Distinctions in Deen

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

There are those students who have great ambition and high aspirations for worldly success. We find that they will exert themselves in their efforts to secure excellent results in their examinations.

To obtain as many A’s or distinctions, diligence and hard work become the order of the day. They ‘burn the midnight oil’ – for what? For success in this worldly life.

If this is the one-tracked, single-minded effort for worldly success, what of the Muslim’s efforts to secure the success of the Hereafter?

What of the many A’s that a Muslim should make every effort to obtain for success in the Hereafter: The A for Akhlaaq, the A for Aashiq^[1] of Allah Ta’ala, the A for “Amal^[2]”, the A for “Aabid^[3]”, the A for “Aarif^[4]”?

Why do these As not feature in the lives of the majority?

So many are very successful in their Matric examinations, but for many there is no A for Akhlaaq, no ‘A’ for Amal and other noble characteristics of the Muslim.

The Muslim’s view of Success is the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala and Nabi (Sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam). In the examination of this worldly life, it is their pleasure which secures an A+.

Otherwise, a person is as good as obtaining a ‘Z’.

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[1] Aashiq : Lover of Allah Ta’ala

[2] Amal : action

[3] Aabid : worshipper

[4] Aarif : One who has recognition of Allah Ta’ala

Imbibing the flavours of piety and virtue

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

On visiting a friend at his home, he brought a container of chocolates and offered them to me. There was a mix of mint chocolate and plain chocolate. …I took one of the plain chocolates, and on taking a bite, tasted the flavour of mint.

So I mentioned to the friend : The plain chocolate was after all just plain chocolate but in keeping close company with the mint chocolate, the plain chocolate drew and imbibed the flavour of mint, to such an extent, that on eating the plain chocolate, one would think it to be mint.

Similarly, that Mureed^[1] who keeps a close companionship with a Shaykh-e-Kaamil^[2], will draw the flavours of piety and virtue from the heart of his Shaykh.

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[1] mureed : disciple of a spiritual guide.

[2] Shaykh-e-Kaamil : An accomplished Spiritual guide.

In Search of Allah Ta'ala

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

A Saalik or a person setting out in search of Allah Ta’ala; in the gaining of His Ma’rifat (Recognition), His Love and the love of His Beloved Nabi, Sayyidina Muhammad (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) must not only be an Aashiq or lover of ‘sweets’ (i.e. of pleasing conditions), but must be prepared to take bitter medicine also, with a willing heart, as proof of his or her Love for Allah Ta’ala.

Pain in the body, poverty in the home, other problems outside or in the family should not affect the tranquillity of the heart. The heart must remain ‘Saabir’ (patient) under adverse conditions and ‘Shaakir’ (grateful) over pleasing conditions.

May Allah Ta’ala grant us all these ‘Sifaat’^[1] which all Auliya possess, but which we lack to a great degree.

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[1] Sifaat : attributes / qualities

The Ahlullah and Dunya

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

In India, one will find certain people who play the flute to charm snakes. …The snake ‘drowns’ in the sweetness of that sound. In this manner, the snake is caught. These snake catchers have learnt the art of catching snakes and they have learnt the skill of removing the poison of the snake. Thereafter, they ‘play’ with that python and cobra – since it is under their control.

What one learns from this is that one has to first learn the art of charming snakes; then the biggest snake too will be under one’s control.

This world is akin to a snake – a very dangerous one. The Ahlullah are such people who have mastered the art of controlling the snake of ‘Dunya’ . They take out its ‘poison’ from the heart (Hubbud Dunya), and thereafter make use of it. 

By keeping the company of these Ahlullah, we too will learn how to remove the poisonous effects of the world and how to make use of the world, without giving our hearts to it. Otherwise we will become victim to its fatal poison.

The poison of “Hubbud Dunya” will then consume the heart, make the person ‘ghaafil’ (negligent), lead him into sin and can be the means of ruin and destruction, of not only one’s Aakhirah, but even one’s worldly life. Greed, jealousy, rivalry, pride and a host of evils are the offshoots of hubbud Dunya. 

May Allah Ta’ala purify our hearts, give us the recognition of this fleeting worldly life, and the Taufeeq of attaching ourselves to Allah Ta’ala.