my beloved son - Mosque Foundation

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mada II 1431
Issue 36
Ap r i l 2 0 1 4 – Ju m a d a I I 1 4 3 5 Is s u e 8 0
W W W. M O S Q U E F O U N D AT I O N . O R G
and sisters, it must stem from a deep love and concern for them to succeed in this life and the next, and
not enmity or a desire to score points. We must take
the time to offer them (naseeha) advice, in-person
and in private with sincere intentions to guide and
support them.
Sh. Jamal Said
Message From The Imam
MY BELOVED SON
Brothers and sisters, this month’s message to you is one that was given
many centuries ago by a father to his son. Oftentimes Muslims study
the first verses of the passage depicting the dialogue between Luqman
(A) and his son without paying close attention to the second part of
advice he offers his son. Thus, I would like to take this opportunity to
discuss the wisdom embedded in these two verses.
Allah (SWT) states, “My dear son! If there be something which is no
more than the weight of a grain of mustard seed, and though it be
hidden in a rock, or in the skies, or in the earth, Allah will bring it forth.
Allah is Gracious, All-Aware.” (31:16)
Luqman begins his advice to his son with the words, “My dear son,”
highlighting the love and compassion Luqman expressed verbally to
his son before teaching and advising him. We learn that when we seek
to advise our children, our wives or husbands, or our Muslim brothers
After capturing the attention of his son, Luqman (A)
paints the image of a tiny mustard seed misplaced
in a large boulder somewhere in the heavens or the
earth, hidden deep in layer beneath layer. He says,
“Allah will bring it forth” easily, with no hassle. Allah
(SWT) is not only fully aware of what we do but is also
precise in tracing every detail.
It is not enough to advise our children to be mindful
of Allah (SWT) and to simply state that Allah is always
watching them. We must remind them that there is
nothing we can hide from Him even if we were to
spend all of our time and energy burying it deep beneath the earth, Allah is aware of it and will hold us
into account for it. Luqman raises his son’s awareness
of Allah’s knowledge that encompasses everything
and makes him conscious of His precision in exposing all sins. The image of the weightless mustard seed
juxtaposed to the vast skies and earth inspire both
awe and fear.
After instilling trust in Allah’s justice who will not allow a single mustard seed to escape and fear of His
punishment, Luqman admonishes his son to establish
prayer, “My dear son! Attend regularly to prayer, and
enjoin the doing of what is right and forbid the doing
of what is wrong, and endure with fortitude whatever
befalls you. These are matters that require strong resolve.” (31:17) He does not tell his son to pray, he says
to establish prayer making it a solid foundation that
structures his entire life. Salat reminds us of our duty
to Allah (SWT) and of the day when all sins, however
small, however hidden, will be exposed and judged.
An individual who establishes prayer and is conscious
of Allah’s justice and judgment is one who enjoins
that which is right and forbids that which is evil. It is
not enough to establish prayer, prayer must influence
our interactions and dealings. If our salat does not
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April 2014 – Jumada II 1435
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MY BELOVED SON
influence every part of our daily lives then it has not been established the way it
should be and is merely a ritual.
MF BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Hussein Ata PRESIDENT
Oussama Jammal B.O.D.
Abdallah M. Shuaibi B.O.D.
Ahmed Kamni B.O.D.
Kalid Y. Baste B.O.D.
Khalida Baste B.O.D.
Jamal Said Imam
Aisheh Said B.O.D.
Banan J. Said B.O.D.
Fahim Aref B.O.D.
Habes Abdallah B.O.D.
Jafar Ahmad B.O.D.
Jehad J. MatariyehB.O.D.
Marwan Alsafadi B.O.D.
Mohammed Hussien B.O.D.
Saleh Abdelrahman B.O.D.
Safaa Zarzour B.O.D.
Usama Alian B.O.D.
Luqman continues to advise his son to endure with fortitude what befalls him, and
to be patient and strong when he is tested because Luqman knows that enjoining
right and forbidding evil is a lonely road taken by a few, and one which requires a
strong relationship with Allah (SWT).
May Allah (SWT) make us among those who establish regular prayer, enjoin what is
good and forbid what is evil, and may He give us the strength and patience to do so.
Sh. Jamal Said
EDITORIAL BOARD
Hussein Ata
Sh. Jamal Said
Sh. Kifah Mustapha
Tareq Abu-Ammer
Connie Martin
Mohamed Chehade
Deanna Othman
Abdel Baset Hamayel
A p r i l 20 1 4 Vol. 05, Issue 80
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