Maulana Shaykh Nazim’s Suhbah
The Quran’s stunning solution to the situation in Egypt
31st January 2011, Monday
A’uzubillah himinash shaitan nirrajeem
Bismillah-hir Rahman-nir Raheem
Assalamu’alaikum wrh wbkt
(When Maulana spoke on the 27th of October last year, of the impending fall of the Taghuts (tyrants/dictators), especially in the Muslim world, his Suhbah was greeted with a mixture of fear and scepticism. In later Suhbahs, he highlighted more than ten middle-eastern nations – who were more Arab than Muslim – who would face the Divine whip, for discarding obedience and piety, in place of Western culture and norms. True enough, the opening domino in this cascade has toppled – Tunisia is down, whilst Egypt, Yemen, Jordan, Sudan and other Arab states are heading for Divine chastisement. In this Suhbah, Maulana outlines the only way for a return of peace and tranquility in the region. This Suhbah contain life-saving and pertinent advice, not just for the Egyptians and Arabs, but for all of us.)
- Maulana began solemnly, by urging believers to strive to become real servants to Allah, by obeying the teachings of Rasulullah (saw), so that we may be honoured to be called ‘His servants’. Worship Him, obey His Commandments, and never defy Him.
- We are living in a time of great fitna’ (trials) today. Such a tumultuous period had already been foretold by Rasulullah (saw) fifteen centuries ago, for a Prophet is bestowed knowledge of what occurred before him (from the beginning), and what is to come, after him, till the end.
- Rasulullah (saw) was sent as a mercy to all of Mankind and creation. He was never sent to bring punishment or sufferings; the Nation brought these upon itself. The Prophet (saw) was filled with a fervent desire to relieve his Nation of their worldly sufferings and to save them from eternal damnation. He came as a Saviour for all human beings and for all of creation. How could we then turn our backs upon such a merciful Messenger, who cares so dearly and deeply for us? How is it possible, that the Nation has simply discarded his advice and Sunnah, turning now instead to its arch-enemy, iblis, for direction?
- Now, as the wheels turn bringing us closer towards the blowing of the Trumpet, we are in that dreaded period at the end of times, a time in which Muslims themselves are no longer heeding the advice of Rasulullah (saw). The Quran has reminded us repeatedly of the Nations before us, each of whom was punished when they left the Way of their Prophet, yet so many Muslims appear to have forgotten this very basic fact – the only way to safety, is the Way trodden by the Prophet. Those who follow obediently, will be safe (like those on the Ark), while all who defy, will taste the fruits of their defiance (like those who drowned). Ironically, it is the Arab-speaking world, in whose tongue the blessed Quran has been revealed, who are leading the way to apostasy and transgression, defiance and heedlessness. Do they not read the Holy Book? Do they not understand its meanings? Do they not reflect and take heed?
- Maulana reminds us that, those who rebel against the truth, will face a harsh punishment in this worldly life, and a continuing, agonising torture in the hereafter, far greater than what they experienced in this life – they will suffer in death, in their graves, when they are resurrected, and whilst they attempt to cross the Siraat (the Bridge leading to Paradise), and they will suffer ever more when they fall from that Bridge, into the murky depths of Jahannam (Hell). All those who have chosen that path, has wronged himself – he has brought misfortune upon himself, by his own actions. Blame none, except yourselves!
- So awaken, Maulana says, from your blind stumblings, and ponder. The unfolding events are heralding the coming of Judgement Day. Isn’t it about time that you sobered up, and asked yourselves some hard questions? Who is Rasulullah (saw)? What were his attributes? To whom was he sent? Why was he sent? What was his mission? What was his message? What was the intent in his message? One who does not seek these answers, is like a carefree devil, oblivious and ignorant of the looming danger ahead.
- Now, the citizens of Egypt have swarmed out of their homes, like angry wasps. They are angry with their leaders, for these leaders have taken Shaitan as a guide, they have followed his cunning and seductive advice, and have led the country and its citizens, into difficulties and horrors. The angry mob is incensed – it is killing, burning, destroying and looting. Why are you doing these dastardly acts, asks Maulana? Why? Have these been taught to you in the Holy Book, oh Egyptians? Have these been shown to you in the conduct of the Holy Prophet (saw)? If not, surely you are following the devil, the enemy of Man! Have you no sense, than to follow the proddings of the accursed one, turning your backs on the sublime teachings of the Quran and the beautiful example of the Prophet’s (saw) conduct? Have you not realized by now, that the devil means you no good, that all his whisperings are to bring more and more sufferings upon Mankind? Why then, are you listening to him earnestly?
- The Egyptians are angry with their leader, right? They want a regime change, right? Will the violent ousting of President Hosni Mubarak solve their woes? No. For Allah may send an even crueller tyrant to take his place. And each tyrant they dispose of, may only bring forth an even more brutal leader! So what should they do then?
- The reply, Maulana says, lies in this verse of the Holy Quran. It is a guide to the Egyptian people, as well as for the rest of us.
ذَٲلِكَ بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَمۡ يَكُ مُغَيِّرً۬ا نِّعۡمَةً أَنۡعَمَهَا عَلَىٰ قَوۡمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُواْ مَا بِأَنفُسِہِمۡۙ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ۬
That is so because Allâh will never change a grace which He has bestowed on a people until they change what is in their ownselves. And verily, Allâh is All-Hearer, All-Knower. (Quran 8:53)
Hence, Allah will not change the leadership for the better, until they (the citizens) change themselves likewise!
- A cruel community will beget a cruel leader, just as a pious congregation will be bestowed a pious leader. So, oh people of Egypt, you are in this quandary today, because you too have been cruel to yourselves, by turning your backs on the teachings of Allah and His Rasul (saw). All the protestors’ shouting, screaming, demonstrating and marching in the streets, will not solve their problems. They must look at themselves, look into themselves, and realize how far from the truth they have strayed. Realization and repentance, will lift Allah’s wrath from their midst, and when they have truly transformed, Allah will change their leaders for the better, without them even lifting a finger!
- So the solution lies in their own change. Change their direction from seeking dunia, to seeking Maula; change their focus from pleasing their egos, to pleasing Allah; transform themselves from shaitan’s servants, to Allah’s servants – and He will change the regime, the Leadership and the Leader. Dispel cruelty from their hearts, and He will expel the cruel Leaders from their lands. The entire problem in Egypt is a problem created by the self and the ego.
- Who placed that Leader upon its people? Allah! So who will change the Leader when the time comes? Allah! So desist from this animal-like wild behaviour of lawlessness, chaos and rebellion. And start making real change in your ownselves. Protesters should be ashamed of such ill-behaviour. Maulana reminded all that good adab (conduct/behaviour) is of paramount importance in Islam. Knowledge, without adab, is worthless; so by such animal-like actions, they have followed iblis and lost their self-worth. Iblis was a creature with unmatched knowledge, yet his defiance of Allah’s command made all that ilm worthless. Sayyidina Adam (as), on the other hand, when he fell into sin, prayed, entreating his Lord:
رَبَّنَا ظَلَمۡنَآ أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمۡ تَغۡفِرۡ لَنَا وَتَرۡحَمۡنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلۡخَـٰسِرِينَ
“Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You forgive us not, and bestow not upon us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be of the losers.” (Quran 7:23)
- Sayyidina Adam (as) showed adab, in humble repentance to Allah, and Allah was pleased with him. So be like him, seek forgiveness humbly, and be raised to high Stations. Do not persist in stubborn rebellion, like iblis, and be condemned to humiliation and disgrace.
- Real knowledge leads to adab! And it is that adab that brings one closer to Allah, not ilm. So instead of protesting in the streets, lift your hands in prayer, “Oh Allah, You know our weak condition, so please forgive us, please help us correct our situation. Hasbunallah, Robbunallah, anta hasbuna, anta robbuna, save us from our difficult situation. Save us from the problem of the ego and the self! You save us, Oh Allah Almighty, You are enough for us, for the sake of most generous and beloved Prophet (saw), the Master of the beginning and end.”
Listen, obey, take benefit and wisdom! Al-Fatihah.
Commentary
- On the 20th of October last year, Maulana stopped his nightly Suhbahs, announcing that the mureeds have been given enough for their journey. It was an ominous sign, a sign that we had entered the final era of fitna’. A week later, Maulana gave an uncharacteristic surprise Suhbah. With a copy of the Quran in hand, Maulana recited the following verse of the Quran, and announced that the era of tyrants had come to an end.
وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱجۡتَنَبُواْ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتَ أَن يَعۡبُدُوهَا وَأَنَابُوٓاْ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ لَهُمُ ٱلۡبُشۡرَىٰۚ فَبَشِّرۡ عِبَادِ
Those who avoid At-Tâghût (tyrants/dictators) by not helping them and turn to Allâh (in repentance), for them are glad tidings; so announce the good news to My slaves. (Quran 39:17)
- When the annoucement was made, few really believed that it could happen. After all, many of the Arab dictators were men of steel who had held their countries in their iron-fisted, vise-like grip, for decades. They had powerful intelligence services and secret police to stifle any opposition; it was unthinkable that even one of them could be toppled, let alone all of them. Maulana had said in that 27th October Suhbah (the Summary of which is being done now), “recite Hasbunallah Robbunallah, and Allah will remove your fear for these tyrants, and place fear into their hearts instead. If they know what is best for them, they will flee.” He warned Muslims not to demonstrate in the streets or to resort to violence.
- Today, less than three months later, those prophetic words are coming to pass. In a single Verse, Maulana unlocked the secret of the fall of these totalitarian regimes! In another Verse above, Maulana explains the solution to the Egyptian people. Look at how Allah is showing us the miracle of the Quran, the Living Proof, in which all events, past and future, and all the solutions, are made known. And Allah is also showing us who Maulana is, the Divine mouthpiece, who humbly refers to himself, as ‘the weakest one’ always. Maulana constantly says, that although he is a weak one, we must listen to his advice, as we must remember ‘who it is that is behind me, making me speak.’ Just as Sayyidina Abu Bakr Sidq (ra) was able to extract one Verse from the Quran to calm all the Companions when the Prophet (saw) died, Maulana, being an inheritor of the Prophet (saw) and that of the heart of Sayyidina Abu Bakr Sidq (ra), was able to extract, from a single Verse, what would calm the tense situation there in Egypt.
- Maulana lamented that the Middle Eastern countries are prouder to be known as Arabs, than as Muslims. Their organisations were never based on a brotherhood of faith, but on a relationship based on nationality. There are organisations like the Arab League, the Arab Monetary Fund, the Arab Trade Financing Programme etc – but nothing that held them together for the sake of Allah, as believers. Awash with petrodollars, they grew attached to the luxuries of this worldly life, and adopted more and more of the Western lifestyle and permissive culture. Maulana said that when Allah sends ‘one knock’ to punish Western countries, He send ‘two knocks’ to Muslim countries, as they have the guidance of the Holy Book and the Sunnah of Rasulullah (saw), but chose to follow otherwise.
- It is important to note that Maulana refers to the demonstators as wasps. A wasp is far more dangerous than a bee, in that it can sting repeatedly without dying. The emotional crowd is inflicting pain and causing great damage and destruction, a situation that can rapidly spin out of control, such as when angry wasps are provoked into a killing frenzy.
- Maulana’s words in this Suhbah, are meant to cool the fraying tempers and to return the enraged (wasps) citizens to their senses, before they engage in cruel acts that will sear their lives forever. In earlier Suhbahs. Maulana lambasted local ulama, who had done little to calm the restless crowds. In such tense stand-offs, soothing words of advice to appease the agitated masses, may save countless lives and prevent many unnecessary barbaric acts.
- In a hadees, Rasulullah (saw) said, “A people is given the leader they deserve.” Maulana once told a story once of how the insolent people of Baghdad were sent a cruel tyrant to rule them, for it was only then that they felt cowed and changed their ways. Allah sends a ruler suited to the behaviour of the followers.
وَمَآ أَصَـٰبَڪُم مِّن مُّصِيبَةٍ۬ فَبِمَا كَسَبَتۡ أَيۡدِيكُمۡ وَيَعۡفُواْ عَن كَثِيرٍ۬
Whatever misfortune happens to you, is because of the things your hands have earned, and for many (of them) He grants forgiveness. (Quran 42:30)
- Leadership is always a controversial issue, in any organisation. The Prophet (saw) said, “The worst leaders are those whom you hate, and they hate you in return.” Each one of us should take a good hard look at his own leader, for it is reflection of themselves. Some leaders constantly vilify, belittle and abuse their followers. Perhaps they should reflect on this hadees – that a Muslim is a mirror to his Muslim brother. If one always finds others arrogant, irritating or hateful, perhaps that would give an insight about one’s ownself. Think about it, for every hadees contains untold wisdom.
- Man is unable to see his own faults, so Allah has made his Muslim brethren, his mirror, to reflect his faults. That is why Maulana asked all those who were reviling President Hosni Mubarak, to ask themselves, why Allah had appointed such a leader over them, in the first place.
- The truth is often bitter, especially if we are shown that we ourselves are the cause of the mayhem. Advice is sweet when given to others, that is why all of us are expert advisors, able to pick out the faults of others from thousands of miles away, and we love to correct others endlessly. But advice to oneself is the bitterest of fruit, which is why we try to avoid this, always seeing ourself as the party in the right. If we took all the advice that we gave to people, and practised it ourselves, masyaAllah, we would all be on our way to Sainthood today!
- So begin by advising yourselves first! Allah says:
يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ قُوٓاْ أَنفُسَكُمۡ وَأَهۡلِيكُمۡ نَارً۬ا وَقُودُهَا ٱلنَّاسُ وَٱلۡحِجَارَةُ عَلَيۡہَا مَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةٌ غِلَاظٌ۬ شِدَادٌ۬ لَّا يَعۡصُونَ ٱللَّهَ مَآ أَمَرَهُمۡ وَيَفۡعَلُونَ مَا يُؤۡمَرُونَ
O ye who believe! Save yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is Men and Stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe who flinch not (from executing) the Commands they receive from Allah, but do (precisely) what they are commanded. (Quran 66:6)
This Verse mentions to save ourselves first before we can advise and save others. The worst act, is to advise others, yet at the same time, neglect our own advice. It is mentioned in a Hadees, that some believers who are in Jannah, will see the one who advised them, in Jahannam. When asked, their once-advisor would say, “I taught others to do good, but I neglected my own advice.” It is mentioned in another Hadees, that the punishment on such a person would be so severe, that iblis, who has no pity in his heart, would almost begin to pity him. Allah says of such a person:
ڪَبُرَ مَقۡتًا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَن تَقُولُواْ مَا لَا تَفۡعَلُونَ
Most hateful it is with Allâh that you say that which you do not do. (Quran 61:3)
- So remember, it is not how many thousands of people listen to your speeches or buy your books; that is not the key to safety; iblis himself was a Teacher to the Angels prior to his fall. It’s a matter of whether you are heeding your own advice or not, for the ego likes to advise, but never likes to be advised. The sign of a believer who has humbled his ego, is that he not only accepts advice, he is very thankful to receive it. Many ‘holier-than-thou-advisors’ are quick to dish out eloquent advice, but they are quicker to gun you down if you correct them.
- Maulana concludes with a powerful piece of advice for such holier-than-thou knowledeable advisors. It is not ilm (knowledge) that brings you closer to Allah, but good adab, for that is the fruit of real knowledge. A Hadees teaches that, a man with good conduct, is like one who fasts all day and prays all night. Iblis’ knowledge bore no fruit, for it led him to arrogance, which is the worst adab for a servant in His presence. Sayyidina Adam’s knowledge on the other hand, led him to humility, which is the best of adab, and he was forgiven and drawn near to his Lord. So to all those facing difficult tests in these trying times, humble yourselves and beg from Him forgiveness, help and a way out towards safety. Those who do not do so, will face eternal despair!
وَلَقَدۡ أَخَذۡنَـٰهُم بِٱلۡعَذَابِ فَمَا ٱسۡتَكَانُواْ لِرَبِّہِمۡ وَمَا يَتَضَرَّعُونَ. حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا فَتَحۡنَا عَلَيۡہِم بَابً۬ا ذَا عَذَابٍ۬ شَدِيدٍ إِذَا هُمۡ فِيهِ مُبۡلِسُونَ
And indeed We seized them with punishment, but they humbled not themselves to their Lord, nor did they invoke (Allâh) with submission to Him. (76) Until, when We open for them the gate of severe punishment, then lo! they will be plunged into destruction with deep regrets, sorrows and in despair. (77) (Quran 23:76-77)
- Lets do our part in spreading Maulana’s message, so that protestors will not resort to violence and destruction. Post this Suhbah Summary on your sites, and send the links to as many in the Arab world as possible. Advise them to take stock of their own faith and practices, repent, beseech Allah for forgiveness and recite Hasbunallah Robbunallah, instead of chanting silly and meaningless political slogans.
The next two Summaries will contain more important advice for the Egyptians. And for us.
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