SESSION 6, DELIVERED ON 6/26/2022
Sūrat al-Hujurāt is about the etiquettes of how Muslims should behave with prophets, mankind, Islam, and Allah ﷻ Himself. Banū Asad needed assistance from the people of Madinah due to a drought. So, they entered the city of Madinah but were uncouth based on the way they were raised as Aʿrāb (Bedouins). For example, they would urinate in the masjid, shove people, etc. The Aʿrāb demanded the Prophet’s ﷺ respect for their not waging war on Madinah. The Aʿrāb said they believed, but al-Qurʿān says to tell them to not say they believed, but that they accepted Islam. They have yet to truly believe because that belief needs to be more reflected in their actions. The munāfiqūn (hypocrites) also said they believed, but didn’t really believe. The point of these āyahs (verses) isn’t about the difference between Islam and ʾĪmān, but to become better Muslims. So, if you have ʾīmān in your heart, you will practice Islam willingly and effortlessly.
“There is no such thing as a closet Muslim.” (Shaykh Amin Kholwadia)“If you’re not willing to publicly testify that you’re Muslim, you’re not Muslim.” (Shaykh Amin Kholwadia).
If you’re not willing to do mujāhadah (sacrifice) with your time and wealth when needed, you’re not a believer, although you may still be Muslim. Need to feel a pinch for mujāhadah.
“You must contribute to the house of Allah ﷻ in your neighborhood because that’s where the raḥmah (Divine Mercy) is, where the nūr (spiritual effulgence) of Allah descends.” (Shaykh Amin Kholwadia).“This is not doing Islam a favor; it’s about Islam doing you a favor” (Shaykh Amin Kholwadia).
The greatest promise we have for being Muslims is a key to Jannah.
“We should fight for justice because we want to enter Jannah.” (Shaykh Amin Kholwadia).“The litmus test is when somebody says this is Allah’s Faḍl (virtue) and duʿāʾs of my mashāyikh, then you know he’s in sync with al-Rasūl ﷺ.” (Shaykh Amin Kholwadia).
If he takes credit for himself, then don’t follow him because he’s a shayṭān. He hasn’t yet refined his nafs. There is a standard measure of proper behavior which is expected of Muslims, which is a prerequisite in Muslim leadership. Mujāhadah is sacrifice, which implies striving beyond the bare minimum. Regardless of prosperity, government, infrastructure, etc., Islam offers us salvation and access to Jannah. Belief in Allah and His Messenger is the greatest commodity in existence, which will accompany us beyond death; it is a tremendous disservice to ourselves that we allow our beliefs to become corrupted. Islamic knowledge is the most organized & pedagogical convention in the universe, and the Muslim Ummah never ceased in its quest for more knowledge.
In this lecture:
- The mannerism which Muslims should have with Allah
- The steps for progression in Iman
- The role of sacrifice (Mujahadah) in a believer’s development
- The importance of humility in seeking knowledge as a hallmark of our tradition