When a group of friends take a road trip, even if they are all drivers, only one person can drive. But that doesn’t make the driver any better than the passengers, nor does it undermine the role of the passengers. Just like he has to be aware of the road ahead, the passengers have a duty too. When the driver speaks about the safety of the road, it doesn’t mean that he feels entitled. He does so because he is driving but the passengers can have their say too.
In islamic programmes, the speaker is like the driver. There may be many pious individuals in the gathering, but only one person can speak. Allah chose him. That doesn’t make him any better. We are all on the same journey called life, faced with similar challenges. The speaker warns the listeners of the dangers ahead and the importance of adopting taqwa. That doesn’t mean he feels entitled in any way, rather he is speaking for the same reason that we are listening – to act upon the words of Allah and the Sunnah of Nabi ﷺ. Shaykh Thanwi (RA) would say that my ears are closest to my mouth. He would often advise that if you find a weakness within you, speak to others about it to motivate yourself to act upon it.
Some listeners take lessons but others make assumptions. When we assume, our efforts in attending are wasted. Remember that if Shaytaan cannot stop you from attending a programme, he will certainly try to stop you from acting upon it. Be wary of his attacks. No matter how skilled or experienced a driver may be, he can never reach utter perfection. That is impossible. Speakers are not perfect, they can make mistakes. If he does, some attack him and it becomes the talk of the community. To attend a programme and then gossip is totally incorrect, for these efforts to attend are no longer just wasted, they are now a means of sinning.
Thus, sit in islamic programmes for your own self reformation. Make a concerted effort to reflect, not deflect. We all come with sins on our shoulders, lighten your own burden rather than misjudging the size of another individual’s burden. Otherwise in focusing so much on theirs, you won’t even notice that yours is gradually becoming heavier. If you hear beneficial advice in a programme, act upon it. As for the speaker, make dua for him. He is just like you. Support him like passengers support their drivers, for we are all on the same journey together. Passengers can stretch their legs and relax but the driver must be on guard at all times. He is doing them a favour yet some passengers complain over the slightest mistake. Appreciate his efforts and if you can do better, drive yourself.
This does not negate the fact that we must move fast and far away from a flagrant sinner, or one who openly calls towards major sins. But as for the one who makes minor mistakes, know that all humans fall in this category. Thus work with your speakers and not against them. May Allah grant us the understanding, aameen.
— Shaykh Dawood Seedat حفظه الله
Above is an extract from Shaykh’s talk in Masjid-ut-Taqwa, Pietermaritzburg on 12/02/2018. To listen to the full audio, please click here.
