6 August 2010 Lefke, Cyprus
As-salaamu `alaykum. Who is in charge here, who looks after these people? (I do.) Do they stay here all day long? How many people stay here? Does everyone know (how to read) Qur’an al-Kareem? Those of you who know, raise your hand. Who can read, how many people? (Some know and some do not.) Bismillahi 'r-Rahmaani 'r-Raheem. Asta'eedhu billah:
إِنَّهُ لاَ يُحِبُّ الْمُسْرِفِينَ
Innahu laa yuhibbu ’l-musrifeen
Surely, He does not love the wasteful. (al-`Araaf, 7: 31)
SadaqAllahu ‘l-`Azheem. Allah Almighty never likes a servant to waste his life, to spend his life without any purpose. Do you understand? First of all, you are very welcome here; I am happy you are coming and giving your time to be here, but I don’t like for you to waste your time. Those of you who know how to read Qur’an al-Kareem must recite at least one, two, or three chapters daily. For those who do not know, it is a big chance for you to be free here and learn.
Therefore, I have been ordered from our Grandshaykh (q) that everyone coming here must try to learn Qur’an al-Kareem. Don’t waste your time! It is also an honor for us to learn Qur’an al-Kareem, so do not waste your time. Those who know Qur’an al-Kareem must look after at least two, three, or ten people, to sit down with them and teach them how to read Qur’an al-Kareem. Is there anything wrong in this? No, so bring me those who know how to read Qur’an al-Kareem, like the imaam of that mosque; he should come here and teach.
(What time during the day should we do this service, after Zhuhr prayer? )
They should take lessons until Salaat azh-Zhuhr, and after prayer they must not sit here. Take them up to the mountain to cut down dry trees, because you need wood here to heat water. There are also so many sticks and twigs which they can help pick up. The air is very nice over there, and it is much better than being imprisoned inside not doing anything. They should pick up sticks to clean the area and use them for burning, as we do not have enough here. They may at least drink tea there at the time of breaking fast, and may even have their food; however, they should make sure to clean those areas up until Salaat al-Maghrib, and inshaa-Allah everyday I will come and look.
(So should the imaam arrive before Zhuhr prayer?)
It is better, because after Zhuhr a slight heaviness may come on you. That is why if they are able to, let them come after Salaat al-Fajr, at Ishraaq time. They may rest after Zhuhr and when the heat subsides a bit they should head out to work. Mashaa-allah, these are all young men sitting here. Why are they sitting, doing nothing? Therefore, the imaam of that mosque may come after late morning and teach those who do not know, he may also teach how to recite the Holy Qur’an with tajweed. After praying Salaat azh-Zhuhr, you may go up the hills to work. Take your rest between zhuhr and `asr prayers until the weather cools down.
Also, whoever knows carpentry may prepare some seats to be seated there. I hope and trying to make a much bigger place for you to rest and take in fresh air, and also for you to move your body a little bit, not sleeping like this everyday. For iftaar, is there enough space here for them to sit and eat? Where do all these people eat? Where do they sit?
(There are seats here and sofas inside.) No, there must be an orderly place, not like this, everything out of place. I would like for there to be a cafeteria where everyone could go, take his plate and eat.
(Yes, we are working on that; after one month it will be as you like.) After one month? After Ramadan? That is why I am telling you: from wood we can build a shelter or a cottage and bring the food and water there for iftaar. The air there is nice and clean and there is also water for making wudu. These people have crowded in here! Look at me!
Do you know Qur’an al-Kareem? (No.) You must learn. You may learn for at least one week. Hajj Ahmet, come here. If you need some men to go and help you too, you make take. If you find elderly people like you who can handle the work, take them. Chicken manure is very good for headaches; it is very useful. Can we also build a concrete pond for the geese? Or from these heavy nylons?
(Yes, he has a pool for the geese.) How big is it? (Enough for all the geese.) Good. I would also like a pond where I could throw red fishes in, as they eat the flies; they would look beautiful in there.
So as of today, after you finish praying Salaat al-`Asr, you may go there with Baba Tahsin to look at what is wrong and to fix. There are so many pine trees in the forest; when the weather is good, you may walk around these trees and collect sticks and twigs for burning. I don’t like that you are sitting here. Perhaps after Ramadan, I am thinking to make this place for ladies and that place for men.
Is there anyone here who knows handcraft? There are so many Pakistanis, Afghanis, Turks, Iranians, and Arabs who come here and they know handcrafts. I would like for them to arrange a small place for teaching those who do not know anything, even the Cypriots, as this is not only for you. They should teach them handicrafts, such as carpentry or shoe-making. There are several kinds of handicrafts, and perhaps you have many people who know how to do something. Teach them carpentry; it will be like a golden chain for people.
Therefore, inshaa-Allah, I hope to come some days, to be here and sit with you. Then, you should go and rest a little bit, but to rest there (in the open air) is better for you. Allah Almighty blesses you and accepts our humble servanthood. We are only trying to be a good servant; we are not asking to be dunya’s servants or to be Shaytan’s followers. We must train ourselves here, and when you are going back (to your countries) you must teach and remind your people, “O People! We have been created for our Lord’s servanthood!”
Those who know calligraphy may write in their own language, in Arabic letters, and in Latin letters. After you do this, you may give it to people to know that we are not created for dunya, but we have been created for Allah (swt), for His servanthood. May Allah forgive us.
As-salaamu `alaykum. Pray for me! Pray for me, inshaa-Allah, that I may come here to be with you (more often), even to pray Salaat azh-Zhuhr here. I like to come, because people are complaining, saying, “We can’t see the shaykh!” I am not “shaykh.” I am not claiming this, but I have been ordered to look after you. Real shaykhs are in Makkah al-Mukarrama, Madinatu ‘l-Munawwara, and Shaam ash-Shareef, in such holy places. Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, laa ilaaha illa-Llah. Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa lillahi 'l-hamd! Shukr yaa Rabbee, shukr!
So many people are on wrong ways and you are coming here to ask for a good way, to be a good servant. May Allah bless you and also give me the power to be with you, to come and sit with my guests. (...) What can we do? Religion is Allah’s religion; you cannot go against it. Allah is the Absolute Victorious. How much they try to suppress it, but it is still rising, and will continue to rise.