Tuesday, October 22, 2019

An English translation of the speech by Habib Umar bin Hafiz, delivered at Monas, Indonesia on 24 September 2019

Bismillah.


Alhamdulillah, praises be to Allah, our foremost praises, befitting the greatness of His blessings and gifts.

There is no God but Allah, who is omnipotent and without equals. In His hands reside all matters and everything shall return to Him. For a person to truly comprehend his/her Spirit in this regard, for him/her, there is no bigger pleasure. There is no person greater in nobility than Prophet Muhammad salallah alaihi wasalam. We are gathered here by virtue of Allah's greatness and by virtue of the Prophet's preeminence.

Who is the one who assembled you here?
Who made you present?
Who gave you the strength for you to turn up?
Who lets you join the gathering at this place?
      
Should the entire creations plotted for someone to attend and if Allah does not will for the person to be here, he/she will not be here. It is Allah, Himself and His Essence who made you present. It is Allah the Almighty who brought you here. True indeed, it is He Allah who lets us convene here. 

The intention that was rooted in your heart to attend [this majlis] and the capacity that was present in your limbs that enabled you to be present, all are by the permission and the will of Allah. It is Allah the Almighty who gathered you by His blessings.  
Why did Allah make you present here?
Why were you gathered here?
These are divine secrets of His Will and Power.
And these are divine secrets of His Will among men.
And His actions are never in vain.
And His divine will is never worthless. 
Why did Allah bring you? Why did He make you present at this place? He alone, exalted is He, Allah!

Even though you were carried by the angels to come and gather here, given the fact that you were attending for the sake of acquiring knowledge, your presence was possible only by the strength and will from Allah. Indeed, Allah is great and His greatness cannot be fathomed, it is He who assembled you at this event.

Can you imagine this?
Can you feel it?
What do you reckon, the lesson that Allah wants to give?
Why did He make you come here?
And Allah it is He who brought you. 
Who is Allah?

Allah is the One, who would bring together in the Hereafter, people of the past and those who would come in the future. There will be two groupings. One group will occupy the Heavens, and the other is destined for Hell.

Those who are in the Heavens are made of groups and batches. Those who end up in Hell are also made up of groups and clusters. What are these groups and batches? 

Those who are grouped together in the world will be convened in similar groups at the Resurrection. Likewise, the groupings in the world are twofold. One group is meant to go to Heaven, and the other is Hell-bound. 

As for the group who lacks vision and mission on matters of wealth, or ephemeral or any worldly matters, what do you think of them?

And those who are truthfully present, they would be convened by Allah, as one who is noble. Allah the Almighty enabled us to be present and the purpose and secrets of which are magnificent.

Therefore, reflect on our efforts and resolve so that we may attain the bounties that Allah has prepared for us.

Lures from our desires, devils, people, and jinn, would all influence us towards the groups that would disgrace and dishonor us. For example, music groups that perform songs containing negative lyrics. And those who watch obscene nude shows. Or groups whose mission is to discredit the Quran. Or groups who are intent on humiliating and inflicting danger on people. Or groups that do not conform to the Shari'ah. These are the groups who are bound for Hell.

Indeed, it is Allah who made you turn away from those ugly groups. Instead, He honors you by letting you join this worthy gathering. Therefore, be serious in making your heart present with Allah because none shall be beneficial for you in the Hereafter, save your steadfastness and truthfulness.  

Allah says: Today is a fruitful day for those who displayed a strong resolve. Heaven is their reward, with rivers flowing underneath. They will dwell therein for eternity. Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Allah.   

Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Allah. Make your heart present and reflect on this statement. Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Allah. 

Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Allah. This is indeed an amazing outcome. This is an awesome achievement.
  
O Allah, make us, all who are present in this gathering and those who are listening to this program, make us reap a great bounty. O Allah, let everyone who is present and all who are following, all, everyone, achieve significant success.

Allah is the Lord of the Heavens and the Earth and all that it contains. He is powerful over each and everything. O Allah, You are our Lord, the sovereign owner of all kingdoms in the heavens and in the earth. One who is in control of each and everything. Make the attendees of this gathering and all who are listening and those who support it; make us obtain good fortune.

You have been given the tawfik (strength) to come here, and you have been given the tawfik to make du'a. You left your homes to be on the path of Allah. There is a hadith of Prophet Muhammad that says: 'Whoever travels in pursuit of knowledge, verily he/she is on the path of Allah until he/she gets home.'  

All of you studied, you listened, you made zikir, you were brought to the remembrance of Allah and you remembered. And you glorified Allah and you professed La ila ha illallah. And you sent greetings and salutations to the Prophet salallah alihi wasalam. And you called upon Allah. You pinned your hopes onto Allah. You begged to Allah. You had your intentions for Allah. You pleaded to Allah. You spoke to Allah.   

Allah is indeed closer to each one of us than our jugular veins. Therefore, focus your attention on Him. Firm up your resolve and be more determined about obeying Him, with all your heart and your limbs. This is a sign of your resoluteness with Allah.

Now that you have been granted this splendid blessing, guard yourself against the enticement of your desires and the devils, refrain from engaging in sinful conducts. Not with your heart, nor your limbs. Allah has blessed you with a body, as such do not use His bounties to go against Him.

O the Essence that created the eyes. O Allah, You know how the eyes have transgressed. Forgive our eyes and that of the audience who had misused their eyes. Protect our eyes for the remaining of our lives. Prevent us from using our eyes for evil deeds. Do not disgrace our eyes with sins and wrongdoings.    

O Allah, make our eyes ready to gaze the faces of the Prophets, the saints and those who are pious. And those who lost their lives for Your sake. That we are able to gaze at the Heavens. Honor our eyes so that we are able to gaze at the countenance of the Lord.

Protect your eyes. We have plans to be together in the Hereafter. Prepare yourself for this gathering. Do you not care that you might miss the gathering just because of a small thing like a handphone? Or a blameworthy sighting?

I am truly worried about you, my brother. Think about it. You reflecting on a thing is part of ibadah. Do not lose out on wonderful opportunities, on account of a minor thing. Do not waste the opportunity to be with Prophet Muhammad, the warner, and bearer of glad tidings. Do not waste the chance to befriend this enlightened being.

Be serious about Allah. Leave all the sins committed by your eyes. Do not look down on a Muslim. Do not look at the world and all its glories and fascinations. Do not acclaim infidelity, wickedness, and evils by mingling with it or by praising those shameful acts. Do not laud evil for it is a grave violation and misdeed.   

Do not make glorious anything save the shi'ar (signs) of Allah for these are the symbols of the religion. Among the greatest signs of the religion are the Prophets, the Apostles, the Kaabah and the Al-Quran. 

Partake in the glorious Quran. Discuss and contemplate on the Al-Quran. Do not boycott the Al-Quran. Do not distance yourself from the Quran for therein lies plenty of light, gifts, and virtues. The five daily prayers are another great shi'ar of Allah. Earlier, you were reminded to observe the five daily prayers and to perform it in the congregation.   

Those who use siwak prior to offering prayers would receive 70 times greater rewards than those who don't. We are being indoctrinated on using the latest electronic gadgets, but we are not being educated on siwak. You have to prevent yourself from being a shameful follower. Anything that is not favored by Allah the Almighty is blameworthy.
  
Consider the attributes of the noble people of the past. Allah says: Verily Allah adorns you with iman and beautifies your heart and Allah has made you loathe wickedness, infidelity, and evil. These are the people who are guided and blessed with His bounties.

Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing and All-Wise. Ya Alimu Ya Hakim, grant us your blessings and gifts just as You have bestowed upon those who are before us, the companions of your Prophet and his family. Gather us together with them. Strengthen our footing on their tariqa and their path. There are many thoughts that try to derail us from their path. Our children and women are being influenced by these notions. But we are not following them. Those who do, are foolish, they slipped. They disobey the orders of the Lord. They forsake the opportunity to follow the beloved of Allah, the chosen man Prophet Muhammad salallah alaihiwasalam. None shall achieve blessedness by disobeying the Creator. There are plenty of signs alluding to felicity that occurred among the righteous (Mukminin). In reality, they are the ones who achieve the honor. As can be seen in this world, the real benefactor of bliss is the Mukminin. Honor and glory belong to Allah, the Apostles, and the righteous. But the disbelievers (munafiq) do not realize this.

O Allah, educate our hearts. Do not allow a single speck of ingratitude in our hearts. Or stupidity that might cause us to join the hypocrites. Honor us with servitude towards You. And that we are able to humble ourselves before You.

This gathering is visible on earth but its pearls and diamonds will be in the heavens as we gain blessings and honor by attaining the blessings of Allah the creator of the heavens and the earth.  

"Be witness O My Angels, that We have forgiven all of them." This is glad tidings from Allah which Prophet Muhammad had related.

Consider and reflect upon what we have just elaborated so that you understand the purpose of this gathering. Protect your limbs from wrongdoings. Do not let your tongue utter anything that is forbidden by Allah. Instead of backbiting, slandering or defaming anyone, let your tongue engage in zikrullah and selawat to Prophet Muhammad. Offer counsel to fellow Muslims and non-Muslims too. Your counsel toward a non-Muslim might become a cause for Allah to grant him/her hidayat (guidance) converting him/her from a non-believer to Islam. Whoever becomes the reason for anyone to receive hidayah, that is, in fact, better for him than the red camels. Therefore, enjoin yourselves in the battalion serving Allah so that you may be admitted as the armies for the Prophets and Apostles.  They are the true winners in this world and the hereafter.

Listen to the words of Allah. Listen to the words of Allah. And not the words of the lowly people. Not the speech of those who prevent people from thinking for their own good. [Unsure about this sentence as I couldn't figure out this part as clearly as the rest.]

Do not listen to people's speech. Listen to the words of Allah.

We will help our Apostles and the righteous who are with them in this world and during the resurrection, the day when no excuse will be granted to the oppressors.

You will see many world leaders who will be terrified and crying in the hereafter. You will see the millionaires in tears out of despondency and dejection. There will be many who, during their lifetime was so used to receiving applause whenever they appear, but their plea for pardon will not be accepted. That is the day when the tyrants will not be forgiven. They will be cursed and they will end up at a stinking abode. 

"As decreed, We have determined for our servants who become messengers, that they will be defended and they will be victorious. Indeed Our armies will be made triumphant." These are the words of Allah. Have certainty and hold strongly to it.

Indeed, there has been plenty of unrest, chaos, and crisis that went on for years and years. Surely, those who deceived and tyrannized will be humiliated. None shall be destroyed and shamed except those who transgressed from the Lord of the heavens and the earth.  

Be counted as one who is on Allah's side so that you may win His love and be near Him. Look at the legacy of Rasulullah salallah alaihi wasalam that is the tradition from the effects of his preaching and of Shariat.   

So much so that the late Sayyid Munzir Al Musawa had become affiliated with it. He eventually followed suit, as he listened to the guidance of his teachers and applied it. He took the covenant to connect people with the Lord. He started off with a small group until light engulfed the hearts of those who listened to him. There were evildoers who repented and became devout believers. And they too continued the path. You are proof of the connections you have had with the inheritors of Prophet Muhammad salallah alaihi wasalam.
  
Allah showers upon this gathering much tranquility and peace. The fact that you are on the minds of those in the Heavens, is of greater value than you being regarded by people in this world. Indeed, the consequence of this majlis will be very significant in the hereafter.

Allah will call on the people gathered at the Resurrection. "Where are those who love one another for My sake? Where are the people who sit together for My sake? Where are they, people who visited one another for My sake? Who among you helped one another for My sake? On this day I shall place you under my Throne, this day when there is no other shelter except that which I have prepared."   

May we belong with them and that we get enlisted with them. Therefore, let us become the armies of Allah. Invite all others to Allah.   

Cleanse and purify your homes from the programs propagated by the enemies of Allah. Look upon your hearts. Purify your hearts from everything that is not favored by Allah. And protect your body and the seven organs: your eyes, ears, tongue, stomach, private parts, hands, and legs. Do not use them except for servitude towards Allah.

Certainly, Allah has honored you with Islam and iman. And among this group, you belong with ahlul sunnah wal jamaah. You are not misguided. Nor are you transgressing in your approach 

We are not involved in discrediting the families and companions of Rasulallah. We do not brand anyone of us as infidels. Nor do we offend the mukminin. We do not kill other Muslims. We do not alter the creed by fusing it with influences from the non-believers. You abide by Imam Shafie on matters that relate to jurisprudence (fiqh). You follow Imam As-Shaari theology. And you are on the quest of cleansing and refining your hearts according to mahzab ehsan, a path led by the Sufis (ahlul tasawuf).

Hold on to these until the time comes for you to meet the Lord. We shall be together again in the Hereafter under the sacred banner of the Prophet (Liwal Hamd); at the well of Rasulallah; as we cross the Bridge (As-Sirat) and as we enter the Heavens. And we shall get everything in the Heavens. And we shall be together when we gaze upon the Holy Countenance of Allah!

O Allah, keep us together, Ya Rahman Ya Rahim. Place us in that row O Allah for You are Most Generous. O Allah, we are asking for a big favor and this is indeed a big group. And our sins are too numerous to count. Even though our sins are insurmountable, we have big hopes that You and the greatness of  Your Essence, could grant us this favor.   

O Allah, indeed, our sins are beyond countable and this is such a huge gathering, but this does not stop us from having big hopes for Your vast mercy. There is no Essence that could forgive something that is big except the Essence that is supreme.   

None could grant a wish so weighty, except the One who is Great. And all who ever felt great and important would fall short and disgraced before His Essence. Pin all your hopes to Allah. Be devoted to Allah, and ask from Him.

Think about this. Habib Sayyid Ali bin Abdul Rahman As-Saggaf is old and not in good health, yet he is present among us. What is it that made him come and be with us? It is because he understands haqiqah and he yearns for something precious and glorious. 

The scholars (ulama) serve as a light for you. May Allah grant him good health and afiah. May we derive much benefit from the ulama and the righteous (solehin) who are still alive with us.  

When you look at them the ulama, you will be reminded of Allah. Hearing them speak could increase your iman. And when you sit with them, you will become more attentive (khusyuq) towards Allah. These are true characteristics of those who are 'aleem. They are like lamps. Allah's mercy descends for their sake. As we lose more ulama, people will fall back.  

We have lost two notable Indonesians. They were two luminaries. In fact, they were like two moons high above. They were  Al Habib Husin bin Abdullah As-Saggaf and Shaykh Maimun Zubir. And there were many other ulama and solehin who had passed away. May Allah grant mercy and elevate their standing. And that Allah would replace this loss by sending us great people like them, here in Indonesia and in every corner of this earth. May we benefit from the ulama who are still with us and that Allah will direct us to beneficial circumstances.   

May Allah grant tawfik to Governor Anis Baswedan. May Allah strengthen his resolve towards Allah. And that he will be facilitated in carrying out his duties in the best possible manner. May Allah improve the affairs of the Rulers and their people, all governments and races. And that Allah will prevent provocations of the Shayatin and protect them from disunity.
   
May Allah protect our hearts and keep it safe from enmities. And that Allah would make each one of us as a cause for far-reaching compassion and love for one another. May Allah protect us from being the cause of harm and evil among Muslims. The best person is he/she who is beneficial to others. There is no deed that is more sinful after polytheism (shirik) than to cause harm and mischief to other people.

We shall now make du'a for one pious person who has just passed away in Yemen. His name is Habib Abu Bakar bin Husin bin Abdillah Al-Hadar. He was offering Subuh prayers in congregation. He returned home afterward to once again lead the Subuh prayer for his family. He then offered to serve his mother and passed away.

O Allah, elevate his stature. Make his grave a garden of Paradise. Replace this loss by giving us more solehin. Place his ruh at the highest Heaven. And that Allah will grant blessings to his families and children.

We pray for Allah's mercy to be granted to all who passed away among us and the audience, and all Muslimin. Whoever among them who is blessed with divine favors, we pray so that Allah will multiply the favors. And those who might be suffering in their graves, we pray so that Allah would forgive them and alleviate all their sufferings. May Allah grant us mercy when the time comes for us to die. 

Come, let us enjoin the battalion of Allah. Magnify your hopes for Allah. Do not ever lose hope of His mercy and bounties. Do not give up in despair. Call upon Allah. Let us all call on Him together:
Ya Allahu Ya Allah
Ya Allahu Ya Allah
Ya Allahu Ya Allah
Ya Allahu Ya Allah

Know that Allah is listening to you now. He is watching you. You will not be forsaken when you put your hopes on Allah.
Ya Allahu Ya Allah
Ya Allahu Ya Allah
Ya Allahu Ya Allah
Ya Allahu Ya Allah

Indeed, Allah will answer our pleas. He will forgive those who are sinful. It is He Allah who could help us in this dunya and akhirah, we and our families and each and every one among us. And everyone in our country and all Muslimin. Ask of Allah, beg from Him. Surely you will receive honor and bounties by pleading to Allah.

There are many people in this world who beg from other than Allah. Yet, Allah has honored you. You raise your hands only to Allah. Extend your hands to Allah. Extend your hands to Allah. Humble yourself before Allah. Glory is our Lord, Allah. Indeed Allah is Most Generous.  

He is Allah, O my beloved. He is Allah, O my brothers. He is Allah, O my brothers. He is Allah, O you who are listening to me.
Ya Allahu Ya Allah
Ya Allahu Ya Allah
Ya Allahu Ya Allah
Ya Allahu Ya Allah
Ya Allahu Ya Allah
Ya Allahu Ya Allah
Ya Allahu Ya Allah

Be kind and merciful towards us O Allah, Most Loving. O Allah, give us all that we hope for. Grant us our petitions. Cure those who are ill among us. Grant felicity to those on whom You are testing. We beg You, for a good ending (husnul khatimah). A perfect husnul khatimah. The best supplication is for husnul khatimah. 

Let our last words when we die be La ila ha illallah. La ila ha illallah. 

That we understand completely the true meaning of La ila ha illallah. And that we belong with those who are perfect in their comprehension of La ila ha illallah.

La ila ha illallah Muhamadur Rasulluh salallahualaih wa ala alihi wa sohbih wa salam fikulli lahdhatin abada adada khalqih waridho nafsih wa zinata arshih wa mida dakalimatih.

Al-Fatihah.

We apologize for this lengthy talk. However, all that we have conveyed to you, will prepare you for a long day, coming your way.




***
This translation was prepared by this faqir, based upon a video recording published by Nabawi TV Indonesia. The video is available at this link.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVkPJKBmKmA&t=2927s

The English translation was also guided by the transcript of the original text (in the Indonesian language) which this faqir had prepared and posted on this blog at this link:
http://lisanaldin.blogspot.com/2019/10/rihlah-habib-umar-bin-hafiz-monas.html

La hawla wala quwwata illah billah.
Kindly forgive me and point out to me any errors/mistakes that you may find in both the Indonesian transcript and the English translation. Thank you.

Allahu 'alam.




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