Surah Al-Fajr (89) 2/5 - The Power Of Allah

Bismillah Al-Rahman Al-Rahim. Alhamdulillah Rabbil 'Aalameen. Bari' il-khalaa'iqi ajma'een, baa'ith il-anbiyaai wa al-mursaleen. Thumma as-Salatu wa as-salaamu 'ala ashraf al-anbiyaa wa sayyid al-mursaleen, habibi ilaahi al-'alameen, al-Mustafa Abil Qasimi Muhammad [Allahuma salli 'ala Muhammad wa ali Muhammad]. Wa 'ala ahli at tayyibeen, at-tahireen, al-mas'umeen, al-muntajabeen, alladhina adh'aba Allahu 'anhum rijza wa tahharahum tat'heera. [Allahuma salli 'ala Muhammad wa ali Muhammad]. Wa la'natu Allahi 'ala a'daihim ajma'in ila qiyam yawm ad-Din.

Amma ba'ad faqad qaala Allahu tabaraka wa ta'ala fi kitabihi al-Majeed, wa Qur'anihi al-hameed wa qawluhu al-Haqq. 'A'udhu billahi min al-Shaytan al-rajim. Bismillah Al-Rahman Al-Rahim. Alam tara kaifa fa'ala Rabbuka bi'aad, Irama dhati al-'imaad , allati lam yukhlaq mithluha fil bilaad, Wa thamoda alladheena jaabu as-sakhra bi 'l-waad, Wa fir'awna dhil awtaad, alladhina taghaw fi 'l-bilad, fa akhtaru feeha al-fasad, Fa sabba 'alaihim Rabbuka sawta 'adhaab , inna Rabbaka laib il-mirsaad (89:6-14).Sadaqa al-Allahu 'Aliyyu al-'Adheem. Allahuma salli 'ala Muhammad wa ali Muhammad wa ajjal farajahum wa la'n 'ada'ahum.

Dear brothers and sisters, Mu'minin and mu'minaat as-salamu, 'alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. Last night we began our series in discussing Surat al-Fajr. It's a beautiful Surah in the Holy Qur'an, consisting of about 30 verses, one of the short surahs in the Qur'an, and it's highly recommended to be recited on a regular basis. Last night we introduced some of the merits of this Surah, reciting this Surah, it's mustahab to be recited at the time of Fajr, in Salat al-Fajr, for example, and we discussed the first five Ayaat of that Surah where we said, for example, Bismillah Al-Rahman Al-Rahim, "Wa al-Fajr" (89:1) - 'By the dawn'. Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala is taking an oath. "Wa layalin 'ashr" (89:2) - 'By the ten nights,' that's another oath. "Wa ash-shaf'i wa al-watr" (89:3) - 'By the even and the odd,' that's a third oath. "Wa al-Fajr, wa layalin 'ashr, wa ash-shaf'i wa al-watr, wa al-layli idhaa yasr (89:4) - 'By the night when it departs,' that's a fourth oath. "Hal fi dhaalika qasamu lidhee hijr" (89:5). Is there an oath in that for one possessing the intellect? Ya'ni all these oaths, these four oaths that Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala is taking.

Why? Someone with an intellect needs to basically think Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala is taking all this oath, what for? What is Allah trying to tell us? Some of the mufassireen in the Qur'an tell us Ayah number 14 in Surat al-Fajr is the response. "Inna rabbaka labi al-mirsad" (89:14) - 'Surely indeed your Lord is in ambush.' Ya'ni, He is going after the tyrants. He's not going to let them continue their oppression. Tonight, InshaAllah, if Allah gives us tawfiq, we will be discussing verses number six to fourteen of Surat al-Fajr, which, in which Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala talks about three groups of oppressors and how Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala destroyed them. Again, reminding us, Oh human beings remember your Akhirah, build your Akhirah, Don't just build your Dunyah and make your Dunyah as your goal in this world, your only in-transit, take for the Akhirah, your eternal abode.

Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala begins in Surat al-Fajr ayah number six: Bismillah Al-Rahman Al-Rahim. "AAlam tara kaifa fa'ala Rabbuka bi'aad"(89:6). 'Do you not see how your Lord treated, or what he did to 'Aad?' 'Aad is the tribe of Prophet Hud, a'laa nabiyyina wa alihi wa alayhi as-salam. Prophet Hud, when he came, the tribe he came to or the people there, were known as the people of 'Aad, that area, that region. It is narrated five prophets spoke Arabic with their communities. One of them is Ismail because he grew up in Mecca, so he spoke Arabic to the people.

Second one is Hud, he spoke Arabic to 'Aad, third one is Prophet Salih. He spoke Arabic to the tribe of Thamud, whom we will also mention because they are the second group mentioned in these ayaat in Surat al-Fajr and the fourth one is Prophet Shuayb of Madyan, who became the father in law of Prophet Musa, a'laa nabiyyina wa alihi wa alyhi as-salam, and the fifth one is the last of the Messengers and the Seal of the Messengers, our Holy Prophet Khaatam ul-Anbiyai' Muhammad. Allahuma salli 'ala Muhammad wa ali Muhammad wa ajjal farajahum wa la'n 'ada'ahum.

So these five Prophets spoke Arabic. One of them is Hud, among the people of Aad. Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala is reminding us, "Alam tara kaifa fa'ala Rabbuka bi'aad" (89:6), ' Do you not see how Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala or what he did to Aad?' "Irama dhati al-'imaad" (89:7). Iram, it is said that it is the name of their forefather. Ya'ni, one of their elders, one of their grandfather's name, one of them, you know, people as Iram.

You know, sometimes people are named as a family after one of their elders, for example, one of their grandfathers and so on, so forth. So here Allah is referring to this whole tribe of Iram, sorry 'Aad as Iram, ya'ni, in reference to their elder, to their grandfather, to their forefather. For example, you know how we say Bani Hashim, the children of Hashim or we say al-Hashimiyyeen, the Hashimites, in reference to what? Hashim, ya'ni, the children of Hashim, the progeny of Hashim, is referred to as the Hashimites.

Here Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala is referring to all those people as Iram. You know basically their grandfather, just like the Hashimiyyeen, the Hashimites, are referred to as Hashimites in reference to Hashim, their grandfather, and Bni Hashim, the children of Hashim, for example, and so on, so forth. So "Irama dhati al-'imaad" (89:7). These people, they had so much strength, "Iramaa dhaatil 'imaad." Dhaatil 'imaad means the strength, power. They had a lot of strength.

"Allati lam yukhlaq mithluha fil bilaad" (89:8). The one whom no other place was created like it in the area. Ya'ni, apparently they had a lot of building, a lot of strength that demonstrated their abilities, their power. But Subhana Allah, Allah destroyed it all. Today, we don't even see any of that remaining. Allah is trying to remind us, don't be fooled by the strength, some people think that when they have some abilities, some strength, they are invincible.

Allah refers to that in Surat al-'Alaq. Bismillah Al-Rahman Al-Rahim. "Inna al-insana layatghaa , an ra-aah ustaghnaa" (96:6-7). Surely, Allah says, Indeed, the human being becomes arrogant, becomes over the, crosses the boundaries, crosses the limits. When? "an ra-aah ustaghnaa". When he sees himself self-sufficient. I don't need anybody, I am independent of people, I have health, I have wealth, I have richness, I have companies, I have this, I have that, wa ayyadhu bi-Llah, people become arrogant.

Except for the Mu'minin, the true muttaqi. Of course, he or she can control themselves, but otherwise, wa ayyadhu bi-Llah, many of the people when they have some power, some money, some wealth, they start humiliating others and maybe they don't say it in words but their actions suggest it. For example, a person comes and he has a parking space in which he always parks. When he finds somebody parking in that parking space, he gets irritated.

That's a sign of arrogance, wa ayyadhu bi-Llah. He has a specific spot when he comes to the mosque, he sits in that place. If he finds someday, somebody sitting in that space, he becomes irritated, he becomes angry. He gets discomfort. So that's a sign of arrogance, wa ayyadhu bi-Llah, whereas Rasul Allah, salla Allahu alayhi wa alihi wa sallam, used to sit in the masjid in a circle with his companions. It is narrated sometimes foreigners used to come, strangers used to come to the masjid and they would look at the people sitting down and say, 'Which one of you is Muhammad, salla Allahu alayhi wa alihi wa sallam?'

He is sitting with the people. He works with them, looks after them, and hence he won their hearts, won their love, because of his character, of his nobility. Ammar ibn Yasir says that when we were building the Prophet's Masjid, we would carry one brick at a time. The Prophet, salla Allahu alayhi wa alihi, would carry two bricks at a time. We get tired, we want to take a rest, a break but we see him, dedicated, working hard, and he is sweating and he is tired too. But he is so motivated. So we become inspired and we continue working with him until we completed its building.

When they were digging the trench in the Battle of The Trench, Al-Khandaq, he was digging with them. Fatimah, salawat Allahi wa as-salamu alayah, comes to him one day with some food. He takes a bite, one bite, and he says 'Fatimah, this is the first bite of food your father has had since three days.' Three days, he's hungry. With the people working. This is a true leader. This is a leader who inspires. This is a leader who changed the hearts and minds of people.

So this is a very good lesson for people who are in positions of leadership in organizations, in not for profit institutions, in companies, in any areas. When you're a leader, be someone who shows empathy to the people, demonstrates love to the people, sincerity to the people which will earn their trust and their love and their respect. And so they will work and follow you because they love you, because they care about you, because they see you caring for them. They trust you. So they see that responsibility. They see your knowledge, they see your your your manners and your character. And hence they become your followers with love. That's a good leader. That's a true leader. Someone who motivates the people to work out of love, not because they have to.

So, Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala is trying to remind us, don't look at these people and their power and their strength and then think that khalaas, you're invincible. Look at them and remember this. One day the Prophet, salla Allahu alayhi wa alihi wa sallam, came across a group of youth who were carrying rocks to demonstrate and test their strength. You know, today, for example, we have the gyms. People go to the gym and they lift weights. Dumbbells, barbells, bench press and so on, so forth, those guys were lifting rocks and you know, kind of demonstrating and comparing their powers and their strengths, the Prophet, salla Allahu alayhi wa alihi, came to them.

And he said to them 'What are you guys doing?' They said 'Ya Rasul Allah, we are lifting these rocks to see which one of us is the strongest.' The Prophet, salla Allahu alayhi wa alihi wa sallam, looked at them and said 'Do you want me to tell you which one of you is the strongest?' Each one of them, of course, flexed his muscle and looked with the care and attention to Rasul Allah salla Allahu alayhi wa alihi, thinking that he will be the one. The Prophet, salla Allahu alayhi wa alihi wa sallam, told them, 'The strongest of you is the one whom when he is pleased, his pleasure does not make him commit an act of Allah's disobedience. And when he is angered, his anger does not remove him away from Allah's obedience.'

That's someone who's strong, ya'ni, if someone who is at the time of ease, he has power, he has authority, he has wealth. But he's humble, he's always in Allah's obedience, that's a true strong person, just like Amir ul-Mu'minin, salawat Allahi wa as-salamu alayh, like al-Imam Al-Hasan, Al-Mujtaba, salawat Allahi wa as-salamu alayh. We will come and talk about him InshaAllah in one of our series.

So these Imams, these leaders, despite their abilities, despite them having power, some of them like Amir ul-Mu'minin, 'alayhi as-salam, took the reign of power and the khilafah for almost five years. Imam Al-Hasan became the khalifah of the muslims for about six months. Yet they were so humble, so modest in their actions and their character. They never committed an act of Allah's disobedience. They always remembered their Akhirah, and same thing, their followers, their followers were also Mu'minin, mutaqqeen, despite the power that they had.

One of the companions of Imam Al-Kadhim, salawat Allahi wa as-salamu alayh, was a minister of Harun al-Rashid. His name was Ali Ibn Yaqtin. Imam Al-Kadhim 'alayhi as-salam, told him to take the position and to use his power and his position to serve the Shia, serve the Mu'minin. Sometimes he used to come to Imam Al-Kadhim, 'alayhi as-salam, and ask him for permission to quit, to resign because of the oppression that he sees Harun and those Abbasids are committing.

But Imam, salamu Allahi 'alayh, teaches him how to stay away from that oppression and to use his power to help the mu'minin and the mu'minaat. So that's something important brothers and sisters. Rasul Allah, Salla Allahu alayhi wa alihi wa sallam, says a true strong person, true strength comes when you don't disobey Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala when you have the ability to do so. And when you become angry, you control yourself. You never leave Allah's disobedience. Have you seen sometimes when people get angry? How they shout, how they say certain things that they regret later on.

One has to be careful, and sometimes when a person gets angry, he says his true intention. What is he hiding? Some people hide their emotions, but when they become angry, you can tell they speak their true emotions against somebody, their true feelings towards somebody, they get revealed. So one has to be careful. Always think of the akhirah. So Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala, He says "Alam tara kaifa fa'ala Rabbuka bi'aad, Irama dhati al-'imaad , allati lam yukhlaq mithluha fil bilaad" (89:6-8).

So here these three verses refer to the tribe of Aad, the people of Prophet Hud, a'laa nabiyyina wa alihi wa alayhi as-salam. How they had power, how they demonstrated their abilities through the architecture and the buildings that they built. But Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala, destroyed them all. That's one example, Hud. Second example Allah gives "Wa thamoda alladheena jaabu as-sakhra bi 'l-waad"(89:9.) Thamud, the tribe of Thamud, who brought the rocks into the valley. Now the tribe of Thamud which the people of Prophet Salih. This is the people of the camel. Whom they ask their Prophet to bring them a sign and he asked them 'What sign would you like so that you believe in Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala?' They said this rock, this this mountain, there is a mountain. We were able to carve the mountains into houses and buildings and so on. That mountain was so difficult to carve, so rocky, we were unable to do anything with it. So if you are a true Prophet of Allah, as you claim, ask your God to send us a camel from that mountain.

He asked them 'If I do so, will you believe?' They said 'Sure.' So he asked for the camel and Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala accepted the Du'a of Prophet Salih, sent the camel. But again, wa ayyadhu bi-Llah those who are arrogant, they are arrogant, despite seeing the signs of Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala they still did not believe. And then later on they sent someone wa ayyadhu bi-Llah to go and kill this camel. So Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala punished all those who plotted against the camel, as well as those who kept quiet, did not show their dissatisfaction with this action. They may not have participated and plotted but because they were quiet about it and Allah only saved Prophet Salih and those who believed in him and demonstrated their discomfort, did 'amr bil ma'ruf wa nahy anil munkar, those were saved. Allah subhana wa Ta'ala is telling us this second example.

That tribe, however, their remainings, their artifacts are still available, they're still there. You can still see it, for example. So if you go today in Saudi Arabia, the country called Saudi Arabia, Bilad ul-Hijaz, and in one area it's called Hadaiqu Salih, the gardens of Salih. There you can actually see all these architectures, you know, all this architectural designs of the people of Thamud. 'Aad, the previous example, Allah destroyed them and everything that they built. Thamud, Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala wanted to keep their power as a sign for us. Look at them, Allah says. They built all this. You can go see it now until this day and age, but still, they're gone, those people are gone. So think about your Akhirah. That's clearly the sign, the message Allah is trying to tell us. Look at 'Aad, those people who built and they had power and ability, look at Thamud, who were able to bring the rocks into the valley and make such designs and such buildings back in those days.

And then the third example "Wa fir'awna dhil awtaad" (89:10). 'And the Pharaoh who had the pillars.' Why was he called dhul awtaad? What pillars is He referring to? It is narrated that Imam Al-Sadiq, alayhi as-salaam, was asked, 'Why is Fir'awn referred to in this ayah as the ones of pillars? He said because he used to punish people, torture them by stretching their arms and their legs onto a piece of wood, so they would make them lie on a piece of wood and they would wa ayyadhu bi-Llah, put pillars into their arms and their legs, into their legs. And these pillars would stand there on the wood, wa ayyadhu bi-Llah, as a means of torturing the people, wa ayyadhu bi-Llah.

So this is how Fir'awn demonstrated his arrogance and torture against the people wa ayyadhu bi-Llah, including his wife Asiyah. It is narrated in the ahadith that his wife Asiyah, she experienced this pain, she experienced this difficulty, she experienced this this wrath of Fir'awn. And while she was experiencing all this punishment, she still was not moved. She turned to Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala, as we read in Surat at-Tahrim, the second to last verse. She said 'My Lord, build me a house with You in Jannah', " ibni li 'indaka baitan fi 'l-jannah" (66:11). 'And save me from Fir'awn, the Pharaoh, save me from the Pharaoh and save me from the oppressive people.' This mu'minah, this noble lady, despite being in this terrible environment, she believed in Prophet Musa 'alayhi as-salam, and she followed Prophet Musa 'alayhi as-salam.

Here, I just want to mention something quickly brothers and sisters, very briefly, since I mentioned this point. Asiyah bint Muzahim, she loved the Wali of Allah of her time and that is Prophet Musa. She loved him, she cared for him. Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala rewarded her in making him believe in him, so we need to love the Wali of Allah of our time, Al-Imam Al-Mahdi Al-Muntadhar ajal Allahu ta'ala farajahu ash-Sharif.

How do we demonstrate this love? It's not just by saying, I love you. I love Al-Imam Al-Mahdi. This is good. We should say that every day. I love Al-Imam Al-Mahdi 'alayhi as-salam, but I should demonstrate that through my actions. Do we remember to pray for him? Do we remember to read Du'a al-Ahad for example, after Salat al-Fajr? Do we remember to give sadaqa in the name of Imam Al-Mahdi, ajal Allahu ta'ala farajahu ash-Sharif? Do we remember to read some Qur'an and gift the thawaab? Every day we should read some Qur'an, verses of the Qur'an and gift the thawab of these verses to Al-Imam Al-Mahdi, ajal Allahu ta'ala farajahu ash-Sharif.

Do I take care of my Salat? Do I take care of my manners and the people, the Mu'minin, the mu'minaat, my family, my children? That's how I demonstrate my love to Al-Imam, by obeying him. I show my, demonstrate my obedience to the Imam. When I do so, Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala will give me tawfiq, greater success in obeying Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala and increase my faith in Allah and his Messenger and the Imams alayhmu as-salam.

That's one, second this Asiyah bint Muzahim. Even though she lived in a corrupt environment and what tyrannic and oppressive regimes she lived with in the house of the Pharaoh, yet she still had her Iman, her faith, despite all those who are around her. She did not go with the flow. Today, we live in an environment where predominantly many people unfortunately, are not in the obedience of Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala. And this is mentioned in the Qur'an, "Wa ma akthar un-nasi wa law harasta bi Mu'minin" (12:103). 'And the majority of the people, no matter how hard you try, are not believers.

Some say that you know, I'm living in this environment, khalas, what can I do? That's why I dress this way, which may not be so Islamic, but I am wearing my hijab. That's it, you know, this is enough, even though my dress may not be so Islamic. We say that's not an excuse. Although you were living in such an environment, you have to maintain the hijab of Fatimat uz-Zahra 'alayha as-salam. The hijab obligated by Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala. When you do business, you have to uphold the teachings of Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala, you cannot cheat. You cannot lie when you deal with people. You cannot be arrogant, be always in Allah's obedience.

Sometimes people are fooled or made fun of, wa ayyadhu bi-Llah , because they are obedient to Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala. Somebody prays Salat on time, he's going out with his friends for example, and the time of Salat comes. InshaAllah once this covid ends, now we're talking about the pre-covid era when people used to go out and for example, hang out, the time of salat comes. He tells his friends, I'm going to go pray. They say 'What you've become a sheikh now? You've become a mullah now?' They make fun of him, although he is the one who is right, they are wrong.

A lady chooses to wear the hijab of Fatimat uz-Zahra 'alayha as-salam. For example she wears the abaya, the black abayas, and she wears a proper hijab, does not put any makeup on. You have other ladies for example, coming to her and saying 'With this dress, you will never be hired. Why are you dressing like this? Like you have just come from the hawzah. Or you have gone for Ziyarah.' Some people start making fun of her. Even though she is right, they are wrong, but they make fun of her, wa ayyadhu bi-Llah .

So we've become in such kind of wa ayyadhu bi-Llah , environments that we started making fun of the people who do the right thing. We need to be like Asiyah. She did the right thing, although she lived in an environment of wa ayyadhu bi-Llah , vice, environment of sin, wa ayyadhu bi-Llah . And that's why Amir ul-Mu'minin 'alayhi as-salam says 'Do not feel lonely when you are on the path of truth because there are so few people who follow it.' La tastawhishu tariq al-Haqqi li qillati salikih. So always try to be on the path of Haqq.

Going back, Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala says Fir'awn, he is the oppressive tyrant, "Wa fir'awna dhil awtaad" (89:10). He used to put, you know pillars into people wa ayyadhu bi-Llah. "Alladhina taghaw fi 'l-bilad" (89:11). Now Allah refers to Fir'awn own as an indiviDu'al, but then he says 'Alladheena,' those, the ones who, the ones. Because Fir'awn was the leader of tyranny, but he was not alone. He had many supporters. Haaman was his adviser, his minister, his helper who is also mentioned in the Qur'an, in Surat al-Qasas. And then he had the soldiers and the armies. Without those supporters, Fir'awn would not be able to execute his powers. And that's why we have a section in Kitab al-Kafi by Shaykh al-Kulayni ridhwanu Allah Ta'ala 'alayhi, about not supporting tyranny.

When you see tyranny, oppression, don't be a member of that group. And someone says well you know, I'm just a distant person. I'm not involved in the killing. For example, for example, someone says I am only the cook, I only cook for Fir'awn. I don't really participate in that pressure and the oppression and the tyranny. I'm only a chef. No, but because of you, you're supporting Fir'awn. You're in the act of Fir'awn, you're being paid by Fir'awn. So when you see oppression, wa ayyadhu bi-Llah, stay away from oppression wa ayyadhu bi-Llah.

And if you are able, demonstrate your voice. Voice your concern that this is not right. When you see someone oppressing somebody, voice your concern and this sometimes happens in marriages, the husband oppresses the wife or the wife oppresses the husband. And you have the fathers. They always side with their children, even though they may not be on the Haqq. They usually usually I wouldn't say always, usually they would side with their children. A father has to be on the Haqq. When he sees his son is wrong, he says to him, you're wrong, she's right.

Or when he sees the daughter is wrong, the mother sees her daughter is wrong or her son is wrong, speaks to him or to her. 'You are wrong. He is right.' So don't take sides just because they're family. Go with the Haqq. So Allah says Fir'awn, but then those 'Alladheena,' those who oppressed in the land, "Alladhina taghaw fi 'l-bilad" (89:11). They oppress in the land. "Fa aktharu feeha l-fasaad" (89:12). They did a lot of corruption in it, wa ayyadhu bi-Llah. They performed so much corruption, "Fa aktharu feehal fasaad" (89:12). As a consequence to all their oppression, to their aggression, to their deviation, "Fa sabba 'alaihim Rabbuka sawta 'adhaab" (89:13). Allah poured his wrath upon them like the whip, the whip of wrath, ya'ni, Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala destroyed them with His Might, with His Power, with the Wrath of Allah. Some of the mufassireen, they say, poured. Allah says, used the word poured, like pouring water. It's as if when you pour water, things become tahir. Ya'ni water purifies, water is tahir and makes things tahir, makes things pure, tahir.

So it's as if Allah purified this earth from them and Subhana Allah used water with Fir'awn. Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala destroyed Fir'awn, how? With the water. And Subhana Allah, as if Allah is trying to say 'I am using water to purify this land from the Pharaoh wa ayyadhu bi-Llah and the oppression of the Pharaoh and the people of the Pharaoh. So Allah destroyed them, poured His Wrath upon them, poured. The punishment against them, wa ayyadhu bi-Llah, to purify this land from them, to destroy them.

So one has to be careful brothers and sisters. You could be the bravest person in the world, the strongest person in the world, the wealthiest person in the world, Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala in a split of a second can change your whole state. You'll lose your strength, you'll lose your wealth, you'll lose your health, you'll lose your life. How many people have we seen before us that they leave this Dunyah when they are young?

Death does not know old or young. So be careful brothers and sisters. These Ayaat, when we read them, they should remind us of the akhirah. And Imam Al-Kadhim, salawat Allahi wa as-salamu alayh, was oppressed so much by the khalifah of his time, Harun al-Rashid. Harun al-Rashid used to rule about two thirds of the globe in his days. So powerful, so wealthy, so mighty. And he punished and tortured Imam Al-Kadhim 'alayhi as-salam, so much. Put him in prison and chains and pain. So one day Imam Al-Kadhim wrote to him. He says 'Indeed every day I experience in calamity, a day goes on you in comfort and ease. Until this life is completed and we go to Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala. On that day the oppressors will be losers.' Ya'ni in this Dunyah, every day I experience with difficulty, calamity, you experience an ease and comfort. But this is not the be all and end all.

In the akhirah, don't we say when we face a calamity "Innaa li-Llahi wa innaaa ilaihi raaji'oon" (2:156). 'Surely to Allah we belong and to Him, we shall return. Meaning that the pain that we experience in this Dunyah, is not going to be everlasting. The oppressors who are in this Dunyah, they will not be everlasting. We shall return to Allah Subahnahu wa Ta'ala. And there, the oppressors will be losers wa ayyadhu bi-Llah. And hence Allah says "Inna Rabbaka laib il-mirsaad" (89:14). 'Surely your Lord is in ambush.' He is going to get them. And some of the mufassireen as I mentioned, state that this is the response to the oath that Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala has taken. These four oaths: "Wa al-Fajr, wa layalin 'ashr, wa ash-shaf'i wa al-watr, wa al-layli idhaa yasr" (89:1-4). These four things that Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala, ""Wa al-Fajr, wa layalin 'ashr, wa ash-shaf'i wa al-watr, wa al-layli idhaa yasr” (89:1-4). This is "Inna Rabbaka laib il-mirsaad" (89:14).

It is narrated in Kitab al-Kafi from Rasul Allah, salla Allahu alayhi wa alihi wa sallam, that on the Day of Judgment, Jibra'il told me that on the Day of Judgment, Jahannam will become and there will be 1000 ropes that would be pulling Jahannam, each rope has one hundred thousand angels. So one hundred thousand angels are pulling to a rope bringing Jahannam and there are 1000 ropes, so can you see how many angels? And these angels are demonstrating the anger of Allah wa ayyadhu bi-Llah. They're not in a pleasant state. They're bringing Jahannam wa ayyadhu bi-Llah. When people see it, as when we will come to these ayaat later on, later on we'll come to these ayaats. "Wa jee'a yawma 'idhim bi Jahannnam" (89:23) from Surat al-Fajr.

But the Hadith has to do with "Inna Rabbaka laib il-mirsaad" (89:14). So they will bring Jahannam. When people see Jahannam, they'll start crying, 'Ya Rabbi nafsi, ya Rabbi nafsi.' O my Lord myself, ya'ni Ya Allah, have mercy on me, have mercy on me. When the people see Jahannam wa ayyadhu bi-Llah. Let's be prepared, brothers and sisters. In this, in this Holy month of Rahmah, month of forgiveness, we should ask Allah, 'Allahuma ij'alna min 'utaqaaika min an-Nar.' Ya'ni, 'O Allah make us among those whom you release, you free from the Hellfire.' Repeat this Du'a with me. Say it with me. 'Allahuma ij'alna min 'utaqaaika min an-Nar.' Repeat this Du'a. Allahuma ij'alna min 'utaqaaika min an-Nar' O Allah make us among those whom you free from the Hellfire wa ayyadhu bi-Llah.

So when the fire is brought forth, people will cry. Jibra'il is telling Rasul Allah salla Allahu 'alayhi wa'alihi, on that day people will cry, My lord, myself, myself. But you will be crying My Lord, Ya Rabb ummati, ummati, my nation, my nation. Look at the rahmah of Rasul Allah. Because He said the fire has nothing to do with you ya Rasul Allah, the fire will tell you Ya Rasul Allah, it is haraam for me to take you. Ya'ni, you don't come to me, there's forbidden. You are forbidden from coming near me or entering me.

So the Prophet would say 'My Lord, my nation, my ummah, my ummah.' And then he says Allah will put a bridge, the Siraat. Don't we read "Ihdina as-Siraat al-Mustaqeem (1:6). One of the meaning of Siraat is a bridge in the hereafter. When you are on the path of Ahlul Bayt 'alayhimu as-salaam, in this Dunyah, you obey them, you follow them, you ask Allah of forgiveness whenever you commit a sin, InshaAllah, you'll be able to pass that bridge and go to Jannah.

So the Siraat will be put. The fire is underneath this bridge and it's so thin, the bridge so you walk finely. And there are three checkpoints. The first checkpoint that they will ask you about is Al-Amaanatu wa al-Rahm, any trusts and the family, the kin. Is there any trust that you have not taken care of? Allah will hold you responsible for, ya'ni a word of truth, a testimony of Haqq, somebody's right that you've taken away. If you've mistreated, abused people wa ayyadhu bi-Llah. Allah will hold you responsible at that checkpoint, you will be caught wa ayyadhu bi-Llah.

The second checkpoint is Salat. Take care of the Salat, Ya mu'minin wa Ya mu'minaat. Imam Al-Sadiq, salawat Allahi wa as-salamu alayh, on his deathbed, he tells his wife Hamida 'Gather my family.' They gather the whole family, he tells them 'Tell our Shi'a that our Shafa'a, intercession will not reach the one who does not take care of his Salat, or takes his Salat lightly, wa ayyadhu bi-Llah. Does not care.

And that's why Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says "Fa wailun lil '-musalleen" (107:4). 'Woe upon those who pray.' "Alladheena hum 'an Salatihim sahoon" (107:5). 'Those who are busy from their Salat.' They don't take care of the Salat wa ayyadhu bi-Llah. Salat is the second checkpoint. Try to pray Salat on time. In fact in this remaining days of the Holy month of Ramadhan, you should make it an obligation, a goal that I will be praying Salat on time. That means within the first 10 or 15 minutes at most of the Adhaan. Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha'. When the Adhaan says, immediately rush to do the wudhu, in fact have the wudhu done before that. Have the wudhu done before the Adhaan if you can. When the Adhaan comes, you will start your Salat immediately within the first 10 or 15 minutes at most. That's InshaAllah when you're praying Awwal ul-Waqt, in the beginning of time.

Salat and the third one, the third one, Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala will be looking after the people, their intentions, their deeds. Of course, not Allah personally, Allah is not physical. When we say that there, Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala will say "Inna Rabbaka laib il-mirsaad" (89:14). 'Surely your Lord is in ambush.' What have you done in your intentions? Did you do all your deeds purely for the sake of Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala? What things did you do in this Dunyah? Allah will hold you responsible there, on that bridge, on the third checkpoint.

And then people on the Siraat, some people will slip and fall in the fire, some people will be holding on tightly and so on, so forth. The angels will be praying 'Ya Allah, Ya Haleemu, Ya Kareem' - 'Have mercy on the people.' And people are falling like flies until those who make it. Those who make it, they will say 'Al-hamdu li-Llahi alladheena jani minka bi fadhlihi wa mannih.' People will say, Thank Allah, Praise be to Allah who saved me from you O bridge through His Grace and through His Favour and blessing upon me.

May Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala make us on the Siraat al-Mustaqeem and keep us on the Siraat of Muhammad wa 'aali Muhammad on their path of obedience, of love. Following them sincerely in this Dunyah, so that we can cross this bridge of Siraat in the Akhirah.

Raise your hands in the Du'a. 'A'udhu billahi min al-Shaytan al-rajim. Bismillah Al-Rahman Al-Rahim. "Amman yujeebu 'l-mudtarra idaa da'aahu wa yakshifu 's-sooo'", Amman yujeebu 'l-mudtarra idaa da'aahu wa yakshifu 's-sooo'", Amman yujeebu 'l-mudtarra idaa da'aahu wa yakshifu 's-sooo'", Amman yujeebu 'l-mudtarra idaa da'aahu wa yakshifu 's-sooo'", Amman yujeebu 'l-mudtarra idaa da'aahu wa yakshifu 's-sooo'", Amman yujeebu 'l-mudtarra idaa da'aahu wa yakshifu 's-sooo'" (27:62).

We ask Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala to forgive our sins, to bless our parents and our children, and bless us to be among the Shi'a of Muhammad wa Aali Muhammad, in this world, in the qabr, and in the Hereafter. May Allah grant us their shafa'a and intercession InshaAllah, in this world, in the qabr, and in the Hereafter. May Allah fulfill the needs of all Mu'minin and Mu'minaat. Those Mu'minin and Mu'minaat who are ill, may Allah grant them quick and complete recovery. May Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala keep us on the Siraat al-Mustaqeem, us and our progeny until the Day of Judgment. May Allah Hasten the appearance of our Imam, ajal Allahu ta'ala farajahu ash-Sharif.

Allahumma kulli waliyyika Al-Hujjat ibni al-Hasan, salawatuka 'alayhi wa 'ala aabaih, fi hadhihi as-sa'ati, wa fi kulli saa’ah, waliyyan wa haafidhan, wa qa'idan wa naasiran, wa daleelan wa aynah, hatta tuskinahu ardhaka tau'aa, wa tumattiahu fiha tawilah, bi Rahmatika ya Arham ar-Rahimeen. (Du'a Al-Faraj).

O Allah make us among his Shi'a, and his followers, and his servers, and his servants, and companions, Ya Allah, and supporters. To the fulfillment of all the hajaat of Mu'minin and Mu'minaat, for the quick and complete recovery of all those who are ill, to end this pandemic InshaAllah soon and alleviate all the difficulties from all Mu'minin and Mu'minaat, to hasten the reappearance of our Imam, ajal Allahu ta'ala farajahu ash-Sharif, and for the arwha of all marhumeen, Mu'minin and Mu'minaat, our marhumeen your marhumeen, the shu'ada, the 'ulama.

May Allah have mercy on those who recite Surah al-mubaraka al-Fatiha, with Salawaat 'ala Muhammad wa 'Aali Muhammad. Allahuma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'Aali Muhammad. Wa as-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.