Mufti Menk – Why the Sahabah are Special?

			smilla rahmanir rahim al hamdu Lillah wa Salatu was Salam ala rasulillah Allah Allah He was happy. I
mean, we praise Allah subhanho wa Taala we send blessings and salutations upon Muhammad sallallahu
alayhi wa sallam, his companions, his household We ask Allah to bless them to bless every one of us
and our offspring, to bless the oma to bless humanity at large and to grant us all goodness, my
beloved brothers and sisters, dear listeners, we know that Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam when
he was given Prophethood he was alone. He was one man in the cave of Hira. gibreel Allah is Salam
came to him. He ran down from there after receiving first revelation straight to his wife Khadija
		

			been to Hawaii, lovely Allahu Allah, who became the first companion. She was not just his wife, she
became the first one to believe him being the first one who heard the story. Similarly, Abu Bakr
Siddiq rhodiola, who was the first from among those who heard and immediately accepted from the men,
and Alia viola, from those who were younger, etc. So these people who recognize the man since he was
young, and they knew from his history that he has only been known for goodness, he was known as a
Sadek, and this was rare amongst them, meaning they were people involved in alcohol and so many
different things. Yes, they were from among the Arabs, those who are honest, but his was an
		

			outstanding honesty. He was honest, to the degree that if he had to give up something that was dear
to him, based on being firm upon honesty and justice, he would let it happen. May Allah subhanho wa
Taala grant us that type of firmness. This is a quality that is loved by Allah, to stand firm upon
justice, even if you're losing everything. May Allah subhanho wa Taala grant us a lesson from that
of Mohammed salatu salam and his companions, they recognized this quality in him. He was known as a
Sadiq, meaning the truthful. And I mean, the honest, truthfulness and honesty goes hand in hand. One
cannot be honest, if he's not truthful, and one cannot be considered truthful, if he's not honest.
		

			So these qualities, the truthfulness was known since he was young, from a very early age. So these
people who accepted Islam first, what was it that drew them to it? Yes, it was Allah. Allah subhanho
wa Taala says that he looked at the hearts and chose the heart of Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa
sallam as the best of all of them. And he made it the most noble of prophets, the highest in
creation, the final messenger sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, when he looked at the hearts, and he
chose for that Nabhi, whom he loved the most, the best of companions, which means there was
something about the hearts of the companions of Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wasallam that was
		

			different from all other hearts. And this is why Allah chosen them, selected them and became pleased
with them. And to Panama, look at these qualities, honesty, trustworthiness, truthfulness, these
were qualities, not only of Muhammad Sallallahu, alayhi wasallam, he had them of the highest degree,
like I said, that degree was absolutely rare at the time, which means, you know, if someone came to
you, you were honest, then they spoke to you about something very dear to you, you probably were
still honest. Then you are finding out that you are about to lose your family, your loved ones, your
relatives, everybody. As a result of your honesty. It becomes a little bit difficult now to remain
		

			on that path. But Muhammad Sallallahu Sallam he was upon that highest level. So Allah subhanho wa
Taala gave him Nobu, as a result of that Prophet would guess what he lost Subhana Allah, what he
lost, in terms of worldly life is considered a lot. But in the eyes of Allah and in terms of the
deen, it is nothing. He's people turned against him, the entire community turned against him,
everybody turned against him. He was in minority him and his companions, they encircled him, they
had sanctions against him. They made sure they didn't receive food for so many years. They were
struggling suffering, they were persecuted, they were driven out all of that happened in terms of
		

			dunya. It was a total loss. Do you agree with me, which means if we were to look at it from a
materialistic perspective, there was nothing that was gained then.
		

			Allah owns the treasures of the world and the heavens, Allah owns everything. And he chose for the
most beloved to him.
		

			To have very little of that at the beginning, so panela How many of us our lives rotate around
materialism, we would sacrifice anything, even our own family members for $1 or two, it is happening
in this world. May Allah safeguard us. So now you look at the sobre la home I am intrigued by their
life. Why did Allah choose
		

			Then why not us? Why not you and me? Why were we not chosen to be from among the companions of
Muhammad Sallallahu Sallam? Before I answer that, the good news is we can still be his companions in
the afra. If we abide by what he brought, may Allah make it easy for us. And may Allah grant us
forgiveness. They were companions because their hearts were special. What was so special about their
hearts, they had honesty, they were honest. And with Nabi Muhammad, sallAllahu, alayhi wasallam,
their honesty levels became higher than they were prior to Islam.
		

			Because he was the highest level of honesty, the highest level of character, you know, when you have
a magnet that is powerful, when you take weak magnetic weak magnets and put them close to that
magnet, they become strong, and they become magnetized. Once again, they have that power. And that
effect again, so much so that if you were to take a steel nail or a little nail, and put it on a
magnet for a long time, it will become magnetic Subhanallah, it will start drawing towards it. The
same applies the companions here was the power the center of this magnetism towards goodness,
Muhammad Sallallahu, alayhi wasallam. And all the companions began in the same direction to get from
		

			it and to become similar or to become obviously not the same, but to gain strength in those
beautiful qualities to a very high degree, right. So I look at these companions and I tell myself,
if I am honest, to a degree, that is far higher than what I am right now, perhaps, I would perhaps
achieve the companionship of Muhammad Sallallahu sallam, one of the qualities was honesty,
truthfulness, they stuck, firm upon the truth, always, no matter what they could have lost anything
and everything. The world thought they were absurd. Take a look at the messages that went across the
globe at the time, where the leaders were called towards Islam, by letters written on behalf of
		

			Muhammad salallahu alayhi wasallam, sealed by him. They thought that these were a bunch of mad
people.
		

			Deep down, they knew there was nothing mad about it, but materialism made them not accept the
message. In most cases. It was materialistic, clinging, that made them deny the truth up to today.
If we become so inclined towards materialistic life, and that becomes our aim, we tend to turn a
blind eye to the truth. So we haven't learned from the Sahaba. We haven't learned from the
companions of Muhammad Sallallahu sallam. Yes, everyone loves that they earn and it is good and it
is halal. And it is an act of worship, but not to compromise the truth, not to compromise justice
not to eat each other up not to do that which is bad, it is immoral, it is unethical. And then we
		

			earn that's not how it's supposed to be. May Allah subhanho wa Taala grant us halaal sustenance. And
may Allah make it easy for us. May Allah never test us with those tests, and maybe forgive us where
we have faltered. So my beloved brothers and sisters, let's look at something very interesting. They
had in them something known as conviction.
		

			That was another quality like I told you, I want to know what are the qualities of the Sahaba Why
are they so special? Well, they had conviction faith, they knew if something came from Allah and His
Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam that was my success, there is no other way that I will achieve
true success. Even if I lost the whole world and my family members and I was persecuted and I was
driven out of my own and for example, all my things and property was taken away from me. It still
does not change anything in the eyes of Allah. What is right is right, I'm convinced or American
Allah meaning
		

			me not in either Baba la rasuluh Am I a una una
		

			una una Senora to mean him. It is not for a true believing male or female, that when Allah and His
Messenger have declared something, they think twice about it, or they are doubting it or they think
they have a choice in that regard. No true believer. You hear that? Allah said this, you are the
first one day that was the condition or a quality of the Sahaba. That is why Islam spread when it
did because they were convinced they learnt it. They were convinced about it, they spread it another
quality. What is another quality, the preparedness or readiness to sacrifice for the sake of Allah.
They had that quality which was unmatched. They sacrifice not just their wealth, but what law he
		

			their lives as well. May Allah subhanho wa Taala grant us a lesson. No one is asking us to make much
of a sacrifice Initially, the sacrifices upon ourselves, fight your laziness. May Allah make us all
strong initially.
		

			To fight your laziness, get up early, a little bit earlier than Salah to try out. Try out Salatu
tahajjud a few times in the month try it out once twice in the year see what how your life changes
but you have to fight laziness without sacrifice my beloved brothers and sisters, you achieve zero
nothing. You need to discipline yourself and so do I. We all need to do this. This is what I learned
from the Sahaba of the Allahu Allah whom they sacrifice their wealth, their wealth, not two and a
half percent of it not 10% of it 100% of it at times. Look at abubaker did he was known as one lumen
Masha Allah or be bad ambia the best to be created by Allah, from among mankind to tread this earth
		

			after the prophets of Allah.
		

			What got him to that status? All these qualities I'm talking about. He sacrificed 100% of his
wealth, not once a few times. And he was asked what have you lived at home? He says I've lived alone
is assumed, which means you know what Allah will provide. And the guidance is of Muhammad sallallahu
alayhi wasallam how many of us were not even being asked for 50% we're not even being asked to
donate it to a specific person or organization, but rather, to reach out to those in need in
general. We wouldn't want to even work out more than two and a half percent because we know that
belongs to Allah and we are satisfied when we've given two and a half percent. We say it's done. No,
		

			my beloved brothers and sisters, you want a quality of the Sahaba learn to sacrifice, sacrificing is
not just your wealth, but even your time. You need to sacrifice your time. You know, I'm intrigued
when I go back to the Sahaba of the Allahu anhu they took from Muhammad Sallallahu Sallam when they
were told that the best from amongst you are those who are best to their spouses were lucky they
went out of their way to make sure that their spouses or witness for them that these are really the
best of men to us. sapan Allah, may Allah subhanho wa Taala make us from among those who are best to
our family members, who are best to those whom we interact with, who are an asset to those who come
		

			across us or who have interacted with us in any way whatsoever. We should empower people buy the
expression on our faces. May Allah subhanho wa Taala help us really I've used words that are very,
very important to empower someone through your expression. Many of us look depressed because yes,
indeed there are problems they are issues, try to smile, they won't take a bond note from you for
each smile. Allah subhanho wa Taala. Now personally, Allah subhanho wa Taala guide us really, it's
something uplifting, I could have had a very bad day but I come to the masjid and greeted by
brothers, they are greeting me not because I drive the best vehicle not because I have a lot, but
		

			just because I am a brother. So Pamela just because I am connected we are here for the pleasure of
Allah, you could be black or white or green or yellow that is besides the point you could be rich or
poor. That is besides the point you could be big or small. That is also besides the point. So
Pamela, but what is is to go back to the lives of the Sahaba viola, why were they special? I promise
you, if we have within us a few of these qualities, even if we make the intention to develop a few
of these qualities, inshallah our level will improve our closeness with Allah would improve. They
had conviction they were sacrificing for the sake of Allah. They would never ever allow anything to
		

			get between them and Allah and their relationship with Allah subhanho wa Taala now take a look at
what happened as a result. As a result. Subhana Allah they learned, they defended Muhammad
sallallahu alayhi wasallam they defended him with their life. They followed what he said they
defended Islam, so many of them were martyred defending Islam. People wanted to wipe Islam out, look
at the Battle of better 313 Sahaba the Allahu anhu and here the enemy 1000 strong, powerful people
who came in with weaponry, etc. and Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam makes a dua. He says, Oh
Allah, this is the number here we are. You give us victory. You are worshipped. Subhan Allah, if you
		

			are worshipped, you would like to be worshipped here. Here are the men This is Islam. We've all come
to you. If these were gone, what would happen? May Allah subhanho wa Taala grant us an
understanding. This is why one day there was an issue between a man from among the bad region and
the others where he did something and someone said something very derogatory about him. Now look at
the sacrifice that this hobby had made under the failure of the law, and in fact, there are other
narrations of even other of the companions of mine.
		

			mozzarella alayhi wa sallam, and you know what happened?
		

			their sacrifice that had been made for Islam was taken into consideration because As the years
passed, they became stronger. They became better, they became people who are closer to Allah doesn't
need to happen with us. As you grow older, perhaps you become a little bit more conscious of the
fact that you're aging. So now you have to start thinking of Allah subhanho wa Taala whether you
like it or not, because you're going into your grave soon. May Allah subhanho wa Taala grant us a
deep understanding. That is the beauty of aging Do you know to become old is a gift of Allah?
Because Allah is giving you an opportunity to say you know what I've given you age to know for sure,
		

			and certain that you are becoming weaker, you are no longer your eyesight actually starts failing
you when things become blurry. That's your first sign to say Hang on. You're no longer as you used
to be Subhan Allah start preparing for the next life. Everybody else is gone. Now take a look at
this habit of the Amano. This particular Sahabi when the Prophet sallallahu Sallam heard a statement
against him, do you know what he says? He says
		

			What are you drink?
		

			lalala Allah Allah Allah better in
		

			here, Manu Masha, Mikado Tula Subhana Allah, He says, You know what, don't speak low of these
companions of mine. These were there from the very beginning. They were with me during the Battle of
beddoe. And how do you know, Allah looked at the hearts of the people who took part in the Battle of
burden? And he said to them, Do as you please from today, I have forgiven you completely.
		

			Because they were ready to die for Allah subhanho wa Taala. They did not, or the bulk of them did
not. But that was the sacrifice. So May Allah subhanho wa Taala make it easy as a result, they
spread Islam to where
		

			Allah He recently I visited West Africa.
		

			I promise you every time I speak and I tell our sisters, our brothers, when you turn away from
Allah, remember one thing Allah says in the Quran in more than one place, various wording but the
same meaning what
		

			is a bit in common?
		

			If you turn away Allah promises, we will replace you easily with someone else who will not be like
you. You think we need your worship? We will have someone in West Africa Do you think we need you to
sacrifice to attend something that would have been of your benefit to explain my poron meaning my
words of Allah subhanho wa Taala or some ruling of your life of an Islam etc. If you are not going
to attend, we're not going to force you. There are others who will attend. There are others who will
do it wholeheartedly and consider it an honor. If you remove your hijab, for example, it's not like
Allah needs your hijab, you need it. Allah creates another 10 people in some poor part of the world
		

			that will done the hijab as a result of your removal of it. That's what he says in the Quran. It
sounds a little bit hard, doesn't it? But voila, it's a reality check. If you are not honest, don't
worry. As a result of your dishonesty, Allah will create 10 other people who are honest, and you
know what you will see that on the day of judgment that look, Allah replaced you, there was a chance
for you to be honest, there was a chance for you to be just you will not just you will not honest.
Well, we created someone in Sierra Leone, another whole bunch of people who are honest, as a result,
I was overwhelmed. I'm talking about myself. When I visited For example, one of the countries that I
		

			did was Sierra Leone recently, while La Jolla, I was weeping I was crying and I said to Allah, Oh
Allah, these people, one of the poorest nations on earth have suffered and struggled mudslides and
floods and Ebola and everything else yet, while la de Sala will find you You won't find the space if
you want to attend you need to come before the end. And then you will have a space somewhere inside
the masjid. If not, you are somewhere outside. And we have the best the air condition, the
electricity, we have everything but we are all snoring. We're all asleep. May Allah forgive us.
Allah has indeed promised he will replace you with someone else you did not come. So no problem.
		

			There were others who came. And we've seen this with our eyes. So this is why we need to keep on
going back to the lives of the Sahaba luevano. Don't just become happy by a story of a companion.
Ask yourself what made them special. Why am I not that special? Today? when someone does well in
business we become jealous, jealous because why did he make money and I didn't then we start looking
at how to bring him down. But that's the wrong path. That's the path of materialism. Take a look at
faith and religion. The Sahaba Viola No, it's right to ask why did Allah choose them? Well, you will
find a clean answer. These are the qualities they had they proved in Islam spread to the eastern
		

			West, the north and the south and everywhere on Earth. So panela you name the country, they are
Muslims, you name the country, they are Muslims. Go to South America, go to the Caribbean goat on
the side here to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji Islands, go to Puerto Rico wherever you want. There
are a large chunk of Muslims everywhere, worshipping Allah, where we were we these were the efforts
made by the true men and women that were true to their promise to Allah subhanho wa Taala May Allah
subhanho wa Taala grant us a deep understanding. May Allah subhanho wa Taala open our doors, Allah
He my brothers and sisters, from the deeply over what I've said, let's develop our qualities. let's
		

			develop our love for Allah for goodness for justice, even if we lose absolutely everything. If you
have Allah in reality, you've lost nothing. And if you've gained everything material and lost Allah
in the process of Allah He from Allah, you have zero you have lost everything. May Allah protect us
all. Aku Kohli hada Salatu was salam o barik ala nabina Muhammad Subhana Allah Abraham the use of
Hanukkah lahoma behenic Chateau La ilaha illa Anta anastasiou kawana to buoy Lake