Remembering Floyd, Azeezat and Barakat (II)

Thus, they entered into her room. They hid under darkness. They entered into her homestead at a time nobody except the Almighty could have seen them. In fact, they thought nobody saw them; they thought nobody knew what their plans were and the evil outcomes of their atrocious design. They entered into Azeezat’s room and […]

Thus, they entered into her room. They hid under darkness. They entered into her homestead at a time nobody except the Almighty could have seen them.

In fact, they thought nobody saw them; they thought nobody knew what their plans were and the evil outcomes of their atrocious design. They entered into Azeezat’s room and murdered her in the cruellest manner.

They did not reckon with this fact that the Almighty was witness to what they were doing the same way He witnessed what happened to Ashab al-Ukhdud (Quran 85: 7). He is always there as a Witness. He always does. Prophet Muhammad once asked his followers: What do you count as the circumstances of martyrdom?’ They said: ‘Dying in the path of the Almighty. He said: ‘There are seven categories of martyrs other than being killed in the path of Allah. The one who dies of a stomach complaint is a martyr, the one who drowns is a martyr, the one who dies of plague is a martyr, the one who dies of pleurisy is a martyr, the one who dies as a result of collapse of a building is a martyr, the one who dies in a fire is a martyr, and the woman who dies while pregnant or in childbirth is a martyr.’’ I hold that Azeezat and others who were killed unjustly are martyrs; with their Creator lies their rewards.

On this occasion, I found Prophet Muhammad’s last sermon very instructive. He said- “O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore! Listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today. O people, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds. The Almighty has forbidden you to take usury (interest), therefore all interest obligations shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity. The Almighty has Judged that there shall be no interest and that all the interest due to Abbas ibn Abd Al-Muttalib (Prophet’s uncle) shall henceforth be waived…Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.

O people, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under the Almighty’s trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste.

O people, listen to me in earnest, worship the Almighty, say your five daily prayers (Salah), fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford to.

All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except bypiety (taqwa) and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves.