And [mention] when We said to the angels, “Prostrate before Adam”; so they prostrated, except for Iblis. He refused and was arrogant and became of the disbelievers.
QURAN 2:34
Hadhrat Aisha Siddiqa رضی اللہ عنھا states that when the Angels were instructed to prostrate before Hadhrat Adam عليه السلام there were 3 forms of creation. The first form of creation was light, the second was creation from fire and thirdly the creation from soil/clay. All 3 forms of creation were addressed by Allah سبحانه وتعالىٰ and the instruction was not just for the Malaika (Angels) but the Jinn were also included. We need to look at the differences in the 3 forms of creation. The creation of light/noor were close to Allah in the heavens, in the skies, clean, pure, reciting Allah’s Zikr constantly and obedient servants of Allah. We can observe the difference in rank and status between the 3 forms of creation but herein Allah Ta’ala is instructing the creations of light and fire to bow down to the creation of clay. The Jinnat were included in this instruction. Indeed various commentators of the Quran have discussed the prostration of the Angels and have stated that this prostration was not Sajda-e-Shariah/Prostration of Shariah because in reality Allah Ta’ala is the only One worthy of prostration so this particular prostration must be something else. To increase the superiority of Allah, Allah ordered them to make the prostration. Thirdly we can say that this Sajda was not Hadhrat Adam عليه السلام rather the prostration in reality was to Allah, it was a symbol just like we prostrate to the House of Allah/Kabah. If we look at it in any way then one thing we can clearly determine is that this instruction was the Hukm/Order of Allah. We can take further understanding from this that Hadhrat Adam عليه السلام had taught, educated and given knowledge to the Angels. Therefore this order of prostration was being grateful for the favour, the knowledge (Ilm) and teaching that Hadhrat Adam عليه السلام had given to the Angels. This is just like the statement of Rasullullah ﷺ
حَدَّثَنَا مُسْلِمُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، حَدَّثَنَا الرَّبِيعُ بْنُ مُسْلِمٍ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: He who is not grateful to people is not grateful to Allah.
that whoever is not grateful to a person for a favour then he is not grateful to Allah. This hadith is narrated by Imam Ahmad Bin Hanbal رحمه الله in Sahih Tirmidhi and Muslim Sharif. This is an important point as whoever is teaching Ma’rifah, knowledge, teaching Irfaan to gain the nearness of Allah. It is stated that this was the respect, appreciation, honour and dignity which was in the hearts of the Angels. We realise here that if someone is being taught then they must be grateful for this. This action is beloved to Allah Ta’ala so He gives him more advancement and progression. The Holy Prophet ﷺ stated that if you are not grateful to a human being who has assisted, helped, given you knowledge, not grateful then you this means you are not grateful to Allah. This is the clear understanding we can receive from this that Allah elevated the status of the creation of clay over the creation of light and fire. The creations of light and fire were told to prostrate and this was an order from Allah. We are not concerned with what they did rather the important fact is that it was the order of Allah. This is the main point of learning from the verse of the Quran I have recited today. The biggest message for us is that the prostration was being made to Hadhrat Adam عليه السلام but the offspring/children of Hadhrat Adam عليه السلام were being trained and a message for them that this prostration was made to Hadhrat Adam عليه السلام.
What was this prostration? We are severely in need of this prostration today. The first lesson given to all 3 forms of creation was an elimination of the greatness or the superiority of one creation to another. In other words it was for the creation of light and fire to look beyond their own qualities in comparison to the creation of clay but to realise that this was an order of Allah. Allah was clearly showing them that no matter what order I give, you must embark and implement that order. To bring the order of Allah into reality is the task of creation whether they understand it or not, no excuses, looking for a way out or to bypass rather the order that is given by Allah after arriving into this world must be complied with. This is the biggest test of the children of Adam عليه السلام. Subhan’Allah. Allah will send Ahkam/orders upon the Sons of Adam via His Final and Seal of the Prophets ﷺ. Allah gave the Final Prophet ﷺ the Quran and the Shariah to deliver to the people. Our duty is to bring that Shariah into reality and this is the first and ultimate test for passing and failing. The Angels and the Jinn were both standing and this was the test upon them to comply with the order which will lead to success and failure to comply will lead to failure. Subhan’Allah. This first lesson clearly shows that nobody can challenge the order or claim that they were more superior to the other. We must bring the order into reality and this is the essence of DEEN. Allah has clearly given this message in the Quran, this is Deen: WA MA ATAKUM RASUL ‘MY PROPHET AND HABIB ﷺ WHATEVER HE TAKES FROM ME AND GIVES TO YOU IS FROM ME. WA MAI YUTHI RASUL FAQAD ATA ULLAH, the obedience of Allah’s Rasul ﷺ it is as if you have obeyed Allah. We need to remember this very important point. When My Rasul ﷺ gives you an instruction, whether you understand it or not, whether your environment accepts it or not, whether your society accepts it or not, it does not depend upon capability, wherever you are residing in the world Islamic or non-Islamic country but when the order of the Rasul ﷺ reaches you then it is absolutely compulsory to implement that order. There is no excuse which can be presented and this is part of the first lesson being given to the people of the universe. Subhan’Allah.
وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ ٱسْجُدُوا۟ لِءَادَمَ فَسَجَدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِبْلِيسَ
Allah repeats this event in 11 out of 30 Juzz in the Quran and the reason for this is that if we look at this present generation the biggest fitnah is the failure to comply with the orders of Allah and His Rasul ﷺ. The Deen has indeed spread in all directions of the world, Masjids, speeches this is something I always inform yourselves because we are strengthening our Deen, knowledge and we make great Shukr to Allah for giving us the ability to pray, sit and understand the Quran. This is a great way to pass knowledge and blessed are those people who are sat with the Quran. Subhan’Allah. We aim to listen and act upon what we learn from the Quran. The first lesson the Quran gives us وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ ٱسْجُدُوا۟ لِءَادَمَ فَسَجَدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِبْلِيسَ, Subhan’Allah. Allah states I gave the order and I did not look at the nature of the forms of creation, who is superior or who has got more or less but it was My Order. Whatever I chose to make the creation if it was clay then I give the order to prostate, if you follow you are successful and failure is for those who reject this order. This is an announcement till the day of Qiyamah and the Shariah, law, principles that my Habib ﷺ brings will continue till the end of time. This will be the final shariah/law and nothing will change from these orders. We must remember that when Hadhrat Isa عليه السلام arrives He will also submit to this Shariah. What is the essence of this Shariah? Whatever the Holy Prophet ﷺ states to the people from the Shariah and Sunnah it is from Allah WA MAI YUTHI RASUL FAQAD ATA ULLAH. If you don’t listen and obey My Nabi ﷺthen you are clearly disobeying and by obeying the Holy Prophet ﷺ you are obeying Allah. We can’t forget this lesson and we must make it firm. My brothers this is the biggest challenge today of success and failure. We have failed today in this first lesson because all our decisions, Deen and worldly affairs are based upon our Nafs and desires. We must pay attention to this as the Deen is present but we take from the Deen what we like and that which we do not prefer we ignore and reject. We pay attention to the needs of the environment, for example we say our daughters are young and they can’t fufil the requirements of the Deen in this country or go outside observing the correct dress. We convince ourselves that we are unable to practice the orders of the Deen and give ourselves false hope by saying we recite the Kalima, celebrate Eid, we pray Salah sometimes but we can’t take immodest things out from our homes because these things give us enjoyment and it is entertainment for our children. When Allah Ta’Ala made this Universe then whatever has been created is a test for us. Otherwise Allah will not give us the minds or intellect to make such things.
Allah can give so many different species of apple from a single tree, more than 150 types of apple and the same applies to dates. All the different types of dates taste different. Is it then not possible for Allah to make our minds numb to things around us? Allah has allowed this to happen to test us to see who will follow the orders of Allah. Why did light and fire submit to the will of Allah by prostrating to clay? This was clearly to see who is obeying my hukm/order. In the first order of prostration Allah is saying whatever happens and what you do must be in accordance with what My Nabi ﷺ has delivered. Subhan’Allah. Alah Ta’ala says in another part of the Quran that whoever opposes my Rasul ﷺ when he is clearly giving you the message to leave this action, don’t wander around without pardah (correct dress for women), don’t be immodest and don’t do wrong action. The people have clear, blatant advice, they have the Quran, Shariah, principles and they know what is right and wrong. Despite this those who reject, shun this path, leave the path of Imaan/Belief and those who leave the path of Allah and His Rasul ﷺ will enter jahannum/hell fire. Jahannum will be the abode of such people, it will be the worst place for them and the reason for this punishment is they have rejected the orders of Allah which were brought by His Rasul ﷺ in the form of Shariah and Sunnah. The initiation of this world was from this point that whatever orders reach us which will be difficult, this is the test and to take us out of this difficulty we must follow the instruction of the Quran which states:
And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly attained a great attainment.
Surah Al Ahzab 33:71
that person who has implemented the orders of Allah in accordance with the Shariah and Sunnah of His Holy Prophet ﷺ then Allah announces there is no greater success than this. To reject these orders is the worse consequence and the result of this will be the hell fire. The best of results and rewards will be for those that implement the orders of Allah and His Holy Prophet ﷺ. This is a great point which Allah is informing us in the Quran. Now if we look at the state of our homes, brothers, sisters, aunties, uncles we are living life like donkeys and dogs. We are determining the halal and haram by our nafs and desires. We take part in big conferences and marches thinking we can cover up all the wrongs that are taking place in our homes. We say we are Great Ashiqs/Lovers of the Beloved Prophet ﷺ, we read Naat Sharif/Nasheeds, we have study circles, social and other various types of gatherings, women get together and talk but there is no knowledge and practice. We don’t know how to live at home, how our children should live, how we should eat, how to celebrate marriages, how to run our business and we don’t even know how to pray 5 times a day in the Masjid. Herein the men will reach old age having spent life in this manner and their only concern will be for their children to earn money and work in a factory or business. This is what we teach our children, we call this Deen but it is actually the Deen based on our desires. This is different to the command of Allah: Wa Ma Atakum Rasulah which is to follow every single action of the Holy Prophet ﷺ. My Brothers this is a very clear point to understand.
The next important point in this verse is:
إِلَّآ إِبْلِيسَ أَبَىٰ
When Allah ordered the Angels then Allah now explains who did not accept or rejected the order. This was iblis also named satan or the devil who was from the jinn but he was born amongst the angels and most of his life he spent with the Angels. In the Tafsir it states that when the jinn populated the earth, they made lots of noise, committing sins, killing each other, fighting each other and spreading impure things on the earth. Iblis was the big jinn and Allah made him the leader, he was very capable amongst the angels. Allah is Al Khabir and Al Baseer. and is aware of what will happen. Iblis was the made the teacher of the Jinn, he quarrelled with them, he expelled them to the jungles and oceans. He had the feeling of superiority because of this and it was in this time that the order of prostration was given. The Angels understood the order but iblis did not, his nafs was very big, expanded and fat. Iblis was an Abid(worshipper), a scholar, a Zahid ascetic, he was such a scholar that he taught the angels and they accepted him as their leader although he was from the Jinn. This event was all for our learning. Indeed upon the order, iblis started to present his excuses, presenting his opposition in front of Allah. Lets listen carefully here and give this great thought as these are same excuses like we discussed earlier that we use to avoid following the orders of Allah. We say our children can’t do this in such an environment and we can’t fulfil the requirements of Deen. In different ways and styles people oppose the orders of Allah as we compare this to satan’s refusal.
إِلَّآ إِبْلِيسَ
أَبَىٰ وَٱسْتَكْبَرَ
Iblis stated I can’t do this as he is made of clay and I am made from fire and superior. He brought all his actions to mind and rejected this order. A question arises here that such a being which was a great worshipper, muhaddith, mufti and all the various qualities were present within shaytaan. Can a being with such superior qualities reject an order of Allah? Allahu Akbar. As we have seen a being can reject the order despite these qualities because all the worship the iblis performed were not done for the pleasure of Allah. This clearly shows that being a muhaddith, mufti and qari are not proof of elevated rank. This is what shaytaan believed, this is why he was expelled and he became of the wretched and cursed. He wanted the khilafat/leadership on Earth as he was aware of what was about to take place. He had this misconception and greed that he will be the one who will be chosen and will become the leader on Earth. This is a lesson for us in this verse that we must analyze ourselves, measure yourself, the worship we are doing, if we are a qari, scholar, muhaddith and hafiz then we must look deep within and ask ourselves is this all for the sake/pleasure of Allah or not. On the other hand is all this the greed of the Dunya, becoming respectful, honourable dignitaries and people running around. There are so many ways that are used to achieve this greed and Allah has explained to us very carefully. All the acts of worship that iblis had done were not done for the sake of Allah but it was the greed that was the basis. When he realised that he will be not receiving the khilafat then he left all the worship. Allahu Akbar.
The lesson we get My Brothers is that all the worship, the knowledge, the qiyaam, the sajda, the quran, qiraat must be for the sake of Allah. There should be no desire for the world within these acts of worship and the objective should be the Deen not the Dunya. By all means you can use the resources Allah has given to you but every single act like reciting the Quran should be purely for the sake of Allah. Moreover everything connected to the masjid should be for the sake of Allah, your love for the wife and children should be for the sake of Allah, your love for your Sheikh should be for the sake of Allah and all the means that take you to Allah should be purely implemented for His Sake. If we do not do this then the consequence will be just like iblis who was expelled and this is a very significant message from Allah. We should not be two-faced with Allah, our ruku, prostration, tasbih should be for only for the sake of Allah. It should not be the case that if I do such a tasbih then I will gain khilafat, be a representative but rather when you take the hand of a Sheikh you are saying to Allah that I have taken the waseela (means) to reach You. I am loving my Sheikh to attain the love of Allah. Allah has stated this clearly, do a deed to attain my love, take a hold of my friend for my love, the friend of Allah is the means and not the objective. The true objective is Allah and we have to please Allah. We must definitely sit in the company of such great people but don’t forget why you are sat there. Despite all the qualities of shaytan he lost everything within seconds, he was exposed and he rejected the order. This is very important point to remember that when a good deed is done the objective behind it should not be to earn money, status, fame and recognition. If any deed is not done for the sake of Allah then a disease and sickness is created. This is such a vast disease that Allah exposed this in iblis and he was punished.
Hadhrat Qatada رضي الله عنه narrates that the first sin in creation was pride which is Shirk. This is why the punishment is so severe that even a mustard seed of pride will not allow the person to smell the fragrance of Paradise. To be proud (kibar) is the quality of shaytaan and amongst the high positions like the muhaddith, the learned people are all guilty of pride. The reason for the pride is that the action is being done for the dunya. Allah has clearly demonstrated this by the exposure of iblis. بَىٰ وَٱسْتَكْبَرَ وَكَانَ مِنَ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ. Iblis rejected through pride and the consequence of rejection is that iblis was included amongst those who don’t believe. The prostration was wajib and to reject a wajib is not kufr or disbelief so why was iblis given such a severe punishment? This was because iblis rejected the order of Allah, he presented excuses and rejected the instruction. This was due to pride just like if we say today we can’t fulfil the orders of Allah in this country, we are challenging the orders of Allah and this is what shaytaan did. Upon this rejection based upon kibar pride the biggest possible punishment was given to iblis. This pride/haughtiness comes in to play when we say we can’t keep a beard, if we don’t have pictures how will we survive. The Prophet ﷺ stated that I was sent to take the musical instruments away but we say today that this is artistry. Those who reject will from the same group as shaytaan.
The Prophet ﷺ regarding this stated about His Sunnah ﷺ that everyone will go into paradise apart from 3 people. The first is the person who refuses. The person who does not follow my Sunnah has committed an act of pride. The same word أَبَىٰ is being used in the Quran and the hadith. The Quran, Shariah and Sunnah are all the same and the consequence of rejection has clearly been outlined in this verse of the Quran. The biggest mutakabbir was shaytaan and why was this? This was because he rejected the orders of Allah and so at this present time the biggest mutakabbir are those people who do not follow, accept and implement the orders of Shariah and Sunnah. They become from the wretched people وَكَانَ مِنَ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ.
May Allah Ta’ala protect us as this is the day and age of fitnah, such tribulations and tests. Please for the sake of Allah, I am simply informing of the message of the Quran alongside the hadith without going into the Arabic grammar and other technical points. The result of this is that at all times we have to accept Allah’s order no matter how we feel about that order. Whatever good deed you do like give someone water must be for the sake of Allah and then the doors of Paradise will be open. On the other hand if the greed of dunya is behind this good deed then the punishment will be there. If we help our Sheikh and expect in return to get khilafat then this will be for dunya. We must ask for the best of deen from our Sheikh not dunya. If I am close to the Sheikh then I will attain the closeness of Allah. Subhan’Allah. If I follow my Sheikh then I will get the fragrance of the remembrance of Allah. By serving the Sheikh we will attain the love of Allah. This should not be to get the respect of the people but needs to be totally unique. Shaytaan will put doubts in our minds but if Allah states Fajar is in the morning then it is also if Allah states it will be in the evening then we will do it. If Allah states 30 days fasting then we abide by this and if Allah stated not to do 30 days then it will done. Subhan’Allah. If you are on a journey and the order is to pray two rakah/units then we must this and to oppose this is punishment. If Allah asks us to walk, run, throw the stones, there may not be any logic but this is the order of Allah. Allah gave the order to Hadhrat Ibrahim عليه السلام to sacrifice his son whom he loved so much. Can we imagine having to do this? This is the same instruction I gave as described in this verse:
The angels were instructed to prostrate to the creation of clay. The order to Hadhrat Ibrahim عليه السلام may not have been logical but it is the order of Allah. The son comforts the father and informs him that if this is the order of Allah then you do not need to worry about anything. He has left his wife and young child in the jungle. This is now the house of Allah but prior to this it was a vast plain with animals and darkness. Once again due to the order of Allah he left them and the wife asks why are you leaving us on our own. At this point the wife just asked one thing are you leaving us out of punishment or is this the order of Allah. At this question Hadhrat Ibrahim ليه السلام
replied it is the order of Allah and the Hadhrat Hajrah عليه السلام
stated the follwing:
If this is the order of Allah you can leave us for He Is Sufficient for us and we do not want to stop you implementing the order. In comparison our state is such that for the sake of a few pounds we sell our principles, we do not differentiate between halal and haram and we compromise our deen. My brothers this dunya is a big deception, we must accept the order of Allah at all times, it must be purely for the sake of Allah and we must not be impressed by the outward worship of a person just like iblis was. I will present a statement of Imam Razi رحمه الله that don’t be impressed with these acts, Hadhrat Imam Shafi رحمه الله stated if you see somenone walking on water or floating in the air or you see huge gatherings then realise that shaytaan was also like this. The only point of differentiation as stated by Imam Shafi رحمه الله is being punctual and observant of the Shariah of Allah. So a person floating in the air or walking on water if his deeds are not in line with Shariah and Sunnah then never be impressed. The punishment for this is وَكَانَ مِنَ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ. I can give you many references from the Friends of Allah who have warned against being impressed by just the outward performance. May Allah give us all the tawfeeq/ability and if life remains I will meet you again tomorrow
REFUSAL OF SHAYTAN
17TH JULY 2020
وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ ٱسْجُدُوا۟ لِءَادَمَ فَسَجَدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِبْلِيسَ
أَبَىٰ وَٱسْتَكْبَرَ وَكَانَ مِنَ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ
And [mention] when We said to the angels, “Prostrate before Adam”; so they prostrated, except for Iblis. He refused and was arrogant and became of the disbelievers.
QURAN 2:34
Hadhrat Aisha Siddiqa رضی اللہ عنھا states that when the Angels were instructed to prostrate before Hadhrat Adam عليه السلام there were 3 forms of creation. The first form of creation was light, the second was creation from fire and thirdly the creation from soil/clay. All 3 forms of creation were addressed by Allah سبحانه وتعالىٰ and the instruction was not just for the Malaika (Angels) but the Jinn were also included. We need to look at the differences in the 3 forms of creation. The creation of light/noor were close to Allah in the heavens, in the skies, clean, pure, reciting Allah’s Zikr constantly and obedient servants of Allah. We can observe the difference in rank and status between the 3 forms of creation but herein Allah Ta’ala is instructing the creations of light and fire to bow down to the creation of clay. The Jinnat were included in this instruction. Indeed various commentators of the Quran have discussed the prostration of the Angels and have stated that this prostration was not Sajda-e-Shariah/Prostration of Shariah because in reality Allah Ta’ala is the only One worthy of prostration so this particular prostration must be something else. To increase the superiority of Allah, Allah ordered them to make the prostration. Thirdly we can say that this Sajda was not Hadhrat Adam عليه السلام rather the prostration in reality was to Allah, it was a symbol just like we prostrate to the House of Allah/Kabah. If we look at it in any way then one thing we can clearly determine is that this instruction was the Hukm/Order of Allah. We can take further understanding from this that Hadhrat Adam عليه السلام had taught, educated and given knowledge to the Angels. Therefore this order of prostration was being grateful for the favour, the knowledge (Ilm) and teaching that Hadhrat Adam عليه السلام had given to the Angels. This is just like the statement of Rasullullah ﷺ
حَدَّثَنَا مُسْلِمُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، حَدَّثَنَا الرَّبِيعُ بْنُ مُسْلِمٍ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ
" لاَ يَشْكُرُ اللَّهَ مَنْ لاَ يَشْكُرُ النَّاسَ "
Narrated Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: He who is not grateful to people is not grateful to Allah.
that whoever is not grateful to a person for a favour then he is not grateful to Allah. This hadith is narrated by Imam Ahmad Bin Hanbal رحمه الله in Sahih Tirmidhi and Muslim Sharif. This is an important point as whoever is teaching Ma’rifah, knowledge, teaching Irfaan to gain the nearness of Allah. It is stated that this was the respect, appreciation, honour and dignity which was in the hearts of the Angels. We realise here that if someone is being taught then they must be grateful for this. This action is beloved to Allah Ta’ala so He gives him more advancement and progression. The Holy Prophet ﷺ stated that if you are not grateful to a human being who has assisted, helped, given you knowledge, not grateful then you this means you are not grateful to Allah. This is the clear understanding we can receive from this that Allah elevated the status of the creation of clay over the creation of light and fire. The creations of light and fire were told to prostrate and this was an order from Allah. We are not concerned with what they did rather the important fact is that it was the order of Allah. This is the main point of learning from the verse of the Quran I have recited today. The biggest message for us is that the prostration was being made to Hadhrat Adam عليه السلام but the offspring/children of Hadhrat Adam عليه السلام were being trained and a message for them that this prostration was made to Hadhrat Adam عليه السلام.
What was this prostration? We are severely in need of this prostration today. The first lesson given to all 3 forms of creation was an elimination of the greatness or the superiority of one creation to another. In other words it was for the creation of light and fire to look beyond their own qualities in comparison to the creation of clay but to realise that this was an order of Allah. Allah was clearly showing them that no matter what order I give, you must embark and implement that order. To bring the order of Allah into reality is the task of creation whether they understand it or not, no excuses, looking for a way out or to bypass rather the order that is given by Allah after arriving into this world must be complied with. This is the biggest test of the children of Adam عليه السلام. Subhan’Allah. Allah will send Ahkam/orders upon the Sons of Adam via His Final and Seal of the Prophets ﷺ. Allah gave the Final Prophet ﷺ the Quran and the Shariah to deliver to the people. Our duty is to bring that Shariah into reality and this is the first and ultimate test for passing and failing. The Angels and the Jinn were both standing and this was the test upon them to comply with the order which will lead to success and failure to comply will lead to failure. Subhan’Allah. This first lesson clearly shows that nobody can challenge the order or claim that they were more superior to the other. We must bring the order into reality and this is the essence of DEEN. Allah has clearly given this message in the Quran, this is Deen: WA MA ATAKUM RASUL ‘MY PROPHET AND HABIB ﷺ WHATEVER HE TAKES FROM ME AND GIVES TO YOU IS FROM ME. WA MAI YUTHI RASUL FAQAD ATA ULLAH, the obedience of Allah’s Rasul ﷺ it is as if you have obeyed Allah. We need to remember this very important point. When My Rasul ﷺ gives you an instruction, whether you understand it or not, whether your environment accepts it or not, whether your society accepts it or not, it does not depend upon capability, wherever you are residing in the world Islamic or non-Islamic country but when the order of the Rasul ﷺ reaches you then it is absolutely compulsory to implement that order. There is no excuse which can be presented and this is part of the first lesson being given to the people of the universe. Subhan’Allah.
وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ ٱسْجُدُوا۟ لِءَادَمَ فَسَجَدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِبْلِيسَ
Allah repeats this event in 11 out of 30 Juzz in the Quran and the reason for this is that if we look at this present generation the biggest fitnah is the failure to comply with the orders of Allah and His Rasul ﷺ. The Deen has indeed spread in all directions of the world, Masjids, speeches this is something I always inform yourselves because we are strengthening our Deen, knowledge and we make great Shukr to Allah for giving us the ability to pray, sit and understand the Quran. This is a great way to pass knowledge and blessed are those people who are sat with the Quran. Subhan’Allah. We aim to listen and act upon what we learn from the Quran. The first lesson the Quran gives us وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ ٱسْجُدُوا۟ لِءَادَمَ فَسَجَدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِبْلِيسَ, Subhan’Allah. Allah states I gave the order and I did not look at the nature of the forms of creation, who is superior or who has got more or less but it was My Order. Whatever I chose to make the creation if it was clay then I give the order to prostate, if you follow you are successful and failure is for those who reject this order. This is an announcement till the day of Qiyamah and the Shariah, law, principles that my Habib ﷺ brings will continue till the end of time. This will be the final shariah/law and nothing will change from these orders. We must remember that when Hadhrat Isa عليه السلام arrives He will also submit to this Shariah. What is the essence of this Shariah? Whatever the Holy Prophet ﷺ states to the people from the Shariah and Sunnah it is from Allah WA MAI YUTHI RASUL FAQAD ATA ULLAH. If you don’t listen and obey My Nabi ﷺthen you are clearly disobeying and by obeying the Holy Prophet ﷺ you are obeying Allah. We can’t forget this lesson and we must make it firm. My brothers this is the biggest challenge today of success and failure. We have failed today in this first lesson because all our decisions, Deen and worldly affairs are based upon our Nafs and desires. We must pay attention to this as the Deen is present but we take from the Deen what we like and that which we do not prefer we ignore and reject. We pay attention to the needs of the environment, for example we say our daughters are young and they can’t fufil the requirements of the Deen in this country or go outside observing the correct dress. We convince ourselves that we are unable to practice the orders of the Deen and give ourselves false hope by saying we recite the Kalima, celebrate Eid, we pray Salah sometimes but we can’t take immodest things out from our homes because these things give us enjoyment and it is entertainment for our children. When Allah Ta’Ala made this Universe then whatever has been created is a test for us. Otherwise Allah will not give us the minds or intellect to make such things.
Allah can give so many different species of apple from a single tree, more than 150 types of apple and the same applies to dates. All the different types of dates taste different. Is it then not possible for Allah to make our minds numb to things around us? Allah has allowed this to happen to test us to see who will follow the orders of Allah. Why did light and fire submit to the will of Allah by prostrating to clay? This was clearly to see who is obeying my hukm/order. In the first order of prostration Allah is saying whatever happens and what you do must be in accordance with what My Nabi ﷺ has delivered. Subhan’Allah. Alah Ta’ala says in another part of the Quran that whoever opposes my Rasul ﷺ when he is clearly giving you the message to leave this action, don’t wander around without pardah (correct dress for women), don’t be immodest and don’t do wrong action. The people have clear, blatant advice, they have the Quran, Shariah, principles and they know what is right and wrong. Despite this those who reject, shun this path, leave the path of Imaan/Belief and those who leave the path of Allah and His Rasul ﷺ will enter jahannum/hell fire. Jahannum will be the abode of such people, it will be the worst place for them and the reason for this punishment is they have rejected the orders of Allah which were brought by His Rasul ﷺ in the form of Shariah and Sunnah. The initiation of this world was from this point that whatever orders reach us which will be difficult, this is the test and to take us out of this difficulty we must follow the instruction of the Quran which states:
وَمَن يُطِعِ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ فَقَدْ فَازَ فَوْزًا عَظِيمً
And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly attained a great attainment.
Surah Al Ahzab 33:71
that person who has implemented the orders of Allah in accordance with the Shariah and Sunnah of His Holy Prophet ﷺ then Allah announces there is no greater success than this. To reject these orders is the worse consequence and the result of this will be the hell fire. The best of results and rewards will be for those that implement the orders of Allah and His Holy Prophet ﷺ. This is a great point which Allah is informing us in the Quran. Now if we look at the state of our homes, brothers, sisters, aunties, uncles we are living life like donkeys and dogs. We are determining the halal and haram by our nafs and desires. We take part in big conferences and marches thinking we can cover up all the wrongs that are taking place in our homes. We say we are Great Ashiqs/Lovers of the Beloved Prophet ﷺ, we read Naat Sharif/Nasheeds, we have study circles, social and other various types of gatherings, women get together and talk but there is no knowledge and practice. We don’t know how to live at home, how our children should live, how we should eat, how to celebrate marriages, how to run our business and we don’t even know how to pray 5 times a day in the Masjid. Herein the men will reach old age having spent life in this manner and their only concern will be for their children to earn money and work in a factory or business. This is what we teach our children, we call this Deen but it is actually the Deen based on our desires. This is different to the command of Allah: Wa Ma Atakum Rasulah which is to follow every single action of the Holy Prophet ﷺ. My Brothers this is a very clear point to understand.
The next important point in this verse is:
إِلَّآ إِبْلِيسَ أَبَىٰ
When Allah ordered the Angels then Allah now explains who did not accept or rejected the order. This was iblis also named satan or the devil who was from the jinn but he was born amongst the angels and most of his life he spent with the Angels. In the Tafsir it states that when the jinn populated the earth, they made lots of noise, committing sins, killing each other, fighting each other and spreading impure things on the earth. Iblis was the big jinn and Allah made him the leader, he was very capable amongst the angels. Allah is Al Khabir and Al Baseer. and is aware of what will happen. Iblis was the made the teacher of the Jinn, he quarrelled with them, he expelled them to the jungles and oceans. He had the feeling of superiority because of this and it was in this time that the order of prostration was given. The Angels understood the order but iblis did not, his nafs was very big, expanded and fat. Iblis was an Abid(worshipper), a scholar, a Zahid ascetic, he was such a scholar that he taught the angels and they accepted him as their leader although he was from the Jinn. This event was all for our learning. Indeed upon the order, iblis started to present his excuses, presenting his opposition in front of Allah. Lets listen carefully here and give this great thought as these are same excuses like we discussed earlier that we use to avoid following the orders of Allah. We say our children can’t do this in such an environment and we can’t fulfil the requirements of Deen. In different ways and styles people oppose the orders of Allah as we compare this to satan’s refusal.
إِلَّآ إِبْلِيسَ
أَبَىٰ وَٱسْتَكْبَرَ
Iblis stated I can’t do this as he is made of clay and I am made from fire and superior. He brought all his actions to mind and rejected this order. A question arises here that such a being which was a great worshipper, muhaddith, mufti and all the various qualities were present within shaytaan. Can a being with such superior qualities reject an order of Allah? Allahu Akbar. As we have seen a being can reject the order despite these qualities because all the worship the iblis performed were not done for the pleasure of Allah. This clearly shows that being a muhaddith, mufti and qari are not proof of elevated rank. This is what shaytaan believed, this is why he was expelled and he became of the wretched and cursed. He wanted the khilafat/leadership on Earth as he was aware of what was about to take place. He had this misconception and greed that he will be the one who will be chosen and will become the leader on Earth. This is a lesson for us in this verse that we must analyze ourselves, measure yourself, the worship we are doing, if we are a qari, scholar, muhaddith and hafiz then we must look deep within and ask ourselves is this all for the sake/pleasure of Allah or not. On the other hand is all this the greed of the Dunya, becoming respectful, honourable dignitaries and people running around. There are so many ways that are used to achieve this greed and Allah has explained to us very carefully. All the acts of worship that iblis had done were not done for the sake of Allah but it was the greed that was the basis. When he realised that he will be not receiving the khilafat then he left all the worship. Allahu Akbar.
The lesson we get My Brothers is that all the worship, the knowledge, the qiyaam, the sajda, the quran, qiraat must be for the sake of Allah. There should be no desire for the world within these acts of worship and the objective should be the Deen not the Dunya. By all means you can use the resources Allah has given to you but every single act like reciting the Quran should be purely for the sake of Allah. Moreover everything connected to the masjid should be for the sake of Allah, your love for the wife and children should be for the sake of Allah, your love for your Sheikh should be for the sake of Allah and all the means that take you to Allah should be purely implemented for His Sake. If we do not do this then the consequence will be just like iblis who was expelled and this is a very significant message from Allah. We should not be two-faced with Allah, our ruku, prostration, tasbih should be for only for the sake of Allah. It should not be the case that if I do such a tasbih then I will gain khilafat, be a representative but rather when you take the hand of a Sheikh you are saying to Allah that I have taken the waseela (means) to reach You. I am loving my Sheikh to attain the love of Allah. Allah has stated this clearly, do a deed to attain my love, take a hold of my friend for my love, the friend of Allah is the means and not the objective. The true objective is Allah and we have to please Allah. We must definitely sit in the company of such great people but don’t forget why you are sat there. Despite all the qualities of shaytan he lost everything within seconds, he was exposed and he rejected the order. This is very important point to remember that when a good deed is done the objective behind it should not be to earn money, status, fame and recognition. If any deed is not done for the sake of Allah then a disease and sickness is created. This is such a vast disease that Allah exposed this in iblis and he was punished.
Hadhrat Qatada رضي الله عنه narrates that the first sin in creation was pride which is Shirk. This is why the punishment is so severe that even a mustard seed of pride will not allow the person to smell the fragrance of Paradise. To be proud (kibar) is the quality of shaytaan and amongst the high positions like the muhaddith, the learned people are all guilty of pride. The reason for the pride is that the action is being done for the dunya. Allah has clearly demonstrated this by the exposure of iblis. بَىٰ وَٱسْتَكْبَرَ وَكَانَ مِنَ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ. Iblis rejected through pride and the consequence of rejection is that iblis was included amongst those who don’t believe. The prostration was wajib and to reject a wajib is not kufr or disbelief so why was iblis given such a severe punishment? This was because iblis rejected the order of Allah, he presented excuses and rejected the instruction. This was due to pride just like if we say today we can’t fulfil the orders of Allah in this country, we are challenging the orders of Allah and this is what shaytaan did. Upon this rejection based upon kibar pride the biggest possible punishment was given to iblis. This pride/haughtiness comes in to play when we say we can’t keep a beard, if we don’t have pictures how will we survive. The Prophet ﷺ stated that I was sent to take the musical instruments away but we say today that this is artistry. Those who reject will from the same group as shaytaan.
The Prophet ﷺ regarding this stated about His Sunnah ﷺ that everyone will go into paradise apart from 3 people. The first is the person who refuses. The person who does not follow my Sunnah has committed an act of pride. The same word أَبَىٰ is being used in the Quran and the hadith. The Quran, Shariah and Sunnah are all the same and the consequence of rejection has clearly been outlined in this verse of the Quran. The biggest mutakabbir was shaytaan and why was this? This was because he rejected the orders of Allah and so at this present time the biggest mutakabbir are those people who do not follow, accept and implement the orders of Shariah and Sunnah. They become from the wretched people وَكَانَ مِنَ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ.
May Allah Ta’ala protect us as this is the day and age of fitnah, such tribulations and tests. Please for the sake of Allah, I am simply informing of the message of the Quran alongside the hadith without going into the Arabic grammar and other technical points. The result of this is that at all times we have to accept Allah’s order no matter how we feel about that order. Whatever good deed you do like give someone water must be for the sake of Allah and then the doors of Paradise will be open. On the other hand if the greed of dunya is behind this good deed then the punishment will be there. If we help our Sheikh and expect in return to get khilafat then this will be for dunya. We must ask for the best of deen from our Sheikh not dunya. If I am close to the Sheikh then I will attain the closeness of Allah. Subhan’Allah. If I follow my Sheikh then I will get the fragrance of the remembrance of Allah. By serving the Sheikh we will attain the love of Allah. This should not be to get the respect of the people but needs to be totally unique. Shaytaan will put doubts in our minds but if Allah states Fajar is in the morning then it is also if Allah states it will be in the evening then we will do it. If Allah states 30 days fasting then we abide by this and if Allah stated not to do 30 days then it will done. Subhan’Allah. If you are on a journey and the order is to pray two rakah/units then we must this and to oppose this is punishment. If Allah asks us to walk, run, throw the stones, there may not be any logic but this is the order of Allah. Allah gave the order to Hadhrat Ibrahim عليه السلام to sacrifice his son whom he loved so much. Can we imagine having to do this? This is the same instruction I gave as described in this verse:
وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ ٱسْجُدُوا۟ لِءَادَمَ فَسَجَدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِبْلِيسَ
أَبَىٰ وَٱسْتَكْبَرَ وَكَانَ مِنَ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ
The angels were instructed to prostrate to the creation of clay. The order to Hadhrat Ibrahim عليه السلام may not have been logical but it is the order of Allah. The son comforts the father and informs him that if this is the order of Allah then you do not need to worry about anything. He has left his wife and young child in the jungle. This is now the house of Allah but prior to this it was a vast plain with animals and darkness. Once again due to the order of Allah he left them and the wife asks why are you leaving us on our own. At this point the wife just asked one thing are you leaving us out of punishment or is this the order of Allah. At this question Hadhrat Ibrahim ليه السلام
replied it is the order of Allah and the Hadhrat Hajrah عليه السلام
stated the follwing:
If this is the order of Allah you can leave us for He Is Sufficient for us and we do not want to stop you implementing the order. In comparison our state is such that for the sake of a few pounds we sell our principles, we do not differentiate between halal and haram and we compromise our deen. My brothers this dunya is a big deception, we must accept the order of Allah at all times, it must be purely for the sake of Allah and we must not be impressed by the outward worship of a person just like iblis was. I will present a statement of Imam Razi رحمه الله that don’t be impressed with these acts, Hadhrat Imam Shafi رحمه الله stated if you see somenone walking on water or floating in the air or you see huge gatherings then realise that shaytaan was also like this. The only point of differentiation as stated by Imam Shafi رحمه الله is being punctual and observant of the Shariah of Allah. So a person floating in the air or walking on water if his deeds are not in line with Shariah and Sunnah then never be impressed. The punishment for this is وَكَانَ مِنَ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ. I can give you many references from the Friends of Allah who have warned against being impressed by just the outward performance. May Allah give us all the tawfeeq/ability and if life remains I will meet you again tomorrow