Miscellaneous Benefits from Antwerp, Belgium

🇧🇪 Benefit 6: Summary of Sheikh Yahya’s Advice Sheikh Yahya reminded the Muslims living in Belgium — and anyone living among non-Muslims — with the following: 1⃣. Hold Firmly to Islam * You live in a land full of temptations, distractions, and sins. * Stay strong in your faith, protect your Ēman, and help one another in righteousness. * Scholars have said that travelling to or living in non-Muslim lands is ONLY allowed for someone who: 1. Has enough KNOWLEDGE to protect himself from doubts, and 2. Has enough PIETY and SELF-CONTROL to protect himself from desires. Whoever lacks these two qualities will be in danger. * Like Prophet Ya‘qūb told his sons: “Allah has chosen this religion for you, so do not die except as Muslims.” Allah says: “Allah makes firm those who believe with the firm word in this life and in the Hereafter.” 2⃣. Seek Knowledge Sincerely * The best wealth is understanding your religion. * The Prophet ﷺ said: “When Allah wants good for someone, He gives them understanding in the religion.” * Learn your religion from the correct sources [Qur’an, Sunnah, according to the understanding of the salaf and the righteous scholars], not from the ignorant or based on personal opinions. * Religion is not based on logic or blind-following but on revelation. * If Allah sees sincerity in your heart, He will bless you with understanding, strengthen your Ēmān, and protect you from sin. 3⃣. Avoid Temptations and Bad Company * Be careful of schools or environments that harm your beliefs or morals. * Avoid mixing freely or following non-Muslim lifestyles — this can slowly pull you away from Islam. * Keep righteous friends who remind you of Allah. * The Prophet ﷺ said: “Good company is like a perfume seller, and bad company is like a blacksmith.” 4⃣. Stay Modest and Guard Your Eyes * Avoid unnecessary outings and gatherings that expose you to temptation or sin. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Hold your tongue, stay at home, and weep over your sins.” * Men and women must lower their gaze and guard their modesty. * Do not be impressed by the wealth or beauty of this world — what Allah has is better and lasting. 5⃣. Worship Allāh Sincerely * Worship Allah alone, purely for His sake — not for fame or praise. Allah said: “I am free from partners. Whoever does a deed for Me but includes others in it, I will abandon him and his deed.” * Say “Lā ilāha illā Allāh” sincerely from your heart — not just with your tongue. This sincerity will save you on the Day of Judgment. 6⃣. Stay United and Avoid Division * Do not divide into sects or groups — stay united upon the Qur’an and Sunnah. Allah said: “Hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not be divided.” 7⃣. Protect Yourselves and Families * Establish Islam in yourself, your home, and your children. * Raise them with modesty, good manners, and Islamic education. * Avoid corrupt ideas and un-Islamic schooling. 8⃣. Protect your Faith * If living in a non-Muslim country harms your faith, move to a place where you can worship safely. * The Prophet ﷺ said: “The best wealth a Muslim can have is sheep he takes to the mountains, fleeing with his religion from trials.” May Allāh protect the Muslims in every land, strengthen their faith, and keep their hearts firm upon His religion.