Hujjatul Islam Ustad Syed Jawad Naqvi
(Principal Jamia Orwatul Wuthqa – Lahore)
Delivered at: Masjid Baitul ul Ateeq
Lahore – Pakistan
Friday Sermon – 20th December 2024
Sermon 1: Taqwa in protecting the constitution of life
Sermon 2: If one door of Syria is closed, Allah will open many other doors for these oppressed
The assets you develop but do not protect are ultimately wasted. Allah has provided guidance for the development of human beings, with Taqwa serving as a means of protection. The Quran presents a constitutional framework of Taqwa, and if this framework is not implemented, it becomes akin to the situation in Pakistan, where the losses incurred cannot be offset by any other means, including charitable acts, worship, or good deeds.
In most developed countries, the constitution is actively practiced. Similarly, Allah has established a constitution referred to as Religion (Deen), with the term Al-Kitab preceding it. The Quran is an attribute of Al-Kitab, which in Arabic signifies the gathering, organization, compilation, and safeguarding of what was once dispersed. Writing itself is also called Kitab under this definition, as it involves collecting, organizing, and securing words and letters on paper. Allah has organized all the laws and policies of life for humanity within the Quran. In contemporary terms, Kitab can be understood as Ideology.
Allah created this constitution and revealed it to make it accessible and comprehensible for humankind. The responsibility of protecting this constitution and the life it governs has been entrusted to everyone. When both human life and the constitution are secured, the constitution becomes integrated into the lives of individuals. This protection must be a collective effort, wherein everyone actively enacts the constitution. This is what constitutes constitutional Taqwa.In Suran Anam, verse no 155 the same is mentioned
وَهَٰذَا كِتَابٌ أَنْزَلْنَاهُ مُبَارَكٌ فَاتَّبِعُوهُ وَاتَّقُوا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ {155}
[And this is a Book We have revealed, blessed; therefore follow it and guard (against evil) that mercy may be shown to you.
أَنْ تَقُولُوا إِنَّمَا أُنْزِلَ الْكِتَابُ عَلَىٰ طَائِفَتَيْنِ مِنْ قَبْلِنَا وَإِنْ كُنَّا عَنْ دِرَاسَتِهِمْ لَغَافِلِينَ {156}
[Lest you say that the Book was only revealed to two parties before us and We were truly unaware of what they read.
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Verse 155 states that this book has been revealed for you to follow and to establish Taqwa in the context of adhering to it. This implies that in practicing the laws, one must embody Taqwa, which means making arrangements for security. Laws become effective and provide protection only when they are implemented.Prior to this in verse 154
ثُمَّ آتَيْنَا مُوسَى الْكِتَابَ تَمَامًا عَلَى الَّذِي أَحْسَنَ وَتَفْصِيلًا لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لَعَلَّهُمْ بِلِقَاءِ رَبِّهِمْ يُؤْمِنُونَ {154}
Again, We gave the Book to Musa to complete (Our blessings) on him who would do good (to others), and making plain all things and a guidance and a mercy, so that they should believe in the meeting of their Lord.
Allah loves the Mohsineen, those who perform beautiful deeds. The verse states that this book (the Torah) was given in complete form to Moosa, who exemplified beautiful actions. This book contains detailed guidance essential for human beings. The same guidance is presented in a more complete form in the Quran, which serves as a source of guidance and mercy for everyone. These four attributes are present in the book revealed to the Quran, so that believers may have faith in meeting their Lord.
The next verse, 155, speaks about the Quran. This book has been revealed for you so that you cannot claim that previous scriptures were given to the Jews and Christians, while nothing has been provided to you, and therefore you cannot be expected to be guided. Since their books have not reached you, it is unjust to expect the same outcome. Allah has specifically descended this book for you. The second reason is to counter any claims that if a book were revealed to you, you would have achieved better results. This book has been given to you to establish an argument against you.
For example, some people say that if Imam Khomeini (r.a) had come to Pakistan, they would have acted differently. Others claim that if they had access to oil and gas resources, they would have achieved great things. However, Allah provides you with the means to demonstrate what you would do. The reality is that, despite having received little from Allah, you have done nothing. If Pakistanis had the Holy Kaaba, what would you do? Your actions now with what you possess would remain unchanged. Allah warns you not to claim that you would be better guided.
The Quran is with you, so reflect on what you have accomplished in the past 1400 years. You have become subservient to Jews and Christians despite having the book. To silence your excuses, Allah says, “We have given you the book,” yet you have not acted upon it. You might say that if you had a better system, you would do more. However, you have a system and leaders—what have you achieved with them?
Our discussion centers on Taqwa. If a book like the Quran is given to those who lack Taqwa, it becomes neglected, rendering the Quran ineffective for them. You will find very few Haafiz of the Bible, but the output from the Quran by Muslims is significant. Where is the excess guidance that Muslims claimed to receive from the Quran? Two decades ago, there were around 50 million memorizers of the Quran, yet where is the development and stability in the world?
In China, despite being a communist nation, all worldly means are present, even without a religious text. So, the question arises: Does the Quran lack the ability to guide? It does have this ability, but the issue lies in the absence of constitutional Taqwa. The Quran demands Taqwa throughout life, which should be evident in our actions. This encompasses all aspects: individual, social, systems, governance, economy, and politics. Taqwa is the pathway that protects the constitution of life, ensuring that human life becomes secure through this constitution.
SERMON 2
Humanity is fundamentally preserved by Taqwa, while aspects such as religion, worship, and spirituality are secondary. The Quran, as previously mentioned in Surah Araf regarding Balam Baur, illustrates that even if a person attains an esteemed level of knowledge, losing Taqwa causes them to descend from their humanity, comparing such a person to a rabid dog. This verse serves as a significant lesson, highlighting that a person can fall to the level of a crazed animal.
The plight of Gaza exposes the degradation of humanity, presenting its victims as if they are beasts. Within every human being lies sentiment; if this sentiment is lost, one ceases to be human. For instance, if a car were to hit a small child, people would instinctively stop, chase the vehicle, protest, confront the driver, and rush the child to the hospital. Yet, in Gaza, where thousands of children have been martyred—officially reported as 13,000—with many more wounded, and where starving children stand in line for food only to be bombed, where are the bleeding hearts of rulers and scholars? If they have become like beasts, then no action follows.
Rather than helping the people of Gaza, many have acted with even greater brutality. A few groups, such as Iran, Hezbollah, Ansarullah, and Hashad, have offered assistance, but many Muslims have behaved in a bestial manner. Leaders like Erdogan, Mohammad bin Salman, and Nahyan have betrayed their responsibilities. They dismantled the support bridge from Syria to the oppressed Palestinians. Although the Syrian ruler may have lived a corrupt life, he maintained this tunnel to aid those in need. They understood that as long as Syria remained a support system, assistance would continue, prompting plans to eliminate this support.
This situation did not arise overnight; it began with the Arab Spring, initiated by America to topple longstanding leaders like Hosni Mubarak and Gaddafi. In Syria, the resistance from Iran and Hezbollah, followed later by Russia, thwarted these plans. Now, it appears that not only Arab nations but others, including Russia, are complicit in dismantling the support for Palestinians.
As the Supreme Leader has pointed out, closing the Syrian pathway will not end resistance; new avenues will emerge for support. However, until that happens, Hezbollah and Hamas find themselves isolated and unsupported. These oppressive tyrants are now targeting Egypt and Jordan. Once the bridge to Syria was severed, Netanyahu quickly went to Egypt to strategize the next phase for Palestine, engaging in discussions with these treacherous Arab leaders.
Yet, as Allah states, their schemes are countered by Allah’s own plan, which will prevail. When one door closes, Allah will open many others. Divine assistance, alongside worldly help, will come from unexpected sources. The Palestinians are not only capable of continuing their struggle but will do so courageously in the future. Meanwhile, the remaining rulers of the world will be left with shame and disgrace, unable to present any argument to Allah. They sit in silence, as does the broader Islamic world and Muslim community, while the children of Balam Baur celebrate like rabid dogs.
What have the Palestinians done to the Pakistani Muftis who celebrate the destruction of Palestine while they cheer for Syria? When humanity is extinguished, scholars become like rabid dogs, barking but offering no meaningful support.
