In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

I read a Hadith narrated by Abu Waqid Al-Laith (RA) which tells of three men at a gathering. One of the men found a place within the circle of the gathering, the other sat behind the gathering and the third man walked away. When Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) completed his talk he said, “shall I tell you about these three persons? One of them betook himself to Allah, so Allah took him into His Grace and Mercy and accommodated him, the second felt shy from Allah, so Allah sheltered him in His mercy (and did not punish him), while the third turned his face from Allah and went away, so Allah turned His face from him likewise.”

I will remember this the next time I am present in a gathering and I hope we can all benefit from this Hadith. Let us be among those whom Allah takes into His Grace and Mercy.

I think it’s important that when we learn or become aware of such teachings that we avoid judging the actions of others. It is through Allah’s mercy that we attain such knowledge and through these actions we may earn His pleasure. Don’t spoil the reward of such an action by judging others or by making them uncomfortable. People may leave Islamic gatherings or might prefer to sit outside them for good reason, it’s not for us to judge or question their intentions, if you are sincere in spreading the knowledge then narrate to them the above Hadith and Insha Allah through you, they too will earn Allah’s pleasure.

A good place to start will be in the Musjid at Jumuah, Insha Allah I will find a place nearest to the front. It’s a shame that the back wall gets full so early in the sermon.