Mufti Menk – Navigating the Current Pandemic

			Salam Alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh Bismillahi Rahmani Raheem Alhamdulillah wa Salatu was Salam
ala rasulillah Allah Allah, he was happy he Jemaine, my beloved brothers and sisters, welcome to
this beautiful, beautiful light upon light online convention conference entitled The best 10 days.
And indeed, they are the best 10 days, the first 10 days of the month of the ledger, which is the
last month of the Islamic calendar. And I do know that it pains us that we are going through
challenging times, and inshallah speaker after speaker will be discussing different aspects of this
particular title. And I pray that we all benefit from it. The subject that I've been given to deal
		

			with today, is navigating through this pandemic. And we all know that we are believers, we believe
in Allah subhanho wa Taala. And indeed, We are fortunate to be from among those who utter what is
known as the Shahada. Shahada means the declaration, I bear witness that there is none worthy of
worship besides Allah, my maker.
		

			And I bear witness that Muhammad peace be upon him is his final messenger and prophet. So when we
say that we understand that he who made us is Allah subhanho wa Taala. He sent messengers to us in
order to tell us why he made us what to expect on earth. And if we were to read carefully what those
messages came with, in terms of Revelation, we would find that Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam
left us with two main things. And he says, I've left you with two things for as long as you hold
fast upon them, you will never be led astray, that is the Quran and my sooner, which means the
traditions of the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, his life, his life, and his teachings. So the
		

			Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam recited for us the verses that were revealed to him by
Allah subhanho wa Taala. If we look at Surah Al Baqarah, there is something that Allah says to us,
when you're young, you may not understand it. But as you grow older, you begin to understand the
plan of Allah.
		

			As you apply your mind and you realize why exactly you are on Earth, it is precisely what Allah
says. So in Surah, Al Baqarah, Allah says, while annaba no one can, we will definitely test every
single one of you. So I'm on earth here, one of the reasons is to be tested so hard Allah, like I
would go to school to be tested so that when I pass the exam, I move on to the next level where the
test will be even harder, but the qualification will be greater. So this is why the Prophet Muhammad
Sallallahu Sallam says, in the law, either a hubbub, Allah, when Allah loves his worshiper, he tests
him so that he can actually graduate to a new level. And the certificate he gets at the end, or the
		

			book that he receives, will be filled with a very, very high qualification. Look at Ibrahim alayhis
salam, the prophet Abraham May peace be upon him. He was tested one after the other, look at the
Prophet a job or job May peace be upon him. Allah says, We tested him. We tested him so much and we
found him to be patient in our Jana masabi, our neat mellado in who
		

			we found him to be very patient What a great worshipper of ours. He was often returning to us in
repentance, in gratitude, in praise and in every other way. So Allah praised you obey His Salam. So
Allah says, I will test every one of you. So I know that one of the reasons why on earth is to be
tested, I will face challenges, difficulties, hardship, in fact, in order to learn Kabuto Allah says
that is how he distinguishes the believers from those who are liars. Those who don't really believe
right at the beginning, he says has even a Roku Roku
		

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			learning Amina kabini him Fela, lemon along with Nadine Asada poo, wala lemon, Alka dB, this man
thinks that it will be sufficient for him to say that I believe, and then he is not tested. Indeed,
we have tested all those before you. In other words, we will test you as well. Just like we tested
all those before you in order to distinguish those who are truthful from those who are liars. May
Allah make us from among those who are truthful, and may He never test us, us with tests that will
be too difficult for us to pass. I mean, so let's go back to the verse so tillbaka
		

			Allah says, Well, no one come indeed we will test every single one of you. We spoke about that
already. With what what will he test us with? What do I need to expect? So before I continue in
life, we get attached to things and we don't realize when we came into this world, we were alone.
Prior to coming into this world we were where Allah wanted us, but we came alone. And Allah subhanho
wa Taala says, when we go we will go alone. And we will meet Allah alone. And we will answer to our
questions or accountability will happen a noon. Why not? odg una hora de la cama call upon
		

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			Kumar Oh Rico.
		

			On that day, Allah will say, and you have come to us, just like we have created you alone, you came
to us alone, just like when we created you, you were alone. So had Allah and then Allah says, You
left behind everything that gave you company on Earth. What gave you company on earth? Your family
members, your wealth, the good things that you considered good on Earth, all that was with you? The
stuff you owned the properties, man, Allah, Allah says all of that, where is it? It's not there,
you've just come yourself, and guess what your deeds, so do good deeds, you need to earn points, you
need to earn marks in this world, how do I earn marks? Well, when I pass the challenges, the tests
		

			that Allah has placed in my path, I need to fulfill obligations and stay away from prohibitions. And
I need to know that the things that I will become acquainted with and attached to, at some point,
Allah will detach me from them for as long as they are material items of this world, things that are
very, very connected to this world and this world alone. So Allah says, we will test you with what
now I'll explain bishi in meenal, how v one.
		

			The first two things he says, I'll test you with a little bit of fear, uncertainty, anxiety, and
some hunger. So don't get too attached to things. The comfort zone you're in, we will take you out
of it at some point Subhan Allah, for what, in order to test you it's the same verse. So when we get
too attached to this comfort zone, where in the day Allah decides to take us out of it, as he has
promised, it will be extremely difficult. But if we were not too attached, and we expected that, we
have this comfort, thanks to Allah, but he may take it away, we will still thank Allah, then we
understood the plan of Allah. It creates a cushion around us such that the day it is snatched away
		

			and we are taken out of that comfort zone. We still have firm conviction. We expected it and you
know what, the blow was crushing. It was softened, so Han Allah, so a little bit of anxiety. It's
normal, it's human, some sadness, Subhana Allah, Allah will remove you from your comfort zone,
uncertainty, fear, hope means a little bit of fear. And I've explained fear from different aspects.
Allah says yes, that safety, you become too comfortable. Allah says we will test it and shake it
until you realize that we are the only ones who can provide you true safety, true comfort through
contentment, that's Allah and Allah alone. So in my life and in yours as you grow older, so many
		

			things will happen that will throw you out of your comfort zone. You will
		

			Since a little bit of fear, anxiety, sometimes uncertainty, Allah says, until you're you are
convinced that Allah alone is in charge and in control. The sooner that happens, the easier it
becomes to navigate through the difficult times. Then Allah says, When jewelery, which means with
hunger, so when you get too attached to your food, there will come a day when you won't have that
food. Allah says we will take it away somehow, either, you won't be able to eat it, because medicine
tells you it's dangerous for you. So you go on a diet and you can't eat those things you consider
delicious, or beautiful or sweet, or very tasty, simply because Allah says, Well, we are testing you
		

			with a little bit of hunger. Don't get too attached to your food, understand, don't be wasteful,
thank Allah for the days you have, eat whatever is in front of you think about those who don't have
much. Look at the days that may come perhaps ahead, where you may not afford or you may not be able
to eat due to sickness or any other reason, the food that you have. So be thankful when you have it.
And be thankful when you don't have it. Don't become too fussy, a person who eats because
		

			if you become too fussy about your food, a day will come when food will be available and you won't
be able to eat, thank Allah for what has come in your direction, really. And when you put a morsel
of food in your mouth, praise Allah, upon all conditions, he will grant you success. In fact, he
says, If you show thankfulness and gratitude, I won't even take away that which I gave you in the
first place. I increase it the
		

			Shackleton Toma as he
		

			come indeed, if you show gratefulness, gratitude, I will grant you increase in the gifts that I have
bestowed you with. So get close to Allah during days of ease. The Prophet Muhammad says sallallahu
alayhi wa sallam, and Allah will get close to you during days of difficulty and hardship. So that is
the issue of hunger, I've only tackled a part of it. Remember, if you understand that Allah is going
to test you in your food, then you will already have a cushion around you that will soften the blow
the day that food goes away, or you don't have it or for some reason, you cannot reach it or there
is a drought or whatever it may be and we're going to come to something more specific. So Allah
		

			says, health will do it. Then he says, Why not both?
		

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			mentioned three things, three more things. The first two we spoke about, then he says knucks which
means decrease, we will test you with decrease in what and one in your wealth. When you become too
attached to your money or your wealth or your belongings. Allah says the day we decide to take it
away and we definitely will Yamanaka way on a day for you and the day against you. If you've made
profit all your life, it cannot be that you die and you've never suffered the loss. Allah says we
have to test you before you go. We have to test you with that. It's part of the examination part of
your syllabus. While you're on earth is you will suffer a loss your property burns down a burglar
		

			comes in May Allah protect us all something happens you suffer an accident your car is damaged, you
perhaps lose out you lose a job, perhaps you lose things you things unexpected, your income is
decreased. Maybe you are now bankrupt. Perhaps Allah says we told you already don't get too attached
to don't become extravagant when you have prepared for a rainy day. This is what Allah is telling
you. That's why he says I'm going to test you and by telling us I'm going to test you he's telling
us don't get too attached to these things because a day will come when if you were too attached to
your handbags and your phones and your accessories and your makeup and whatever else it may be. You
		

			will be totally depressed when we take it away. Or for some reason you do not have access to it.
		

			Amazing. So Allah says Noxon minute am one. You know what? We're going to test you with this?
Imagine your car. Imagine your job. Imagine the money in your bank account and suddenly it's gone.
How did it go? I'm not gonna take it in a flash. Imagine a luck and take it in a flash. And Allah
subhanho wa Taala says, we can do that. If you were so attached to it. You become such that you
can't bear it. You start suffering, you lose contentment. You lose your happiness. You suffer in a
big way some people become suicide.
		

			Seidel May Allah protect us simply because they lost a job No, my brother and sister, you are
greater than that job a lot perhaps has opened your hands and and the clenched fist in order to give
you something far greater than what you had bear patience and ride the wave. Remember, better days
have to come because Allah says the days cannot remain the same. Just like we will test you by
taking things away, we will also test you by giving you things Subhana Allah. In both cases, the
winner is He who gains closeness to Allah, whether Allah took away from him, or gave him ultimately
I've got to die. You've got to die. What did I do while I was on earth? Subhana Allah? Did I earn
		

			the pleasure of Allah? Or did I get very, very attached to what Allah has given me? Then Allah says,
I'm one enforce, enforce means I'll test you with the loss of life. loss of life of home, those
around you don't get too attached to someone in a way that the day they pass away, your life comes
to an end as well. Yes, we are human, we will cry, we may miss them. We become sad, we pray for
them. But we don't question the decree of Allah number one. Number two is, we realize quickly that
we've also got to make the same journey. And we continue in our preparations to Panama, we pray for
them. It's human, to just miss them. And sometimes to feel the void. And even to cry, it's normal.
		

			But don't let it take you to the degree of you losing your own self simply because you lost a
person, quickly find yourself, the less attached you are to people, the less pain you will feel the
day you may lose them. People go through divorce, people go through so much. Sometimes you have an
issue with your children with your loved ones. Sometimes you may not lose them as in the in life,
but you may lose the person as in distance. If you were too attached, you won't be able to survive
that Allah says, You attach yourself to me, to people, you attach yourself to me not to wealth, you
attach yourself to me not to produce and so on. And realize that when you do that, I'm going to be
		

			comforting you you've like I said earlier, you create a cushion around you a beautiful ring around
you that will cushion and comfort you the day things leave you the day you suffer the loss. So what
next Allah says, people around you will die and you might die Subhana Allah take it in your stride.
Remember what is to come is far better than what was here. The Hereafter is way, way better than
where we are right now. You must be convinced in that regard. You must know your Lord is the Most
Merciful, the most forgiving, the most kind, the most compassionate, so keep seeking forgiveness,
and have hope in his mercy because he tells you don't lose hope in my mercy shape man is the one who
		

			tries to make you lose hope in my mercy. So have hope in his mercy and know for a fact that the
Athena the Hereafter is far better. How you mean and Allah is far better than this life here. Know
that. So if I were to die at the end of the day, I don't need to try. You know, my best to force
myself to be alive to the degree that I'm really depressed. You know what you must make sure that
you've tried your best to keep yourself healthy, and to keep yourself in the best possible way your
body but a day will come and you will also go Subhana Allah, may Allah grant us ease on that day,
take us in a condition that he is pleased with us. Yes, we will leave behind people we may be left
		

			behind when others who are our loved ones have died, have passed away. You know what, like I said
earlier, pray for them. have hope in the mercy of Allah and understand that Allah has a plan, he
will unite you with your loved ones as he has promised, if you do good deeds, and if you keep trying
and you have hope in his mercy, and you don't give up and you don't lose hope. Your examination is
not over perhaps theirs is over. Perhaps they've already qualified for the degree they need in order
to get into Jannah. And we need to qualify so he leaves us still on earth for a moment. So Allah
says, Don't get too attached even to people get attached to Allah, the messenger peace be upon him,
		

			his legacy lives on his sooner lives on get attached to that so Hannah lie behind me. So then Allah
says we're thammarat and Allah will test you with loss in produce in provision many things. So a day
will come when perhaps the harvest you won't be able to consume certain things, they will be lost.
My brothers and sisters right now Allah says to us, what Bashir is saw very good news glad tidings
to those who bear patients so bear patients. When you bear patients what will happen Allah
		

			Those whom when calamity strikes them, they say in the law he were in LA Raja own. They remember
that we belong to Allah, all of us and we are going to ultimately return to Allah, all of us. Those
are the ones whom the blessings of Allah descend upon them. And those are the ones who are
successful, they will be the ones in paradise. So be patient, my brothers, my sisters, the pandemic,
I decided to speak about it from a different angle, showing you that you know what days will come
when things will not happen our way, we will lose jobs, we will lose money, we will lose lives, we
will lose things. It's all part of the bigger plan of Allah subhanho wa Taala. Those of you who've
		

			lost loved ones. The good news is Allah is going to unite us with our loved ones. Pray for them.
Continue seeking their forgiveness and seek your own forgiveness. May Allah grant us all good
health. Those of you who are who have tested positive, it's not the end of the world, chances are
perhaps 90% or more would actually heal and come out of it. In sha Allah, may Allah grant you cure.
Remember to take every precaution is part of your duty unto Allah to preserve the body that He has
given you. So live healthy, eat healthy, connect yourself to Allah subhanho wa Taala. And understand
he will still test you. And I've only mentioned one verse of Surah Baqarah. But I want to tell you,
		

			my brothers and sisters, from amongst us, there are those who live in anxiety and fear, don't worry,
take every precaution possible, read your Allahumma inni will be coming and barassi will junoon evil
Judah me when you say he has come seeking the protection in Allah from leprosy, from sickness from
disease and from those bad plagues and diseases. That is assume that two out of the prophets of
Allah seldom call out to Allah using that. Turn to Allah become a better person, watch the way you
talk to others, all of your life is a test. Everything you say or do is written down, and it's going
to be presented in front of you. So watch your mouth, watch the way you dress, watch the way you
		

			talk. It's all written down. Change your lives for the better. My brothers and sisters, those of us
who have suffered loss of jobs, loss of business. Remember what I said today? It's part of the plan
of Allah. A Good Day is going to follow but try your best to ride the wave at the moment. Yes,
according to what I would say, this year is a year of survival. If you have survived, and if your
day has passed without disobeying Allah will law he you had a beautifully successful day. I repeat
if you passed your day, now during this pandemic, without disobeying a law in any way, you have had
the most successful day you may not earn so much. You may struggle a little bit you may hear news of
		

			having lost a loved one or another person being affected or struggling in ICU or on a ventilator.
May Allah give them all she fat and have mercy upon those who have passed on Allah give the sick and
Ill cure. Remember my brothers and sisters take it in your stride. inshallah, we will get over this
together, we are entering the best 10 days, call out to Allah Don't lose hope. And when Allah knows
the time is right to give you what you've been asking for. He will open the doors of goodness like
the floodgates where a dam has been really, really held or the water has been held on the dam wall
for a long time. And then suddenly the floodgates open and the water comes gushing out to the all of
		

			everybody who's watching. May Allah subhanho wa Taala help us to navigate through these days of
pandemic difficulty, hardship, whatever you're going through, you're not alone. millions of others
across the globe are struggling, perhaps more than you may be billions. There are people who don't
have even a fraction of what you have. So thank Allah keep thanking Allah. And remember, the worst
thing you could do is to become oblivious of Allah and to disobey Allah during days of difficulty.
That's the worst thing a person could do. May Allah subhanho wa Taala protect every one of us in sha
Allah, I pray that we will benefit from all the talks of the rest of the speakers who are going to
		

			be speaking during this beautiful conference light upon light online conference, entitled The best
10 days of Guru Kony holla Assad Allahu Allah wa Baraka ala nabina. Muhammad was Salam aleikum wa
rahmatullah