Congregational prayer and manner in Islam

Khutbah Haroon Mosque

       Friday  January 14^th. 2011



Brothers and Sisters,
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مَا كَانَ لِيَ مِنْ عِلْمٍ بِالْمَلَإِ الْأَعْلَىٰ إِذْ يَخْتَصِمُونَ

Surah Sad 38:69 "I had no knowledge of the chiefs (angels) on high when they were disputing and discussing (about the creation of Adam).

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      Rasullulah (Sal) had not heard anything about the disputes among the Angels.  He knew only what had been revealed to him.   Related to the above verse and the knowledge revealed to Rasullulah (Sal), Imam At-Tirmithi reported that Prophet Muhammad (Sal) said:   “The deeds that wipe out the sins are walking for the congregational prayer, remaining still in the masjid after the prayers, and making a lengthy ablution in times of hardship.", and he continued "providing food to the people, gentle talk, and the prayer at night while the people are asleep."  This Hadith also shows the importance of righteous deeds that Allah (Sub) wipes out sins and wrongdoings, and elevates with them to higher degrees on the Day of Judgment. 

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    The first good deed is the steps that a Muslim takes toward the masjid for the prayer in jama'ah congregational prayer.  The more steps he takes toward the masjid, the more benefits he gets from this good deed in wiping out the sins. Prophet Muhammad (Sal) recommended to the people of Bani Salamah when they wanted to relocate closer to the masjid that they should remain in their places and do not leave, they will have more rewards in coming to the masjid. 

Next is remaining in the masjid after the prayers to remember Allah (Sub) or waiting for the next prayer. Reported by Imam Bukhari that Rasullulah (Sal) said: "....If a man prays, the angels keep praying upon him as long as he is in the prayer location, saying: Oh Allah pray onto him, Oh Allah have mercy on him." Then the prophet (Sal) added: "The one among you who is waiting for prayer is considered to be in prayer."

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    Prophet Muhammad  (Sal) reconfirmed to his companions that: "Would I not show you what wipes out the sins and elevates to higher degrees?" they replied: "Yes, Oh messenger of Allah.", he said: "Making lengthy wudu' in times of hardships, taking many steps to the masjid, and waiting for the next salat after a salat, and this is the Ribat (Guarding land against enemies)." Reported by Imam Muslim.
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وَيُطْعِمُونَ الطَّعَامَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِ مِسْكِينًا وَيَتِيمًا وَأَسِيرًا

Surah Al-Insan 76:8 And they give food, inspite of their love for it (or for the love of Him), to Miskin (poor), the orphan, and the captive,

      Offering food to the people imply to everyone poor or non-poor.  If it is for the poor, it would be better.  Rasullulah (Sal) said: “"Oh people, convey my salam, and offer food and pray at night while people are asleep, you will enter Paradise peacefully." Imam At-Tirmithi reported.

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    As to gentle talk with people, this was from the manners of the prophet (Sal) who orders us to follow him. It is general with Muslims and non-Muslims even with the enemies. As in a case when Mushrikeen suggested Rasullulah (Sal) to a compromised plan that Rasullulah (Sal) worship their gods along with them for one year and in return they will worship Allah (Sub) along with Rasullulah (Sal) for one year too.  Rasullulah (Sal) made no reply until Surah Al-Kafirun 109. was revealed to him and that was a gentle but firm rejection.

 

Surah Adh-Dhariyat 51:17-18
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كَانُوا قَلِيلًا مِّنَ اللَّيْلِ مَا يَهْجَعُونَ

17: They used to sleep but little by night [invoking their Lord (Allah) and praying, with fear and hope].

وَبِالْأَسْحَارِ هُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ

18 : And in the hours before dawn, they were (found) asking (Allah) for forgiveness, Offering night prayer or plan to do good deed at night is much better than joining in idle activities.  And offering prayer before dawn is good for asking forgiveness.

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Imam Muslim reported that Prophet Muhammad (Sal) said: "....The best prayer after the obligatory prayer is the night prayer."

Understanding and reflecting of the Quran

Haroon Mosque Khutbah 

                                               

                                                                Friday  January 7^th. 2011

Brothers and Sisters,    

Taqwa of Allah (Sub) means: taking protection from the anger of Allah (Sub) and His punishment.  By doing what Allah (Sub) Command and refraining from what Allah (Sub) Forbid.  Obeying Allah (Sub) is to increase genuine love of Allah (Sub) as well as genuine fear of Him. 

      Reciting Al-Quran and reflecting upon its meanings and implementing its verses is the way to achieve Taqwa of Allah (Sub).

Surah Al-Baqarah 2:121.
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Those (who embraced Islam from Bani Israel) to whom We gave the Book [the Taurat (Torah)] [or those (Muhammad's Peace be upon him companions) to whom We have given the Book (the Quran)] recite it (i.e. obey its orders and follow its teachings) as it should be recited (i.e. followed), they are the ones that believe therein. And whoso disbelieves in it (the Quran), those are they who are the losers. (Tafsir Al-Qurtubi).

      Umar (rd) said: “They (the ones who recite Al-Quran) are the ones who, when they pass by a verse of mercy, asked it from Allah (Sub), and when they pass by a verse of punishment, they seek refuge from it, like the Prophet Muhammad (Sal) used to do.

Surah Fatir 35:28.

And likewise, men and Ad-Dawabb [moving (living) creatures, beasts] and cattle are of various colours. It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allah. Verily, Allah is All-Mighty, Oft-Forgiving.
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      The companions of Rasulullah (Sal) when they received Al-Quran they recited and implemented it in their way of life and because of doing this they achieved great benefits in life.  Their lives changed from being the ignorant nation they became the best generation.  Even non-Muslim writers acknowledge the achievements of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (Sal).

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     Muslims today also recite Al-Quran frequently with less positive effects due to lacking of pondering its meaning and emphasizing only on the pronunciations. It is only half done. It is also necessary to understand the Halal and Haram, and the verses of glad tidings of Paradise and the verses of warning of Hell Fire etc.

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      May be we are weak in the belief and because of absent-mindedness when reciting Al-Quran.  Another drawback is weakness in Arabic language.  Many native Arabs still do not understand many words in Al-Quran and for non-Arabic it is even worse.  To solve this problem we should refer to more than one translation. 

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      Allah (Sub) Remind us about Allah’s Attributes and His Existence and Allah (Sub) also Challenge the human race to find a reason not to believe in Allah (Sub). 

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Surah Ar-Rahman 55:13.


Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?
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Allah Teach Al-Quran with His Mercy.  Allah Create man and Teach man his eloquent.  All the planets, stars and Galaxies travel according to the Command of Allah. The earth is grounded for creatures and plants and fragrances.  Then Allah ask: “Which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both deny?” The meaning is after all the kindness that Allah (Sub) Bestow to mankind, is there any reason for a man to disbelieve?  Allah (Sub) Ask this question 31 times in this Surah.  And the answer is none to disbelieve.  Indeed, reciting Al-Quran comprehensively leads to Taqwa of Allah (Sub), and every verse in Al-Quran increases the belief of the believers.

Religion and Celebrations

Haroon Mosque Khutbah

                                                           Friday  December 31^th. 2010

Brothers and Sisters,  

Every nation in the world has her holidays and celebrations that are characteristics or landmark of that nation.  Of course, there are reasons behind every celebration.  Songkran or water festival refers to the commencement of new agricultural season and Thai New Year.  Islam prohibits any act of worship according to the methods of Unbelievers. It depends on your judgment and Islamic Scholar to see whether the activity is or is not against any act of worship the Oneness of Allah.

      There is a great mix-up between religious holidays and celebrations that have no Islamic foundation.  It is worsening when some of these non-religious functions take on a religious appearance, which made it very hard for any common Muslim to distinguish between what is authentic and what is not. And sometimes, Muslims think that these unauthentic celebrations are an essential part of Islam.
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Surah An-Nur 24 : 47-48 and 51-47 : They (hypocrites) say: "We have believed in Allah and in the Messenger (Muhammad Sal.), and we obey," then a party of them turn away thereafter, such are not believers. 48 : And when they are called to Allah (i.e. His Words, the Quran) and His Messenger (Sal), to judge between them, lo! a party of them refuse (to come) and turns away.   51 : The only saying of the faithful believers, when they are called to Allah (His Words, the Quran) and His Messenger (Sal), to judge between them, is that they say: "We hear and we obey." And such are the successful (who will live forever in Paradise).
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      We can tell that a celebration is an act of ebadah (worship) in Islam.  Imams An Nasa’i and Ibn Hibban reported and narrated by Anas that when The Prophet (Sal.) came to Madinah and saw people have two days in celebrations.  The Prophet (Sal.) said: "Allah (Sub.) did replace these two holidays with better ones. The day of Fitr (after the month of Ramadan) and the day of sacrifice (in the pilgrimage season)."

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      Also Imam Muslim reported that the Prophet (Sal) used to say :"The best of the speech is embodied in the Book of Allah, and the best of the guidance is the guidance given by Muhammad. And the most evil affairs are their innovations; and every innovation is straying away from the guidance."

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       Is celebrating the messenger’s birthday a proof of our love for him? If the answer is "yes" then how come that none of the companions of the prophet or even the guided Caliphs after him celebrated his birthday? They were the most loving and respected to the prophet (Sal.). They showed their love and respect, however, in a different way. They followed his example in every aspect of their lives. This is the true celebration. We can show our love and respect the same way good companions did.

Surah An-Nur 24 : 36. In houses (mosques), which Allah has ordered to be raised (to be cleaned, and to be honoured), in them His Name is glorified in the mornings and in the afternoons or the evenings,

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     We are ordered to celebrate Allah’s Name and Glorify Him. So let’s see why in Thailand there is an official birth day celebration for Prophet Muhammad (Sal).  In the past when Thai Muslims were not well accepted and recognized in the eyes of the Government servants, things seemed to be difficult.  Therefore, a group of prominent Muslims in Thailand suggested hosting a grand celebration of Prophet in the distinguished place like palace.  His Majesty the King or His Royal Highness also presided at the ceremony.  Since then, Thai Muslims receive better treatment. And the relationship between the Thai Buddhists and Muslims are very much improved.  This is a valuable tradition that has been functioning till today.