Achieving Allah's Pleasure Beyond Your Imaginations! -Mufti Menk

Summary

The speaker emphasizes the importance of making an effort to learn, understand, and practice the Quran. By doing so, one attains the best character, embodying the teachings of the Quran, similar to the Prophet Muhammad. The month of Ramadan, known for fasting, is also highlighted for the revelation of the Quran. The speaker encourages facing life's challenges with determination and faith in Allah, as personal struggles are universal. They stress the significance of understanding the Quran's meaning, not just its recitation, to truly internalize and live by its teachings.

Takeaways

• 📘 Learning and understanding the Quran involves making an effort to educate oneself through lessons, workshops, or reading.
• 📖 The rights of the Quran include learning it, understanding its meaning, practicing its teachings, and teaching it to others.
• 🌟 The best among people are those who learn and teach the Quran and those who have the best character.
• 🤝 There is no contradiction between being the best in learning the Quran and having great character; both are interconnected.
• 💡 The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) embodied the Quran in his character, illustrating that true piety includes excellent character.
• 🕌 Piety is not just about physical acts of worship but also about having a good character and conduct.
• 📅 The month of Ramadan is significant not only for fasting but also because the Quran was revealed during this month.
• 🙏 Everyone has struggles, and Allah tests each person differently, but He also provides the strength to overcome these challenges.
• 💪 Facing fears and challenges with determination and trust in Allah leads to success beyond one's imagination.
• 🌟 Helping others and doing good deeds brings continuous rewards, which multiply through the influence of others who follow your example.

Q & A

What is the primary message of the speaker in the transcript?

The primary message is to emphasize the importance of making an effort to learn, understand, and practice the teachings of the Quran, and how this leads to good character and conduct.

What are the rights of the Quran over a person according to the speaker?

The rights of the Quran over a person are to learn it, understand its meaning, put it into practice, and teach it to others.

How does the speaker address the apparent contradiction between being the best in learning the Quran and having the best character?

The speaker explains that there is no contradiction because fulfilling the rights of the Quran naturally leads to having the best character, as exemplified by the Prophet Muhammad, whose character was the Quran.

What does the speaker say about people who appear pious but have poor character?

The speaker states that true piety comes with excellent character and conduct. Therefore, someone who appears pious through actions like regular prayer but has poor character is not truly pious.

What advice does the speaker give regarding facing life's challenges and fears?

The speaker advises to face challenges and fears with determination and faith in Allah, emphasizing that everyone has their own struggles, but Allah has given each person the capacity to overcome them.

How does the speaker use the example of a sheikh collecting problems from people in a mosque to illustrate a point?

The speaker uses this example to illustrate that when people see the real-life problems of others, they often realize that their own problems are more manageable, leading them to appreciate their own lives more.

What does the speaker say about the Quran being revealed during Ramadan?

The speaker explains that the Quran was revealed to the lowest sky during the Night of Decree in Ramadan and that Ramadan is also the month of fasting as mentioned in the Quran.

Why does the speaker emphasize understanding the meaning of the Quran and not just its recitation?

The speaker emphasizes understanding the meaning of the Quran because knowing what one is reciting enhances the experience of worship and prevents laziness in religious practices.

What does the speaker say about translations of the Quran?

The speaker notes that translations of the Quran are attempts to explain the word of Allah and can have variations, but the original Arabic text of the Quran remains unchanged and authentic.

What point does the speaker make by comparing problems faced by individuals in life to being thrown into water?

The speaker uses this comparison to illustrate that people often underestimate their own abilities and that, when faced with challenges, they can achieve more than they initially think possible.

Outlines

00:00

📖 Effort and Learning in Islam

The speaker emphasizes the importance of making an effort in learning and understanding the Quran. They explain the rights of the Quran over Muslims: learning it, understanding its meaning, practicing its teachings, and teaching it to others. The speaker clarifies that there is no contradiction between the sayings that the best Muslims are those who learn and teach the Quran and those who have the best character. They illustrate this by referring to the Prophet Muhammad, whose character was an embodiment of the Quran. The speaker highlights that true piety is reflected in one's character and conduct, and one cannot be truly pious if they are vulgar or abusive. They urge Muslims to work on their character and emphasize the interconnectedness of piety and good conduct.

05:00

📝 Real-Life Challenges and Acceptance

The speaker discusses the commonality of struggles and challenges in life, sharing an anecdote about a Sheikh who asked people to write down their problems and exchange them to realize that others' problems might seem worse than their own. This exercise highlighted that everyone has difficulties, but each person is equipped by Allah to handle their own unique challenges. The speaker encourages facing fears and challenges with determination, citing an example of overcoming the fear of swimming. They stress the importance of not letting fear or negative influences prevent one from trying and achieving their goals. The speaker also advises humility, calmness, and reaching out to help others as ways to receive Allah's assistance and rewards.

10:01

🌟 Importance of Quranic Recitation and Understanding

The speaker reflects on the common experience of being inspired by others' achievements, using the example of feeling capable after watching martial arts movies. They relate this to the Quran, noting that many admire good reciters but do not strive to improve their own recitation. The speaker encourages adding melody to recitation for Allah's sake and stresses the importance of understanding the meaning of the Quran. They explain that translations of the Quran are human attempts to convey its meaning and may differ, but the original Arabic text remains unchanged. The speaker recounts an interaction with a Christian about the consistency of the Quran's text. They highlight the necessity of learning the meanings of prayers and Quranic verses to enhance one's connection with the faith and reduce laziness in worship.

Keywords

💡Quran

The Quran is the holy book of Islam, believed to be the word of God as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. In the script, it emphasizes the importance of learning, understanding, practicing, and teaching the Quran, highlighting its central role in a Muslim's life.

💡Piety

Piety refers to devoutness and reverence towards God. The video discusses that true piety is not only about religious rituals but also about having excellent character and conduct. This aligns with the teachings of the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad.

💡Character

Character denotes a person's moral and ethical qualities. The script emphasizes that the best individuals are those with the best character, as it reflects the teachings of the Quran. Good character is seen as a sign of true piety.

💡Ramadan

Ramadan is the Islamic holy month of fasting, reflection, and prayer. The script explains that the Quran was revealed during Ramadan and that it is a time for Muslims to deepen their understanding of the Quran and improve their character.

💡Effort

Effort is highlighted as essential in seeking knowledge and improving oneself. The speaker encourages making an effort in learning and practicing the Quran, as well as developing good character, stating that effort will open doors of blessings.

💡Education

Education refers to the process of learning and gaining knowledge. The script underscores the importance of educating oneself about the Quran and its teachings, as well as sharing this knowledge with others.

💡Allah

Allah is the Arabic word for God in Islam. The script frequently references Allah, emphasizing His role in guiding, supporting, and rewarding those who make an effort to learn, practice, and teach the Quran, as well as those who strive for good character.

💡Revelation

Revelation refers to the divine disclosure of knowledge. The script mentions that the Quran was revealed during Ramadan and explains the significance of this event, noting that the entire Quran was revealed to the lowest heaven before being revealed to humankind over 23 years.

💡Conduct

Conduct is the manner in which a person behaves. The script links good conduct with true piety, explaining that those who embody the teachings of the Quran will naturally exhibit excellent behavior, reinforcing the importance of moral integrity.

💡Challenges

Challenges refer to the difficulties and trials one faces in life. The script discusses how everyone faces different challenges and that these are tests from Allah. Overcoming challenges with patience and faith is seen as a way to grow stronger and more pious.

Highlights

Make an effort and Allah will open the doors for you.

Learn the Quran, understand its meaning, put it into practice, and teach it to others.

The best of you are those who learn and teach the Quran.

The best of you are those who are best in character.

There is no contradiction between learning the Quran and having good character; the two go hand in hand.

Piety comes with brilliance of character and conduct.

A person who is truly pious will have excellent character and conduct.

The month of Ramadan is significant because the Quran was revealed during this month.

Everyone has struggles, and Allah tests each person differently.

Each person has the capacity to handle their own struggles.

Sometimes we underestimate our own abilities; with determination and effort, we can achieve great things.

Helping others and doing good deeds brings multiple rewards.

Translations of the Quran are attempts to explain the word of Allah and may vary, but the original word of Allah remains unchanged.

Understanding the meaning of the Quran is important, not just reciting it.

Knowledge of the Quran's meaning can enhance one's practice and devotion.

Transcripts

you will never know until you try and

you make an effort and you attend maybe

lessons or a workshop or something or

you read or you educate yourself what am

I saying make an

effort and Allah will open the doors for

you so we learn the Quran we learn its

meaning we put it into practice and then

we teach it to

others and that's those are the rights

of the Quran over you and I to learn it

to understand its meaning to put it into

practice and to teach it to

others when you've done that Allah says

you are the

best and then you might have heard

another narration where the Prophet

peace be upon Him says the best of you

are those who are best in character so

one might think is there a contradiction

one says the best are those who learn

and teach the Quran and the other says

the best are those who are best in

character I tell you there's no

contradiction the reason is if you do

this you will automatically arrive at

that when was asked about the character

of the Prophet peace be upon him you

know what she

said alran his character you want to

know about his character his character

was the Quran he was a moving Quran

whatever the Quran said that was him

embodiment Subhan

allahr so that

means those who carry the Quran if they

are fulfilling the rights of the Quran

they will immediately have the best

character and conduct I always say when

you think you're Pious but you're still

vulgar and you still shout and scream

and abuse and hurt people Shan's got you

gripped I am

Pious he makes you feel you are nowhere

near

Pious nowhere near Pi because piety

comes with Brilliance of character and

conduct the two are together there is no

chance that the two are

divorced together a Pious person can

never be a person whose character stinks

no chance you can have a guy who's in

Salah five times a day six times a day

you can have a person when I say six you

know what I'm talking of the voluntary

ones right you can have a person who

reads Quran whole day and does whole day

and mallah they are so so mallah good

with their physical actions but if their

character is bad they are not Pious no

chance because it comes hand in hand

work on your character the one narration

says those who have great character will

be resurrected with

the ones who are loved by Allah Subhan

Allah and the prophets and so on and the

sh and the

how because greatness of character is

what makes you as a human being the best

you outshine everyone

else are we going to work on it you

should you

must the month of Ramadan we said the

best month revelation of the Quran we're

talking of to the lowest Sky happened on

the night of decree in Ramadan because

someone might argue okay it took 23

years why did you say it was revealed in

Ramadan well number one Allah Almighty

there's two types of Revelation the one

is speaking about the entire Quran that

came from that the first Heaven the

first sky right to humankind that was

spaced out every time something happened

verses were revealed but from the

preserved tablet known as to the lowest

Heaven that's what happened on the night

of decree and power and this is why we

say sh

Ramadan wow it brings me to a point what

is the month of Ramadan all about

fasting isn't it if I say Ramadan

Ramadan is the month of what fasting

only one place in the Quran Allah says

Shah Ramadan inah

Bak does he talk about fasting

immediately

no yes there's fasting mentioned in

those verses but that particular

[Music]

verse he speaks about the the Quran he

says the month of Ramadan is the month

in which the Quran was revealed surely

he would have said the month of Ramadan

is the month in which you shall fast he

didn't even say that we know that we

believe it we follow it because the

previous verse Allah says oh you who

believe fasting has been made compulsory

upon you like it was upon those before

you that was the previous verse don't

think you're alone in your struggles we

all have struggles if you had to sit

with me for an hour and only ask me

about the troubles and strugg that I

have faced you will never imagine what I

would tell you because normally when we

see a person we only see the good you

see people and you think wow they are

living the life I promise you if you

knew their life you are the one living

the life that's what it is because Allah

tests everyone differently I remember

one of the she say a very interesting

thing in the Masjid there was a person

who came to complain about his problems

so the Sheikh announced to say listen

quite a few people have come now to

complain to me about their lives I'd

like each one of you tomorrow to bring a

piece of paper and write on it 10 of the

main problems you have in your

life many of them didn't even fill the

10 you know there were only four or five

if I ask you today highlight the main

problems you have in your life I promise

you you can count them you'll be able to

count one 2 3 unfortunately some of us

it's a list of names because people are

a problem sometimes

right but you name and it's there I can

tell you that Sheikh says the next day

when they all brought their papers how

many people were in the Masjid I put all

those papers into one little like a hat

and he says a box he shook it all and

told the people in the Masjid make a

line here and pick out one paper and

choose which paper you would like this

is real life these are the real life

problems of the people of this world you

are not happy with yours so pick out

someone else's life and live it he says

everyone picked up one says no not this

one picked up the other one not this one

okay o whoo wo not this one at all this

one here no no where is my paper let me

take it

back that's the plan of Allah Allah gave

you a capacity to go through what you

are going through even though it seems

like it's about to crack your back don't

you

hear that's Surah where Allah Almighty

speaks about how Allah is the one who

granted the Cure and the Purity and the

strength after the backs were about to

break until you were tested and

challenged and then when you got up to

face the challenge you realized you know

what I can do this WOW masallah ask

those who cannot

swim well I'm in the Mal Dives I'm sure

everyone can swim right did I just hear

a

no uh-oh I don't think I heard

correct but imagine those who cannot

swim you tell them I'm going to throw

you in the water no no no don't I can't

swim throw you in the water you will

swim by the way don't try what I just

said I'm just giving you an example to

say sometimes you think you cannot do

something if you put your mind to it for

a little while you will achieve beyond

your imagination that's what it is the

problem with us we we are frightened by

Shan who else and sometimes by the

people around us who are not prepared to

empower us they create fear in US you

can't do it no you'll never do it don't

even try don't even bother I can I will

I shall and I have and tomorrow when I

have the gold medal here it is I did it

mashallah with whose help the help of

Allah what else determination don't

worry get up and face your fears

mashallah so the guy gets up and stands

right in front of his

wife wo that's not what we meant

mashallah mashallah that's not what we

meant at least you guys were listening

to what I had to

say my brothers my sisters we must get

up and face whatever Allah has chosen

for us in life but do not use your own

hands to destroy yourself be wise be

humble be

calm Reach Out out to people help others

see how Allah will help you and not just

once but every single time and whenever

you do good anyone who taught you or who

guided you or who told you will get a

full reward of everything you did and

everything someone did because they saw

you do it and everything someone did

because they saw the one who saw you do

it and so on you see and if you were to

see if there if if if there was a way of

looking at how reward plugs in W if it

was in the shape of little wires or

lights going up to the heavens you would

just see lightning everywhere in the

world V it would be reward upon reward

upon reward upon reward not just for

recitation of the Quran but every single

Good Deed so many rewards wow Subhan

Allah mindboggling but here you are you

and I we sitting and we're still waiting

check at those lights look at how much

reward people are clocking wow talk

about yourself please you watching the

show a few minutes ago brother while

Ibrahim gave us an

example he said when we were little we

used to watch uh Kung Fu what's it

called Jackie Chan what's the guy's

name he says when we watch that and we

finish the movie we come out and we feel

like we can punch up everyone yeah what

was that you sitting and watching my man

you hit a brick I swear your hand will

break Subhan Allah why you you don't

know a thing you were just watching the

same is happening with us in the Quran

we're watching everyone progress and we

sitting behind lagging what am I

masallah good reciter what about you

come on hey did you see the melody with

which he you can also read with the

melody but we

[Music]

said it's good it's okay you're going

but are you going to

progress shouldn't a day come when you

try to add a Melody for the sake of

[Music]

Allah why did I do that only for the

sake of Allah that's Allah

and Allah will reward

you then you need to go into the meaning

of what Allah Almighty has revealed the

meaning the Arabic of it the word of

Allah the translation of the meaning is

the attempt of a human being to try and

explain to you what he or she believes

is the closest translation to this

that's why in a translation a lot of the

times the scholars from before they say

put the Arabic on one side and your

attempt on the other side you follow

what we're saying many times you find a

translation of the Quran one side is the

Arabic and the other side is the

translation the translation is not the

word of Allah it is an attempt to

explain the word of Allah that's why

there will be a few differences in the

usage of words depending on the person's

education their understanding what part

of the world they come from what and so

on so here is the word of the word of

Allah and this part here so many other

people will have attempted in so many

different languages there could be

mistakes in a translation but not in the

word of Allah and that's why when I

spoke to a Christian brother some time

back and told him you know the last time

I checked there were 42 different

versions of the Bible he said I found

hundreds of versions of the Quran I told

him

where so he started naming translations

I told him that's a translation my

brother but the word of Allah is one

throughout the world from before to to

now it's one and let's not even argue

about about

that so the point I'm raising is you

need to go into the translation you need

to find out what is Allah telling me

it's not only about recital we sit and

we hear beautiful melodious recitations

I did a little study about you know

thear that we say with young boys in One

Masid and I asked the young boys you

guys are doing VI right you guys are the

remembrance of Allah Subhan Allah

alhamdulillah

and so on so do you know the meaning of

it do you know what about 70% of them

did not know what exactly they were

saying and then I asked okay do you know

what you're saying in Salat almost 90%

did not know what they were saying in

Salat no wonder we are lazy no wonder

but when you know what you're saying

make an effort