# Messenger Audio 18.1 (26-Nov-1982) {% embed url="" %} (0:00) I'm going to take this slide for us, about using the mosque. (0:03) This will bring God and His message, and creative devices. (0:08) It is the teaching of Adam and of the Qur'an, that no traditional (0:12) entertainment is allowed. (0:16) What it says, do not worship in such a mosque. (0:20) That's what I'm saying. (0:21) What does that mean, in this situation? (0:23) Do you pray in such a mosque? (0:31) No, no, where did you go? (0:32) It's like any other place where there's no mosque. (0:36) Yeah, it's like any other place where there's no mosque. (0:38) God will understand you, you know. (0:41) Actually, it is not a mosque. (0:43) It's not a mosque, why is there no God? (0:45) It's like saying, in a place where there's only churches and synagogues. (0:51) There are only churches and synagogues. (0:57) You can count it as one of them. (0:58) It would make for a strange place to have one of these. (1:22) The phoenix is something besides Qur'an. (1:24) We don't believe Qur'an. (1:25) Basically, we don't pray for the phoenix. (1:35) If I am in Tempe or Phoenix or New York, (1:39) and I want to pray in the middle of the afternoon, (1:42) I walk in any of these mosques and I go make my Udo and pray. (1:47) Just like at work, I go make my Udo and find a place and go pray. (1:53) Right? (1:56) But here we have a choice. (2:03) We have a mosque where there are only robes and memorabilia. (2:06) And only Qur'an is treated. (2:10) So, I would run for my life, I wouldn't go there. (2:15) But in another place where there isn't that choice. (2:18) Right. (2:19) Then it's just like being at work or anywhere. (2:22) So, I pray there too. (2:24) It's the only place where I can pray. (2:32) You wouldn't go to the Ahmadiyya Mosque here on the street, would you? (2:35) Because you know, they idolize what's going on in Ahmad. (2:38) It's never open. (2:42) Somebody told me. He meant that it was open on Sundays. (2:47) Even if it's open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, you wouldn't go there. (2:51) It's a way off. (2:56) It's a small place. (3:03) I would go there and pray. (3:04) It looks like something that's a miniature gulf. (3:08) Would you go up there and get some clean clothes? (3:11) No, anything is just as good. (3:12) The point is to pray and get clean clothes. (3:22) Can you just stay home with your horses? (3:29) Yes, you pray the noon. (3:34) See, what I'm saying is, maybe... (3:37) You're in Los Angeles and there's the Islamic center of Southern California. (3:45) But maybe a speaker will go and talk to you only about Quran. (3:50) Like I did one time. (3:52) And they disconnected the speaker. (3:57) But the people got the message. (4:01) There were a couple of thousand people there. (4:16) I gave a khutba on July 4th. (4:24) Because of July 4th, there were lots of people on vacation. (4:27) They got the message. (4:33) There were three people who became very emotional. (4:38) They were yelling. (4:41) And their bed was there. (4:45) Remember that bed? (4:48) I don't think anyone will forget it. (4:55) And then I had actually a long discussion after that about the very thing that Rasheed was talking about. (5:05) He said, don't you say... (5:09) I said, no, I don't. (5:10) What? (5:20) I was going on with the names of Muhammad that they gave to Muhammad. (5:25) They gave him actual names of God. (5:27) Exclusive names of God they gave to Muhammad. (5:29) Like Al-Muhaymin. (5:31) One of Muhammad's names. (5:35) Al-Muhaymin, the supreme being. (5:39) You heard it today. (5:42) That's one of his names written in his mosque on the wall. (5:46) Al-Shafi, the healer. (5:49) Yeah, Al-Muhaymin, Al-Shafi. (5:51) I have a list here. (5:54) 202 names. (5:56) God has 99 names. (6:00) Muhammad's names are 202. (6:03) That's all. (6:08) It's unbelievable, isn't it? (6:10) You don't blame me if you don't believe me, but I have the list here if you want to look at it. (6:15) I've heard a student's name is Al-Mu'tasim. (6:18) Is that the name of the man? (6:19) It's a name I've just never heard before and I didn't know if that was the name. (6:21) Mu'tasim or Al-Mu'tasim? (6:24) Al-Mu'tasim. (6:31) It means hope in prayer. (6:34) Mu'tasim means hope in prayer. (6:37) There's a person who says, hope in prayer and I know from God. (6:40) So, his name is derived from that. (6:45) Well, lots more people are hearing about this stuff these days, from all the communication and stuff. (6:53) You said that there's a lot of positive response from all over the world. (6:57) Say that again? (6:59) You've been saying that you're getting a lot of positive response from all over the world. (7:05) So, have there been any correspondence of people trying to do those things and they're mocked back wherever they're at? (7:13) When they talk about it? (7:14) The last one that I was circulating from Singapore, this fellow who lost his friends. (7:21) Did you read it? (7:22) No. (7:23) Did you read it? (7:25) Some people read it. (7:30) At first he himself was shocked and then he came to the church and he lost his friends and he's happy and content. (7:42) See, when you see the truth, there's nothing anybody can do. (7:45) It doesn't matter what you do. (7:48) You don't want to lose your neck or back. (7:52) If your friends don't see your way, it's too bad. (7:57) You have no choice anymore. (7:59) Once you see the truth, you have no choice. (8:02) You really don't get interested in people after a while. (8:05) That's right. (8:06) In fact, you see them as unfortunate, misguided people. (8:15) That's why there's so much in the Quran about, oh, I wish I didn't take this fellow as a friend. (8:21) He took me away from the right guidance. (8:23) But I see some people that... (8:25) And the Quran says that many people are going to hell because of friendship with some other people. (8:30) Well, that's because they put the friendship, they'd rather keep the friendship than keep the belief. (8:35) Right, so this fellow wrote and he said, I lost my friends but I'm happy and content. (8:38) It's too bad for them. (8:41) And I see some people that, I don't know, I suppose it's just a matter of time. (8:45) Sometimes we don't see people respond right away to the way we're... (8:49) I mean, we still got to be careful because it may be taking time. (8:52) Because I see people that, you know, they seem to be believing this but they won't accept... (8:58) I mean, even as Muslims, you know, as people have grown up with it. (9:03) But they've been so turned off by, you know, they actually believe, you know, (9:09) that they don't accept all this stuff that we're against. (9:12) That they've actually kind of rejected the Quran because they're still convinced that that stuff is actually being taught there because it's interpreted. (9:19) So they'll read those verses and they've been taught that that's what it means. (9:22) So they reject it and reject the Quran. (9:25) So hopefully that crosses. (9:27) Because I think there's only a few people there that, you know, in time that they would. (9:31) But, I mean, I can see them saying, I can't accept this. (9:35) And they're interpreting it in such a totally opposite way because they can't even see the correct interpretation. (9:41) Yet they're saying that their manifest is the correct belief. (9:45) So it's a confusing thing. (9:47) I see it but I don't know the explanation. (9:49) I was talking to an Iranian. (9:51) He was talking about how people in this country were prevented from reading the Quran. (9:54) They just put up on the shelf. (9:56) And I would try to explain. (9:58) There's this big growth around the Quran that has to be cut away. (10:02) I've loaned him a copy of the computer screen. (10:04) He's quite into computers, you know. (10:07) Actually, he found it way better. (10:09) They put it up on the shelf and they don't read it, man. (10:13) You can't even translate the Quran. (10:15) You can't even translate the Quran in any other language. (10:18) They want to keep the, apparently, Shaitan wants to keep the Quran away from people. (10:24) You can't translate. (10:27) You can't touch it. (10:28) You can't look at it. (10:29) You can't read it. (10:30) We have other things that we're explaining to you instead. (10:36) I mean, the fact that it's actually happened, you know. (10:38) It's not for people who have not had much contact with the Middle East to realize. (10:43) And the poor people in Morocco are kept illiterate. (10:46) And they have the Hadith of the Quran all confused in their mind. (10:49) And also the sayings of the king, the dictates of the king. (10:55) The Tahrir. (10:56) That's the word. (10:57) The word of the king. (10:58) Tahrir. (10:59) D-A-H-I-R. (11:02) It means the law made by the king. (11:04) It's put on the same level as the Hadith. (11:08) But, I mean, it's put semantically on the same level as the Hadith. (11:12) And sanctified by the Quran. (11:15) And the king's picture is with words from the Quran. (11:17) And his words are, therefore, the word of God, you know, indirectly. (11:22) Even they mentioned the king, Hassan Ibn Talib, in the mosque along the quarry. (11:30) But the Muslims, you know, the head of the Islamic Dawa Council in India is a guy like us. (11:39) Exactly. (11:40) They have some of his writings there. (11:43) And they wrote about him. (11:45) Exactly like the Quran and all, but no Hadith was there. (11:49) The head. (11:51) The head of the Islamic Dawa Council of India. (11:55) His name is Wahiduddin Farooq. (11:57) Is this something very recent? (11:58) I don't know. (12:00) A couple of years. (12:01) Is it in Arabic or English? (12:04) He is Indian. (12:05) He writes in English. (12:08) And this is in Hindi. (12:10) Hindi. (12:11) So that Quran is in Hindi? (12:14) Oh, yes. (12:15) Hindi. (12:19) His thoughts and my thoughts are identical. (12:22) Okay, we are very late, but it was a very interesting discussion. (12:25) So let's close it, go home, take a good sleep, and come back at 6 o'clock for the present prayer. (12:34) Oh, we are going to have a cake. (12:36) Dr. Ghaliban. (12:37) Dr. Ghaliban. (12:39) I have a question. (12:41) There is verse 133. (12:46) That's right. (12:48) In the Quran. (12:53) You will continue to worship your God and God of your fathers, Abraham and Israel. (12:59) Abraham and Isaac. (13:01) Is that in the Arabic? (13:06) Abraham, Ishmael, and Isaac. (13:10) Your fathers. (13:12) These were Jacob's son's children. (13:15) Jacob's children. (13:16) I'm talking to Jacob. (13:17) Right. (13:18) He said, the God of your fathers. (13:20) The fathers are Abraham, Ishmael, and Isaac. (13:25) Isaac was Jacob's father. (13:29) Right. (13:29) Do you like that? (13:31) Yeah. (13:32) And there is another verse, verse 134 and verse 131 is identical. (13:37) Yeah, right. (13:42) The Quran does this quite often. (13:46) Just for emphasis. (13:53) Okay, Al-Fatiha. (13:56) Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem. (13:59) Alhamdulillah. (14:22) Although it may, of course, ultimately be quite different from one country to another, (14:27) depending on the dissatisfactions. (14:30) I think it has to do with the world that we live in, which is a world of revolutionary. (15:01) But you don't do that when you go to the Kaaba. (15:04) You go like this. (15:06) Therefore, the shortest distance, the right Tibla according to them would be this way, (15:11) even though the Kaaba is here. (15:12) Because the shortest distance is around the mountain or the hill. (15:17) And the earth is the same way. (15:20) And between us and Mecca is part of the earth. (15:24) Part of the globe. (15:26) So it's like a hill between you and Mecca. (15:30) And even though, if you want to go to the Kaaba, you would walk in this direction. (15:36) You still face this direction because your soul can go through the mountain and through the wall. (15:59) You mean the shortest distance? (16:02) Right. (16:02) See, if they go by the shortest distance, how the plane goes. (16:05) But I talked to one of the guys. (16:08) I told him, let's take the map and then take it to Tibla. (16:13) Oh, on the map? (16:14) In the map. (16:15) Right. (16:17) Let's find that out. (16:19) But they don't go by the map. (16:20) No, no, no. (16:21) Yes, that's right. (16:23) It's easy. (16:24) But there is a Hadith that we have to take it 20 degrees to the north. (16:30) Super. (16:31) Something that's 20 degrees that we have to take to the north east. (16:37) Yeah. (16:39) Of course, we are told in Quran that God doesn't want them to face. (16:44) God says, if you don't want to worship me alone, I don't want you, you know, facing the library. (16:51) But I think we came to a point where the most important reason, (16:57) the most important reason for facing north east was that we in Masjid Hussain are facing east. (17:07) I mean now, even if they find out that the right direction is what we're doing, (17:12) they will find some other direction. (17:21) If you walk in a straight line, you know, what do you think? (17:25) If you walk in a straight line, you'll hit Mecca. (17:26) Exactly. (17:33) Did you see the point that Hadith is saying? (17:38) Let's get back together here. (17:40) Hadith was raising the point that if we walk in a straight line, we're going to hit Mecca. (17:43) Which is true. (17:45) Because this is slightly south of east. (17:47) If you go in a straight line, you'll hit Mecca. (17:49) Now, people who are praying right there, they're standing in circles, (17:55) okay, around the Kaaba. (17:56) And each person is part of a straight line. (18:01) Okay, now these straight lines, they're supposed to extend all through the earth, (18:05) without any lines cutting them. (18:08) Now what they're doing, for example, in the Islamic Center, look in north east, (18:13) is they may, if they go that line, they may hit, I don't think they will. (18:18) But if they hit the Kaaba somehow, that line will cut the straight lines (18:24) that are going from the Kaaba. (18:30) Do you understand? (18:32) Ben, just to reinforce, I think it must be Surah Abraham or wherever it is, (18:36) when Abraham and Ishmael built the Kaaba, it says as a focal point, (18:43) and a focal point has to be a point. (18:45) Where straight lines come out of it. (18:49) But if you make a line that is curving, what they're doing is a line that is curving. (18:54) Actually, they're not looking anywhere. (18:57) They're looking at the Kaaba. (18:58) Yeah, I mean, focal point wouldn't have to be on a curved line, (19:02) it has to be on a raised point. (19:10) Anyway, so there is a commandment that we shall face. (19:17) It is very important, because you cannot take it lightly. (19:24) I was in situations where people were praying this way, this and this way. (19:30) We had the Iranian group here in this mosque meeting every Saturday. (19:33) And they would face this way. (19:36) Yeah, north east. (19:37) It's even worse. (19:38) No, they're exaggerating. (19:41) That way. (19:42) No, they're facing very north. (19:44) Those people there, I think, pray that way. (19:46) No, this way. (19:47) No, this way, north. (19:50) Oh, really? (19:51) Yeah. (19:55) Maybe some of them were a little mixed up when they were going the other way. (19:59) They're all mixed up. (20:00) They're all mixed up. (20:00) Yes. (20:05) It's interesting here. (20:07) I just want to talk about. (20:09) Let's listen to Karl. (20:10) Let's listen to Karl. (20:12) I think one of the things that confuses people now (20:16) is being handed out all these little compasses with inspection books, (20:20) which give these really weird directions. (20:23) They vary a lot all over the world. (20:25) But here, we see here that he's saying, (20:31) we saw you, Muhammad, turning your face about the sky. (20:34) So he's using the sky as a guide to find his direction. (20:39) Now, it tells us over and over again in the Koran (20:41) that the stars are there to give us the right direction. (20:44) So if we look for a direction on the surface of the earth (20:48) following the stars as a guide, (20:50) we have to be following the lines of rotation around the world, around the earth. (20:55) So that reinforces the idea of those lines of rotation, (20:58) if not lines on the surface itself. (21:03) There is no way that can justify that. (21:05) Look at North and East. (21:07) Except that this is how the planes go. (21:10) It's the only way. (21:12) Because Jum'ah and Tariq and others were debating with them (21:16) on individual basis and group basis, (21:18) and they went together to the geography department, (21:20) and all the answers came, this is the right direction. (21:24) It's like the South of the East. (21:25) Well, how long ago did this whole business start? (21:27) I mean... (21:28) Four years? (21:29) Yeah, here in Tucson. (21:30) But I mean in the Muslim community. (21:32) How long has this thing been going on? (21:36) Has everything just hit normal? (21:38) There were no differences until these people decided to change. (21:42) No, but it's all over the country. (21:45) All over the world they're having this on. (21:48) It's becoming very general now. (21:50) Because the MSA, it all started here. (21:54) The MSA issued directions to all the branches everywhere (21:57) that they shall face North-East. (22:02) And unfortunately, North-East in the United States. (22:08) And unfortunately, the Masjid Muhammad group also decided to follow that. (22:16) Yeah, yeah. (22:17) They make a point. (22:19) It's only because of us. (22:36) It's probably accurate. (22:40) But they go out of their way to point out that (22:42) we're going in the wrong direction. (22:46) We don't want to go in the right direction. (22:49) I'm going to pass the globe around. (22:51) I'm going to bring the globe. (22:51) And if I look at where Tucson is and where Mecca is, (22:55) it would be a lie. (22:56) Can we be assured that our house, our door is perfectly? (23:00) Yeah, it's natural. (23:05) It's a natural architectural thing anyway. (23:08) Because the position of the building creates the least amount of (23:15) correlation with the situation. (23:17) Almost any place you go, you see. (23:28) I'm going to pass the globe around. (23:36) And if you look at Tucson, Arizona is where this finger is. (23:42) And then Mecca is right here. (23:48) It's very slightly south of east. (23:51) You draw the line. (23:54) So I'm going to pass this around and you can look at Tucson and Mecca. (23:58) It's very clear. (23:59) Now, Mecca is right here, and Tucson is here. (24:06) The shortest distance, if you follow the logic, (24:09) is right line. (24:10) You put a needle right here that will come out here. (24:15) And this will make it exactly our direction. (24:19) Because the soul goes to the earth. (24:21) This material doesn't mean a thing. (24:23) Well, we're not, I mean, our prayers aren't going to Mecca anyway. (24:26) They're just a direction of orientation. (24:29) Right. (24:29) Well, nothing's going to Mecca. (24:31) Other than that's just a direction of orientation. (24:35) We're conforming to the commandment. (24:36) That's all. (24:38) The commandment is? (24:39) Nothing's going to that location. (24:41) I don't know. (24:42) Maybe it is. (24:49) But you actually, if you concentrate enough, your soul actually will go there. (24:59) It will go to Mecca? (25:07) Okay. (25:11) I don't know if it's good or not. (25:13) I have to tell you this, but don't let it freak you out. (25:16) But it is part of the lessons that God teaches us. (25:22) At some time I was interested in the out-of-body experiences. (25:27) I think I mentioned it, and I tried it, but I don't recommend it to anybody. (25:31) But when I tried it, I went through the ceiling. (25:34) And I noticed that these walls don't mean a thing. (25:38) I could see my body down there. (25:42) And I learned from that that the soul does not stop. (25:57) Once you get back, you get back to your hideaway. (26:03) You just walk. (26:05) Whatever you will. (26:07) You want to be in Egypt with the birds, you can be in Egypt. (26:09) You've got the caravan, you've got the caravan. (26:11) You've got the caravan. (26:12) You've got the caravan? (26:13) At the speed of things. (26:15) You might have to come back. (26:17) Really, it's a wonderful experience. (26:19) It's a practical experience. (26:20) It's a practical experience. (26:21) The first time I just tried this. (26:24) Why did you try this? (26:26) Because it's weird. (26:28) You'd like to know how to get back into your body. (26:31) Pardon? (26:31) You'd like to know how to get back into your body. (26:37) And this reverses later on. (26:40) Where you don't want to go back to the body. (26:43) Because your body is not feeling well. (26:45) And I don't feel any of the pain. (26:48) It's a way to get rid of the headache. (26:51) The pain. (26:56) Like for two hours. (27:01) It's good for you. (27:03) It's time to get rid of the body. (27:05) At the beginning of the caravan. (27:07) You need to get out now. (27:09) Otherwise, you'll carry on. (27:13) You just want to pray well on your prayer. (27:16) You just want to get better. (27:18) But isn't it the case, Arnold, (27:19) when you really concentrate on your prayer. (27:22) You understand the ordinary prayer. (27:24) If you concentrate on your prayer, (27:26) these ordinary things that you had before prayer, (27:29) I forgot temporarily. And after this tashlim, but after the tashlim, the old things come back. (27:41) Can I raise a question on what you were saying? I would like to raise a question. I'm not so sure of the answer myself, but something that we can reflect on. (27:52) Let's concentrate. Let's look a bit more whole now. (27:55) Now, it says here that, referring to the Qibla now, as the Kaaba, it says here, 145. (28:09) However, even if you show the followers of previous scripture, every kind of miracle, they will not follow your Qibla. (28:15) However, before that, it says, even those who received previous scripture recognize that this is the truth from the Lord. (28:23) Then, 146. Those who received previous scripture recognize this, just as they recognize their own children. (28:31) The question I want to raise is this. Is Allah not telling the Jews that in the final analysis, the right Qibla even for the Jews should be from their great-great-grandfather Abraham? (28:48) Because, this entered my mind many times, but I've never read any tafsir where the commentator says, (28:55) this is telling the Jews know that the Kaaba is the first Qibla, but the Jews are becoming also very nationalistic. (29:06) No, they don't have any Qibla now. They don't have anything. Their Qibla is, I think they sit in a circle, in a synagogue now. (29:15) And they pray there. (29:18) But they conquer the city. (29:21) So, I'm just asking that question. Is this telling the Jews that if they want to have the real Qibla, they must look towards the Kaaba? (29:32) Although, I'm afraid now if the Jews come to believe that, they might decide to break Mecca. (29:39) So, we better not say it. (29:40) It becomes their holy land. (29:42) But it is the holy land of all Muslims. According to the Qur'an, many Jews are believers. (29:49) Many Jews are Muslims. Isn't that right? (29:52) Many? (29:52) Some Jews are Muslims. (29:53) Yes. Some Hindus and some Buddhists. (29:56) Therefore, that's also their holy land. (29:57) Very nice. (30:01) You're bad, you know. (30:02) Huh? (30:02) You're bad, you know. (30:04) No, I'm afraid. They might invade it. (30:07) But nothing happens without the will of God. (30:13) This is the truth from your Lord. Do not harbor any doubts. (30:15) Let's finish this subject with the knowledge that we have a commandment from God to face the Qibla in Mecca when we pray. (30:24) And it's a wonderful commandment because, as you see, we stand in one line facing the same direction. (30:32) And it's a very good organizational point. (30:35) You can imagine, if we didn't have that, we'd be looking in a hundred different directions. (30:41) We'd be very disappointed. (30:49) Right. Right, exactly. (30:53) Right, that's the point. (30:55) You feel that in Mecca? (30:57) Yeah. (31:01) I think, in general, that the most undisciplined people on this earth are Muslims. (31:06) But when they pray, they are the most disciplined people. (31:10) It's amazing. In Mecca, if you are upset, all of them... (31:13) It's American, right? (31:14) It is. It's fantastic. (31:16) Do you see the movie that they're showing here? (31:20) Yeah, but I've been there. I've seen it many times. (31:22) See, the movie, you see, when you're there, you're part of the prayer. (31:27) You're making sujood. (31:28) But you see, I had to miss a rak'ah just to take the movie. (31:31) And it's really dramatic. (31:33) And when you see it, it's different. (31:36) You're not part of it. (31:38) Are you the only one standing up? (31:45) Or were you sitting down? (31:46) Yeah, I was the only one standing up. (31:49) The only one. (31:50) Oh, you were not up there. (31:51) Yeah, I was up there. (32:00) OK, let's go to 148, page 16. (32:12) 148 says, To each his own direction. (32:15) Therefore, you shall race towards righteous works. (32:20) Wherever you might be, God will bring you all. (32:22) God is omnipotent. (32:24) Wherever you may go, you shall turn your face... (32:27) Oh, there's the repetition. (32:29) Wherever you may go, you shall turn your face in salat towards the sacred mosque of Mecca. (32:35) This is the truth from your Lord. (32:36) God is never unaware of anything you do. (32:38) Wherever you may go, you shall turn your face during salat towards the sacred mosque of Mecca. (32:47) Wherever you may be, you shall turn your faces towards it. (32:50) Thus, the people will have no argument against you, except the wicked among them. (32:56) Do not fear them, and fear me instead, that I may complete my blessings upon you, that you may be guided. (33:02) So you can see the repetition, indicating how important the commandment is to face the Qibla in Mecca. (33:11) Such blessings as the sending of a messenger from among you, to recite for you our revelations, and to sanctify you, (33:19) and to teach you the scripture and wisdom, and to teach you what you never knew. (33:25) Therefore, you shall remember me, that I may remember you. (33:29) And be thankful to me, do not be unappreciative. (33:37) Okay? Any questions on this part? (33:39) Yeah. (33:48) Why the Jews, the Christians, the Hindus, the Buddhists, the Muslims, and so forth? (33:53) Because 145 says that. (33:55) They will not follow your Qibla, nor should you follow their Qibla. (33:59) Yeah. (34:00) 145 is the repetition. (34:05) Yes. (34:06) The direction of Mecca is for us, specifically. (34:12) The Jews won't do it. (34:13) Because to each congregation is their own law, and they will be judged according to their own law. (34:25) So God says, you shall compete in righteousness. (34:29) All of us should compete in righteousness. (34:37) Okay, part of it I'm going to take, but just pass this part. (34:46) Yes. (34:47) Oh, you who believe, keep your trust in the steadfastness of your heart, (34:52) and trust in the strength of the steadfastness of your heart. (34:55) Do not say about your children what they are dead, when they are alive, (35:02) but keep your trust in the strength of your heart. (35:07) That means that for a year, a hundred, trust in the steadfastness of your heart. (35:17) The steadfastness is right there. (35:20) They say, they are the steadfastness. (35:38) Okay. (36:05) So steadfastness, steadfastness is very important. (36:12) You may want to come to God because you want to be happy in this world and hereafter. (36:21) So after a year of praying five times a day, fasting the month of Ramadan, (36:27) following God's law, you still have problems. (36:32) Then you say, what is this? I came to God because I want to be happy. (36:36) How come I have problems? (36:39) Then you say you are not a Muslim. (36:42) You didn't come to God. You came to happiness. (36:46) You must be proven that you know that God is the master. (36:52) It doesn't matter what happens to you. (36:54) Happiness or misery or accidents. (36:56) What? (36:57) I mean, it's a knowledge that is established in your mind, in your conviction. (37:03) And it doesn't matter what happens. (37:04) It's not going to change. (37:06) Therefore, you must be proven. (37:08) You must be shown that you have reached that conviction. (37:11) And that is proven by steadfastness. (37:14) Steadfastness is very important. (37:17) It may take 15 years. (37:19) It may take 20 years. (37:21) Until you attain that state of perfect happiness. (37:24) It may take two months. (37:26) But the state of perfect happiness is not the object. (37:30) The object is belief in God. (37:33) Knowing that God is the master. (37:36) In fact, when you say, why is this happening to me? (37:39) You are not a Muslim. You are not submitting. You are objecting. (37:42) It's an objection. (37:44) You are not a Muslim yet and you don't deserve the perfect happiness. (37:48) Where there are no problems. (37:51) When you say, why is this happening to me? (37:53) I prayed my five prayers. (37:55) It's because you haven't come to God. (37:57) You have come to happiness. (37:59) This is your objection. (38:01) You want a life without any problems? (38:05) So this is what you want. (38:07) And this is what you worship. (38:11) Now, what are the choices? (38:14) Now, you can be steadfast for 15 years and then you attain the perfect conviction. (38:19) The perfect happiness that comes as a side effect. (38:22) Now, that's something on the side. (38:24) It's not your objective. (38:26) It will come as a natural consequence of your deep conviction that God is the only master. (38:33) The other choice is to be steadfast 15 years of misery and then go on. (38:41) In other words, you'll be steadfast for 15 years and then attain perfect happiness. (38:46) Or, have the 15 years of misery plus eternal misery. (38:50) That's the other choice. (38:53) There are no other choices. (38:57) So steadfastness is very important. (38:59) Seek help through steadfastness. (39:01) You're steadfast. You're unshakable. (39:04) It doesn't matter what happens. (39:06) Something happens to you. (39:07) Why did this happen to me? (39:08) I'm not going to pray today. (39:09) That's cutting your nose to spite your faith. (39:14) So when you're convinced, nothing is going to change that knowledge. (39:19) Okay, questions? (39:20) Verify this. (39:21) Go on. (39:27) Exactly. (39:50) This is why the verses of the Test came immediately after steadfastness. (39:55) Because God wants you to show the angels and to show Satan that you are convinced that he is the only master (40:02) and nothing is going to change that no matter what happens. (40:05) Extreme success, extreme failure, health, sickness. (40:09) Better or worse. (40:14) Letitia's turn. (40:36) What I'm trying to say is, knowing it. (40:39) Knowing that you're being put to a test. (40:42) Again, not submitting it. (40:44) If that's steadfastness, what kind of test is that? (40:47) Is that going to shake the ground or what? (40:48) You know, like if you know all along this happened, but then you go, (40:54) The test, in your case, is being far away without transportation. (40:59) That's the test. (41:01) So you have to struggle. (41:02) You have to go around and find the right, which is what we did. (41:07) And you have to do your best to go to the Qur'an study. (41:12) That's what you're supposed to do. (41:14) But then if you can't find the right and there's no way you can make it, (41:19) then you've satisfied the requirements. (41:21) And then you submit to that. (41:23) That's submission. (41:25) After you do what you're supposed to do. (41:28) So after you do your best and you cannot accomplish it, then you submit. (41:33) You don't object. (41:36) Submitters do not object. (41:38) Inga's turn. (41:40) Omar, I've always been afraid of how many times in Qur'an they read that (41:43) the children and the wealth, and I think this is a good thing, (41:53) but something that kind of surprises me, because I know so many times, (41:56) I and probably other people, things happen to us and we say, (42:01) well, we don't have a job, but somehow we know we're going to be taken care of (42:05) or the money will appear in time. (42:08) We sort of count on it, and so it's okay that we don't have a lot, (42:12) because we know the basics of what we're supposed to do. (42:14) I've seen hundreds listed here like this. (42:16) It's like saying to me, if you're getting even worse, there's more, (42:21) but it's still just going to be a test. (42:23) I guess I don't think that's a fear, but I think I'm happy that I've read this, (42:26) because if things get worse, or for anybody, (42:30) it's like there would be no savings. (42:33) I think I might have reacted differently. (42:37) The teachings of Qur'an will come to you at the right time, (42:41) when you need it, at the time you need it. (42:43) It's like, the Qur'an is never a boring book, (42:46) because every time you read it, you get something new out of it. (42:49) And you say, I've got to read this a million times, how come I didn't see it? (42:53) Because you're not ready yet. (42:56) You know, it's quite important, I think, (42:58) that this is the real requirement in order to be a good translator. (43:05) The reason is that maybe the license to be a good translator (43:09) is probably related to the degree of the cognition that you give. (43:16) Is it real? (43:17) I think if there is a bad translator, (43:19) you know, as a translator, (43:23) you know that you train some of those qualities, (43:28) some of those kinds of qualities, yourself. (43:31) For example, if you take the fear of loss of wealth, (43:36) when you get rich, you always remember the fool. (43:39) You can, you know, help the fool. (43:42) And if you have a child, (43:46) or if you don't have a child, (43:48) and you fear the loss of the child, (43:50) and then your child appreciates more. (43:55) Or things like this, you know. (43:58) And when you're set fast to reward it, that's wrong. (44:02) But the idea is, (44:05) I give you a good example. (44:07) When you were young, you probably did this, and I did this, (44:10) when you were young and not quite certain of the reason, (44:15) you know how the examinations back home are really tough, (44:18) and they really make you and break you. (44:20) And I noticed that I and my friends were more religious (44:22) in the days of examinations than I was then. (44:26) Which means, you know, when you don't need God, (44:29) you know, you don't pray as much, you're not as religiously restricted. (44:33) But when you are squeezed, (44:36) then you turn to God. (44:37) So God says, you must be set fast under all circumstances. (44:42) And we're giving examples in the Quran where people are riding a boat (44:45) and they come, there's a storm, they're about to drown, (44:49) and then they turn to God. (44:50) And here's God's example from this one. (44:52) As soon as they land themselves, they forget God. (44:55) You see, that's not set fast. (44:56) Set fast means, you think of God, (44:59) under all circumstances, whether the boat is going nice, (45:01) or it's drowning, or you're on land, or in sea, (45:03) or in stormy conditions, or in pacific conditions. (45:09) Question inaudible (45:24) Yep. (45:42) Everything you say, (45:43) from the time you wake up to the time you sleep, (45:46) you can say a lot. (45:49) There are many things you have to think about. (45:52) How much did you pay for this? (45:55) Did you get the accurate price? (45:58) Did you buy it? (46:02) You know, there are many things that we have to watch out for. (46:06) This thing about how easily you forget, (46:09) this is, I think, very normal. (46:12) It should not be normal. (46:13) Like this, you know, it happens. (46:16) Allah, I want this letter, let's say, from my mother. (46:19) And every day you're missing Allah, I want this letter. (46:23) And after waiting three or four weeks, (46:25) the mailman comes with the letter. (46:27) And when you see it, you forget Allah. (46:30) You take the mailman, you give him a tip, (46:33) and after reading the letter, then you realize. (46:36) You think everybody except Allah. (46:42) It's very, I think, very normal. (46:45) Notice also, seek help through steadfastness in Salat prayer. (46:49) If you are steadfast, and you're doing your Salat, (46:52) you're going to receive help. (47:16) Exhort each other. (47:17) Yes, exhort each other to be steadfast. (47:20) And if you see 156, (47:23) it says, if a disaster should strike them, (47:26) they say, we belong to God and to Him. (47:28) In other words, the Muslim says, (47:31) this is what God wants to do to me. (47:42) When I got in trouble in Libya, (47:45) and they threw me in the dungeon, (47:47) I was very upset. (47:49) I was very objecting for a couple of days. (47:53) Why, why, why is this happening to me? (47:57) And then, I was, they don't give you any books, nothing. (48:01) They just don't give you clothes, nothing. (48:03) I was afraid I would forget the Quran, (48:05) so I was reading it continuously. (48:07) And then I came to a verse in surah 15 that says, --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://rashad-khalifa-audios-and-videos.gitbook.io/rashad-khalifa-audios-and-videos/messenger-audios/messenger-audio-18.1-26-nov-1982.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. 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