God’s approval is the greatest reward believers can attain after leading an honest and pious life, mosque-goers will hear on Friday.
God, in the Quran, promised believers a paradise full of pleasures but said it should be secondary to the ultimate goal.
"Allah has promised the believing men and believing women gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally, and pleasant dwellings in gardens of perpetual residence; but approval from Allah is greater. It is that which is the great attainment." (At-Tawba: 72).
The Imam recalled the story of Aisha, the Prophet’s wife, who saw he was missing from his bed in the middle of the night only to find him awake, prostrating and seeking refuge in God and asking him for his pleasure.
Mosque-goers will be told that there are many ways to achieve God’s pleasure.
God says, "there has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book. By which Allah guides those who pursue His pleasure to the ways of peace and brings them out from darknesses into the light, by His permission, and guides them to a straight path." (Al-Maida: 15-16).
The sermon will tell worshippers that honouring one’s parents is one of the best ways to achieve that goal, as Prophet Mohammed said “The Lord’s Pleasure is connected to the parent’s pleasure”.
Children are advised to obey their parents, treat them kindly and go out of their way to please them.
Another method to achieve God’s pleasure is found in giving charity and spending money to help those in need.
"And the example of those who spend their wealth seeking means to the approval of Allah and assuring [reward for] themselves is like a garden on high ground which is hit by a downpour - so it yields its fruits in double." (Al-Baqara: 265).
The Imam also gave examples of how attaining the pleasure of God has been a lifelong goal of many believers even those preceding the Quran like the Prophet Suleiman and the Prophet Moses.
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
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Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
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