Sunday 13 January 2013

Watering the Root





The main reason for being unable to solve the many problems the Muslim community is facing presently is that we are misdirecting our energies in ‘watering leaves’, when in actual fact, the ‘root’ is in dire need of water. …We are not getting to the root of the problem, since we are too pre-occupied in watering the leaves of our problems.


Take the example of Zina (adultery and fornication) which is the scourge of our society: The consequences are illegitimate children, abortions and various physical and deathly diseases. It is common knowledge that many physical ailments today point to immoral, unrestrained behaviour as the cause.


Having moved away from the Nasihah (advice) of Qur`aan Shareef and Sunnah, and drawing from the manner in which the non-Muslims try to remedy their problems, many will suggest that a home be built for illegitimate and abandoned children, that more awareness be instilled in the youth on Aids and other transmitted diseases, and so forth.


As we all know, drugs are another major problem amongst our youth. Our attention to remedying the situation is building rehabilitation centres.


…Because we have adopted the Western way of thinking, we consider these the solutions.


The root cause is the heart. Change the condition of the heart and automatically sins will be given up.


If the spiritual heart is in a good condition, the actions will be good. If the heart is not in good condition, the actions will be bad. The person will suffer due to his own evil and mischief, and others will also suffer as a result.


The supreme qualities of the heart are Imaan and Taqwa, and this is what is lacking in most people. Shariah has laid tremendous emphasis on the purification of the heart.


Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) lived amongst a people who were immersed in sins, including sins such as adultery, liquor and gambling. His approach and method in eradicating those major problems, in that society, was creating the love of Allah Ta’ala, the Khauf (fear) of Qiyaamah and accountability, and the awareness that Allah Ta’ala is watching every deed: A person can hide and conceal his sins from people but there is Someone who is always watching from above.


Allah Ta’ala says in the Qur`aan Shareef :


“Verily your Lord is Ever – Watchful (over them).”
[Surah Al-Fajr 89 : 14]


 “…And He is with you wheresoever you may be.
And Allah sees well all that you do.”
[Surah Hadeed 57 : 4 ]


In this manner, so many problems are solved in one capsule – The capsule of the Love and Fear of Allah Ta’ala. This is the real solution : Change the condition of the heart. Awaken the spiritual heart. Make the heart conscious of Allah Ta’ala.


Otherwise funds are being terribly burdened on various projects which are sometimes short term measures and not solutions.


The purpose of the Qur`aan Shareef is to learn it, understand it and practice upon its teachings.


It is the Qur`aan Shareef that works on the heart : If the person keeps before him the four witnesses which will either testify in his favour or against him, on the Day of Qiyaamah, he will definitely opt for abstinence from sins.


These four witnesses are :

                      I.            The Earth, which witnesses our deeds:


 “On that Day will she (the earth) declare her tidings.”

[Surah Zilzaal 99 :4]


                   II.            The Angels, Kiraaman Kaatibeen, who record all of our actions :


“But verily over you (are appointed angels) to protect you;
Kind and honourable, writing down (your deeds).
They know (and understand) all that you do.”

[Surah Infitaar 82 : 10 / 11 / 12]


                 III.            Our Book of Deeds, in which the actions are recorded :


“And the Book (of Deeds) will be placed (before you); And you will see the sinful in great terror because of what is (recorded) therein; They will say : ‘Ah! Woe to us! What a book is this ! It leaves out nothing. Small or great, but takes account thereof!’ They will find all that they did, placed before them : And not one will your Lord treat with injustice.”

[Surah Al-Kahf  18 : 49]


                 IV.            Limbs of the body, which will testify against the person :


“That Day shall We set a seal on their mouths. But their hands will speak to Us, and their feet bear witness, to all that they did.”

[Surah Yaaseen 36 :65]


If the root of Imaan, which is in the heart, is watered, the tree of Imaan will bear the fruit of obedience.


The above is the solution to all our problems.


May Allah Ta’ala grant us the understanding and the Taufeeq of Amal.


By Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb
(Rahmatullahi ‘Alayh)