Presented at the ICNA-MAS Convention 2018
Yaser Birjas – Light Within: The Creator and The Created
AI: Summary ©
The importance of being active and engaged in high school martial law is emphasized, along with the need to take care of oneself and find one's greatest fitna. The confusion surrounding Islam's experiences can lead to burnout and the importance of patientism and continuous prayer is emphasized. The importance of working on daily communication and regular schedules is emphasized, along with the need for continuous patientism to achieve success in professional life.
AI: Summary ©
Salam aleikum wa rahmatullah wa barakato.
humbler bloodmeal. Allah wa salam Baraka Nabina Muhammad wa ala alihi wa sahbihi wa seldom at the Sleeman kathira mama bad. So hamdulillah Blimey, we heard earlier from robotic Amani, the meaning of Dawa. It's a process, being active and being an activist. It's a process. And it's a great honor even to be on this path. But something so many forget so many people forget about in the process of making themselves of hamdulillah available for the deen of Allah azza wa jal, and being always there, giving down and talking to others being available online and offline all this time, in sharing Islam, and serving humanity, sometimes we forget about ourselves, as we work so hard to
deliver Islam to the people to the world, as we work so hard, trying hours as much as we can to guide people to Allah subhanho wa Taala. Somehow, with this great effort that we're making, the intention somehow got dropped somewhere. We don't know what happened.
And in that process, a lot of people, they get burned out, they become drop out on the path of dharma. So how can I find and how can I keep that light within? As I'm trying to shed light on others? How can I keep that light within? This is what I would like to share with you in Sharla with a bottle of water Allah to understand that as I'm trying to help other people, I need to make sure that I'm still also well guarded and well protected. You see, even Allah subhanho wa Taala is reminding us, Allah azza wa jal reminding us about the importance of taking care of ourselves. Yeah, you're Latina, Amano, Aleikum, and fukumura Mandela today to all you who believe you care for
yourself. And that means basically will allow us to speak in the context of when people they choose to go astray. You make sure as long as you do your part, you take care of yourself. It is very important for those brothers and sister that will handle it becoming very active these days, as they trying to become more are more engaged, that they never forget about themselves. I've been doing a handler this work in terms of public speaking and teaching young men and women around the country for the past almost 1820 years. But I have seen a lot. I've seen a lot of young men and women who become very active in high school martial law, and then become very active and MSA and then become
very active with a lot of youth groups martial law for certain time. But then somehow, they're missing.
You go to the massage at a certain age group is always missing from the community. A lot of brothers and sisters they just kind of like a take take a year or 10 years off completely. What happened to them? Why aren't they there anymore? Where is that light that was supposedly from within that was guiding them to Allah subhanho wa Taala Allah has made it very clear to us that Allah is no to some Amati without his hand on what Allah the light of the heavens and the earth. So if you want to have that light, you're gonna go and seek that light from Allah subhanho wa Taala Allah azza wa jal says yeah you're Latina Amma taco la escuela O you who believed fear Allah wa Ameobi Rasulullah now look
what does that mean here? Oh you who believe Allah hunter says yeah you have Lavina Amman oh you who believe so Allah subhanho wa Taala acknowledging and emphasizing that they're already believers. He says the tequila means be conscious of Allah subhanho wa Taala and then said, um you know be Rasulullah he which means believe in his messenger. What does that mean? I mean, he already said that they are believers What do you call them all you who believe Why is he calling them right now to believe in the messenger sallallahu alayhi wasallam in some of the diversity that Allah they say this I and I was speaking about putting this faith into action, which means follow his example. What
do you get out of this? What am I gonna get if I'm gonna become an activist in the in the dour in my feet? What do I get out of this Allah subhanaw taala says you to come give Laney Muhammad, he will give you give lightning or rahmati which means to loads of reward.
You're going to get a lot of rewards from Allah subhanho wa Taala. And then which is very important over here were john Nakamura, and He will give you light tenshun Avi that you would work with.
So not just believe in Allah azza wa jal, it is also believe in the message of the Prophet sallallahu wasallam. Put that into action. Only then you will get the reward for what you're doing. And you will be provided with light. That light is that which comes from within. This is the light that will make a lot of people work through. We live in time when people are very confused. This is the time the greatest fitna I gave a hope a few few weeks ago actually on the subject is one of the greatest fifth and the grave. The greatest trials and all deals people are going through today is confusion.
When it comes to the young ones specifically, they come out very confused about what what is it exactly that path? I'm on
I want to stay Muslim but which which way should I go? Which one would lead me to that which is considered the best? And the last point that says if you want that light, you go back to the to the point of reference to Allah subhanho wa Taala to the message to the messenger sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, Allah azza wa jal says amin lemmens, Allah, Allahu, Allahu, Allahu Manu, whoever, whoever does receive light from Allah subhanho wa Taala, no one will be able to give them light. Which means if you really feel in that confusion, instead of going on the internet and googling this and going here and there, go back to Allah azza wa jal, you will get that light. That light from within is
what we're all looking for. I've been in handle and a bit of doubt, since I was very young. And I've seen a lot of my friends, a lot of my peers become dropouts. Why? Because they lost that light. And many of them, they will be engaged in so much higher, so much higher in Dawa. But they work so hard, helping and assisting others that they forgot about themselves. And as a result, they feel burned out and they lost that light. So this Pamela they just left that path. Some of them and handler came back again, but still, it's very dangerous. Because when we try to see the light somewhere else away from Allah azza wa jal, it's gonna be very, very hard, extremely hard. And Allah subhana wa Taala
says, the maturity level or Yeshua, if you do, Islam, if Allah subhanaw taala was for somebody to be guided, he will make it easy for them in their heart to receive that stream Islam, which is the light from Allah subhanho wa Taala. So how can I get that? That is the question people they ask, okay, fine. I know I need that that light from Allah azza wa jal, how can I achieve this? Now here's one thing before I get actually the few points I want to share with you in sha Allah zone, when it comes to finding that light from Allah. So Allah subhanho wa Taala. People don't don't understand that this is an individual experience. It is an individual experience. And I mean by that we all
feel exhausted, we all feel tired. We all feel that we need some assistance to find that light, which is true. We all need help from other people. So we come to these conventions. We come to these programs and people they go to homeroom, they go to Hajj. So when they see the crowd, and they see the size of the people, they feel like Wow, this is awesome. They feel rejuvenated. But then when the convention is over, and the program is done, Ramadan is over as well. We go back to normal life, what happens to us? Oh, man, that light is just gonna turn off again.
And we start saying, I wish Ramadan can be every single day.
Why? Because we need that torch to always be lit and coming in front of us. But when it comes to this experience, it's an individual experience. What does that mean? Where are we getting that from? You see the sort of the sort of the sha Allah subhanho wa Taala when he was speaking about the Prophet sallallahu wasallam as he was given the DAO, what did he say? tala VEDA for a
while a lot of beeker from speaking to the Prophet sallallahu wasallam. In the Arabic language, the pronoun that was used over here is an individual singular pronoun, speak to the Prophet sallallaahu directly says, for either for funds or when you're done, done doing what we all know that he's doing sallallahu Sallam giving Dawa to the people. When you are done for either for us or when you're done guiding people preaching going out there. Allah subhanaw said to him by either ferrata funds sub, the word funds up means put yourself to the fatigue, which means get yourself tired again, doing what the individual act of worship la vida Sala the night prayer, what Ella Baker for up until your
Lord, come closer yourself nearer to him. subhanho wa Taala these pronouns don't have anything, anything actually, in terms of group is not plural. They're all singular Law Center professors and you either ferrata when you're done, then you come close to Allah subhanho wa Taala. Do more, but this time do it for yourself. A lot of us those who get involved in Dawa, we do so how we do so much to the people and to others and handler and I'm sure that a lot of brothers and sisters in this convention right now, a lot of volunteers. By the time that convention is over, they will be exhausted and tired. A lot of people came here from different places. Why? Because they're looking
for that light within this beautiful gathering which is amazing and it's true. But you have to look for that from within. And it can happen only if you have that individual experience between you and Allah subhanho wa Taala heavily dependent on the group and the people it's good, that's nice. But don't forget about yourself. You need to have that individual experience with Allah subhanho wa Taala so what can I do individually in order to keep that light for Medina inshallah xojo number one, the first thing always be conscious of Eliza Taka, taka taka wa Taala
Why so? Because Allah subhanho wa Taala says what up Allah, Allah como la.
If you have that conscious of Allah subhanho wa Taala if you fear Allah as a judge, truly Allah will give you the knowledge Allah will teach you. teach you what, what you need to do, he will give you guidance. That's what it means.
Allah subhanaw taala says, You Allah, Allah, Allah, Allah, Allah Allah confer Karna or you believe if you truly become conscious of Allah subhanho wa Taala. If you have Taqwa of Allah has revealed the beauty of Allah subhanho wa Taala. He will give you for Ghana and for con like criteria, meaning he will give you that insight by which you can tell right from wrong.
How many people today you see the Muslims, they're committing the Haram. Why is that because they cannot see the Haram in it.
They can see the harm in it, no matter how much you try to tell them they cannot see what you see. Why? Because unfortunately, lack that, that light from within is not there. And it's not showing them what they need to see. So they need to get that how do we do this? The first thing like I said again, having that full conscious of Allah subhanho wa Taala and the taqwa of Allah azza wa jal Ramadan is coming very soon inshallah Baraka what Allah mela Mecca mango Lotus Ramadan Arabella min and give me the full reward Professor the month of Ramadan Allah it is the month of taqwa fasting is the month of taqwa. Make sure to take your time and showered in Ramadan to increase that one. But
until then, what do I do next? How can I get that light? How can I get that Aqua? Al Quran?
The Quran the book of Allah subhanho wa Taala which Allah azza wa jal says about Kala karateka hyena, Elijah Rue Hanuman emelina, Allah said to the Prophet sallallahu Sallam that we have revealed to you rule rule which means spirit, from mmm from the command from the command of Allah subhanho wa Taala, by the by the command or of Allah azzawajal. But for what spirit for what the ultimate, they say Al Quran is the spirit of your soul, just like the soul is actually the spirit of your body.
Just like your body is that soul in order to survive Your soul is that for the Quran, to survive as well and need to engage in the book of war, the Book of Allah subhanho wa Taala Allah, Quran again many, many occasions in the Quran, as being like God Jackman Allah, you know, there comes to you from Allah subhanho wa Taala no light and Allah Subhana made it very clear work estaba muy bien. And it's a very clear book. Yeah, Devi Allah Allah guides through this book, many, many, many people to realize the origin. So the Quran is a second thing you take you think about constantly and make sometimes throughout the day and then I share some of your time with the Quran with the book of
Allah azza wa jal so taqwa consciousness, Allah subhanho wa Taala and then have the relationship with the book of Allah azza wa jal number three, what do I need? You know, in the process of living this life again, we have a lot of a lot of things to worry about. We have our personal life, family, life, school, work, many things. So we do everything we can, and then what is left for us. So in order for us to continue on this path, we put our trust in Alaska's origin. You are not responsible for the result like him of the company mentioned, we are not responsible for the result, we are responsible doing our part, that's all. As long as you do your part. Then you lead let everything in
the hands of Allah subhanho wa Taala. Allah says Allah, Allah, Allah, for Allah has whoever puts his trust in Allah subhanho wa Taala, Allah will supply them means he will take care of you. He will guide you through what's upon what Allah then comes after that number four, patience. You need to be patient why Allah says was the Innova Sabri was Salah means seek that assistance and that aid into things and being patient persevering impatience, and number two, a Salah, praying regularly. Patience is a quality that is concerned in this time, in particular, the quarter that completely lost and missing in our time.
It's missing, and the loss of praise the praise, patience and perseverance and patience as one of the greatest qualities for those who like to survive in this world. So tell us, what Allah subhanho wa Taala Saba sobre those who have faith, have the faith and have the practice of that faith and then what they enjoy and good among themselves, and they persevere in patience as well. So patience is important.
For the long run, the Messenger of Allah said to him, why am I Oh, to harden up on our salah and farm in a suburb that Allah Subhana has never given anybody a thought, which means a gift better than patience. So patience is crucial. It's extremely, extremely important. We live in the age of instant gratification, and obviously you know, everything we need to do drive through things. Everything is driving these days. When I go shopping, sometimes you're going to these grocery stores, and you see how people completely are becoming impatient. They don't even like to stand in line, even if they were to in front of you. That's it. So they keep going from cashier one to
cashier
Looking for the shortest line, by the time they go to number 10, they realize number two was shorter, they go back to number two,
right? By the time you get to number two, somehow number seven was short, let's go back. And number seven, they waste more time trying to figure out the shortest line, when they were just a little bit patient, they could have gone by then they will be actually already actually in the car. People don't have even patient to go shop, you know, because it takes so much time so there was online. We live in this culture that patience is a completely lost virtue.
And in order for things to be perfect, you need to be patient with it. So number four, patience is what we need in order to find that light from within. And number five, and the last point to shout out to Baraka Allah is a Salah was the Innova Sabri was Salah, you persevere, impatience and also maintain your Salah and you did a regular prayers, Allah azza wa jal, the prophet as a matter of fact, Salalah Solomon said was Salah to new in the Muslim, he said was Salah to new Salah in essence is light is that light from within? But what is sola? sola is your personal communication and connection with Allah zosen it's the most personal experience with Allah subhanho wa Taala. And it
happens five times a day at least. And we would all maintain that regularly. They were not going to be able to get that light shining. We might be maintaining the five daily prayers of hand a lot of blood I mean, but a lot of us in the process, we lose the quality. You see in certain we know Allah subhanho wa Taala says, called after the honeymoon. Allah Dena homefield. Salatin harsh, your own successful are the believers, those when they pray, they pray with who sure which means focus on concentration. What does that mean? Exactly? It's very ironic, isn't it that Allah subhanaw taala, saying successful other believers he didn't say those who pray. He didn't say those who pray. It was
already implied that they pray when he said successful are the believers. But he said there was when they pray. They focus. What does that mean? As an Imam, a lot of people come to me and said, Chef, I've been praying for the past 10 years, 15 years, 20 years, whatever. I don't feel it. Why are these things happening to me? I don't know what I'm not getting the sweetness of Salah that you're talking about. I said, What is the quality of your salon? What's the quality of your worship? If it's not that great, then it's almost like useless and meaningless. That doesn't connect. So what does that exactly mean? Allahu Shu is not the communication of who sure is actually the connection.
So the eye and translation means successful. The other believers, those when they pray, they connect with a laza.
You might be communicating, like john Maxwell, one of the leaders in and leadership, he says in his book, everybody communicates, but few people connect, which is true. Everybody communicates even in your silence. you're communicating. When you're upset, when you're happy you're communicating when you just do nothing, just being there. That's part of the communication process, probably, but how much of that communication is connecting? You might be worshiping you might be praying, you might be giving charity, but are you connecting with Allah subhanho wa Taala the connection is missing? How can I do this? My advice? The last two things to shut off the water quarterlies advice here is that
how can I make that connection, sound and strong? Two things, focus on two things. Number one, number one, always make sure that you have a daily word, a daily communication with Allah subhana wa through the Quran.
Which means you read the Quran, why so because the Quran is when the last father speaking to you. So the Quran. And by the way, I'm being a bit bigger this because a survey that was actually released earlier this panel last year, saying that those have been surveyed among the Muslims who lost connection with the Guardian under Islam, it's because of two things. Number one, because they don't have a daily daily routine or daily assignment or the Quran, they don't read the Quran on daily basis. They don't even if it was one page. So they need to have a daily assignment with the Quran. That's number one. Number two, that you need to work on a shallow to have that connection so that
the light starts becoming on having something such as a better to serve, which means secret about a secret act of worship. What's the meaning of the secret act of worship? You know, a lot of people when they commit sins, what do they do? They try everything in their power to hide it. No one would know anything about it and see how much we try to hide our sins. This is how much we try to do good and hide our goodness.
Think of something that you do. Whether it's some form of liquor that you do percentage of the Quran and particularly the night prayer
Or maybe you're very charitable you give charity regularly without anyone knows about it. Maybe you helping your neighbors, you feeding the homeless, do something that no one should know about it you don't have to post that on your Instagram or even on Snapchat all that stuff and so on. Don't do that stuff. Keep it secret. Have a regular thing, a regular assignment with the Quran and Allah basis number to think of something that you do to keep it between you and Allah subhana wa Taala that will teach you to remain sincere and always remain sincere. May Allah make mangoes herbal alameen wa salam aleikum wa rahmatullah wa barakato.