Note: Non-Muslim readers are much-welcomed to read but may find the content is a tad too "Islamic".
The class is a once a monthly affair and Ustaz Shafiee is known to go by one verse (ayah) per session. That days’ program was on the first verse of the first surah (AlFatihah). The teacher, however felt that he should go into an introduction so as to make the attendees better understand his approach.
He started his class by going into how Allah has introduces Himself in verse 007.180
For Allah there are most beautiful names. So, call Him by them and leave those who blaspheme His names. They shall be recompensed for what they have been doing.
The teacher said that we should call Him for most if not all our major need for example:-
· Decision making - Ya Hadi
· Short of sustenance (rezqi) -Ya Razzaq
· In fear – Ya Hafizd
The word “call Him” is the supplication (du’a) which is defined by the Book in verse 002.186
When My servants ask you about Me, then (tell them that) I am very near; I respond to the call of one when he prays to Me; so they should respond to Me, and have faith in Me, so that they might be on the right path.
He told the class that du’a is obedience as words in italics above signify.
He further elaborated
· that good life is defined by life of taqwa or compliance.
· Receiving merits, bonus and elevated to higher rank/position can be a burden
· That health is not a rezeqi as health is given for us so that we can be obedient to Him.
That whatever is given can be taken away.. and should that happen we should not despair as written in 057.023
So that you may neither grieve on what has escaped you, nor over-exult on what He has given to you. Allah does not love any vainglorious boaster:
He looked into the definition of rezqi(sustenance)in AlQuran and concluded it as whatever that is given that make us obey Allah i.e. amal soleh(good deed).
The teacher said that “amal soleh opens up the door of rezqi”.
He relates amal soleh as life currency as per verse 016:97
Whoever, male or female, has acted righteously, while being a believer, We shall certainly make him live a good life, and shall give them a recompense in proportion to the best of what they used to do.
To turn our daily activities to amal soleh (good deed); the activities has to fulfill two criteria
· Sincerely performed
· Accordance to Al-Quran and as-Sunnah.
While the opposite of amal soleh is sin, an activity that is either
· Not sincerely performed
· Not in accordance to Al-Quran and as-Sunnah.
He told us to be careful about sin as “sin opens up the door of disaster”.
A bombshell of sort..
· The teacher further stressed that one of the common sin committed by most Muslim (that they are sometimes unaware of) is not learning to read the Al-Quran since:-
a) To acquire ilmu Al Quran (knowledge, skill etc.) is fardhu ain (obligatory on every Muslim.
b) To read Al Quran properly, we have to follow what the Book told us how.. tartil (with proper tajwid, makhraj etc).
· We should refer to Al Quran to live our life if we believed that Al Quran was sent by Allah as a Muslim living manual, just as we should send our car to the manufacturer or its agents (who follow the manual) for service or excellent repair work.
Have a nice weekend..
