ARE YOU READY TO FACE YOUR

LORD?

Ale Imran, 3:185,186

ALE-IMRAN, 3:185 Every soul shall have a taste of

death: and only on the Day of Judgment shall

you be paid your full recompense. Only he who is saved far from the

fire and admitted to the garden will have attained the object (of life):

for the life of this world is but goods and chattels of deception.

ALE-IMRAN:186 You shall certainly be tried and

tested in your possessions and in your personal selves;

and you shall certainly hear much that will grieve you from those who received the Book before you and from those who worship many gods.

But if you persevere patiently and guard against evil then that will be a determining factor in all affairs.

Ultimate Reality

Every living soul shall taste death

- واإلكرام الجلـل ذو ك رب وجه ويبقى فان عليها من كل Whatsoever is on it (the earth) will perish. And the Face

of your Lord full of majesty and honor will remain forever 55:26,27

The Irresistible One and Only, will alone remain for ever and ever, remaining Last, as He was the First.

This Ayah comforts all creation, since every soul that exists on the earth shall die,

Allah will command that the Day of Resurrection commence.

Allah will then recompense the creation for their deeds, whether minor or major, many or few, big or small.

Surely, Allah will not deal unjustly with anyone, even the weight of an atom

Belittling the value of this life

الغرور متـع إال الدنيا الحيوة وما The life of this world is only the enjoyment of

deception Al-Hadeed وأبقى - خير خرة واال الدنيا الحيوة تؤثرون بل Nay, you prefer the life of this world. Although the

Hereafter is better and more lasting.) 87:16,17

And whatever you have been given is an enjoyment of the life of this world and its adornment, and that (Hereafter) which is with Allah is better and will remain forever. Have you then no sense? Qasas:28:60

Death is a stage in human existence

Islam views death merely as a stage in human existence.

Physical death should not be feared but one should, however, worry about the agonies of spiritual death caused by living a life of moral corruption.

A person does not cease to exist in sleep, similarly he does not cease to exist in death.

A person comes back to life when waking from sleep, same way he will be revived at the great awakening on the Day of Judgment.

Remember death often

Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that Prophet (SAW) said, “ You must remember often the killer of pleasures ,i.e., death. “

Remembering Death Whoever frequently remembers

death is honored with three things: 1. Quick repentance, 2. Self-contentment 3. Energy in doing acts of worship Whoever forgets death is punished

with three things:1. Delaying repentance, 2. Lack of contentment 3. Laziness in acts of worship

Statements of pious about death

Uways Al-Qarnee (RA) said,“Remember death when you sleep and always think of it when you are awake.” Ibn al-Mubaarak (RA) said that

Saalih Al-Mariy used to say, "If the remembrance of death leaves me for an hour my heart becomes spoilt.”

Ibn Mas’ood (RA) said, “A believer has no rest until he meets Allah.”

TRIALS & TRIBULATIONS وأنفسكم أمولكم فى لتبـلون You shall certainly be tried and tested in your

wealth and properties and in yourselves موالـ اال من ونقصـ والجـوع الخوفـ من ء بشيـ كم ولنبلون

مـرت والث نفسـ واال And certainly, We shall test you with

something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits. 2:155

The believer shall be tested according to the degree of his faith, and when his faith is stronger, the test is harder.

Trials are inevitable and are from Allah

No calamity befalls but with Allah’s permission, and whosoever believes in Allah, He guides his heart. Allah is all knower of everything.” Al Taghabun 64:11

Do you think you shall enter paradise before Allah tests those of you who struggled in His way and tests those who are Sabirun (patient) Al Imran 3:142

Grieving Statements from People of the Book

ومن قبلكم من الكتـب أوتوا ذين ال من ولتسمعن كثيرا أذى أشركوا ذين ال

And you shall certainly hear much that will grieve you from those who received the Scripture before you and from those who ascribe partners to Allah. 3:186

Allah warned the believers while comforting them against the harm they may suffer from the People of the Scriptures and the polytheists

ISLAMOPHOBIA Mockery, bigotry, rejection, hatred against Islam,

Prophet of Islam and Muslims Violent attacks upon Muslims, homes, masajid Threats of direct monitoring Racial profiling, job discriminations, deportations Media campaign of misinformation about Islam Vile remarks towards Allah (SWT), The Creator

and Sustainer of all that exists. Insulting remarks about Quran and the Prophet

Mohammad (SAW)

Allah is sufficient for those who mock

For sufficient are We unto thee against those who resort to mockery. Those who adopt with Allah another god: but soon will they come to know. We do indeed know how thy heart is distressed at what they say. But celebrate the praises of thy Lord and be of those who prostrate themselves in adoration. And serve thy Lord until there come unto thee the Hour that is Certain ( Hijr,16:95-99)

4 Levels of response to trials

1-Anger: (Undesirable)

• And among mankind is he who worships Allah upon the very edge (i.e. in doubt); if good befalls him, he is content therewith; but if a trial befalls him, he turns back on his face ( i.e. Reverts back to disbelief after embracing Islam). He loses both this world and the Hereafter. That is the evident loss." (22:11)

• He becomes angry with what Allah has decreed for him, and this is undesirable.

2- Sabar (Wajib)

2-"And be patient, indeed Allah is with the patient ones." (8:46)

Patience is like its name - bitter in taste, yet its outcomes are sweeter than honey.

So the person sees the affliction which is very heavy upon him, yet he bears it although he dislikes that it happened. His Iman bears it and restrains him from being angry. So the time of affliction and the time of no affliction is not the same to him, and this (level) is Wajib

3- Pleased with affliction-(Preferable)

Person is pleased with the affliction and whether it happened or not, it is the same to him so it is not difficult upon him.

He does not bear it as if it is something weighing heavy on him, and this (level) is Mustahab (preferred)

The difference between this level and others is apparent because the affliction happening or not happening is the same.

4- Thankfulness (Shukr) is commendable

This is the highest level. Person at this level thanks Allah for the affliction which has struck him.

The Prophet (SAW) said: "There is no affliction which strikes a Muslim except that Allah expiates with it (sins), even when a thorn may poke him." (Bukharee & Muslim)

Objectives of the trials1-Increasing the strength of faith and resolve in difficult circumstances.

2-Increasing the rewards and place in Jannah.

3-Forgiveness of sins.

4- Differentiate between Mumin and Munafiq

5- Truth to prevail and falsehood to be defeated

Attitude of the believers in response to this hurtful talk and propaganda

﴿ عزم من ذلك فإن قوا وتت تصبروا وإنمور ﴾اال

But if you persevere patiently, and

have Taqwah, then verily, that will be a determining factor in all affairs

Allah commanded the believers to be forgiving, patient and forbearing until He brought His awaited aid.

Be Patient with the Harms of opponents

And bear patiently the vain things they utter, and gracefully forsake them. (47:10)

Attitude of the believers من و يردونكم لو الكتـب أهل من كثير دأنفسهم عند من حسدا كفارا إيمـنكم بعد واصفحوا فاعفوا الحق لهم ن تبي ما بعد من

بأمره ه الل يأتى ى حت Many of the People of the Scripture (Jews

and Christians) wish that they could turn you away as disbelievers after you have believed, out of envy from their own selves, even after the truth has become manifest unto them.

But forgive and overlook, till Allah brings His command. 2:109

Sabar in three situations

1-Handling challenges

and tests from Allah

2-Patience in obeying Allah’s

commands

3-Patience in refraining from Allah

SWT’s prohibitions

1-Handling  tests from Allah Some examples of this patience we see in

the lives of the Prophets: Prophet Yusuf (AS) was thrown in a well

by his own brothers; Prophet Yunus (AS) was in the belly of a

whale for three days; Prophet Ayyub (AS) was tested with loss

of health, wealth They never deviated from their devotion to

Allah, and remained resolute only for Allah SWT’s Pleasure.

2-Patience in obeying Allah’s commands

حين ك رب بحمد ح وسب بأعيننا ك فإن ك رب لحكم واصبرتقوم

”And be patient to Allah’s commandments, for you are under our observance, and glorify the Praises of your Lord when you get up from sleep.” [52:48]

Obedience of Allah (SWT) must be backed by a strong character of patience.

Without patience; it is hard for us to consistently perform all our religious obligations with complete sincerity and devotion

3-Patience in refraining from Allah SWT’s prohibition

When we come across situations in which we know we are doing something Haraam, sometimes we still continue do the Haraam thing for whatever reason.

We should remember that, Allah is the All Seeing, All Knowing.

We are also reminded of His promises if we exercise patience in refraining from His prohibitions.

Benefits of Sabar1-

Allah’s Mercy and

Guidance 2-

Intelligent

thought and action

3- Allah removes sins

4- Granted true

leadership

5- Janna

h

Hadith• Rasulullah SAW said:• حيث من رع الز من الخامة كمثل المؤمن مثل

بالبالء أ تكف اعتدلت فإذا كفأتها يح الر أتتهاالله يقصمها حتى معتدلة اء صم كاألرزة والفاجر

مسلم رواه شاء إذا• “The example of a Believer is that of a fresh tender plant;

from whatever direction the wind comes, it bends it, but when the wind becomes quiet, it becomes straight again. Similarly, a believer is afflicted with calamities (but he remains patient till Allah removes his difficulties.) And an impious wicked person is like a pine tree which keeps hard and straight till Allah cuts it down when He wishes.”

Ali Ibn Abi Talib (RA)4 Components of Taqwah

Fear of Jaleel (Allah), Acting upon the tanzeel (Quran), Being content with qaleel (little), Preparing for the day of raheel (journeying from this world).

Imam al-Ghazali divides Taqwah into three levels

Fear of Allah and a sense of awe

Obedience and

worship of Allah

Freeing the heart from sins

1-Tilawah of Quran 2-Zikr of Allah 3- Saleh deeds 4-Be with

Saleheen

5-Gain Ilm 6-Be Aware of Shaitan 7-Be humble 8- Sincerity

9-Focus on life purpose

10-Remember Death

Appropriate action items for American Muslims in these trials

Turn to Allah, building strong faith and action.

Strong Muslim families and communities around the masajid.

Strengthen national Muslim organizations building bridges with all including non Muslims.

More action items for Muslims in America

Share the truth and the beauty of Islam.

Political participation and activism.

Social service to less fortunate and suffering elements of the society

Struggle for liberty and justice for all peacefully

ALLAH (SWT) IS SUFFICIENT FOR THE ONE WHO PUTS TRUST IN HIM

And if any one puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him. For Allah will surely accomplish his purpose: verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion. SURAH TALAAQ; 65:3