Continuation of the explanation of the statement of Imam al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) regarding what he quoted: "."
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The Shaykh : Then, a person may not miss this blessing, or indeed these two blessings—health and leisure—due to death. He may miss them before he dies. He may fall ill and become unable to perform what Allah has made obligatory upon him. He may fall ill and have a tight chest, so his chest does not open up, and he becomes weary. Or he may be preoccupied with providing for himself and his family until much of the obedience is missed by him. Therefore, the sensible person should seize the opportunity of health and leisure to obey Allah (Mighty and Majestic) to the best of his ability. If he is a reader of the Qur'an, let him increase his recitation of the Qur'an. If he does not know how to read, let him increase the remembrance of Allah (Mighty and Majestic). If that is not possible, let him enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong, and offer his brothers all the assistance and kindness he can. All of these are great good things that pass us by in vain. The sensible person is the one who seizes the opportunities: the opportunity of health and the opportunity of leisure.
And in this is evidence that the blessings of Allah vary, some being greater than others, and that is indeed the case. The greatest blessing Allah bestows upon a servant is the blessing of Islam, the blessing of Islam in which Allah has led many people astray. Allah the Exalted said:[Al-Ma'idah 5:3] So when a person finds that Allah has blessed him with Islam and that Allah has expanded his chest for it, then this is the greatest of blessings. Then comes the blessing of intellect, for when a person sees someone afflicted with a lack of intellect who does not handle matters well and may harm himself and his family, he praises Allah for this blessing, for it is a great blessing.
Thirdly, the blessing of security in the homelands, for it is among the greatest of blessings. We give you an example of what came before us from our fathers and grandfathers regarding the great fears in these lands. We even hear that when they went out for the Fajr prayer, a person would not go out without a weapon, fearing that someone might attack him. Then we give an example of the Gulf War that passed in the last year: how the people were afraid until they began to smear their curtains with wax, fearing something imagined that might be sent against them, and the people became in great anxiety. The blessing of security is not matched by any blessing other than the blessings of Islam and intellect.
Likewise, the fourth thing Allah has blessed us with, especially in this land, is the abundance of living. It comes to us from every direction. We are in great good, praise be to Allah. The houses are full of provisions, and the tables are set with provisions, where one person has enough for two or three or more. This is also among the blessings. So we must thank Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) for these great blessings and perform the obedience of Allah so that we may gain an increase in blessings, for Allah says:[Ibrahim 14:7]
The reader: In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions.
And in this is evidence that the blessings of Allah vary, some being greater than others, and that is indeed the case. The greatest blessing Allah bestows upon a servant is the blessing of Islam, the blessing of Islam in which Allah has led many people astray. Allah the Exalted said:
This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.
اليوم أكملت لكم دينكم وأتممت عليكم نعمتي ورضيت لكم الإسلام ديناThirdly, the blessing of security in the homelands, for it is among the greatest of blessings. We give you an example of what came before us from our fathers and grandfathers regarding the great fears in these lands. We even hear that when they went out for the Fajr prayer, a person would not go out without a weapon, fearing that someone might attack him. Then we give an example of the Gulf War that passed in the last year: how the people were afraid until they began to smear their curtains with wax, fearing something imagined that might be sent against them, and the people became in great anxiety. The blessing of security is not matched by any blessing other than the blessings of Islam and intellect.
Likewise, the fourth thing Allah has blessed us with, especially in this land, is the abundance of living. It comes to us from every direction. We are in great good, praise be to Allah. The houses are full of provisions, and the tables are set with provisions, where one person has enough for two or three or more. This is also among the blessings. So we must thank Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) for these great blessings and perform the obedience of Allah so that we may gain an increase in blessings, for Allah says:
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.' "
وإذ تأذن ربكم لئن شكرتم لأزيدنكم ولئن كفرتم إن عذابي لشديدThe reader: In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions.