The Wise Believer: Practicing Self-Accountability For The Afterlife

Opening & Supplications

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. And I pray and send peace and blessings upon the one sent to the worlds, our master Muhammad and upon his family and all his companions.

O Allah, teach us what benefits us, and benefit us with what You have taught us, and increase us in knowledge and action. All praise is due to Allah in every state, and I seek refuge in Allah from the state of the people of the Fire. I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan.

Sadaqallahul Azeem. And the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2459; also reported in Musnad Ahmad)

Respected brothers, elders, dear mothers and sisters, dear listeners — السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ

I ask Allah سبحانه وتعالى to forgive us. I ask Allah سبحانه وتعالى to bless us. I ask Allah سبحانه وتعالى to give us the ability to continue to come to the Jumu'ah Salah. I ask Allah سبحانه وتعالى to allow us to be attached to the Masjid. I ask Allah سبحانه وتعالى to allow us to be attached to his Deen. And I ask Allah سبحانه وتعالى to allow us to live a life on Iman, to have a death on Iman, and to allow us to be raised with the Mu'minoon. And I ask Allah سبحانه وتعالى to give us admittance into Jannatul Firdos with the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم. Ameen ya Rabbil Alameen.

Before I begin, I want to congratulate all those who embarked on the journey of pilgrimage to Hajj, to the Ka'bah of Allah سبحانه وتعالى. I ask Allah سبحانه وتعالى to accept your Hajj, to accept your sacrifices. I ask Allah سبحانه وتعالى to make this Hajj a means of erasing all of your sins. I ask Allah سبحانه وتعالى to give all of us the ability to go and visit His house, to go and visit the illuminated city, Medina Munawwara, and I ask Allah سبحانه وتعالى to give us the ability to pray in His Masjid and to pray in the Masjid of Rasul صلى الله عليه وسلم. Ameen ya Rabbil Alameen.

The Concept of Accountability

A couple of things that we think about usually — for example in the retail space, or in the accountability space, in the taxing space — is one thing: at the end of the day we have to do something called accountability, or balancing the books. There are a lot of purchases in the day, or for example in tax season we have to take accountability of everything that we have purchased, and then we have forms to fill out, and based off that it is sent to the government and from there an accountability happens. Or for example at the end of the day for our businesses we want to balance the books, to make sure that we balance what was paid to us and at the same time what services were rendered.

And how do the Mu'minoon take lesson from all of these different things? The reason I mention this before we start is because this khutbah will be focused on the aspect of accountability in our lives — accountability for our actions, accountability for our sins, and accountability for our changes and resolutions that we want to make.

It is of no secret that the Islamic calendar is coming to an end — meaning that the year is about to end. This is Dhul Hijjah, the 22nd of Dhul Hijjah of 1445. So that means that in a mere about 10 days, this year is to come to an end, and then the new year will start for the Islamic calendar — not for the Gregorian or the standard calendar that we follow; we are in the mid-year for that. But a couple of things that we can take benefit from as the year comes to an end is the aspect of accountability.

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم says in a hadith:

(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2459)

That the intelligent one, the one who is forward thinking, the one that is successful, is the one who takes accountability of himself or herself — الكَيِّسُ مَنْ دَانَ نَفْسَهُ وَعَمِلَ لِمَا بَعْدَ الْمَوْتِ — and prepares, does actions, looks forward to what is to come after death. This is the intelligent one.

And when it comes to our lives, often times we reflect on everything that has happened before, usually at the end of the year. So this is a perfect time for us to start taking accountability of all of our actions this past Islamic year. There have been many ups and downs in the Muslim Ummah this past Islamic year. It's possible that there may have been many ups and downs in our own lives. But now is the time to recollect and think: What is it that I liked? What did I do that went my way? And what is it that I can improve on?

The Significance of the Islamic Calendar and the Hijrah

One thing that I want to reflect on regarding the end of the year, in terms of accountability — and we will come back to this — is how we define our Islamic calendar. Our Islamic calendar begins, and you may notice every time that the year is written, the letters A and H are written after it. It simply means "After Hijri" — 1445 AH. In the Gregorian calendar we say BC, before Christ, or CE, BCE — Common Era, Before Common Era. But if we reflect on what it means for our calendar to be "After Hijri," what was so special about the Hijra that our calendar began from there, 1400 years ago?

This was deemed the beginning, and by the wisdom of Umar رضي الله عنه and the advice of his Shura, they decided that this would be the beginning of the year — that when the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم made the migration from Mecca all the way to Medina, then called Yathrib, and then when he came they renamed it Al-Medina — that is when they decided this would be the best time to call this the new year. It's because of the significance of that moment, which played a huge role in the lives of all the Muslims to come after that.

If we examine what life was like before Hijra and what life was like after Hijra — the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم began his da'wah in Mecca al-Mukarrama. This was before Hijri. 13 years he stayed in Mecca. 13 years he gave da'wah. 13 years he called his relatives, his friends, his neighbors, everyone who lived in Mecca, to Islam. 13 years they were persecuted. 13 years they went under trials and tribulations. Many things happened in those 13 years. But it was when he migrated to Medina that Islam began to open, that new avenues began to come into the lives of the Muslims.

The Cave of Thawr — A Moment of Divine Protection

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, in the beginning, when he got permission from Allah سبحانه وتعالى to migrate, and all the companions had already migrated, now the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was to migrate. Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه was the companion that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم chose for this journey. Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه was thrilled — not only is he his best friend, this is the Prophet, and he would sacrifice his life for the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.

When the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم embarked on the Hijrah, he began by going south of Mecca. As we know geographically, Medina is north of Mecca, but he didn't take that direct route. What he was advised to do, and what he decided to do, was that he would go south a little bit. And this is where he encountered the cave of Thawr — the famous incident which is mentioned in Surah Tawbah. And why he decided to go south is because you can imagine, on the psychology of a human, the expeditions sent out from Mecca to go capture or bring back the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه would think they would go directly north towards Yathrib, along the major trade routes. No one would think to go the opposite way. So the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم decided to use that tactic and went the opposite way.

When they arrived at the cave, Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه would go in first and ensure that all the surroundings were safe for the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم. They sat there and waited, they prayed Salah, they waited. It is mentioned in the books of Seerah that there were people who went to capture them and they came and were right on top of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه. According to the hadith in Musnad Ahmad, Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه said: "I said to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, when we were in the cave, that if even one of them were to look down beneath his feet they would have seen us." All they had to do was look down. It was a very tense moment, because if they were captured, they would have had to go back to Mecca. The people of Medina were waiting for the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.

And the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "What is your opinion regarding two people while Allah سبحانه وتعالى is the third of them?" — meaning that Allah سبحانه وتعالى was ready to safeguard them from anything that was to come.

And Allah سبحانه وتعالى said in the Quran:

If you don't help the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم in the cause, then know very well that Allah has already helped the Prophet of Allah — when the people who disbelieve came to look for Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم and Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم told Abu Bakr: "Don't be scared, don't be fearful, don't be sad — indeed Allah سبحانه وتعالى is with us." And Allah سبحانه وتعالى sent His peacefulness and sent His armies that no one could see.

For example, the books of Seerah mention that a spider web was formed in front of the entrance of the cave, and then a dove came and laid its nest in front of it as well. If one were to think that someone had gone into this cave, the cobwebs would have been torn — but the cobwebs were formed. And if anyone were to go in here, there wouldn't have been a bird with its nest, as if it had been there for days and days. But this is the army of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, coming to the aid of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.

Lessons from the Hijrah for Our Lives Today

Dear brothers and sisters, one thing that we learn from this story is that through the trial and tribulation of making Hijrah, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was able to preach Islam — and that's when Islam started to flourish when it came to Medina. But how do we take this into our lives? Examine what the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was going away from — what he was forced to go away from — and where he went towards. It was a place where he wasn't able to practice Islam, to a place where he was able to practice Islam. A place where he was persecuted and not able to give da'wah properly in the streets, to a place where he has a whole following — everyone following him. This is when Islam flourished.

This is when you and I need to look into ourselves. This past year that has come — that could be our Mecca — where we were not able to practice Islam the way we would have wanted to. We were not able to pray to Allah the way we would have wanted to. We did not fast as much as we wanted to or as much as we should have. We did not read Quran, or give in charity, or help the poor, or feed an orphan. We weren't able to do any of that. But as this new year comes in, what resolutions can I make? Where can I go towards in my life where now I am able to do all of those things? What written down statements do I need to make for myself so that now I am able to do all of this?

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said that the true Muhajir, the true Muhajir, is the one who makes hijrah from all of his sins:

(Musnad Ahmad; also referenced in Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 1, Hadith 10, in a related narration on the definition of the Muhajir)

The true Muhajir is the one that makes hijrah from his sins. So this is the type of hijrah that we can make in the time to come. And this is the accountability that I wanted to circle back to.

That Night in the Cave — Greater Than a Lifetime

Now, one thing that just came to my mind — that night that Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه spent with the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was so great in the Seerah. I came across a statement by Umar رضي الله عنه:

(Reported in books of Seerah and virtues of the Companions)

Umar رضي الله عنه said: "That night — that moment of the Hijrah — that night is better for Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه than the whole life of Umar." Every single accomplishment of Umar رضي الله عنه — he said that one night trumps all of it.

But for us, making this hijrah is supposed to be difficult. Was the Hijrah of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم difficult? It was everything. It was very difficult. But now our hijrah is going to be difficult as well. Staying away from those friends that bring us towards haram. Staying away from those business dealings or business practices which cause us to gain haram wealth. It's not supposed to be easy. It's supposed to be hard. That's why this is called Dar al-Ibtila' — this is a place of testing. It's supposed to be hard.

Being able to keep your pants above your ankles at work or everywhere you go — that is supposed to be hard. It is hard. Maybe for some people it's a little easy because they've been doing it for a long time, but when you first start, it's supposed to be hard. Being able to wear a hijab — it's going to be hard. But that is what hijrah is. It's supposed to be hard. When you get to the other side, it becomes so much easier. There's contentment, and then Allah سبحانه وتعالى will be pleased with us.

Take Account Before You Are Taken to Account

So this is the real meaning of الكَيِّسُ مَنْ دَانَ نَفْسَهُ وَعَمِلَ لِمَا بَعْدَ الْمَوْتِ — the one who takes accountability. Umar رضي الله عنه said in a statement:

(Attributed to Umar ibn al-Khattab رضي الله عنه)

A very easy statement to memorize — the words, the verbs mirror each other. Umar رضي الله عنه says: "Simulate death before the reality of death comes to you — مُوتُوا قَبْلَ أَنْ تَمُوتُوا — and take account before you are taken to account — وَحَاسِبُوا قَبْلَ أَنْ تُحَاسَبُوا."

What does it mean to simulate death? Think about what's going to happen at death — that someone will enshroud us, someone will wash us, our names will change. We won't be called our names anymore. If you're Zayd, Ahmad, Mohsen — you're not named now. You're "the body." After that you become "the janazah." After that you become "the qabr" or you become the place in the cemetery. Your name is lost after that. Simulate all of that before it happens. Why do we simulate death like that? Because then it becomes a reality before the reality is given to us, so we are prepared for the moment rather than not being prepared for it.

وَحَاسِبُوا — and take account. Your actions, your deeds, your shortcomings — take account of all of that before it comes a time when someone will take account of you, i.e. Allah سبحانه وتعالى. When the angels will come in your grave and you're not able to answer those questions — that is being taken to account. When you're not able to have the company of your good deeds — that is being taken to account. When you're not able to rise with the Mu'minoon — that is being taken to account. When you stand in front of Allah سبحانه وتعالى and He begins to judge your book — your book of good deeds and your book of sins — that is being taken to account.

Why should we do it then when we can do it now? يَخِفُّ الْحِسَابُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ — the hisab on the Day of Judgment is made light for those people who take account of their hisab today.

Closing Reflection & Du'a

So this is my message to myself and all of you: as the new year approaches, as Muharram approaches, this is a time for us to take account of all of our good deeds, all of our actions, all of our sins, all of our shortcomings, all of our misgivings. This is the time.

If there is one lesson that we can take away from the Hijrah of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, from the beginning of our Islamic calendar, it is that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم went through a struggle — to go from a place where it was hard for him, to a place where now he was able to practice Islam, able to preach and give da'wah. And that's where the flourishment of Islam came. This is where the flourishment of our Iman will come — with hijrah.

I ask Allah سبحانه وتعالى to give us the reality of the struggles of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم. I ask Allah سبحانه وتعالى to give us the reality of the Hijrah. I ask Allah سبحانه وتعالى to give us the reality of all of our sins and all of our good deeds, to give us the ability to turn to Him, to turn towards Him, to turn away from sin, and to turn towards good.

Ameen ya Rabbil Alameen.

Subhana Rabbik, aqoolu qawli hadha wa astaghfirullahi li walakum wa li sa'iril muslimeen, fa astaghfiruhu innahu huwal Ghafoorir Raheem.

Second Khutbah

Servants of Allah, may Allah make us and you among the people of Dar al-Salam and keep us far from that which draws us near to punishment on the Day of Judgment. Verily, the best of speech is the speech of Allah, the Mighty, the All-Knowing. I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan.

I say these words of mine and I seek forgiveness from Allah for myself and for you and for all the Muslims — so seek His forgiveness, for He is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.

All praise is due to Allah alone. Prayers and salutations upon the one after whom there is no prophet. I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan:

The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 3791; Musnad Ahmad)

And the best of this Ummah are my generation, then those who come after them.

Servants of Allah, may Allah have mercy on you — indeed Allah commands justice, excellence, and giving to relatives, and forbids immorality, wrongdoing, and oppression. He admonishes you so that perhaps you will be reminded.

So remember Allah, He will remember you. Be grateful to Him, and He will increase you. And do not be ungrateful. And establish the prayer.

Announcements

I ask everyone to please pass the donation boxes from left to right. Please donate generously — sadaqah wards off calamities and draws the mercy of Allah سبحانه وتعالى.

Programs starting at Darussalam: We have the Essential Arabic Program — a program designed to provide students with a stronger foundation in the basics of the Arabic language. There are separate classes for both brothers and sisters. It will begin July 22nd and go until August 9th — about three weeks. It is Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. There is a thorough and comprehensive curriculum that focuses on grammar, vocabulary, and conversation, and students will gain a solid understanding of the fundamentals of the Arabic language.

Allah سبحانه وتعالى says in the Quran:

That we are the one who has revealed the Quran in the Arabic language. So it is essential for all of us to have an understanding of the Arabic language so we can access what Allah سبحانه وتعالى is telling us. This is a very good program to send your children — brothers and sisters of all ages can come and benefit.

We also have the Tanweer Intensive — this is the one-year Arabic and Islamic studies program, and there is still time to join. It is a year-long Arabic and Islamic studies program which aims to lay the foundation of one's Islamic edification. The application for this program has been extended until July 12th — about two weeks away. You can go to masjiddeas.org/tanweer-intensive to apply and register.

We also have our regularly scheduled weekly programs: Team Fajr will be tomorrow. Fajr Iqamah is at 4:45 a.m. Tuesday Tafsir will continue after Maghrib Salah — we will continue with Surah Ghafir. Weekly Salawat and Khatirah is every Thursday after Maghrib Salah.

We have a couple of du'a requests as well. Sister Muhammad Begum has passed away. Please make du'a for her maghfirah. A recent message came in that Brother Kalim Siddiqui's mother has passed away as well. We ask Allah سبحانه وتعالى to fill their graves with nur, to accept their life, and to make their children a means of sadaqah jariyah for them. We also make du'a for all of the brothers and sisters suffering all over the world — especially in Palestine — and we ask Allah سبحانه وتعالى to forgive them and make their tribulations easy for them.