Answering Interesting Questions – Part 6

Hey me again. So I'm going to pick up from where I left off I was talking about whose question was it? I think it was Monday I'm gonna diems question. I know that we did the loving for the sake of Allah It was a question about lacking sub. The last thing I was saying before I got cut off was that you know, instead of praying for the world around you to change. In addition, your primary emphasis should be for you to transform for you to be stronger for you to be better and that those are better prayers. And you'll notice overall, the prayers in the Koran are focused on yourself submit abdominal one scenario carbon copy, plant our feet and Adas against the enemy right so it's actually

about yourself first before it's about the world around you.

Someone asks a really cool question since security and protection is attained by complete submission and submitting altogether to Allah

so I am today the OH MY so divided we like so much of unity, we compromise on so many issues in Islam, whether this oma will attain security and protection, it is actually true that allows origin promised us you know, security. And you are you Fuddy fania COVID own, for example, on the words everybody, Mrs. Trump, which of the two groups is more rightful to enjoy peace and safety and Latina commonweal, but

they're the ones who believed and didn't, you know, muddle their faith with any kind of wrongdoing? They're the ones who like alohomora um, they're the ones that enjoy safety and security. And there are other places in the Quran whereby, you know, talks about how if people were to live by revelation that they would have a good worldly life as well, that is true. But on the other hand, I think that, you know, this kind of question indicates that someone's very frustrated with the situation of the oma altogether. And it kind of gives you the feeling that you and I have the burden of carrying the entire almost burden on, you know, and its troubles on our shoulders. It is a very

heavy burden to carry. And yes, collectively, we do have that burden. But you know, when you start thinking about a problem, and you overthink, and you overthink, it can become paralyzing. I was raised in a generation where, you know, around my elders, who always talked about the problems in the Muslim world, talked about the problems of countries and corrupt governments and education systems, and the corruption within the religious communities and corruption outside the religious communities and all kinds of stuff. And the problem was, years went by, and they're still sitting there sipping Chai, and talking about these problems, and nobody's actually doing anything. And the

problems are only getting worse look, weather weather now, tomorrow or the day after 100 years from now, problems will always be there, this world is not gender, it's a world full of problems, you know, but we our job is to do whatever we can within our capacity, these are challenges are not put in our path to see what we're gonna do. So let's instead of getting overwhelmed with you know, whether whether or not we're gonna the oma will have protection, we should seek a less protection by serving him when we serve his cause that allows them which will protect us. So let's look and look to ourselves in the people around us.

How do we know Shazia? How do we know the trials of life are a punishment or a test? I'd say that there are tests I you know, I'd say that trials of life, yes, there may be an element of punishment in them, it's possible, but there's no way for you to know and we have to have, we have to give the benefit of the doubt every time. And so I would actually put everything that happens to you in this life as a

as actually a test. And actually a punishment in this life, to me, is

death and destruction and that sort of thing. And there are other types of worldly punishment that do occur. For example, when it comes to the subject of slander, like when you when you degraded somebody and you know, accused somebody falsely accused, somebody started a rumor about somebody, then the IRS are pretty harsh that somebody will pay the person they will be cursed in this life. And in the next, right, although usually doesn't talk about punishments that will come in this life, but he does in certain cases. And that's one of those cases right? But generally speaking, no, generally, everything you and I go through should be considered a test and May Allah zildjian pass

us through those tests. Actually, on that note, the famous story of the gardener's in the Quran,

the wealthy gardener his entire garden was destroyed. But it's very clear from the text that that destruction was actually not a punishment. He comes out having made Toba to Allah, he's better off now Lee he lost the material wealth, but he gained a wealth of faith so he's better off

and that's why the words his final words

are very beautiful. Anyhow, moving along inshallah I'll take Hannah's question how do I balance between being a moderate Muslim what exactly does being a moderate Muslim mean I've noticed one thing that being moderate or being extreme differs from person to person. I would agree with you there when I don't observe certain festivals are certain you know, she's mentioned several Mirage people call me extremist and when I put on a job people call me extremists and when I offer Salah sometimes people say it's okay if you're relaxed to pray and pray within time.

Hannah, this is a fantastic question. I think that we need to go back to some of the fundamentals and the basics. There are essential things that allow once every Muslim to abide by absolutely fundamental things that he wants us to abide by. And there are absolutely fundamental things he wants to stay away from. If you're doing that, you're okay. Everything else above that is icing on the cake. It's extra credit, it's better and better and better. Don't lose sight of the essentials, like the way somebody earns their money should be pure, for example, they should take care of their minimal prayers, for example, they should take care of, you know, the way they dress, for example,

make some things that Allah put as a minimal that you must abide by to take care of those things. And then be and of course, giving people their rights, how you are to your parents, to your spouse, to your children, etc. Fulfilling basic rights. That's all the basic stuff. And none of this is rocket science. None of this is advanced Islamic studies where you unless you get a PhD in Sharia, you won't know what to do. It's not like that. It's very, very straightforward. And pretty much everybody listening kind of knows what those basic essentials are, when you're taking care of those essentials. Then above and beyond that, you know, if Allah gives you the ability to do you do it

good for you, if you're not able to do it, and you're just able to hold hold on to just the bare minimum. You're still great, you're still doing wonderfully, you know, and this is something I've learned even through the study of the Quran, Allah azza wa jal says, Allah, Allah, Allah, Allah, Allah, Allah kosha. If you are to obey, align His Messenger, he's not going to waste away any of your deeds, just obey them, fulfill that requirement, at least, and don't emphasize, you know, the thing I want to highlight here is, there are things that are not fundamental to the religion, but they're really important to us. And there are things that are fundamental to their religion, and

they're not important to us, you know. So for some people, certain celebrations are a big deal. But the prayer is not

forget the celebration when it comes. If you're not thinking about the prayer, then forget about the celebration, this is a bigger priority for you. Or for some people, you know, going to Amara going to another, and another. And another great for you, you can go to Ramadan, but you're not even fasting in Ramadan dude. Or you're not even earning hella money, you're going to the oma with your liquor store earnings. It's not, it doesn't add up, fix your earnings. Don't worry about dharma. Don't worry about these other things that are not priority. So prioritizing correctly, does give moderation and it's it's something that's so beautifully articulated in Allen's book, and the center

of His Messenger sallallahu wasallam.

Peter asks the question, the question is about forgiveness and worldly matters? Is it true that I have to ask a human for forgiveness in this world for the wrong I have done to them, and if I don't do that, for whatever reason, I will be punished on the Day of Judgment by giving my good deeds to them. Even though I sincerely ask Allah for forgiveness in this world. If you have a chance to ask for forgiveness from people in this world, do so don't let your pride get in the way. Don't get your reluctance or hesitation get in the way. Don't let your fear of being humiliated or degraded. Get in the way if you know you've done someone wrong, and they're still alive and they're still around,

take advantage of that. Now. You don't want to take the chance of them standing before Judgment Day and asking you for your good good deeds. So that would be my sincere advice to yourself and myself.