If the religion does not ennoble you, then you follow not it, but an invention or a parody of it.
The Messenger (saw) choose Abu Bakr, but left the final decision up to the community of believers.
For he said, “Let all doors to the Mosque be closed except the door of Abu Bakr”
One day after Fajr Salaat he (saw) shamed Abu Bakr (saw).
For he asked “Which of you had visited a sick person today? which oh you has helped an old person today? ....” and it went on. *1
They all reacted in shock
“O Messenger of God, it is only yet Fajr (the morning prayer)”.
Abu Bakr (as) had.
And the Messenger then explained that
“He is the best amongst you, because he has the best heart”.
How often do we elevate people because of the knowledge they claim to have?
How often do we disregard those of the better hearts?
The Messenger (saw) said that Islam is Yemeni, and by this he meant that it is consideration for others, kindness in manners, and all heart.
The religion should soften your heart, make you more generous and giving,
make you laugh more in order to cheer others,
make you less harsh and stern.
And by rights it should make you happy too.
The Quran is God’s speech.
And throughout it, and at it’s outset it asks for you to contemplate and think for yourself. For it is through that struggle that we can each become closer to God.
This does not need for you to attend a University, or a School, or a Madrasa.
How many of those who have exited from there well qualified, have contemplated?
How many of them learn by rote how to justify their own positions within society?
And without thinking do not reflect, nor think deeply.
Often they will use Hadith that are clearly about social interaction, and remove them from their context in order to cement their authority.
“A believer should leave alone what does not concern him.”
Means that you should not be nosy, and it is not yours to pry. And they take it out of context to say that believers are concerned with increasing their faith, and so you should leave off things that do not increase your faith.
However innocuous sounding this may seem, this is NOT THE SUNNAH. The religion is clear, and God wants people to be free to fully appreciate Him.
We do not need to add anything to it, and should not subtract anything from it.
“If you do not have anything good to say, then be silent.”
Once again a Hadith about social interaction, which they take out of context to say that if you have not studied in a Madrasa, or done an Alim course then you should be silent.
How ignorant they are.
How they do not reflect, nor even contemplate.
Do they not know the reason that Muadh ibn Jabal (as) gave up Hadith Bitaka?
Nor of the Messenger’s (saw) command to the countless thousands at the Farewell Pilgrimage “those that are present tell those that are absent perchance they may better understand”.
And who is it that better understands, except the one who contemplates and reflects?
That is the path towards God.
To both reflect and contemplate.
And that contemplation is an endeavour of a lifetime, accessible to everyone, and not just those who study in an institution, for a limited number of years to gain a qualification.
And because of this God has blessed me, and I wish that blessing to be with you all too.
For I have seen years past
Jesus (as) in a true dream, and he was descending, stern of face.
The Messenger of God (saw) thrice, the second he came towards me arms outstretched to hug me.
And much more than that.
And this because I contemplate.
For this is, without doubt, open to you all.
By all means learn from those who claim to know, but do not leave off from holding them to account, nor on reflecting on what they say and do.
Take the best from them and leave off from the worst.
And do not be as sheep, being blindly led.
Open your eyes, and be alive.
