Trials, Patience & Faith- 2

 

In this temporary world, every soul must go through certain trials. Pains, losses, illnesses, uncertainties, and injustices are not things out of the ordinary, but rather elements that form part of life on earth. Allah has informed us that this worldly life is a field of trials, destined to reveal the sincerity of our faith and the depth of our submission. A true believer will not be content merely seeking the comfort of Paradise, but will make every effort to draw closer to Allah Himself, Who is the Master of Paradise. In the Qur’an, Allah says:

“We will certainly test you with a touch of fear and famine and loss of property, life, and crops. But give good tidings to the patient.” (Al-Baqara 2: 156)

 

To be a Muslim means to submit oneself entirely to the will of Allah. It is not merely a religious affiliation, but a posture that one must adopt in daily life, in all intentions and actions – this submission must permeate one’s entire life. One must become like the soul that recognises it belongs to Allah, its Creator, and that everything – whether happiness or hardship – comes from Him.

 

“Say: Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds.” (Al-Anam 6: 163)

Trials, Patience & Faith- 1

 

All people, at one moment or another, go through trials and difficulties in different forms – whether when their health deteriorates or old age comes – and they face many physical and morale problems. No one can say they’ve never known a health issue, a loss, a fear, or a disappointment. These trials walk hand in hand with the condition of human beings. And they do not affect only the poor, but also the rich. Everyone goes through trials – sometimes very hard, sometimes less so – but a trial nonetheless. Whether a person is young or old, all go through difficulties that they must overcome. These trials are manifestations of divine wisdom, tests that Allah sends to try our faith, our patience, our ability to endure these trials, and they are also tests that examine our trust in Allah.

 

Allah says in the Holy Qur’an: “And We tested them with good and evil so that they might return (to Us in repentance).” (Al-Araf 7: 169)

One Ummah, One Leader- 3

Every Muslim must keep in mind that Allah’s promise to preserve the Qur’an until the Day of Judgement is a true promise. Reflect well that Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) came as the Qur’an in flesh and blood – that is to say, he was a perfect representation of the Noble Qur’an.

Therefore, the Muslim world and all seekers of truth must realise that the truth of Islam cannot be erased! No matter how many conspirators try to destroy Islam, seeking at all costs to divide Muslims, place obstacles between our unity, and create wars so that we fight amongst ourselves – there always comes a point when Allah overturns their plans and removes the blindness from the eyes of Muslims, guiding them back to the straight path.

One Ummah, One Leader- 2

 

Like I was telling you last Friday, the greatest challenge the Ummah has been facing for centuries is unity around a single Leader – not just any leader or Caliph, but a leader based on the precepts of our beloved Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh). Many people have come and proclaimed that they are the ones who have come to bring reform to the Ummah. It is true that many Mujaddids (reformers) have come, but after guidance, people have become divided again and that too, sub-divided, to the point that no one truly knows where the truth lies.

 

Each of the sects, the Jamaats (communities) of Islam, is seeking the Khilafat for itself, to lead the Ummah, but this Khilafat – let me tell you – is chosen by Allah! When man deviates from the path of Allah and abandons the spiritual heritage of Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh), of Islam – an Islam that all the prophets have preached since the creation of man – then Allah sees the need to raise His own Khalifa (Caliph/ Representative) to bring about that unity. This Khalifa of Allah does all he can, through the divine revelation he receives, to revive the Qur’an and Islam in the hearts of people across the world; not just Muslims, but also people of other faiths who have long lost the right path.

 

So, if we look closely, who truly deserves the Khilafat? When we analyse the sects of Islam that have deviated from the right path, we see how many have already lost true guidance; therefore, each Muslim must reflect on whether he is truly following the “Siratwal Mustaqeem” (the straight path), and where it is truly leading him: towards Allah and His pleasure, or towards divine anger and punishment?

 

A Khilafat that is based on the footsteps and works of Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) – when the time comes, it will appear, and continue to appear, after people have lost the compass of Islam – that is, when they lose the direction that leads to true Islam.