The Optimistic Believer - Shaykh Wasim Kempson

The Optimistic Believer

Indeed, all praise and thanks is due to Allah. I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, alone, no partner. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His final Messenger and Servant.

My dear brothers and sisters, on this blessed day of Al-Jumu'ah, I want to discuss an integral and important part of our faith, of our Iman.

The Pillars of Faith and Belief in Divine Decree

Now we all know that the Arkan al-Iman — the pillars or articles of faith — are six. And from them is Al-Imanu bil-Qadr, our belief in the divine decree of Allah, khayrihi wa sharrihi — the good from it and the bad from it. But it is of the utmost importance as a Muslim, as a believer, that we have the correct understanding concerning this very important article of faith.

And what comes from this, what stems from our belief in divine decree, is that the believer has husn al-dhan — husn al-dhann billahi ta'ala — that the believer has good thoughts about his Lord, that he or she is mutafa'il, that they are optimistic about what Allah has for them in the future. This means that we are not going to be negative people. It means that we will not complain about what Allah has in store for us now, or about what happens in the future.

If we look carefully at the prophets, we will find that they reached the very highest limits and really excelled in what it means to have good thoughts about Allah — to remain optimistic regardless of the situation. Not to be weak, not to be negative, or to feel a victim of the circumstances that they have been put in. But they understood that this is the decree of Allah, and it is upon us to make a change, to go back to Allah, and ask Allah — jalla wa 'ala — to help us improve the situation.

Allah's Promise of Ease After Hardship

Understanding the verses:

That Allah will grant ease after hardship. Understanding the importance of taqwa of Allah:

That whoever fears Allah, then Allah will make their affairs, make their matters easy. This is the promise of Allah.

The Prophet's Love for Optimism

The prophets — alayhim salatu wasalam — whether they were on a journey, whether they were at home, in times of hardship, in times of ease, in times of extreme happiness or difficulty, they would always have good thoughts about Allah. And our beloved Nabi ﷺ, as narrated by Anas ibn Malik رضي الله عنه in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet ﷺ said:

That optimism is beloved to me — or: I love to be optimistic. (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2224)

This has a direct link to having good thoughts about Allah. And as we know in the Hadith Qudsi, the Prophet ﷺ said that Allah said:

That I am as My slave thinks of Me, so let him think of Me what he wills. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 7405; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2675)

And in another narration:

Then let him or her think good of Me. (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith 16016)

Even if a person has so many sins, has been involved in so much haram, and a time comes to that individual when they want to repent — but they have good thoughts about Allah — remembering:

That Allah forgives all sins.

Lessons from the Prophets

We remember specifically how Allah — jalla wa 'ala — talks about the prophets alayhim al-salam in the Qur'an. Allah mentioned some of them in detail, and some in less detail. But in all of them there is a benefit.

The Story of Yunus (عليه السلام)

If we look at the story of Yunus عليه السلام, consumed and swallowed by the whale — any ordinary person would lose hope. But he called upon Allah in a very famous du'a:

"There is none worthy of worship except You. Glory be to You. Indeed, I was from the wrongdoers."

And if you pay special attention to what is being asked in this du'a — is Yunus عليه السلام asking to be taken out of the whale, to be returned to his family? No. It is testifying and recognizing that all that is happening, there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that he was from the wrongdoers. So Allah saved him and returned him to his family.

The Story of Ibrahim and Ismail (عليهما السلام)

If we look at Ismail عليه السلام and Ibrahim عليه السلام — how many years did Ibrahim عليه السلام make du'a and long for a son? Only then to be commanded to sacrifice his son Ismail for Allah's sake. And no lost hope, no complaining, but good thoughts about Allah. Ismail عليه السلام replying to his father: "You will find me from the patient."

This is the status and the behavior of the Prophets عليهم السلام in times of difficulty. When the people gathered and built a fire so great that they could not come close to it — and they wanted to throw Ibrahim عليه السلام into the fire. He was just a young boy, a teenager. They had to build a catapult to throw the Prophet of Allah into the fire because it was so intense. At this time, what was his reply?

That Allah is sufficient for me, He is enough for me, and He is the very best who takes care of the affairs of His slaves.

The Story of Ya'qub (عليه السلام)

If you look at Ya'qub عليه السلام, who went through so many trials — losing his beloved son Yusuf عليه السلام — only going back to Allah to ask for help. It is a story mentioned in one beautiful surah in the Qur'an, Surah Yusuf. It is a story of trials, of patience, of sadness, of trust and reliance on Allah. But never losing hope. Even though a great deal of time may pass, years may pass, never losing hope in Allah, having good thoughts about Allah.

These aren't empty thoughts that we have. These aren't false promises that Allah has given to us. But these are promises that Allah will fulfill and give to His obedient servants.

So Ya'qub عليه السلام, losing his children far and wide, said:

"So beautiful patience — I have hope that Allah will bring them and return them all to me. Indeed, He is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise."

Optimism in the Life of the Prophet ﷺ

The Battle of Badr

The Prophet ﷺ with 315 men — made up of young shabab, older men barely carrying some armor, lightly equipped, very basic weaponry — facing a thousand men with full chain mail, with horses, with cavalry. But our Prophet ﷺ never lost hope. He had good thoughts about Allah, called upon Allah — jalla wa 'ala — that we are the ones, the only ones remaining on earth who are worshipping You alone, to give us victory. And as we know — and read to this day — Allah gave the believers nasr at Badr, gave victory to the believers at the Battle of Badr. This very small group of people were able to overcome a great army.

The Battle of Al-Ahzab (The Trench)

The Battle of Ahzab, where the Muslims were trapped inside Madinah, where 10,000 of the disbelievers surrounded Al-Madinah. No way out. But the Muslims were to build a trench, relying on only Allah to help them. And Allah describes the trial in great detail in Surah Al-Ahzab, chapter number 33 of the Qur'an.

That they came from above and they came from below. That the vision, the sight of the believers, grew wild in fear. And that the hearts had reached the throats out of fear. The children, the women, no way out, completely surrounded.

But our Nabi ﷺ was the very best and the most beautiful example and a qudwah for the Muslims to follow. We know that when we talk about the akhlaq, the characteristics and the behavior of the Prophet ﷺ, what verse is usually read?

"You have in the Messenger of Allah a most beautiful example, for whoever truly believes in Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah frequently."

At what time were these verses revealed? These are the verses that were revealed at the time when the Muslims were facing one of the greatest tests they had ever faced — during the Battle of Al-Ahzab, the Battle of the Trench, when the Muslims were surrounded by more than 10,000 of the enemies of Islam. No way out. But here Allah reminds us that we have in the Messenger a most beautiful example — for a person who truly believes in Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah frequently.

At this time Allah then reminds us of the impact and how it affected the Muslims:

That there are from the believers men who were true to the covenant and the agreement and the sacrifice that they had given for the sake of Allah. From them are those who have given what they had to give for the sake of Allah. And from them are those who are still waiting to give the ultimate sacrifice.

So when all things seem stacked against you, when the situation seems like either A or B — and both scenarios appear to be to your detriment, that there is no good outcome for you — remember that Allah can make what you see as the impossible, possible. That khair — goodness — can come out of a situation from where you never knew. And this is the way of the Prophets عليهم السلام. That Allah is with you and me, just as we think of Allah.

The Prophet's Personal Trials

If we think about the trials, the tribulations, the difficulties, the sacrifices of the Prophet ﷺ — he was born and never met his father. He ﷺ was only 6 years old when his mother passed away. He was then passed on to the guardianship of his grandfather, only for his grandfather to pass away two years later. He then went to live with his uncle, Abu Talib, in a very difficult situation — in poverty, in difficulty — striving and struggling to earn something to live upon.

Throughout his life he was a witness to the death of all of his children except one. He was attacked by his own people — they would bring the intestines of a camel and place it on his back, and he was only prostrating to Allah. That was the only reason. A man ﷺ who called to the worship of Allah alone. They abandoned the Muslims for three years and starved them, and this greatly affected the Muslims. His wife Khadijah رضي الله عنها passed away, due to the effects of that embargo against the Muslims.

Despite all of this — whenever a person met the Prophet ﷺ, they would be overwhelmed by his optimism. They would be overwhelmed by his rahma, his mercy, his compassion, his love to do good for people. Because of his attachment to Allah. He knew the promise of Allah was something real. Not something to simply be placed in the hearts of the people, but something that they would all be waiting for in the hereafter. And he would say: "Being optimistic is something that I love."

This is our leader. This is our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. And it is his example that is upon us to follow. But to follow him, you have to know him. And to know him is to love him. And we ask Allah to grant us the love for our Prophet ﷺ.

Second Khutbah: The Treaty of Al-Hudaibiyah — A Blessing in Disguise

All praise belongs to Allah. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon His final Messenger, Muhammad ﷺ. My dear brothers and sisters, in the second khutbah, I want to focus on an incident in the life of our beloved Nabi ﷺ which I believe is one of the most profound and one of the most important lessons that we can take from the whole life of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Leaving Makkah and the Dream of Umrah

As we know, our Nabi ﷺ left Makkah forcibly — he didn't want to leave, but had to leave — and went to live in Al-Madinah. He made the hijrah with the companions. The most beloved place to the Prophet ﷺ was Makkah. This is where he was born, brought up, and received revelation from Allah. Six years he was away from the place that he loved. The companions were away from their families for six years.

The Prophet ﷺ had a dream. In the dream, he had assumed ihram and was making Umrah. Now the dreams of the Prophets ﷺ are haqq — they are the truth. So the Prophet ﷺ informed his companions that they were to perform Umrah in the sixth year after hijrah. 1,400 companions assumed ihram and went with the Prophet ﷺ to perform Umrah — not for war, no preparation for war, wearing ihram, making the talbiyah:

Blocked by the Quraish

The news reached the disbelieving Quraish and they stood in the way of the Prophet ﷺ. The Prophet ﷺ questioned: "What is wrong with these people? What do they think is going to happen with this small group of people who only want to worship Allah alone and then return to their people?" By Allah, we will fulfill what Allah has promised us. Even if I am the last man standing, I am here to call the people to worship Allah alone. Either Allah grants me victory, or I will be taken by Allah having fulfilled my duty.

They stopped at a place called Al-Hudaibiyah. At this place, the disbelieving Quraish sent a number of emissaries to speak to the Muslims. From them was Urwah ibn Mas'ud al-Thaqafi — a person who at that time had great hatred for the Muslims and Islam. He said to them to return: "There is no place for you here." He eventually went so far as to take the beard of the Messenger ﷺ and said, "Go back to your people. You will not be given permission to perform your Umrah." Al-Mughirah ibn Shu'bah رضي الله عنه, with his sword, said: "Remove your hand or I take your hand." This was a nephew speaking to his uncle in this way. The relationship of Iman supersedes and goes above the relationship of blood.

Urwah realized they were not turning back. He went back to his people — standing in front of all the leaders of the Quraish — and said: "I have been amongst the Persians, the Byzantines, I have been to Habasha. Never have I met a people who love their leader like the followers of Muhammad ﷺ. They will compete over the water from his wudu. They will compete with one another to be in his company." Even though he disbelieved, he realized that there was no defeating these people — people who had such an attachment to Allah. It was seen — not because they had to tell anyone — but they knew: these people had an attachment to Allah which was much stronger than what the Quraish had in their attachment to their idols.

Al-Hulays ibn Alqamah, Mikraz ibn Hafs — one after another, an emissary was sent to the Prophet ﷺ, all failing in turning the Muslims back. The Prophet ﷺ then sent Uthman ibn Affan رضي الله عنه to deliver the message.

Bay'atu Ridwan — The Pledge of Allegiance

News came back that perhaps Uthman رضي الله عنه had been killed. The Prophet ﷺ and the companions were still in ihram, having nothing. They said: "We will avenge Uthman. There are very few of us, but we will not allow this." And this is what is known as Bay'atu Ridwan — where the Muslims placed their hand in the hand of the Messenger ﷺ: "We will go with you, and we will sacrifice ourselves, because this is unacceptable. This is the command of Allah."

And Allah praises these individuals:

That Allah was pleased with the believers when they gave their pledge of allegiance underneath the tree.

The Treaty and the Apparent Compromise

Eventually, Suhail ibn Amr — one of the main leaders of the Quraish — came. He and the Prophet ﷺ both knew that there was no need to fight and that they were going to make a compromise. Immediately, what was to be written — he called Ali ibn Abi Talib رضي الله عنه. The Prophet ﷺ said: "We are going to write an agreement."

He began: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ — "Who is Ar-Rahman? And who is Ar-Rahim?" said the disbelieving Quraish. So the Prophet ﷺ said to write simply بِسْمِ اللَّهِ. Then: "From Rasulullah." "Who is the Messenger of Allah?" So they agreed to write: "From Muhammad ibn Abdullah." Such was the arrogance of the Quraish at this time.

And they set an agreement. What was the agreement? No Umrah now — go back to your people. You can come back next year. A treaty for ten years, no fighting. Any Muslim that escapes from Makkah must be returned. Condition after condition.

The Muslims saw this as too much compromise. Umar رضي الله عنه said: "Are we not Muslims? Are they not disbelievers? Why are we compromising so much? Are you not the Messenger of Allah? O Messenger of Allah, are we not upon the truth? Are they not upon misguidance?" The Prophet ﷺ replied: "This is the command of Allah." And the Muslims returned.

The Profound Outcome

Only to return the next year — 3,000 Muslims making Umrah. This was the wisdom and the benefit of following the commands of Allah. The 1,400 Muslims did not make it in year six. But in year seven, 3,000 Muslims made Umrah. And in year eight — Fathu Makkah — 10,000 Muslims came to Makkah to free it from shirk, to remove disbelief.

What seemed a defeat, what seemed an over-compromise, was in fact a blessing in disguise. And Allah declared:

"Indeed, We have given you a clear victory."

And this is the benefit I want to take and to finish the khutbah with, insha'Allah. Sometimes we need to look beyond our own two feet in certain situations. There are those people whom Allah has given the ability to speak, who have hikmah — wisdom. Not everybody has to speak. And this has to be in line with what Allah wants from us from the Qur'an and following the Sunnah of Rasulullah ﷺ.

We ask Allah to grant us tawfiq — success — in this life and the hereafter. May Allah make us from the people of Jannah.