Dar At-Taqwa Imam Delivers Pre-Election Advice Written by Administrator Saturday, 16 December 2006 04:04
By SJ Hassan Muslim Link Contributing Writer Trust must be built by long commitment to Masjid, says Imam Mahmoud
In light of the upcoming elections in Dar-al-Taqwa, Imam Mahmoud Abdel-Hady delivered a khutbah on Friday, December 1st, 2006, highlighting aspects of Islamic history regarding the importance of shura (mutual consultation).
He further detailed the characteristics of those involved in formal Islamic decision-making procedures as well as highlighting the seriousness of the matter of upholding the amanah, or trusts Allah (Subhana-wa-ta'ala) has bestowed upon the Muslims. Sheik Mahmoud began his khutbah by praising Allah (Subhana-wa-ta'ala) and His messenger, Rasulallah (Sallallahu 'alyhi wa sallam). He then related the verses from Surah Al-Emran (Family of Emran) regarding the Battle of Uhud, and the events therein. Beginning from verse 3:153, “Behold! You were climbing up the high ground, without even casting a side glance at any one, and the Messenger at your rear was calling you back. There did Allah give you one distress after another by way of requital [the actual battle of Uhud]….” After describing this, and Allah (Subhana-wa-ta'ala) says, “What would the reaction of Muhammad be to all of that?” As is written in verse 3:159, “It is part of the Mercy of Allah that you dealt gently with them, were you severe or hard-hearted, they would have turned away from you: so pass over (Their faults), and ask for Allah's forgiveness for them; and consult them in matters. Then, when you have taken a decision put your trust in Allah. For Allah loves those who put their trust in Him.” Sheikh Mahmoud further stated, “No one said to the other, (as is in verse 3:156), '…If they had stayed with us, they would not have died, or been slain...' so they did not blame each other for the misfortune they encountered. So despite whatever happened in the battle, Allah SWT told Rasulallah Sallallahu 'alyhi wa sallam to take 'shura' (mutual consultation) with his companions.” {mosimage} Sheikh Mahmoud's second point was whether 'shura' (mutual consultation) in Islam was mu'lima or mulzima. He stated, “Is the shura just to give an opinion to an ameer even though it does not matter whether it is the majority or minority
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Dar At-Taqwa Imam Delivers Pre-Election Advice Written by Administrator Saturday, 16 December 2006 04:04
opinion, or, must the shura be taken meaning the majority opinion holds. Older scholars say that the final decision is with the 'ameer' (the appointed leader). Many new scholars say with mutual consultation and with the decision based on the majority opinion. Both have their (proofs) and so forth.” He continues, “Now, who is the person who comes into the 'shura'; what are the qualities of the person who comes into the 'shura'? We have the story of Yusuf (AS). His conduct as a Muslim and his conduct in jail after the king called him so he could see him. Yusuf (AS) gave the interpretation of the dream without asking for any favors. He could have said, “let me out, and then I will tell you.” [And he did not ask any such favors.] So he displayed the characteristic of honesty. When the messenger came to his compound, he said, “No. First you must investigate the matter [and prove my innocence] and then I will come out.” So now, this quality of honesty brought him to a high status with the king. Allah showed us what the king did. After everything was clear and the devious women of the noblemen claimed they themselves were the wicked ones who had been responsible for Yusuf's imprisonment, the king said, “Bring him to me, [now I am responsible for him]”. And afterward, once the king had spoken with Yusuf, he stated that, “today we take you as a person who is trustworthy and honorable and we will give you a high status.” But, again, all this took place only after he had talked with Yusuf. So his qualities were known, that he was honest and trustworthy and so forth. But, he might not have gotten along with the king, however after talking among themselves, they clinched the matter of Yusuf's (AS) position in society. So, in other words, the 'interview' had to happen first. Then Yusuf (AS) stated, “Appoint me upon the treasury as I have the knowledge and will keep it (the treasury) and take care of it.” So, now, he complimented himself that he could that and appointed himself to this position. Could he do that? Well, in this situation yes because he was the one who was truly qualified for this. This is not a matter of experiment. We're talking about the hunger of the whole nation, in that the whole nation could be affected by this. So, a person who has the knowledge and nobody knows that he does, and there is position that is critical for the survival of the community or a task has to be done, he is obligated to come forward and offer his services.” Sheikh Mahmoud then related the story of Musa (AS). “And this same scenario happened with Musa' (AS). When he ran out of Egypt, after he killed a man, and Allah describes when he spoke to the two women, and we know about this (story). He went, helped them, took care of them, but did not ask for a payment, and then went to a tree and sat under the shade. Then, the women came back after speaking with their father and invited him to come with them, saying, “Our father 2/4
Dar At-Taqwa Imam Delivers Pre-Election Advice Written by Administrator Saturday, 16 December 2006 04:04
would like to give you [payment] for what you have done.” After Musa (AS) talked with Shuaib (AS) and his family, Shuaib's daughter stepped forward to request of her father Musa's employment due to his characteristics of strength and trustworthiness. However it is noteworthy that all this happened only after they had spoken with Musa and gotten to know his qualities.” He continued his khutbah by covering the matter of treating the [mosques] as an 'amanah' (or, trust). “Now, how serious is this matter of 'shura'? It is very serious, because it is an 'amanah' we are dealing with. And especially because this is a masjid; because it is a responsibility upon a lot of Muslims in the area. When a man asked Rasulallah, “When is the Hour?”, Rasuallah replied, “When the 'amanah' is lost, then wait for the hour.” Then the companions asked, “Oh Rasulallah, how will the amanah become lost?” Rasulallah replied, “When a task is given to those who do not deserve it, wait for the hour, wait for the day of Judgment.” So, when you are appointing someone [to a position of responsibility], you have to know that this is an 'amanah'. If you are accepting a nomination [for a position], you have to know this is an 'amanah' as well. If you are voting for someone, you still have to know that this is an 'amanah'. And any transgression in this matter could distance one from paradise. And you will be accountable for it in the Hereafter. And the work in such situations has to be sincere; for the sake of Allah and only for His sake. And if someone cannot hold on and carry the 'amanah', they should not take the responsibility to do so.” He further clarified, “By siding with a certain person on some matter, a voter is testifying to the ability of the nominee to conduct themselves in a just and Islamic manner when handed the 'amanah', such as the responsibility of a mosque, etc. so even a voter's voting record will be asked about in the Hereafter and they will be asked why they voted a certain way, and what were the reasons they chose one person or another person for such a responsibility so we should be careful.” Sheikh Mahmoud ended by saying, “The process of the interview is 'being in the mosque all the time'. In other words, you don't come at the time of the election and say, “Trust me, I am qualified for the position.” It should be a person who knows the community and the community knows him and the interview is already done, and the trust is already built. Then it is a natural step to go forward and take the position [of responsibility in running, etc. a mosque]. People will push him forward because already, the relationship is built. But if he does not know the dynamics of the community or is not familiar with the way the community functions, I am not looking down at such a person, but he cannot take this sort of position of authority.”
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Dar At-Taqwa Imam Delivers Pre-Election Advice Written by Administrator Saturday, 16 December 2006 04:04
Sheikh Mahmoud then ended his Khutbah with Du'a and once more sending praises upon Allah the Almighty and his apostle Rasulallah (Sallallahu 'alyhi wa sallam). May Allah (Subhana-wa-ta'ala) gave us the opportunity and ability to practice upon the advice given to us by Imam Mahmoud in his Friday Khutbah and learn from the Prophets, Righteous companions, and people of the past, so we may follow upon the straight path until our passing from this earth. Ameen. Author of “The Sealed Nectar� Seerah Returns to Allah To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return. Imam Saifur Rahman al-Mubarakpuri author of Ar-Raheeq Al-Makhtum (THE SEALED NECTAR) Memoirs of the Noble Prophet Sallallahu 'alyhi wa sallam, passed away Friday Dec 1st. He was born in India in the 1940s. A scholar in Hadith and Fiqh, his seerah book one awards and acclaim throughout the Muslim world. May Allah forgive him and benefit us from his knowledge.
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