Hope in a Negative World ~ Lesson of Israa 'wal-Mir'aaj
| Khatib : | Sadullah Khan |
| Khutbah No: | 245 |
| Khutbah Date: | 08/03/07 |
~ Lesson of Israa’ wal-Mi’raaj ~
قُلْ يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلَى أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا مِن رَّحْمَةِ اللَّهِ
إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
Say: "O my Servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, for Allah forgives all sins: He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. [Qur’an 39:53]
Ideal Attitude towards the Future
Our attitude towards the future influences our mind-set towards the rest of our life. Being positive about life ahead is among life's greatest motivators. Hope is the best attitude towards the future; this realistic expectation that something good or better could/will happen if only we continue doing the best we can. The human potential for hope is an essential antidote to despair and to harboring a positive attitude towards the future.
As People of Faith, we recognize that life is but a period of trails and tribulations, a continuum of joy and sadness, of laughter and tears [(Q76:2)(Q2:155)(Q57:20)].
Hope is … anticipation, belief, confidence, aspiration, expectancy, optimism. Hope is the motivational desire that you keep inside of you while waiting for the results or outcome of an event. It is the thoughts that you keep in your mind that anticipate an outcome (positive, good, pleasant, rewarding, relieving, happy outcome) that you want. Hope is obtained with optimism, looking for solutions where others see only problems. Hope is our desire to excel and to achieve, despite the odds.
Israa’ wal-Mi’raaj
This week, Muslims all over the world commemorate the unique “Night Journey and Ascent” of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) that occurred at a most critical stage in his challenging yet illustrious life. It occurred in a period when he lost his beloved wife, confidant and financier of the nascent Islamic movement, Khadijah; as well the loss of his political protector and beloved uncle Abu Talib. We reflect on the inspiration we draw from the exemplary life of this last Prophet; how he found hope and inspired hope in others.
Inspire
At the Battle of the Trench, the Muslims of Madinah were surrounded by enemy forces who wanted to wipe out the Muslims. Many felt helpless, yet the Prophet motivated them and as he struck a rock with an axe while digging the trench, a spark went off and the Prophet said; “I see the treasures of Persia and Rome at your disposal.” He was saying this to a group of people who were not sure whether they would live to see the next day, yet he inspired them with hope of a glorious future, a glory that his people eventually realized.
Prophetic Model of Hope; Inspirational & Empowering
The entire life of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is a living example of the quality of hope in action – he patiently persevered, despite insurmountable odds and hardships, in the face of enemies numerically larger and stronger, yet despite all of this, he never gave up hope of establishing the Religion of Islam; and never failed to inspire those around him
Inspiring others
FIRST INVITATION: When Allah instructed the Prophet [Q 26:214] to invite his relatives to Islam, no one believed except a young 11 year-old boy named ‘Ali. He was mocked for having only a little boy supporting him. Yet, history documents the greatness of both the Prophet’s success and the little boy’s unwavering dedication.
Not Despair in Self
Abu Talib, the uncle of the Prophet, was sent by the Quraysh to negotiate with the Prophet in an attempt to have his influence minimized and the Prophet had the positive attitude and confidence to say; O my uncle! Even if they put the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left hand, I will not deviate from my mission; either I succeed in my task or I perish in the process. This, at a time when the nascent Muslim community were few in number and about to be under political and economic siege.
Not Despair in People/Community
TAIF: First town outside Makkah where the Prophet went to preach Islam, he was stoned and insulted; and while wiping off blood from his body the angel asks the Prophet, to pray that Allah may turn the hills upon these people, The Prophet replied:
لعل الله يُخرِجَ مِن أصلابهم مَن يقول لا اله الا الله
Perhaps Allah will turn them to saying LA ILAHA ILLA ALLAH
Tufayl was well-known poet, member of the well-respected tribe of دوس Daws, he was the chief of that tribe.He embraced Islam and went to convey the message of Islam. Not only did his tribe of Daws not accept Islam, they also increased their indulgence in impropriety. Tufayl came to the Prophet and lodged the complain…
اِنه قد غلبَنِي على دوس ٍ الِزنى و الِربا ؛ فادعع الله أن يُهلِكَ دَوسًا
They are overcome by their indulgence in fornication and usury; Invoke Allah to destroy them. Tufayl was amazed when he heard what the Prophet said as he lifted his hand skyward to pray…
اللهم اهد ِ دوسًا وأتِ بهم مسلمين
O Allah! Guide the people of Daws and guide them to Islam
The Prophet turned to Tufayl and said …
اِرجع الى قومِك فادعُهم و ارُفق بهم
Return to your people, invite them to the truth and be nice to them.
Taufayl did exactly as the Prophet instructed and two years before the passing of the Prophet; (after the Battle of Khaybar) the Prophet was in Madinah and Tufayl brought with him 80 families of the Daws Tribe; men women and children …all had embraced Islam.
Not Despair in Situation
KHANDAQ: Surrounded by enemies, under siege, Prophet participates in digging trench, he hits the rock with his pick and sparks fly. Salman al-Farsi (who gave the idea of the Trench) asks …
يا رسول الله! ما هذا الذي رأيتُ قد لمع تحت المعول و انت تضرب الضربات الثلاثا
O Prophet! What is the bright sparks I saw the three times you struck the rock with the pick?
امَّا ضربَةِ الولى فان الله قد فتح عليَّ بها الشام ؛ والله لقد ابصرتُ قُصورها الحمر من مكاني هذا
اما الثانية ، فان الله فتح علَيَّ بِها فارس و الله لقد ابصرتُ قصر الدائن الأبيض
و اما الثالثة فقذ أعطانيَ الله بها مفاتيح اليمن و الله لقذ أبصرتُ الساعة باب صَنعاء
The Prophet replied: As for the first strike, I saw I the spark the red/valued palaces of Shaam which Allah opened to us. As for the second, I saw the palaces of Persia and it’s white/bright cities, which Allah opened to us, As for the third; Allah presented us with the keys of Yemen and saw the doors of San’aa. He was saying this to a group of people who were surrounded by enemies, not sure whether they would live to see the next day, yet he inspired them with his confidence and hopeful attitude with hope of a glorious future, a glory that his people eventually realized.
HIJRAH: The Prophet was avoiding the Quraysh trackers who were bent on killing him, and he and his companion (Abu Bakr) hid in a cave on Mount Thawr outside Makkah. His friend was fearful and the Prophet motivated him by saying (as the Qur’an documents 9:40) do not ber aggrieved, Allah is with us.
Not Despair in Person
Prophet Muhammad’s attitude towards a severely handicapped companion, Julaybib, reflects a practical way he raised other people above their hopelessness. Julaybib was described as
الوجه دميم القامة و قصير very short in stature, deformed in the face; in other words he was severely challenged, physically speaking. He had the unfortunate distinction of being both socially and physically handicapped. The Prophet always paid special attention to Julaybib, and since he use to being marginalized and did not always express himself too well.
كاسدا يا رسول الله إذا تجدني
Do you not find me worthless, O Prophet of Allah?
يا جُليبيب أنك عند الله لست بكاسد
You are not worthless in the estimation of Allah.
Julaybib was so frustrated by being ostracized that he once mentioned that he want to ask the Prophet permission to fornicate. Those who were present reacted in different ways. Some scoffed at the young man, others pulled him by the skirt of his robe, and still others made as if to strike him. But the compassionate Prophet, upon him be peace and blessings, drew him nearer to himself, and reasoned with him (would you like it for your mother/sister…) till Julaybib forsook his wrongful desire and the The Prophet (pbuh) concluded the ‘spiritual operation’ with a supplication. He put his hand on the chest of the young man and prayed:
اللهم اغفرله و طهِّر قلبه و احفظ فرجه
O God, forgive him, purify his heart and maintain his chastity!
- After one of the military expeditions, there was a severe armed retaliation against the Muslims and some Muslims were killed. The Prophet enquired about those who were killed and asked ,
هل تفقدون من أحد Have you lost any one? After most people were accounted for, the Prophet said; ولكنني أفقد جُليبيباBut I have lost Julaybib! Julaybib was martyred. The Prophet was personally involved in digging Julaybib’s grave, picked him up and carried him in his arms and descending with his body into the grave, with his eyes tearing profusely, saying to this person who had no last name, no relatives, no apparent status, no connections, no real name … You are from me and I am
أنتَ مني و انا منكَ
It was the Prophet’s single minded devotion, his focus on hope and his trust in Allah that brought success to his mission. It was his positive attitude, his inspirational approach and his merciful character that raised people to live according to their highest light.
Be Positive and Hopeful, even if others are not
JESUS” PRAYER: Prophet 'Isa /Jesus (pbuh) was responding with loving words to a person who was abusive towards him. An observer inquired as to why he was responding to hate with love. Jesus (pbuh) replied: "That person gives what is in his heart and I merely give what I have in mine.” The lesson we learn from this is never to let even the negativity of others prevent the possibility of something positive from ourselves.
Stop being stuck at judging people where they are, rather help them to be the best they could be. Caliph Abu Bakr said,
أربَعٌ مِن الخير: الفرحة بالتائب و الدعاء للمُعرِض والاِستغفار للمُذنِب و اِعانةُ المُحسِن
Four are the signs of goodness: rejoicing at a person’s repentance, praying for the guidance of one who has turned his back to the right path, seeking forgiveness for the sinner and helping the doer of good.
In a world so highly critical of everyone, at a time when cynicism abounds; we need (more than ever) to give ourselves the benefit of hope and give other people the benefit of the doubt. Instead of looking down upon (ourselves and) others and burying people in hopelessness, inspire them to look up to Allah and elevate themselves.
May the commemoration of the Israa’ and Mi’raaj revive in us the spirit of trust in Allah and an attitude of hope, a hope that motivates us and inspires others.