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1424 Eid ul Fitr Khutbah – Part II
by
Ibrahim B. Syed, Ph. D.
[This Eid ul Fitr Khutbah was delivered by Dr. Ibrahim B. Syed to the Muslims of Greater Louisville Area in Kentucky on November 25, 2003 corresponding to 1 Shawwal 1424 AH.]
MUSLIM VICTORIES "Second, fasting and Jihad are connected [to each other] in body, spirit, and soul. "The significant battles during the month of Ramadan in which Allah granted victory to Islam and Muslims were:" "The great battle of Badr, "The Battle of the Ditch "The conquest of Mecca, "The battle of Tabouk "The Muslims conquered Rhodes (a Greek Island) during the month of Ramadan..." "The Muslims invaded some [Spanish] southern frontier cities on the Andalusian coast and signs of the victory were revealed, and all this happened during the month of Ramadan..." "In Ramadan, the Muslims, led by the hero Tariq bin Ziyad, vanquished King Roderick in the crucial battle that allowed the Muslims to take Andalusia (Spain), where they stayed for eight hundred years, disseminating Islam. From there, the Muslims spread out to Europe and other places in the world." "During the month of Ramadan a great Muslim victory was won over the Crusaders under the leadership of Sultan [Salah Al-Din] [Saladin] Al-Ayubi "During the month of Ramadan the
Muslims resisted the barbaric Mongol invasion that took some of the
capitals of the Islamic world. Afterwards, Allah led to the defeat of the
Mongols by the Muslims under the leadership of the Mamluk Sultan Qutuz (a
slave of the first Mamluk Sultan Aybak), in the battle of 'Ein Jalout. (in
Palestine)"
The Mongols, led by Hulagu, attacked Iraq, killed people and annihilated all
aspects of culture there. They killed the Caliph and occupied Baghdad in 656 A.H
(1258 CE). Then they occupied the Levant and came near to the Egyptian borders.
Hulagu sent an envoy to the Egyptian Sultan threatening him to give up and
submit to the power of the Mongols. But the Muslim Sultan resented that threat
and declared Jihad (fighting non-Muslims enemy in the cause of Allah). You have heard hundreds of Khutaab (plural of Khutbah) in your life and Insha'Allah, you will hear hundreds of them in the future. You may forget this Khutbah, but God willing, you will remember two things in this Khutbah. Those two things are the two Axioms. The word Axiom means TRUTH WITHOUT PROOF. The First Axiom, also called maxim, or saying, or proverb, that says "Love and Hunger drive the World." Within 90 years of Prophet Muhammad’s(SAS) death in 632CE, the message of Islam had spread from the Atlantic coast in the west to the borders of China in the east. The spread of Islam and the establishment of the Islamic Empire occurred at Lightning speed. This is an incredible achievement in the history of mankind. How did the Muslims achieve this with only primitive weapons of swords and bow and arrows. They had no military training. And yet the Muslims destroyed the two super powers of the time, viz., the Byzantine Empire and the Persian Empire. How did they do it ? The answer to this question is The Second Axiom. "CONQUER THYSELF AND THOU SHALL CONQUER THE WORLD." An interesting Hadith says, "Fight your
desires as you fight your enemies." The great jihad is to fight ones own
vain desires. According to the Qur'an, man's life is a constant struggle
in the way of Allah, be it through sword or through one's hands or one's tongue.
Life is a struggle or Jihad. We have to struggle for existence. The Jihad
to control one's greed and selfish desires is jihad-e-Akbar i.e.
great jihad. President Bush on Feb.11, 2003 said, "Just like Islam, the United States remains committed to promoting justice, tolerance, and understanding through-out the world, and we will continue to work together with our Muslim friends and people of all faiths to build a future of peace, freedom, and opportunity for all." Said President Bush. Thus any one striving for social justice and working for ameliorating the plight of the poor is like a warrior in the way of Allah. Thus those who spend their own money or collect from others and spend for the poor in the way Allah is no less than a mujahid. According to the Qur’an Zakat money is to be spent on poor, widows, needy, paying off the debt of indebted and for liberation of slaves. These are all weaker sections of society. It is thus a great merit to help these poorer and weaker sections and to work for them is as meritorious as waging jihad in the way of Allah. Imagine a life without love and hunger. Then there will not be any motivation to live. Human History is created and based on love and hunger. Thro' fasting we Muslims control these powerful instincts or biological urges. Allah(SWT) has installed in every male and female these two most powerful biological forces. These are indispensable for the survival and propagation of human beings. Allah(SWT) asks the believers to control and harness these two most powerful biological forces so that we can achieve success in Duniya and the Aakhirah. There are many scriptures or sacred texts in the world. But it is only the Qur'an which is not only the Kitabul Hikmah(Book of Wisdom) but also describes practical methodology. Through Fasting we control the two most powerful biological forces. When the force of the river water is controlled by building a dam, we derive hydroelectric power and plenty of water for irrigation of vast areas of land. The destructive power of the Uranium and Plutonium atom is controlled in a Nuclear Reactor so that we get electricity and Radioisotopes that are used in Medicine, Industry and Agriculture. What is the benefit of doing this or controlling these powerful instincts? Fasting gives us determination, heroism, and will power. One example is the success in military warfare. The ill-equipped, untrained, highly primitive Muslim Army was equipped with these most powerful armaments-determination, strong will power, Iman and heroism (these are more powerful than guns, missiles, artillery) our ancestors defeated the then existing two super powers-Byzantine Empire (Eastern European Empire) and the Persian Empire. The Citizens in the Byzantine Empire were called, Byzantiums, and they were oppressed by religious and political regimentation and ruinous taxes, and many welcomed the tolerant Muslims. Where the Muslim Ummah has established the virtue and righteousness, the honesty and integrity, the equity and justice, the fraternity and equality then it becomes "kunthum Khaira Ummathin Ukhrijat linnas: "You are the best community that has been raised up for mankind." Apply determination, strong will power, Iman and heroism in other endeavors of human life. For example we need these traits (qualities) to excel in Science and Technology, Journalism, in Economics, in politics or any social sciences. In short to achieve Islamic Renaissance-that is to be Number One in everything or to achieve Excellence in everything. To Muslim Women: The Prophet Muhammad (SAS) addressed the ladies in his Eid Khutbah. Hence it is the Sunnah for the Khatib to address the Ladies. May Allah (SWT) accept your fasting. As you know it is permissible for a healthy pregnant woman and a lactating mother to fast during the month of Ramadan. You are half of the Muslim Ummah, we cannot ignore you. We could not have been born without you. Sisters, please Remember you are a khalifa on earth. Allah (SWT) says in the Qur'an, "It is He Who had made you vice-regent on the earth" (35:39) The Caliphate granted by Allah to the faithful is the popular vice regency and it is not limited to any family, clan or race etc. And even in this context, the guiding principle that determines superiority of one individual over the other depends solely on his/her piousness(taqwa) and good moral character which serves as the sole criterion. "Surely the noblest of you in the sight of Allah is he who is the most righteous" (49:13) It is stated in several places in the Qur'an that Allah created the human to be His "khalifah," His trustee or viceregent on earth. Humankind's basic trust i.e., our responsibility, is to worship Allah. Where does the Qur'an say that Allah breathes His spirit only into males and not into females? Islam goes beyond the individual and extends out into society and humanity in general. The Qur'anic injunction "to enjoin good and forbid evil" (3:104) is a duty which is not exclusive to Muslims, but one that applies to the human race who, according to the Qur'an, are God's vicegerent on earth. Both men and women are appointed by Allah as His khalifa (trustees) on earth (Qur'an, Ahzab, Confederates, 33:72-73). We have been given this amana (trust) from Allah, and it is our responsibility to care for it. We must not forget that we will all be asked on the Day of Judgement what we did with our time. What did we do for the sake of Allah while we were alive? How did we spend our time, wealth, health, knowledge and other resources Allah(SWT) has entrusted to us as a gift. How have we tried to make our ummah stronger? Will we make the grade? Who is the most powerful person in the world? President of the US - is the wrong answer. The correct answer is the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. It is the Mother. You give love to your children; you feed them and nourish them with your milk, which comes form your blood. You sacrifice your own nutrition, your comforts, your nighttime sleep; in short everything to raise your children. You have the great responsibility of shaping the future of your children. I want you to motivate, invigorate and energize them to become Salah Al-Din, Muhammad bin Qasim, Ibn Sina (the prince of physicians), Al-Khwarizmi (inventor of algebra and algorithm), Al-Biruni (inventor of spherical trigonometry without which there is no space travel). Why we don’t have such heroes in the Muslim world today? I salute all those mothers who gave birth to, and raised these eminent universal encyclopedic scientists and scholars. To start with if you are a high school graduate, make your sons and daughters college graduates. If you are a college graduate, make your sons and daughters post graduates. If you are postgraduates, make your sons and daughters to earn their doctorate degrees-let them aim high to receiving the Noble Prizes, Medals of Honor, gold medals. You are the Ummil Muslimoon-the mothers of the Muslims. Without you, we men would not be here in this world. Allah (SWT) has accorded great respect to you. Woman as a mother commands great respect in Islam. The Noble Qur'an speaks of the rights of the mother in a number of verses. It enjoins Muslims to show respect to their mothers and serve them well even if they are still unbelievers. The Prophet states emphatically that the rights of the mother are paramount. Abu Hurayrah(RA) reported that a man came to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and asked: "O Messenger of Allah, who is the person who has the greatest right on me with regards to kindness and attention?" He replied, "Your mother." "Then who?" He replied, "Your mother." "Then who?" He replied, "Your mother." "Then who?" He replied, "Your father." Prophet Muhammad (SAS), our Nabi Kareem said, "Paradise lies under the feet of your mothers." The future of Islam is in your hands. You mould the character of the children. You must watch the friends of your children. There are children with double standards. Tell me your friend and I will tell you, who you are. People are known by the company they keep. In Sanskrit "Yatha Raja Thatha Praja"- as the King is so are his subjects. There are people who show off their outward personality by reciting the Mantra "Aakhirah". That is they remind us of the life hereafter. But unfortunately their actions do not match their words. You must judge a person not by his or her sweet words, but by his or her actions, and deeds. The pure of heart can distinguish between truth and falsehood, good and evil. Ours is an age of decline and absurdity, an age of conspiracy and deception, with only a faint memory of morality, honour and dignity. Today's badges of pride are betrayal, ingratitude and cowardice. Money and sensuality are the false gods of materialistic men, so what fool would expect that a female in our lost epoch/period might find respect? Woman has become a mockery, a spiritless doll, a victim of modern morality focused on the trivial instead of the supreme In early Islamic history Her glory was her courage and honour. If we study the books, which have been written about Muslim women, we will notice that wherever Islam ruled throughout history, Muslim women have shown the greatest talents in science, literature and social issues. But wherever Islamic societies have declined, women's talents also declined. The perfume industry today owes its existence and prosperity to the inventions and contributions made by Muslim women. The well known and most popular name that comes to my mind is Noor Jehan, the Empress of India and spouse of the Mughal Emperor Jehangir. Who is the greatest and foremost Architect in the world today? An Architect is the one who designs buildings. It is a Muslim woman by name of Zaha Hadid. She was born in Iraq in 1950. She is the Architect for the Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art, now under construction in Cincinnati, Ohio. In our community there is an urgent need to have a Muslim Lady Doctor who is an OB-GYN specialist. This is Farde Kifayah or community responsibility. Alhamdulillah, we have Muslim Lady Doctors who are Internists, Dermatologists, Pediatricians, Pulmonologists, and Psychiatrists, but no OB-GYN specialists. Women can work side by side with men in establishing 'amr bi'l ma'ruf wa nahi'an al-munkar', which means spreading the good and fighting the evil
To the Young Muslims I must remind you that A child is the father of man. Sometimes we must learn from our youth. When they become teenagers, we must interact them with respect. Muhammad bin Qasim was a 17 years old teenager when he became a Military General. To the best of my knowledge he was the youngest Military General in the history of Warfare. Even Alexander the Great became the military leader at the age of 21. Today we see a 17 year old as a High school senior. A Muslim army under Muhammad bin Qasim captures the port of Debal, near Karachi, Pakistan in 711 CE, and marches north along the river Indus. Bin Qasim defeats the ruler, Raja Dahir, at what is now Hyderabad in Pakistan, captures the territory up to Multan and annexes it as a province of the Caliphate(Khalifah Walid bin Abdul Malik, during the Umayyad period, located in Damascus, Syria). The Muslims entered Sindh, India, in 711 C.E., the same year they entered Spain(General Tariq bin Ziyad 28th Ramadhan 89 Hijri - Rock that came to be known as Jabal al Tariq or Gibraltar. ). Their entry in India was prompted by an attempt to free the civilian Muslim hostages whose ship was taken and Muslim women were kidnapped by sea pirates in the territory of Raja Dahir, King of Sindh. After diplomatic attempts failed, Hajjaj bin Yusuf, the Umayyad governor in Baghdad, dispatched a 17-year-old commander by the name Muhammad bin Qasim with a small army. Killing of Dahir, King of Sindh occurred on 7th day of Ramadhan in 89 Hijri (711 CE). By 713 C.E., he established his control in Sindh and parts of Punjab up to the borders of Kashmir. A major part of what is now Pakistan came under Muslim control in 713 C.E. and remained so throughout the centuries until some years after the fall of the Mughal Empire in 1857. Where are the Muhammad Bin Qasims and Sultans like Salah Uddins? We need to motivate the youngsters to become leaders in every field of human endeavor, in every field of knowledge. They can achieve excellence in Medicine, Engineering, Molecular biology, Space sciences, Physics, Mathematics and Chemistry. Our youth can Bring Honor to the Muslim Ummah by winning the Noble Prizes, and Olympic Gold Medals. Brothers and sisters, Let us work together. Let us unite our hearts and minds and focus our attention to the issues and problems that are facing us all and facing the world. Someone said rightly that Muslims of America are not yet a community, not in any politically cohesive sense. We are too much divided on ethnic and sectarian lines. Immigrant Muslims, Arab Muslims, Indo-Pakistani Muslims, Afghan Muslims, Afro-American Muslims, Sunni Muslims, Shi’a Muslims, Sufi Muslims, Secular Muslims, Liberal Muslims, Iranian Muslims, Iraqi Muslims, Somali Muslims, Bosnian Muslims, etc. None of these things will help us. We have to become one unified community, caring for each other, speaking with one voice. We must bond together and bind together. Islam is the religion of peace. Our message is the message of peace for the whole world. We condemn all violence and all terrorism. We condemn those who preach violence in the name of our religion. We feel sorry for those who deliberately misrepresent our faith and try to defame our community. Brothers and sisters, it is our duty to inform others about Islam and its true message. We must try to remove prejudices and misconceptions about our faith from the minds of our neighbors and co-workers. We stand for peace and justice for all people. We are deeply concerned about the plight and suffering of our brothers and sisters in Palestine, Kashmir, Gujarat and Chechnya. We like to see honest and representative governments in the Muslim world and in all part of the world. We believe in peaceful ways to reform and transform the world. The people of Iraq have been suffering and we pray for the restoration of peace, democracy, sovereignty and prosperity for the people of Iraq. We urge our Government to work for the resolution of world problems in peaceful and diplomatic ways. Du'a: O Allah, let Muslims build a Muslim Hospital in every American city in our life time. O Allah, let Muslims build an Ivy League equivalent Islamic University in America. O Allah, inspire the Muslims to achieve excellence in every field of human endeavor. We pray to Allah(SWT) to protect us and our families, keep us on the right path and guide us to live in peace and give the message of peace to the world. May Allah(SWT) guide the humanity to establish peace and justice on this earth. May Allah(SWT) bless America and all its people with truth, honesty, sincerity and goodness. Ameen. Congratulations and Eid Mubarak! |
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