Messenger Audio 20.1 (10-Dec-1982)

(0:01) Allah, Allah, Allah. (0:09) Asha'Allah Ya Hayy Allah. (0:14) Asha'Allah Ya Hayy Allah. (0:21) Hayya laghfala hayya. (0:55) God willing, we are realizing that we have only one function in this world. (1:00) We are here, we were created for one purpose, and that is to recognize God as the only (1:07) master, the only king, and to worship him, serve him alone, without any partners. (1:18) The first two verses of surah 67 tell us that the whole purpose of creation (1:26) is to test the human being. That is what becomes very important in surah 67, verses 1 and 2. (1:40) Most exalted is the one who possesses all kingship. He is omnipotent. He is the one who created death (1:47) and life in order to test you and distinguish righteous among you. He is the almighty, (1:54) he is the forgiver. Because death is a new creation. Initially there was no death, (2:00) it was God and the angels. There was no death. Then one of the angels had the various ideas. (2:08) He wanted, Satan wanted to be a partner with God. So God wants to show Satan and to show the angels (2:15) that there are creatures who never see God, but will worship God without need for a partner. (2:22) The whole idea of our existence here in this world is that God does not need a partner. (2:27) And we fulfill the purpose of our life if we worship God without a partner, without idolizing (2:33) Muhammad or Jesus or Mary or saints or anything or anyone. This is the whole idea. And we want to (2:40) come to a certain knowledge that will stick with us no matter what happens. Under any circumstances (2:53) we will have that knowledge that God is the only life. Our motto is God alone. This is our motto. (3:01) And we put it here on this sign. Realize that the only salvation is in worshiping God alone. (3:11) That you don't think that anything or anyone can benefit you or harm you, (3:16) except in accordance with God's will. (3:20) Can you move? Can you move? (3:27) What I was doing the last few khutbahs was to (3:33) bring to us awareness about the greatness of God, how great God is. (3:38) And this is a continuation of the same subject. I tried to imagine with you the seven universes, (3:48) how vast this universe is, being the smallest and innermost of seven universes, (3:54) and how all seven universes are in God's hand. (3:59) So I think I will move on to the next issue of the slide. I'm going to turn this on. (4:07) Can you situate yourself where you can see the screen? We must be different from anyone else in (4:25) that we must acquire full awareness of the greatness of God. And what we have here is (4:34) an actual picture, thanks to the slide from the picture that you've seen before. (4:41) This is an actual picture of the planet Earth from 100,000 miles. 100,000 miles is nothing. (4:52) 250,000 miles is the moon. 4 million miles to get to the sun. The sun is 4 million miles away. (5:00) And these are all small distances within the solar system, (5:04) which is a small component of the Milky Way galaxy. The whole solar system (5:12) within the Milky Way galaxy is like a speck of dust in this room. The Milky Way galaxy (5:22) is like this room and the whole solar system like a speck of dust. And there are a billion galaxies, (5:28) 1,000 million galaxies, and all of them are in the smallest universe. Now when you look at it like (5:37) this, who's holding it? Who's holding this in space? You know where you are? Can you imagine (5:46) where you are? Let's get closer. Let's get closer. You can see Saudi Arabia here. This is Mecca right (5:57) here. This is the Red Sea. The Arabian Peninsula is right here. My hometown is right here. (6:06) Egypt is there. You see my mother? You met her. (6:13) I just want to bring to our minds how minute we are and how great God is and the insignificance (6:22) of the human beings that are being idolized. You see right in this spot is Jerusalem right here. (6:30) And in this spot 2,000 years ago, a man lived for 33 years, which is a blink of an eye as far as (6:37) history is concerned. Jesus lived in this little place here on this small tiny planet. And (6:47) yet the people idolize him. My mother's beard is out. (6:55) Your head covered half the earth. That's how small it is. (7:04) And right here in Mecca and Medina lived Abraham and Muhammad for a very brief period of time. (7:11) Yet the people idolize him. They treat him like a god. They cannot stand to mention God alone (7:19) without mentioning Muhammad beside him, or Jesus, or Mary, or some saint. (7:27) We have to think, now who's holding this? (7:36) You're helping me. You're trying to prove that the earth is very small. (7:42) This is all of Africa right here. (7:47) This is the Mediterranean Sea over here. And this is all of South Africa right here. (7:53) This is South Pole. (7:57) Now the United States is on the other side. And you happen to be standing sideways, (8:02) according to this picture. You don't feel like you're like this, do you? (8:08) But you can see, back to the question, who's holding this in space? (8:15) Who's holding the solar system? The sun with its brightness, its heat. (8:22) God is holding it. The Quran teaches us that God is holding the earth, (8:27) and the sun, and the Milky Way galaxy, and the billion galaxies, the billion trillion stars. (8:35) God is holding them. The Quran says, if anyone should hold them, they will tumble in space. (8:43) If he doesn't hold the earth and the heavenly bodies, they will all tumble in space. (8:49) You see? This is an actual picture. (8:54) From 100,000 miles away. And this ball here is hanging in space, teeming with life, including you. (9:03) And God is holding it. You have to think of the greatness of God, and the insignificance of the human beings that are being idolized. (9:11) When you go out in the street at night and take a picture at random, you have 10,000 stars. (9:18) Now this is a very small portion of the sky, isn't it? Very small. (9:22) You have to make a complete 360-degree circle. (9:29) This is a very minute portion of the sky that the camera saw. (9:33) Yet if you count there, on the average, you count 10,000 stars. (9:40) Just take a picture of that. (9:44) Okay, now let us stabilize. (9:51) We are trying to understand the greatness of God, and the insignificance of whatever they are trying to idolize. (9:59) Look up Sura 5, verse 75. (10:02) Sura 5, verse 75. (10:07) Page 79. (10:10) It says, Christ, the son of Mary, was no more than a messenger, like the messengers before him, (10:17) and his mother a saint. (10:20) Both of them used to eat the food. (10:24) Alright? Now remember that statement. (10:26) Then we go to 21.8. (10:28) It talks about all the prophets. (10:30) 21.8. (10:35) That's page 219. (10:37) Describes the prophets as, (10:39) We did not give them bodies that required no food, nor were they immortal. (10:47) And then we move on to 25.7. (10:50) Sura 25, verse 7. (11:01) It says, And they said, (11:03) How come this messenger eats the food, and walks in the market? (11:08) How come he has no hands, and with him feeds him? (11:11) And in the same Sura, verse 20, (11:17) All the messengers we sent before you, (11:20) used to eat the food, and walk in the market. (11:24) What does this mean? (11:25) They used to eat the food. (11:28) See, the Quran is very polite. (11:29) But I'm not as polite as the Quran. (11:33) What happens when you eat the food? (11:36) You digest it, (11:40) I didn't say anything. (11:44) See, these are the people they idolized. (11:46) They idolized Jesus, and Mary, and Muhammad. (11:49) And God says in the Quran, (11:50) that all of them used to eat the food, (11:53) and walk in the market. (11:54) You had to go to the market to buy food, (11:57) clothes, (11:59) and toilet paper. (12:02) But they didn't have toilet paper. (12:05) They didn't even have that. (12:06) They had rocks. (12:10) And according to Hadith, you had to use three rocks. (12:19) See, the people (12:22) The people who idolize (12:26) the Prophet are the ones who are most (12:29) disrespecting of him. (12:30) Or any other Prophet. (12:31) They didn't have water, (12:35) they didn't have toilet paper, (12:36) they had to use rocks. (12:38) So you go to the market to buy toilet paper, (12:41) in those days you must have bought rocks. (12:44) They have guests, you have to be in much of a hurry. (12:46) Get me nine rocks, will you? (12:52) You have a big party, you know, (12:54) it will be 18, 27 (13:04) But they can't be used though. (13:07) See, if anybody is supposed to idolize anybody, (13:10) they in those days are supposed to idolize us. (13:13) Because we are a lot cleaner. (13:16) They used to walk around unclean, (13:18) they didn't have perfume either. (13:21) That's really bad. (13:27) We're trying to understand the insignificance of the human being. (13:31) And the Quran deliberately (13:34) tells us (13:35) that all the Prophets used to walk in the market (13:39) and eat the food. (13:42) Jesus, Mary, the Saints, Muhammad. (13:46) You can see the stupidity of (13:48) idolizing them. (13:50) And this is one of the things (13:51) that most of the human beings in the Hereafter (13:54) will discover. (13:56) How stupid they were. (13:58) What is the ugliest animal (14:00) you can think of? (14:02) The pig. (14:04) The pig is about the ugliest animal. (14:06) And God made it haram, (14:07) don't eat pork. (14:10) So in the Hereafter they will say, (14:11) how stupid, you know. (14:13) I just want God to go to this ugly creature. (14:17) Because of this ugly creature. (14:19) Or idolize (14:20) this insignificant human being (14:22) who lived near, for a blink of an eye, (14:28) a human being who had needs. (14:30) Who had to go to the market, (14:31) eat the food, and had headaches (14:33) and stomach pain. (14:45) We have to constantly (14:46) be aware (14:48) of the greatness of God. (14:50) Everywhere we go. (14:53) Because Satan will always (14:54) take advantage of your unawareness. (14:56) Any time you are unaware, Satan will (14:59) try to make you forget. (15:08) With this awareness you must be aware (15:10) also that (15:12) when you appreciate God (15:13) and worship Him alone, (15:16) God promises that He will make you (15:18) a king or queen or whatever. (15:20) That everything will go your way. (15:22) That nothing ever bad will happen to you. (15:25) And these are no exaggerations. (15:31) I can give you practical examples (15:33) right in this mosque (15:34) that include all of us. (15:42) Because this is about (15:43) the only place that worships (15:45) God alone, that I know of. (15:49) The word is spreading, Alhamdulillah, (15:51) as you will see in the second book. (15:54) But it is spreading (15:55) painfully small. (16:02) There is a lot of resistance (16:03) on the part of Satan. (16:05) But like God says in the Quran, (16:06) they want to put out God's light (16:08) but God will perfect His light (16:11) against the will (16:12) of the idol worshippers. (16:17) So we have practical examples (16:19) right here. (16:21) And we have (16:23) to thank God first (16:25) before we talk (16:26) about (16:28) our group and how perfect it is (16:30) inshallah. Because we owe it (16:32) to Allah. And on the Day of Judgment (16:34) the people in Heaven will say (16:36) thank God who guided us through this (16:38) or we could not be guided without His guidance. (16:41) When we worship God alone (16:44) God fulfills His promise to us (16:46) between kings and queens on earth. (16:49) And you have to know that. (16:51) You must believe that without the slightest doubt (16:53) or hesitation. Because it is (16:55) part of believing in God. (16:58) You know the Quran (16:59) is true. (17:01) We have physical proof that it is the word of God. (17:03) And God says in it, I promise you (17:05) if you worship me alone (17:06) this is in 2455 (17:08) God says I promise you (17:11) I'm going to say it literally (17:13) God promises those (17:16) who believe among you (17:17) and lead a righteous life (17:19) that He will make them kings or queens on earth. (17:22) And that is because (17:23) repeated at the end of the verse (17:25) they worship me without any partners. (17:29) We know that Muhammad (17:30) and Jesus and Mary are insignificant (17:34) they are helpless, powerless (17:35) they are dead right now (17:36) they can do nothing. The Quran repeats (17:41) that Muhammad (17:42) cannot benefit you or harm you. (17:45) In fact it goes further (17:46) I cannot benefit myself or harm myself (17:50) except in accordance with God's will. (17:56) You cannot even kill yourself (17:57) unless it is God's will (17:59) so don't try it. (18:01) But there are people who tried to kill themselves (18:04) we know one right here (18:05) I mean not one of us but a relative of one of us (18:09) and she shot herself in the head (18:11) the bullet went through her head (18:12) but she is still alive, she is alright (18:13) she couldn't kill herself (18:16) so nobody can benefit you (18:18) or harm you except God (18:20) or except in accordance with God's will. (18:23) Repent and think of God's fairness (18:25) and be aware of it always. (18:42) This opening statement (18:43) of every book says praise be to God (18:45) I bear witness there is no God except (18:47) He alone (18:48) He has no partner. (18:53) In this second talk I'm going to talk about (18:55) a number of subjects (18:58) and of scattered (19:07) I'm saying that (19:08) the message is spreading (19:10) I meant to bring (19:12) a letter that I have on my desk (19:14) to read to you (19:18) let me get just one letter to come back (19:20) I always do that don't I? (19:21) Our motto is God alone (19:31) and we follow the word of God alone (19:33) we don't follow the words of men (19:34) this fellow (19:36) from India (19:38) writes to me every week (19:40) he writes (19:41) I sent him a Quran (19:43) one of our translations (19:49) and you can see the progression (19:50) in his letters (19:51) from an adamant Hadith and Sunnah supporter (19:56) to this letter (19:57) this is the last one of the letters (20:01) I should have kept all of them (20:02) I didn't keep all of them (20:19) do you believe this is the wrong letter? (20:24) it is the same guy (20:25) but he sends a letter every week (20:29) some of you saw the letter before this one (20:31) where he said that (20:34) because they cannot (20:35) worship God alone (20:36) they don't want to stick to Quran alone (20:38) so the normal Muslims go to Hadith (20:43) can you give me one more chance to go get the other one? (20:49) see they look alike (20:52) and it comes soon enough (20:54) once a week at least (21:00) well I like the statement he made (21:02) and it's very satisfying to see that (21:04) people are coming to the truth (21:18) because (21:20) because Allah alone (21:23) is commemorated in the Quran (21:26) the normal Muslims (21:30) turn away from it (21:32) and go to Hadith (21:34) and Sunnah (21:35) which upholds Muhammad and Allah (21:38) both in competition to each other (21:41) so you can see that he's come a long way (21:44) and he considers going to Hadith (21:46) and Sunnah as being a normal Muslim (21:52) that's one (21:53) two weeks ago (21:56) a friend of mine who just came from Egypt (21:58) he said that the Union of Islamic Banks (22:02) printed 1 million copies of my summary (22:06) I have an Arabic summary (22:09) that's about 10 pages (22:10) so they printed 1 million copies of it (22:12) and the biggest contractor in Egypt (22:15) his name is Ahmad Osman (22:19) and some of you (22:20) watched the program about Sadat (22:22) about a month ago (22:23) he was on that program (22:25) he printed 1 million copies (22:28) distributing them (22:32) now they don't send a penny to me for this (22:36) which is nothing (22:37) because Allah rewards (22:39) God rewards for anything you do (22:45) one more subject is (22:49) starting tomorrow after Dhikr (22:51) we're going to start our Arabic lessons (22:56) because usually after Dhikr (22:58) we're kind of intoxicated (23:00) and we do silly things (23:03) like have pillow fights (23:06) those of you who don't come to Dhikr (23:08) miss me (23:11) so instead of the pillow fights (23:13) and chasing the kids around (23:17) we'll have Arabic lessons (23:19) starting tomorrow (23:20) so those of you who come tomorrow (23:22) bring a notebook (23:24) and we're going to learn the Arabic from the Quran (23:30) finally (23:31) I want to talk about the names (23:34) our names (23:39) as it turns out (23:41) now this is a personal opinion (23:43) and you may like it or not like it (23:47) but the Quran talks about the (23:49) adoption (23:52) and orders us (23:53) to keep the children's original names (23:59) I was listening to the radio the other day (24:01) they had some psychic (24:03) on the radio (24:04) and she was saying (24:06) that the name that you're born with (24:09) not that I believe (24:10) this junk (24:12) she can tell you things (24:13) from the name you're born with (24:15) but that reminded me of this subject (24:18) which this is a position (24:19) that I get all the time (24:21) and I wrote about it (24:22) and a lot of people didn't like it (24:25) so it will be your choice (24:27) but the Quran advocates (24:29) that we keep our original names (24:34) another thing (24:35) we had (24:36) if you remember there was an Iranian fellow (24:39) and he had a wife and a daughter (24:41) for two years long (24:44) and she (24:44) sat here and she said what are the names (24:47) of the people here (24:49) and so I told her this is Rashid (24:50) this is Din Mahmoud, this is Mashuda (24:52) this is Iman (24:55) this is Laila, this is Fatima (24:56) this is Sinobar (24:59) this is Mariam, this is Latifa (25:00) this is Sanira (25:02) this is Rahima (25:04) and the girl said (25:06) this place is not for me (25:07) because her name was (25:09) what was her name (25:12) Shiri (25:15) so that's another point (25:16) because people will think that (25:19) Islam is for people who have changed names (25:25) because the names are not (25:27) permitted names to them (25:29) and (25:30) whatever I wrote about this subject (25:32) I said I don't see why a Zoroastrian cannot be a Muslim (25:35) and after all (25:36) I think there will be more Mohammed's in hand (25:39) than (25:40) than (25:41) than Zoroastrians (25:43) maybe (25:46) so (25:48) as far as I'm concerned I'd like to call (25:51) well Rashid changed his name officially (25:54) I'd like to call (25:55) Iman Lisa and (25:56) Laila Kathleen and Fatima Barbara Jean (26:00) and Latifa (26:02) no? (26:07) Sanira will be Debbie and (26:08) Wali will be August (26:11) and Dawood will be David (26:12) Rahima will be Loretta (26:14) yeah (26:24) this is the official name (26:32) yes (26:34) I mean it seems like the Quran advocates (26:37) that we keep the name that we're born with (26:41) what if we don't like the name (26:45) see that sounds (26:46) what if you don't like your height (26:50) it's something you inherit (26:53) yeah (26:59) like I said (27:01) it's a personal opinion (27:03) you have to (27:05) our affairs are based on consultation (27:07) so (27:16) yeah (27:30) I heard (27:31) I heard the theory (27:33) the slave name (27:35) the name of the master (27:37) from the old tribe (27:39) and so forth (27:40) you will have your opinions (27:42) but it seems like (27:46) yep (27:48) if we look at it carefully (27:49) and we find that the Quran says (27:50) do not change your name (27:51) then we have no choice (27:54) it is a matter of discussion (27:56) we refer to the father's name which would be the last name (27:58) yeah (28:00) the adoption is perceived (28:01) your first name is kind of arbitrary (28:03) there are many angles to this (28:08) because (28:12) according to the present system (28:13) here where people (28:14) the adopted children get the name of the (28:17) adopting father (28:20) theoretically a person can marry his sister (28:24) because children are (28:26) scattered (28:26) they have different names (28:28) and then these two (28:30) meet and cut it (28:32) I don't know if it's my imagination or not (28:34) but it seems like people who look alike (28:35) get together (28:43) I mean (28:44) the boyfriend and girlfriend (28:45) they really look alike (28:46) a lot of them (28:47) but she's lucky that she (29:04) doesn't change her name (29:05) in the middle east we never change (29:09) the wife doesn't change her name (29:11) you don't mind the joke do you (29:15) this is a standard (29:16) joke (29:19) she's beautiful (29:46) a description rather than a name (32:36) even if they read the bible it's incomplete (32:39) because it was edited in 300 A.D. (32:42) by a council of people (32:43) even in spite of all the corrections (32:46) and distortions (32:48) if they follow the bible (32:49) as it is printed today (32:51) they will be muslim (32:53) with all the distortions and deficiencies (32:55) and additions (32:56) it says that you are supposed to worship jesus in the bible (32:59) no (33:00) no it doesn't (33:02) it says that (33:05) the blood of christ is the lamb of god (33:08) who washes away all sin (33:10) and that only through jesus (33:12) can you come to the father (33:13) right out of the bible (33:14) only through jesus can you go to the father (33:17) right out of the bible (33:18) that's a mistranslation (33:22) the quran says the same thing (33:24) it says whoever obeys the messenger (33:26) obeys god (33:27) which is the same thing in the bible (33:30) because (33:32) now you have to take (33:33) the whole thing in totality (33:35) because the bible says (33:37) i'm going to put my words in his mouth (33:39) and you must listen to my words (33:41) that he offers (33:42) so if you disobey those words (33:44) you're disobeying god (33:46) now when they translate it from the aramaic (33:48) to the hebrew to the greek to the english (33:50) you can see how it evolved (33:52) into what you think it says (33:54) when they tack down the letters of paul (33:56) which were written in greek (33:58) that's where most of it (33:59) that's like jihad (34:03) most of that (34:04) if you listen to these guys on sunday (34:05) going on about jesus (34:07) they love to quote corinthians (34:08) they love to quote hebrews (34:10) they love to quote the letters of paul (34:11) who was paul, paul never even met jesus (34:13) he was never even around when the event happened (34:16) but they take the words of paul (34:18) and his letters to his buddies (34:19) and corinthians and rome (34:21) they put that on the same level (34:23) as the words of jesus or the words of moses (34:25) so actually the christianity of today (34:29) is paulism (34:31) but if you take the bible (34:33) in totality (34:35) you see that it says (34:37) that jesus is not god (34:39) and says that we are all (34:41) children of god (34:43) there is no such thing as the only begotten son (34:46) and if they take (34:48) the whole thing in totality they would be muslims (34:51) but (34:52) they don't follow the bible (34:55) these verses here in 165 167 (34:58) are identical to (35:00) matthew 7 23 (35:02) free mind (35:03) prerequisite for salvation (35:06) do you have a microphone? (35:09) all people (35:14) seek from everything that is local (35:17) and good (35:18) and we must follow the steps of satan (35:21) since we are then enemies (35:23) to direct you towards vice (35:25) and evil (35:26) and to invent lies (35:28) and attribute them to us (35:32) then when they are told (35:34) follow only god's commandments (35:36) they say (35:38) we follow what we found (35:39) our parents doing (35:42) what is their parents lack (35:43) the understanding and guidance (35:46) the example of such disbelievers (35:48) is that of the pharaoh (35:50) they repeat what they (35:52) heard without understanding (35:54) deaf (35:56) down and blind (35:56) they fail to understand (36:00) all you who believe (36:02) seek from the good things (36:03) we provide for you (36:05) and be thankful to god (36:07) with whom you worship him alone (36:08) we only prohibit from you (36:11) animals that die of themselves (36:13) blood (36:14) the meat of pigs (36:17) and animals sacrificed (36:19) in any name other than god (36:22) however (36:23) if one is forced to eat (36:25) without being malicious (36:27) or deliberate (36:29) then he incurs no sin (36:31) god is forgiver (36:34) those who (36:36) conceal god's revelation (36:37) seeking (36:39) a lowly material gain (36:41) are eating fire (36:43) into their belly (36:45) god will not speak to them on the day of resurrection (36:48) nor will he sanctify them (36:50) they will suffer (36:51) painful retribution (36:53) it is they who choose (36:55) disdain instead of guidance (36:56) and retribution instead of forgiveness (36:59) consequently (37:01) they will have to endure the hellfire (37:04) that is because (37:05) god has sent down the spirit field (37:07) swiftly (37:08) and those who dispute the spirit field (37:10) are in manifest defilement (37:16) well i don't know (37:17) what i can say about this (37:18) it's so clear (37:22) actually (37:25) at least (37:25) we can conclude (37:27) from what i've read (37:29) that aside from those things (37:31) that are prohibited (37:33) any rule (37:36) against certain (37:37) foods (37:38) and so on (37:40) made by human beings (37:42) without authority from allah (37:45) are in the long run (37:47) the work of satan himself (37:49) and this is found (37:51) all over the world (37:52) i know it's a matter of fact (37:55) that in (37:57) in india and pakistan (37:59) especially among the hanafis (38:02) they did not eat (38:04) shrimps (38:05) they did not eat lobsters (38:07) they did not eat (38:09) crabs (38:12) well they are missing something (38:17) that's for sure (38:20) and also this idea of (38:23) the holiness (38:24) of certain animals (38:26) like cows and so on (38:28) in the long run this is not helping (38:31) many people (38:32) i can imagine (38:33) that this is doctor's order (38:35) maybe too much meat might be bad (38:38) for certain people especially (38:39) if they reach a certain age (38:42) but in india i've seen (38:44) i've been to india maybe 22 times (38:46) i've seen cows go to the market place (38:49) they are not at all touched (38:51) they wander (38:52) they walk among the people (38:54) and these cows have very long tongues (38:56) they see vegetables (38:58) they stick out their tongues (39:01) and they grab all the food (39:03) and no one harms (39:05) any cow (39:06) which is nice in some ways (39:09) to see how people are gentle to animals (39:11) but the seller becomes poor (39:19) but if a human being (39:21) steals one (39:25) one eggplant (39:27) they beat him up (39:29) and so on (39:31) i think that this is (39:33) i don't know who invented (39:35) meat vegetarianism (39:37) as a religious rule (39:42) anyhow (39:45) in south east asia (39:47) we have (39:48) a lot of prohibitions too (39:52) may i add also (39:53) among some hanafis (39:55) they will not eat (39:57) these (40:00) what is here (40:02) cucumbers (40:03) they will not eat cucumbers (40:04) that are slightly bitter (40:07) because of a hadith (40:08) which says that the prophet (40:10) one time ate it and he said (40:11) it's too bitter (40:16) this is an addition (40:17) there are some hadiths that prohibit (40:19) extra food and so on (40:21) and this causes a lot of (40:23) wastage of (40:25) natural resources (40:30) but how about (40:35) some food that is good (40:37) but it just happened (40:38) that it was dedicated to (40:40) an idol (40:41) this is a prohibition also (40:44) because it involves (40:46) the principle of (40:48) shirk or idol worship (40:51) i would like also to mention (40:57) something very interesting (40:58) i didn't have it in the states (40:59) but i travelled a lot (41:01) there are some chinese (41:03) who embrace islam (41:07) and they get the picture of their father (41:13) and they put it on the wall (41:15) and they have beautiful fruits (41:17) apples (41:18) imported because we don't have this in our country (41:20) apples, oranges (41:21) and they put the front (41:25) of the picture (41:26) and they bow down (41:30) to the picture of their parents (41:32) and so on (41:38) what we call (41:41) ancestor worship (41:43) but it's a transition (41:46) sometimes (41:46) one cannot be very hard on this (41:48) the new converts to islam (41:51) because they are passing through a transition (41:53) or transitory period (41:55) from a form of (41:57) quote on quote paganism (41:58) to islam (42:06) but i personally think (42:08) it's a waste of good food (42:09) put it in the picture of (42:10) a dead father or grandfather (42:13) and in some ways (42:15) it's even possible (42:17) that this falls under this rule (42:18) that they have been offered (42:20) in the name of someone else (42:23) besides Allah (42:27) and the thinking of some of the (42:29) ulama in our country (42:30) is that the fact that these fruits (42:32) are offered to a dead ancestor (42:35) and has not been (42:36) offered to Allah himself (42:38) being a form of (42:41) ancestor (42:41) a kind of pagan worship (42:44) the ulama say (42:45) just convince the old men not to put those fruits (42:49) so that all of us can have a share in it (42:52) and we were successful in convincing (42:55) some of the chinese and so on (42:58) but i think (42:59) the question is the matter of symbolism (43:02) this is the uncompromising (43:04) monotheism of (43:06) of islam (43:07) however i think personally (43:09) this is just my opinion (43:12) if one is in danger of (43:13) starvation (43:14) then maybe (43:19) without taking the intention of transgressing (43:24) as the imam al-ghazali says (43:29) between two evils (43:30) starving and eating a little pork (43:33) to live in order to pray (43:34) better make one's (43:36) salvation true (43:38) these are two evils (43:39) we have to choose the lesser evil (43:43) in other cases it's not deliberate (43:46) we know as a matter of fact that (43:48) when we look in travels (43:50) and people know (43:52) this happens in (43:55) asia (43:56) especially among christians (43:58) they know that we are muslims (44:00) and we tell them we cannot eat pork (44:02) they say yes (44:03) in other matter of fact (44:05) that they sometimes make fun (44:07) they throw a piece of (44:10) pork, that's done in the army (44:12) i know this piece has been brought to my attention (44:14) among soldiers (44:15) they put a piece of pork (44:17) and give it to the muslims (44:18) and say this is very good (44:21) they have no pork (44:21) and the muslims say (44:23) oh this is very nice food (44:25) then they all laugh behind their backs (44:26) now there is no sin for these muslims (44:29) but it is very malicious (44:31) and i say (44:33) the harm is not upon (44:36) the muslim who is innocent (44:37) it's among those who are (44:40) malicious (44:41) and there is no (44:43) there is no sin in it (44:46) the quran says it very clear (44:47) without being malicious (44:49) or deliberate (44:50) then he says (44:52) no sin (44:57) i cannot mention the other (45:02) verses (45:03) that may help us here (45:07) that it appears (45:08) that for some time (45:10) the jews (45:12) were prohibited from certain kinds of food (45:14) at the time of (45:17) discipline or (45:18) punishment from Allah (45:19) if you remember (45:22) but it is very interesting (45:23) because (45:25) the quran mentions that when Christ came (45:27) he said that one need not (45:29) follow that (45:31) any more (45:35) i cannot (45:37) i don't have my notes with me (45:41) but (45:43) it is very interesting (45:45) Mr. Laila was showing me (45:47) a recipe (45:49) of chicken liver (45:52) now this is very interesting (45:54) it seems like gossiping (45:56) but it will show us certain insights (46:00) Mr. Mariam (46:01) gave me a recipe (46:02) where in you can mix chicken liver (46:04) with chicken heart (46:06) but in the jewish (46:09) recipe (46:10) they use butter (46:13) although that comes from an animal (46:15) in other words the jews (46:16) never fry meat (46:18) with oil or fat (46:21) the same animal (46:24) the jews (46:25) will not boil meat with milk (46:27) this is haram to them (46:29) the jews will not (46:31) fry meat (46:33) with cow's fat (46:35) or with chicken fat (46:37) they use olive oil (46:39) or vegetable oil (46:42) the jews also (46:43) will not eat food (46:45) that is combined (46:46) like chicken meat and lamb (46:48) they don't combine (46:51) or beef and lamb (46:52) no it must be (46:54) only one of the kind (46:55) in other words it has become very neurotic (46:59) and we know (47:00) that there is a law (47:01) in society (47:04) unlike the tombs that say (47:06) that a rolling stone (47:08) gathers no moss (47:10) but in society it is different (47:12) as a social institution (47:14) grows older (47:15) it begins to acquire more moss (47:17) these are the barnacles (47:20) like the sheep (47:20) when the sheep travels longer (47:23) it acquires more barnacles (47:24) and social institutions gather more and more barnacles (47:28) and so this religious (47:29) prohibition becomes (47:31) more and more involved (47:33) and this is what is happening to Islam (47:36) without (47:38) permission from (47:39) Allah himself (47:41) 169 says (47:43) he directs you towards vice (47:45) that is the devil (47:47) and the devil also (47:49) makes us invent lies (47:51) and attribute them (47:52) to God (47:55) so our ulama (47:57) either they are not thinking well (47:59) and sometimes they are not really malicious (48:01) but they are not well trained (48:03) they begin to give us (48:05) so many prohibitions (48:07) that these religious duties (48:09) become more and more difficult (48:11) for some people (48:13) that the time will come (48:14) they get so set up (48:15) they go to hell