Humble Submission

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

The following is a transcript of a discourse given by Mawlana Wafi’ Muhammad. 

The Qur’an is a unique and special presentation, and one of the beauties and miracles of the Qur’an is that It Explains Itself.  Allah (s.w.t.) Taught Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) the Qur’an; how one can apply it to their personality to purify themselves.  When we look at a particular ayat from the Qur’an, we cannot isolate it from the rest of the Book.  We have to locate the other places where Allah (s.w.t.) Mentions the same and in what context it is being used.  For example, Allah (s.w.t.) Says in Surah al-Ma’un: 

سُوۡرَةُ المَاعون

فَوَيۡلٌ۬ لِّلۡمُصَلِّينَ (٤) 

So woe to the worshippers (Surah al-Ma’un:4) 

If one takes this ayat in isolation, it can be twisted to condemn those who worship, which is the furthest thing from the true meaning.  In my experience, it sometimes takes weeks to properly find a solution to one question in the Qur’an.  Reason being, one must look at the context in which it is related and how is it relates to other messages contained.  So, as a cautious reminder to us all; we must take care when studying and referencing at the Qur’an. 

One important aspect of a believer that I wish to make mention of today is what Allah (s.w.t.) Says in Surah al-Baqarah: 

سُوۡرَةُ البَقَرَة

ءَامَنَ ٱلرَّسُولُ بِمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيۡهِ مِن رَّبِّهِۦ وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ‌ۚ ... (٢٨٥) 

The Messenger believes in what has been Revealed to him from his Lord, as do the men of faith … (Surah al-Baqarah:285) 

Basically, the true believers are in conformity to what the messengers preached to their respective people.  This leads to an important principle that the true believers all have in common: 

سُوۡرَةُ البَقَرَة

... سَمِعۡنَا وَأَطَعۡنَا‌ۖ ... (٢٨٥) 

… We hear, and we obey … (Surah al-Baqarah:285) 

We see the attitude of the true believer is similar to that of the Messenger (s.a.w.) and all the preceding messengers.  In contrast to the believers, we have the nations of the past.  They were not properly prepared to submit humbly to Allah (s.w.t.).  They were not prepared to say they hear and obey.  Instead, as in the case of Moses (a.s.), the Israelites demanded that he do all the work, and they would just sit by in the background.  On the other hand, when Islam came it brought with it, true submission.  And this was evident in the recently concluded month of Ramadhan.  Regardless of how hungry you may be during the day, you abstain from nourishment out of obedience to Allah (s.w.t.).  This is what makes a difference between a Muslim and the non-believers; the simple principle of humble submission.  And those who do not have humble submission, Allah (s.w.t.) Coins them as hypocrites. 

For us, even if we do not fully understand an Islamic injunction, we need to just accept it.  As long as Allah (s.w.t.) and His Rasul (s.a.w.) say so; accept it.  And this is what is hard to develop.  Faith is something easier said than done.  Humble submission creates a sense of compassion, forgiveness and love.  This is what Islam brings to us.  If we uphold it, we will become good and beneficial units in society.  And Satan does not want this; so he creates avenues for our downfall.  He decorates the evil and disguises it as good.  This is why when the companions understood the concept of submission, they never even volunteered to answer a question posed to them by Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.); even though they knew the answer.  Their reply used to be, “Allah (s.w.t.) and His Rasul (s.a.w.) know best!” 

They learnt to humble themselves, and we in turn should inculcate this attitude as part of our spiritual discipline.  We should learn to say, “We hear and obey.”  Whatever Allah (s.w.t.) Has for us; we will get it.  Put our faith and trust in Him and know that He will Take Care of our affairs.  And this in essence is what faith is all about.  It takes a lot from a person; but always remember that if we put our reliance solely on Him, we will have no regrets.  We should go to Him with all our problems and talk to Him and insha’Allah, He will give us that which is best.  And if He Loves us, He will Try us as Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) is reported to have said.  Look at how He Tried Ibrahim (a.s.); and he was Khalilullah – The Friend of Allah (s.w.t.).  He was tested with his family, his love and even his life. 

We must remember, that we are part of a big family that came all through the ages, who testified we hear and obey.  May Allah (s.w.t.) Continue to Make us from amongst those who accept His Message and inculcate it to purify and transform our personalities.  May He Increase us in knowledge in order to understand that which He Sent through His Messengers and may He Make us humble servants who would persevere with patience and put all our faith, trust and hope in Him, insha’Allah.