Suhbah / `Asr
A`oodhu billahi min ash-Shaytani 'r-rajeem. Bismillahi 'r-Rahmani 'r-Raheem.
Do they know the five pillars of Islam and the six pillars of imaan? Whoever knows, raise their hands. So it means they don't know. When the Archangel Gabriel (a) asked the Prophet (s), he said the five pillars of Islam are, 1) to say the shahada, ash-hadu an laa ilaaha illa-Llah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan Rasoolullah, 2) iqamat as-salaat, to say your prayers, 3) zakaat, to give one-forteith of any money that stays with you over one year, 4) to fast Ramadan, and 5) to make hajj, pilgrimage to the Ka`aba if you are able.
Do you know the six pillars of imaan? (No.) So how do you know about all these wars and so on? The six pillars of imaan are, to believe in God, and His angels, and His books, and His prophets, including Jesus (a), Moses (a), and all of them, and to believe in the Last Day, and in the Day of Resurrection.
Archangel Gabriel asked the third question, ma`a 'l-ihsaan, yaa rasoolullah? Religion is three levels: Islam is the first level; imaan, faith, which many don't know, is the second level; and ihsaan is the third level, the level of moral excellence and perfection of character. That is why we have the book, The Sufi Science of Self-Realization, which helps you acquire that power awliyaullah have, and what you have in yourself.
Then Archangel Gabriel asked, "When is the Last Day?" and the Prophet (s) said, "The one who is asked doesn't know more than the one who is asking." That means Allah (swt) alone knows. Then Archangel Gabriel asked, "Tell me the Signs of the Last Day." The Prophet (s) gave many hundreds of signs, but I will mention one: "When you see the barefooted, naked Bedouins compete in building high rises." This means when you see the Arab Gulf states have tall buildings like those in New York, and that was mentioned by the Prophet (s) 1400 years ago.
وأن ترى الحفاة العراة العالة رعاء الشاء يتطاولون في البنيان
an tara al-hufaat al-uraat yatatawaloona fil bunyan.
Until the people compete with one another in constructing high buildings. (Sahih Bukhari 9:88:237)
This means when you see the barefooted and the naked, those who have only something to cover their private parts, and there comes a time when they are building tall buildings. Have you seen that yet or not? Those who went to hajj, did you see high buildings? Do you see high buildings everywhere around the world today? This is what the Prophet (s) said 1400 years ago. This means we are in that period now, and that period must not frighten us, as it is going to be a change to the best kind of human being. What is written is written; it cannot be changed.
I am not going to explain that issue, but to save yourself you must pray your five prayers and fast Ramadan, and keep connection with your shuyookh, your awliyaullah, your saints. Keep love of Allah (swt) in your heart, keep love of the Prophet (s) in your heart, keep love of your shaykh in your heart, and you will be saved! That is why Mawlana Shaykh told us to recite 100 to 1000 times per day, "HasbunAllah, RabbunAllah."
May Allah (swt) forgive us. That is a good question you asked and we can continue to discuss it as it will never end. But it is good for everyone to know and hear what the situation is today.
Wa `alaykum salaam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.