Surah Kahf Recitation & Jumu'ah Khutbah | Mawlana Farhan Shaiff | 8/1

Recitation of Surah Al-Kahf

These are people who have taken other than Him as gods, if they do not come to them with a clear authority. So who is more unjust than one who invents a lie against Allah? And when you have withdrawn from them and they worship none but Allah, then go to the cave. Your Lord will spread for you His mercy and will prepare for you a place of refuge from your affair.

And you will see the sun, when it rises, move away from their cave to the right, and when it sets, move them to the left, and they will be in a space from it. That is one of the signs of Allah. Whoever Allah guides, he is the guided one, and whoever He misguides, you will not find for him a rightful guardian.

And you will think of them as awake. And We will turn them to the right and to the left, and their dog will be spread out on its arms at the entrance. If you had looked at them, you would have fled from them, and you would have been filled with terror.

And thus did We send them that they might ask one another. One of them said, "How long have you stayed?" They said, "We stayed a day or a part of a day." They said, "Your Lord knows best how long you have stayed."

"So send one of you with this silver coin of yours to the city, so that he may see which is the purest food and bring you provision from it, and let him be cautious, and let none of you be made aware. Verily, if they appear before you, they will stone you or revert you to their religion, and you will never prosper."

And thus did We send them that they might know that the promise of Allah is true and that the Hour — in it there is no doubt. When they disputed among themselves over their affair, they said, "Build for them a building; their Lord knows best." Those who were victorious over their affair said, "We will surely take a masjid over them."

They will say, "Three, the fourth of them being their dog," and they will say, "Five, the sixth of them being their dog," guessing at the unseen. And they will say, "Seven, and the eighth of them is their dog." Say, "My Lord knows best their number. Only a few know it." So do not argue about them except with a clear argument, and do not inquire about them from any of them.

And do not say of anything, "I will do that tomorrow," except that Allah wills. And remember your Lord when you forget, and say, "Perhaps my Lord will guide me to that which is nearer than this to right conduct." And they stayed in their cave three hundred years and increased by nine. Say, "Allah knows best what they stayed; to Him belongs the unseen of the heavens and the earth."

How Seeing is He and how Hearing! They have no protector other than Him, and He does not share His judgment with anyone. And recite what has been revealed to you of the Book of your Lord. There is no one who can alter His words, and you will find no refuge other than Him.

And be patient with those who call upon their Lord morning and evening, desiring His Countenance. And do not turn your eyes away from them, desiring the adornment of the life of this world. And do not obey one to whom We have made his heart heedless of Our remembrance, and he has followed his desire, and his affair has been in vain.

And say, "The truth is from your Lord. So whoever wills, let him believe, and whoever wills, let him disbelieve." Verily, We have prepared for the wrongdoers a Fire, whose walls will surround them. And if they seek relief, they will be relieved with water like murky oil, scalding their faces. Wretched is the drink, and evil is the resting place.

Verily, those who believe and do righteous deeds — indeed We do not allow to be lost the reward of any who did well in deeds. Those will have Gardens of Eternity beneath which rivers flow. They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold, and they will wear garments of green silk and brocade, reclining therein on adorned couches. Excellent is the reward, and good is the resting place.

And present to them the example of two men: We granted to one of them two gardens of grapevines, and We surrounded them with date-palms, and We made between them fields of crops. Both of the two gardens produced their fruit and did not fall short thereof, and We caused a river to gush forth within them. And he had fruit, so he said to his companion while he was conversing with him, "I am greater than you in wealth and mightier in man-power."

And he entered his garden while he was unjust to himself. He said, "I do not think that this will ever perish. And I do not think the Hour will occur. And even if I am returned to my Lord, I will surely find better than this as a return."

His companion said to him, while he was conversing with him, "Do you disbelieve in the One who created you from dust, then from a drop of sperm, then fashioned you into a man? But He is Allah, my Lord, and I do not associate anyone with my Lord. And if you see me less than you in wealth and children — so it may be that my Lord will give me something better than your garden, and will send upon it a calamity from the sky, and it will become a smooth, dusty ground. Or its water will become sunken into the earth, so you will never be able to seek it."

And his fruits were encompassed by ruin, and he began to turn his hands about in grief over what he had spent on it, while it had collapsed upon its trellises. And he said, "I wish I had not associated anyone with my Lord." And there was for him no company to aid him other than Allah, nor could he defend himself.

There the authority is for Allah, the True. He is best in reward and best in outcome.

And present to them the example of the life of this world: it is like rain which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it, then it becomes dry remnants, scattered by the winds. And Allah is ever, over all things, Perfect in Ability.

And the record of deeds will be placed, and you will see the criminals fearful of that within it, and they will say, "O woe to us! What is this book that leaves nothing small or great except that it has enumerated it?" And they will find what they did present before them. And your Lord does injustice to no one.

And when We said to the angels, "Prostrate to Adam," they prostrated, except for Iblis. He was of the jinn and departed from the command of his Lord. Then will you take him and his descendants as allies other than Me while they are enemies to you? Wretched it is for the wrongdoers as an exchange.

I did not make them witness the creation of the heavens and the earth or the creation of themselves, and I would not have taken the misguiders as assistants. And the Day He will say, "Call My 'partners' whom you claimed," and they will invoke them, but they will not respond to them. And We will put between them a barrier of destruction. And the criminals will see the Fire and will be certain that they are to fall therein. And they will not find from it a way elsewhere.

And We have certainly diversified in this Qur'an for the people from every kind of example, but man has ever been, most of anything, prone to dispute. And what prevented the people from believing when guidance came to them and from seeking forgiveness of their Lord except that there should befall them the fate of the former peoples or that the punishment should come before them directly?

And We send not the messengers except as bringers of good tidings and warners. And those who disbelieve dispute by means of falsehood to refute thereby the truth. And they have taken My verses and that of which they are warned in ridicule.

And who is more unjust than one who is reminded of the verses of his Lord but turns away from them and forgets what his hands have put forth? Indeed, We have placed over their hearts coverings, lest they understand it, and in their ears deafness. And if you invite them to guidance — they will never be guided, then — ever.

And your Lord is the Forgiving, full of mercy. If He were to impose blame upon them for what they earned, He would have hastened for them the punishment. Rather, for them is an appointment from which they will never find an escape.

And those cities — We destroyed them when they wronged, and We made for their destruction an appointed time.

And when Moses said to his servant, "I will not cease until I reach the junction of the two seas or continue for a long period." But when they reached the junction between them, they forgot their fish, and it took its course into the sea, slipping away. And when they had passed beyond it, he said to his boy, "Bring us our morning meal. We have certainly suffered in this, our journey, hardship." He said, "Did you see when we retired to the rock? Indeed, I forgot the fish. And none made me forget it except Satan — that I should mention it. And it took its course into the sea amazingly." He said, "That is what we were seeking." So they returned, following their footprints.

And they found a servant from among Our servants to whom We had given mercy from us and had taught him from Us a certain knowledge. Moses said to him, "May I follow you on the condition that you teach me from what you have been taught of sound judgment?" He said, "Indeed, with me you will never be able to have patience. And how can you have patience for what you do not encompass in knowledge?" He said, "You will find me, if Allah wills, patient, and I will not disobey you in any order." He said, "Then if you follow me, do not ask me about anything until I make to you about it mention."

So they set out, until when they had embarked on the ship, he made a hole in it. He said, "Have you made a hole in it to drown its people? You have certainly done a grave thing." He said, "Did I not say that with me you would never be able to have patience?" He said, "Do not blame me for what I forgot and do not cover me in my matter with difficulty."

So they set out, until when they met a boy, he killed him. He said, "Have you killed a pure soul for other than having killed a soul? You have certainly done a deplorable thing." He said, "Did I not tell you that with me you would never be able to have patience?" He said, "If I should ask you about anything after this, then do not keep me as a companion. You have obtained from me an excuse."

So they set out, until when they came to the people of a town, they asked its people for food, but they refused to offer them hospitality. And they found therein a wall about to collapse, so he restored it. He said, "If you wished, you could have taken for it a payment." He said, "This is parting between me and you. I will inform you of the interpretation of that about which you could not have patience."

"As for the ship, it belonged to poor people working at sea. So I intended to cause defect in it as there was after them a king who seized every ship by force. And as for the boy, his parents were believers, and we feared that he would overburden them by transgression and disbelief. So we intended that their Lord should substitute for them one better than him in purity and nearer to mercy."

"And as for the wall, it belonged to two orphan boys in the city, and there was beneath it a treasure for them, and their father had been righteous. So your Lord intended that they reach maturity and extract their treasure, as a mercy from your Lord. And I did not do it of my own accord. That is the interpretation of that about which you could not have patience."

And they ask you about Dhul-Qarnayn. Say, "I will recite to you about him a report." Indeed, We established for him on the earth, and We gave him of everything a way. So he followed a way. Until, when he reached the setting of the sun, he found it setting in a spring of dark mud, and he found near it a people. We said, "O Dhul-Qarnayn, either you punish them or else adopt among them a way of goodness."

He said, "As for one who wrongs, we will punish him. Then he will be returned to his Lord, and He will punish him with a terrible punishment. But as for one who believes and does righteousness, he will have a reward of paradise, and we will speak to him from our command with ease."

Then he followed a way. Until, when he came to the rising of the sun, he found it rising on a people for whom We had not made against it any shield. Thus. And We had encompassed him in knowledge.

Then he followed a way. Until, when he reached the point of the two mountains, he found beside them a people who could hardly understand any speech. They said, "O Dhul-Qarnayn, indeed Gog and Magog are corrupters in the land. So may we assign for you an expenditure that you might make between us and them a barrier?" He said, "That in which my Lord has established me is better, but assist me with strength; I will make between you and them a dam. Bring me sheets of iron." Until, when he had leveled the two mountain walls, he said, "Blow with your bellows." Until, when he had made it fire, he said, "Bring me, that I may pour over it molten copper."

So they were unable to pass over it, nor were they able to make any penetration in it. He said, "This is a mercy from my Lord; but when the promise of my Lord comes, He will make it level, and ever is the promise of my Lord true."

And We will leave them that day surging over each other, and the Horn will be blown, and We will assemble them in assembly. And We will present Hell that Day to the disbelievers, on display.

Those whose eyes had been within a cover removed from My remembrance, and they were not able to hear. Then do those who disbelieve think that they can take My servants instead of Me as allies? Indeed, We have prepared Hell for the disbelievers as a lodging.

Say, "Shall we inform you of the greatest losers as to their deeds? Those whose effort is lost in worldly life, while they think that they are doing well in work. Those are the ones who disbelieve in the verses of their Lord and in the meeting with Him, so their deeds have become worthless, and We will not assign to them on the Day of Resurrection any weight."

That is their recompense — Hell — because they disbelieved and took My signs and My messengers in ridicule.

Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds — they will have the Gardens of Paradise as a lodging, wherein they abide eternally. They will not desire from it any transfer.

Say, "If the sea were ink for the words of my Lord, the sea would be exhausted before the words of my Lord were exhausted, even if We brought the like of it as a supplement."

Say, "I am only a man like you, to whom has been revealed that your god is One God. So whoever would hope for the meeting with his Lord — let him do righteous work and not associate in the worship of his Lord anyone."

Jumu'ah Khutbah: Building Your Home for the Hereafter

Beloved brothers and sisters, youngsters and elders, esteemed and honorable guests of the house of Allah. Assalamu alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

The Story of the Carpenter

On one occasion, there was an elderly carpenter who was known for his work. He was known to be a very wonderful craftsman. All of the work that he did was always well appreciated, especially when it came to finishing jobs before selling a home. He was one of the prized employees, prized workers of the company. And he was always sent in to ensure that the final touches were done in a perfect manner. And he made a name for himself, mashAllah. He was very well appreciated. He had been working with the company for quite a few years.

Until a time came where his family had grown quite large. He himself had gotten quite old. And now he was looking forward towards retirement. Having a good relationship with his employer, he sent him a notice that he was thinking about retiring and that this would be his last year. Naturally, the employer was quite sad, but he was understanding at the same time. He understood: this person has worked for me for quite a few years, and he did a wonderful job. Yes, his family has grown quite large, and it does seem like now is the time for him to retire. So he was okay with it.

But he asked him towards the end of the year that there was just one final request — one final house that he would like for him to help with once it was closed and purchased. Then they could part ways. So he agreed.

Although you could see in no time that his heart wasn't really into the work. The same wonderful craftsmanship that he had, the keen eye, his meticulousness regarding the various different things that had to be finished and meticulously arranged — he wasn't really paying much attention to those things. His heart wasn't really in the work. Nonetheless, he continued, he did what he had to do. And when he was done with his job like normal, he called the employer — he called his boss — and he told him that he thought the house was ready, and if he would like to inspect it like he normally did, he would be waiting.

So the employer came, parked his car, got out, and he was quite jolly and happy. As he approached the employee — the carpenter — normally what he would do is enter the house and inspect the rest of the work. But on this occasion, he just stood outside and started speaking to the worker. He told him, "You know what, I can never truly thank you for all the wonderful work that you've done over the years. And as a token — quite a big token indeed — of my appreciation, I would like to gift you this house. Completely paid for, everything is for you. You can keep the keys and this is for you to live in for as long as you would like — no strings attached."

The worker — the carpenter — you could immediately see dissatisfaction slowly creeping into his face. He thought, "Oh no, if only I knew that this was going to be my house that I was going to live in, I would have done a far better job. I would have worked far more than what I did."

Our Lives Are the Homes We Are Building

This is like the condition of many of us today. Many of us — our lives are the homes that we are going to be living in forever. And unfortunately for so many of us, quite often we offer such workmanship, such effort, that is definitely subpar. And we don't realize until it's too late that this was my house, this was my legacy, this was my life that I was contributing towards.

Whether it's a student who realizes a bit later on in life — generally that student who goes into college who wasted his education in high school, when he gets into the classes which are far more difficult, he laments: "If only I worked a little bit harder, if only I knew the material, then it would be easier for me." Or it's a person later on in life who maybe applied himself, but was aiming for something very average — just to get by — and then later regrets being stuck in a difficult situation for many more years of his life, realizing at that time: "If only I worked a little bit harder, if only I applied myself a bit more, then I would have been enjoying the fruits of my efforts."

Many of us realize this when it comes to the dunya itself. But as Muslims, we should understand that there is also a home which we are building for ourselves in the hereafter. Allah has mentioned and sent messengers time and again reminding mankind about this inevitable day — the Day of Judgment — the day after which there will be either everlasting bliss, peace, and enjoyment, or — may Allah protect us — everlasting damnation. And it is with the same message that the prophets would come:

"O you who believe, fear Allah. And let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is well-aware of what you do." — Keep in mind the Day that you are going to be presented before Allah. O you who believe, fear Allah. Everyone should worry about what they are sending forth for themselves.

The Hadith of Four Questions

In a hadith, Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam has mentioned:

(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2417)

Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam has mentioned: no individual will be able to move on the Day of Judgment until he is asked about his life and how he spent it; about his knowledge and what he did with it; about his wealth — from where he earned it and in what avenues he spent it; and about his body and how he wore it out.

What did a person spend their entire life pursuing? For many of us, mashAllah, perhaps every single one of us can easily say that we spent ten or more years pursuing various different forms of secular education — and that, of course, would be a means of benefit for us in this life. But if we don't have the right intention, will it be of any benefit in the next? Of course, if a person has the right intention, then it will transfer to the next. But another question we can ask ourselves is: How much have we lived our lives trying to please Allah? How much have we lived our lives trying to learn about what Allah wants from you and I? And how much have we spent our lives acting in accordance with that?

Another thing that will be asked is regarding a person's knowledge — what he did with that knowledge. Whatever knowledge a person was able to learn, what have we done to benefit ourselves and to benefit mankind, and to worship Allah, and to benefit the deen of Allah with that knowledge? And also with regards to his wealth — where he earned it and in which avenues he spent that wealth. And finally, regarding his body and how he spent it for the sake of Allah.

The Two Great Blessings

In another hadith, Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam mentions:

"There are two blessings which many people lose: good health and free time."

That there are two bounties — two wonderful blessings — that Allah has granted each and every one of us. These are two such bounties regarding which مَغْبُونٌ فِيهِمَا كَثِيرٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ — many, many individuals are duped regarding; they are cheated. It is a person's good health and also his free time.

There will be times in a person's life when he will get sick. But for a very large amount of time, you will also be healthy. What do we do with that health of ours? This is now the ending of the summer — a time to reflect, and inshAllah a time to continue forward. Many of us had a whole entire month, and for other youthful individuals, perhaps they are still enjoying their summer break which is now coming to an end. What did we spend our time and good health on? What goals did we set for ourselves? Or was it like the vast majority, where a goal of ours was just to kill time? We don't need to kill time — time is going to pass irrespective of what we do.

As Imam al-Shafi'i rahimahullah mentions — among the things that he learned from the individuals he would spend time with, from many of the Sufis:

"Time is like a sword. If you don't cut it, it will cut you." If you don't take advantage of the time, then the time will cut you away — it will deteriorate from your life.

As Hasan al-Basri rahimahullah would say:

"O son of Adam, you are nothing but a collection of days. Every single day that goes, a part of you goes."

Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam mentioned that every day that a person wakes up, he is engaged in a transaction. He is either benefiting himself or he is causing himself harm:

(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 223)

Every single day a person wakes up is another opportunity, another chance to benefit himself, to come closer to Allah, to build his house in the hereafter — and also in this world as well. أَوْ مُوبِقُهَا — or to destroy himself. May Allah protect all of us.

The Tricks of Shaytan

Many a time we get caught up by various different distractions. These are distractions of course invented by Shaytan — things that are created and crafted to make us less productive, or to take our hearts and minds away from the real goal, from the reality of this world. Whether it's in the form of TV shows, video games, cartoons, or frivolous pursuits — whatever they may be. Many a time we tend to fall short, we tend to fall to the attacks of Shaytan, not realizing the detriment that is happening, not realizing the harm that we are causing ourselves.

Our example is like that of a baker. He once created many different treats — wonderful treats — like he would normally do, and he would go and sell them daily. And one day it just so happened that he created a whole entire tray of wonderful, tasty pastries. He would sell them, but after some time, there was one joker who came to him and asked: "How much is this whole entire tray of sweets?" He said, "The whole thing is about $10 or $12." The joker said, "How about we make a deal? I will buy the entire tray on condition that you eat all of the treats."

The baker thought to himself, "What a wonderful deal. I'm making these all the time and I don't really get to benefit from them because I have to sell them — I have to make a living. So this seems like a win-win situation." So he started eating one pastry. The joker is just cracking a smile. After a while, he eats half. Now the joker's smile is getting bigger and bigger. Until finally, he's just about to finish the whole entire thing, and then the joker bursts out laughing and runs away.

The baker thinks to himself: "What am I supposed to do? Even if I call the police, what are they going to do? They're going to laugh at me — I am the one who ate my own treats. He didn't even benefit from anything. I can't hold him accountable to anything. I am the one who harmed myself."

In a very similar manner, that's the trick that Shaytan plays on each and every one of us. He causes us to use our time frivolously. He just whispers different things to us, and we end up compromising on the deen of Allah. We end up falling to his tricks and completely becoming oblivious of the hereafter — oblivious of the homes that we are building for ourselves.

Allah mentions in the Qur'an:

Whoever attains guidance and seeks out such knowledge and a life of righteousness — then he only does so to his own benefit. But whoever falls short, whoever goes astray, whoever loses sight of the hereafter and loses sight of the home they are building — then he is only doing so to his own detriment. And no bearer of burden will bear the burden of another. وَلَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ — this is something that each and every single one of us has to keep in mind. For that Day when we are going to stand before Allah — what have we spent our lives achieving?

Conclusion

It is with regards to this that Allah has sent time and again messengers to teach us how to use our time, how to live praiseworthy lives, how to build homes for ourselves in this world and the next. But it is up to us to utilize the time, the life, the wealth that Allah has granted us — to learn that knowledge, to learn how to benefit ourselves. Or — may Allah protect us — if we are negligent of that, we may end up destroying our futures in this world and destroying our futures in the hereafter.

May Allah grant us all the ability to truly live productive lives in His obedience, following the teachings of Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, connecting ourselves to the Qur'an, and learning what is required, and then acting in accordance with that.

Second Khutbah

Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam has said: "The most merciful of my ummah towards my ummah is Abu Bakr; the most stringent in the matter of Allah is 'Umar; the most modest in his character is 'Uthman; and the most knowledgeable in matters of judgment is 'Ali. And Fatimah is the leader of the women of the people of Paradise. Al-Hasan and al-Husayn are the leaders of the youth of the people of Paradise. And Hamzah is the lion of Allah and the lion of His Messenger."

Ridwanullahi ta'ala 'alayhim ajma'in. "Allah, Allah — regard my Companions well. Do not take them as targets after me. Whoever loves them, loves them by virtue of loving me. And whoever hates them, hates them by virtue of hating me. The best of my ummah is my generation, then those who follow them, then those who follow them."

فَاذْكُرُونِي أَذْكُرْكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لِي وَلَا تَكْفُرُونَ وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ

Announcements

Please pass the donation boxes from left to right. Nabi sallallahu alayhi wa sallam has mentioned in a hadith that charity given during the day of Jumu'ah is greater than any other day. For those who do not have cash, there are also kiosks in the lobby. Those can be used and we can benefit by giving sadaqah for the sake of Allah.

Additionally, Dar Es Salaam Seminary — Tanweer Intensive for ages 17 and up, and Tadris Integrated High School Program for ages 14 to 16. Both of these programs will begin on August 11th. Apply now at majjids.org. Enrollment can be done at majjids.org. These are very beneficial programs that we should make it a point to try and enroll our children in.

We have many different weekly programs that we can benefit from. We have our Deep Dive into Surah Al-Nazi'at — Tuesday Tafsir: Reflect and Connect, which takes place every Tuesday. Additionally, please join us for our Thursday Salawat and Urdu Seerah Dars — a spiritually enriching session in Urdu on the Seerah of our beloved Prophet Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. Both programs take place after Maghrib — one on Tuesday and one on Thursday.

Lastly, join us for our weekly Saturday Team Fajr, where we are now starting a new series: Lives of the Companions. Fajr Salat is at 5 a.m.

Additionally, the Glenbard West MSA will be selling refreshments to fundraise outside the archway entrance. Please support them in creating an Islamic and halal environment at West, giving da'wah to non-Muslims at school, arranging prayers and halaqas, and collaborating with local masajid to uplift Muslim youth at Glenbard West.

We also have our sister's bi-weekly program: Seerah and Salawat — Suhbah with Alimah Khadijah Laki. Also, save the date for our annual Seerah Conference: Friday, September 19th to Saturday, September 20th.

There are many du'a requests. Please make du'a for shifa for a Dar Es Salaam student and a Musalli's daughter who has been extremely sick. And please let us make du'a for all of our brothers and sisters who are suffering throughout the world — specifically in Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Myanmar, and various other Muslim countries throughout the world. May Allah grant them all shifa.