Encouraging the holding of a competition on the characteristics of the hypocrites in terms of their deeds, their conditions, and their ultimate fate.
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The Shaykh : What is your opinion if we held a competition on what Allah the Exalted mentioned in the Qur'an regarding the hypocrites and their characteristics in terms of their deeds, their conditions, and their ultimate fate—three matters? Is it possible to hold a competition and set a deadline within six hours, or is that not possible? I mean, we announce the competition now and hold a drawing for it in the morning lesson, if Allah wills. Perhaps in two days, is that not enough? Tonight is Saturday; let us make it, if Allah wills, the night of Tuesday. Perhaps, yes, consider it, if Allah wills, a competition on the hypocrites regarding three matters. What are they?
The student: Their characteristics.
The Shaykh : Good, their characteristics include their deeds and their conditions, and the third is their ultimate fate. So, if Allah wills, the competition will be held in this manner. As for the prize, there is nothing wrong with it being unknown, because this contract is not a contract of exchange that requires knowledge of both exchanges. This is a prize; if you receive a large amount, it is a blessing, and if you receive a small amount, it is also a blessing, because you have not lost anything; you have benefited with knowledge in any case. The prize is not determined now, and it may be determined later, but the important thing is acquiring knowledge. Is there anything else?
The student: That these calamities that have befallen the people of Kuwait, such as killing and destruction, and so on, and that we are inflicting some harm upon them, all of these are expiations for sins and wrongdoings.[Al-Baqarah 2:155]
The student: Their characteristics.
The Shaykh : Good, their characteristics include their deeds and their conditions, and the third is their ultimate fate. So, if Allah wills, the competition will be held in this manner. As for the prize, there is nothing wrong with it being unknown, because this contract is not a contract of exchange that requires knowledge of both exchanges. This is a prize; if you receive a large amount, it is a blessing, and if you receive a small amount, it is also a blessing, because you have not lost anything; you have benefited with knowledge in any case. The prize is not determined now, and it may be determined later, but the important thing is acquiring knowledge. Is there anything else?
The student: That these calamities that have befallen the people of Kuwait, such as killing and destruction, and so on, and that we are inflicting some harm upon them, all of these are expiations for sins and wrongdoings.