could be giving up everything
that you have or that you accomplished. It
could be giving up your life, if necessary.
It could be and it is dedicating everything
that you have including that degree and the
success, this worldly success for that.
This is someone who has proper understanding.
Your reward
will be handed to you on the day
of judgment.
None of the things that we have,
the titles,
degrees,
the
the
the
the
the
bank account, the balance that you have, all
of these things, whatever you
had parked in the
parking lot, none of these things is your
reward. If you think of it as your
reward, that's a very cheap reward.
So what does it take? Allah subhanahu wa
ta'ala says to explain further,
He who is removed or drawn away from
hellfire
and admitted to Jannah
has indeed
attained
the ultimate victory or success.
What this world,
this dunya, this life has to offer is
nothing
but an enjoyment of delusion.
It's nothing
compared to Aqir.
And Allah in multiple places reminds us that
It's nothing. It's small.
Don't settle for it.
That is why we have to be moderate
and careful as we celebrate our successes and
our accomplishments in this life. And I'm not
saying we shouldn't.
I'm saying we have to be moderate, and
we have to be careful, and we have
to be wise.
And make sure that
we keep
our sight on our end goal,
And that is to make it to Jannah,
and dedicate everything that we have for that,
And prepare for the ultimate graduation ceremony.
When those who believe in Allah subhanahu wa
ta'ala
in the last day,
And follow the prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam's
commandments.
And conduct themselves in the best of ways.
As the prophet
told us,
Whoever wants to be removed or drawn away
from hellfire and admitted to
Let death come upon him or her.
While believing in Allah in the last day,
maintain your iman and your faith in Allah
Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala. Don't let anything get to
you and make you lose faith.
And serve people or treat people the way
you want to be treated,
with excellence and courtesy
and sincerity.
May Allah make you and I of those
who listen and follow the best of what
they listen to.
It is, important, my dear brothers and sisters,
especially for parents
and educators to remind,
our students.
May Allah
again bless them and protect them and preserve
them
of
that end goal.
And to make sure that they actually dedicate
whatever they do, and whatever they accomplish for
Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala.
And to continue to progress
because one of the things A lot of
people think that, okay. That means that that
Okay. Khalas. I'm just gonna focus on the
akhirah and I'm not going to No.
What we're saying is actually bigger than that.
What we're saying is because whatever we do
for Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala, whatever we dedicate.
If we dedicated to Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala,
we're gonna feel like we can do better,
and we can do more, and Allah subhanahu
wa ta'ala deserves better.
So that is going to actually encourage us,
motivate us, and propel us to even do
more and accomplish more. We It will have
a bigger meaning. A meaning that goes beyond
this life. A meaning that goes beyond
getting married, and having children, and having
a nice big house, and
a couple of beautiful exotic cars.
Something that is much more meaningful than that.
It makes a huge difference when I hear
someone tell me, yeah. Well, I am doing
this and this and this. I said And
then I would say, what is the your
ultimate goal? Well, I'm just looking to Insha'Allah
Ta'ala
retire at 45 or 15. And then be
able to travel the world and play golf.
This was said to me.
And then another person that says, no. I'm
hoping to do this and this and this.
And do this for my community and do
this for my omen. Do this for my
family.
There's a huge difference between the 2.
The latter,
even if they don't get to live to
do that, Allah
will reward them based on their
intention.
And their impact is going to go beyond
their lifetime, their legacy.
As for the one that just cares about
Dunia,
that's it. Once Dunia is gone, it will
be gone.
It's over.
Last night,
I was
told about,
I found out about this young
man from Canada by the name of Muhammad
Arafat. May Allah
have mercy on him.
Who used to walk from the university, the
Islamic University of Madinah, to the Haram to
pray salatul Jum'ah.
To pray
He would walk about an hour and an
hour 15 minutes.
Every Friday.
He was a student with
limited means,
but he wanted to pray
in,
so that's what he used to do.
Last Friday,
while he was fasting,
he was hit by a car
and died.
Rahimahullah
ta'ala. A student of knowledge on the day
of Jum'ah
on his way to a masjid in Nabi
while he's fasting. What an end.
And everyone
is envious of that.
Why? Because they understand.
They understand.
That the prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam has said,
and this is
something
I want us to really
make sure that it's engraved in the psyche
of our children.
I hope that I'm able to do that
with my own.
That whether you take the school bus, or
you're dropped off by your parents or you
drive to school,
this is a sacred journey.
Because the prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam has
said, whoever seeks a path takes a path
or a journey.
Whoever takes or makes a trip.
Seeking a beneficial knowledge.
Allah Azzawajal
will ease or facilitate for him or her
a path to Jannah.
A student of knowledge. A seeker of knowledge.
Someone who is going to educate themselves
for again with that intention to please Allah
Ta'ala and be better and serve
their community.
That path, that journey of theirs
is a path to Jannah.
And whoever dies on a path to Jannah
will end up in Jannah.
So that is a success story.
Though
he died rahimahullah
and
his youth
did not get to graduate,
but Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala
will reward him.
For whoever
goes out for the sake of Allah
and then death comes upon him.
That person's reward is with Allah
So that's something that we need to remind
ourselves
and our children with.
Now there's another reason why we should celebrate
this generation
of seekers of knowledge.
Many of them,
have
demonstrated a level of awareness
and courage that
I personally didn't think it existed.
And I had as I said,
I owe
many of them an apology.
It's just out of my concern and fear,
I was like, is this generation even capable
of doing anything?
All you have to do is look for
or look at
the more than 100
campuses
around
in North America.
I even heard that some
universities in Canada right now are having
look at those who are standing their ground
to speak the truth,
and advocate for those who are oppressed, and
stand up for them, many of whom are
Muslims,
Many of whom get together and they pray.
They call the adhan in public and they
pray proudly. I remember a time when my
youth and my When I was a young
imam back in the days without mentioning
any particular place,
where the youth
that I would take to go to any
amusement park or go hiking
would ask
to hide somewhere to pray Javan.
They were they were afraid.
See many of us, especially in the post
9 11 era, many of us don't realize
how much it affected
their
them psychologically.
It was very traumatic for many
to be mocked and to be made fun
of. Islamophobia
was and still is real.
So they're like, oh, can we hide somewhere?
I said, where? They looked up a place
and it was right where the dumpsters were.
I said, no. We're not gonna pray here.
We're gonna pray right in the middle
of this particular field.
And if you're afraid, then 2 of us
should be
should stand on the side just to
to look out for us and while the
rest of us pray, and then we
we take turns.
But we're not gonna hide.
We're Muslims.
We're not doing anything wrong. We're just worshiping
Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala, and this is the
United States of America.
We have every right to worship Allah Subhanahu
Wa Ta'ala in peace.
And I remember that many of them on
the way back, they're like, yeah. We wanna
pray. You know, they they had that.
They just need to be engaged and they
need to be encouraged. So now we have
people who are competing to call the adhan
and pray together, and they have their, you
know, even non Muslim friends and colleagues and
stand and
in chanting, let them pray. May Allah subhanahu
wa ta'ala bless them. And obviously we cannot
not
give credit
to the
the great people of Gaza and their
courage and their stand that inspired the whole
world.
How even non Muslims are being inspired by
the level of courage that they have shown.
May Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, bless them. May
Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, give them victory. May
Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala
May Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala
grant them
a swift
relief, and may Allah
bring an end to the aggression
of the Zionist regime.
Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar
Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar
Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar
Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar
Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar
Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar
Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar
Allahu Akbar Allahu
Are we good to go, brother Akbar?
Okay.
Yeah.
Assalamu
alaikum.
Inshallah, tonight,
we have a Isha program. Inshallah, it's gonna
be with Sheikh Anwar Al Arafat,
and it's gonna be a preview of the
Dawah conference that's happening next Friday, inshallah, next
weekend.
So the the topic is,
Palestine and the obligation of Dawah, which is
the theme of the conference. So that program
is gonna be directly after Aisha, and Aisha
is at 9:15 PM tonight.
We'll also be having childcare
starting back up this month,
so the first night will be tonight for
that, for the Friday night childcare. So if
you're used to dropping off your kids at
Monada for the Friday night program, that'll be
going on. And then also,
badminton after Isha is also resuming tonight.
Tomorrow, we have a MIC Masjid cleanup,
similar to what we did before Ramadan to
clean up the Masjid, we are gonna be
cleaning up the Masjid tomorrow from 10 AM
to 2 PM. So if you wanna come
and volunteer
and bring your family and friends,
please do do so. It'll be 10 AM
to 2 PM tomorrow for the masjid cleanup.
And then next weekend is that special weekend
where we have 2 programs,
Alhamdulillah,
where we have
coming Friday night,
for the program called the hearts revival, and
that's gonna be going on from 6 PM
to 10 PM, Insha'Allah.
And registration is live for that. That's about
15 to $20 per person, and the link
is circulating, so make sure to register for
that. And then also, what I mentioned,
as far as the 2nd annual Dawah conference,
that's gonna be happening all weekend. So Friday,
Saturday, and Sunday, and you have 10 speakers,
including local and national speakers coming from out
of town. You have guests and attendees coming
from out of town as well. And so
there's a link for that for you to
register. But make sure you do so in
advance, inshallah, so we have a jam packed
weekend next weekend, and we'd love to see
you all there.