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بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
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The Sunnah of change
Change is one of the sunnahs (rules) that Allah has established in our universe. In this khutba, we will talk about the concept of change and types of change. Then we will review some of the reasons that cause removal of the blessings; and finally we will mention some points that may help in changing ourselves in a positive way. Why do we speak about change? Because:
Concept of change: Sunnah of change means the way Allah deals with people according to their behaviors, acts and attitudes; towards His rules and His messengers, including what follows subsequently (i.e. rewards or punishments), both in this life and in the hereafter.
Ibn Taymiah said: “Change means a total change. He explained that people would not describe it as a change, if the sun or the moon moved from their places. However they would use the word change when someone or something changed from one situation to another. For instance, the word change, can be used when a person changes from being healthy to becoming sick, or if he changes his behavior or religion. Allah says: “Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change it themselves (with their own souls)” Al-Ra’d 11. So, if they persist in their habit, doing good for instance, it wouldn’t have been described as a change. However, if they exchange that with doing evil and believe in it so they follow the wrong path, they would say they have changed.” Types of change: Ibn Taymiah said regarding the following verse: “Because Allah will never change the grace which He hath bestowed on a people until they change what is in their (own) souls: and verily Allah is He Who heareth and knoweth (all things)” Al-Anfal 53: This change is of two types:
Examples of what causes the removal of the blessings: 1- Sins and disobedience: Ibn Al-Qaiem said: “When Allah blesses His slave with a blessing, He keeps it on him until the person work for it to be removed from him by doing sins. Allah says: “Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change it themselves (with their own souls)” Al-Ra’d 11. If we look closely to the stories about the previous nations provided in the Quran, we find that the reasons for changing the blessings, is caused by their disobedience to Allah and His messengers. Likewise, if we think about our status today, we can easily conclude that what we experience of suffer and weakness, is due to our sins and disobedience. So, nothing can keep the blessings as obeying Allah and following His path; and nothing makes it more, than thanking Allah. On the other hand, nothing causes the blessings to be removed as sins and disobeying Allah. The effect of the blessings is like a fire that burns up dry wood.”
Abu Musa reported that Allah's Apostle said: "Allah gives respite to the oppressor, but when He takes him over, He never releases him." Then he recited, "Such is the seizure of your Lord when He seizes (population of) towns in the midst of their wrong: Painful indeed, and severe is His seizure”” (11:102) [Al-Bukhari] 3- Abandoning the promotion of virtues and prevention of vices: “Curses were pronounced on those among the Children of Israel who rejected Faith, by the tongue of David and of Jesus, the son of Mary: because they disobeyed and persisted in excesses * They used not to forbid one another from the evil they committed. Vile indeed was what they used to do.” Al Ma'idah 78-79. It is related that an-Nu'man ibn Bashir was heard to say that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: “The example of the one who thinks little of the limits of Allah and falls into them, is like the people who draw lots on a boat. Some of them get the lower part and some of them the upper part. Those in the lower part had to pass by those in the upper part to get water, and they annoyed him. So he took an axe and began to make a hole in the bottom of the ship. They came to him and said: 'What is the matter with you?' He said, “You annoyed me and I must have water.” If they hold his hands to stop him, they will save him and everybody will save themselves. If they leave him, they will destroy him and they will destroy themselves.” [Al-Bukhari] Zainab Bint Jahsh (May Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) once came to her in a state of fear and said: 'None has the right to be worshipped but Allah. Woe unto the Arabs from a danger that has come near. An opening has been made in the wall of Gog and Magog like this ", making a circle with his thumb and index finger. Zainab Bint lahsh said: “'0 Allah's Messenger! Shall we be destroyed even though there are pious persons among us?" He said: "Yes, when the evil persons will increase." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Bilal bin Saeed said: “If hidden, the sin only influences the one who does it. However, if it is done in public and no one does anything to prevent it, the consequences will come on everybody”. 4-Competing on the blessings of this worldly life: Al-Miswar bin Makhrama reported that Abu 'Ubaida arrived with the money from Bahrain. When the Ansar heard about the arrival of Abu 'Ubaida (on the next day) they offered the Morning Prayer with the Prophet. When the Morning Prayer had finished, they presented themselves before him. When seeing the Ansar, Allah's Apostle smiled and said: "I think you have heard that Abu 'Ubaida has brought something?" They replied: "Indeed, it is so, O Allah's Apostle!" He said, "Be happy, and hope for what will please you. By Allah, I am not afraid that you will be poor, but I fear that worldly wealth will be bestowed upon you as it was bestowed upon those who lived before you. So you will compete amongst yourselves for it, as they competed for it, and it will destroy you as it did them."[Al-Bukhari] Ibn Batal’s comments to this hadith, was: “In this hadith, there is a warning for those who have been given many blessings in this life, to be careful from its evils and bad consequences. He should not be assured by having these blessings that he is blessed; neither should he compete with others for these blessings. There is also a hint that being poor is better than being rich. The rich people are facing the risk of falling into temptation and loosing self control by enjoying several blessings while the poor do not.” The Prophet said: “And it will destroy you”, because money and other blessings of this life is desirable by people. If they were prevented from obtaining it, they would hate the people that prevented them from taking it, or they could take them, themselves; they can even fight them to get it. Dear Muslims.
As
mentioned before, changing to bad attitude can remove the blessings from
us. Similarly, we can have more blessings if we change ourselves in a
positive way (i.e. if we get closer to Allah and follow His guidance).
Here are some points that may help you in achieving this positive
change:
“And obey Allah and His Messenger; and fall into no disputes, lest ye lose heart and your power depart; and be patient and persevering: For Allah is with those who patiently persevere.” Al-Anfal 46. “And (moreover) He hath put affection between their hearts: not if thou hadst spent all that is in the earth, couldst thou have produced that affection, but Allah hath done it: for He is Exalted in might, Wise” Al-Anfal 63.
“O ye who believe! Persevere in patience and constancy; vie in such perseverance; strengthen each other; and fear God; that ye may prosper.” Aal Imran 200. “Be sure We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere, * Who say, when afflicted with calamity: "To God we belong, and to Him is our return":- * They are those on whom (descend) blessings from their Lord, and Mercy, and they are the ones that receive guidance.” Al-Baqarah 155-157. Abdullah bin Abbas, who said: One day I was behind the Prophet and he said to me: “Young man, I shall teach you some words (of advice): Be mindful of Allah, and Allah will protect you. Be mindful of Allah, and you will find Him in front of you. Get to know Allah in prosperity and He will know you in adversity. If you ask, ask of Allah; if you seek help, seek help of Allah. The pens have dried with what befalls (on you). So, if the Nation were to gather together to benefit you with anything, it would benefit you only with something that Allah had already prescribed for you, and that if they gather together to harm you with anything, they would harm you only with something Allah had already prescribed for you. Know that there is a lot of good in patience, that victory comes with patience, relief with affliction, and ease with hardship) [Ahmad].
The Prophet Muhammed said: “Nothing can change the Qadar except Du`a’…” [Ibn Majah] O Allah, help us to change our selves to become better Muslims, and guide us to Your straight path. Amen
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