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November 4, 2005

SIMILARITY OF YOUR SCHOOL / COLLEGE CLASSES TO THE MESSENGER'S CLASS

I seek refuge in Allah from satan the rejected.

In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful.

Most of you have attended some form of school, and some have attended college or university after that. The ones who are able to read these sermons are because they have had prior education in a formal setting of an institution. During your school / college years, you had to abide by certain rules and regulations, which the majority complies with willingly, in order to achieve your scholastic goals and to gain approval of their teachers / professors.

God guides and teaches the humans in a similar way, by sending a messenger to teach you and to guide you on the right path. It is no different than your experience of school / college classes. Many similarities exist, as you can tell after hearing or reading this sermon. But the word “messenger” is taken in a very adverse manner, with cynicism, disdain, and outright rejection, even before hearing him out or the message that God has sent through him. This kind of hypocrisy in the human nature, whereby school classes are welcomed by the majority while the congregation of God under a messenger as a guiding teacher is mocked and shunned upon, is unexplainable. It simply does not fit into the pattern of consistency, logic, or common reasoning.

There is no example in the Quran which would tell you about the downside of messengers or any harm caused by them. Instead, the verses point out to the benefits and advantages of receiving your guidance of God through them, as you are assured of the purified nature of these teachings. It also gives you the chance to appear and volunteer for the Test that God conducts through a messenger. No messenger has ever ripped the people out of their money, or selfishly manipulated them in any way, except to part the true teachings inspired by God to them. It is about time that the humans reflect on this, and give it the same consideration, or more, as they give to their school / college teachers - to study, understand, promote, and practice Islam through the teachings of God’s messengers.

The purpose of this sermon is to show you the similarities that exist in the setting and atmosphere of a school / college, the rules already understood and practiced by you, the goals you try to achieve through it; as compared to the congregation of God through a messenger, whereby similar thoughts and behavior is expected by God, to

achieve the ultimate goal of redemption into Heaven, after forgiveness from God. I implore my Lord to remove the myths and misconceptions of the humans regarding His messengers, and to guide more of them towards His purified teachings. In this sermon, I will take different points to show you how it applies in your schools / colleges and then how it applies in God’s congregation through His messenger.

1. School / College: It comprises of a Principal, sometimes also a Vice Principal, and the teachers; or in the case of a college / university, it may comprise of the Chancellor/Dean of the university, and the professors.

GOD’S CONGREGATION: It comprises of GOD as the Sole Authority, and includes His angels, His messengers, and the believers, that constitute the “one congregation”, though He is the Lord of the Universe, and of all creations and all commands.

1. School / College: The person leading the class is called a “Teacher” or a “Professor”.

GOD’S CONGREGATION: The male human who leads the congregation is called a “messenger or a guiding teacher”. (refer to verses 2:150-151 and 13:33)

1. PUNCTUALITY: School / College: You have to be on time and attend all the classes.

GOD’S CONGREGATION: You have to stay in touch with the messenger, listen and hear him, do all the Salats on time as well as attending the Friday Congregational Salat, giving out the Zakat regularly, as well as the charity. Moreover, you have to recite and study the Quran from cover to cover, as well as hearing from the mouth of the messenger.

1. RESPECT & SUPPORT: School / College: You are required to respect your teachers, obey them, and support them in their effort to teach you.

GOD’S CONGREGATION: The same rules apply as practiced by you in your schools / colleges.

5:12 Part: And GOD said: “I am with you, so long as you observe the Salat (Contact Prayers), give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and believe in My messengers and respect them, and continue to lend GOD a loan of righteousness.”

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7:157 Part: Those who believe in him (the messenger), respect him, support him, and follow the light (the teachings) that came with him are the successful ones.

1. BEHAVIOUR & MANNERS: School / College: When the teacher speaks, you listen. If you have a question, you raise your hand to draw attention, or say “excuse me”. You also refrain from mocking any teacher or their style of teaching.

GOD’S CONGREGATION: When a messenger speaks, you do the same – listen. You are allowed to ask questions at an appropriate time. God does not forgive ridiculing or mocking His messengers. Messengers are humans just like others. They have different styles of teaching; some may be more fluent and expressive than others. But they only teach what is revealed to them and inspired by God.

1. PAYING ATTENTION: School / College: Those who pay attention and listen carefully to their teachers or professors benefit more than those who do not.

GOD’S CONGREGATION: The Most Wise instructs you to do the same – listen when the messenger talks, carefully and sincerely. He tells us not to disregard him while you hear.

47:16 Some of them listen to you, then as soon as they leave, they ask those who were enlightened, “What did he just say?” GOD thus seals their hearts and, consequently, they follow only their opinions.”

1. RELATIVE QUESTIONS TO BE ASKED: School / College: During your scholastic years, you did not ask history questions in a math class nor did you ask math questions in a geography class. The questions had to be on the subject being addressed. Nor did you ask questions much above your grade level, as you would not have understood the answer. When you became older, your minds could handle the advanced questions, which you could not understand when you were younger.

GOD’S CONGREGATION: It is the same rule; you ask questions pertinent to the religion and in light of the Quran. Some advanced questions that may be beyond your comprehension and understanding have been overlooked by God. Here is the verse:

5:101-102 O you who believe, do not ask about matters which, if revealed to you prematurely, would hurt you. If you ask about them in light of the Quran, they will become obvious to you. GOD has deliberately overlooked them. GOD is Forgiver,

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Clement. Others before you have asked the same questions, then became disbelievers therein.

8. REQUIREMENT OF A DEGREE: School / College: In a school or college, the Teacher needs an official degree or diploma to teach the students.

GOD’S CONGREGATION: The messenger does not have to meet any requirements of basic education, nor does he need a college degree. Instead of a degree or diploma, GOD gives them a SIGN and PROOFS from HIM to let the people know they are appointed by the MOST WISE. The teachings come through INSPIRATION from GOD, who decides the time, the place; the signs, proofs, or miracles, the length of revelations, and the community who will receive the message.

6:124 Part: GOD knows exactly who is best qualified to deliver His message.

1. SCORING GRADES OR MARKS: School / College: In the school or college, the teacher or the professor grades you and assigns the marks on all subjects.

GOD’S CONGREGATION: In the Quran, GOD tells us that He is the Master of the Day of Judgment. He is the only ONE who grades the performance of all humans and assigns the marks – you will either be passed or failed by Him. Based on the scores, you will also be assigned the different ranks. The ranking only applies to those who will qualify to be admitted to Heaven.

27:78 Your LORD is the One who judges among them in accordance with His rules. He is the Almighty, the Omniscient.

1. EVENTUAL GOALS OF EDUCATION: School / College: To be able to read and write, improve your understanding of different issues, to be able to make better decisions in life, and to get a better job or be able to open up your own business.

GOD’S CONGREGATION: Being in God’s congregation, the goal is to understand all His laws, uphold and practice them, while preaching to other people to do the same. Unlike aiming for a better job or business, the real goal is to prepare for the Hereafter, so that GOD may forgive our sins and redeem us into Heaven for Eternity.

1. OBSERVATION THROUGH VARIOUS TEACHERS ABOUT OVERALL

PERFORMANCE: School / College: You are observed by different teachers for various activities in the schools and colleges; and judged for your overall

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performance. Whether you excel in academics or sports, drama or debates, or a combination of all, they will proclaim the names of such students.

GOD’S CONGREGATION: The Most Gracious watches each action and activity of your life. He knows who believes and follows His religion or not. For those who believe, He will assign the ranks based on whether they competed in righteous activities and how much. They will be judged on many other factors including their behavior, attitude, devotion, utterances, and sacrifice of their money and their lives in the cause of God. As part of the “one congregation”, you will be judged based on the following verses:

9:43 GOD has pardoned you; why did you give them permission, before you could distinguish those who are truthful from the liars?

9:94 Part: GOD will see your works, and so will the messenger, then you will be returned to the Knower of all secrets and declarations, then He will inform you of everything you had done.

9:105 Say, “Work righteousness; GOD will see your work, and so will His messenger, and the believers. Ultimately, you will be returned to the Knower of all secrets and declarations, then He will inform you of everything you had done.”

9:91 Not to be blamed are those who are weak, or ill, or do not find anything to offer, so long as they remain devoted to GOD and His messenger. The righteous among them shall not be blamed. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

12. QUALIFY OR NOT? School / College: For higher learning, the institution decides whether you qualify for admission or not. They even decide if you are eligible for certain subjects or not.

GOD’S CONGREGATION: He decides whether to bestow you with mercy or not, and to guide you or not. He decides the quality of brain given to each human and the various faculties, mental and physical that are part of the body. I now recite a verse to clarify further:

17:54 Your LORD knows you best. According to His knowledge, He may shower you with His mercy, or He may requite you. We did not send you to be their advocate.

17:55 Your LORD is the best knower of everyone in the heavens and the earth. In accordance with this knowledge, we preferred some prophets over others. For example, we gave David the Psalms.

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28:56 You cannot guide the ones you love. GOD is the only One who guides in accordance with His will and in accordance with His knowledge of those who deserve the guidance.

1. SUPPORTING & RALLYING: School / College: Every student tries to support their own school and rally behind their own teams, be it educational or sporting.

GOD’S CONGREGATION: He instructs the believers to ally themselves with God and His messenger, to stay in touch with him and support him. He also instructs you to ally with the believers instead of the disbelievers. Here are a couple of verses on this subject:

5:55 Your real allies are GOD and His messenger, and the believers, who observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), and give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and they bow down.

5:56 Those who ally themselves with GOD and His messenger, and those who believed, belong in the party of GOD (God’s congregation). Absolutely, they are the victors.

1. FINANCES: School / College: These institutions operate either on Government funding, private donations, or municipal tax money.

GOD’S CONGREGATION: The teachings of GOD through the services of His messenger are offered for free. The wages of the messenger are provided and cared for by GOD. No messenger has the right to charge for his time or services. If the messenger is in dire straights, then the believers are supposed to help him, just as they would help other believers.

9:98 Some Arabs consider their spending to be a loss, and even wait in anticipation that a disaster may hit you. It is they who will incur the worst disaster. GOD is Hearer, Omniscient.

9:99 Other Arabs do believe in GOD and the Last Day, and consider their spending to be a means towards GOD, and a means of supporting the messenger. Indeed, it will bring them nearer; GOD will admit them into His mercy. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

1. RELOCATION OR SCHOOL CLOSURE: School / College: It happens if there are not enough students, or is not feasible economically, and is based on the needs of the local population.

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GOD’S CONGREGATION: It never closes down, but God can make the messenger migrate to another area or land depending on the circumstances, but the revelations and the teachings only end when he dies.

1. DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES: School / College: There are different activities in different schools and colleges. Though most may have the same curriculum dictated by the School Board, some may be private and have different curriculum.

GOD’S CONGREGATION: Though the basic message given through the messengers is one and the same: “There is no god but the One God and to worship Him alone”, the rites and the tests may be different.

22:67 For each congregation, we have decreed a set of rites that they must uphold. Therefore, they should not dispute with you. You shall continue to invite everyone to your LORD. Most assuredly, you are on the right path.

3:179 Part: GOD does not leave the believers as you are, without distinguishing the bad from the good.

1. VOLUNTEERING: School / College: There are students who volunteer their time for charitable and fund-raising causes on behalf of their schools. This is called community work and certain credits are awarded for it.

GOD’S CONGREGATION: Those who volunteer to spread the word of GOD and strive with their money and lives in the cause of GOD, are credited by Him and achieve higher ranks.

2:207 Then there are those who dedicate their lives to serving GOD; GOD is compassionate towards such worshipers.

9:88 As for the messenger and those who believed with him, they eagerly strive with their money and their lives. These have deserved all the good things; they are the winners.

1. OBEDIENCE: School / College: If you are a sincere and a good student, you will obey your teacher or professor; but you will not obey a teacher from another school the same way as he/she is not your teacher. The one who teaches you is the one you are likely to obey.

GOD’S CONGREGATION: The Most Wise instructs you to obey Him and His messenger and also tells you not to obey the hypocrites and the disbelievers.

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47:33 O you who believe, you shall obey GOD and obey the messenger. Otherwise, all your works will be in vain.

25:52 Therefore, do not obey the disbelievers, and strive against them with this, a great striving.

33:48 Do not obey the disbelievers and the hypocrites, disregard their insults, and put your trust in GOD; GOD suffices as an advocate.

19. TRUSTING: School / College: While you obey your teachers, you also trust them, hoping that they are teaching you the right curriculum in the right way that will ensure your success. You do not know better than them and have no say in what they teach you.

GOD’S CONGREGATION: Similarly, you do not know the Truth and the correct laws, till the messenger teaches you; therefore, GOD commands you to obey and trust him. If you doubt his teachings, then you have disbelieved in GOD.

81:21 He shall be obeyed and trusted.

20. GUIDELINES & CURRICULUM: School / College: The guidelines and the curriculum are set by the Board of Education or the Ministry of Education.

GOD’S CONGREGATION: The guidelines are set by GOD through inspiration to the messenger. This includes revelation of the Scripture and the knowledge from it, the Signs, and the Proofs.

35:32 Part: We passed the Scripture from generation to generation, and we allowed whomever we chose from among our servants to receive it.

55:1-2 The Most Gracious – Teacher of the Quran.

11:12 Part: You may wish to disregard some of that which is revealed to you, and you may be annoyed by it. (This shows that GOD controls what He reveals, and the messenger has no choice in deciding the teachings, the guidelines, or the curriculum.)

69:43-46 A revelation from the Lord of the universe. Had he uttered any other teachings. We would have punished him. We would have stopped the revelations to him.

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1. TESTED BEFORE PROMOTION: School / College: After a semester or the school year, you are tested as to your knowledge of the subjects before being granted promotion into the next grade or class. You have no knowledge about the questions in the test ahead of time, and they may be easy or tough questions, but if you are well prepared, you should have no problem answering them.

GOD’S CONGREGATION: You are constantly being tested by GOD; whether you are a good or bad believer; whether you are truthful or a liar; whether you are an active or sedentary believer; and finally, if you are sincere or a hypocrite. Based on these results, GOD will either augment your guidance or send you astray.

2:214 Do you expect to enter Paradise without being tested like those before you? They were tested with hardship and adversity, and were shaken up, until the messenger and those who believed with him said, “Where is GOD’s victory?” GOD’s victory is near.

33:11-12 That is when the believers were truly tested; they were severely shaken up. They hypocrites and those with doubts in their hearts said, “What GOD and His messenger promised us was no more than an illusion!”

33:22 When the true believers saw the parties, they said, “This is what GOD and His messenger have promised us, and GOD and His messenger are truthful.” This only strengthened their faith and augmented their submission.

1. ATTITUDE OF TEACHERS: School / College: If you are a serious and sincere student, the teacher will encourage and help you more than other students. The teachers also respect and regard good students rather than the ones who are naughty, negligent, and disrespectful.

GOD’S CONGREGATION: Similarly, a messenger follows certain instructions from God as per the following verses:

9:103 Take from their money a charity to purify them and sanctify them. And encourage them, for your encouragement reassures them. GOD is Hearer, Omniscient.

5:54 Part: They will be kind with the believers, stern with the disbelievers, and will strive in the cause of GOD without fear of any blame.

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3:159 It was mercy from GOD that you became compassionate towards them. Had you been harsh and mean-hearted, they would have abandoned you. Therefore, you shall pardon them, and ask forgiveness for them, and consult them. Once you make a decision, carry out your plan, and trust in GOD. GOD loves those who trust in Him.

1. FAILING GRADES OR BEING A DROPOUT: School / College: There are consequences for failing a grade or dropping out of school or college, as your goals and ambitions will not be achieved, you may have a harder life and may not be able to get the job that you wanted.

GOD’S CONGREGATION: If you fail in the test during this life, you have a miserable life in the Hereafter, by being confined and punished in Hell. If you pass the test, you have a happy, peaceful, and contented life in Paradise, with unlimited abundance of GOD’S provisions. Scales are set by GOD to see if your soul brought heavy or light weights.

7:8 The scales will be set on that day, equitably. Those whose weights are heavy will be the winners.

7:9 As for those whose weights are light, they will be the ones who lost their souls, as a consequence of disregarding our revelations, unjustly.

1. PAST MEMORIES & REMINISCING: School / College: When you have finished your education and moved on in life, you still remember your schools, colleges, teachers, the fellow students, and all the activities and memorable times you had.

GOD’S CONGREGATION: Those who are forgiven and granted life in Paradise will remember and reminisce about their life on earth, and also what they were provided for.

52:25-28 They will meet each other and reminisce among themselves. They will say, “We used to be kind and humble among our people. GOD has blessed us, and has spared us the agony of the ill winds. We used to implore Him. He is the Most Kind, Most Merciful.”

2:25 Give good news to those who believe and lead a righteous life that they will have gardens with flowing streams. When provided with a provision of fruits therein, they will say, “This is what was provided for us previously.” Thus, they are given allegorical descriptions. They will have pure spouses therein, and they abide therein forever.

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25. KNOWLEDGE ACQUIRED BENEFITS YOU: School / College: Whatever level of education you achieve benefits you. The higher the grade level, the better your understanding of the complex issues and the chances of getting a better job.

GOD’S CONGREGATION: When you fulfill your Covenants with GOD, and uphold all His laws, and study the Scripture as He has commanded, you are raised to higher levels for attaining knowledge, and for being sincere. The following verse applies to the believers only.

58:11 Part: GOD raises those among you who believe.

58:11 Part: And those who acquire knowledge to higher ranks.

Revealed: The Allah letters for both parts are 8 and 7, revealing the diff. of 1 – “the Supreme Revelation of 1”, informs the believers about the benefit of acquiring knowledge through the messenger, of God’s Laws from the Quran. It is applicable to those who fully submit.

Revealed: The GV of messenger's letters are 386 and 208, revealing the diff. of 178, revealing the name of the messenger, Makbool. Glory be to my Lord. Hence, the Sign and the Revelation of 1, given to me is revealed through 58:11 including my name, Praise be to GOD.

26. SUBJECTS AND LECTURES: School / College: The teacher has to prepare the lecture ahead of time on the subject to be addressed. This makes it easy on him/her. Sometimes, it could be spontaneous also. Most importantly, the teacher gives instructions and lectures in a step-by-step fashion, slowly leading you on from the easy to the difficult portions. This gives you a chance to understand better. You also move up one grade at a time, to fully understand and comprehend what you did not know before.

GOD’S CONGREGATION: The Quran is easy to learn, and to practice its laws. The messenger is given the knowledge to understand GOD’S laws.

21:27 Part: They never speak on their own.

21:27 Part: And they strictly follow His commands.

Revealed: The GV of messenger's letters are 426 and 224, revealing the diff. of 202. Thus, the name of the LORD (202) is revealed. Praise and Glory be to Him.

The steps of belief are given in a simple sequence like:

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God – angels – scriptures- messengers – Last Day. Shahadah – Salat – Zakat – Seyaam – Hajj.

Even the charities to be given have sequence as to who should be helped first. It is all given in the Quran, which has been made easy to understand by revealing the Sacred Codes of 14 and 19. These Codes are attached and are part and parcel of GOD in the mathematical miracle. They are closely linked to His name: the Code of 19 was revealed by Allah to Rashad, and then the Code of 14 was revealed by Him to me, to complete the revelation. This is revealed through the following:

Revealed: 66 + 19 = 85 and 66 + 14 = 80. The sum of 85 + 80 = 165, revealing the sole Absolute Authority of GOD, and His Shahadah (165). 80,85 = 7 x 7 x 165. This is revealed through the Seven Pairs bringing out the same value and the revelation of “Shahadah and the Absolute Authority”.

These 2 Codes are Sacredly linked with His name, ALLAH. 66,14,66,19 = 7 x 7 x 1349931 and 66,14,66,19 = 19 x 3481401

These calculations prove the Sacredness of the Codes; as the name of the LORD is hidden between the chapter and the verse numbers, herein revealed now:

“Even and Odd,

per verse 89:3” diff. in 89 & 3

=

86

“The Seven Pairs,

per verse 15:87” diff. in 15 & 87

=

72

“The number Nineteen,

per verse 74:30” diff. in 74 & 30

=

44

THE SUM OF 86 + 72 + 44 = 202, the name of the LORD is revealed, Glory be to Him.

These numbers are further linked with the Code of 14 in all different combinations possible:

86,72,44 = 14 x 61946

72,44,86 = 14 x 51749

44,86,72 = 14 x 32048

44,72,86 = 14 x 31949

72,86,44 = 14 x 52046

86,44,72 = 14 x 61748

I hope the khutbah (sermon) has been enlightening for you. Invite others that you know to THE PATH OF GOD, THE PATH OF THE PRAISEWORTHY.

Peace be upon the messengers.

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Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Universe.