Friday 26 July 2013

Praise


Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem


Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Rahmatullahi 'alayh)



It is mentioned in the Hadith: “When a true Believer is praised, he increases in his level of Imaan.”[1]


The person who is a Kaamil Mu`min understands that everything is a gift from Allah Ta’ala. Allah Ta’ala conceals sins and weaknesses and puts into the hearts of people, ‘Husne zan’ (good opinion).


In fact, this Husne zan or Thana-e-khalq[2] is one of the commentaries of the Masnoon Dua, where we ask for, ‘Hasana fid dunya’[3].

رَبَّنَاۤ اٰتِنَا فِى الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَّفِى الْاٰخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَّقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

 “Our Lord and Sustainer, grant us good in this world and good in the hereafter, and save us from the torment of the fire.”


What needs to be understood is that the person who is ‘Qaabil’ (efficient and hard-working) is not necessarily ‘Maqbool’ (accepted).


Maulana Sayyid Sulayman Nadwi (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) used to say:


‘Whether we live like this or whether we live like that,
What is left to be seen is how our stay there will be
(i.e. the Hereafter).’


So when someone praises us, we must not allow that to inflate our egos. Let it inflate our Imaan.


Recognize Allah Ta’ala’s Sifat of Sattaar (The One who conceals). Look at His great Mercy and Kindness… that He conceals our many, many weaknesses and sins. This will increase our Imaan and love for Allah Ta’ala because we see how loving, caring, compassionate and tolerant Allah Ta’ala is.


The nature of man is such, that he picks up weaknesses of people to broadcast them. People search for weaknesses in others and hasten to broadcast, circulate and publish. Newspapers and radio stations clamour to broadcast the vices and failings of others. They want the rights to publish. Look at Allah Ta’ala’s favour upon us - He conceals. سُبْحَانَ الله


When praised, we should make Dua: “O Allah, this is the good opinion of these good people. Make me as per their opinion, and even better than their opinion.”



[1] Mustadrak lik Haakim
[2] Thana-e-Khalq : Praise of creation.
[3] ‘Hasana fid Dunya’ : The good of this world.



Friday 19 July 2013

Noor of Nubuwwah

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem



Through the medium of kitaabs (books), we will gain Ilm (knowledge). In the light of this Ilm, we are then able to operate our activities of life in accordance to the Pleasure of Allah Ta’ala. Kitaabs are thus not something that we can dispense of. It is through kitaabs that we gain the priceless knowledge of Nubuwwah (prophethood).

However, the Noor[1] of Nubuwwat is drawn from the hearts of the Ahlullah. That Kaifiyyat[2] and Nisbat with Allah Ta’ala and with Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam) are realized in the Suhbah (company) of the Ahlullah. Their hearts are reservoirs of Ikhlaas and in their company one will experience a transfer of this Noor. 

If the Ustaadh (teacher) is Sahib-e-Nisbat
[3], his teaching will be Noorun ‘ala Noor: Ilm will be imparted and Noor will be transferred into the hearts of the student, if the student is also sincere.




[1] Noor : Spiritual effulgence
[2] Kaifiyyat : Feeling of spiritual delight
[3] Sahib-e-Nisbat: One who has established a close and special bond with Allah Ta’ala




Sunday 14 July 2013

Doubts and Whisperings


Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem



Living in times wherein the evil elements and influences of shaytaan are overwhelming and abounding, we need to be all the more wary against the onslaught of the enemy, shaytaan. Due to our ignorance and also our weakness of not being able to recognize the various ploys and conspiracies of shaytaan, we fall prey to the same.


Whilst it may appear difficult to contend with a foe who cannot be seen, we have been informed by Allah Ta’ala and Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) as how to recognize the enemy and how to overcome him. We have also been commanded to be on guard to his evil insinuations, promptings and whisperings and to seek the much needed protection and assistance of Allah Ta’ala, the Creator of shaytaan.


This booklet is a transcription of one of Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb’s (RA) weekly talks at the Masjid-e-Noor (Asherville), wherein Hazrat Maulana presented, concisely and simply, all the requirements, implements and various methods of combat against shaytaan and his army, which are drawn from the Qur’aan and Ahaadeeth, making it easy for us to successfully overpower our enemy, shaytaan.

Read the book here