DON’T FORGET TO REMEMBER YOUR ALLAH 1

BY
SHAIKH JALILU ISSAH

In the name of Allah the most Beneficent, the most Merciful

Transliteration

[002.152. Faothkuroonee athkurkum waoshkuroo lee wala takfurooni ]

Translation

[002.152. Then do ye remember Me; I will remember you. Be grateful to Me, and reject
not Faith.]

After Allah mentioned different kinds of blessings that He gave to mankind, then Allah
says [Faothkuroonee athkurkum] (Remember Me I
will remember you.) [waoshkuroo lee wala
takfurooni] (And give thanks to Me and do not be ungrateful to Me). Every blessing
should be returned with gratefulness. Every good thing needs that a man should thank for
the favor he gets. This is not only that because Islam says about it that one should do it.
In point of fact it is the common sense to do it. If someone does the shafa’a
(intercession) he deserves to be thanked. It is very natural. So Allah gives emphasis on
(therefore remember Me) and (I will remember
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SHAIKH JALILU ISSAH

you). Our scholars say that this verse shows the most respect that Allah gives it to every
man. Since Allah has mentioned Himself besides a human. This is a great and
prestigious respect given to man by Allah.
Now here we should comprehend the meanings of Ziker. To remember Allah.
What is this? If you happen to see different exegetical works of the holy Quran you will
see different meanings of ziker. For example in the Tafseer of Fakhar Razi, he has
mentioned 10 different meanings of ziker especially of
. About the first word he says ‘remember Me’. How
shall we remember Allah Subhana-Wa-Ta’aala? Fakhar Razi says the meaning of
means to remember Me with Du’a. And means that I shall remember you
by accepting your Du’a. So we got the meanings according the explanation mentioned
above ‘ Remember me in your supplication’ And then I Allah in return will accept your
Du’a. And he further says that Allah says;

[odAAoonee astajib lakum] (Invoke Me I will

respond to you) ask Me and I will respond your request. So it is the first meaning of the
word .

Second explanation we get from the scholars that is means

to remember Me with obedience. in return means I shall
remember you with my mercy. Because if you obey Allah Subhana-Wa-Ta’aala then in
return Allah Subhana-Wa-Ta’aala will be merciful to you. That’s why Allah says in the

holy Quran: [WaateeAAoo

Allaha waalrrasoola laAAallakum turhamoona] (And obey Allah and the Messenger that
you may obtain mercy) obey Allah and his messenger the prophet (Salla 'Llahu 'alayhi wa
sallam) may be you might be from among those who will have the mercy of Allah
Subhana-Wa-Ta’aala.
Third explanation we get that remember me. But

how? He says remember Me with the praise and obedience and then in

return I shall remember you and I shall be grateful to you and I

would bless you as well.
Let’s see what the fourth explanation. The meaning of
remember Me in this world
remember Me in this world in return I shall remember
you in hereafter. So on the Day of Judgment you will also be remembered by Allah if
you remember Him here in this world.
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There is also fifth explanation. remember Me

in your solitude when you are alone. And then in return I shall remember you
when you are in public or when you are in need.
Sixth explanation is remember Allah
when all the blessings are around you. Allah will in return remember you when you are
in difficulties. Because most of us do forget Allah when everything is OK. When you
are enjoying your life with different blessings then you remember Allah with devotion.
And in difficulties Allah will not forget you. This is also a law of divine design.

Seventh explanation is also wonderful. remember

Me by serving and worshiping Him. In return Allah will remember you

with help and support. The major point in the holy Quran is that Allah says;
[Iyyaka naAAbudu wa-iyyaka
nastaAAeenu] you are the only one we worship and you are the only one we need help
and support.

Eighth explanation is if you remember Allah

in your struggle to find the true light and guidance then in return Allah
will give remember you with the guidance. Allah will guide you because you are in the
search of great and true guidance. Allah says in Surah Al-Ankaboot

[Waallatheen
a jahadoo feena lanahdiyannahum subulana wa-inna Allaha lamaAAa almuhsineena] (As
for those who strive hard in Us, We will surely guide them to Our paths. And verily,
Allah is with the Muhsinun.) for those who have done struggle in order to seek the

guidance , Allah says that Allah shall guide them

on the right path.
Ninth explanation is remember Me with
sincerity and be sincere to Allah when you remember Allah Subhana-Wa-Ta’aala. In

return I shall in return remember with sincerity and

and a lot of different things.

Tenth explanation is remember Me and then in

return I am going to remember you in my mercies. Allah says

All praises are for Allah,

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SHAIKH JALILU ISSAH

the Lord of the universes and then He said

the most gracious, the most kind. Because when you
would declare Allah as your Lord and in return Allah is going to be the most gracious and
kind with you in this world. Also He will be the most kind in the hereafter.
These different meanings of were described
by Fakhar Razi. And when you come to our scholars they would explain the meanings of
Al-Ziker is to remember Allah Subhana-Wa-Ta’aala reciting His names or some holy
matter on the beads. In the holy Quran you will see that there is a great deal of emphasis
on the Ziker of Allah in different verses. And the same thing you will note in the hadith
of holy prophet (Salla 'Llahu 'alayhi wa sallam) and Ahlul Bayt. They have emphasized
about the importance of Ziker. Sometimes the Ziker has come with the meanings of the
holy Quran. Sometimes the meaning of Ziker is the meaning of Salat. And with the
meaning of the remembrance of Allah. But in the hadith of holy prophet (Salla 'Llahu
'alayhi wa sallam), also he has emphasized about the importance of the Ziker. For
example in one of the hadith the holy prophet (Salla 'Llahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said;

that remember Allah so much till the extent that

people may call you an eccentric person. It is one of the hadith. And the holy Quran

says; remember Allah Subhana-

Wa-Ta’aala when you are standing remember

Allah when you are sitting remember Allah when you

are reclining. These are three positions that a man may adapt. So in all these three
positions one should not forget Allah and do the ziker of Allah. At any time you may do
the ziker of Allah.
And in other verse Allah has mentioned about the Muslims of both genders He

says; [waalththakireena Allaha

katheeran waalththakirati] those who remember Allah so much. Remembrance of Allah
should be clear in meanings. Some say that one should read Tasbiah and say Subhan
Allah (all glory to Allah), Walhamdo Lillha, Allah Ho Akbar etc. This is also a kind of
Ziker –e-Elahi. But if you read the hadith of Ahlul Bayt – you will come to know that the
ziker of Allah is completely different. There is hadith of the holy prophet (Salla 'Llahu
'alayhi wa sallam) that true remembrance of Allah is not only through tongue. The ziker-
e-Elahi does come from the heart. This is the first part of the ziker. The prime aim of the
ziker-e-Elahi is to feel the presence of Allah all the time and in all the circumstantial
situations. This is the best form of the ziker-e-Elahi. There is one hadith from the

prophet (Salla 'Llahu 'alayhi wa sallam) he says in

ziker of Allah is good to say , but the prophet (Salla
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SHAIKH JALILU ISSAH

'Llahu 'alayhi wa sallam) says no. indeed the ziker is is to have a

feeling as if Allah is in front of you all the time. There is one more important hadith
there are three things that my Ummah can’t take care of them. First

is . Is to have someone to share your money with you, someone

innocent, someone he does not know, or some Muslim to share with you your money.
You say that you have money, someone may come in your life to share your money
together. 2nd factor is and a man to be just with himself. We want to
establish justice as long as justice is on the earth. That’s why the prophet (Salla 'Llahu
'alayhi wa sallam) said that to administer justice is very difficult and most of the Muslims
are unable to establish Simon pure justice. And the 3rd factor the prophet (Salla 'Llahu

'alayhi wa sallam) told that the people do not do the ziker of to

remember Allah in each and every situation that they find themselves with them. And he
says the ziker of Allah is not just saying Subhan Allah (all glory to Allah) etc.

He says the best remembrance of

Allah is when a man is about to approach sin. He is about to quit sin then he remembers
Allah Subhana-Wa-Ta’aala. And stays away from the sin. This is the ziker of Allah.
From this point of view of the prophet (Salla 'Llahu 'alayhi wa sallam) during the holy
month of Ramadan when Imam Ali (AS) asked the prophet (Salla 'Llahu 'alayhi wa

sallam) . Then holy prophet (Salla 'Llahu

'alayhi wa sallam) gave a long sermon in the month of Ramadan. He asked that what is
the best action/deed that a man can do in this month? Then the holy prophet (Salla 'Llahu

'alayhi wa sallam) said to Imam Ali (AS) the

best action a man can do during the month of Ramadan is to stay away from sins.
Actions are louder than words. The biggest possible ziker of Allah is to stay away from
the sins practically. This is also the kind of Ziker –e -Elahi. We should always be
grateful to Allah. And this is the teaching to us from the holy prophet (Salla 'Llahu
'alayhi wa sallam) to offer two Rakat if we wish to thank Allah. This is also a kind of
best way of Ziker. We also must go in Sujjood to remember Allah.
Once Imam Jaffer Saddiq (AS) he was working with his companions and
suddenly he prostrated. It was done by him without any visible cause of the matter.
When Imam Jaffer Saddiq raised his head. His companions asked the reason of that. He
replied that he remembered a blessing given to him by Allah. He thanked Allah.
We also should take care of the blessings what Allah has given us. This is also a
best form of the Ziker. If you have knowledge and you act upon it then it is also a ziker
of Allah. You are taking care of the blessing. Raise your children according to the
teachings of Allah. It is the kind that you are grateful to Allah. Spend money in the way
of Allah. We should use not abuse the money. Then we are grateful to Allah and
enjoying the blessing of Allah.
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SHAIKH JALILU ISSAH

That’s why the prophet (Salla 'Llahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said

the man who is not grateful to the creature who did

good thing to you then you can not be grateful to Allah. So the first step is to be grateful
to the people around you. When angels prostrated before Adam they were actually
grateful to Allah Subhana-Wa-Ta’aala.
Further will be discussed in next lecture Inshallah!

SESSIONS OF QUESTIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE

Participant of the session:

Which verse did you recite?

The speaker:
We covered 002.152 of Al-Baqra.

Participant of the session”

Will you please say some about the Shahadat tul Bibi..
The speaker:
Fatima?
The participant of the session:
Yeah.
The speaker:
No problem. Surah 108 – Al-Kauthar

[Inna aAAtaynaka alkawthara 2. Fasalli lirabbika wainhar 3. Inna shani-aka huwa al-
abtaru]
This Surah is believed to be known for Fatima tul Zuhra. The reason is that this
Surah was revealed upon the prophet (Salla 'Llahu 'alayhi wa sallam) when the people
came to the messenger of Allah making fun of the holy prophet (Salla 'Llahu 'alayhi wa
sallam). That the prophet (Salla 'Llahu 'alayhi wa sallam) has no progeny. Because
according to the Arabs your child, your sons, or your son’s children are your children.
And a child that is born by your daughter is considered as your progeny or child. It used
to be considered somebody else’s child. So the prophet (Salla 'Llahu 'alayhi wa sallam)
had only a daughter so they would say that he had no progeny. Allah said;
that indeed we have given you a Kauthar. It is
mentioned in Tafseer that the Kauthar is the name of Fatima tul zuhra. And Kauthar in
Arabic means Al-Khairul Kaseer. It means a lot of blessings. So in this verse it means
that Fatima tul Zuhra is Al-Khairul Kaseer. If you look at the life of Fatimatul Zuhra you
will understand the meaning of Al-Khairul Kaseer. Abu Talib and Khadija supported the
prophet (Salla 'Llahu 'alayhi wa sallam) for a while and after the two of them passed
away this year was named after Amul Huzun – the year of grief. Then Fatimatul Zuhra
took over. Faimatul Zuhra was not only the daughter of the prophet (Salla 'Llahu 'alayhi
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SHAIKH JALILU ISSAH
wa sallam) but she was also like his mother. That’s why she was called Ummu
Adheeya – mother of her father. All comfort and care was given to the holy prophet
(Salla 'Llahu 'alayhi wa sallam) by Fatimatul Zuhra. For the period of 18 years she
served it was a period full of practical lessons. The holy prophet (Salla 'Llahu 'alayhi wa
sallam) respected her a lot. He would stand when she would come.
Imam Ali (AS) was the husband of Fatimahtul Zuhra. She lead her life with her
husband leaving a best possible example for the wives of the world. Imam Ali (AS) said
This is example for all married couples.
Imam Ali (AS) said then when he would be depressed or sad she would relieve his

nerves. She said about Imam Ali (AS) whenever in the

kitchen he would come Imam Ali (AS) would cook with me. She used to worship Allah.
In the middle of the night she used to worship abundantly. She also prayed for the
neighbors.
One Imam Hussain said to his mother Fatimatul Zhura that she always prayed for
the neighbors not for herself. She replied that in our life there is priority.
The first priority is for the neighbors. Before the prophet (Salla 'Llahu 'alayhi wa sallam)
died when he was on the bed in his last minute Fatimatul Zhura was crying. Then the
prophet (Salla 'Llahu 'alayhi wa sallam) asked her to come closer. Then the prophet
(Salla 'Llahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said something in her ears. Then after a while the
prophet (Salla 'Llahu 'alayhi wa sallam) again called her to come closer to him. Then
again he said something in her ears. Imam Ali (AS) asked his wife the matter. And why
were you smiling in second term? She told that the prophet (Salla 'Llahu 'alayhi wa
sallam) made her cry that he was leaving her and leaving this world. Then later he told
her that she would be following him soon Inshallah. That’s why she told that she smiled.
And when she was pregnant with the baby that the prophet (Salla 'Llahu 'alayhi wa
sallam) had already named him ‘Mohsin’. She was there in the house when her house
was attacked. The house was where when she would enter he would say salam to her.
This was the house. Faitmatul Zuhra asked her father that why he sought permission

before entering her house? He replied that Allah is the one who
commanded me to say salam before I enter your house until you give me the permission.
Why? Because Allah knew that people would come and attack the house. Fatimatul
Zuhra was in her house when they attacked her house transgressing all the limits of
morality and they forgot that whose house they were attacking. She was behind the door.
She was squeezed between the door and the wall. This made her lose here baby. After
this incident she was so angry with those people. This is the history that when the door
was pushed with jerk something pierced into the back of Fatimatul Zuhra. And that was
the cause of her death. The prophet (Salla 'Llahu 'alayhi wa sallam) had said
that Faitma is the part of me. who will harm her has
harmed him. The so-called companions of the prophet (Salla 'Llahu 'alayhi wa sallam)
attacked the house of Fatimatul Zuhra.
She was buried in the dark of the night when others were asleep. And the night
before she died a servant told that he was there in the house where she was reciting the
holy Quran. She did the ablution first and she faced towards the Qibla and offered her
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prayers. And after that she sat down and recited the holy Quran. She asked Imam
Hussain and Imam Hasan to go outside and play and they went outside playing while she
was reciting the holy Quran. After she finished the reading of the holy Quran then she
just laid down. Though she was in pains. She stretched her legs and arms and closed her

eyes and she said .