The Journey to Allah Begins and Ends with His Messenger – Shaykh Sulayman Van Ael
Shaykh Sulayman Van Ael invites the audience on a crucial reflection on the nature of our relationship with Allah; the Owner, Creator and Sustainer of all that exists. Do you realise that when you woke up today you were returning to your Lord? That every breath and every moment brings you closer to your true destination? You will meet Allah; who is your guide and example? What are your provisions on this journey?
In the 18 years that he has been Muslim, Shaykh Sulayman has been waiting for a Muslim to ask him these very questions ; to ask him how it is between him and Allah, the Owner,Creator and Sustainer of the Worlds. “So when I look for a Muslim, I am looking for someone whose heart attached himself to Allah and detached his heart from the world,” shares Shaykh Sulayman. Who is like this that I can be like? Who is it that I can make my role model? These reflections direct me to the Prophet of God, peace and blessings be upon him.
when you are seeking truth, everyone claims to have answers, but no one has answers like the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of God be upon him. He whose heart is always connected to Allah and whose concern is for the entirety of creation; Let us ask Our Messenger, peace and blessings of God be upon him, so that our journey is based on guidance, truth and leads to everlasting success .
Reflect on the minute preparations, and research we , as human beings, make in order to travel somewhere, either for business or vacation. There is much preparation, research and packing that takes place when preparing for a simple flight or journey on this earth. What about the afterlife? As believers, we testify in the existence of the Hereafter and the belief in a Day that will be like no other day– with much unknown ahead of us, what have we prepared for it? When I am meeting with a king or a president, I will prepare myself– what have you done to prepare yourself for the journey to the King of all Kings? The journey to Allah?
There are 5 questions that I reflected on, and whose answers provided guidance towards a better relationship with my Lord and for a happier Hereafter. Let us reflect and visit them so we may benefit together.
1): What should I do if I do not wish to be hungry on that Day ( a day likened to 50 thousand years)?
Answer: The prophet ﷺ said those that experience hunger most in this life, will not experience hunger on that Day; this reference was to those who fast Ramadan and the additional fasts. Those that increase in fasting in this world, will not feel the hunger on that Day.
2) What should I do If I do not wish to shiver or shake on That Day?
Let us reflect, do you not think that on that Day that you meet His Angels, that you meet Allah , do you think that you will have no fear?
Answer: The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said that the one who helps his brother until his problem is solved will not shiver or quake on that Day. Service to others is the gateway to rewards and the pleasure of Allah.
3) What shall I do to be Happy on that Day? (Can you be happy that Day? When the Earth quakes, the sky falls and there is upheaval everywhere?)
Answer : The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said that the one who can swallow his anger when he has a right to be angry Allah will fill his heart with hope and contentment on the Day of Judgement.
According to Islam, what does it mean to be angry?A common example of this situation are the quarrels between spouses, when one overlooks or swallows his or her anger for the sake of Allah, Allah will grant that individual hope and contentment on that Day. Another example worth noting is when someone does something and you say to them -you always do this!;These are are examples of anger to avoid.
4) Would you like on the Day of Judgement to have a rank that is even loved or desired by the Prophets?
On the Day of judgement there will be people who are dressed with light, their faces will shine bright and will be sitting on chairs of light and even the prophets would like to be in their state; the prophets will be looking upon them and wondering how they reached this station.
Answer: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ has informed us these are the people who visit each other for Allah and who give each other gifts for Allah’s sake. So, how do you know that you are visiting someone for Allah? If you continue to visit, call or give gifts even when the other does not reciprocate; your sincerity shows in your continuity.
5) Would you like to sit next to the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, on that Day? How can I achieve this?
Answer: The ones who will be near him on the day of Judgement and be the most beloved to Allah Mighty and Majestic, are those who have good character and those who send abundant blessings upon his beloved, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.
As believers we are blessed to send prayers upon our messenger ﷺ in our ritual prayers and outside of it, in these interactions there are 2 angels that convey our greetings to the Prophet. How would your like your greetings to be personally conveyed? Your Messenger ﷺ knows that these greetings are from you– send blessings upon him as if he is with you, as if you are in his blessed presence.
The Journey to Allah begins with the guidance and example of the Messenger and ends with the company and intercession of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him.
We have been blessed with reflecting on the Hereafter, for we believe in it and each moment we move closer to it, and closer to Allah. We have also been blessed with the answers and provisions for this Day and this Meeting. So what is next? After this conversation, after this lecture, how do we treat what has just been conveyed to us?
Everything you just heard or have been conveyed will be placed as a trial for or against us; for this knowledge has been conveyed to us and they are amongst our provisions. Let us rejoice in it , embrace it, and act upon it so that it may be in our favour and we may reap the rewards.
Cover photo by S@ra anonymous
We are grateful to Al Mawadda TV for this video.
Resources for the Seekers:
closeness to Allah Archives – SeekersHub Blog
Ten Qualities of Those Seeking Closeness to Allah
Qur’an Reflections: Day Two: Baqara [2.142-252] – Remembrance
The Intercession of the Prophet on the Day of Judgment
The Soul’s Journey after Death and The Day of Judgement
Hope, the Hereafter and Our Salvation, by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani .
The Benefits of Sending Peace & Blessings on Prophet Muhammad
Why do We Send Prayers of Peace & Blessings Upon the Beloved .
Love Of The Prophet And Following His Example
Can You Please Explain the Belief of The “Presence” of the Prophet
Maqam: The Station of the Prophet Muhammad
On Knowing Yourself to Know Go
