In Pursuance of TAQWA/ Piety
| Khatib : |
Sadullah Khan |
| Khutbah No: |
230 |
| Khutbah Date: |
03/09/07 |
[b]إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ[/b][i]Taqwa is the most noble human achievement in the estimation of Allah [/i][Qur’an 49:13][b]Need for Enlightened Civility[/b]At a time when the abnormal is considered as the standard, where the immoral is not only becoming socially acceptable but is actually legislated; character, responsibility, accountability and rectitude are essential for maintaining what is left of human civility. Civility emanates from orderliness => orderliness depends upon structure and fulfillment of functions => fulfillment of functions is duty => carrying out duty is responsibility. Individual responsibility /
mas'uliyyah implies ... - Acknowledgement of personal accountability => personal accountability arises from a sense of self-respect => self-respect includes a sense of one's own values and a conviction to live by one's principles. - Responsibility includes awareness of the fact that every right carries a corresponding responsibility => The root of being responsible is moral awareness of our personal accountability. There exists in human nature a distinct higher noble faculty, a faculty that proclaims itself in our moral judgments. When we design our lives in keeping with this higher noble faculty; of inner purity and adherence to truth and moral values, it is then that we manifest the best of our humanity.[b]
Akhlaaq / Moral Character[/b]Personality is the manifestation of our character in everything we do in life. Moral character is thus not simply a goal within the life of a Muslim, but the end goal of social living according to the Islamic faith itself. On this matter, Prophet Muhammad was asked, [i]“Which Muslim has the perfect faith?” [/i]He answered:
[b]أن من أكمل المؤمنين ايمانا أحسنهم خلقا [/b][i]“The person who has the best moral character.” [/i]In another tradition, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was asked, [i]“What is the best thing a person can possess?” [/i]The Prophet (pbuh) replied, [b], حُسن الخلق[/b][i]“moral character .” [/i]
Internal Dimension, Outer ExpressionThe internal dimension of the self is therefore the most essential element in one’s life and vital in determining who you really are, what you would really like to do, what you are capable of doing and what you are actually prepared to do. When the best of your internal dimension finds practical expression outwardly, then; and only then, are you capable of reaching your full potential. Even the spiritual aspect of human beings have an inner and outer dimension- Internally, it refers to the purification of the self from the evils of bad intention, deceit, hypocrisy, selfishness, cowardice, arrogance, prejudice ...-
Outwardly, it becomes manifested in one's attitude, behavior and character.The Prophet emphasized the harmonious interplay between the inner and the outer when he said; [i]“Successful indeed is the person who is sincere in faith, whose heart is pure, whose speech is truthful and whose character is upright.” [/i]We are thus taught by the Prophet (pbuh) to read this supplication when looking at a reflection of ourselves, [b]أللهم حسَّنت َخلقي فحسِّن ُخلقِي[/b][i]O Allah! You have made my outer(physical) good, make my inner (character) good as well. [/i]This prayer of Sayyedna ‘Ali emphasizes the balance between the inner and the outer, with the focus on goodness being manifest in both dimensions;
[b]أللهم اجعل سِريَّتي خيرًا من علانيَّتِي ، و اجعل علانيَّتِي خيرا[/b][i]O Allah! Make my inner (secrets) better than my outer; and make my outer to be good. [/i]Remember, [b]ليس البر في حسن اللباس و الزَّيِّ ولكن البرَّ السَّكينة ُ والوقارُ[/b][i]Righteousness is neither in dressing up nor in outer appearances, but rather in inner tranquility and self dignity. [/i][Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)] [b]Aiming for
Taqwa[/b]The aim of rightful living is pursuing taqwah / piety , and piety is considered to be [i]the most noble human achievement [/i][b]إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ [/b][Q 49:13]
Taqwa - Piety/God-consciousness/Sincere dutifulness/ Integrity =>- when our words match our actions and our actions match our beliefs and there is sincerity in every dimension of our being.When we realize that piety is not a purely personalized spiritual matter, devoid of social consciousness; as an example … the pursuit for
taqwa can not be independent from our struggle for Justice."
Be Just, that is closest to piety" [Qur'an 5:8]- we are conscious of our eventual accountability to Allah for our lives
[b]يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَلْتَنظُرْ نَفْسٌ مَّا قَدَّمَتْ لِغَدٍ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ[/b][i]"O you who profess belief! Be sincerely dutiful to Allah. Consider carefully what you sent forth for the future; be sincerely dutiful to Allah. Surely, Allah is fully informed about all your activities" [/i][Q 59:18][b]Live It[/b]Consider all avenues leading to taqwa; all expressions of inner purity and outer excellence; and with understanding and dedication … contextualize it, internalize it, personalize it and live by it.
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