الحمد لله، الحمد لله الذي أنزل القرآن، نحمده ونستعينه، ونستغفره ونشكره وَنُؤْمِنُ بِهِ ونَتَوَكَّلُ عَلَيْهِ ،و نعوذ بالله من شرور أنفسنا ومن سيئات أعمالنا، من يهده الله فلا مضل له، ومن يضلل فلا هادي له ونشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له، له الملك و له الحمد، يحيي ويميت، بيده الخير، وهو على كل شيء قدير، ونشهد أن سيدنا و مولانا محمداً عبده ورسوله، بلغ الرسالة وأدى الأمانة ونصح الأمة، وكشف الغمة، وجاهد في الله حق جهاده حتى أتاه اليقين ، اللهم صلِّ وسلم وبارك عليه وعلى آله وأصحابه أجمعين، ومن تبعهم بإحسان إلى يوم الدين.
أما بعد. يأيها الذين ءامنوا اتقوا الله وقولوا قولا سديدا يصلح لكم أعمالكم ويغفر لكم ذنوبكم. ومن يطع الله ورسوله فقد فاز فوزا عظيما
Ya IbadaAllah, this sacred month offers us an opportunity to reflect on our actions and to make a concerted effort to change, for the better. Allah (SWT) tells us in the Qur’an:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّى يُغَيِّرُوا مَا بِأَنفُسِهِمْ
“Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” (Surah Ar-Ra’d, 13:11) Not change themselves, for that would be “yughairu unfusahum” but rather change what is in themselves.
This verse underscores the importance, no, the necessity of internal transformation as a prerequisite for external change. It is not enough to simply change our actions; we must change our hearts and minds. This brings us to the intertwined concepts of knowledge (Ilm) and action (Amal). In other words, Knowledge and action. Or rather Ilm qabl amal, knowledge before action.– it is probably only in the Arabic language that the correlation between these two words is so stark. The same three letters (ilm and amal) for both words, only the order is changed.
What is the Importance of Ilm and Amal?
These two concepts are the foundation of a believer’s life and are deeply intertwined. Without one, the other cannot reach its full potential. The importance of knowledge (Ilm) in Islam cannot be overstated. The first revelation to our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was a command to read, to seek knowledge. Allah says:
“اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ”
“Read in the name of your Lord who created.” (96:1) This signifies that the pursuit of knowledge is paramount. However, knowledge without action is incomplete. Allah says in Surah As-Saff:
“يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لِمَ تَقُولُونَ مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ”
“O you who have believed, why do you say what you do not do?” (61:2) The essence of this ayah is that our knowledge must translate into action. It is not sufficient to merely know. What Happens When Knowledge is Not Translated into Action? This was explained by our beloved Prophet (ﷺ) when he was sked about the best actions: His answer:
“العلم بالله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ”
“Knowledge of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic.” When it was asked why he mentioned knowledge when asked about actions, he replied:
“إن قليل العمل ينفعُ مع العلم بالله، وإن كثير العمل لا ينفعُ معَ الجهل بالله”
“A small amount of action with knowledge of Allah is beneficial, but much action without knowledge of Allah is not beneficial.”
Examples from the Prophets:
The lives of the Prophets exemplify the balance between Ilm and Amal. Consider Nabi Musa (AS), who is known as Kalimullah, the one who spoke with Allah. Allah bestowed upon him judgment and knowledge:
“وَلَمَّا بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُ وَاسْتَوَىٰ آتَيْنَاهُ حُكْمًا وَعِلْمًا ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِي الْمُحْسِنِينَ”
“And when he reached maturity and was [firmly] established, We bestowed upon him judgment and knowledge. And so do We reward the doers of good.” (Surah Al-Qasas, 28:14) Musa (AS) put his knowledge into action, leading the oppressed Bani Israel with wisdom and courage, fulfilling Allah’s commands even in the face of great adversity. When commanded to speak to Fir’aun:
“اذْهَبْ إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ إِنَّهُ طَغَىٰ”
“Go to Fir’aun; indeed, he has transgressed.” (Surah Taha, 20:24) Despite the danger, Musa (AS) acted upon his knowledge of Allah’s command, demonstrating that true knowledge must be coupled with decisive and courageous action.
How Are Knowledge and Action Interdependent?
Knowledge (Ilm) and action (Amal) are like two wings of a bird; both are needed for a believer to soar to spiritual heights. Imam Al-Ghazali, in his monumental work, Ihya Ulumuddin, wrote:
“Knowledge without action is madness, and action without knowledge is void.”
In essence, knowledge should illuminate the path of action. When we act upon our knowledge, it strengthens our Eman and brings us closer to Allah. This is echoed in the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ):
“مَنْ عَمِلَ بِمَا عَلِمَ وَرَّثَهُ اللَّهُ عِلْمَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ”
“Whoever acts upon what he knows, Allah will grant him knowledge of what he did not know.” (Sunan Abi Dawood)
This hadith highlights that acting upon our knowledge leads to further knowledge, creating a cycle of continuous growth.
أقول قولي هذا وأستغفر الله لي ولكم ولسائر المسلمين من كل ذنب فاستغفروه إنه هو الغفور الرَّحيم
الحمد لله الحمد لله رب العالمين، وأشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له وأشهد أن محمداً عبده ورسوله، أرسله بشيرا ونذيرا بين يدي الساعة اللهم صلِّ وسلم وبارك عليه وعلى آله وأصحابه أجمعين، ومن تبعهم بإحسان إلى يوم الدين.
أما بعد! فيأيها الذين ءامنوا اتقوا الله ما استطعتم واسمعوا وأطيعوا وأنفقوا خيرا لأنفسكم. يا عباد الله أوصيكم وإياي بتقوى الله وطاعته
Seize Opportunities
One day the companions were sitting in the company of the Prophet ﷺ as he was telling them about a group of 70 000 Muslims who would enter Jannah without reckoning (hisab). Immediately, Ukasha asked: O Rasul Allah, supplicate to Allah to make me one of them. He said: O Allah make him one of them. Then his companion asked the same thing but Rasul Allah said that Ukasha beat you. The difference between Ukasha asking and his companion asking was mere moments. A moment between entering Jannah with hisab and entering Jannah without hisab, a moment whereby ukasha ibn muhsin acted quickly and his companion was too slow. If you look carefully at this incident you will find that the lesson is to act quickly in matters of khair and benefit or the opportunity will be lost. The scales of Allah are extremely precise and He doesn’t miss a moment. For example your sitting with your friends or at work and the time for Salah enters. Letting a few minutes go by isn’t a big thing in your mind, but it is major by Allah. He commands you “فَاسْتَبِقُوا الْخَيْرَاتِ” translates to “So race to [all that is] good”
وَسَارِعُوا إِلَىٰ مَغْفِرَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا السَّمَاوَاتُ وَالْأَرْضُ
“And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden as wide as the heavens and the earth” He loves that you must rush to goodness. It isn’t rational that the one who rushes is equal to the one who takes his time to do good. The difference of moments are rooms and levels in Jannah. Those people will be like pure radiant stars in the levels above in Jannah. A hihger level or room is the difference of an ayah, a remorseful tear, a moment of humility or fear of Allah Or a thought in your mind, a good word to creation.
Ya IbadAllah, life is short and filled with moments, and the most beautiful moments are those spent with Allah and yield the greatest rewards. Any transaction with Allah is risk free and hazard free. All people are walking to Allah and desire from Allah their hopes and desires, but those who take advantage of Allah’s favours are few.
In light of the importance of knowledge and action, we will be undertaking a weekly study of the Qur’an, in this house of Allah, from after Maghrib until Esha, every Wednesday – bi-qudratillahi. The intention is to complete the study of the entire Qur’an, from Al-Fatiha to An-Naas. Understanding the Qur’an is fundamental to implementing its teachings in our lives. This undertaking will provide an opportunity for us to develop a deeper connection with the Book of Allah.
خَيْرُكُمْ مَنْ تَعَلَّمَ الْقُرْآنَ وَعَلَّمَهُ
“The best of you are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it.” (Bukhari)
Make a sincere intention to attend these sessions and you already get one full good deed, encourage your families and friends to do the same and yours and their good deeds increase, all before even attending and then regularly attend and your rewards are anywhere from 10 to 700 times multiplied. As the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
‘If someone intends to do a good deed but does not do it, then Allah writes for him one complete good deed. If he intends to do it and then does it, Allah writes for him ten good deeds, up to seven hundred times, or even more.’ (Bukhari) He also said:
“مَنْ سَلَكَ طَرِيقًا يَلْتَمِسُ فِيهِ عِلْمًا سَهَّلَ اللَّهُ لَهُ بِهِ طَرِيقًا إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ“
“Whoever travels a path in search of knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to al-Jannah.” (Muslim) and the Prophet (ﷺ) further emphasized the high status of such gatherings:
مَا اجْتَمَعَ قَوْمٌ فِي بَيْتٍ مِنْ بُيُوتِ اللَّهِ يَتْلُونَ كِتَابَ اللَّهِ وَيَتَدَارَسُونَهُ بَيْنَهُمْ إِلَّا نَزَلَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّكِينَةُ وَغَشِيَتْهُمُ الرَّحْمَةُ وَحَفَّتْهُمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَذَكَرَهُمُ اللَّهُ فِيمَنْ عِنْدَهُ
“No people gather in one of the houses of Allah, reciting the Book of Allah and studying it among themselves, but tranquility will descend upon them, mercy will envelop them, the angels will surround them, and Allah will mention them to those in His presence.” (Muslim)
Ya IbadaAllah, let us strive to fill our moments with amal of our ilm. Let us seek knowledge sincerely and act upon it with steadfastness. Our beloved (ﷺ) and the pious predecessors have shown us the way through their exemplary lives, the least we can do is follow.
We ask Allah to grant us beneficial knowledge and the strength to act upon it. May He make us among those who listen to the Word and follow the best of it. May He bless us with sincerity in our actions and steadfastness in our Deen.
إِنَّ اللهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ، يَا أَيُهَا الذِينَ آمَنُواْ صَلُّواْ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُواْ تَسْلِيماً.
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ وَبَارِكْ عَلَيْهِ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ. وَارْضَ اللَّهُمَّ عَنِ الْخُلَفَاءِ الرَّاشِدِينَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرَ وَعُثْمَانَ وَعَلِيٍّ، وعن أم المومنين عائشة التي أمرنا الله في سورة النور أن ندافع عنها، وَعَنْ سَائِرِ الصَّحَابَةِ أَجْمَعِينَ، خُصُوصاً اِلأَنْصَارَ مِنْهُمْ وَالمُهَاجِرِينَ، وَعَنِ التَّابِعِينَ وَتَابِعِي التَّابِعِينَ وَمَنْ تَبِعَهُمْ بِإِحْسَانٍ إِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّينِ.
اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِ وُلَاةَ أُمُورِ المُسْلِمِينَ لِمَا يُرْضِيكَ وَلِاتِّبَاعِ سُنَّةِ نَبِيِّكَ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَهُمْ عَلَى الصِّرَاطِ المُسْتَقِيمِ، وَأَصْلِحْهُمْ يَا رَبَّ الْعَالَمِينَ.
اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى شُيُوخِنَا، وَعَلَى رئيسنا، وَعَلَى أَمِيرِنَا، وَعَلَى جَمِيعِ أُمَرَاءِ وَزُعَمَاءِ المُسْلِمِينَ.
اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى المُسْلِمِينَ فِي هَذِهِ المَدِينَةِ، وَوَفِّقْهُمْ لِمَا تُحِبُّهُ وَتَرْضَاهُ يَا أَكْرَمَ الأَكْرَمِينَ.
اللَّهُمَّ أَعِزَّ الإِسْلَامَ وَالمُسِْلمِينَ، اللهم ألف بين قلوبنا، ووحد صفوفنا، واجعلنا يا رب العالمين من عبادك الصالحين. اللهم اجعلنا من أهل الخَيْرُ ، واجعلنا من الذين يستمعون القول فيتبعون أحسنه. اللهم اغفر لنا ذنوبنا، وكفر عنا سيئاتنا، وتوفنا مع الأبرار. ربنا آتنا في الدنيا حسنة وفي الآخرة حسنة وقنا عذاب النار.
إِنَّ اللهَ يَامُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالإِحْسَانِ وَإِيتَاءِ ذِي الْقُرْبَى، وَيَنْهَى عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالمُنكَرِ وَالْبَغْيِ، يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَّكَّرُونَ، وَلَذِكْرُ اللهِ أَكْبَرُ وَاللهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَصْنَعُونَ. وَقُومُواْ إِلَى صَلاتِكُمْ يَرْحَمُكُمُ اللهُ.
Imam-Khatib
Sh. Isma-eel Isaacs
19.07.2024