A Personal Reminder to my noble brothers and sisters @ Masjid Furqaan (Stoke-On-Trent)
Assalaamu alaykum warahmatullaah
Pray all the brothers and sisters are well. I remind myself and you all of Allaah’s favours upon us;
Firstly: Allaah (The Most Merciful) guided us to this blessed Manhajus Salafi and this is enough as a blessing. Our manhaj is clear—free from all the people of Bidah, Hizbiyyah and Tamyi.
Secondly: We have a Salafi Masjid that is well known to the students of knowledge in the UK. Our beloved brother Abu Haleemah (Naeem), who preceded all of us in Salafiyyah is well known to the students of knowledge in the UK. He has never compromised the sound Manhaj positions and all praise is due to Allaah. May Allaah protect us and him, and may Allaah reward Ajmal, Qamar and all the other brothers who look after the affairs of the Masjid. Aameen.
Thirdly: The Islamic School is a huge effort and may Allaah reward Naeem, Ajmal, Mahfooz, Imraan and all those who continue to strive to run this school (noble sisters included). Aameen
Fourthly: Even though we do not have a resident student of knowledge, however this cannot be a means by way of which we allow shaytaan to afflict us with laziness; rather much good can be achieved. So besides the occasional visits by Ustaadh Bilaal Davis, Ustaadh Abu Idrees, Ustaadh Taqweem Aslam and Ustaadh Abdul Ilaah (may Allaah reward them), we also have sittings in the Masjid every Monday to share the benefits from the audio translations of Ustaadh Amjad Rafiq. And as soon as any of these students- including Ustaadh Abu Khadeejah- find time for us in their busy schedule, we will grab the opportunity to enjoy their company and benefit from them.
Likewise, on Yawmul Juma’ah, we do our best to convey reminders on basic affairs of Tawheed, the authentic Sunnah, Manhaj, Fiqh, affairs related to rectification of the heart etc
Therefore, there is a lot of good taking place, so let none of us belittle the blessings of Allaah or become disheartened just because we are not moving as fast as the other Maraakiz; rather let us constantly remind ourselves of Ikhlaas, Thabaat and hoping for Allaah’s reward in the Aakhirah:
فَمَن كَانَ يَرۡجُواْ لِقَآءَ رَبِّهِۦ فَلۡيَعۡمَلۡ عَمَلاً۬ صَـٰلِحً۬ا وَلَا يُشۡرِكۡ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِۦۤ أَحَدَۢا
So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord.”
Ustaadh Abu Khadeejah (may Allaah preserve him) said to me about 11years ago- whilst I was residing in Manchester and taking an active role in running the affairs of Al-Markazus Salafi- ‘’Abdullah do the little you can and be sincere, Allaah will bring others to carry this Dawah.’’
So I remind my beloved brothers Naeem (my predecessor in Salafiyyah), Ajmal (a brother I have known since he was 14years old), Imran, Qamar, Mahmooz and others, lets us not allow shaytaan to turn our attention away from what we are slowly trying to achieve. The most important thing is consistency, regardless the amount of effort being carried out. Therefore, we should be grateful to Allaah and hope for more of His blessings, as Allaah (The Most High) said:
وَإِذۡ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمۡ لَٮِٕن شَڪَرۡتُمۡ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمۡۖ وَلَٮِٕن ڪَفَرۡتُمۡ إِنَّ عَذَابِى لَشَدِيدٌ۬
And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.’
So let us acknowledge the blessings of Allaah; praise Him for bestowing such blessings upon us and utilize them in obedience to Allaah. The life of this world is short and let us constantly be reminded of the fact that nothing else will benefit a person in the grave except righteous actions (deeds carried out upon Ikhlaas and Mutaa-ba’ah). I ask Allaah to grant us and all the Salafis, Ikhlaas, Thabaat and Husnul Khaatimah. Aameen.
Your Salafi brother
Abu Mu-aawiyyah (Abdullaah Al-Gambi)