Let me tell you what happens when you procrastinate. You see, I have this habit of delaying the preparation of the Friday talk until Thursday night. Come Thursday night and I often delay it further, until Friday morning. I then prepare the talk after the fajr salaah. That is exactly what I did last night. However, when I awoke this morning, lo and behold, there were no lights! \u201cWhat am I going to do?\u201d I thought aloud, \u201cI have a bayaan to prepare.\u201d Suddenly a thought crossed my mind. \u2018If there are no lights, why not speak about light?\u2019 Certainly, I was not thinking of the lights that hang from our ceilings, the lights that we switch on after nightfall. I was thinking of:
\u0627\u0644\u0644\u0651\u064e\u0647\u064f \u0646\u064f\u0648\u0631\u064f \u0627\u0644\u0633\u0651\u064e\u0645\u064e\u0627\u0648\u064e\u0627\u062a\u0650 \u0648\u064e\u0627\u0644\u0623\u064e\u0631\u0652\u0636\u0650
\u201cAllah is the creator of the noor of the skies and the earth.\u201d\u00a0 <\/p>\n
Yes, I was thinking of the noor of Allah, the creator of all noor in the skies, the earth and in-between. Do you want to see a glimpse of Allah\u2019s noor? Well, you cannot do so in the worldly life, but you can listen to the story of Nabi Moosa (as). He had an intense desire to see Allah. Thus, he prayed to Allah:
\u0631\u064e\u0628\u0651\u0650 \u0623\u064e\u0631\u0650\u0646\u0650\u064a \u0623\u064e\u0646\u0638\u064f\u0631\u0652 \u0625\u0650\u0644\u064e\u064a\u0652\u0643\u064e
\u201cO Rabb, Show me yourself so that I may see you.\u201d
\u201cYou will not be able to see me (in the worldly life),\u201d said Allah, \u201cbut look at the mountain\u201d. Allah then told him that he would expose a little of His noor to the mountain.
\u0641\u064e\u0625\u0650\u0646\u0650 \u0627\u0633\u0652\u062a\u064e\u0642\u064e\u0631\u0651\u064e \u0645\u064e\u0643\u064e\u0627\u0646\u064e\u0647\u064f \u0641\u064e\u0633\u064e\u0648\u0652\u0641\u064e \u062a\u064e\u0631\u064e\u0627\u0646\u0650\u064a
\u201cIf it remains in place, you will see me.\u201d
Allah then exposed a little of His noor, equivalent to a fingertip, to the mountain. The intensity of His noor caused the mountain to crush to pieces and Nabi Moosa (as) fainted. <\/p>\n
\u0648\u064e\u0623\u064e\u0634\u0652\u0631\u064e\u0642\u064e\u062a\u0650 \u0627\u0644\u0652\u0623\u064e\u0631\u0652\u0636\u064f \u0628\u0650\u0646\u064f\u0648\u0631\u0650 \u0631\u064e\u0628\u0651\u0650\u0647\u064e\u0627
At the time of the resurrection, when mankind will emerge from their graves, \u201cthe earth will be lit with the noor of its Rabb\u201d.\u00a0
The Noor of Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam
Having touched on the noor of Allah, let us now touch on the noor of Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam.
\u064a\u064e\u0627 \u0623\u064e\u064a\u0651\u064f\u0647\u064e\u0627 \u0627\u0644\u0646\u0651\u064e\u0628\u0650\u064a\u0651\u064f \u0625\u0650\u0646\u0651\u064e\u0627 \u0623\u064e\u0631\u0652\u0633\u064e\u0644\u0652\u0646\u064e\u0627\u0643\u064e \u0634\u064e\u0627\u0647\u0650\u062f\u064b\u0627 \u0648\u064e\u0645\u064f\u0628\u064e\u0634\u0651\u0650\u0631\u064b\u0627 \u0648\u064e\u0646\u064e\u0630\u0650\u064a\u0631\u064b\u0627 \u0648\u064e\u062f\u064e\u0627\u0639\u0650\u064a\u064b\u0627 \u0625\u0650\u0644\u064e\u0649 \u0627\u0644\u0644\u0651\u064e\u0647\u0650 \u0628\u0650\u0625\u0650\u0630\u0652\u0646\u0650\u0647\u0650 \u0648\u064e\u0633\u0650\u0631\u064e\u0627\u062c\u064b\u0627 \u0645\u064f\u0646\u0650\u064a\u0631\u064b\u0627
\u201cO Nabi, we sent you as a witness, a giver of glad-tidings and warning, a caller to Allah and a radiant siraaj.\u201d\u00a0
The reason why I did not translate the word siraaj is that it could be translated as sun or lamp. Choosing to translate it as sun, Suyooti explains that Allah Ta\u2019aala is comparing Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam to the sun because both are used to find the way.\u00a0 While the sun guides us to a worldly path, Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam guides us to the path of Allah. In his footnotes on the above, Saawi (ra) refers to the fact that physical and spiritual light is gained from Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam.\u00a0 (Should I have said light and noor?) Now can you imagine the strength of his noor if others gain noor from him?\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/p>\n
Somebody asked Baraa bin \u2018Aazib (ra) if Rasulullah\u2019s sallallahu alaihi wasallam blessed face used to shine like a sword. \u201cNo,\u201d he replied, \u201cHis face used to shine like the moon.\u201d\u00a0 <\/p>\n
Jaabir bin Samurah (ra) narrated, \u201cI saw Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam on a moonlit night. He was wearing red clothes. I continued shifting my gaze between him and the moon until I concluded that, in my opinion, he was more handsome than the moon.\u201d\u00a0 <\/p>\n
Abu Hurayrah narrated, \u201cI never saw anything more handsome than Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam. It seemed like the sun was in his face.\u201d\u00a0 <\/p>\n
Commenting on the hadith of Baraa bin \u2018Aazib (ra), Abdur Ra\u2019oof Munaawi (ra) says that just as the face of Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam has more noor than the sun, the noor of his heart supersedes the sun and the moon. \u201cIf Allah has to expose the noor of his heart, the light of the sun and the moon will fade. There is no comparison between their light and the light of Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam\u2019s heart. Both of them are overshadowed due to eclipses and both set on a regular basis. On the contrary, the noor of the hearts of the Ambiyaa are neither overshadowed due to eclipse nor do they ever set.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0
The Noor of the Mu\u2019min
\u0627\u0644\u0644\u0651\u064e\u0647\u064f \u0648\u064e\u0644\u0650\u064a\u0651\u064f \u0627\u0644\u0651\u064e\u0630\u0650\u064a\u0646\u064e \u0622\u064e\u0645\u064e\u0646\u064f\u0648\u0627 \u064a\u064f\u062e\u0652\u0631\u0650\u062c\u064f\u0647\u064f\u0645\u0652 \u0645\u0650\u0646\u064e \u0627\u0644\u0638\u0651\u064f\u0644\u064f\u0645\u064e\u0627\u062a\u0650 \u0625\u0650\u0644\u064e\u0649 \u0627\u0644\u0646\u0651\u064f\u0648\u0631\u0650
\u201cAllah is the friend of those who believe. He removes them from darkness to noor.\u201d
When we speak of the awliyaa (friends of Allah), our thoughts immediately dart to certain august personalities in our history; Sayyiduna Abdul Qadir Jilaani, Khwaajah Mu\u2019eenud-Deen Chisti and Khwaajah Nizaamud-Deen (ra). Indeed, they were friends of Allah. However, there are variant levels of friendship with Allah. The Ambiyaa, the Sahaabah, the above personalities and thousands of others were all Allah\u2019s friends. Nevertheless, no matter how pious a non-Sahaabi may be, he can never reach the level of a single Sahaabi. Likewise, no Sahaabi can ever equal a single Nabi. Yet all of them are Allah\u2019s friends. Accordingly, this aayah informs us that every Mu\u2019min (Believer) is Allah\u2019s friend. Hence, we should avoid trampling the rights of fellow Muslims, irrespective of the circumstances. Remember the hadith in which Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam said that Allah says, \u201cI announce war on the person who harbours enmity for a friend of mine\u201d. Who has the strength to \u2018fight\u2019 Allah? The other thing we learn from this aayah is that every Mu\u2019min has noor, the noor of imaan. Should we not be grateful and do everything within our means to preserve and enhance this noor?\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/p>\n
Those who live with this noor and leave the world with it will be resurrected with it. Thus, Allah describes the Day of Qiyaamah as:
\u064a\u064e\u0648\u0652\u0645\u064e \u062a\u064e\u0631\u064e\u0649 \u0627\u0644\u0652\u0645\u064f\u0624\u0652\u0645\u0650\u0646\u0650\u064a\u0646\u064e \u0648\u064e\u0627\u0644\u0652\u0645\u064f\u0624\u0652\u0645\u0650\u0646\u064e\u0627\u062a\u0650 \u064a\u064e\u0633\u0652\u0639\u064e\u0649 \u0646\u064f\u0648\u0631\u064f\u0647\u064f\u0645\u0652 \u0628\u064e\u064a\u0652\u0646\u064e \u0623\u064e\u064a\u0652\u062f\u0650\u064a\u0647\u0650\u0645\u0652 \u0648\u064e\u0628\u0650\u0623\u064e\u064a\u0652\u0645\u064e\u0627\u0646\u0650\u0647\u0650\u0645\u0652 \u0628\u064f\u0634\u0652\u0631\u064e\u0627\u0643\u064f\u0645\u064f \u0627\u0644\u0652\u064a\u064e\u0648\u0652\u0645\u064e \u062c\u064e\u0646\u0651\u064e\u0627\u062a\u064c \u062a\u064e\u062c\u0652\u0631\u0650\u064a \u0645\u0650\u0646\u0652 \u062a\u064e\u062d\u0652\u062a\u0650\u0647\u064e\u0627 \u0627\u0644\u0652\u0623\u064e\u0646\u0652\u0647\u064e\u0627\u0631\u064f \u062e\u064e\u0627\u0644\u0650\u062f\u0650\u064a\u0646\u064e \u0641\u0650\u064a\u0647\u064e\u0627 \u0630\u064e\u0644\u0650\u0643\u064e \u0647\u064f\u0648\u064e \u0627\u0644\u0652\u0641\u064e\u0648\u0652\u0632\u064f \u0627\u0644\u0652\u0639\u064e\u0638\u0650\u064a\u0645\u064f
\u201cThe day when you will see male and female believers in such a condition that their noor will be in front of them and on their sides and it will be proclaimed to them: Your glad-tidings today are that of gardens beneath which rivers flow and in which they will abide forever. That is magnificent success.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0
\u064a\u064e\u0648\u0652\u0645\u064e \u0644\u0627 \u064a\u064f\u062e\u0652\u0632\u0650\u064a \u0627\u0644\u0644\u0651\u064e\u0647\u064f \u0627\u0644\u0646\u0651\u064e\u0628\u0650\u064a\u0651\u064e \u0648\u064e\u0627\u0644\u0651\u064e\u0630\u0650\u064a\u0646\u064e \u0622\u064e\u0645\u064e\u0646\u064f\u0648\u0627 \u0645\u064e\u0639\u064e\u0647\u064f \u0646\u064f\u0648\u0631\u064f\u0647\u064f\u0645\u0652 \u064a\u064e\u0633\u0652\u0639\u064e\u0649 \u0628\u064e\u064a\u0652\u0646\u064e \u0623\u064e\u064a\u0652\u062f\u0650\u064a\u0647\u0650\u0645\u0652 \u0648\u064e\u0628\u0650\u0623\u064e\u064a\u0652\u0645\u064e\u0627\u0646\u0650\u0647\u0650\u0645\u0652
\u064a\u064e\u0642\u064f\u0648\u0644\u064f\u0648\u0646\u064e \u0631\u064e\u0628\u0651\u064e\u0646\u064e\u0627 \u0623\u064e\u062a\u0652\u0645\u0650\u0645\u0652 \u0644\u064e\u0646\u064e\u0627 \u0646\u064f\u0648\u0631\u064e\u0646\u064e\u0627
\u201cThe day when Allah will not disgrace the Nabi and those who brought imaan with him, their imaan will be in front of them and on their sides and they will say: O our Rabb, complete our noor for us.\u201d <\/p>\n
Why will they say, \u201cO our Rabb, complete our noor for us\u201d? In order to answer this question, we have to see what Allah says about the noor of the munaafiq (hypocrite).
The Noor of the Munaafiq
You are probably thinking, \u2018Can the munaafiq even have any noor?\u2019 The answer is that in essence he is a non-believer and therefore does not deserve any noor. In fact, he has absolutely no noor in the worldly life. The noor we are referring to will be in the Hereafter.
\u064a\u064e\u0648\u0652\u0645\u064e \u064a\u064e\u0642\u064f\u0648\u0644\u064f \u0627\u0644\u0652\u0645\u064f\u0646\u064e\u0627\u0641\u0650\u0642\u064f\u0648\u0646\u064e \u0648\u064e\u0627\u0644\u0652\u0645\u064f\u0646\u064e\u0627\u0641\u0650\u0642\u064e\u0627\u062a\u064f \u0644\u0650\u0644\u0651\u064e\u0630\u0650\u064a\u0646\u064e \u0622\u064e\u0645\u064e\u0646\u064f\u0648\u0627 \u0627\u0646\u0652\u0638\u064f\u0631\u064f\u0648\u0646\u064e\u0627 \u0646\u064e\u0642\u0652\u062a\u064e\u0628\u0650\u0633\u0652 \u0645\u0650\u0646\u0652 \u0646\u064f\u0648\u0631\u0650\u0643\u064f\u0645\u0652 \u0642\u0650\u064a\u0644\u064e \u0627\u0631\u0652\u062c\u0650\u0639\u064f\u0648\u0627 \u0648\u064e\u0631\u064e\u0627\u0621\u064e\u0643\u064f\u0645\u0652 \u0641\u064e\u0627\u0644\u0652\u062a\u064e\u0645\u0650\u0633\u064f\u0648\u0627 \u0646\u064f\u0648\u0631\u064b\u0627 \u0641\u064e\u0636\u064f\u0631\u0650\u0628\u064e \u0628\u064e\u064a\u0652\u0646\u064e\u0647\u064f\u0645\u0652 \u0628\u0650\u0633\u064f\u0648\u0631\u064d \u0644\u064e\u0647\u064f \u0628\u064e\u0627\u0628\u064c \u0628\u064e\u0627\u0637\u0650\u0646\u064f\u0647\u064f \u0641\u0650\u064a\u0647\u0650 \u0627\u0644\u0631\u0651\u064e\u062d\u0652\u0645\u064e\u0629\u064f \u0648\u064e\u0638\u064e\u0627\u0647\u0650\u0631\u064f\u0647\u064f \u0645\u0650\u0646\u0652 \u0642\u0650\u0628\u064e\u0644\u0650\u0647\u0650 \u0627\u0644\u0652\u0639\u064e\u0630\u064e\u0627\u0628\u064f
This aayah is also a description of the Day of Qiyaamah. It means that on that day the male and female hypocrites will tell the Believers, \u201cLook at us so that we may take some of your noor\u201d. \u201cGo back,\u201d they will be told, \u201cand look for noor behind you\u201d. They will turn backwards only to be blocked by the sudden appearance of a wall. Beyond the wall will be mercy but on their side of the wall will be punishment.\u00a0 <\/p>\n
Explaining this aayah, Ibn \u2018Abbaas (ra) said, \u201cInitially (when the people will leave their graves), they will be in darkness. Allah will then give them noor.\u00a0 The Mu\u2019min will see it and walk in its direction. Thus, it would be his \u2018guide\u2019 to Jannah. When the hypocrites will see that the Believers are going forward, they will follow them. However, Allah will then blow out the noor of the hypocrites. This is when the hypocrites will beseech the Believers saying: Look at us so that we may take some of your noor . . .\u201d\u00a0 The darkness of the hypocrite at that moment is alluded to in the aayah:
\u0623\u064e\u0648\u0652 \u0643\u064e\u0638\u064f\u0644\u064f\u0645\u064e\u0627\u062a\u064d \u0641\u0650\u064a \u0628\u064e\u062d\u0652\u0631\u064d \u0644\u0651\u064f\u062c\u0651\u0650\u064a\u0651\u064d \u064a\u064e\u063a\u0652\u0634\u064e\u0627\u0647\u064f \u0645\u064e\u0648\u0652\u062c\u064c \u0645\u0651\u0650\u0646 \u0641\u064e\u0648\u0652\u0642\u0650\u0647\u0650 \u0645\u064e\u0648\u0652\u062c\u064c \u0645\u0651\u0650\u0646 \u0641\u064e\u0648\u0652\u0642\u0650\u0647\u0650 \u0633\u064e\u062d\u064e\u0627\u0628\u064c \u0638\u064f\u0644\u064f\u0645\u064e\u0627\u062a\u064c \u0628\u064e\u0639\u0652\u0636\u064f\u0647\u064e\u0627 \u0641\u064e\u0648\u0652\u0642\u064e \u0628\u064e\u0639\u0652\u0636\u064d \u0625\u0650\u0630\u064e\u0627 \u0623\u064e\u062e\u0652\u0631\u064e\u062c\u064e \u064a\u064e\u062f\u064e\u0647\u064f \u0644\u064e\u0645\u0652 \u064a\u064e\u0643\u064e\u062f\u0652 \u064a\u064e\u0631\u064e\u0627\u0647\u064e\u0627 \u0648\u064e\u0645\u064e\u0646 \u0644\u0651\u064e\u0645\u0652 \u064a\u064e\u062c\u0652\u0639\u064e\u0644\u0650 \u0627\u0644\u0644\u0651\u064e\u0647\u064f \u0644\u064e\u0647\u064f \u0646\u064f\u0648\u0631\u064b\u0627 \u0641\u064e\u0645\u064e\u0627 \u0644\u064e\u0647\u064f \u0645\u0650\u0646 \u0646\u0651\u064f\u0648\u0631\u064d<\/p>\n
\u201cShades of darkness of the deep sea that is covered by a wave over which there is another wave above that there are clouds. Shades of darkness, some of which are denser than the others. If he (the person in such darkness removes his hand), he will hardly see it. There is no noor for the person whom Allah does not give any noor.\u201d <\/p>\n
Skeptics may object that this is deception. No, it is not deception \u2013 it is the punishment for deception.
\u0625\u0650\u0646\u0651\u064e \u0627\u0644\u0652\u0645\u064f\u0646\u064e\u0627\u0641\u0650\u0642\u0650\u064a\u0646\u064e \u064a\u064f\u062e\u064e\u0627\u062f\u0650\u0639\u064f\u0648\u0646\u064e \u0627\u0644\u0644\u0651\u064e\u0647\u064e \u0648\u064e\u0647\u064f\u0648\u064e \u062e\u064e\u0627\u062f\u0650\u0639\u064f\u0647\u064f\u0645\u0652
\u201cThe hypocrites deceive Allah and He will deceive them.\u201d
Nobody can deceive Allah. Furthermore, Allah never deceives anybody; it is beyond His status and purity. Thus, the meaning of the aayah is that the hypocrites behave as if they can deceive Allah. However, He will punish them for their evil behaviour.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/p>\n
Anyway, seeing the hypocrites lose their noor, the Mu\u2019mineen will fear suffering the same fate as them. Thus, they will implore Allah:
\u0623\u064e\u062a\u0652\u0645\u0650\u0645\u0652 \u0644\u064e\u0646\u064e\u0627 \u0646\u064f\u0648\u0631\u064e\u0646\u064e\u0627
\u201cComplete our noor for us.\u201d
Conclusion
Allah has blessed us with the noor of imaan. It is imperative that we show our gratitude to Him by treasuring, preserving and enhancing it. This could be achieved by:
o\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Conformity to Allah Ta\u2019aala\u2019s commands
o\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Adherence to the sunnah
o\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Abstention from sin
o\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Abundance of dhikr and du\u2019aa
o\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Engagement in tableegh and da\u2019wah
o\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sitting in the company of the pious<\/p>\n
We terminate with two ahaadith of Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam.
1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cGive glad tidings of complete noor on the Day of Qiyaamah to those who walk in darkness to the masaajid.\u201d
2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNo servant says \u0644\u0627 \u0625\u0644\u0647 \u0625\u0644\u0627 \u0627\u0644\u0644\u0647 one hundred times (daily) except that Allah will resurrect him on the Day of Qiyaamah in such a condition that his face will shine like the full moon.\u201d
3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThe one who sends a hundred salawaat to me on Fridays will come on the Day of Qiyaamah with so much noor that it will suffice for the entire creation if divided among them.\u201d\u00a0 <\/p>\n
O Allah, bless us with complete noor on the Day of Qiyaamah, aameen.<\/p>\n
\u0648 \u0622\u062e\u0631 \u062f\u0639\u0648\u0627\u0646\u0627 \u0623\u0646 \u0627\u0644\u062d\u0645\u062f \u0644\u0644\u0647 \u0631\u0628 \u0627\u0644\u0639\u0627\u0644\u0645\u064a\u0646 <\/p>\n
Abu Hudhaifa Muhammed Karolia
6 Dhil Hajj 1434 \/ 12 October 2013
Al-Jaami\u2019ah Al-Mahmoodiah
Persida, Springs<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Let me tell you what happens when you procrastinate. You see, I have this habit of delaying the preparation of the Friday talk until Thursday night. Come Thursday night and I often delay it further, until Friday morning. I then prepare the talk after the fajr salaah. That is exactly what I did last night. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-155","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-articles"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jameah-mahmoodiyah.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/155","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jameah-mahmoodiyah.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jameah-mahmoodiyah.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jameah-mahmoodiyah.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jameah-mahmoodiyah.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=155"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/jameah-mahmoodiyah.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/155\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jameah-mahmoodiyah.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=155"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jameah-mahmoodiyah.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=155"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jameah-mahmoodiyah.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=155"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}