1
00:00:02,860 --> 00:00:05,916
All praise is due to Allah,
Lord of the worlds.

2
00:00:06,000 --> 00:00:09,416
And the most complete and perfect
blessings and peace.

3
00:00:09,500 --> 00:00:11,760
Upon the one sent as mercy
to the worlds.

4
00:00:13,140 --> 00:00:16,620
And upon his family and all
his Companions.

5
00:00:17,120 --> 00:00:22,320
Now then, welcome, seekers of
knowledge.

6
00:00:24,100 --> 00:00:28,020
Welcome, those commended by the
Messenger of Allah ﷺ.

7
00:00:29,420 --> 00:00:32,340
in this fifth session.

8
00:00:33,000 --> 00:00:38,980
of this scholarly course, for which
I ask Allah ﷻ.

9
00:00:40,420 --> 00:00:46,420
that it be blessed and beneficial
to all.

10
00:00:48,540 --> 00:00:54,460
We continue the reflective pauses
with Surat al-Kahf.

11
00:00:56,720 --> 00:01:01,280
And we are still with partial
reflection.

12
00:01:02,540 --> 00:01:07,960
on the verses of Surat al-Kahf,
reflecting on its guidance.

13
00:01:10,840 --> 00:01:13,540
The nineteenth pause.

14
00:01:15,060 --> 00:01:17,660
The perfection of Allah's ﷻ
knowledge.

15
00:01:18,860 --> 00:01:22,500
And the all-encompassing nature of
His hearing and sight.

16
00:01:24,440 --> 00:01:27,180
Allah's ﷻ knowledge.

17
00:01:28,560 --> 00:01:35,620
is ancient, preexistent, and
perfect; nothing escapes it.

18
00:01:37,260 --> 00:01:43,240
Allah knows what was
and what will be.

19
00:01:44,640 --> 00:01:48,330
And what was not—if it were—
how it would be.

20
00:01:52,980 --> 00:01:57,640
Allah’s ﷻ hearing and sight
encompass all.

21
00:01:59,180 --> 00:02:05,140
When a servant is certain of
Allah’s ﷻ perfect knowledge.

22
00:02:05,760 --> 00:02:10,560
He submits to His law
in complete submission.

23
00:02:12,260 --> 00:02:21,940
And feels no discomfort within himself
over anything Allah ﷻ has legislated.

24
00:02:23,480 --> 00:02:29,380
And when he is certain of Allah’s
ﷻ all-encompassing hearing and sight.

25
00:02:29,500 --> 00:02:32,400
He is truly shy
before Allah.

26
00:02:34,120 --> 00:02:39,740
For he knows that Allah ﷻ
hears every word he says.

27
00:02:40,800 --> 00:02:44,780
And He sees his place
wherever he may be.

28
00:02:46,300 --> 00:02:51,020
Allah ﷻ said in verse twenty-six.

29
00:02:51,940 --> 00:02:54,600
“Say, Allah knows best
how long they remained.

30
00:02:55,700 --> 00:03:01,220
His is the unseen of the heavens
and earth. How clearly He sees and hears!

31
00:03:02,300 --> 00:03:07,680
They have no protector besides Him.
He shares not His rule with anyone.”

32
00:03:09,000 --> 00:03:13,960
Twentieth reflection:
All judgment belongs to Allah.

33
00:03:15,500 --> 00:03:17,860
And Allah’s judgment
is of two types.

34
00:03:19,140 --> 00:03:28,380
A decretive ruling,
and no one can share in it with Allah.

35
00:03:30,320 --> 00:03:33,240
As the Prophet ﷺ said.

36
00:03:34,230 --> 00:03:38,280
"Know that if the whole nation
gathered.

37
00:03:39,340 --> 00:03:47,080
to benefit you with anything,
they'd benefit you only by Allah's decree.

38
00:03:48,440 --> 00:03:52,780
And if they all gathered
to harm you with anything.

39
00:03:53,820 --> 00:03:59,240
They could not harm you except
by what Allah decreed for you.

40
00:03:59,920 --> 00:04:03,200
The pens have been lifted,
and the pages have dried."

41
00:04:03,940 --> 00:04:06,660
as narrated by al-Tirmidhi,
and authenticated by al-Albani.

42
00:04:08,220 --> 00:04:16,820
So Allah's decretive ruling,
none can share in it or oppose it.

43
00:04:19,000 --> 00:04:22,060
The second is a legal ruling.

44
00:04:24,400 --> 00:04:30,320
And the believer must submit
to it.

45
00:04:31,240 --> 00:04:34,620
And he must not make anyone
a partner in Allah's ruling.

46
00:04:36,320 --> 00:04:40,780
Therefore, this is among the
definitive legal principles.

47
00:04:42,420 --> 00:04:47,860
There is no obedience to a creature
in disobedience to the Creator.

48
00:04:49,020 --> 00:04:55,740
A created being is obeyed only
because Allah ordained obeying him.

49
00:04:58,040 --> 00:05:02,580
Do not place obedience to creation
against obedience to Allah.

50
00:05:04,120 --> 00:05:10,400
As for the Muslim ruler,
he must be heard and obeyed.

51
00:05:11,620 --> 00:05:13,820
so long as he does not command sin.

52
00:05:15,160 --> 00:05:20,880
But if he commands disobedience,
there is no hearing or obedience in it.

53
00:05:21,000 --> 00:05:23,880
while hearing and obedience remain
in all other matters.

54
00:05:25,840 --> 00:05:30,760
A father too:
the son must obey him.

55
00:05:32,020 --> 00:05:34,080
so long as he does not command sin.

56
00:05:35,420 --> 00:05:45,940
But if he commands disobedience,
there is no hearing or obedience in it.

57
00:05:47,400 --> 00:05:53,890
Scholars also include a father
ordering his son to harmful things.

58
00:05:55,960 --> 00:06:01,220
For the Sharia has forbidden harm.
For the Sharia has forbidden harm.

59
00:06:02,640 --> 00:06:07,328
And thus Allah ﷻ said.

60
00:06:07,448 --> 00:06:11,768
"and He shares His rule with no one."

61
00:06:13,528 --> 00:06:17,548
This is an indefinite noun
in a negative context, so it is general.

62
00:06:19,408 --> 00:06:21,588
The twenty-first reflection.

63
00:06:24,168 --> 00:06:27,308
Among the benefits of the story
of the People of the Cave.

64
00:06:30,288 --> 00:06:32,188
Al-Sa'di RH said.

65
00:06:36,868 --> 00:06:38,904
Here is a useful note.

66
00:06:38,988 --> 00:06:43,228
Many brothers ask:
Do we say al-Sa'di or al-Si'di?

67
00:06:46,348 --> 00:06:52,088
If you ascribe him to his
grandfather: Ibn Si'di.

68
00:06:53,708 --> 00:06:56,968
That is the common form in Najd.

69
00:06:59,648 --> 00:07:03,188
If you say al-Sa'di,
both pronunciations are valid.

70
00:07:05,068 --> 00:07:12,048
al-Sa'di, with fathah on the sin,
is allowed, sounder, and truer to Arabic.

71
00:07:13,248 --> 00:07:14,508
Al-Si'di is also allowed.

72
00:07:16,448 --> 00:07:21,728
This pronunciation was reported
from the Shaykh with fathah on sin.

73
00:07:24,948 --> 00:07:31,148
His students discussed this.
Both are valid; the fathah is sounder.

74
00:07:33,328 --> 00:07:36,788
So if you say Ibn,
you say Ibn Si'di.

75
00:07:38,908 --> 00:07:43,204
If you ascribe him to the tribe,
you may say al-Sa'di.

76
00:07:43,288 --> 00:07:46,708
And you may say al-Si'di.
The fathah is better.

77
00:07:48,008 --> 00:07:52,767
This is an extra note, though.

78
00:07:55,228 --> 00:07:58,568
I mean, it answers a question
many seekers of knowledge have.

79
00:08:00,548 --> 00:08:05,028
Shaykh al-Sa'di RH said.
In this story is proof.

80
00:08:06,488 --> 00:08:12,588
that whoever flees trials for his faith
Allah saves him from them.

81
00:08:14,248 --> 00:08:18,648
And whoever seeks safety,
Allah grants him safety.

82
00:08:19,568 --> 00:08:24,618
How beautiful this is:
Whoever seeks safety, Allah grants it.

83
00:08:27,128 --> 00:08:32,368
Only the one who is not sincere
in seeking safety is forsaken.

84
00:08:34,088 --> 00:08:38,108
But whoever is sincere and seeks
safety, Allah grants him safety.

85
00:08:39,188 --> 00:08:48,068
He said: whoever seeks refuge in Allah
Allah shelters him, a guide to others.

86
00:08:49,928 --> 00:08:57,724
And whoever bears humiliation
for His sake, seeking His pleasure.

87
00:08:57,808 --> 00:09:04,528
his end and outcome
will be great honor.

88
00:09:05,488 --> 00:09:12,428
from where he does not expect.
What Allah has is better for the pious.

89
00:09:14,048 --> 00:09:20,728
The twenty-second point:
the one obeyed and followed.

90
00:09:21,668 --> 00:09:26,128
And the one to emulate is he
who obeys his Master.

91
00:09:27,188 --> 00:09:33,938
free from the pull of his desire,
keen on the common good.

92
00:09:35,268 --> 00:09:38,748
The Most High said in verse 28.

93
00:09:39,768 --> 00:09:43,764
"And do not obey one whose heart
We made heedless of Our remembrance.

94
00:09:43,848 --> 00:09:47,888
and follows his desire,
and whose affair is ever neglected.

95
00:09:49,028 --> 00:09:53,348
Al-Sa'di RH said: the verse shows.

96
00:09:54,328 --> 00:10:00,808
that the one who should be obeyed
and be an imam for the people.

97
00:10:01,708 --> 00:10:05,358
is one whose heart is filled with
love for Allah ﷻ.

98
00:10:06,988 --> 00:10:12,188
That overflowed onto his tongue,
so he constantly remembered Allah ﷻ.

99
00:10:13,128 --> 00:10:19,508
He followed what pleases his Lord
and preferred it over his desire.

100
00:10:20,588 --> 00:10:25,768
Thus he preserved, by that, what he
could of his time.

101
00:10:25,868 --> 00:10:30,928
His circumstances were set right,
and his actions became upright.

102
00:10:32,308 --> 00:10:39,224
And he called people to what Allah ﷻ
had granted him: knowledge.

103
00:10:39,308 --> 00:10:45,624
So he truly deserves to be followed
and made an imam.

104
00:10:45,708 --> 00:10:51,228
How much we need, brothers,
to repeat these words to people.

105
00:10:51,828 --> 00:10:58,188
For many people today
no longer know how to choose a leader.

106
00:10:59,528 --> 00:11:02,988
Thus they have taken ignorant leaders.

107
00:11:05,668 --> 00:11:08,068
They are astray themselves.

108
00:11:09,068 --> 00:11:12,708
And those who took them as leaders
went astray.

109
00:11:14,368 --> 00:11:19,728
The twenty-third reflection:
The evil state of the people of Hell.

110
00:11:21,168 --> 00:11:25,028
And a warning against following
its path in this world.

111
00:11:26,788 --> 00:11:30,048
And the great bliss
of the people of Paradise.

112
00:11:31,528 --> 00:11:34,248
And urging people
to follow its path.

113
00:11:35,948 --> 00:11:44,388
Allah ﷻ says in verses
twenty-nine to thirty-one.

114
00:11:45,548 --> 00:11:49,744
"And say: The truth is from
your Lord. So whoever wills may believe."

115
00:11:49,828 --> 00:11:51,908
"And whoever wills may disbelieve."

116
00:11:52,728 --> 00:11:58,288
"Indeed, We have prepared for the unjust
a Fire whose walls surround them."

117
00:11:59,568 --> 00:12:05,104
If they cry for relief, they get
molten-metal water that scalds faces.

118
00:12:05,188 --> 00:12:09,424
"How dreadful the drink,
and evil the resting place."

119
00:12:09,508 --> 00:12:16,348
"Those who believe and do good deeds—
no doer's reward is lost."

120
00:12:16,868 --> 00:12:22,428
"Those will have Gardens of Eden;
rivers flow beneath them."

121
00:12:23,128 --> 00:12:28,704
Therein they will be adorned with
gold bracelets and wear garments.

122
00:12:28,788 --> 00:12:34,958
"of green silk and brocade,
reclining there on couches."

123
00:12:35,828 --> 00:12:40,828
"Excellent is the reward,
and good is the resting place."

124
00:12:40,928 --> 00:12:43,068
The twenty-fourth reflection.

125
00:12:44,388 --> 00:12:48,048
Man has choice and will.

126
00:12:49,608 --> 00:12:53,728
That does not go beyond Allah's
universal, decreed will.

127
00:12:55,308 --> 00:13:00,308
The Exalted said: Say,
The truth is from your Lord.

128
00:13:01,388 --> 00:13:07,728
"Whoever wills—let him believe;
and whoever wills—let him disbelieve."

129
00:13:08,888 --> 00:13:13,147
So man has will and choice.

130
00:13:15,308 --> 00:13:18,968
The verse is not giving a choice.

131
00:13:20,368 --> 00:13:26,088
Rather, it shows that man
has a will.

132
00:13:26,188 --> 00:13:28,348
"Whoever wills—let him believe."

133
00:13:30,048 --> 00:13:35,908
Whoever believes has been guided.
"And whoever wills—let him disbelieve."

134
00:13:38,308 --> 00:13:44,408
Whoever disbelieves has gone astray.
This is a threat, not a choice.

135
00:13:46,428 --> 00:13:48,568
The twenty-fifth reflection.

136
00:13:50,208 --> 00:13:56,768
Allah giving the world is no proof
of His love and His pleasure.

137
00:13:58,348 --> 00:14:04,308
For Allah gives the world
to whom He loves and whom He does not.

138
00:14:05,848 --> 00:14:11,508
Nor is Allah testing a servant proof
that He is angry with him.

139
00:14:13,008 --> 00:14:20,428
For the prophets are tested most.
Then the next best, then the next.

140
00:14:21,808 --> 00:14:29,468
And when Allah ﷻ loves a servant,
He afflicts him. The Exalted said.

141
00:14:30,828 --> 00:14:34,544
"And keep yourself patient with
those who call upon their Lord."

142
00:14:34,628 --> 00:14:39,068
"Morning and evening,
seeking His Face."

143
00:14:39,188 --> 00:14:46,528
"Do not let your eyes look away
from them, seeking worldly adornment."

144
00:14:47,608 --> 00:14:51,408
"And do not obey one whose heart
We made heedless of Our remembrance."

145
00:14:52,348 --> 00:14:55,888
"Who follows his desire and whose
affair is in neglect."

146
00:14:56,568 --> 00:15:03,428
So giving a servant worldly adornment
is no proof that he is upon good.

147
00:15:07,868 --> 00:15:10,968
This is also evident
in the story of the two men.

148
00:15:12,328 --> 00:15:20,868
For Allah gave the ungrateful disbeliever
more than the grateful believer.

149
00:15:21,968 --> 00:15:26,948
And Allah has wisdom in this,
and in that.

150
00:15:28,348 --> 00:15:30,568
The twenty-sixth reflection.

151
00:15:32,248 --> 00:15:41,008
Thanking Allah for blessings
and humility on receiving them keep them.

152
00:15:42,628 --> 00:15:50,448
Ingratitude for blessings
and arrogance when granted strip them.

153
00:15:51,968 --> 00:16:00,248
Allah ﷻ said in verses
32 to 44.

154
00:16:01,508 --> 00:16:07,284
"Cite for them the example of two men.
We gave one of them two vineyards."

155
00:16:07,368 --> 00:16:13,948
"Of grapevines, with palm trees
around them, and crops between them."

156
00:16:14,508 --> 00:16:20,668
"Both gardens yielded their fruit
without failing in the least."

157
00:16:21,188 --> 00:16:25,768
"We made a river gush through them.
And he had fruit."

158
00:16:27,868 --> 00:16:30,608
"So he said to his companion
while conversing with him."

159
00:16:31,308 --> 00:16:35,984
"I am greater than you in wealth
and mightier in men."

160
00:16:36,068 --> 00:16:40,508
And he entered his garden while
wronging himself. He said,

161
00:16:40,728 --> 00:16:44,764
I do not think this
will ever perish.

162
00:16:44,848 --> 00:16:48,008
“And I do not think the Hour
will come.’”

163
00:16:48,108 --> 00:16:55,004
“If I am returned to my Lord,
I’ll find a better place than this.’”

164
00:16:55,088 --> 00:16:58,228
“And I do not think
the Hour will come.” Thus he says.

165
00:16:59,128 --> 00:17:02,628
And if I am returned
to my Lord, as you say.

166
00:17:04,048 --> 00:17:07,048
that there is an Hour
and a resurrection.

167
00:17:07,648 --> 00:17:11,484
“I will surely find better
than it as a return.’”

168
00:17:11,568 --> 00:17:14,488
So delusion reached
its furthest limit in him.

169
00:17:17,088 --> 00:17:20,448
“His companion said to him
while conversing with him.”

170
00:17:20,548 --> 00:17:28,168
“Did you disbelieve in Him who made you
from dust, then a drop, then a man?”

171
00:17:28,288 --> 00:17:31,048
“But as for me, He is Allah,
my Lord.”

172
00:17:32,068 --> 00:17:34,848
“And I associate no one
with my Lord.”

173
00:17:35,328 --> 00:17:42,428
“But as for me” means:
“But I...“.

174
00:17:44,268 --> 00:17:51,464
I say and believe: ‘He is Allah,
my Lord; I associate none with Him.’

175
00:17:51,548 --> 00:17:54,508
“Why did you, when you entered
your garden, not say?”

176
00:17:54,708 --> 00:17:57,568
“What Allah willed;
there is no power except in Allah.’”

177
00:17:57,988 --> 00:18:01,708
"If you see me less than you
in wealth and children."

178
00:18:02,148 --> 00:18:07,604
"Perhaps my Lord will give me
something better than your garden."

179
00:18:07,688 --> 00:18:14,044
"and send upon it a calamity
from the sky—turning it bare and slick."

180
00:18:14,704 --> 00:18:19,044
"Or its water may sink away,
and you will never retrieve it."

181
00:18:19,664 --> 00:18:24,204
"His produce was ruined, and he
began wringing his hands."

182
00:18:24,304 --> 00:18:29,620
"over what he had spent on it,
while it lay fallen on its trellises."

183
00:18:29,704 --> 00:18:33,964
"And he said, 'I wish I had not
associated anyone with my Lord.'"

184
00:18:34,384 --> 00:18:40,644
"He had no company to help him
besides Allah, nor could he prevail."

185
00:18:40,804 --> 00:18:43,943
"There, sovereignty belongs
to Allah, the Truth."

186
00:18:44,384 --> 00:18:48,224
"He is best in reward
and best in outcome."

187
00:18:49,084 --> 00:18:51,124
The twenty-seventh reflection.

188
00:18:51,864 --> 00:18:58,264
Worldly life is fleeting enjoyment,
quick to fade, soon to depart.

189
00:18:59,144 --> 00:19:04,680
The one who succeeds in it
is he who uses it to obey Allah ﷻ.

190
00:19:04,764 --> 00:19:12,140
Allah ﷻ said in verses
forty-five to forty-nine.

191
00:19:12,224 --> 00:19:15,740
“And present to them the example
of worldly life.”

192
00:19:15,824 --> 00:19:19,160
“like water We send down
from the sky.”

193
00:19:19,244 --> 00:19:21,304
Then earth's plants mingle with it.

194
00:19:21,844 --> 00:19:24,984
“Then it becomes dry stubble,
scattered by the winds.”

195
00:19:25,584 --> 00:19:29,064
“And Allah is over all things
Perfect in Ability.”

196
00:19:29,844 --> 00:19:33,664
“Wealth and children are the
adornment of worldly life.”

197
00:19:33,804 --> 00:19:40,984
“And lasting good deeds are
better with your Lord in reward and hope.”

198
00:19:41,504 --> 00:19:45,764
“And on the Day We will move the
mountains, you will see earth bare.”

199
00:19:45,904 --> 00:19:50,200
“And We will gather them
and leave none of them behind.”

200
00:19:50,284 --> 00:19:53,200
“And they will be set before
your Lord in rows.”

201
00:19:53,284 --> 00:19:57,940
“You have come to Us
just as We created you the first time.”

202
00:19:58,024 --> 00:20:02,044
But you claimed We would never
appoint a time for you.

203
00:20:02,704 --> 00:20:08,920
The record will be set down,
and you'll see criminals fear its contents.

204
00:20:09,004 --> 00:20:11,204
“And they will say:
Woe to us!”

205
00:20:12,104 --> 00:20:18,924
"What is this book that leaves
nothing small or great uncounted?

206
00:20:19,584 --> 00:20:25,004
And they found what they did
before them, and your Lord wrongs none."

207
00:20:26,664 --> 00:20:28,724
The twenty-eighth reflection.

208
00:20:29,744 --> 00:20:38,804
Justice, happiness, and success
lie in the servant heeding Allah's signs.

209
00:20:39,704 --> 00:20:43,664
And in taking himself
to account in this world.

210
00:20:43,804 --> 00:20:46,064
For what he has sent ahead
for his Hereafter.

211
00:20:47,044 --> 00:20:53,284
Allah ﷻ said in verses
fifty-seven and fifty-eight.

212
00:20:54,244 --> 00:20:58,224
"And who is more unjust
than one reminded of his Lord's signs?

213
00:21:00,444 --> 00:21:05,024
Yet he turns away from them
and forgets what his hands sent forth.

214
00:21:05,844 --> 00:21:11,160
We have placed coverings over
their hearts, lest they understand it.

215
00:21:11,244 --> 00:21:13,880
And in their ears is deafness.

216
00:21:13,964 --> 00:21:18,644
And if you call them to guidance
they will never be guided.

217
00:21:19,364 --> 00:21:21,324
Your Lord is the Forgiving,
full of mercy.

218
00:21:22,084 --> 00:21:27,500
If He called them to account
for their deeds, He'd punish at once.

219
00:21:27,584 --> 00:21:31,864
Rather, they have an appointed time
with no refuge from it.

220
00:21:33,164 --> 00:21:35,144
The twenty-ninth reflection.

221
00:21:36,364 --> 00:21:42,364
It is good for believing men
and women to learn from scholars.

222
00:21:43,844 --> 00:21:48,184
And to be patient with what
they may encounter on that path.

223
00:21:49,224 --> 00:21:58,804
Scholars have established that
knowledge comes from trusted scholars.

224
00:21:59,964 --> 00:22:03,644
And books are only a means.

225
00:22:05,144 --> 00:22:09,184
They do not make one dispense
with learning from scholars.

226
00:22:11,044 --> 00:22:15,480
So it is good for believing
men and women to be keen.

227
00:22:15,564 --> 00:22:22,824
on the gatherings of trusted
scholars known for the Sunnah.

228
00:22:27,404 --> 00:22:32,263
And to be patient with whatever
they may face in doing so.

229
00:22:33,444 --> 00:22:36,984
There is no doubt obstacles
are many.

230
00:22:38,804 --> 00:22:46,524
Worldly life is distracting.
Family has many needs.

231
00:22:49,184 --> 00:22:54,714
Laziness is common.
Helpers are few.

232
00:22:55,904 --> 00:22:58,924
And there are many deterrents.

233
00:23:01,404 --> 00:23:05,784
Were it not for that, everyone
would seek knowledge.

234
00:23:06,824 --> 00:23:11,244
For knowledge is noble
to every rational person.

235
00:23:13,264 --> 00:23:19,464
It is enough honor for knowledge
that the unqualified claim it.

236
00:23:24,064 --> 00:23:27,424
And the ignorant get angry.

237
00:23:28,984 --> 00:23:31,844
If he is described as ignorant.

238
00:23:32,744 --> 00:23:36,244
If you said to any person,
'You are ignorant.'

239
00:23:37,944 --> 00:23:43,444
he would get upset,
even though he knows he is ignorant.

240
00:23:50,204 --> 00:23:56,444
That is why few seek knowledge.

241
00:23:56,684 --> 00:24:02,064
So do not be surprised, my brother,
if scholars' gatherings have few people.

242
00:24:03,724 --> 00:24:07,684
And gatherings of amusement
have very large crowds.

243
00:24:12,404 --> 00:24:20,664
Those who are patient in seeking
knowledge are few.

244
00:24:20,748 --> 00:24:23,048
Seekers begin the session

245
00:24:23,728 --> 00:24:31,108
in large numbers. Then
the number keeps decreasing.

246
00:24:32,868 --> 00:24:37,028
until only the patient remain.

247
00:24:40,648 --> 00:24:45,968
those granted patience on the path.

248
00:24:48,588 --> 00:24:53,328
How beautiful it is to be among
those few.

249
00:24:55,448 --> 00:25:02,204
And the outcome is good. Allah ﷻ said.

250
00:25:02,288 --> 00:25:06,297
in verse sixty through verse sixty-four.

251
00:25:07,348 --> 00:25:11,768
"When Moses said to his servant,
I will not stop till I reach."

252
00:25:11,868 --> 00:25:15,668
"the meeting point of the two seas,
or go on for ages."

253
00:25:16,508 --> 00:25:20,984
"When they reached the meeting point,
they forgot their fish."

254
00:25:21,068 --> 00:25:23,668
"And it made its way into the sea,
like a tunnel."

255
00:25:24,168 --> 00:25:27,128
"When they had passed on, he said
to his servant."

256
00:25:27,248 --> 00:25:33,828
“Bring us our meal.
This journey has worn us out.”

257
00:25:34,428 --> 00:25:38,124
“He said, Do you remember when we
took shelter at the rock?”

258
00:25:38,208 --> 00:25:44,648
"I forgot the fish, and only Satan
made me forget to mention it."

259
00:25:44,788 --> 00:25:47,768
"And it took its way into
the sea amazingly."

260
00:25:48,408 --> 00:25:54,308
"He said, That is what we sought.
So they retraced their steps."

261
00:25:55,208 --> 00:26:02,048
Reflection Thirty: Patience is
among a seeker's chief needs.

262
00:26:13,028 --> 00:26:14,008
The scholars say.

263
00:26:17,688 --> 00:26:25,508
A seeker of knowledge needs
determination and patience.

264
00:26:27,828 --> 00:26:32,888
And among a seeker's chief needs
is patience.

265
00:26:36,348 --> 00:26:42,888
Patience on the path, and patience
when receiving knowledge from the teacher.

266
00:26:43,948 --> 00:26:49,148
to abandon haste, and to avoid
disputing with the shaykh.

267
00:26:50,728 --> 00:26:54,448
And this requires
intense striving.

268
00:26:56,188 --> 00:27:03,664
The Exalted said
in verses 65 to 69.

269
00:27:03,748 --> 00:27:09,584
“Then they found one of Our servants
to whom We had given mercy from Us.”

270
00:27:09,668 --> 00:27:12,424
“And We had taught him
knowledge from Us.”

271
00:27:12,508 --> 00:27:20,468
“Moses said to him, ‘May I follow you
to learn some right guidance from you?’”

272
00:27:21,628 --> 00:27:24,714
This is proper etiquette
in seeking knowledge.

273
00:27:24,798 --> 00:27:28,468
even though Moses AS
was a prophet receiving revelation.

274
00:27:28,588 --> 00:27:32,928
And al-Khidr, by the stronger view,
was a righteous man given knowledge.

275
00:27:34,748 --> 00:27:39,868
Moses AS addressed him
with this gentle speech.

276
00:27:41,068 --> 00:27:46,884
“May I follow you so you teach me
some of the guidance you were taught?”

277
00:27:46,968 --> 00:27:50,757
So I would follow you,
and you would be my teacher.

278
00:27:53,388 --> 00:27:57,148
“He said, ‘You will never be able
to be patient with me.’”

279
00:27:59,108 --> 00:28:02,968
“And how can you be patient
with what you have not grasped?’”

280
00:28:03,368 --> 00:28:08,108
This is the basic principle.
A student seeks what he does not know.

281
00:28:09,548 --> 00:28:13,228
Whoever seeks what he does not know
needs patience.

282
00:28:14,268 --> 00:28:19,508
Because questions arise within him,
and problems arise within him.

283
00:28:20,668 --> 00:28:24,168
So he needs patience
until the teacher finishes.

284
00:28:25,748 --> 00:28:28,148
If the teacher does not quench
his thirst.

285
00:28:29,988 --> 00:28:34,864
and does not explain to him
what dispels the questions.

286
00:28:34,948 --> 00:28:38,988
He needs to ask the teacher
politely and gently.

287
00:28:40,787 --> 00:28:44,468
He said, "You will find me,
if Allah ﷻ wills, patient."

288
00:28:45,188 --> 00:28:47,568
And I will not disobey
any command of yours.

289
00:28:48,408 --> 00:28:51,348
Then Allah ﷻ said in verse 78.

290
00:28:51,908 --> 00:28:54,868
He said, "This is the parting
between me and you."

291
00:28:55,328 --> 00:29:00,388
"I will inform you of the meaning
of what you could not bear patiently."

292
00:29:01,488 --> 00:29:04,928
So the greatest need of a seeker of
knowledge is patience.

293
00:29:06,488 --> 00:29:13,508
The thirty-first reflection.
The story of Moses AS and al-Khidr AS.

294
00:29:14,748 --> 00:29:20,288
It is a treasure of benefits
and evidence for many principles.

295
00:29:21,448 --> 00:29:23,328
Al-Sa'di RH said.

296
00:29:24,748 --> 00:29:28,448
In this wondrous, noble story.

297
00:29:29,948 --> 00:29:36,677
There are many benefits, rulings,
and principles.

298
00:29:38,028 --> 00:29:40,688
We will point out some of them
with Allah's help.

299
00:29:42,828 --> 00:29:48,968
Among them is the virtue
of knowledge and journeying for it.

300
00:29:49,988 --> 00:29:51,988
It is among
the most important matters.

301
00:29:53,148 --> 00:29:59,664
For Musa AS traveled
a long distance.

302
00:29:59,748 --> 00:30:03,388
He also endured hardship
in seeking it.

303
00:30:03,508 --> 00:30:10,108
He left staying with the Children
of Israel to teach and guide them.

304
00:30:11,088 --> 00:30:15,908
He chose travel instead
to gain more knowledge.

305
00:30:18,188 --> 00:30:23,308
Start with the most important,
then the next most important.

306
00:30:25,088 --> 00:30:37,896
For growth in knowledge and learning it
matter more than abandoning it.

307
00:30:45,116 --> 00:30:47,896
Combining matters is more complete.

308
00:30:49,036 --> 00:30:55,532
A person should strive
to combine greater and lesser matters.

309
00:30:55,616 --> 00:31:01,116
This is the principle in the Sharia:
combine benefits when possible.

310
00:31:02,376 --> 00:31:07,236
If they conflict, the more important
is given precedence. The shaykh says.

311
00:31:08,236 --> 00:31:13,096
It also permits taking a servant
at home and while traveling.

312
00:31:15,516 --> 00:31:19,616
To take care of one's needs
and seek comfort.

313
00:31:20,676 --> 00:31:22,816
Just as Moses AS did.

314
00:31:24,976 --> 00:31:32,216
It also shows that one traveling
for knowledge, jihad, or the like

315
00:31:33,156 --> 00:31:39,796
If the benefit requires it, one may
state his aim and destination.

316
00:31:41,116 --> 00:31:43,596
That is better than concealing it.

317
00:31:47,276 --> 00:31:50,256
Meaning, if you were traveling
to Madinah to seek knowledge.

318
00:31:52,096 --> 00:31:56,746
If beneficial, you could say
you were going to Madinah to study.

319
00:31:57,656 --> 00:31:59,636
That was better than hiding it.

320
00:32:01,356 --> 00:32:05,116
Declaring it has benefits.

321
00:32:06,036 --> 00:32:12,496
Moses AS said, I will not stop
until I reach where the two seas meet.

322
00:32:13,316 --> 00:32:15,296
or continue for a long time.

323
00:32:17,676 --> 00:32:28,556
It also permits a person to mention
what is natural, such as fatigue.

324
00:32:29,556 --> 00:32:31,556
or hunger or thirst.

325
00:32:32,516 --> 00:32:38,336
And this is not complaining if true.

326
00:32:39,496 --> 00:32:44,796
As Moses said, We have surely
suffered fatigue on this journey.

327
00:32:47,096 --> 00:32:57,176
The shaykh said: It is recommended
one's servant be sharp, clever, astute.

328
00:32:58,136 --> 00:33:00,936
so that what he wants
may be achieved.

329
00:33:02,576 --> 00:33:07,825
It is recommended to feed
one's servant.

330
00:33:08,836 --> 00:33:15,752
from one's own food, and that both
eat together.

331
00:33:15,836 --> 00:33:22,316
Because the apparent meaning of
"Bring us our meal" includes both.

332
00:33:23,376 --> 00:33:28,066
And that both of them ate together.

333
00:33:29,276 --> 00:33:34,486
Another point is that help comes
to the servant.

334
00:33:35,416 --> 00:33:38,256
as he fulfills what he is commanded.

335
00:33:40,376 --> 00:33:44,992
And whoever complies with Allah's
command is helped.

336
00:33:45,076 --> 00:33:48,952
in ways others are not, as shown
by his words:

337
00:33:49,036 --> 00:33:52,816
We have surely suffered fatigue
on this journey.

338
00:33:58,536 --> 00:34:05,176
Another point is that the servant
they met was not a prophet.

339
00:34:06,516 --> 00:34:08,776
Rather, he was a righteous servant.

340
00:34:09,976 --> 00:34:14,636
Because He described him as a servant.

341
00:34:14,756 --> 00:34:17,936
And mentioned Allah's favor upon him
with mercy and knowledge.

342
00:34:20,016 --> 00:34:24,216
His messengership was not mentioned,
nor his prophethood.

343
00:34:24,316 --> 00:34:29,496
Had he been a prophet, it would
have been mentioned like others.

344
00:34:29,616 --> 00:34:35,156
I also say here that a person
is honored by knowledge.

345
00:34:36,916 --> 00:34:41,956
And that knowledge holds a noble rank.

346
00:34:42,516 --> 00:34:46,956
Through it, a person is elevated.

347
00:34:51,536 --> 00:34:55,356
Another lesson is proper etiquette
with the teacher.

348
00:34:56,556 --> 00:35:02,756
And a learner's address to him
should be the gentlest.

349
00:35:05,256 --> 00:35:09,436
Unlike people of harshness or arrogance.

350
00:35:10,776 --> 00:35:16,956
They do not show the teacher
their need for his knowledge.

351
00:35:19,216 --> 00:35:25,826
Some of them even claim
to collaborate with him in knowledge.

352
00:35:27,396 --> 00:35:31,852
He may even think he teaches his teacher.

353
00:35:31,936 --> 00:35:34,076
This afflicts some students of
knowledge today.

354
00:35:34,996 --> 00:35:37,376
They do not benefit from the scholars.

355
00:35:37,996 --> 00:35:42,496
Because they think they teach
the scholars.

356
00:35:43,656 --> 00:35:50,652
So when he sits with the scholar,
he does not sit like a learner.

357
00:35:50,736 --> 00:35:55,116
Rather, he readies himself
like a teacher.

358
00:35:56,736 --> 00:35:58,256
So his concern is not

359
00:35:59,156 --> 00:36:02,296
To hear from the shaykh
what benefits him.

360
00:36:03,816 --> 00:36:10,016
Rather, his concern is
what he thinks the shaykh got wrong.

361
00:36:13,276 --> 00:36:19,916
So the shaykh knows,
whether before him or behind his back.

362
00:36:21,176 --> 00:36:25,916
This is one of the pitfalls
of seeking knowledge.

363
00:36:28,016 --> 00:36:32,508
The shaykh says:
Humility before the teacher.

364
00:36:33,468 --> 00:36:36,468
And showing your need
for his teaching.

365
00:36:37,348 --> 00:36:40,788
These are among the most beneficial
things for the learner.

366
00:36:43,508 --> 00:36:51,908
He also said: Attributing
knowledge and other virtues to Allah ﷻ.

367
00:36:52,908 --> 00:36:58,584
Acknowledging that
and thanking Allah ﷻ for them.

368
00:36:58,668 --> 00:37:02,588
Because of his words.
"Teach me some of what you were taught."

369
00:37:03,308 --> 00:37:05,308
Meaning, what Allah ﷻ taught you.

370
00:37:06,548 --> 00:37:12,708
Beneficial knowledge is
knowledge that guides to good.

371
00:37:14,048 --> 00:37:20,968
Not all knowledge is truly knowledge.
And not all knowledge is beneficial.

372
00:37:21,988 --> 00:37:26,948
Not everything people call knowledge
is in fact true knowledge.

373
00:37:28,128 --> 00:37:32,138
Rather, some of what is called
knowledge is ignorance and wrongdoing.

374
00:37:32,948 --> 00:37:36,388
For example, they call magic a science.

375
00:37:38,088 --> 00:37:43,308
And not everything called
knowledge is beneficial.

376
00:37:45,788 --> 00:37:49,988
Some things called knowledge really are
knowledge, yet are not beneficial.

377
00:37:51,648 --> 00:37:54,018
or something else is more beneficial.

378
00:37:55,068 --> 00:38:00,848
That is why Shaykh al-Islam
Ibn Taymiyyah and others advised.

379
00:38:01,228 --> 00:38:07,598
the seeker of knowledge to make
seeking beneficial knowledge his concern.

380
00:38:09,308 --> 00:38:13,028
to seek beneficial knowledge.

381
00:38:13,808 --> 00:38:20,228
The shaykh says: among them is this:
Beneficial knowledge guides to good.

382
00:38:20,928 --> 00:38:27,328
So any knowledge that contains
right guidance to the paths of good.

383
00:38:27,448 --> 00:38:33,728
and warning against paths of evil
or helping one do so.

384
00:38:34,288 --> 00:38:36,948
then it is beneficial knowledge.

385
00:38:37,808 --> 00:38:42,728
As for what is beyond that,
it is either harmful.

386
00:38:42,868 --> 00:38:46,848
or else it has no benefit,
based on His saying.

387
00:38:47,848 --> 00:38:52,448
“that you teach me from what you have
been taught of sound judgment?”

388
00:38:53,288 --> 00:38:59,068
He said: among them is the command
to be deliberate and verify.

389
00:39:00,168 --> 00:39:04,868
And not rushing to judge a thing.

390
00:39:05,028 --> 00:39:08,188
Until one knows what is meant by it.

391
00:39:09,248 --> 00:39:11,308
And what is intended.

392
00:39:12,328 --> 00:39:19,128
Among the greatest traits
a person can adopt or be granted.

393
00:39:19,948 --> 00:39:24,577
Is deliberation in matters,
except in matters of the Hereafter.

394
00:39:26,408 --> 00:39:31,388
That a person should be deliberate,
leaving haste.

395
00:39:32,588 --> 00:39:34,968
This is among the greatest things
a person can be given.

396
00:39:35,848 --> 00:39:42,244
Except in matters of the Hereafter,
for deliberation is good in all things.

397
00:39:42,328 --> 00:39:49,528
Except in matters of the Hereafter,
as the Prophet ﷺ said.

398
00:39:52,608 --> 00:39:56,608
The shaykh mentioned
very many benefits.

399
00:39:57,108 --> 00:39:59,468
I refer you
to the shaykh's Tafsir.

400
00:39:59,948 --> 00:40:06,248
But among the story's great benefits
are the rules of benefits and harms.

401
00:40:08,068 --> 00:40:11,328
The rules of benefits and harms.

402
00:40:12,788 --> 00:40:16,768
And benefits should be combined
as much as possible.

403
00:40:17,808 --> 00:40:21,738
If they conflict,
the higher one is given precedence.

404
00:40:23,168 --> 00:40:27,728
And harms should all be avoided
as much as possible.

405
00:40:29,148 --> 00:40:35,928
And if harms conflict, the greater
harm is averted by the lesser.

406
00:40:37,468 --> 00:40:44,908
And if benefits and harms are equal
in the mujtahid's view.

407
00:40:45,788 --> 00:40:52,348
then warding off harms takes precedence
over bringing benefits.

408
00:40:53,548 --> 00:40:57,584
As for the rest of the benefits
mentioned by the shaykh.

409
00:40:57,668 --> 00:41:03,508
I refer you to the shaykh's
commentary, as they are lengthy.

410
00:41:04,968 --> 00:41:07,148
The thirty-second point.

411
00:41:08,308 --> 00:41:14,768
The soundness of deeds
is not based on what one deems good

412
00:41:15,648 --> 00:41:20,138
and what he merely supposes
without evidence.

413
00:41:21,188 --> 00:41:28,728
Rather, the criterion is to follow
the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.

414
00:41:30,128 --> 00:41:35,188
Allah the Exalted said
in verses 103 and 104.

415
00:41:36,208 --> 00:41:41,164
Say, “Shall We inform you of the
greatest losers in deeds?”

416
00:41:41,248 --> 00:41:49,968
“Those whose efforts are lost
in worldly life, thinking they do well.”

417
00:41:50,908 --> 00:41:58,508
One of the gravest forms of misguidance
is to be astray.

418
00:41:58,628 --> 00:42:02,448
while thinking he is guided.

419
00:42:04,328 --> 00:42:11,368
One of the greatest forms
of ignorance is to think one knows.

420
00:42:12,368 --> 00:42:17,488
while one is ignorant. That is
compound ignorance.

421
00:42:21,168 --> 00:42:22,588
Therefore, brothers.

422
00:42:24,048 --> 00:42:29,688
Religious innovation was dearer
to Iblis than sin.

423
00:42:30,988 --> 00:42:37,828
because the innovator thinks
he is doing good and following religion.

424
00:42:39,288 --> 00:42:46,348
As for the sinner, he knows
that he is astray.

425
00:42:48,588 --> 00:42:50,728
The thirty-third point.

426
00:42:53,788 --> 00:43:00,228
A good teaching method
is to make meanings tangible.

427
00:43:01,588 --> 00:43:07,808
A good teaching method
is to make meanings easy to grasp.

428
00:43:10,828 --> 00:43:16,788
One way to bring meanings
closer to minds is to give examples.

429
00:43:18,668 --> 00:43:23,528
And to make the meaning clear
through tangible things.

430
00:43:26,348 --> 00:43:35,288
Some scholars also mentioned
ways to clarify knowledge and meanings.

431
00:43:38,348 --> 00:43:42,988
One is to mention unusual,
truthful examples.

432
00:43:46,448 --> 00:43:51,248
Because an unusual example
sticks in the mind and stays.

433
00:43:52,848 --> 00:43:55,728
And so, among the statements
of some jurists.

434
00:43:56,548 --> 00:44:01,348
What amazes one who does not know
the depth of their words.

435
00:44:03,908 --> 00:44:08,928
For example, they say:
Who carries a waterskin filled with gas

436
00:44:10,608 --> 00:44:14,768
Then prays, is his prayer valid?

437
00:44:17,368 --> 00:44:20,708
Or who carries a waterskin
filled with gas

438
00:44:21,848 --> 00:44:24,548
And makes tawaf, is his tawaf valid?

439
00:44:25,428 --> 00:44:32,348
This is a strange, far-fetched example:
to trap gas in a waterskin and carry it.

440
00:44:33,008 --> 00:44:39,708
This is a strange and striking example.
But whoever heard it would not forget it.

441
00:44:41,128 --> 00:44:48,868
What is meant is: if a person carried
impurity with a barrier and prayed.

442
00:44:49,928 --> 00:44:54,668
The impurity is not directly touching him.
Or he made tawaf.

443
00:44:56,888 --> 00:45:03,188
A modern example is this:
if a woman carried her diapered child.

444
00:45:06,328 --> 00:45:10,248
Is her prayer valid? I mean,
a woman is praying.

445
00:45:11,468 --> 00:45:13,544
Then her diapered child cried.

446
00:45:13,628 --> 00:45:17,384
And it is known the diaper
contains impurity, so she picked him up.

447
00:45:17,468 --> 00:45:18,848
Is her prayer valid?

448
00:45:20,128 --> 00:45:22,964
If she carried him
and made tawaf with him?

449
00:45:23,048 --> 00:45:30,388
Is her tawaf valid? Major issues
were brought home by a strange example.

450
00:45:32,308 --> 00:45:35,428
It stays fixed in the mind.

451
00:45:38,048 --> 00:45:41,788
And so, one benefit we learned
from our shaykhs is this.

452
00:45:43,588 --> 00:45:48,188
Do not reject a scholar's statement
until you know its depth.

453
00:45:50,448 --> 00:45:54,304
Do not reject a scholar's statement
until you know its depth.

454
00:45:54,388 --> 00:46:00,008
A scholar may say something remote,
yet its deeper meaning is near.

455
00:46:02,788 --> 00:46:06,748
A scholar may speak of something
not present in the town.

456
00:46:08,388 --> 00:46:13,548
because he sees signs
that it will happen.

457
00:46:13,888 --> 00:46:15,868
And here he may not be able
to mention it.

458
00:46:18,228 --> 00:46:24,108
Sometimes shaykhs mention something;
you look around: it's not there.

459
00:46:25,188 --> 00:46:26,328
It does not exist here.

460
00:46:26,748 --> 00:46:33,828
But the scholar, with knowledge,
acumen, and insight, sees it coming here.

461
00:46:34,268 --> 00:46:40,898
And perhaps, when it happens,
he will not be there or able to speak.

462
00:46:41,908 --> 00:46:45,468
This is insight and wisdom.
How beautiful this is.

463
00:46:45,788 --> 00:46:48,068
Do not reject the scholar's words.

464
00:46:48,758 --> 00:46:54,908
And we speak of the scholar
so you know his depth.

465
00:46:56,948 --> 00:47:02,104
Allah ﷻ says in verse 109.

466
00:47:02,188 --> 00:47:08,588
“Say, if the sea were ink for
my Lord's words, it would run out.

467
00:47:09,368 --> 00:47:16,748
Before my Lord's words were exhausted,
even if We brought the like of it more.”

468
00:47:17,508 --> 00:47:21,048
Thus the meaning was brought near
through something tangible.

469
00:47:21,608 --> 00:47:26,308
It is the sea, which people see and know.

470
00:47:26,768 --> 00:47:33,704
Perhaps we will stop at this point
and return after Isha, if Allah wills.

471
00:47:33,788 --> 00:47:35,388
And Allah ﷻ knows best.