Salaam. Jummat Mubarak. Its another blessfull Friday in which at least 1000 salatin Nabiy is recommended, salatul Jaafar Dayyar as well as dua Nudba. Its also Yaumul dahwul Ard in which we pray Allah (T) has accepted our prayers. Here is the weekly Shaikh Muhammad Turi Friday column in todays Leadership Newspaper. Life As A Trial: The Mission Of Man On Earth! Sheikh Muhammad Mahmud Turi — Sep 19, 2014 | Leave a comment In the name of Allah who states “He who created death and life, that He may try which of you is best in deed; He is the exalted in might, Oft forgiving” Q14:42 Peace and blessings of Allah be upon His noble servant, our master Muhammad and his oppressed progeny. As we are still in this sacred month of Zulqidah, it is good to remind ourselves its remaining historic events; these include the martyrdom of Imam Ali son of Imam Musa al – Ridha (as) based on some narrations, 200 years after hijra. So it is recommended to visit him from near and far. The 25th was the placement of the earth beneath the Kaaba; it is recommended to observe the night in worship and remembrance of Allah in search of His pleasure. And on the last day of the month according to an authentic narration Imam Muhammad son of Imam Ali al – Taqi was martyred by the Moutasim – led Abbasid regime. Preparation for the observance of pilgrimage is also on course by the intending pilgrims. In line with this and for the first time, the Islamic movement in Nigeria has organized a comprehensive workshop for the intending pilgrims where Islamic scholars, medical doctor and other stakeholders highlighted on the worship. After the workshop, the participants paid a special visit to the respected martyrs of the Islamic movement at the Garden of mercy in Dembo village and a courtesy call for a farewell to the leader of the Islamic movement. For quite some weeks, we have been dealing with sad event that afflicted the Islamic movement in Nigeria. Lots have been put on paper and many human rights and civil liberties organizations vowed to sue the government over the murderous action on members of the movement including three sons of the leader, sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky (H) two of whom were personally shot to death by Lt. colonel Okuh on 25th July, 2014. In fact the United nations human rights commission has held a special session on the Zaria Quds day massacre and the senseless role of the military yesterday, Thursday 18th. The event was broadcast via Skype video link. Sheikh Zakzaky (H), leader of the Islamic movement ought to have been at Geneva in person but for the visa he was refused. 12th September Remembrance I wish I could graphically put down my pen on the event of 12th September, 1996, recently commemorated by the Islamic movement. The day is very significant in the history of the movement symbolizing the futile attempt by then Abacha – led government to destabilize it at all cost. Beside the murder of 12 members consequent to a peaceful protest for the release of the sheikh arrested on baseless allegation and the all opposed self – succeeding crazy, the government woefully failed with the Allah’s inevitable intervention leading to the unconditional release of the revered sheikh. If I could find time later, I will revisit the event. The Mission Of Man On Earth However, the piece I want to discuss this week is the mission behind the creation of man. It is very unfortunate that most people are either ignorant or careless about this mission for which they were created and placed on earth. The philosophy behind life is very clear in Islam. Allah says “Behold, thy Lord said to the angels I will create a vicegerent on earth they said Wilt though place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood? Whilst we do celebrate Thy praises and glorify Thy holy (name) He said I know what ye know not” Q2:30 We can clearly understand from the verse above that Allah has created man to live as His vicegerent on earth. This means that he should run his life strictly in accordance with the directives of Allah as contained in the noble Qur’an. So it is part of this exercise to teach the children the essence of life which is to worship Allah alone and not associate anything with him; “O you people! worship your Guardian Lord, who created you and those who came before you; that you may become righteous. Who has made the earth your couch, and the heavens your canopy; and sent down rain from the heavens and brought forth therewith fruits for your sustenance; then set not up rivals unto Allah when ye know (the truth). Q2:21-22 Based on this, the life has three stages; our living on earth, the interim stay in the grave otherwise referred as the life in the unseen and the life hereafter. All these three stages are important but most important of all is the life here as is the fieldwork of the two lives to come. Therefore, we must work harder to live as vicegerents of Allah so that we may acquire His pleasure and attain the greatest abode of His righteous servants in the hereafter. Therefore, in the cause of his life, man must make sure that he properly understands and gives more attention to spiritual aspect of his being which has greater impact and determines his hereafter. Here and hereafter are two accustomed expressions that simply refers to this life and the life after this. Which of the two is more important? The earthly life of course. This is because, it is the seed for the life that comes after it. No doubt, all messengers of Allah were sent on this motive and no nation was left. In fact Allah has told us the answer of the rebellious in a response to angels on the coming of the messengers “They will say, yes indeed a Warner did come to us, but we rejected him and said Allah never sent down any (message); ye are in nothing but a grave error! Q67:9 Runnindg A Pleased Life prosperous is he who purifies the soul and failed has he who soils it with sin and impurity. Q91:9-10. In a hadeeth, the prophet (s) every child is born on a pure nature, it is his parent that bring him up as a Christian or a Jew. “we will give a pure and wholesome life to every one man or woman who acts righteously and has faith and we will reward them in accordance with the best of what they used to do” Q16:97 On whatever capacity one lives in this world, he shall be judged based on his action. So the trial of life covers the rich and the poor, the scholar and the ignorant, the civil servant and the farmer just as it affects all and sundry. So we must be very careful in our duty to Allah the Most High! And from the wisdom of Allah the linking bridge is death that all souls must taste. We may ask what is death? Simply, death could be defined as an end to living. Life’s end or stoppage from being alive. I could recall a little article I wrote during our university days on a similar appellation on which many commented including medical students. Although we know about death, but we hardly think over especially with regard to what comes after it. When the Western scientists enumerate characteristics of living things they simply say death is the final but unimportant end! One must ask himself some related questions. However, is the death an end or a beginning? What is the wisdom behind death? Where do we go after death? What is the relation between the physical and spiritual aspects of human being? And what are the lessons to learn from the death of others we witness? Regrettably, many people do not mind the religious teachings about death and therefore live unconscious of the related highlights. Most important thing I want to call our attention to is the spiritual aspect which is beyond the comprehension of a qualified medical doctor. A doctor pronounces a man dead when the various systems of his body such as circulatory and respiratory among others cease to function. The organs are there but no longer function and the doctor can neither restart nor give a kick. Allah says “They will further say Had we but listened or used our intelligence we should not (now) be among the companions of the blazing fire. They will then confess their sins; but far from Allah’s mercy are the companions of the blazing fire! Q67: 10 -11 In the light of the above verses we can understand that LISTENING and INTELLIGENCE are very important criteria for good comprehension of the essence behind this life. As such those that missed the guidance were perished in hell. May Allah protect us! The sermon of Luqmanul Hakeem to his son is very relevant here where he admonished him to associate no one with Allah, to be obedient to his parents, to be steadfast in prayers, bid people unto virtue and forbid vice, bear patience with whatever may befall him in the path of Allah, turn not his face in scorn and pride and not be indifferent towards people. Q31;19 The psychological contribution of Dr. Alexis Carrel, a French scholar wrote in his book, Reflections sur le conduite de la vie, Persian translation, Pages 99 -100 is very relevant here and could traced from its sources. Rewards According To Deeds So the righteous and the wicked are rewarded accordingly. “But give glad tidings to those who believe and work righteousness, that their portion is Garden, beneath which rivers flow. Every time they are fed with fruits there from, they say why, this is what we were fed with before, for they are given things in similitude and they have therein spouses purified; and they abide therein (forever)” Q2:25 Imam Ali has said at times one’s enemy is more helpful than one’s friend because he makes one aware of his shortcomings leading one to overcome them. Therefore, the success behind this life is undoubtedly to live in accordance with the teachings of the creator and attaining His pleasure. The losers are those that wasted their lives by missing the guidance of Allah running their lives in accordance with their wishes. Most people will not perceive this until they die. These are the ignorant, the careless that think they are in control but the real and actual controller is Allah, the Omnipotent and disposer of all affairs. I hope we will make the best use of our time to acquire the pleasure of our creator in this trial so that He might be pleased with us and reward us abundantly. Wassalamu alaikum warahmatullah!
Posted on: Fri, 19 Sep 2014 11:16:48 +0000
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