الحمد لله نحمده ونستعينه ونستغفره، ونعوذ بالله من شرور أنفسنا، ومن سيئات أعمالنا، وأشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له ، وأشهد أن سيدنا محمداً عبده ورسوله ، اللهم صلِّ وسلم وبارك على سيدنا محمد وعلى آله وأصحابه  ومن تبعه إلى يوم الدين

During my talk last week on khushoo in the prayer, I said that you will not have khoshoo until you love Allah and you will not love Allah until you know Him and that the only way to know Allah is thru studying His Glorious names.  So, today, I’ll plan, Insha’Allah, to discuss Allah’s name Al-Wadud.   But on the occasion of the new Hija year let me reflect on it first before discussing Allah’s glorious name, Al-Wadud..

Today is the 4th day in the new Hijra year, the year 1442.  The Hijra of the Prophet (PBUH) from Mecca to Madina that occurred 1441 years ago is not a mere occasion to celebrate.  The Hijra is the most critical event in the history of Islam.  The Hijra was the corner stone (حجر الاساس) of establishing the Muslim nation.    In reflecting on the Hijra, I want to share with you seven lessens that we can draw from it,

The first lesson is draw for the Hijra is to expand the definition of homeland (الوطن) from being the land where you and your ancestors were born to the land at which you feel secure and are treated justly.  The Prophet (PBUH) did not emigrate from Mecca to Madina because the people of Mecca were disbelievers.  Also, the Prophet (PBUH) did not order companions to emigrate to Abyssinia (Ethiopia) because their king was Muslim but rather because he was just. The Prophet (PBUH) told the companions: (إن بأرض الحبشة ملكاً لا يُظلم عنده أحد) “In the land of Abyssinia (Ethiopia) a king at whom no onc faces injustice”.   

This teaches us that your homeland is the land in which you have the feeling of justice, safety, freedom, and dignity.  Where you find justice, you find your homeland.  What should you do if you don’t find justice and you get oppressed?  It becomes a religious responsibly to emigrate to another place where you find justice.

This leads to the second lesson.   If you live in a country where you are oppressed and don’t emigrate to another country where justice prevails while you can emigrate, you are sinful.  Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) was not the only Prophet who emigrated from his birth place, almost all the Prophet emigrated, Prophet Ibrahim, Prophet Lot, and Prophet Musa to mention few.  Emigration is part of the Sunnah of Allah (سنة الله) (the system of Allah) in this life.

Allah warns with the hell fire those who face oppression and have the capability to emigrate but don’t.  Allah says in Surat Al-Nisa:

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ تَوَفَّٮٰهُمُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةُ ظَالِمِىٓ أَنفُسِہِمۡ قَالُواْ فِيمَ كُنتُمۡ‌ۖ قَالُواْ كُنَّا مُسۡتَضۡعَفِينَ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۚ قَالُوٓاْ أَلَمۡ تَكُنۡ أَرۡضُ ٱللَّهِ وَٲسِعَةً۬ فَتُہَاجِرُواْ فِيہَا‌ۚ فَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ مَأۡوَٮٰهُمۡ جَهَنَّمُ‌ۖ وَسَآءَتۡ مَصِيرًا (٩٧)

Indeed, those whose souls the angels take while they had wronged themselves, the angels say (to them) “what was your condition? They say: We were oppressed in the earth.” They say:  Wasn’t Allah’s earth wide enough for you to emigrate to it? Those people will find their abode in Hell – What an evil destination!  (Al-Nisa 4:97)

Allah makes an exception for those who don’t have the means to emigrate, as He says:

إِلَّا ٱلۡمُسۡتَضۡعَفِينَ مِنَ ٱلرِّجَالِ وَٱلنِّسَآءِ وَٱلۡوِلۡدَٲنِ لَا يَسۡتَطِيعُونَ حِيلَةً۬ وَلَا يَہۡتَدُونَ سَبِيلاً۬ (٩٨) فَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ عَسَى ٱللَّهُ أَن يَعۡفُوَ عَنۡہُمۡ‌ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَفُوًّا غَفُورً۬ا (٩٩)

Except the weak ones among men, women and children who cannot have means (to emigrate) nor can find a way (98) Those are ones whom Allah is likely to pardon them, and Allah is Most-Pardoning, Most-Forgiving. (Al-Nisa 4:98-99) 

Then Allah gives the glad tidings to those who emigrate for his cause by saying:

وَمَن يُہَاجِرۡ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ يَجِدۡ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مُرَٲغَمً۬ا كَثِيرً۬ا وَسَعَةً۬‌ۚ وَمَن يَخۡرُجۡ مِنۢ بَيۡتِهِۦ مُهَاجِرًا إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ ثُمَّ يُدۡرِكۡهُ ٱلۡمَوۡتُ فَقَدۡ وَقَعَ أَجۡرُهُ ۥ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ‌ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورً۬ا رَّحِيمً۬ا]    سُوۡرَةُ النِّسَاء[

Whoever emigrates in the Cause of Allah, will find on earth many dwelling places and plenty of resources to live by.  And whosoever leaves his house migrating to Allah and His Messenger, and death overtakes him, his reward is then surely incumbent upon Allah. And Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Al-Nisa 4:100) 

Also, Allah says in Surat al-Nahl:

وَالَّذِينَ هَاجَرُوا فِي اللَّهِ مِن بَعْدِ مَا ظُلِمُوا لَنُبَوِّئَنَّهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً ۖ وَلَأَجْرُ الْآخِرَةِ أَكْبَرُ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ ]النحل [

“And as for those who emigrated for the Cause of Allah, after they had been oppressed, We will certainly give them goodly residence in this world, but indeed the reward of the Hereafter will be greater, if they but knew!’ (Al-Nahl 16:41

The third lesson is that the emigrations that deserve Allah’s glad tidings are those that are done for the cause of Allah (هَاجَرُوا فِي اللَّهِ) (يُہَاجِرۡ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ).  The metric for ensuring that the emigration is for the sake of Allah is the person’s intention.  Muslim scholars have defined intention as sincerity (الإخلاص).  While the physical worship is demonstrated by the outward deeds of the limbs, the sincerity is the spiritual worship that is demonstrated by the inward deed of the heart where intention resides.  

The well-known motivational speaker Dr. Wayne W. Dyer who wrote the book “The Power of Intention” defines intention as the surrender to the force that is bigger than you, the force that beats your heart.”  The great German theoretical physicist Max Karl Planck (April 1858 –October 1947) whose discovery of energy quanta won him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1918 defines the force as follows; he said: “All matter originates and exists only by virtue of a force which causes the particle of an atom to vibrate and holds this most minute solar system of the atom together.  We must assume behind this force the existence of a conscious and intelligent mind. This mind is the matrix of all matter.”

Therefore, the intention (النية) is the connection of the person to the source of power and this is Allah. An emigration for the sake of Allah is an emigration done while the person is always being in connection with Allah. 

The fourth lesson to learn from Hijra is the proper definition and application of the concept of (Tawakul) reliance on Allah (التوكل على الله) which is an essential attribute for any believer.  The Believers’ attribute of reliance (Tawakul) on Allah (التوكل على الله) is emphasized in several verses in the Quran such as Al-Anfal (8:2), Al-Nahl (16: 99), Al-Ankabout (29: 58), and Ash-Shura (42:36).  In Surat Al-Nafal, Allah says:

إِنَّمَا ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ ٱللَّهُ وَجِلَتۡ قُلُوبُہُمۡ وَإِذَا تُلِيَتۡ عَلَيۡہِمۡ ءَايَـٰتُهُ ۥ زَادَتۡہُمۡ إِيمَـٰنً۬ا وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمۡ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ

“Certainly, the believers are those whose hearts is filled with awe when Allah is mentioned, and when they hear His verses recited, it strengthens their faith, and on their Lord they rely.” (Al-Anfal 8:2)

Without the example of the Prophet (PBUH), I am convinced that Muslims would have misapplied the concept of (التوكل على الله) “reliance on Allah” and used it as excuse to justify complacency and laziness, and even blaming Allah for our failures.   In preparation for his emigration, the Prophet (PBUH) developed a very thorough plan that involved both secrecy and taking advantages of all the resources that were available to him.  

As part of the plan, the Prophet (PBUH) engaged a close friend (Abu Bakr), a young relative (Ali),  a woman (Asmaa the daughter of Abu Bakr),  a Muslim youth  (Abdullah the son of Abu Bakr), a servant  Amir bin Fuhairah (عامر بن فُهَيْرَة), a none Muslim man Abdullah bin Uraiquit (عبد الله بن أُرَيْقِط الليثى).  The plan also included taking advantages of animals, sheep and camels. This is addition to a serious travel plan that involved the selection of an inhabited road to avoid detection.

The Prophet (PBUH) demonstrated to us that the reliance in Allah (التوكل على الله) requires perfection of our planning and our work. The Prophet (PBUH) left nothing to chance, even though he knew that everything is in the hand of Allah and Allah will protect him.

If we do not to take advantage of all the resources that Allah makes available to us, we should only blame ourselves if we fail; Allah says:

أَوَلَمَّآ أَصَـٰبَتۡكُم مُّصِيبَةٌ۬ قَدۡ أَصَبۡتُم مِّثۡلَيۡہَا قُلۡتُمۡ أَنَّىٰ هَـٰذَا‌ۖ قُلۡ هُوَ مِنۡ عِندِ أَنفُسِكُمۡ‌ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ قَدِيرٌ۬

“(What is the matter with you?) When a disaster inflicts you, twice of which you inflicted your enemies, you say: “where did this come from?” Say (to them), “It is from yourselves.” And Allah has power over all things. “(Al-Emran 3:165)

Even with all the planning, the Prophet was discovered and only then Allah interfered and saved him.   We should learn that the ultimate support of Allah only comes after we first exhaust all the noble means that He made available for us. 

The fifth lesson is that while the Prophet’s detailed security planning for his travel to Madina is important, we should also learn from the Prophet’s detailed political planning. When the Prophet (PBUH) faced the strong resistance from the tribes in Mecca, he contacted more than 25 tribes outside Mecca to secure their support to spread the message of Islam and you all know his experience with the tribes in Al-Taif.  But all these efforts did not succeed. 

Only after the prophet (PBUH) exhausted all his political resources, Allah interfered and sent to him the tribes form Madina to give their allegiance to support him.  Securing this allegiance initiated the plan for the emigration to Madina and this plan started by sending Muslims to give Dawa in Madina.

Here also, we should learn that the ultimate support of Allah only comes after we first exhaust all the noble means that He made available for us.  

The sixth lesson: is that during both the political planning and the security planning of the Prophet (PBUH), he sought the assistance of disbelievers.  This teaches us the key lesson that cooperating with people and in seeking their help are not related to their religion but rather on their honesty and trustworthy.  The Prophet (PBUH) relied on the disbeliever Abdullah bin Uraiquit (عبد الله بن أُرَيْقِط الليثى) on guiding him and Abu Bakr to Madina in his most dangerous trip.  

Also, after the Prophet (PBUH) returned from Al-Taif after being rejected by their chiefs, he sought and received the support and protection from Al-Mut‘im bin ‘Udi (المطعم بن عدى), a notable in Makkah.  Even after the Prophet emigrated to Madina, the Prophet (PBUH) never forgot Mut‘im’s favor. Although Mut’im rejected the Prophet’s message and died as disbeliever, the Prophet still wanted to honor him. At the conclusion of the battle of Badr, The Prophet (PBUH) declared publicly:

‏(‏لو كان المطعم بن عدى حيًا ثم كلمنى في هؤلاء النتنى لتركتهم له‏)‏‏.‏

“If Mut‘im had been still alive and asked for the release of the Quraishite captives, I would have released them to him”.

As Muslims, we should never forget those who have done us favors, independent of whether they are Muslims or non-Muslims. Even if, at some point of time, they do something that hurts you, you should not forget the favor.

The seventh lesson is related to forming nations. We learn from the Hijra that establishing the nation of Islam did not occur by miracle but rather it took a lot of hard work and major sacrifices by the Prophet (PBUH) and many of his companions. Without their efforts, we would have been Muslims, so they deserve our gratitude and prayers.

These are few lessons that we can learn for the Hijra, I am sure there are many others that you can identify. 

Now, let me switch subject and discuss Allah’s name Al-Wadud (The All Loving) 

During my talk last week on khushoo in the prayer, I said that you will not have khoshoo until you love Allah and you will not love Allah until you know Him and that the only way to know Allah is thru His Glorious names.  So, today, I’ll start by discussing Allah’s name Al-Wadud. 

During the talk, I also mentioned that Allah does not want us to fear Him but to love Him because He loves us. This point was made clear in verse 54 of Surat Al-Maeda (5:54)

يَاأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَنْ يَرْتَدَّ مِنْكُمْ عَنْ دِينِهِ فَسَوْفَ يَأْتِي اللَّهُ بِقَوْمٍ يُحِبُّهُمْ وَيُحِبُّونَهُ (المائدة ﴾

“O’ you who believe, if any of you turn back from his religion, Allah will bring forth people whom He loves and they love Him.” (Al-Maeda 5:54)

But, when we look at the 99 names of Allah, we note that none of them refers to love directly, there is no name such as ‘The loving One” (الحبيب).   However, Allah has a name that goes farther than love which is Al-Wadud (الودود) which can be translated as “The All Loving “.  This name is revealed once as name in Surat al-Burug and once as adjective in Surat Hud.

﴿إِنَّهُ هُوَ يُبْدِئُ وَيُعِيدُ وَهُوَ الْغَفُورُ الْوَدُودُ * ذُو الْعَرْشِ الْمَجِيدُ * فَعَّالٌ لِمَا يُرِيدُ ﴾ سورة البروج

 “For, indeed, He alone is the One who begins creation and He can restore it.  And He is the All-Forgiving, All Loving, the Lord of the Throne of Glory, the Doer of all that He intends.” (Al-Burug 85:13-16)

﴿وَاسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ ثُمَّ تُوبُوا إِلَيْهِ إِنَّ رَبِّي رَحِيمٌ وَدُودٌ﴾  سورة هود

“But ask forgiveness of your Lord, and turn unto Him (in repentance): for my Lord is indeed full of mercy and all-Loving.” (Hud 11:90)

What is the difference between the “Wud” (ود) and the “Hub”(حب), both are referring to love.   The “Hub” is a love by the heart which is manifested by emotional feelings.  But the “Wud” is love by the heart that is transformed beyond the emotion to actions.

You may love someone but you may not want to do anything for him/her.  But if you have “Wud” towards someone, you will love him/her and do whatever will make him/her happy.  So, Allah is the (وَدُودٌ) who does not only love you but He will also do anything that will make you happy.  You see the degree of love that a mother has towards her infant, Allah is more loving to you than the mother. 

Allah is Al-Wadud (الودود) shows His love to every human being, even those who don’t worship and love him. All you need is look at the world around you.  Yes, Allah created for us everything that assures our survival on Earth but that was not all, he also created what would make us happy. 

Allah created the sun to provide us with light and heat; and he created darkness to allow us to sleep.  But he also fashioned the sky in a way for us to enjoy looking at it during sunrise and sunset. 

Allah could have created for us one type of food that will be satisfactory for our survival, but He created many different varieties of plants, animals, birds and fish to eat.  He even created things that we don’t eat but to enjoy seeing, hearing and smelling. Allah created flowers with beauty and fragrance, He created different kinds of beautiful birds with beautiful voices, and He created many kinds of colorful fish to enjoy watching them.  Allah created all of these things because He is Al-Wadud (الودود), He wants to make us happy and enjoy our life on earth.   

For you, the believer, Allah wants to grant you His special love, as He said:

﴿إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آَمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ سَيَجْعَلُ لَهُمُ الرَّحْمَنُ وُدّاً ﴾  سورة مريم

“For those who believe and do righteous deeds, Al-Rahman (the Majestic) will create (assign) for them love.” (Maryam 19:96)

Allah wants to express His love to you and He wants to announce His love to you.   How would you feel if someone told you that during a speech, the president or the king of the country or even the CEO of your company mentioned your name expressing his admiration for you?  Surely, you would be so excited and so proud. 

Why don’t you feel the same excitement when Allah, the Lord of the world and the King of all kings mentions your name and tells everyone in heaven and earth that He loves you.  Do you feel the same sense of honor and happiness?   The Prophet (PBUH) said:

إِنَّ اللهَ إِذا أحبَّ عبدا دعا جبريلَ ، فقال : إِني أحبُّ فلاناً فأحِبَّه ، قال : فيُحِبُّه جبريلُ ، ثم ينادي في السماءِ ، فيقول : إِنَّ اللهَ يحبُّ فلاناً فأحِبُّوه ، فيحبُّه أهل السماء ، ثم يوضَعُ له الَقبُولُ في الأرض  .[ البخاري عن أبي هريرة]

When Allah loves one of his servants, He will call Jibreel and tell him:  I love so and so, you should love him.  Jibreel will love him and call everyone in Heaven and say:  Allah loves so and so, you should love him and all in the Heavens love him and he will be accepted by people on Earth.

It is Allah, Al-Wadud (الودود), Who asks you to love Him, not because your love will add anything to Him, but because He wants to love you more and wants everyone in Heaven and in earth to love you. 

Allah, Al-Wadud (الودود), wants you to go to Him and share with him your fears, your pain and your needs.  Sit in a private place and call upon Him, Al-Wadud (الودود), and tell Him that you are in pain; you are afraid about your job, afraid about your business, afraid about what will happen to your kids, lean on Al-Wadud (الودود), ask Him to help you.

You may not want to express your weakness to anyone and shed your tears in front of anyone but when you are with Al-Wadud (الودود), you can because He loves you and wants to help you and He will not embarrass you.

When you need comfort at a time of sorrow, when you want to gain sympathy or consolation at a time of agony, or when you just want to cry on someone’s shoulder without even asking for anything, Allah Al-Wadud (الودود) is always waiting for you.

When the Prophet (PBUH) was rejected by people in Taif and left feeling weary, wounded and exhausted; He sat down next to a wall and called upon Al-Wadud (الودود) to express his distress and sorrow without asking for anything, He said:

‏(‏اللهم إليك أشكو ضَعْف قُوَّتِى، وقلة حيلتى، وهوإني على الناس،

“O’Allah, to you alone I complain of my weakness, the meagerness of my resources and lowliness before men.

To whom can you go for help and to express your pains, fears and sorrow other than Allah, Al-Wadud (الودود) who loves you without expecting anything from you in return.  He, who wants to befriend you without gaining anything by your friendship, and who wants to support you, guide you and help you for no other reason than you are worshiping none but him.

Allah Al-Wadud (الودود) wants to bestow His love and the love of everyone upon you and He wants to become your confidant and consoler because your heart is full with love for Him. 

﴿ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آَمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ سَيَجْعَلُ لَهُمُ الرَّحْمَنُ وُدّاً ﴾  سورة مريم

“For those who believe and do righteous deeds, it is for them the Merciful will bestow Love.” (Maryam 19:96)

If you truly love Allah, you will feel that you are always with Him, Al-Wadud (الودود) and He will ensure that your love is in the heart of all those in Heaven and in Earth. 

DUA