JUMAT SERMON: Remembrance Of Allah

By Sheikh Imam Zakariyau Sarumi

IN the Name of Allah, The Most Beneficent, The Most Merciful.

The Peace and Salutations of Allah Be upon Prophet Muhammad, His household, the Sahabah and those who follow His Sunnah till the last Day; the Day when Money and Children will be valueless.

Salaam Alaykum Warahmatullah, Wabarakaatuhu.

Praise to Allah (S.W.T.) Who has guided us to this felicity, never could we have found guidance, had it not been for the Guidance of Allah.

Ramadan has come and gone. But it is pertinent to remind ourselves that the end of Ramadan should not be the end of our service and remembrance of Almighty Allah (S.W.T.). These are part of the duties imposed on us all the time as Muslims (whether in or out of Ramadan).

Obedience To Allah

Allah (S.W.T.) says in the glorious Quran: “And obey Allah and the Apostle that you may obtain mercy.” (Quran 3:132).

“All who obey Allah and the Apostle are in the company of those on whom is the Grace of Allah, of the Prophets (who teach), the Sincere (lovers of Truth), the Witnesses (who testify), and the Righteous (who do good). Ah! What a beautiful fellowship.”(Quran 4: 69).

“So obey Allah, and obey His Apostle. But if you turn back, the duty of Our Apostle is but to proclaim (the Message) clearly and openly.” (Quran 64:12).

On this commandment of Allah (S.W.T.), the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) was reported in the following Hadiths thus:

“Abdullah bin Mas’ud (May Allah be pleased with him), reported the Apostle of Allah (S.A.W.) as saying: “Listening and obedience are binding on a Muslim, whether he likes or dislikes, so long as he is not commanded for disobedience (to Allah). If he is commanded to disobedience (to Allah), no listening and obedience are binding (on him).”(Sunan Abu Dawud).

In another hadith narrated by Zaid bin Arqam (May Allah be pleased with him). “We used to speak while in prayer. One of us used to speak to his brother (while in prayer) about his need, till the verse was revealed – “Guard strictly the (five obligatory) prayers, especially the middle prayer and stand before Allah with obedience.” Then we were ordered not to speak while praying. (Sahih Bukhari).

The Worship Of Allah

Allah (S.W.T.) says in the Glorious Quran, “To Allah do belong the unseen (secrets) of the heavens and the earth, and to Him goes back every affairs (for decision). Then worship Him and put your trust in Him. And your Lord is not unmindful of aught that you do.”(Quran 11: 123)

In an Hadith, the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) was reported thus: Narrated by Abdullahi (May Allah be pleased with him), “When the verse – “Those who believe and mix not their belief with wrong.” was revealed, the Muslims felt it very hard on them and said, “O Allah’s Messenger (S.A.W.) who amongst us does not do wrong to himself?” He replied, “The Verse does not mean this. But that (wrong) means to associate others in worship to Allah. Don’t you listen to what Luqman said to his son when he was advising him? O my son! “Join not others in worship with Allah; verily joining others in worship with Allah is a great wrong indeed.” (Sahih Bukhari).

Remembrance Of Allah

Allah (S.W.T.) says, “O you who believe! Let not your riches or your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah. If any act thus, the loss is their own.”(Quran 63:9).

The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) was reported by Abu Darda (May Allah be pleased with him) to have said: “Should I not inform you of the best of your deed; and the purest of them with your Master, and the highest of them in your ranks, and what is better for you than spending gold and silver, and better for you than meeting your enemy and striking their necks, and they strike your necks?” They said: “Of course.” He said: The remembrance of Allah (Most High).”

Then Mu’adh bin Jabal (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “There is nothing that brings more salvation from the punishment of Allah than remembrance of Allah.(Jami’ Tirmidhi).

Humility

Allah (S.W.T.) says: “And remember it was said to them, ‘Dwell in this town and eat therein as you wish, but say the word of humility. And enter the gate in a posture of humility. We shall forgive you your faults, We shall increase (the portion of) those who do good.”(Quran 7: 161) “Has not the time arrived for the believers that their hearts in all humility should engage in the remembrance of Allah and the Truth which has been revealed (to them), and that they should not become like those to whom was given revelation aforetime, but long ages passed over them and their hearts grew hard? For many among them are rebellious transgressors.”(Quran 57: 16).

The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) was reported by Abu Hurayrah to have said: “The parable of a Mujahid who strives in the Cause of Allah – and Allah knows best who strives in His Cause – is that of one who fast, prays Qiyam, focuses with proper humility, bows and prostrates.” (Sunan an-Nasa’i).

Reminder

Brethren, from the above, it is obvious that our responsibilities to Allah (S.W.T.) as His servants are not limited to the Month of Ramadan alone. Our responsibilities as Allah’s (S.W.T.) obedient servants extend beyond this month.

We are hereby reminded that for us to consolidate on the gains in Ramadan. It is necessary for us to continue the good work after Ramadan. This will no doubt improve our records before Allah (S.W.T.) and possibly put us among a higher rank. Another Ramadan is eleven months away. Let us not unconsciously wash away the rewards we have accumulated in this Ramadan with acts inconsistent with Allah’s (S.W.T.) commands. We should remember that Shaitan, the avowed enemy of the believers, is lurking around to impede our “march” to success.

May Allah (S.W.T.) give us the Grace to worship Him at all times, and also enable us to witness next year’s Ramadan.