Adopting the Correct Association & Friendship

Transcription of a sermon delivered by Shaykh Yusuf Badat

Information & Knowledge without Actuality

“O you who believe! Fear Allah, and be with those who are true (in words and deeds)” (Holy Quran 9:119)

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) has said: "A person follows the ways and conducts of his friends. Be aware as to whom you befriend" (Muslim)

I have recited a verse before you which talks about a very important ingredient to restore the deen and Islamic values. It is evident that the era that we live in today, is known to be ‘the age of information’.

Plenty information in terms of Islam also. Cds, books, DVDs, internet etc. All at our disposal with unlimited access to a vast amount of information.

Yet, we find the actual practice of deen (religion) and true Islamic values were far greater in the lives of our pious predecessors such as the companions and taabioon who had limited resources.

One such reason for this lack of practice in our times, is in result of the lack of correct companionship, surroundings and environment.

The Affect of Companionship and Surroundings

It is an established fact that the surrounding and environment affect the way we behave.

I relate to you the case of my 2 ½ year old son. I was with him at a theme park the other day, when we passed a group of people who were all clapping their hands. My son also began clapping along with them. On the note of children the Prophet (pbuh) has stated:

“Instruct your children to perform salah when they are seven years old and discipline them for (not offering) it when they are ten” (Abu Dawood)

Now the objective of this advice of the Prophet (pbuh) is to bring into the child the habit of salah. Otherwise, what reality can a 7 year old child really develop of salah at this tender age. The purpose is to bring the child up in the correct environment and surroundings that will be a means of support later in his life.

Imam Ghazali (ra) in his Ihya has stated that generally there are three stages of all actions.

• Riyaa (show),
• Aadah (habit),
• and finally Ibaadah (worship).

Outward affects the Inward

The Dhaahir (Outward) also has a direct affect to the Baatin (Inward).
When an employee, an officer, a salesperson, a businessman are in uniform, they feel at work. It is a reminder for them that they are to fulfill certain tasks. It is not a time to relax or take things easy. They are not at the beach with a t-shirt and shorts.

It is reported that Sufyaan Thawree (ra), a great Islamic jurist, stated something to the effect that we learnt Islamic knowledge for Ghairullah (intentions other than for the sake of Allah) but later it ended up being for the cause of Allah. We stayed in the company of great scholars and teachers who changed our lives for the positive.

The Prophet (pbuh) also states regarding the etiquettes of making dua “If one is unable to cry then make the gestures of crying” This means the outward gestures will have a direct affect to the inward reality. This is also why the scholars explain that if one does not feel like praying salah, for example, one should not discard it.

Thumamah Ibn Uthal during his period as a non-muslim, after killing a group of the Prophet's companions was caught as a captive. He was tied to one of the pillars of the mosque. The Prophet (pbuh) instructed that he be treated well. After a day spent as a captive in the Prophet’s mosque, the Prophet (pbuh) asked him, "What do you have to say for yourself?”. "If you want to kill me in reprisal," Thumamah replied, "you will be killing someone of noble blood (my tribe will come to take revenge). If, out of your bounty, you want to forgive, I shall be grateful". The Prophet then left him for two days, but still personally sent him food, drink and milk from his camel. The Prophet (pbuh) went back to him and asked, "What do you have to say for yourself?" Thumamah repeated what he had said the day before.

The Prophet then left and came back to him the following day. "What do you have to say for yourself?" he asked again and Thumamah repeated what he had said once more. Then the Prophet turned to his companions and said, "Set him free." Thumamah left the mosque of the Prophet and rode until he came to a palm grove on the outskirts of Madinah near al-Baqi'. He watered his camel and washed himself well. Then he turned back and made his way to the Prophet's mosque. There, he stood before a congregation of Muslims and said:

"I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His messenger." (see: Hayatus Sahabah & Companions of the Prophet Vol.1 , by Abdul Wahid)

What was it that motivated this person to accept Islam? Amongst other things, it was the environment and surroundings that he had witnessed for merely three days. The companions established an environment that was conducive to practicing the deen, full of values of compassion, respect and principle. "Assahabatu Kulluhum Adool" (all the companions were just and upright)

Changing the Environment and Surroundings

Now a days, we commonly hear and say that the times are very difficult and challenging. We are surrounded with vice and evil. What can we do? It has become almost impossible to be a practicing Muslim.

Well the solution is that we simply begin by doing what ever is in our capacity to bring about righteousness and goodness in all our surroundings. We take it step by step. We begin by making a firm resolution that ‘I can change for the better’. 'I will leave my evil habits and inculcate good values'. When each and every one of us individually make the effort to change, we bring change to the environment.

We begin with ourselves and then our homes, friends, associates and finally humanity at large.

The Prophet was also advised to propagate and take things step by step:

• (Oneself and family) ”Ward off from yourselves and your families the Fire (Hell)” (Holy Quran 66:6)
• (Nearby surroundings) “And thus We have inspired unto you (O Muhammad ) a Qur'ân that you may warn the Mother of the Towns (Makkah) and all around it “ (Holy Quran 42:7)
• (All humanity) “Blessed be He Who sent down the criterion (Quran) to His slave (Muhammad) that he may be a warner to the 'Alamîn (all mankind and jinns)”(Holy Quran 25:1)

A man came by the Prophet (pbuh) and stated that I have accepted Islam but I find it difficult to leave sin. The Prophet took a promise from him to leave the sin of lying. He agreed. Later he eventually left all sin.

So let us begin somewhere and not simply brush things off by saying that the time and era has changed. Let us leave one sin and then another and another. For definitely, drops of water make up the ocean and particles of sand make up the vast desert.