Thursday, December 10, 2015

Rejection, Hypocrisy and spiritual illnesses: Friday Khutbah in light of the San Bernandino attack

[ Note: The following is the Friday Khutbah or sermon given December 4th,  2015, in the aftermath of the attack in San Bernardino, California, in which fourteen people were killed. As always with our blog postings of Friday sermons, we have omitted much of the Arabic language quotations, and have formatted both sections of the Khutbah into one post.]

وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ آمَنَّا بِاللّهِ وَبِالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ وَمَا هُم بِمُؤْمِنِينَ

يُخَادِعُونَ اللّهَ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَمَا يَخْدَعُونَ إِلاَّ أَنفُسَهُم وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ
 فِي قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ فَزَادَهُمُ اللّهُ مَرَضاً وَلَهُم عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْذِبُونَ
 وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ لاَ تُفْسِدُواْ فِي الأَرْضِ قَالُواْ إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُصْلِحُونَ

 أَلا إِنَّهُمْ هُمُ الْمُفْسِدُونَ وَلَـكِن لاَّ يَشْعُرُونَ

 وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ آمِنُواْ كَمَا آمَنَ النَّاسُ قَالُواْ أَنُؤْمِنُ كَمَا آمَنَ السُّفَهَاء أَلا إِنَّهُمْ هُمُ السُّفَهَاء وَلَـكِن لاَّ يَعْلَمُونَ
 وَإِذَا لَقُواْ الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ قَالُواْ آمَنَّا وَإِذَا خَلَوْاْ إِلَى شَيَاطِينِهِمْ قَالُواْ إِنَّا مَعَكْمْ إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُسْتَهْزِؤُونَ





Interesting facts about the Qur'an

One of the interesting facts about the Qur'an is how it defines or explains, and further expounds upon concepts. In these verses,[Q 2:8-14] we find that Nifaaq [Hypocrisy] is connected to Kufr, spiritual illnesses and Fasaad,[ Nihilist behavior on a big scale].

Essentially, Allah uses these terms  as synonymous to each other. Thus, it can be said that diseased hearts are manifested in things which include Kufr disguised as Imaan [Belief] as well as Fasaad!


"Of people are those who proclaim Imaan in God and the final day, yet they don't have Imaan. They seek to deceive Allah as well as those who do [in fact] have Imaan, they only deceive themselves, and perceive not. In their hearts is an illness, so consequently God increases their illness, for them is a great punishment in that they have been lying."

So, they talk Imaan but don't mean it! They have something evil inside! How is that evil let loose?

"When it is said to them [these people] 'Don't make Fasaad in the land, they respond 'We are only those who set things aright.' Yet, it is they-THEY- who make Fasaad, but they don't perceive it [in that way]" 

Their Fake Imaan, their diseased minds, leads them to do acts of Fasaad in the name of  correcting or fixing what's wrong!

"When they meet those who have Imaan they say "we also have Imaan". But when alone with THEIR DEVILS, they say "we are with you, we were only joking [before.]" [Q 2:14]

Perhaps we should see the diseased hearts in connection to "devils" or "Their devils" [Shayaateenihim]. Notice the ayah says "when alone with their devils". These devils are making the illness worse! It is so much easier to be influenced in a bad way these days. The entertainment culture, the music, the internet, all of these things can be tools of Shaytaan [Satan] to bring great damage to the psyche of human beings, which in turn brings great destruction [Fasaad]. These things are accessed in general when "alone".

Taking a fresh look at the Qur'an


By now everyone is talking about what happened in San Bernardino. Many blame it on Islam itself or on ISIS. One commentator I read, trying to make sense of it all, suggested it was a Manchurian candidate situation. The term is from a book and subsequent movies in a fictionalized account of American prisoners held by the North Koreans, brainwashed to do certain actions. That suggestion prompted Me to take a fresh look at these Quranic verses.

Islam is not to blame, but who is?


It is not the fault of Allah's Deen that these things happen! So far, not even ISIS, as far as we know, has claimed responsibility or involvement. However, ISIS and Dylann Roof [the perpetrator of the attack on the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina] are both products of the same Devilish destructive culture! A culture which spreads itself in certain industries, by appealing to our vanities and lowly aspirations. The most horrible thing about it is that they attempt to blame the innocent victims!

Real examples of false blame

Look at the Charleston attack. Dylann Roof went to a church and killed nine people, including the Pastor who was a Senator! Roof said to his victims "I have to do this!". It is interesting that this has not been widely called "terrorism". I guess "terrorism" is a word that is only allowed to be used when Muslims are involved!

Roof blames his victims. He even told them "You [African Americans] rape our women!"

Culture needs to change

Laws can only do so much, and Law enforcement agencies can only do so much. It is the thinking, the mindset, that has to be addressed!

I am not advocating anything other than thinking. If your career has elements therein that encourage or promote things such as violence, profanity, pornography and other such things which corrupt or have the potential to corrupt the soul, consider finding another career. If your listening to music, movies or speeches that do nothing but play to your lower desires, you should distance yourselves from it. Allah says to save yourselves and your families from a fire whose fuel is people and stones [Q 66:6]

Don't let Shaytaan's whispers come in. Surround yourself with goodly company. Be more connected to the Book of Allah more than anything else. Take Prophet Muhammad [Sall Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam] as your model by constantly remembering Allah, calling upon Allah [Q 33:21]. Work and learn, Learn and work! Avoid being lazy. I even advise at this point examining your style of dress. If your style of dress promotes a bad image, the looks or the implications of crime, cross-dressing, homosexuality and the like, than do re-examine, take a fresh look, at that style, because all of those things could end up taking us down a path to be used and abused by the Shayateen out there. May Allah guide, forgive, be merciful and protective of us all.


Be smart


These are serious times, and there are forces out there trying to stir things up, to bring fear, suspicion and xenophobia to the forefront, trying to manipulate our emotions. This is happening with Non Muslims and Muslims alike!

Don't let them. Be smart, observant, and be connected to Allah and to those who really have Imaan! Don't let Maulana Hollywood be your leader! Don't let ISIS guide your thinking. Rather, depend upon Allah, the God of all, and seek as your model guide none other than Prophet Muhammad, the Mercy to all nations.



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