A True Muslim Life

 

Never neglect the Sunnah!

 

The life of a true Muslim is one that is shaped by complete submission to Allah, guided by the Holy Qur’an and illuminated by the example of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The Holy Qur’an itself commands obedience not only to Allah but also to His Messenger, for the Holy Prophet (pbuh) is described as the living embodiment of the Qur’an; his actions, words, and manner of life explain and clarify the divine verses. To follow the Holy Qur’an without the Sunnah and Hadiths is to miss the practical demonstration of its meaning, for Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) showed through his daily conduct how the commands of Allah are to be lived in reality.

 

The first step in the life of a Muslim is the remembrance of Allah from the moment of waking. Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) taught simple but profound supplications to be recited at the start of the day, such as: “Alhamdulillahil-lazi ahyana ba‘da ma amatana wa ilayhin-nushur” (Praise be to Allah Who gave life after death and to Him is the return). This sets the tone of gratitude and awareness of the Creator. Throughout the day, the Muslim continues to recite such Duahs as taught in the Qur'an and also those of the Sunnah, for example before eating, after finishing a meal, when entering or leaving the home, and before sleeping. These supplications are not mere words; they are like a lightning strike that evokes that every action, however ordinary, is connected to Allah and should be performed with His remembrance.

Islamic Morals for a Joyous Life

By the grace of Allah I continue today on the subject of my previous sermons, that is to say, the “Khidmat-e-Khalq” (Service to Humanity) and this sermon is specifically the continuation of the last Friday Sermon where I spoke on hospitality (to the guests, to the poor, to everyone).

In a very nice anecdote and Hadith, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) refers to hospitality in a wonderful way. Once a Sahabi (companion of the Messenger of Allah) appeared before Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) in the morning, and then the Holy Prophet (pbuh) told him: “The action you did last night pleased Allah very much (and this even made Allah laugh).” 

And it was on this occasion that Allah revealed the following verse:

“They prefer others to their own selves, in spite of the fact that they are themselves in pressing need.” (Al-Hashr 59: 10)

In fact, this is the same matter of the verses of the Quran which I mentioned in the previous Friday Sermons: Al-Insaan, Chapter 76, Verses 9-10. It is about the fact that despite the difficulties they face, they give priority to other people rather than their own persons.