Establishment of an Ummah Pt.2

1. Establishment of an Ummah Pt.2

2. Characteristics of Leaders • Courage • Overcoming fear in order to do the right thing • Helps people act morally in difficult situations • Prudence (Practical Wisdom) • Ability to determine best course of action in a give situation • Ability to exercise foresight and caution • Optimism • People who are hopeful about the future are more likely to persist in the face of adversity • Integrity • Practice what they preach • Wholeness or completeness

3. Characteristics of Leaders Cont… • Humility • Striking a balance between having an overly low and overly high opinion of oneself • Three main components • Self-Awareness- Strengths and Weaknesses • Openness- new ideas and knowledge • Transcendence- acknowledge that we all have weaknesses • Working to address our weaknesses • Reverence • Ability to feel respect and shame • Rely on persuasion rather than force • Understand the importance of the group • Compassion (Kindness, Generosity, and Love) • Others ahead of the self • Value others regardless of whether they get anything in return • Justice • Sense of obligation to the common good • Treating others as equally and fairly as possible

4. Sign of His Kingdom • وَقَالَ لَهُمْ نَبِيُّهُمْ إِنَّ آيَةَ مُلْكِهِ أَنْ يَأْتِيَكُمُ التَّابُوتُ فِيهِ سَكِينَةٌ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ وَبَقِيَّةٌ مِمَّا تَرَكَ آلُ مُوسَى وَآلُ هَارُونَ تَحْمِلُهُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَآيَةً لَكُمْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ مُؤْمِنِينَ (248) • 248. and their Prophet said to them: Verily! the sign of his Kingdom is that there shall come to You At-Tâbût (a wooden box), wherein is Sakinah (peace and reassurance) from Your Lord and a remnant of that which Musâ (Moses) and Hârûn (Aaron) left behind, carried by the angels. Verily, In This is a sign for You if You are indeed believers. • What significance did they place in the Taboot? • What are some of the remnants • Clothes and staff of Musa عليه السلام

5. Testing and Purifying the Army • فَلَمَّا فَصَلَ طَالُوتُ بِالْجُنُودِ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مُبْتَلِيكُمْ بِنَهَرٍ فَمَنْ شَرِبَ مِنْهُ فَلَيْسَ مِنِّي وَمَنْ لَمْ يَطْعَمْهُ فَإِنَّهُ مِنِّي إِلَّا مَنِ اغْتَرَفَ غُرْفَةً بِيَدِهِ فَشَرِبُوا مِنْهُ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِنْهُمْ • 249. Then when Talût (Saul) set out with the army, He said: "Verily! Allâh will try You by a river. so whoever drinks thereof, He is not of Me, and whoever tastes it not, He is of Me, except Him who takes (thereof) In the hollow of his hand." Yet, they drank thereof, all, except a few of them • (So whoever drinks thereof, he is not of me;) meaning, shall not accompany me today, • (and whoever tastes it not, he is of me, except him who takes (thereof) in the hollow of his hand.) meaning, there is no harm in this case. Allah then said • ﴿IbnJurayj stated that Ibn `Abbas commented, "Whoever took some of it (the river's water) in the hollow of his hand, quenched his thirst; as for those who drank freely from it, their thirst was not quenched.''

6. How Do We Deal With Tests • There are many words in Arabic for tests • الابتلاء الامتحانالفتنة • These are a means to test our Imaan • Easy to say we believer and we will abide by Allah’s laws and commands during times of ease • 1. The first thing we need to do is ask Allah سبحانه و تعالى to protect us. • Allah سبحانه و تعالى said • وَاتَّقُوا فِتْنَةً لَا تُصِيبَنَّ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا مِنْكُمْ خَاصَّةً وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ (25) • 25. and fear the Fitnah (affliction and trial, etc.) which affects not In particular (only) those of You who do wrong (but it may afflict All the good and the bad people), and know that Allâh is Severe In punishment. • The Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم used to make dua before salaam • اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَسِيحِ الدَّجَّالِ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَحْيَا وَفِتْنَةِ الْمَمَاتِ • O Allah protect me from the grave and from the trials of the dajjal and from the trials of live and death.

7. Understand That We Will Be Tested • الم (1) أَحَسِبَ النَّاسُ أَنْ يُتْرَكُوا أَنْ يَقُولُوا آمَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ (2) • 1. Alif­Lâm­Mîm. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur'ân, and none but Allâh (Alone) knows their meanings.] • 2. do people think that they will be left alone because they say: "We believe," and will not be tested. • وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ فَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ الْكَاذِبِينَ (3) • 3. and we indeed tested those who were before them. and Allâh will certainly make (it) known (the Truth of) those who are true, and will certainly make (it) known (the falsehood of) those who are liars, (although Allâh knows All that before putting them to test). • قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أُمَّتِي هَذِهِ أُمَّةٌ مَرْحُومَةٌ لَيْسَ عَلَيْهَا عَذَابٌ فِي الْآخِرَةِ عَذَابُهَا فِي الدُّنْيَا الْفِتَنُ وَالزَّلَازِلُ وَالْقَتْل • The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم said   • This ummah of mine will be shown mercy, There is no punishment for the ummah in hereafter, their punishment is in this dunya in the forms of trials, earthquakes, and killing. • Reported Abu Dawud-HadeethSaheeh.

8. Never Lose Hope In Allah • We know that tests will occur, we shouldn’t go looking for them, and we must remember no matter how difficult things get Allah سبحانه و تعالى is الرحمن الرحيم The Most Merciful, His Mercy encompasses everything. • He will not test anyone with something which they don’t have the capacity to bear. If you are having difficulties in your marriage, in your work place, as an Ummah know that you have the ability to bear it, because Allah سبحانه و تعالى says: • لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا • 286. Allâh burdens not a person beyond his abilities.

9. The Justice of Allah Will Prevail • If you have been oppressed then know that Allah سبحانه و تعالى is Just and He Knows everything that is happening and you will get justice if not in this dunya, but surely in the hereafter. • Allah says • وَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّ اللَّهَ غَافِلًا عَمَّا يَعْمَلُ الظَّالِمُونَ إِنَّمَا يُؤَخِّرُهُمْ لِيَوْمٍ تَشْخَصُ فِيهِ الْأَبْصَارُ (42) مُهْطِعِينَ مُقْنِعِي رُءُوسِهِمْ لَا يَرْتَدُّ إِلَيْهِمْ طَرْفُهُمْ وَأَفْئِدَتُهُمْ هَوَاءٌ (43 • 42Do not think that Allah does not know what the oppressors are doing, He gives them relief up to a Day when the eyes will stare In horror. • 43. (They will be) hastening forward with necks outstretched, their heads raised up (towards the sky), their gaze returning not towards them and their hearts empty (from thinking because of extreme fear). • In another ayah Allah says • وَلَا يَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَنَّمَا نُمْلِي لَهُمْ خَيْرٌ لِأَنْفُسِهِمْ إِنَّمَا نُمْلِي لَهُمْ لِيَزْدَادُوا إِثْمًا وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُهِينٌ (178) • 178. and let not the disbelievers think that Our postponing of their punishment is good for them. we postpone the punishment Only so that they may increase In sinfulness. and for them is a disgracing torment.

10. Turn to Allah With Humility and Sincerity • وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا إِلَى أُمَمٍ مِنْ قَبْلِكَ فَأَخَذْنَاهُمْ بِالْبَأْسَاءِ وَالضَّرَّاءِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَضَرَّعُونَ (42) • 42. Verily, we sent (Messengers) to many nations before You (O Muhammad ). and we seized them with extreme poverty (or loss In wealth) and loss In health with calamities so that they might believe with humility. • فَلَوْلَا إِذْ جَاءَهُمْ بَأْسُنَا تَضَرَّعُوا وَلَكِنْ قَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ (43) فَلَمَّا نَسُوا مَا ذُكِّرُوا بِهِ فَتَحْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ أَبْوَابَ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ حَتَّى إِذَا فَرِحُوا بِمَا أُوتُوا أَخَذْنَاهُمْ بَغْتَةً فَإِذَا هُمْ مُبْلِسُونَ (44) • 43. when Our torment reached them, why Then did they not believe with humility? but their hearts became hardened, and Shaitân (Satan) made fair­seeming to them that which they used to do. • 44. So, when they forgot (the warning) with which they had been reminded, we opened to them the gates of Every (pleasant) thing, until In the midst of their enjoyment In that which they were given, All of a sudden, we took them to Punishment, and Lo! they were plunged into destruction with deep regrets and sorrows.

11. We Are Completely Dependent on Allah • يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ أَنْتُمُ الْفُقَرَاءُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ هُوَ الْغَنِيُّ الْحَمِيدُ (15) إِنْ يَشَأْ يُذْهِبْكُمْ وَيَأْتِ بِخَلْقٍ جَدِيدٍ (16) وَمَا ذَلِكَ عَلَى اللَّهِ بِعَزِيزٍ (17) • 15. O mankind! it is You who stand In need of Allâh, but Allâh is rich (Free of All wants and needs), Worthy of All praise. • 16. if He will, He could destroy You and bring about a new creation. • 17. and that is not hard for Allâh. • We cannot and nor should we think we can get through our tests without the help of Allah

12. Most of the People Failed Their Test • فَشَرِبُواْ مِنْهُ إِلاَّ قَلِيلاً مِّنْهُمْ﴾ • (Yet, they drank thereof, all, except a few of them.) • IbnJarir reported that Al-Bara' bin `Azib said, "We used to say that the Companions of Muhammad who accompanied him on the battle of Badr were more than three hundred and ten, just as many as the soldiers who crossed the river with Talut. Only those who believed crossed the river with him.'' Al-Bukhari also reported this. • Some narrations reported that they started with close to 80,000

13. Importance of Reassurance • When many people failed the test some people became discouraged • They said • ﴿فَلَمَّا جَاوَزَهُ هُوَ وَالَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مَعَهُ قَالُواْ لاَ طَاقَةَ لَنَا الْيَوْمَ بِجَالُوتَ وَجُنودِهِ﴾ • (So when he had crossed it (the river), he and those who believed with him, they said: "We have no power this day against Jalut (Goliath) and his armies.'') • This Ayah indicates that the Israelites (who remained) thought that they were few in the face of their enemy who were many men. So, their knowledgeable scholars strengthened their resolve by stating that Allah's promise is true and that triumph comes from Allah Alone, not from the large numbers or the adequacy of the supplies.

14. All Victory Comes From Allah • ﴿كَم مِّن فِئَةٍ قَلِيلَةٍ غَلَبَتْ فِئَةٍ كَثِيرَةً بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ مَعَ الصَّـبِرِينَ﴾ • ("How often has a small group overcome a mighty host by Allah's permission'' And Allah is with As-Sabirin (the patient).) • If they remain patient and steadfast Allah would help them • وَلَمَّا بَرَزُواْ لِجَالُوتَ وَجُنُودِهِ قَالُواْ رَبَّنَآ أَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًا وَثَبّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وَانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَـفِرِينَ • (250. And when they advanced to meet Jalut (Goliath) and his forces, they invoked: "Our Lord! Pour forth on us patience, and set firm our feet and make us victorious over the disbelieving people.'') • Made three duas • Patience • Steadfastness • Victory

15. Allah Gave Them Victory • فَهَزَمُوهُمْ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ وَقَتَلَ دَاوُودُ جَالُوتَ وَآتَاهُ اللَّهُ الْمُلْكَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَعَلَّمَهُ مِمَّا يَشَاءُ • 251. so they routed them by Allâh's leave and Dawûd (David) killed Jalût (Goliath), and Allâh gave Him [Dawûd (David)] the Kingdom [after the death of Talût (Saul) and Samuel] and Al­Hikmah (Prophethood), and taught Him of that which He willed. • Israeli accounts say that Dawudعليه السلام killed him with a slingshot • Talut married his daughter off to Dawudعليه السلام • Dawudعليه السلام was granted Prophethood as well

16. Importance of Being Good Followers • Dawudعليه السلام was a member of the army but He rose to the occasion and did what he needed for the success of the believers • In order for a family, society, institution to be successful everyone needs to fulfill their roles and obligations

17. Activity • In a successful society what are some of the characteristics of the followers? • Come up with a top five list for qualities that are essential for followers

18. Time Remaining In Activity 3

19. 2

20. 1

21. Some Important Characteristics of Followers • Dependence on Allah • Goal in life to please Allah • sincerity • Commitment to following the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم • Courage • To assume responsibility • Challenge oppression • work towards improvement • To serve • Support institution through work • Be willing to the unglamorous tasks • To challenge • Inappropriate behavior threatens the purpose of the institution • To transform • Play the necessary roles for positive change- support understanding, empathy, etc