2015-05-01 - Friday Prayer - Sheikh Asil Khan

Opening Verses

And when Allah took a covenant from the Prophets: "I gave you not a book or wisdom, and then there came to you a Messenger confirming what was between you — you will believe in him and you will help him." He said, "Have you accepted?" They said, "We have accepted." He said, "Then bear witness, and I am with you among the witnesses."

Allah Almighty said: "O you who believe, fear Allah as He should be feared, and do not die except as Muslims. And hold fast to the rope of Allah, all of you, and be not divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you when you were enemies, and He brought your hearts together, and you became brothers in His favor. And you were on the edge of a pit of fire, and He saved you from it. Thus does Allah make clear to you His signs, that you may be guided."

Allah Almighty said: "O you who believe, fear Allah, and say the right words, that He may amend your deeds, and forgive you your sins. And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly attained a great success."

The Blessed Months: Rajab, Sha'ban, and Ramadan

The month of Rajab is a last month. And Sha'ban is my month. And Ramadan is a month of my ummah.

So this is a month of Rajab. And then Sha'ban and Ramadan is right at the corner. This is one of the signs of Qiyamah — the time is squeezed. There will be no barakah in time. The year will become like a month, and the month will become like a week, and the week will become like a day, and the day will become like an hour, and an hour like a minute. As we are experiencing, time is passing so fast. SubhanAllah.

So the time that has passed, the lackings and shortcomings that we had — we have to ask Allah's forgiveness. And the remaining time, we have to plan how we live our life. Because we don't know how long we are going to survive. We have no predictions. We have to ask Allah, may Allah put barakah in the time that we have. And may Allah give us tawfiq to utilize this remaining time in the remembrance of Allah.

The Miracle of Isra wal Mi'raj

Related to this month — as you have heard from the scholars and have studied, and it is very, very profound and very authentic — one of the miracles of Rasul ﷺ occurred in this month. This is very famous, mashhoor. Although the scholars, biographers, and commentators did not all agree upon it, this is the mashhoor opinion. One of the great miracles of Rasul ﷺ was the Isra wal Mi'raj.

Some scholars have mentioned it occurred in Rabi al-Thani or in Ramadan, but this is the mashhoor opinion. In any case, all schools of thought and all scholars and commentators are agreed that the Isra wal Mi'raj is absolutely authentic, because there are two portions — one is Isra, and another is Mi'raj.

The Isra: The Night Journey

The one who denies the Isra is simply denying the Quran. The one who denies the Quran will not remain in the fold of Islam. All the scholars are agreed upon this. Because in the Quran, Allah says in Surah Bani Isra'il, or Surah Al-Isra:

The word سُبْحَانَ is used when someone has a doubt in something — Allah is free from all kinds of defects, any kind of lacking or shortcoming. There is no doubt in it. سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَى بِعَبْدِهِ — who did take His servant. How do I call you? Rasul ﷺ loved to be called عَبْد. He did take His servant, His عَبْد, in the night — لَيْلًا. The تَنْوِين بِالتَّقْلِيل indicates a portion of the night, not the whole night — as those who know Arabic language and Arabic grammar understand.

Who did take His servant from Masjid al-Haram to Masjid al-Aqsa — the blessed surroundings — in a portion of the night. That we might show Him our signs, our ayaat. So this is very clear — this is called the Isra. And those who deny the Isra are denying the Quran.

The Mi'raj: The Heavenly Ascent

Then the second portion is Mi'raj — the heavenly journey from Masjid al-Aqsa to the heavens and beyond the limits, beyond the boundaries — سِدْرَةُ الْمُنْتَهَى:

Beyond space. And this is proven by authentic ahadith. According to some of the muhaddithin and biographers, 45 sahabah narrated authentic ahadith about the Mi'raj. Some mentioned 20 sahabah, some mentioned 25 sahabah. But it is agreed that more than 20 sahabah narrated very profound and authentic ahadith about the Mi'raj, the heavenly journey. So those who deny this Mi'raj have simply gone out of the boundaries — they have gone astray. They are not in mainstream Islam. They are not mainstream Muslims.

A Warning Against Exaggeration

This reminds me — in the early second or third generation, there were some storytellers. They used to get together and share stories, and at that time it became very popular. But storytellers, as you know, once they start telling stories, sometimes they exaggerate and say certain things which are not true. At that time, the popular story was the story of Isra wal Mi'raj, and some of those storytellers would exaggerate. So the scholars later on banned this — no more storytellers. Speak the truth. قَالَ اللهُ وَقَالَ رَسُولُهُ — what Allah said, what Rasul ﷺ outlined and ensured. Nothing else. So we have to stick with قَالَ اللهُ وَقَالَ رَسُولُهُ. That is very important.

Three Dimensions of the Miracle

In this miracle there are three portions. Certain things are related to our Iman. Certain things are related to our knowledge and information. And there are certain things related to our Amal.

Of course, when we share, when we learn, when we hear this great miracle of Rasul ﷺ, our Iman becomes strong — that we are Muslim, that we are the followers of Rasul ﷺ, that Allah has blessed him with such miracles that no one else was blessed with. We are on the true path. Our Iman becomes strong.

The Context: The Year of Grief

For our knowledge and information — although again the scholars are not all agreed upon when it happened, whether it was five years before migration, ten years before, three years, one year — different opinions exist. But the mashhoor is that it happened when Rasul ﷺ had lost his wife Khadija al-Kubra, may Allah be pleased with her. She was his beloved wife, Umm al-Mumineen, Hazrat Khadija al-Kubra. She stood side by side with him. She was a great defender. Whenever Rasul ﷺ was sad, she used to be with him and cheer him up. When she left this world, his uncle Abu Talib also soon passed away — he who used to take care of him, stand side by side with him, be there for him whenever he was hurt.

When he too left this world, this period became known as the Year of Grief. Rasul ﷺ was really hurt and faced great challenges. Then, with hope and expectation, he moved to Ta'if — thinking that its people would be kind and would listen to the message of truth. But the people of Ta'if, instead of accepting or receiving his message, started making fun of him. Even the children were stoning him and throwing stones at him. His body was bleeding. His shoes were full of blood. That was a great challenge and a great test.

At that time, the angels came and asked Rasul ﷺ: "If you allow us, we will crush them with these mountains." But Rasul ﷺ — وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَالَمِينَ — he is a Rahmatallil Aalameen. He made du'a for this people:

"Ya Allah, give hidayat to this people, for they do not know." And Rasul ﷺ said: "Today they are treating me so badly, but from their generation there will be people, there will be a generation, who will believe in Allah."

So anyway, this whole story then unfolds — and at that time, when apparently he was hurt, he was facing challenges and had apparently no way to go, just imagine: if someone is really, really depressed, contradicted, passing through hard times, and a person of great parity comes and takes him out, shows him his dignity and his status — of course he will be happy. So when Rasul ﷺ was passing through these challenges and tribulations and trials, Allah invited him, showed him the ayaat, and that was a great dignity and honor for Rasul ﷺ. That is very much sure.

The Journey and the Confirmation of Abu Bakr

Rasul ﷺ travelled from Masjid al-Haram to Masjid al-Aqsa, from Masjid al-Aqsa to the heavens, and he met all the Anbiya, and he visited Jannah and Jahannam, and received gifts — and returned back within the same night. Of course, this is beyond human comprehension. We cannot comprehend it with our human senses. That is why it is called a miracle.

That was the reason that the people of that time — some of them confirmed it and some of them turned back. And when this news came to Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, without any hesitation he said: "Is this the wonder you speak of? My Rasul ﷺ said this — I accept it without any hesitation." That is why the ulema said he received the title of Siddiq for confirming this miracle. One of the Makkans said: "Look at this — are you accepting this?" He said: "Yes, I am accepting. What is more than this? I have heard that revelation comes down to him — that is greater than this. What is the big deal?"

The Gift of Salah and Lessons for Our Amal

In this particular night, Rasul ﷺ received the gift of 50 Salah. And Sayyidina Musa, alayhi as-salam, with his request, had it reduced to 5. And the one who performs 5 times daily Salah will be rewarded as if he performed 50 Salah — because originally it was 50, and whoever comes with one righteous deed will earn 10 times its reward. So 5 Salah are equivalent to 50 Salah. This is a privilege of this Ummah.

The Punishment of Those Lazy in Salah

Rasul ﷺ was presented with examples that we have to reflect upon and implement in our lives. He was shown some people who were being punished — their heads were being crushed with rocks, and they would get back to normal, then their heads would be crushed again. Rasul ﷺ inquired: "Who are they?" They are those who were lazy in their Salah. As Allah says:

Seek help in patience and in Salah. And verily this Salah is heavy and hard — but not for those who have khashiyah, fear of Allah. Those who were being lazy in Salah — because of that laziness, they were being punished. That was a gift for this Ummah that Rasul ﷺ brought. But unfortunately we take it lightly. We do not comprehend or utilize this gift properly.

The Punishment of Those Who Prefer Haram Over Halal

Another example was presented in this particular night — there were some people who had fresh, cooked meat on one hand and rotten, stinking meat on the other, and the people were preferring and eating from the rotten and stinking meat instead of the pure and fresh. Rasul ﷺ inquired: "Who are they?" They are those who prefer Haram over Halal — they had Halal relations, they had Halal spouses, but they preferred Haram over the Halal when Halal was more than enough. May Allah forgive us all.

The Punishment of Those Who Took Riba (Interest)

Also, there were some people whose bellies were so huge and big that whenever they would try to get up, they could not — they would fall down. Who are they? They are those who used to take Riba — interest. Unfortunately, today directly or indirectly it is very difficult to say that someone is entirely safe from this. This is a really, really challenging issue for all of us. And there is a certain punishment for that. May Allah preserve us all.

The Punishment of Those Who Backbite

Also, Rasul ﷺ saw there were people who were scratching their faces with copper nails. Who are they? They are those who used to backbite. This is a disease — we cannot digest our food if we do not backbite, unfortunately. This is another disease in the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ. May Allah preserve us all.

The Punishment of the Scholars Who Mislead

There were also some people who were cutting their tongues and lips with scissors of fire. Who are they? They are the Ulama' al-Su' — Astaghfirullah — scholars who mislead people. May Allah preserve us all.

The Example of the Careless Word

Also, there was an example presented to Rasul ﷺ — a big bull comes out from the hole of a nail and then tries to get back in but cannot. Who does this represent? The person who speaks without thinking. Sometimes we have a big mouth — we say a statement which has no truth in it, and then we would like to take it back but we cannot. Think before you speak. What are you talking about? Once you have said something, it becomes very difficult to take it back. This is an example that we have to think about.

So anyway, this whole journey — this is for our knowledge, our information, our Iman, and our Amal. We have to learn a lesson.

The Challenges Facing the Muslim Ummah Today

Today the Muslim Ummah is really passing through challenges all the time. Sometimes we think our challenges are less, and sometimes we feel they are increasing. Right now, again, the Muslim Ummah is facing and passing through different challenges. And one of those challenges is fitna — mischief.

This reminds me of a hadith of Rasul ﷺ, narrated by Abu Musa al-Ash'ari, that Rasul ﷺ said: "My Ummah is a merciful Ummah. There is no permanent punishment in the hereafter for it. The punishment is in the world — the fitna, the earthquakes, and the killings."

(Sunan Abu Dawud, Hadith 4278)

Because my Ummah is a merciful Ummah, Allah has showered blessings upon it. My Ummah will not have a permanent punishment in the hereafter — individually, whatever they did, they will have to suffer some punishment, but finally, because of the Kalimah, because of Tawheed, Allah will shower His blessings and they will be freed. But there will be punishment in this dunya, and what is that punishment? This is alarming. This is really scary.

The first is al-Fitan — mischief. Every day we are facing different kinds of fitna. The second is frequent earthquakes — zalazil. Every time there is breaking news: this country or that area has been hit by an earthquake of 5.6 or 6.7 or 8 point something. Very frequent. And the third is al-qatl — killings.

Now these three things — just think about it. Fitan are there. Earthquakes — people are suffering right now. As you have heard, Nepal — thousands of people lost their lives, thousands of people are homeless, they have nowhere to go. So this is a challenge for us too.

If we are to save ourselves, we have to improve our Iman and rectify other things. We have to rectify ourselves. And make du'a for the entire Muslim Ummah. May Allah preserve us all from fitna. May Allah preserve us from natural disasters — because we have no control. No matter how advanced technology is, they cannot control earthquakes. They cannot control natural disasters. They can inform you, but only Allah can save us.

And one of the most important things is that we have to rectify ourselves. The best way is to get back to Kitabullah and the Sunnah of Rasulullah ﷺ. If once again we come back to the Kitabullah and Sunnah of Rasulullah ﷺ, Allah will preserve us. And let us make du'a for the entire Muslim Ummah and for all those who are suffering from natural disasters — may Allah compensate them with better compensation and preserve us all from all kinds of fitna, earthquakes, and killings. May Allah give us the tawfiq to understand.

Second Khutbah

All praise is due to Allah. We praise Him and we ask His help and we ask His forgiveness and we believe in Him and we rely on Him and we seek refuge in Allah from the evil of our souls and from the badness of our deeds. Whoever Allah guides, there is no misguidance for him. And whoever He allows to go astray, there is no guide for him. And we bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone — alone, there is no partner for Him.