Nepal devastation warns of the Day of Judgment
- ‘Pre-khutba sermon’
Mufti Abdul Malek, Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, said in his pre-Jumu’ah khutba sermon yesterday that Allah revealed the final Book, the Holy Quran, through the final Prophet (PBUH). We must embrace the Seerah of the Prophet (PBUH) in our faith and creed. We must embrace Islam wholeheartedly. Allah has made the entire earth a mosque for the Ummah.
The Khatib said the Prophet (PBUH) urged people to go to the mosque early on Friday. One must remain vigilant so that business and shops do not make one heedless of the remembrance of Allah. Shops cannot be turned into the houses of Satan. One can offer prayers and perform acts of worship while running a shop. For this, one needs intention and determination. Shops must be turned into places of halal business.
Mufti Abdur Rahim Qasemi, Khatib of the historic Baitul Mamur Jame Mosque in Mirpur, said in his pre-Jumu’ah khutba sermon yesterday that the devastation caused by the earthquake, landslides and muddy water in Nepal is a warning sign of the Day of Judgment for the people of the world. This devastation, which lasted for one to one and a half minutes, reminds the Muslim world of the terrifying condition of the Day of Judgment. Because, within a moment, such devastation, like a great catastrophe, suddenly struck without anyone’s knowledge. No one could ever have imagined it. I hope this devastation will strengthen the faith of Muslims further. Those non-Muslim disbelievers and atheists who do not want to acknowledge the devastation of the Day of Judgment will come to their senses. If Almighty Allah wills, He can turn the entire universe into devastation within a moment. Therefore, those who are disbelievers and immersed in various sins should refrain from all kinds of wrongdoing, injustice, oppression and torture. Because this is a warning for them. It is mentioned in the Hadith Sharif that every person will be busy with his own deeds; some will be engaged in business and commerce, some in eating and drinking, and some in walking and various other activities, and at such a time the Day of Judgment will suddenly occur. He will not even be able to imagine it. The sky will be shattered into pieces, and the mountains will fly in the sky like cotton.
The Khatib said the convulsion of the Day of Judgment will be extremely terrifying. Allah Ta’ala says, “O mankind! Fear your Lord. Surely, the earthquake of the Hour is a tremendous thing. (Surah Al-Hajj: 1).” In another verse, Allah Ta’ala says, “Remember the time when the sun will be deprived of its light, the stars will become scattered and the mountains will be set in motion. (Surah At-Takwir, verses 1-3).” Allah Ta’ala also says, “Do you feel secure that He will not cause the earth to swallow you, and then suddenly it will begin to shake? (Surah Al-Mulk: 16).” Hazrat Rasul Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said, “Before the Day of Judgment, there will be three major landslides, one in the east, one in the west and another in Jaziratul Arab, that is, the Arabian Peninsula. Al-Hadith.” He further said, “The Day of Judgment will not occur until knowledge is taken away, earthquakes increase, time passes quickly, fitnah appears and killings increase. (Sahih Bukhari: 1036).”
Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) narrated that Rasul Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said that before the Day of Judgment, 15 things will occur in abundance. Then red winds, earthquakes, landslides, transformation of forms, and Allah’s wrath, such as stones raining down from the sky, will occur one after another, just as when the thread of an old necklace breaks, the beads fall one after another. The acts are: using maal-e-fai, or government property, as if it were one’s own property; considering amanat as booty; considering zakat a fine; acquiring knowledge for purposes other than religion; a man obeying his wife and disobeying his mother; bringing a friend close and distancing one’s father; raising voices in mosques; a fasiq person taking leadership of a tribe; the worst person among a nation becoming its leader; showing respect to a person out of fear of his harm; singers and musical instruments becoming widespread; drinking alcohol; and the later people of this Ummah cursing the earlier people. (Tirmidhi Sharif). Therefore, let us abandon all these wrong deeds. Because we do not know at what moment or when our death will come. The Day of Judgment will occur. Then there will be no opportunity even for regret. May Allah Ta’ala grant everyone the ability to refrain from all kinds of sins and perform more good deeds. Ameen.
Mufti Faizullah Jibanpuri, Shaikhul Hadith and Khatib of Baitun Noor Jame Mosque in North Manda, Mugda, Dhaka, said in his pre-khutba sermon yesterday that the holy month of Rabi’ al-Awwal is an extremely significant and blessed month for the Muslim Ummah. As soon as the moon of Rabi’ al-Awwal rises in the sky, a new movement for salvation and an awakening of love for the Prophet emerge in the hearts of believers around the world. It was in this holy month that the beloved Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), the greatest teacher and guide of mankind, came to this earth. The Khatib further said that Allah says in the Holy Quran, “Hold fast to what the Messenger has brought and refrain from what he has forbidden.” Allah also says in Surah Al-Ahzab that whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger will achieve great success. In the Hadith Sharif, the Prophet says, “I have left two things with you; if you hold fast to them, you will never go astray. One is the Quran and the other is the Hadith.” The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said that for a believer there are two Eids—Eid-ul-Adha and Eid-ul-Fitr.
The Khatib said when the Companions asked the Messenger of Allah about fasting on Mondays, he said, “I was born on this day, I received prophethood on this day and the Quran was revealed to me on this day.” For this reason, he used to fast on Mondays every week. This practice is not annual but weekly, so this practice may be followed. The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Allah sent me so that I may eradicate musical instruments, electric musical instruments and idols.” Therefore, we must implement the example of the Messenger of Allah in every sector of our personal and family life, social life and state life. In conclusion, the Khatib said, “We should reject the ideals of other nations, implement the ideals of Allah and His Messenger, and refrain from bid’ah. May Allah grant all of us the ability to become exemplary according to the example of the Messenger and conduct our lives accordingly. Ameen.”
