Chapter 25

10th October 2016

Dear respected imams

As is undoubtedly well known to yourselves, we are currently living in an age where Muslims are experiencing great tests of endurance and patience in almost every corner of the world.

Thawbaan narrated that the messenger of Allah said:

“Nations are about to unite (and call) each other to set upon you, just as diners are invited to a plate of food.”

It was said: “Will it be because of our lack of numbers on that day (i.e. will we be small in number)?”

He said: “Rather, you will be many on that day, but you will be like scum (foam that floats) on the river. Allah will remove the fear of you from the hearts of your enemies and put wahn into your hearts.”

It was said: “O messenger of Allah, what is wahn?”

He said: “Love for the dunya and hatred for death.”

(related by Abu Da'wud, graded as Saheeh by Al-AlbanI)

We are without doubt entirely dependent on Allah and entirely dependent on the regular and punctual observance of our salat for His Guidance and protection.

You, as our respected imams, teachers and guides in Islam, will understand the great importance of knowing and contemplating the meaning of the Arabic words in our salat: the salat being the direct conversation between each Muslim and The Creator . It is without doubt imperative that each and every one of us holds on to Islam and implements the rope of Allah through salat. This can only be done by understanding the meaning of words that we speak to our Lord during the five daily prayers prescribed for us by Him.

Without salat there is nothing for the believer. So how imperative it is for our teachers and imams to emphasise and reiterate the importance of understanding. This is indeed a great hour of need for Muslims throughout the world and this is indeed an hour of great need for salat. The community relies upon you as our teachers to guide us in Islam and we are in need of your sincere leadership and guidance to help each and every one of the Muslims entering the masjid to understand the importance of knowing and contemplating the meaning of the words of the salat so that the guidance can be attained.

Only with understanding the meaning can we seek to achieve the true Guidance and Protection from Allah in our day-to-day lives as is meant to be achieved from salat.

Many Muslims today feel a deep sense of frustration, and feel lost. Muslims continue to turn to alternative sources to resolve our affairs; this can only result in misguidance. We are indeed desperately in need of returning to the attainment of Guidance and Protection from Allah .

Many imams with the relevant knowledge and understanding offer the ‘silent’ parts of prayer at a speed which means the average follower in the jamaat is simply not able to utter the appropriate words whilst understanding the meaning. We humbly request of you that you strive to lift the level of salat of each Muslim brother and sister by emphasising to them the importance of understanding and memorising the meaning of the words spoken to Allah in salat, and then to offer each part of the prayer at a sufficiently slow rate as to allow the proper recital of these words whilst contemplating the meaning.

May Allah guide us all to sirat-ul mustaqim. May He reward us from His infinite bounty, accept our good deeds and have Mercy upon us. Ameen.

Surah 87: Al-'A`lá (the most high)

SabbihI isma rabbika al-aaala

Glorify the name of your Lord, the most high

Allathee khalaqa fasawwa

Who has created (everything), and then proportioned it

Wallathee qaddara fahada

And who has measured (pre ordainments for each and every thing to be blessed or wretched); then guided (i.e. showed mankind the right as well as wrong paths, and guided the animals to pasture)

Wallathee akhraja almaraaa

And who brings out the pasturage

Fajaaaalahu ghuthaan ahwa

And then makes it dark stubble

Sanuqri-oka fala tansa

We shall make you to recite (the Qur’an), so you (O Muhammad ) shall not forget

Illa ma shaa Allahuinnahu yaaalamu aljahra wama yakhfa

Except what Allah may will, he knows what is apparent and what is hidden.

Wanuyassiruka lilyusra

And we shall make easy for you (O Muhammad ) the easy way (i.e. the doing of righteous deeds).

Fathakkir in nafaaaatI aththikra

Therefore remind (men) in case the reminder profits (them).

Sayaththakkaru man yakhsha

The reminder will be received by him who fears (Allah),

Wayatajannabuha al-ashqa

But it will be avoided by the wretched,

Allathee yasla annaraalkubra

Who will enter the great fire and be made to taste its burning,

Thumma la yamootu feeha walayahya

Wherein he will neither die (to be in rest) nor live

Qad aflaha man tazakka

Indeed whosoever purifies himself shall achieve success,

Wathakara isma rabbihI fasalla

And remembers (glorifies) the Name of his Lord, and prays (five compulsory prayers and Nawafil additional prayers).

Bal tu/thiroona alhayata addunya

Nay, you prefer the life of this world;

Wal-akhiratu khayrun waabqa

Although the hereafter is better and more lasting.

Inna hatha lafee assuhufial-oola

Verily! This is in the former Scriptures,

SuhufI ibraheema wamoosa

The Scriptures of Ibrahim (Abraham) and Musa (Moses).