“In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
The Second Sermon of the Month of Sha’baan, dated 13/8/1445 AH (23/2/2024 CE)
TOPIC: TRUSTING IN ALLAH AND HOLDING FAST TO HIM.”
THE FIRST SERMON
Praises be to Allah, Who praised those of His servants that rely upon Him. He, the Almighty, said in His decisive Revelation: (الَّذِينَ قَالَ لَهُمُ النَّاسُ إِنَّ النَّاسَ قَدْ جَمَعُواْ لَكُمْ فَاخْشَوْهُمْ فَزَادَهُمْ إِيمَاناً وَقَالُواْ حَسْبُنَا اللّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ) “Those to whom people said, ‘The people have gathered against you, so fear them.’ But it [merely] increased them in faith, and they said, ‘Sufficient for us is Allah, and [He is] the best Disposer of affairs.‘” [Quran 3:173]. We praise Him, glorified and exalted be He, we seek His help and forgiveness, and seek refuge in Allah from the evils of our souls and the evils of our deeds. Whoever Allah guides, there is no one who can mislead him, and whoever He misleads, there can be no guide for him. I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah alone. He has no partner. I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.
After that…
O servants of Allah! I advise you and myself to fear Allah, the Almighty, secretly and openly, as it is the ultimate goal of all acts of obedience, all duties, and prohibitions. Allah, the Exalted, said: (يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ اتَّقُواْ اللّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلاَ تَمُوتُنَّ إِلاَّ وَأَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ) “O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims [in submission to Him].” [Quran 3:102]. (يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اتَّقُواْ رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَاحِدَةٍ وَخَلَقَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا وَبَثَّ مِنْهُمَا رِجَالاً كَثِيرًا وَنِسَاء وَاتَّقُواْ اللّهَ الَّذِي تَسَاءلُونَ بِهِ وَالأَرْحَامَ إِنَّ اللّهَ كَانَ عَلَيْكُمْ رَقِيبًا) “O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women. And fear Allah, through whom you ask one another, and the wombs. Indeed Allah is ever, over you, an Observer.” [Quran 4:1]. (يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَقُولُوا قَوْلًا سَدِيدًا يُصْلِحْ لَكُمْ أَعْمَالَكُمْ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَمَن يُطِعْ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَقَدْ فَازَ فَوْزًا عَظِيمًا) “O you who have believed, fear Allah and speak words of appropriate justice. He will [then] amend for you your deeds and forgive you your sins. And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly attained a great attainment.” [Quran 33:70-71].
Brothers in Faith! This is the second meeting in the month of Sha’baan, and the subject of our sermon today revolves around: Trusting in Allah and Holding Fast to Him.
Dear Muslims! Trusting in, and relying on Allah is an act of worship that is one of the best acts of worship with the heart, and it is a character from the greatest morals of faith, and it is – as Imam Al-Ghazaali said – a station from the stations of religion, and a position from the positions of the confident ones. It is, really, from the high ranks of those close to their Lord. Indeed, it is – as Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim said: “Trust” is half of the religion, and the other half is “repentance”. As indicated by His saying, the Exalted: (عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَإِلَيْهِ أُنِيبُ) “Upon Allah I have relied, and to Him I turn back.” [Quran 11:88]. For indeed, religion is worship and seeking help: (إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ) “It is You we worship and You we ask for help.” [Quran 1:5], and trust is seeking help (from Allah), and repentance is worship.
The need of the Muslim – the traveler on the path of Allah – for reliance (Tawaakkul) is intense, especially in the matter of “provision” which preoccupies the minds and hearts of people, and has caused many of them – if not most of them – bodily fatigue, mental stress, sleepless nights, and daytime toil.
Dear noble Muslims! Perhaps one would degrade oneself, bow one’s head, and compromise one’s dignity, all for the sake of sustenance that one believes lies in the hands of a creature like oneself, who may give or withhold as he pleases, and so he holds the life of the one who is asking him and the lives of his children in his grasp, for he believes – in his view – that he has the power to give life and cause death, as Namruud said in his debate with Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him).
Indeed, someone might even go further, issuing a fatwa to oneself to consume prohibited wealth, accept bribery, engage in riba (usury/interest), or unlawfully acquire money out of fear for oneself in old age, sickness after health, disability after employment, or out of concern for weak descendants after oneself. Imaam Abdullah ibn Al-Mubaarak said: “Whoever eats a penny of unlawful wealth is not truly relying on Allah.” The way out of all this is to hold firmly to relying on Allah.
The Muslim is more in need of relying on Allah when he is a caller, a bearer of a message, or a seeker of reform. In relying on Allah, he finds a firm support, a fortified fortress to seek refuge in, when facing the tyrants of disbelief, the Pharaohs of injustice, the oppressors of corruption. He prevails with Allah’s support and seeks strength in Allah. And whoever prevails with Allah will never be defeated, whoever relies on Him will never be in need, and whoever seeks refuge in Allah will never be humiliated. (إِن يَنصُرْكُمُ اللَّهُ فَلاَ غَالِبَ لَكُمْ وَإِن يَخْذُلْكُمْ فَمَن ذَا الَّذِي يَنصُرُكُم مِّن بَعْدِهِ وَعَلَى اللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ) “If Allah should aid you, no one can overcome you; but if He should forsake you, who is there that can aid you after Him? And upon Allah let the believers rely.” (Quran 3:160).
The reality of relying on Allah, as explained by Al-Ghazaali
Imam Al-Ghazali said in “Al-Ihyaa” in explaining the reality of Tawheed (Oneness of Allah), which is the essence of relying on Allah: “Know that relying on Allah is one of the the doors of Eemaan, and all the doors of Eemaan are compsed of nothing other than knowledge, situation, and action. Reliance on Allah is similarly composed of: Knowledge: which is the foundation, Action: which is the fruit, and situation: which is the desired meaning of reliance.“
Let us begin with the explanation of knowledge, which is the foundation and is known as faith which root is the tongue. Faith is affirmation, and every affirmation by the heart is knowledge. If strengthened, it becomes certainty. However, there are many gates of certainty, and we only need from them what we can build reliance upon, which is Tawheed (the Oneness of Allah), meant in your saying: “There is no god but Allah alone, without any partner“, and faith in the ability, which is meant by your saying: “To Him belongs the dominion,” and faith in His generosity and wisdom, which is indicated by your saying: “And to Him belongs [all] praise.” So whoever says, “There is no god but Allah alone, without any partner, to Him belongs the dominion and to Him belongs [all] praise, and He has power over all things,” attains the faith that is the essence of reliance. I mean that the meaning of this statement becomes an inseparable quality of his heart. As for Tawheed, it is the foundation, and the saying about it is lengthy.”
Al-Ghazali prolonged the discourse about “knowledge,” then he moved to “situation” and said: “As for the situation, reliance I reality is an expression of it (the situation). Indeed, knowledge is the foundation, and action is its fruit. Contributors on the subject have been copious in explaining the extent of reliance. Their explanations are varied, and each spoke according to his status. So let us just say: Reliance is derived from “delegation.” It is said (linguistically): “He delegated his affair to so-and-so,” meaning, he entrusted it to him, relying on him for it. The one to whom it is delegated is called a “delegate,” and the one who entrusted is reliant on him (the delegate), completely trusting him, relying on him, no matter how secure his soul feels about him. So reliance means relying on the delegate alone.” By this, we understand that reliance, like all doors of faith and levels of spiritual ascent, consists of three aspects: cognitive, emotional (expressed by “situation”), and volitional-behavioral (expressed by “action”).
Brothers! We must rely on Allah in all matters, but our areas of reliance should be general, encompassing acts of worship, obedience, and permissible matters. Whoever is truthful in his reliance will surely obtain what he seeks. Reliance is an action of the heart, it is a belief, or it is a belief that Allah suffices you in everything, and satisfaction with Allah as a protector, and detachment from relying on worldly means or personal strength, whether your strength or the strength of others, and a belief that Allah does what He wills, and that if He wills something, it must be, and if He does not will it, it cannot happen. The heart’s detachment from attachment to any other than Allah, and complete submission to Allah. These are some implications of reliance – not relying on worldly means, that the one relying on Allah does not depend on anything from the world, he makes efforts but does not rely on them, he relies on Allah.
Your Messenger (peace be upon him) in the Battle of Badr, made efforts in everything that could be done. He went out, prepared, reached the wells – some were blocked, one was left open. He organized, and worked, yet he prayed to Allah and implored Him until the cloak fell from his shoulders, seeking refuge in Allah completely. If you contemplate his supplication in this matter, in the Battle of Badr, you will know that reliance on means and effort had no portion in his heart. Let us ponder on his supplication for al-istikharah- guidance: “O Allah, I consult You by Your knowledge and by Your power I seek strength and I ask You from Your immense favor, for verily You are able while I am not, and You know while I do not, and You are the Knower of the unseen.“
Dear brothers! As for those who rely on other than Allah, who are the second category, or who associate others with Allah in reliance, their matter is very dangerous. Because monotheism becomes cracks through relying on other than Allah, and delegating matters to other than Him. Whoever delegates his affairs to other than Allah will be disappointed and lose. Whoever delegates his affairs to other than Allah, He hastens the loss in this world before the hereafter.
The Importance of Trust in Allah in Times of Crisis:
Dear brothers! This topic holds great significance, especially in these challenging times where dangers lurk, incidents occur, and surprises abound. However, the servants of Allah, as described by Allah: (إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ اللّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَإِذَا تُلِيَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُهُ زَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَانًا وَعَلَى رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ) “The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, their hearts become fearful, and when His verses are recited to them, it increases them in faith; and upon their Lord they rely.” (Al-Anfaal :2). These worshippers fear Allah alone, trust in Him alone, and their hearts are filled with awe and love for Him. They remember Allah in all circumstances, standing, sitting, and lying on their sides. These are the ones who have security and guidance; they are not intimidated by earthly powers, nor are they discouraged by adverse events. These are the ones who cling to the rope of Allah, relying on Him, entrusting their affairs to Him. Allah preserves them, defends them, and shields them from the evils of their enemies.
THE SECOND SERMON:
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, who says in His Noble Book: (وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجًا) “And whoever fears Allah – He will make for him a way out.” (At-Talaaq:2) (وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ يُسْرًا) “And whoever fears Allah – He will make for him of his matter ease.” (At-Talaaq:4). And He says: (وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ) “And whoever relies upon Allah – then He is sufficient for him.” (At-Talaaq:3). In Suratu Talaaq, (it is mentioned) there is a way out through the fear of Allah and there is making easy of affairs through the fear of Allah.
O people! Do you not wonder when clouds gather in the sky, heavy with rain, but then disperse without raining? Is it not because of our sins and transgressions? In such a state, we do not deserve rain. If rain does fall, it is a mercy from Allah for the animals grazing in the wilderness or for the infants and cattle.
Muslim brothers! In this challenging time, we need more piety, to abstain from sins, and to rely on Allah: (وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجًا) “And whoever fears Allah – He will make for him a way out.” (At-Talaaq:2). Believers, especially in Nigeria, are in dire need of piety and reliance on Allah due to economic, security, and social crises. The only solution is to turn to Allah in sincere repentance and submission to Him.
Regarding our brothers’ struggle in Gaza, today marks the 140th day of the “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood“. The occupation (Israel) continues to target various areas in the sector, committing new massacres that leave behind martyrs and wounded. Alongside this, the spokesman for the Palestinian Red Crescent in Gaza reported:
• A real famine in Gaza has led to the death of several Palestinians.
• Shocking reports indicate that Palestinians cannot find food and water.
• The occupation army strikes those attempting to deliver aid to Gaza.
• There is a decline in aid delivery to northern areas.
• What is happening in the north of the sector might extend to other areas.
Despite these massacres and famine, there are areas for gratitude and praise to Allah, hope, and optimism. The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), the Al-Quds Brigades, and other Islamic Palestinian resistance forces continue to resist the occupation forces, destroying their vehicles and tanks and killing many Israeli occupation forces, which are the real European Union forces. So, praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.
Ad-Dua’:
اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْ هَذَا الْبَلَدَ آمِناً مُطْمَئِنّاً , سَخَّاءَ رَخَّاءَ , وَسَائِرَ بِلاَدِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ ياَ رَبَّ الْعَالَمِينَ .
اللَّهُمَّ أَطْعَمْنَاَ مِنْ جُوعٍ وَآمَنّاَ مِنْ خَوفٍ ؛ اللَّهُمَّ أَصْلِحْ شَبَابَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ , وَاجْعَلْهُمْ ذُخْراً لِلإسْلامِ وَالْمُسْلِمِينَ .اللَّهُمَّ أصْلِحْ نِسَاءَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ , وَفَتَيَاتِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ , وَاحْفَظْهُنَّ مِنَ التَّبَرُّجِ وَالسُّفُورِ , وَاجْعَلْهُنَّ ذُخْراً لِلإسْلامِ والْمُسْلِمِينَ .اللَّهُمَّ أَصْلِحْ عُلَمَاءَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ , وأُمَرَاءَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ , وَأَغْنِيَاءَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ , وَحُكَّامَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ , وَاجْعَلْهُمْ ذُخْراً لِلإسْلامِ وَالْمُسْلِمِينَ . اللهم أبْطِلْ مكر أعداء الإسلام، وأبطل اللهم مُخطَّطاتِهم التي يُخَطِّطونها، اللهم إنَّا نَدْرَأُ بك فى نُحُورِهم، ونعوذ بك اللهم من شرورهم، اللهم إنا نسألك أن تؤلف بين قلوب المسلمين على الحق، اللهم انصر الشعب الفلسطيني، وفَرِّجْ الحِصارَ عنهم، اللهم ارفع الكَرْبَ، واكْشِف الضُّرَّ، اللهم اشف مرضاهم ومرضى المسلمين، اللهم فُكَّ أسْرى أهل فلسطين وأسرى المسلمين، اللهم آمنا فى أوطاننا، وأصلح اللهم ولاة أمورنا، ووفقهم لما تحب وترضى، اللهم اغفر لأمواتنا وأموات المسلمين، يا أرحم الراحمين ويا رب العامين. وصَلّى اللهُ على سيِّدنا محمّدٍ وعلى آله وصحبه وسلّم تسليماً.
O Allah, make this country safe, secure, generous, and prosperous, along with all Muslim countries, O Lord of the Worlds. O Allah! Provide us with sustenance and security. O Allah! Reform the youth of the Muslims, and make them a support for Islam and the Muslims. O Allah, reform the women and girls of the Muslims, and protect them from indecency and immorality, making them a support for Islam and the Muslims. O Allah, reform the scholars, leaders, wealthy individuals, and rulers of the Muslims, and make them a support for Islam and the Muslims. O Allah, frustrate the plots of the enemies of Islam, nullify their schemes, and protect us from their evils. O Allah, unite the hearts of the Muslims upon the truth. O Allah, aid the Palestinian people, lift the siege on them, relieve their distress, heal their sick the the sick one among the muslims, and free the captives of Palestine and the Muslims. O Allah, grant us security in our lands, reform our rulers, and grant them success in what You love and are pleased with. O Allah, forgive our dead and the dead of the Muslims. O Most Merciful of the merciful, O Lord of all the worlds. May Allah bless our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions.