Lesson 3: Belief in the Angels, Books, Messengers, Last Day & Destiny
Why does one have to believe in the angels? It affects our relationship with Allah. i.e knowing that they are guardian angels who are recording everything we do or being aware that Allah has his servants that are working for Him.
- Relates to our moral responsibility and serves as a reminder for us. i.e bridge over hell fire has a spiritual consequence.
- Makes one accountable for His commands.
How does one become morally responsible? Has to be a sane adult to whom the message of Islam has reached.
What are we morally responsible for?
- Relates to divine choice. He did not have to create us but out of his divine wisdom he created us, angels, books etc. Allah can do as He pleases.
- Accountable in the hereafter.
Belief in Angels
We must believe:
- Angels are actual beings of Allah (SWT)
- Only obey.
- Various angels are assigned differed duties.
- Believe in specific angels as well. i.e angel of revelation - Jibraeel (a.s), angel of death.
- They are real beings and not just 'natural forces or magnetic' etc as theorized.
- True is what Allah affirms and not what your understand or not.
Belief in the Books
- Books are a divine answer to the human need for guidance.
- The need is expressed in Surah Al Fatiha, 'Siratul Mustaqeem' (Guide us to the straight path)
- The whole Qur'an as a result is a response to this need. That is the Book in which there is no doubt. A guidance for the mindful.” (Qurʼan, Opening of Surat al-Baqara)
- Believe that Allah sent books and guidance.
- Specifically mentioned books:
- Past revelations were changed and corrupted by men and thus revelation was periodically renewed.
- Sent these books (except Qur'an) to people of the past but did not promise that it would be preserved.
- With the Qur'an, He (SWT) also gave his promise that it would be preserved.
What do we as Muslims believe about the Qur'an?
The Qur'an calls for five duties:
Revelation in its essence serves a purpose. It's purpose is purification and to make good one's relationship with God.
Belief in the Messengers
- “It is He who has raised up from among the unlettered people a Messenger from among them, to recite His signs to them and to purify them, and to teach them the
Book and the Wisdom…”
- Humans need exemplars. It is not sufficient to be told to be upright or righteous.
- Messengers were sent with guidance and also embodied that guidance.
- Messengers illuminate the way for others.
What do we believe about the messengers? Look at the attributes of the Prophet:
They were:
- Tangent: Be careful with children's books that are out such as stories of the Prophets. Verify them before you pass them to your children because sometimes they are written by authors who are not familiar with Islamic beliefs or Aqeedah etc. There might be within them certain blunders. Also, as parents, we should have a basic understanding of the tenants of Islam and aqeedah so we are able to teach our children or identify material that seems shady.
- We believe in every prophet. 25 of them are mentioned in the Qur'an. We don't have to memorize their names for Allah will not throw you in the fire for a technicality.
- However, we need to believe for example that Saleh a.s was a Prophet because God has told us that. To not believe is tantamount to Kufr.
- Khidr who was Musa's companion however..there's an ikhtilaf on whether he was a Prophet or just a righteous man.
- Similarly difference of opinion on whether Maryam (a.s) was a Prophet. Many scholars say she wasn't but some notable scholars like Ibn Hazm and Imam Qurtubi and scholars of Muslim Spain and Africa hold the opinion she was. Allah knows best!
Points of belief:
- Muhammad (SAW) was the best, final and last messenger of Allah.
- Sacred law - Qur'an will remain until the end of times.
Seven rights of the Prophet (peace & blessings be upon him)
- Read the Seerah of the Prophet (SAW) but also go beyond that .
- By learning the Shamail (Science of the person of the Prophet (SAW) i.e how he was, how he looked, how he acted, how he did certain things) This is how to establish the connection between yourself and the Prophet (SAW). Book: Our Master Muhammad (SAW), the Messenger of Allah - Shaykh Abdullah Sirajud-din (of Halab) Translated by Williams.
- Tangent: If you want to get to know me, read this book by Abdullah Sirajud-din. This man all the way to Aleppo. (It was banned in Saudia)
- Prophetic character. Shaykh Ali Gomea mentions that people have this legalistic method of Do's and Don'ts. If you look at the Qur'an however, how many verses are there in relation to legal rulings? It's a tiny percentage. Out of 6000 some verses, there is 300 verses relating to legal rulings. That is less than 5%. Similarly, in the Sunnah, the establish hadiths are over 60,000. How many are related to direct legal rulings? About 3000. Similar percentage. The central theme of the Sunnah is conduct and character. (Book: Riyadh ul Saliheen by Imam Nawawi)
- Guidance of the Prophet (SAW)
- The greatest biography of the Prophet (SAW) is the Quran because the Prophet (SAW) was the 'walking Qur'an'. But its only once you know the Prophet (SAW) you are able to appreciate the Qur'an as well.
Belief in the Last Day/ Afterlife
- the Life of the Grave
- the Reality of Death
- Resurrection & Reckoning
- Scales that weigh good deeds and bad dees.
- the Path (to paradise or hell fire)
- the Pool (expansive beyond our imagination) (Drinking that will rid them of the fear and awe that had overcome them on the last day)
- Heaven & Hell
How will you go across the bridge? Galloping? In the blink of an eye? Crawling?
Imam Ghazali says, to the extent to one's uprightness and steadfastness will one be able to traverse this path in the hereafter.
What is Death?
Death is not the state of non being. Death is a transition from the life of this world to the life of the grave. The human beings go through five stages:
1) Life before this life (when all souls were brought forth and asked, 'Do you not believe?')
2) Life in the womb (no accountability to the life in the womb)
3) Life of this world (accountable)
4) Life of the grave
5) The Last day/Life of the Hereafter
Refer to the Book: The lives of man - Imam al Haddad. (Translated by Mustafa Badawi) Extensive work: Remembrance of death and the afterlife from his Ihya by Imam Ghazali (Translated by Abdul hakim Murad)
Belief in Destiny
- Destiny both good and bad
- Allah (SWT) is the creator of all things.
- Two realities:
1) Everything exists because He brought it into existence. Only remains so because He keeps it in existence so if things only exists because Allah created them and he is keeping them in existence then everything happens from his decree.
2) Allah has given us choice and made us morally responsible. i.e if I were to take this water and empty it on a brother, if he accused me, I can't say Allah has decreed it.
- Everything has been destined by Allah and we are morally responsible.
- He willed in accordance with his knowledge beyond time.
- Destiny is unfolding but we are not compelled.
- Reliance on Allah was the state of the Messenger of Allah (SAW) and taking the means was his sunnah. Who ever claims to have his state, let him follow the sunnah.
Emaan is strengthened by Islam (i.e your submission to Allah)
Keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah
- Relates to our moral responsibility and serves as a reminder for us. i.e bridge over hell fire has a spiritual consequence.
- Makes one accountable for His commands.
How does one become morally responsible? Has to be a sane adult to whom the message of Islam has reached.
What are we morally responsible for?
- Relates to divine choice. He did not have to create us but out of his divine wisdom he created us, angels, books etc. Allah can do as He pleases.
- Accountable in the hereafter.
Belief in Angels
We must believe:
- Angels are actual beings of Allah (SWT)
- Only obey.
- Various angels are assigned differed duties.
- Believe in specific angels as well. i.e angel of revelation - Jibraeel (a.s), angel of death.
- They are real beings and not just 'natural forces or magnetic' etc as theorized.
- True is what Allah affirms and not what your understand or not.
Belief in the Books
- Books are a divine answer to the human need for guidance.
- The need is expressed in Surah Al Fatiha, 'Siratul Mustaqeem' (Guide us to the straight path)
- The whole Qur'an as a result is a response to this need. That is the Book in which there is no doubt. A guidance for the mindful.” (Qurʼan, Opening of Surat al-Baqara)
- Believe that Allah sent books and guidance.
- Specifically mentioned books:
- Qur'an
- Taurat
- Zuboor
- Ingeel
- Past revelations were changed and corrupted by men and thus revelation was periodically renewed.
- Sent these books (except Qur'an) to people of the past but did not promise that it would be preserved.
- With the Qur'an, He (SWT) also gave his promise that it would be preserved.
What do we as Muslims believe about the Qur'an?
- Final Revelation of Allah
- Preservation of text and the guidance it contains
The Qur'an calls for five duties:
- Recite it
- Reflect upon it
- Understand it
- Act upon it
- Transform your relationship with Allah through it.
Revelation in its essence serves a purpose. It's purpose is purification and to make good one's relationship with God.
Belief in the Messengers
- “It is He who has raised up from among the unlettered people a Messenger from among them, to recite His signs to them and to purify them, and to teach them the
Book and the Wisdom…”
- Humans need exemplars. It is not sufficient to be told to be upright or righteous.
- Messengers were sent with guidance and also embodied that guidance.
- Messengers illuminate the way for others.
What do we believe about the messengers? Look at the attributes of the Prophet:
They were:
- True in word.
- Trustworthy
- Intelligent
- Conveyed the message.
- Tangent: Be careful with children's books that are out such as stories of the Prophets. Verify them before you pass them to your children because sometimes they are written by authors who are not familiar with Islamic beliefs or Aqeedah etc. There might be within them certain blunders. Also, as parents, we should have a basic understanding of the tenants of Islam and aqeedah so we are able to teach our children or identify material that seems shady.
- We believe in every prophet. 25 of them are mentioned in the Qur'an. We don't have to memorize their names for Allah will not throw you in the fire for a technicality.
- However, we need to believe for example that Saleh a.s was a Prophet because God has told us that. To not believe is tantamount to Kufr.
- Khidr who was Musa's companion however..there's an ikhtilaf on whether he was a Prophet or just a righteous man.
- Similarly difference of opinion on whether Maryam (a.s) was a Prophet. Many scholars say she wasn't but some notable scholars like Ibn Hazm and Imam Qurtubi and scholars of Muslim Spain and Africa hold the opinion she was. Allah knows best!
Points of belief:
- Muhammad (SAW) was the best, final and last messenger of Allah.
- Sacred law - Qur'an will remain until the end of times.
Seven rights of the Prophet (peace & blessings be upon him)
- Belief in him (Sallalahu Alyehi Wasallam)
- Love him (None of you believe until I am more beloved to them than their wealth, parents, children and all people)
- Veneration and deep respect (Read the opening verses of Surah Hujurat)
- Thankfulness in the gift i.e Prophet (SAW)
- Sending Blessings upon the Prophet (SAW) We assign the matter to Allah because we realize we are unable to so we say, 'Allahuma Sali Ala..O Allah send YOUR blessings,' (People closest to me in rank in Paradise are those who send blessings upon him)
- Follow the Prophet (SAW)
- Follow in form and spirit. (follow what he did and how he did) (Most beautiful of examples - Quran)
- Read the Seerah of the Prophet (SAW) but also go beyond that .
- By learning the Shamail (Science of the person of the Prophet (SAW) i.e how he was, how he looked, how he acted, how he did certain things) This is how to establish the connection between yourself and the Prophet (SAW). Book: Our Master Muhammad (SAW), the Messenger of Allah - Shaykh Abdullah Sirajud-din (of Halab) Translated by Williams.
- Tangent: If you want to get to know me, read this book by Abdullah Sirajud-din. This man all the way to Aleppo. (It was banned in Saudia)
- Prophetic character. Shaykh Ali Gomea mentions that people have this legalistic method of Do's and Don'ts. If you look at the Qur'an however, how many verses are there in relation to legal rulings? It's a tiny percentage. Out of 6000 some verses, there is 300 verses relating to legal rulings. That is less than 5%. Similarly, in the Sunnah, the establish hadiths are over 60,000. How many are related to direct legal rulings? About 3000. Similar percentage. The central theme of the Sunnah is conduct and character. (Book: Riyadh ul Saliheen by Imam Nawawi)
- Guidance of the Prophet (SAW)
- The greatest biography of the Prophet (SAW) is the Quran because the Prophet (SAW) was the 'walking Qur'an'. But its only once you know the Prophet (SAW) you are able to appreciate the Qur'an as well.
Belief in the Last Day/ Afterlife
- the Life of the Grave
- the Reality of Death
- Resurrection & Reckoning
- Scales that weigh good deeds and bad dees.
- the Path (to paradise or hell fire)
- the Pool (expansive beyond our imagination) (Drinking that will rid them of the fear and awe that had overcome them on the last day)
- Heaven & Hell
How will you go across the bridge? Galloping? In the blink of an eye? Crawling?
Imam Ghazali says, to the extent to one's uprightness and steadfastness will one be able to traverse this path in the hereafter.
What is Death?
Death is not the state of non being. Death is a transition from the life of this world to the life of the grave. The human beings go through five stages:
1) Life before this life (when all souls were brought forth and asked, 'Do you not believe?')
2) Life in the womb (no accountability to the life in the womb)
3) Life of this world (accountable)
4) Life of the grave
5) The Last day/Life of the Hereafter
Refer to the Book: The lives of man - Imam al Haddad. (Translated by Mustafa Badawi) Extensive work: Remembrance of death and the afterlife from his Ihya by Imam Ghazali (Translated by Abdul hakim Murad)
Belief in Destiny
- Destiny both good and bad
- Allah (SWT) is the creator of all things.
- Two realities:
1) Everything exists because He brought it into existence. Only remains so because He keeps it in existence so if things only exists because Allah created them and he is keeping them in existence then everything happens from his decree.
2) Allah has given us choice and made us morally responsible. i.e if I were to take this water and empty it on a brother, if he accused me, I can't say Allah has decreed it.
- Everything has been destined by Allah and we are morally responsible.
- He willed in accordance with his knowledge beyond time.
- Destiny is unfolding but we are not compelled.
- Reliance on Allah was the state of the Messenger of Allah (SAW) and taking the means was his sunnah. Who ever claims to have his state, let him follow the sunnah.
Emaan is strengthened by Islam (i.e your submission to Allah)
Keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah