Sheikh Abdul-Bari ibn Awad Ath-Thubaity – 09 Rabiul Awwal 1435

His Eminence Sheikh Abdul-Bari ibn Awad Ath-Thubaity, may Allah preserve him, delivered the Friday Khutbah entitled, “Reflecting on Allah’s Ways in the Universe: Lessons and Morals”, in which he talked about the ways of Allah in the Universe and the importance of studying them carefully. He referred to many of the ways of Allah, Exalted be He, in the universe, which do not change with the lapse of time or with the change of people’s conditions, for Allah’s ways are always in effect in the manner He wants them to be. Sheikh Ath-Thubaity also highlighted the lessons and morals that can be drawn from the ways of Allah, Exalted be He.

Praise be to Allah. Praise be to Allah, Who has favoured His servants with bountiful favours. I praise Him, exalted be He, and thank Him, for He has proclaimed that He will give more to those who give thanks to Him. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, Who has no partners; He governs the universe and the whole creation through an orderly system and established laws. I bear witness that our master and our prophet, Muhammad, is His servant and messenger, who called to the path of truth and filled in all gaps in faith. I ask Allah to bestow His peace and blessings upon him, his family, and his Companions perpetually and bountifully.

O Muslims!
I advise you and advise myself to fear Allah. Allah, Exalted be He, says:
“O you who believe! Keep your duty to Allah and fear Him, and speak (always) the truth. He will direct you to do righteous good deeds and will forgive you your sins. And whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), he has indeed achieved a great achievement (i.e. he will be saved from the Hell-fire and will be admitted to Paradise).” (Al-Ahzab: 70-71)

Allah, Blessed and Exalted be He, has ways which apply to everything in existence. Allah, Might and Majesty be to Him, has created the universe in truth according to a perfect design, and has subjected it to perfect laws, such that it is free from any flaws or defects. Allah, Exalted be He, says:

“Verily, We have created all things with Qadar (Divine Preordainments of all things before their creation as written in the Book of Decrees – Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz).” (Al-Qamar: 49)

It is necessary to know the ways of Allah, which are worthy of studying and understanding. Knowledge of these ways is part of the knowledge of religion. Allah, Exalted be He, says:

“… And We have sent down to you the Book (the Qur’an) as an exposition of everything, a guidance, a mercy, and glad tidings for those who have submitted themselves (to Allah as Muslims).” (An-Nahl: 89)

This world is based on a number of laws; those who get to know these laws can predict the results if their causes are available. One of the most important and useful branches of knowledge is the knowledge of the ways of Allah, which adds to man’s understanding and ability to make use of all the resources that are subjected to him. This will enable man to maintain and develop the earth in accordance with Allah’s laws and will broaden his perception. Learning the ways of Allah reveals the wisdom behind events. It is a religious requirement that is meant to enable the Muslim community to gain power in all walks of life and safeguard their religion and their homelands. Conversely, overlooking the ways of Allah is one of the causes of backwardness which have caused Muslims to lag behind other nations. The people of understanding are indeed to be blamed if they underestimate the importance of these ways and fail to draw the lessons and morals included in them.

Allah says to those who disbelieve in our prophet, Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him: “Has not the news reached you of those who disbelieved aforetime? And so they tasted the evil result of their disbelief, and theirs will be a painful torment. That was because there came to them their Messengers with clear proofs (signs), but they said: “Shall mere men guide us?” So they disbelieved and turned away (from the truth), and Allah was not in need (of them). And Allah is Rich (Free of all needs), Worthy of all praise.” (At-Taghabun: 5-6)

Studying the ways of Allah provides us with many lessons and morals, as we observe how such ways take effect in the life of nations, peoples, and states. Allah, Exalted be He, says:

“And indeed, We destroyed generations before you when they did wrong, while their Messengers came to them with clear proofs, but they were not such as to believe! Thus do We requite the people who are Mujrimun (disbelievers, polytheists, sinners, criminals). Then We made you successors after them, generations after generations in the land, that We might see how you would work.” (Yunus: 13-14)

The Qur’an refers people to the ways of Allah, which constitute the immutable and general rule that governs the process of life by virtue of Allah’s command. This rule never fails to apply at any one moment and leaves no room for things to happen haphazardly. The future is governed by the same rules that applied to the past, and the events of the past have a bearing on what will happen in the future. The Noble Qur’an narrates the stories of previous nations and the afflictions that befell them on account of their evil deeds so that we may draw lessons and avoid their actions and thus be saved from the same evil consequences that they suffered. “… Then take admonition, O you with eyes (to see).” (Al-Hashr: 2)

Allah has devoted one third of the Qur’an to the narration of stories so that Muslims may infer the ways of Allah, Might and Majesty be to Him, from them. Allah, Exalted be He, says: “… So relate the stories, perhaps they may reflect.” (Al-A‘raf: 176)

Constant contemplation on the Qur’an provides us with insights into the ways of Allah in the universe, in the human self, and in dealing with the disobedient slaves and the disbelievers. Allah, Exalted be He, says: “… I will show you My Ayat (torments, proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.). So ask Me not to hasten (them).” (Al-Anbiya’: 37)

History is the clearest arena in which the ways of Allah, Blessed and Exalted be He, are most manifest and concrete. The Noble Qur’an stresses the importance of benefiting from the events of history. Allah, Exalted be He, says: “Many similar ways (and mishaps of life) were faced by nations (believers and disbelievers) that have passed away before you (as you have faced in the battle of Uhud), so travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those who disbelieved (in the Oneness of Allah, and disobeyed Him and His Messengers).” (Al ‘Imran: 137)

Those who are familiar with history and with Allah’s ways in determining its events and have heart to understand or give ear while they are heedful will learn from the mistakes of former generations and draw lessons from them. The happy ones are those who learn from others. The past will continue to repeat itself in the present in one way or another; similarly, the present will re-enact itself in the future in one way or another.

There are certain ways and practices which lead to the truth and to the straight path. Allah, Exalted be He, says: “Allah wishes to make clear (what is lawful and what is unlawful) to you, and to show you the ways of those before you, and accept your repentance, and Allah is All-Knower, All-Wise.” (An-Nisa’: 26)

There are also wrong ways and practices which lead to falsehood and to the path of destruction. Allah, Exalted be He, says: “Have you not seen those who have changed the Blessings of Allah into disbelief (by denying Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, and his Message of Islam), and caused their people to dwell in the house of destruction?” (Ibrahim: 28)

The Noble Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “…Whoever introduces an evil practice in Islam will shoulder its sin and the sins of all those who will follow it, without having their burden diminished in the least” (Reported by Muslim).

Allah’s ways are characterised by immutability. They neither change nor alter. Allah, Exalted be He, says: “… So no change will you find in Allah’s Sunnah (way of dealing), and no turning off will you find in Allah’s Sunnah (way of dealing).” (Fatir: 43)

The ways of Allah do not allow an idle or negligent person to get what he wants without exerting an effort or performing some action. The ways of Allah in this world do not distinguish between believers and non-believers in terms of reward for actions; those who work will be rewarded for what they do, and those who stay idle will receive no reward. This prompts the believer to actively engage in work in order to stay in harmony with Allah’s ways in this life and thus achieve success.

Allah’s ways apply to all people without exception. They tell us, for example, that man’s change of state to the better or to the worse comes only as a result of the effort he makes and his conduct. Allah’s ways bear fruit for whoever acts upon them, fulfils their requirements, and observes them, even though he may not be a believer. For a non-believer, however, they are confined to this present life only. Allah, Exalted be He, says: “Whosoever desires the life of the world and its glitter, to them We shall pay in full (the wages of) their deeds therein, and they will have no diminution therein. They are those for whom there is nothing in the Hereafter but Fire, and vain are the deeds they did therein. And of no effect is that which they used to do.” (Hud: 15-16)

Those who oppose Allah’s ways and lead a life based on whims and desires must know that Allah’s ways do not favour anyone. The fact that we are Muslims is no guarantee that we will be exempted from punishment for what we do. Allah, Exalted be He, says: “It will not be in accordance with your desires (Muslims), nor those of the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), whosoever works evil, will have the recompense thereof …” (An-Nisa’: 123)

Allah, Exalted be He, also says:
“And indeed, We have destroyed your likes, then is there any that will remember (or receive admonition)?” (Al-Qamar: 51)

The best of people after the prophets are the Companions of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. Despite this, they underwent severe misfortunes during the battle of Uhud for the mistakes they committed. Allah, Exalted be He, says: “And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much.” (Ash-Shura : 30)

This clearly shows that there is no affinity whatsoever between Allah and any of His creation. The only criterion in this respect is obedience to Allah and fear of Him.

One of Allah’s ways is that deviation from the straight path set by Allah causes scarcity of resources and leads to Allah’s punishment. Those who toil and exert effort will have the earth’s treasures made available to them, while those who idle around and wait for results without doing anything will be afflicted by drought and will suffer aridity and deprivation.

Allah’s ways also include gradual progress in deeds and in changing oneself and one’s way of life. Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, said:

The first thing that was revealed [of the Qur’an] was a surah from Al-Mufassal (i.e. any surah beginning from Surat Qaf to the end of the Qur’an), in which there was mention of Paradise and Hellfire. When the people embraced Islam, the verses regarding what is lawful and unlawful were revealed. If the first thing to be revealed had been, ‘Do not drink alcohol’, people would have said, “We will never leave alcoholic drinks,” and if it had been, “Do not commit zina (illegal sexual intercourse)”, they would have said, “We will never give up zina.”

Umar ibn Abdul-Aziz had a son called Abdul-Malik, who once reproached his father for not hastening to remove all the corruption and grievances that could still be found in society. He said to him, “O father! Why don’t you implement the rulings immediately? By Allah, I would not care if you and I were boiled to death so long as we seek to establish the truth.” The wise father said to him, “Do not deal with matters hastily, my son! For Allah Himself disparaged alcohol twice in the Qur’an and declared it forbidden only in the third time. I fear that if I forced people to follow the truth in its entirety, they would give it up in its entirety, which would only cause trials and tribulations.”

Among the ways of Allah is that there will always be a party of the believers that will continue to hold fast to Allah’s religion until the Day of Judgement and will not commit any violations in religion; even if they may be regarded as worthless in people’s sight, they will be weighty in their balance in the hereafter.

Testing the believers is also among the ways of Allah. Allah, Exalted be He, says: “Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: “We believe,” and will not be tested. And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allah 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 Allah knows all that before putting them to test).” (Al-‘Ankabut: 2-3)

The believers will not be granted power and authority in the land unless they are tested by Allah. Testing serves as a means of examination, refinement, purification, and advancement. People are not generally given power and authority in the land merely because they are the descendants of a believing people; rather, they are given this privilege because they are true believers themselves. Allah, Exalted be He, said to Ibrahim (Prophet Abraham), peace be upon him: “…Verily, I am going to make you an Imam (a leader) for mankind (to follow you)…” (Al-Baqarah: 124)

Ibrahim, peace be upon him, wished that this covenant (of Allah) would cover his offspring as well, so he said: “… “And of my offspring (to make leaders).”…” (Al-Baqarah: 124)

Allah, Glorified be He, then said to Ibrahim: “…My Covenant (Prophethood) includes not Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers).” (Al-Baqarah: 124)

This tells us that Muslims cannot be granted power and authority in the land unless they are steadfast in following Allah’s straight path.

One of the ways of Allah is the mutual repelling between truth and falsehood. Allah, Exalted be He, says: “… And if Allah did not check one set of people by means of another, the earth would indeed be full of mischief…” (Al-Baqarah: 251)

Allah repels the followers of falsehood through the followers of truth. Among the ways of Allah is the law that if falsehood wins a round, truth will win many rounds, and that Allah does not set His enemies on His obedient followers.

“… And never will Allah grant to the disbelievers a way (to triumph) over the believers.” (An-Nisa’: 141)

Truth will ultimately prevail, no matter how long this may take. Allah, Exalted be He, says: “… thus does Allah (by parables) show forth truth and falsehood. Then, as for the foam it passes away as scum upon the banks, while that which is for the good of mankind remains in the earth. Thus Allah sets forth parables (for the truth and falsehood, i.e. belief and disbelief).” (Ar-Ra‘d: 17)

Among the ways of Allah is that, the more the disbelievers transgress in their disbelief, the more Allah opens for them the gates of everything so that they may gradually increase in sinfulness and shoulder their whole share of sins on the Day of Resurrection: “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.” (Al ‘Imran: 178)

May Allah bless you and me with the Great Qur’an and make us benefit from its verses and wise words. I have said what you have heard and I ask forgiveness of Allah for myself, for you, and for all Muslims for every sin we have committed. Ask Allah for forgiveness. He is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.