In this edition, we are presenting to you a story that shows the similarity between the religion that you and I are upon, and of course the nations that have gone past. This is the story of Eesa, Yahyaa and the children of Israel. Let us read the story as narrated by Aboo Maalik Haarith al-Asbariyy; The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"Allaah commanded Yahyaa the son of Zakariyyah (peace be upon him) with five things that he should observe and command Banee Israeel (the children of Israel) to observe.
He was hesitating (Banee Israeel are usually unjust and harsh to the Messengers of Allaah) so Eesa (peace be upon him) said to him, you have been commanded with five things to observe and command Banee Israeel to observe. Its either you say those things to them or I come up and command them (the people) to observe them. Yahyaa (peace be upon him) said to him, If you command them before me, I fear that I be punished or be swallowed up. So he (Yahyaa (peace be upon him)) gathered Banee Israeel in the Baytul Maqdis until they filled the masjid and the people sat on the veranda. He admonished the people and said, "Allaah has commanded me to observe five things and has also commanded you to observe them.
No.1: Tawheed. The first of them, you should worship Allaah alone and not associate partners with Him. Verily, whoever associates anything with Allaah his likeness is like a man who buys a slave from his pure wealth for gold or a note and says: This is my house and the work I have for you so do your work. So he (the slave) was doing the job for other than his master (abandoning those of his master). Who amongst you likes to have a slave who will do the jobs of other than his master? Verily, Allaah is the One who has created you and sustains you. So do not associate partners with Him.
No.2 Salaah And Allaah commanded you to perform Salaah. When you turn your faces unto Him (in Salaah), do not Put away your faces for Allaah faces his servant when he stands in Salaah. So, He (Allaah) does not turn His face away until the servant puts hisface away.
No.3:Sawm He also commanded you to fast the likeness of the one who fasts is like a man who has a container of musk in a small purse and is in a company of people, no one has a musk except him and they all are interested in enjoying the fragrance (of the musl,). And the smell of the mouth of the fasting person is better in the sight of Allaah than the musk.
No.4: Sadaqah He also commanded you to do Sadaqah (charity) for the likeness of the Sadaqah is like the man who was captured and arrested by the enemy. They then stretched their hands to his neck and moved to cut off his head. So he said: Do not kill me for I will ransom myself from you with so and so of money. So they allowed him and he gathered for them (the money) until he ransomed himself. So is the Sadaqah, the servant ransoms his soul with it from the punishment of Allaah.
No.5: Dhikr He also commanded you to engage in lots of Dhikr (remembrance of Allaah). The similitude of doing that is the example of a man pursued by the enemy in a quick pursuit until he got to a fortress and protected himself in it. So is Shaytaan unto you. The servant does not protect himself from him except with the remembrance of Allaah. (Ahmad, Tirmidhee and Nasaaee).