O People! Fear Allaah and be mindful of him in secret and in the open, Allaah says that which translates as: “Indeed, from Allaah nothing is hidden in the earth nor in the heaven. It is He who forms you in the wombs however He wills. There is no deity except Him, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.” (Aal ‘Imraan: 5-6).

Servants of Allaah! Allaah created this universe with all that it comprises of in the heavens and on the earth and all its tangible and intangible creatures based on His full knowledge and wisdom. He placed in it many different species such as angels, humans, Jinns, animals, plants and many others which only He knows about. This entire creation was for one objective only which is an enormous matter; everything was created for no other reason except to fulfil servitude to Allaah, and to realise His Lordship and fulfil worship to Him. Everything must submit to Him and admit that they are all poor, helpless and in dire need of Allaah.

Nobody will ever fulfil this servitude properly unless they fully submit to Allaah and adhere to the straight path, and until all the rulings and legislations that they adopt are from Allaah alone. The religion must be all for Allaah, alone, and people must invite and propagate only to Allaah.

This will be established by people whom Allaah chooses from mankind as conveyers on His behalf, and mankind can only achieve this exalted position through the deeds of their tongues, hearts and limbs.

Servitude can only be fully accomplished when people humble themselves before Allaah and fully submit to him with perfect love. Therefore, people who fulfil servitude to Allaah are those who are humble before him and submit to and obey Him the most.

Servitude revolves around completely adopting the religion, and the only religion acceptable to Allaah is Islaam. Allaah says that which translates as: “And whoever desires other than Islaam as religion, never will it be accepted from him, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers.” (Aal ‘Imraan: 85).

Hence, it becomes clear that the objective behind creation is as Allaah says, which translates as: “And I did not create the Jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” (Adh-Dhaariyaat: 56). Man will certainly be held accountable for this as Allaah says that which translates as: “Then did you think that We created you uselessly and that to Us you would not be returned?” (Al-Mu’minoon: 115). And also: “Does man think that he will be left neglected.” (Al-Qiyaamah: 36).

O Muslims! Allaah says that which translates as: “Do they not look into the realm of the heavens and the earth and everything that Allaah has created…?” (Al-A’raaf: 185). Also, He dispraises those who are heedless of the signs of the universe which they see around them day and night and fail to take admonition from them, saying that which translates as: “And how many a sign within the heavens and earth do they pass over while they are turning away therefrom. And most of them believe not in Allaah except while they associate others with Him.” (Yoosuf: 105-106).

Do they not see the bright stars and rotating galaxies, all subject to the command of Allaah? There are many signs for one to reflect on, such as neighbouring plots of land which receive the same amount of water, but Allaah makes some exceed others in terms of fruits and vegetation. There are deeply rooted mountains; seas with huge colliding waves and widely spread deserts for one to ponder over, and despite all this, some people attribute daughters to Allaah and worship idols alongside Him.

It is astonishing for anyone with common sense to witness mankind shunning the servitude of their creator and be fully pre-occupied with this vanishing life at the expense of the eternal Hereafter. Such people are following their base desires after Allaah has honoured and favoured them over many of His creations and completed and perfected His grace, both apparently and in a concealed way, upon them. Also, this is after Allaah has created and shaped them and granted them sight and hearing. Allaah says that which translates as: “And He gave you from all you asked of Him. And if you should count the favour [i.e., the blessings] of Allaah, you could not enumerate them…” (Ibraaheem: 34).

Despite all of this, some of mankind are arrogant, ungrateful, argumentative and disbelieving, as Allaah confirms at the end of the verse we just quoted, which translates as: “…Indeed, mankind is [generally] most unjust and ungrateful.” (Ibraaheem: 34). And also: “…Indeed, he [i.e., mankind] was [and is] unjust and ignorant.” (Al-Ahzaab: 72) and also: “Destroyed [i.e., cursed] is man; how disbelieving is he.” (‘Abasa: 17) and also: “…And ever has man been stingy.” (Al-Israa’: 100) and also: “Indeed, [i.e., mankind] he was [and is] unjust and ignorant.” (Al-Ahzaab: 72) and also: “…But man has ever been, most of anything, [prone to] dispute.” (Al-Kahf: 54) and also: “No! [But] indeed, man transgresses. Because he sees himself self-sufficient.” (Al-‘Alaq: 6-7) and also: “But man desires to continue in sin.” (Al-Qiyaamah: 5) and also: “Indeed, mankind is in loss.” (Al-‘Asr: 2).

Mankind should have been grateful for all these favours and should have been obedient and righteous, rather than shunning Allaah.

Anyone who reflects upon the creatures in this universe will notice they were not given the importance that man was given; they were not commanded to be vicegerents of Allaah as man was. This task was facilitated by Allaah with angels, some of whom are record keepers and others who come in succession from before and behind man to guard and protect him, as Allaah says at the end of the last verse which translates as, “For him (man) are successive angels before and behind him who protect him by the decree of Allaah.” (Ar-Ra’d: 11). Some angels send winds while others bring down rain (with the command of Allaah). Another of the major duties of the angles is to ask Allaah for man’s forgiveness, as Allaah says that which translates as: “… And the angels exalt [Allaah] with praise of their Lord and ask forgiveness for those on earth…” (Ash-Shooraa: 5).

All creatures other than man have fulfilled their servitude to Allaah and have submitted and humbled themselves before their Lord and to His might. This is with the exception of some creatures such as devils, disobedient Jinns and some animals such as lizards. The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said: “Kill the lizard, because it was blowing onto the fire (to increase the flames) which was being prepared for Prophet Ibraaheem.” (Ahmad).

Nevertheless, these creatures did not the level of disobedience as some humans have, because some humans said as Pharaoh did: ‘I am your Lord, most high’, others said: ‘I cause death and revive (from death)’ and others said: ‘Allaah is Jesus’ and: ‘Allaah is one of three in a trinity.’ Others said regarding the Qur’aan that: ‘It is nothing but the words of humans’, and there are others still who said: ‘The hands of Allaah are tied up’ and also: ‘Allaah is poor and we are rich’.

This has always been the case and very much exists in our time. We hear some people saying that: ‘The Islamic Sharee’ah is not suitable for all times and places’, or the saying of those who demand a: ‘Separation of the state from the religion’, because they claim that: ‘There should not be politics in religion.’ there are others who say: ‘Worship is between the individual and Allaah, but that should not relate to the relations between people, whether they are Muslims, Jews, Christians or other polytheists’, and they also say: ‘Islaam is a backward religion, its penal laws are vulgar and harsh; it controls women and oppresses them’.

These people do not seem to realise that the ‘freedom’ they are requesting for women by setting them loose will make women transgress the boundaries of their Lord, be disobedient to Him and become a seducing force which will spread corruption between the believers.

The evil words quoted above were those of man, but when we look into the Book of Allaah we see that Satan (who was cursed) did not say anything more than promising to attempt to divert people from the correct path. The most he did was to claim that he was better than man, which led him to become arrogant and refuse to prostrate to the one who was created from clay. Moreover, Satan fears Allaah as he said to some people from the disbelievers during the battle of Badr: “I fear Allaah for He is severe in punishment”.

Man is indeed more disobedient and arrogant than this; his plotting is evil, but Allaah says that which translates as, “…But the plot does not encompass except his own people. Then do they await except the way [i.e., fate] of the former peoples? But you will never find in the way [i.e., established method] of Allaah any change, you will never find in the way of Allaah any alteration.” (Faatir: 43). Allaah proves in His Book that man is more arrogant and rebellious than all His other creatures when He says that which translates as: “Do you not see [i.e., know] that to Allaah prostrates whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth, and the sun, the moon, the stars, the mountains, the trees, the moving creatures and many of the people? But upon many the punishment has been justified. And he whom Allaah humiliates – for him there is no bestower of honour. Indeed, Allaah does what He wills”. (Al-Hajj: 18).

This proves that most humans are disobedient, misguided and arrogant. Allaah says that which translates as: “And if you obey most of those upon the earth, they will mislead you from the way of Allaah…” (Al-An’aam: 116) and also: “… And few of my servants are grateful.” (Saba’: 13) and also: “And most of the people, although you strive [for it], are not believers.” (Yoosuf: 103).

In order for us to improve our condition so that we never boast about the good that we have done, or think that we have done all that is required of us and that there is no room for improvement, we should look at other creatures and observe how their servitude of Allaah is. If we were to do so then it would become evident how large the gap is between us and them regarding this. There are many examples of this but we will shed a light on just a few.

Allaah instilled in some creatures the sense of concern for His religion such that they are harmed whenever a human disobeys Allaah. Once, a funeral procession passed by the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam so he remarked: “One is released and one is relieved.” His companions, may Allaah be pleased with them, said: “O Messenger of Allaah! Who is released and who is relieved?” He sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam replied: “The death of a believing slave releases him from the hardships and harms of life due to the approaching mercy of Allaah, while the people, land, trees and other creatures are all relieved when a sinful person dies.” (Bukhaari). Just think about how even the trees and animals obtain relief from the death of a sinful person, who does not worship Allaah, due to the corruption that he caused.

On the other hand, some animals rejoice and feel the positive effects of humans and their blessings on the earth, so they supplicate and ask forgiveness for them. Regarding this, the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said: “Allaah, His angels, the dwellers of the Heavens, the dwellers of the earth and even the ants in their holes and the fish in the sea invoke blessings on he who imparts good knowledge to the people” (Tirmidhi).

All Animals will be terrified on the Day of Resurrection due to its horrors. The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said: “Every animal becomes scared and alert (i.e., listening carefully) every Friday, fearing that the (final) Hour may arrive.” (Ahmad).

The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam also informed us that the rooster fulfils servitude to Allaah by calling for virtuousness by saying: “Do not curse the rooster because it calls one for the prayers” (Ahmad & Abu Daawood).

The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, also said: “Every day at dawn, each Arabic horse is allowed one supplication, so it says: ‘O Allaah! You put me under the control of a son of Aadam, so make me be amongst the dearest of things to him from his wealth and family ‘. Then it is said to him (by Allaah): ‘The supplication of this horse has been accepted (i.e., answered)’” (Ahmad).

Although ants are tiny in size and humans may belittle or slight them, they glorify Allaah. These are the creatures about whom Allaah says that which translates as: “Until, when they came upon the valley of the ants, an ant said: ‘O ants! Enter your dwellings that you not be crushed by Solomon and his soldiers while they perceive not.'” (An-Naml: 18). Also, the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said regarding these creatures: “An ant stung one of the Prophets of Allaah, so he commanded that the entire nest of ants be burnt, so Allaah rebuked him by revealing to him, ‘Why did you burn the entire village of ants when one only stung you, and when these ants glorify Allaah?’” (Bukhaari).

Also, the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said about the trees and rocks: “The trees and rocks which are as far as peoples voices can reach, repeat after the people during Hajj, after the people utter the Talbiyah (i.e., when they say ‘Labbayka allaahuma labayk’)” (Ibn Maajah).

Also, the mountains which are firmly grounded fear Allaah and glorify Him; in fact they split and crumble out of the fear of Him. Mountains also feared to bear the trust (i.e., of conveying the message of Allaah), and one mountain was rendered level when Allaah exposed himself to it. Allaah informed us that a mountain would collapse if the Qur’aan were to be revealed upon it out of its fear of Allaah.

This is the tenderness of senseless rocks, trees and mountains, while the hearts of human beings which were created from soft flesh fail to become softened, nor do they become terrified when hearing the Qur’aan; they insist on continuing with their arrogance as though they did not hear it, but Allaah says that which translates as: “So have they not travelled through the earth and have hearts by which to reason and ears by which to hear? For indeed, it is not eyes that are blinded, but blinded are the hearts which are within the breasts.” (Al-Hajj: 46).

O People! There was a time when a wolf spoke and said remarkable things, just before the coming of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. The wolf said things which confirm that he believed that Allaah was his provider, and he reminded the shepherd to be fearful of Allaah. Also, this wolf was aware of the Prophethood and Message of Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam.

Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri, may Allaah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “(While a shepherd was in his herd of sheep), suddenly a wolf attacked a sheep and took it away, the shepherd chased the wolf and took back the sheep, the wolf sat on its tail and addressed the shepherd saying: ‘Be afraid of Allaah! You have taken the provision from me which Allaah gave me’. The shepherd said: ‘What an amazing thing! A wolf sitting on its tail speaks to me in the language of a human being.’ The wolf replied: ‘Shall I tell you something more amazing than this? There is Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam in Yathrib (Al-Madeenah) informing people about the news of the past.” (Ahmad). In another narration of this event, the companions of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, may Allaah be pleased with them, said: “Praise to Allaah! A wolf talking” the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, then said: “I believe this and so do Abu Bakr and ‘Umar” (Bukhaari)

Therefore, fear Allaah as he should be feared, and be aware that these creatures who are far less noble and honourable than you fulfil their servitude to Allaah. Know that you have shortcomings regardless of what you do or how perfect you claim to be.

Matters such as staying away from true knowledge, the weakness of certainty in Allaah, and being overwhelmed by desires in addition to heedlessness require enormous effort and sacrifice to overcome, and this may be more difficult than physically fighting ones enemies. The reason for this is that obliged to do certain things and make certain sacrifices during this life, and we know that as an example, Prophet Ibraaheem was told to slaughter his beloved son with his own hands, and to walk up to a fire and be thrown into it.

Every morning it is as if the Islaamic Sharee’ah addresses each one of us saying: ‘Remain steadfast, beware of sins and be watchful of your earnings’. It says to the angry person: ‘Control your anger’ and to the person who does not control where his eyes look: ‘Lower your gaze’ and to the person talking: ‘Remain silent.’ It says to the person who loses his beloved one: ‘Be patient’ and to the person in Jihaad: ‘Do not flee’ and to the sick one ‘Do not complain to anyone other than Allaah’.

We must acknowledge the level of honour that Allaah has given us by making us propagators and conveyers on His behalf. We must honour this trust by fulfilling servitude to Him and not ruin it with our sins and negligence; do not let your sins bring you down and degrade you. Allaah says that which translates as: “That [is so]. And whoever honours the symbols [i.e., obligations] of Allaah, indeed it is from the piety of hearts.” (Al-Hajj: 32).

What is not difficult to envisage that there are many creatures who have had their path to servitude made easy for them, nor is it difficult to believe that water runs downhill easily, or that people die in different ways, but the real difficulty is for one to attempt to find their way through tough obstacles, face the oncoming wind and survive rough conditions. In this regard, Allaah says that which translates as: “But none is granted it (survival) except those who are patient, and none is granted it except one having a great portion [of good].” (Fussilat: 35).

The more a slave humbles himself before Allaah and submits to Him, the closer he gets to Him, and the honourable he becomes. The happiest people are those who fulfil their servitude to Allaah. Allaah says in a Qudsi Hadeeth that which translates as: “O Son of Aadam! Free yourself from everything other than servitude to Me, I will fill your heart with contentment and suffice you, otherwise, I will fill your heart with worries and leave you poor.” (Ibn Maajah).