Hajj & 'Eid Ul Adha'

 

Assalamoualaikum Warahmatullah Wabarakaatuhu. 

Eid Mubarak!

 

When we speak of Hajj, we commemorate the immense sacrifice of two prophets in human history who attained the highest level of love for Allah. These prophets are Ibrahim (as) and Isma’il (as).

 

The sacrifice of our forefather Hazrat Ibrahim (as) and his only son at the time – Hazrat Isma’il (as) – [before the birth of Ishaq (as)] is a central event in Islamic history. It is remembered every year during Eid-ul-Adha. Allah tested Ibrahim’s faith and devotion by commanding him in a dream to sacrifice his son Isma’il (as). This event is mentioned in the Holy Quran:

 

“Then when (the child) reached the age to walk with him, (Ibrahim) said, ‘O my son, I have seen in a dream that I am sacrificing you. See then what you think.’ He replied, ‘O my dear father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, among the steadfast.’” (As-Saffat, 37: 103)

The Israel- Palestine conflict

Hamas & the PLO- Fatah

 

The Israel-Palestine conflict remains one of the most pressing and deeply entrenched crises in modern history. Palestinians have a legitimate right to live in peace in the land they have inhabited for centuries. However, the colonialist Zionist enterprise has systematically deprived them of their basic human rights, confiscating land and expelling native inhabitants to make way for Jews born in America, Europe, and other parts of the world. Israel has established an apartheid system against the native Palestinian Arabs, with laws protecting Jewish citizens exclusively while offering no legal safeguards for non-Jewish populations - yet it still prides itself on being the only democracy in the region.

Islam: A Way of Life

Islam as a Deen, Not just a Religion

Islam is not merely a religion (Mazhab) centred on worship and rituals; rather, it is a complete way of life (Deen) that governs all aspects of human existence. Unlike Mazhab, which allows people to practice rituals freely alongside their occupations, Deen establishes moral, ethical, and legal principles that govern human behaviour in every domain – personal, social, economic, and political.

 

The Quran defines Islam as a Deen rather than a Mazhab: “Indeed, the religion (Deen) in the sight of Allah is Islam.” (Ali-Imran 3: 20)

 

This distinction is essential because Deen ensures that every action aligns with divine principles rather than personal whims or desires. For example, whereas some religions separate faith from governance, Islam integrates spirituality with justice, social responsibility, and legal systems, ensuring that no human activity contradicts divine laws.

Divine Union in Islam

Union with Allah 

The experience of union with Allah, as I have already mentioned in my previous sermon, is profoundly spiritual and transcends human understanding, to the extent that it cannot even be described in words. A person who experiences a connection with Allah will find that the words they (i.e. he or she) use (uses) to describe this experience do not truly capture the depth of what they have lived through spiritually. It is something that the person – the believer – feels and experiences personally, yet cannot fully explain. Only those who have personally gone through this deep connection can truly understand it, and even they struggle to convey the essence of this extraordinary experience to others.

The gift of 'Khair'

 

The Good of this World & the Hereafter

Allah, in His infinite mercy, has kept extraordinary blessings for His believing servants. Even those who have made mistakes and committed sins but later received His forgiveness and mercy are included in these blessings. These rewards exist both in this world (Dunya) and in the next life (Aakhirah). The terms used to describe these blessings are “Khair’ud-Dunya” (the good of this world) and “Khair’ul-Aakhirah” (the good of the afterlife). However, the word “Khair” does not just mean a simple blessing – it refers to a state of true fulfilment and peace for a believer. This peace, enhanced, fortified and deepened by Allah’s mercy, grants a person access to provisions specially kept for them (i.e. him or her) in this world, as well as an even greater reward beyond imagination in the afterlife. But to receive this, they must remain on the right path and die in a state where Allah is pleased with them. This state is called Al-Nafs-Al-Mutmaina (the soul at peace).

 

Every true believer in Allah and His Prophet, Muhammad (pbuh), should aim for this state of inner peace, because it is in this state that one can spiritually connect with Allah. Life on Earth is full of hardships and difficulties, yet, amidst this chaos, Allah grants some people the ability to disconnect from worldly distractions and truly connect with Him. Through Salat (prayer) and Zikr (meditation and remembrance of Allah), a person can reach a level of spirituality where, even though problems may rain down upon them, those troubles feel insignificant – like water dripping off a leaf. They feel deeply at peace, submerged in a connection with Allah, which He Himself has permitted. There is a sense of harmony between the servant and their Creator [be it for a male believer or a female believer], a deep synchronization between Allah and the one He created. This is the real meaning of Khair’ud-Dunya, where the good is not just material, but also spiritual.

'Al-Hayaa' : Modesty in Islam

  

In Islam, Al-Hayaa is a noble quality that represents modesty, humility, and shame in a positive sense of the term. Our beloved Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) emphasized its importance, saying: “Faith (Iman) has over seventy branches, and modesty is an essential part of it.” (Bukhari). This virtue is deeply connected to faith, as Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) also stated: “Modesty and faith are inseparable. If one disappears, the other will also vanish.” (Baihaqi)

 

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was himself a model of modesty. Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Umar (ra) reported that the Prophet (pbuh) never looked at people in an inappropriate way, even during a time when nudity was present, such as during pagan rituals around the Ka’aba. He (pbuh) also taught: “Modesty brings only good.” (Bukhari)

 

In the Holy Quran, Allah commands believers to protect their chastity and lower their gaze: “Tell the believers to lower their gaze and guard their chastity. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is fully aware of what they do.” (An-Nur, 24: 31). This verse puts emphasis on the importance of modesty as a way to purify the soul and strengthen faith.

 

In today’s world, society faces a decline in moral values, worsened by the influence of the media and Western culture. Pornography, which was once marginal, has become widespread due to the internet and modern technology.

Gazing God in Heaven

The Vision of Allah in the Afterlife

 

Every true believer wishes to see Allah one day, whether they are believers from among the various peoples of the earth, or especially the chosen ones of Allah – the prophets. Allah states in the Quran:

 

“Glory be to Him (Allah)! His greatness surpasses all that they (meaning the people – the disbelievers, the idolaters) describe. He is the Creator of the heavens and the earth from nothing. How then could He have a child when He does not have a spouse? He has created everything and knows all. That is Allah, your Lord. There is no deity besides Him. He is the Creator of all things; therefore, worship Him. He is in charge of everything. The eyes cannot perceive Him, yet He perceives all eyes. He is kind to us and fully aware of everything.” (Al-Anam, 6: 102-105)

 

The human mind’s conception and perception of Allah are very limited. The intellect cannot fathom the true nature of His existence. Allah is Omniscient, and Omnipresent, meaning He is everywhere, and He hears and knows everything. Nothing escapes His knowledge. One may attempt to conceal oneself, but no one can ever hide from Allah.