SERMON 199
Containing advice given by Amir al-mu'minin
to his companions
About Prayer
Pledge yourself with prayer and
remain steady on it; offer prayer as much as possible and seek nearness
(of Allah) through it, because it is, (imposed) upon the believers as (a)
timed ordinance (Qur'an 4:103). Have you not heard the reply of the people
of Hell when they were asked: What hath brought you into the hell? They
shall say: We were not of those who offered the regular prayers (to
Allah)! (Qur'an, 74:42-43). Certainly, prayer drops out sins like the
dropping of leaves (of trees), and removes them as ropes are removed from
the necks of cattle.
The
Messenger of Allah - the peace and blessing of Allah he upon him and his
descendants - likened it to a hot bath situated at the door of a person
who bathes in it five times a day. Will then any dirt remain on him?
Its obligation is recognised by
those believers whom neither the adornment of property nor the coolness of
the eyes produced by children can turn away from it. Allah, the Glorified,
says:
Men whom neither merchandise nor
any sale diverteth from the remembrance of Allah and constancy in prayer
and paying the poor-rate; ... (Qur'an. 24:37)
Even after receiving assurance of
Paradise, the Messenger of Allah - peace and blessing of Allah be upon him
and his descendants - used to exert himself for prayers because of Allah,
the Glorified's command.
And enjoin prayer on thy
followers, and adhere thou steadily unto it, ... (Qur'an, 20:132).
Then the Holy Prophet used to enjoin
his followers to prayer and exert himself for it.
About the Islamic Tax (zakat)
Then, Islamic tax has been laid down
along with prayer as a sacrifice (to be offered) by the people of Islam.
Whoever pays it by way of purifying his spirit, it serves as a purifier
for him and a protection and shield against fire (of Hell). No one
therefore (who pays it) should feel attached to it afterwards, nor should
feel grieved over it.
Whoever pays it without the intention of purifying his heart expects
through it more than its due. He is certainly ignorant of the sunnah, he
is allowed no reward for it, his action goes to waste and his repentance
is excessive.
Fulfilment of Trust
Then, as regards fulfilment of
trust, whoever does not pay attention to it will be disappointed. It was
placed before the strong skies, vast earths and high mountains but none of
them was found to be stronger. vaster, or higher than it.
If
anything could be unapproachable because of height, vastness, power or
strength they would have been unapproachable, but they felt afraid of the
evil consequences (of failure in fulfilling a trust) and noticed what a
weaker being did not realise it, and this was man.
. . . Verily he was (proved)
unjust, ignorant. (Qur'an, 33:72)
Surely, Allah, the Glorified, the
Sublime, nothing is hidden from Him of whatever people do in their nights
or days. He knows all the details, and His knowledge covers them. Your
limbs are a witness, the organs of your body constitute an army (against
yourself), your inner self serves Him as eyes (to watch your sins), and
your loneliness is open to Him.
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