Monday, January 15, 2007

* The Holy Qur'an


The Qur'an being the guide for mankind contains within it pearls of wisdom that not only guides man in attaining the pleasure of Allah Ta'ala by treading on the correct path but also teaches them a total way of living and passing their time in this world as mere traveller or passer by.
The Qur'an, being in a book form, was sent down to the final Messenger, Muhammad Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam. It is he who took this book and conveyed its message to his people, both verbally and physically.

Therefore, the connection between the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam and Qur'an is immense. The Qur'an was in a form of a book, whilst the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam was the walking talking model of the Qur'an; the Qur'an being the guidance and the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam was the guide; the Qur'an being the light and the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam being the lantern containing that light.
It is for this reason that if anyone wishes to be the beloved of Allah Ta'ala he has to follow the steps of the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam.
Allah Ta'ala has proclaimed in the Holy Qur'an:


"Say (O Muhammad): "If you (really) love Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful".

(Aal Imran - 3:31-32)

We can deduce for this verse that in order for us to attain salvation and the love of Allah Ta'ala we need to follow the Qur'an and the Sunnah, both being the guide for mankind.

The Qur'an being the word of Allah Ta'ala can never be understood by us, mere mortals. For that reason Allah Ta'ala sent down His beloved Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam to explain to us the meanings and aim of the Holy Qur'an. The method in which the Qur'an changed mankind from the state of animals to the state of being Humans.

Before the revelation of the Qur'an men would kill their own daughters, people would drown themselves in intoxication and live a barbaric life.

It was the mercy and compassion of Allah Ta'ala through which he sent down the best of creation Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam amongst this nation to guide them and save them from the eternal hellfire.
The efforts exercised by the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam is known to every believer; the events of Taif and being stoned by the people; the scorching sun in the battlefields; the swelling of the feet whilst asking for the forgiveness of his Ummah; the sacrificing of his family for our sake; the cursing of the people and the hardships given by them only for because he was the messenger that came to save us.

Despite knowing this many chose to disbelieve in him, yet his mercy was such that despite this he prayed for their guidance and forgave their torturing acts.
Allah Ta'ala states in the Holy Qur'an:


"And We did not send you (O Muhammad) except as a mercy to the world."

(al-Anbiyaa - 21:107)

What is our duty to such a Prophet? How are we actually expected to follow the Qur'an?


We understand how the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam was sent down by Allah Ta'ala as a mercy to mankind. It was our Beloved Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam that took the word of Allah Ta'ala and made it his lifestyle so that the people, present and yet to come, would be able to follow the path that Allah Ta'ala had laid out in front of them with ease.
So, the question remains, What is our duty to such a Prophet? How are we expected to follow the Qur'an.

The answers, though simple, need much attention and awareness.

We need to recognise the sacrifices that the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam made for us, his Ummah. Once we have familiarised ourselves with the sacrifices he made we need to compare that to the sacrifices we are making for him.There is no doubt in the fact that no mortal can ever make as many sacrifices for anyone similar to those made by the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam for us, a nation he had not even seen, but only knew of to be his followers.
It is for this reason, that despite all our desires, we create a burning desire to be like the beloved Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam. A desire that will allow us to live our lives in accordance to his will and the will of Allah Ta'ala.
It is only in this way that we may able to achieve a portion of the duty that we hold towards the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam. It is only through his lifestyle that we can truly follow the Qur'an the way it is meant to be followed.

We need to introduce the lifestyle of Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam in order to please Allah Ta'ala and gain Jannah.

No doubt, changing from one lifestyle to another is no easy task, nor can it be accomplished in a matter of days. Nevertheless, a person who chooses to reform himself and chooses the lifestyle shown by Islam, is regarded as that person who is reformed. Allah Ta'ala makes no task difficult upon his believers and rewards without any limitations.

In conclusion, one must take time out everyday and judge himself. He should be honest to himself and question his Nafs (lower self) as to how many sins he committed in that day, he should question his Nafs as to how many times he displeased Allah Ta'ala directly or by hurting one of His creations. Thereafter, he should resolve that matter by contacting a Shaykh (Spiritual Guide) or by making a personal attempt to release himself from that sin and never to return to it.

Insha-Allah one by one, a person can leave all sins and join the list of the Awliyaa (friends of Allah Ta'ala).

I pray to Allah Ta'ala to accept our efforts and forgive our shortcomings. I ask Him of His mercy and kindness and to give me the knowledge, strength and inclination to follow and live the lifestyle shown to us by our beloved Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam.AameenWasalaam.

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