In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, a companion of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) who achieved great renown as one of the leading scholars among the companions of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace), reports that he asked the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) once: “Which action is most pleasing to Allah?” He answered: “To pray on time.” I asked: “What comes next?” He answered: “Then comes kindness to one’s parents.” I said: “What comes next?” He said: “Next comes jihad for Allah’s cause.” [Related by Al-Bukhari, Muslim and others.]
This Hadith reveals that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) had a keen insight into what motivates people to work and to sacrifice. We know that prayer is the most important duty imposed by Islam. The first thing that we will be asked in the Day of Judgment is our prayers.
Kindness to parents is placed second in importance. There is no doubt that our parents have the greatest claim on our love and kind treatment. Nothing that we may do for them in their old age, when they grow weaker and more dependent on us, compensates them for the kindness and love they show us when we were young and totally dependent on them.
Next important action is jihad for Allah's cause. Jihad requires a person to recognize the fact that Allah's words are paramount, accept it and hold firmly to it, and to convey it to others. In order to do this; a person may have to sacrifice his wealth and his life. Jihad means to accept these risks willingly. Although most people understand the term to mean fighting the enemies of Islam in order that Islam may achieve supremacy over all other philosophies and creeds, its significance is much wider than its erroneous translation as “holy war”. Every action which serves the purpose of establishing Islam firm in his heart and conveying it to others, including an information campaign, is part of jihad. It earns great reward from Allah. Since jihad requires a positive effort, which involves sacrifice of one’s time, money or life, it tends to overshadow other virtuous actions, which bring us reward from Allah as well.
Calling people to Allah (da'wah) is part of jihad. But before we set the path of da'wah, we must know that part of the Prophetic concern is understanding of the Lord and understanding of the exalted status that He gave to His most beloved, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam), and that we strengthen our own yaqeen (certainty), iman (faith) and sound beliefs.
A person who is seeking Allah needs to fulfill 3 higher objectives (maqaasid)
1. Seeking knowledge -- because knowledge is the path to knowing the Truth from falsehood and what is beloved to Allah and what is forbidden. How we draw closer to Allah does not occur except through having knowledge of that, and that is the knowledge of the Qur'an and Sunnah and its various sciences and disciplines
2. Implementing that knowledge within themselves. Knowledge itself is not sufficient. If a person reads a lot of books and have a lot of knowledge but does act upon that knowledge, it will only serve as a proof against him. Implementing that knowledge purifies oneself internally.
3. calling to Allah -- making His words paramount. The heart only comes to life by conforming to the Qur'an and Sunnah. It cannot come to life by conforming to people and somehow overwrite Allah and His Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wassallam). The scholars are the people who Allah has shown them on how to interact with the Qur'an and Sunnah on matters that need expertise.
Never lose sight that at the end of the day, what is important is that we meet Allah with a sound heart. If you fill your heart with things and desires of this world, you won't have room in your heart for Allah.
يَوْمَ لَا يَنفَعُ مَالٌ وَلَا بَنُونَ ﴿٨٨﴾ إِلَّا مَنْ أَتَى اللَّـهَ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ[Qur'an, Ash-Shu'ara 26:88-89]
The Day when there will not benefit [anyone] wealth or children (88) But only one who comes to Allah with a sound heart.
May Allah grant us a sound understanding of His religion, strengthen our faith, bring us draw closer to Him, and make us among those who come to Him with a sound heart. Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wassallam.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
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