6 June 2011 Lefke, Cyprus
(Mawlana Shaykh Nazim questions a Muslim guest who says he has no understanding of Judgment Day. He has studied at university five years and has a degree in Economics.)
Economy! What is economy? For example, what does “economy” mean? For what did he learn and now what does he remember? When knowledge is given to humans, it is like a seed. He sows one seed when he learns which will become a tree one day. These universities do not give the right seed; they give rotten seeds so when they plant it nothing comes out.
What is the definition of “economy”? What does it mean and what is it used for? Does it include everybody? Does only one class of people learn about it or is every person enjoined to learn about the economy? Everyone should learn about economy but on levels. If I met his professor I would ask him a question that he will not be able to answer because knowledge is an ocean. Some people come to take from that ocean according to their capacity. Amongst them are people who remain at shore and some are deep inside the ocean. The Prophet (s) says:
ما عال من اقتصد
ma`aal man iqtasad.
A person who spends economically is never in difficulty.
This is the summary of everything that he has learned; three words: ma`aal man iqtasad. Every science that they are learning, these words are their result. Economy means that the servant walks and uses from the blessings on Earth only what is sufficient for him. It is not possible for him to take everything for himself, only the amount which is enough for him. This word is for common people and for special people as well as for students and for teachers, it doesn’t change.
If an economic crisis happens, what is its reason?
إِنَّ الْمُبَذِّرِينَ كَانُواْ إِخْوَانَ الشَّيَاطِينِ
Inna al-mubadhdhireena kaanoo ikhwana ash-shayaateen.
Behold, the squanderers are indeed of the ilk of the devils. (Al-Isra, 17:27)
The glass holds water according to its capacity; if we keep pouring more into it, it overflows. If anything comes in the hands of people nowadays they spend ten times more than what they gain and if they get ten they spend a hundred times more and if they get a hundred in their hands they spend a thousand. This becomes overspending and nowadays everyone is overspending, but it is more than overspending; it’s double of it as now they don’t appreciate bounty. If they don’t appreciate the blessings upon them, then what is the use of learning economics?
Therefore, all prophets retrieved any piece of food that fell on the ground and ate it so it would not be squandered. Now people are following their egoistic desires. Everyday, Europe and America are wasting what would feed their populations ten times; of perhaps six billion people living on this planet, their waste is enough to feed 12 billion people! What are they learning about economics, what is the benefit?
(This student) should be wise. There is a study called “management,” which teaches how a person can manage himself and his surroundings. People are following their egoistic desires, saying, “I have money and will spend as much as I like.” No, you don’t have a right to spend more than what is enough for you to eat and drink as overspending is forbidden. All the prophets and all the wise ones said this. Now people are following their desires and the worst idol to worship is egoistic desires. Nowadays there is no proper management or organization of people’s lives. Look at what happened with the Arab world. How does balance take place? One man is taking the nation’s treasure, putting it abroad, while the local people are hungry, thirsty and naked. For what, with what knowledge? Should we let them go or prevent them? Sham, Egypt, Yemen, Iran, Turkey and Lebanon are all like that, and even Cyprus, our small country is the same! There is no control or discipline.
It is important that Man controls of his egoistic desires and then he will be able to fulfill the heavenly orders given to him! Now everywhere you see egoistic desires are being followed and every person favors his own opinion, so you have to look at your own ego. Thousands and thousands of people graduate from universities but to no avail, because of so many economists that cause too much confusion. For example, how can you manage the situation in Libya, Yemen, or Egypt? They have taken billions of dollars abroad, for what? Is this an act of a human being or of Shaytan? Human beings are of two kinds: rahmaniyoon, merciful, and shaytaniyoon, devilish. If they are merciful then you are in safety, but if they are devilish then na`oodhu billahi min ash-Shaytani ‘r-rajeem, “We take refuge in Allah from Shaytan the cursed (and the actions of our egos).”
How can anyone transfer billions of dollars outside the country and leave people without anything to eat, drink, wear or shelter them? Later they say, “We have just reached the top point of civilization.” That is Shaytan whispering to them! These are young people (starving, homeless); it is important they earn to judge their egos, and no one can control his ego without spirituality, which is from the prophets. If you don’t follow the prophets, you can’t manage or put perfect control on your ego.
What can we do? They have filled the world with colleges teaching Economics. La ilaaha il-Llah, Sayyidina Muhammadun Rasoolullah (s).
فَاسْأَلْ بِه ِِ خَبِيرا
fas'al bihi khabeera.
Ask the expert (who knows). (al-Furqaan, 25:59)
ِAsk an expert about it. I don’t claim I am an expert; experts are the prophets (a) and the wise ones. The Druze from Lebanon also have wise people; every nation has wise people and that is why Allah (swt) has ordered to ask the experts. He did not mention to follow Durzi or Arab or non-Arab or Turkish or Syrian, no, but to ask an expert.
Our words are according to our level, but their words are high above. We are on the first level and we may speak with people. Inshaa-Allah all these young ones are the new generation and they should come out to the world and take the responsibility for the heavenly rules. They should know the situations will change. After this limit, it will change.
He (a guest) asked something;Who made him ask? The One who created you, Allah (swt)! All the youth are misguided because they are materialistic people, saying, la ilah, “No god.” They are not saying, illa-Llah, “Only God.” La ilaaha illa-Llah. They have no brain. All the human beings are honored. Asta`eedhu billah.
وَلَقَدْ كَرَّمْنَا بَنِي آدَمَ
Wa laqad karamna Bani Adam.
We have honored the Children of Adam. (al-Isra, 17:70)
Allah (swt) has not given his honor to any other creature except human beings. The highest limit of the horizon of honor is for hadhrat insaan, honorable human beings. Subhaan Allah! Sultan Allah!
Y’Allah, this is enough. This is an ocean that may continue until sunset or until next week. Bismillahi ‘r-Rahmaani ‘r-Raheem. (Du`a.)
Fatihah.
Shukr, yaa Rabbee!