I’d like to share with you one of the sermons of Hadrat Abu Bakr (RA), the first Khaleefah of the Muslim Ummah, which highlights his extreme eloquence as an orator and his effective leadership skills. This sermon was delivered three days after the death of Rasulallah (SAW), in a time when the Muslims were in disarray due to the threats from within posed by people apostatizing from Islam, and also due to the external threat posed by the Romans who viewed the Muslims as vulnerable at this critical junction of time.
“O people, I am like you. And I do not know, perhaps you will heap upon me responsibilities which only the Messenger of Allah (SAW) was able to bear. Verily, Allah chose Muhammad from among all living beings, and He (SWT) protected him from defects and errors. As for me, I am not an innovator; rather, I am nothing more than a follower. If I become upright (in my affairs and in the way I rule over you) , then follow me. But if I go astray, then correct me. When the Messenger of Allah (SAW) died, not a single person from this nation was able to claim that the Prophet (SAW) had wronged him in the least… Lo! Indeed the Shaitan attacks me. So when he comes to me, stay away from me… Verily, there are some people who have forgotten their appointed terms (their deaths) and have worked for others (instead of doing deeds for their own Hereafter), so beware of becoming like them. Work hard! Work hard! Be quick! Be quick! Seek out safety! Seek out safety! For behind you is a quick pursuer (time or death). Be vigilant and ready for death. And learn from the lessons of your fathers, sons, and brothers. “[1]
“Allah accepts only those deeds that are done for the sake of His Countenance, so perform your deeds for Allah. Be sincere for the time when you will be poor and needy (ie, when you will be in need of rewards in the Hereafter). O slaves of Allah, learn a lesson from those among yo who have died, and reflect on those who came before you. Think: Where were they yesterday? And where are they today? Where are the tyrants who… were renowned for victories in the wars they waged? Time has caused them to waste away, and now their bodies are rotten and decayed… And where are the kings who more than anything else were enamored with lands and with buildings on those lands? They are far away now, and no one remembers them; it is as if they are non-existent. But they are not really non-existent, for Allah, the Possessor of Might and Majesty, has kept alive for them the consequences of their actions, though He has cut off from them their desires. Now that they are gone, their deeds remain theirs, though the world (which they once claimed to own) has fallen into the hands of others. Now here we are as their successors on earth. If we truly learn from them, we will be saved. But if we sink (to their depths and ways), we will be just like them. Where are the beautiful-faced ones who were so enamored with their youth? They have become dust, and the things regarding which they were negligent have become a cause of misery for them. Where are the kings who built cities, fortified them with walls, and built wondrous things inside of them? They have left all of that for those who came after them. Their homes are empty, while they are now in the darkness of their graves.
‘And how many a generation before them have We destroyed! Can you (O Muhammad (SAW)) find a single one of them or hear even a whisper of them?’ ( Qur’an 19:98)
Where are the ones you knew from among your fathers and brothers? Their terms (on earth) have ended, and they are now sent back to face that which they had sent forward (when they were alive). Having died, they are headed either towards happiness or misery. Lo! Allah has no partner, and there is no family relationship between Him and anyone from among His created beings. And so He does not give anyone good things or protect anyone from evil based on such a relationship- since such a relationship is non-existent (ie, in this world, we can expect a family member to give us out of a sense of familial love and loyalty, but since no such relationship exists between us and Allah- we are only His slaves and created beings- we cannot expect to receive help from Allah for the same reason). What Allah has (in terms of rewards) is achieved (by us) only through our being obedient to Him.”[2][3]
[1]Al-Bidaayah Wan-Nihaayah (6/307) [2]Al-Bidaayah Wan-Nihaayah (6/305) [3] Excerpted from “The Biography of Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq (RA)” by Dr. Ali Muhammad As-Sallaabee.This sermon really made me wonder, and think about the reality of this life. Such a simply delivered message, so humble and straight-forward, and yet so effective.
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Concerning Ramadan, here are a couple of good places to visit-
. . . . Man what a speech , It feels so epic …
And the messege is so effective
Inspirational indeed. Only if the leaders of our country would think in a similar way, Pakistan would be an even better place to live!
Hazrat Umar (RA) is an excellent example too btw, esp his words-
“By the shore of river Nile, even if a dog dies of hunger, I will be the one responsible for it”
And-
“I am surprised at three things. Man runs from death while death is inevitable. One sees minor faults of others, but overlooks his own major faults. When there is any defect to one’s cattle he tries to cure it, but does not cure his own defects.”
Hazrat Abu Bakar Siddiq [R.A.]…No doubt a brilliant orator and this speech of him, really portrayed his stature and worthiness…