khotbah at medinah

Summary

1) The meaning of the word man linguistically.
2) The meaning of the word man in the Qur’aan.
3) The manhood of ‘Umar may Allaah be pleased with him.
4) Describing real manhood.
5) Real men.
6) The danger of changing ones nature.
7) The danger of western educational methods
8) The children of Palestine.
9) The west is ignoring the crimes of the Jews.
10) The duty of Muslims towards Al Quds (Jerusalem).



All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allaah and all his companions.

Allaah says what translates as, "Among the believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allaah." (Al-Ahzaab: 23).

He also says what translates as, "... Men whom neither trade nor sale diverts them from the remembrance of Allaah." (An-Noor: 37).

Crediting someone with manhood sometimes means that the person possesses the characteristics which exemplify this quality, like bravery, being honest, and standing up for the truth. Allaah says what translates as, "And there came a man running from the farthest end of the city. He said, 'O Moosaa (Moses)! Verily the chiefs are taking council together about you, to kill you, so escape. Truly, I am to you of those who give sincere advice." (Al-Qasas: 20).

He also says what translates as, "And a believing man of Pharaoh's family, who hid his faith said, 'Would you kill a man because he says: My Lord is Allaah, and he has come to you with clear signs (proofs) from your Lord?'" (Ghaafir: 28).

Recognising the importance of real manhood in the service of Islaam, the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam used to look out for men who could help the cause of his religion and with whom his mission could be enhanced. He sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam would ask his Lord: ‘O Allaah! Make Islaam strong with the one who is more beloved to You of these two men: Aboo Jahl or Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab.’ The narrator of this Hadeeth commented: ‘And the more beloved to Him was ‘Umar.’ (At-Tirmithi). The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam made this Du’aa looking out for those qualities of manhood that would have a positive impact upon the spread of Islaam.

As a matter of fact, the acceptance of ‘Umar’s , may Allaah be pleased with him, of Islaam was a great event that manifested his manhood as soon as he embraced Islaam. No sooner had he embraced Islaam than the Muslims who were hitherto not bold enough to show their religion started proclaiming it in public. Ibn Mas’ood, may Allaah be pleased with him, said, ‘We have remained strong ever since ‘Umar embraced Islaam.’ (Bukhaari).

Dear brothers! ‘Umar’s manhood, may Allaah be pleased with him, was not in his physical strength nor chivalry - for there were those stronger than him among the Quraish - but in his strength of faith and big heart; a quality that won him respect and honour. Other companions of the Prophet migrated to Madeenah secretly, while ‘Umar, may Allaah be pleased with him,- when he was migrating - armed himself with his sword, went to the Ka'bah, made a Tawaaf, prayed behind Maqaam Ibrahiem, and then announced to the Quraish chiefs that he was migrating. He told them, ‘Whoever wants to make his mother bereaved, his children orphans and his wife a widow should follow me after this valley.’ But nobody followed him.

‘Umar, may Allaah be pleased with him,laid down programs for instilling manhood when he said, ‘Teach your children the art of spear-throwing, swimming, and horse riding, and relate to them what is good of poetry.’

Brothers in faith! Manhood is a quality that is pursued by people of high ambitions and serious thinking men. It is a basic quality that is needed by every man, for when men lose the qualities of manhood they cease to be real men. Manhood is deeply implanted in a person through strong belief, nurtured by sound upbringing and developed by good example.

According to common belief, manhood is only known in its material aspect; for whoever is outwardly handsome, physically strong, and possesses wealth is regarded as a good man. But in the eyes of Islaam, a real man is one who has good and virtuous deeds to his credit, and possesses good manners and conduct.

A man passed by the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam one day. He sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam asked his companions, “What do you think of this man?’ They replied, ‘He deserves to be married to whomsoever he proposes, to have his intercession accepted when he intercedes and to be listened to when he speaks.’ The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam remained silent.

Then a poor Muslim man passed by and the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam asked the companions, “What do you think of this man?” They replied, ‘He deserves not to be married when he proposes, nor to have his intercession accepted when he intercedes nor to be listened to when he speaks.’ The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam then said, “This one is as much as the fill of the Earth better than the other” (Bukhaari).

Real men are not judged by the size of their bodies or their outward beauty. ‘Ali, may Allaah be pleased with him, narrated, ‘The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam sent Ibn Mas’ood to fetch him something from the top of a tree. When he had climbed the tree, the companions of the Prophet looked at his legs and laughed at their thinness. The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said, “Why are you laughing? Verily, Abdullah's leg will be heavier on the scale on the day of resurrection than Mount Uhud” (Ahmad).

Real manhood means being thoughtful, uttering good words, having decency and solidarity. Real manhood entails having a sense of responsibility to defend Tawhied and to give sincere advice for the sake of Allaah. Allaah says what translates as, "And there came a man running from the farthest end of the city. He said, 'O Moosaa (Moses)! Verily the chiefs are taking council together about you, to kill you, so escape. Truly, I am to you of those who give sincere advice." (Al-Qasas: 20).

Manhood means resoluteness in opinion, coming out openly with the truth and displaying wisdom in warning against the rejection of truth. Allaah says what translates as, "And a believing man of Pharaoh's family, who hid his faith said, 'Would you kill a man because he says: My Lord is Allaah, and he has come to you with clear signs (proofs) from your Lord.?’ And if he is a liar, upon him will be the sin of his lie; but if he is telling the truth, then some of that calamity wherewith he threatens you will befall you. Verily, Allah guides not one who is a Musrif (a polytheist, or a murderer who sheds blood without right, or those who commit great sins, oppressor, transgressor), a liar.” (Ghaafir: 28).

Manhood means being avoiding unsuitable behavior and being on one’s guard against the Difficult Day (the Day of Resurrection). Allaah says what translates as, “... Men whom neither trade nor sale diverts them from the remembrance of Allaah (with heart and tongue), nor from performing as-Salaah, nor for giving the Zakaah. They fear a day when hearts and eyes will be overturned (from the horror of the torment of the Day of Resurrection.” (An-Noor: 37).

A real man is sincere in his words, fulfills his promises and remains firm on the right path. Allaah says what translates as, “Among the believers are men who have been true to their covenant to Allaah. Of them, some have fulfilled their obligations and some of them are still waiting but they have never changed. [i.e. they never proved treacherous to their covenant which they concluded with Allaah] in the least.” (Al-Ahzaab: 23).

The men about whom we are talking are not those who have sunk deep into the abyss of worldly pleasures, those who do not aim for high moral standards and turn away from their Lord.

They are not those of imposing physical stature whose minds are devoid of any sense; for such people are most certainly not real men. The real men whom we are talking about are those whom Allaah describes when He says what translates as, “And the slave of the Most-Beneficent (Allaah) are those who walk on the earth in humility and sedateness, and when the foolish address them (with bad words) they reply back with mild words of gentleness. And those who spend the night before their Lord, prostrate and standing.

And those who say Our Lord! Avert from us the torment of Hell. Verily it’s torment is ever an inseparable, permanent punishment. Evil indeed it (Hell) is as an abode and a place of dwell. And those who when they spend, are neither extravagant nor niggardly, but hold a medium (way) between those (extremes).” (Al-Furqaan: 67).

The example of a real man is not that of a youth (or older person) who has no strength of character, and simply follows his peers in whatever they do. When they do good, he follows, and when they do evil, he also does evil, so that they will think he is a man.

But rather a real man is one who frequents the mosque, a man who is called to fornication by a woman of position and beauty, and yet says, ‘I fear Allaah;’ a man who gives alms secretly; two men who love each other for the sake of Allaah; they were brought together by their mutual love for the sake of Allah, and they parted upon the same. The former ‘men’ are detested by Allaah while the latter real men are loved by Him and they will be under His shade on the day when there will be no shade except His.

Real Muslim culture enjoins chivalry and righteous deeds. Traditionally, their poetry is inspiring, containing neither unsteadiness nor effeminacies. A stark contrast to what is prevalent nowadays.

What worse calamity can befall mankind than for its men to become effeminate, while its women adopt male mannerisms, revolting against the very nature in which Allaah created them? The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam “cursed the men who behave like women and women who behave like men” (Bukhaari). In a similar narration, he sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam ordered: “Cast them out of your homes”.

Fellow Muslims! When the qualities of manhood disappear among men, society falls into crisis; homes are ruined, the nation becomes weak and disgraced, and moral corruption becomes widespread.

Brothers in faith! Allaah says what translates as, “Men are the protectors and the maintainers of women because Allaah has made one of them to excel the other.” (An-Nisaa’: 34).

When speaking about manhood in the present era, one is reminded of the stone-throwing children in Palestine. Physically they are children but in their deeds, they are heroes and men. They rightly deserve to be called men, for they are nurtured by the Qur’aan; they fight in the way of Allaah while others fight with music.

This children’s manhood is the one that rejects oppression and submission to the aggressors. They have no fear of bombs and shells, but rather face it with open hearts in order that Al-Quds may be liberated.

The fathers of these children were arrested in their presence and their homes were demolished under their very noses. Though they possess nothing but stones, they see themselves as great enough to challenge the tanks of their enemies without fear while their mothers back them and encourage them to be martyrs.

The people to which these children belong have long been patient; they have made huge sacrifices, and yet still their blood is continuously spilt on the land which is rightfully theirs, while its children stand firm against the usurping enemy who seized their properties, killed the innocent and breached accords and covenants. These children recorded unequalled heroism and sacrifice that is unyielding to the Jewish aggression.

How can the world of today - that claims to be civilized - fail to stop the aggression? Where are the covenants and pacts that claim to guarantee peace, reduction of crime and standing by the oppressed? Where are the proponents of peace when the elderly and infants are being killed by rockets and bombs and their homes being bulldozed? By the Grace of Allaah, all this blood shall grow and nurture proud souls that will neither succumb nor surrender to disgrace as far as the matter of religion is concerned.

The Muslim nation has promised its Lord that Al-Quds is a part, in fact, the very essence, of its belief and that it shall give it priority over its worldly interests. We shall never be negligent with any part of it and there shall be neither peace nor tranquility without it, for all activities carried out on that land by the Jews are condemned by this Ummah as it condemned the occupation itself.

The Land of Palestine is Islamic and shall remain Islamic at all costs. We should not lose hope in the victory of Allaah, for “Certainly no one despairs of Allah’s mercy except the people who disbelieve.” (Yoosuf: 87).

Let the resistance continue and let the sacrifice continue until the land is given back to its rightful owners.

Muslims’ obligation to Al Quds is in accordance with the Qur’aan and Sunnah. Therefore the matter of that land should be the concern of all Muslims. Only when this city is liberated from these invaders can Muslims be rightly said to have fulfilled their obligation towards Al Quds.