LET US WORK FOR THE TAWHEED YEAR

Prof. Dr. Mahmud Es'ad COSAN

We have declared the year 2000 as Tawheed (Unity) Year. In this year, we will explain the meaning of "La ilaha il-lallah Muhammedur rasulallah--there is no deity but Allah; Muhammad is His messenger" to the world and make sure that everybody hears this message. Each and every one of you should contribute to this cause even if it is by a "half word" -- as Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) put it. In this year, you must tell people that they should abandon worshipping the cross, idols, and false deities and turn to Allah, the Lord of the Universe, declaring the words "La ilaha il-lallah Muhammedur rasulallah--there is no deity but Allah; Muhammad is His messenger." Let us work on this and tell people that Prophet Muhammad is the final messenger of Allah.

We must study the Qur'an, the final word of Allah, and teach it to our children very well. We must also learn about the traditions of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), his sayings and actions, and hold tight to his way of living (sunnah) because the Ahadith (the sayings) of the Prophet (pbuh) teach us every kind of subtle matters and illuminate our paths. All of us are overcome with admiration as we read them. We must uphold the Qur'an and the Sunnah in our lives.

If someone is trying to eliminate Islam from this world by creating problems in Muslim countries, Muslims have to defend themselves and work for the domination of Islam in the world and will try hard for this cause.

Allah willing, the year 2000 is the Tawheed Year. Let us start early, prepare and equip ourselves with the necessary knowledge. First, we must study Qur'an. Then we must study Ahadith of the Prophet (pbuh). Next, we must teach our children Qur'an and Sunnah. We must continue with reading the books in our own library. Every day read five, ten, twenty or as many pages as you can. Read it with love and enthusiasm; hence, increase your knowledge and insight.

Practice what you learn. May Almighty Allah love you. May He bless you and elevate your rank in this world and in the hereafter. May Allah be pleased with you all. May the peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be with you.

(From the Friday Speech, August 6, 1999)