In the Name of Allāh.
The Jews learned about the truth through the Tawrah but didn’t understand it nor abide by it. They choose knowledge but act in opposition to the knowledge gained, and thus earn Allāh’s Anger. Allāh likens them to donkeys. What benefits are books carried by a donkey to it? Allāh says: “The likeness of those who were entrusted with the (obligation of the) Tawrah (Torah) (i.e. to obey its commandments and to practice its legal laws), but who subsequently failed in those (obligations), is as the likeness of a donkey who carries huge burdens of books (but understands nothing from them).” [Sūrah Al-Jumu’ah (62): 5]
On the other hand, Christians don’t bother to know the truth. They don’t seek knowledge, they don’t seek understanding, and, thus, are astray as they only do what appears appealingly.
Hence, to not be like the Jews and Christians, Islām obligates Muslims to learn and practice (following the teachings of the Prophet [ﷺ]). We say to non-Muslims that Islām has an explanation for every matter of life. It thus becomes Fard ‘Ayn (individual obligation) to learn and follow what Islām teaches to validate our claim. Let’s heed the wisdom that flows from the Qur’ān, that guides us on the Straight Path. For it is through knowledge, through understanding, that we avoid the pitfalls of the Jews and the Christians, who falter in their faiths.
Verily, Allāh guides us to supplicate Him in our daily Ṣalawāt through the recitation of Sūrah Al-Fātiḥah that: “Guide us to the Straight Path.” This is the path of our pious predecessors whom Allāh’s Grace is upon – those who sincerely learned Islām and correctly practiced it, who sought wisdom, and found Allāh’s Grace. And it’s for that, we conclude it by saying: “Not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger (i.e. the Jews) nor of those who went astray (i.e. the Christians).”
Dear brethren! Let’s not be content with idle learning, with empty words, but let’s strive to be like the pious predecessors, the forebearers of our faith, who sought knowledge, who practiced, who walked the Straight Path.
I beseech Allāh to grant us beneficial knowledge, guide us to the Sunnah of His beloved Prophet (ﷺ), and grant us His Grace in all that we do. Aameen
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