Friday 27 September 2013

Recognizing Truth and Falsehood

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem




Our respected Shaykh, Hazrat Maulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) often encouraged the recitation of the following Dua, in these times of great Fitnah. It is a beautiful Dua, attributed to Hazrat Abu Bakr (Radhiyallahu anhu), whereby we ask Allah Ta’ala to make apparent to us, what is Haq and Baatil, and grant us the Taufeeq and ability to follow what is Haq and stay away and refrain from whatever is Baatil. The Dua is as follows:


اَللّٰهُمَّ اَرِنَا الْحَقَّ حَقًّا وَّ ارْزُقْنَا اتِّبَاعَهٗ وَ اَرِنَا الْبَاطِلَ بَاطِلًا وَّ ارْزُقْنَا اجْتِنَابَهٗ
O Allah! Enable us to see the Truth as Truth and give us the ability to follow it. And show us the falsehood as false and give us the ability to refrain from it.


This Dua is a lesson for the Ummah.  It teaches the Ummah – especially people like us, living in these times of great Fitnah, where for many, Baatil is no longer regarded as Baatil and Haq is no longer regarded as Haq.


Looking at these times, we see people from all walks of life, research Islam, and come to conclusions which are in conflict with what Islam truly is. We see Muslims who speak about the need for Haraam to be Halaal, such as interest taking and giving. We see Muslims, influenced by the different “isms”, misinterpret Islam, and clamour for changes in Shari'ah, or call for a modern approach, living in modern times - Na uzu Billahi min zaalik.


There is such an onslaught of Baatil and so many, so many are caught up in that assault; in that ambush.


In this Dua,

اَللّٰهُمَّ اَرِنَا الْحَقَّ حَقًّا وَّ ارْزُقْنَا اتِّبَاعَهٗ
O Allah! Enable us to see the Truth as Truth and give us the ability to follow it.


...we learn that knowing Haq is not sufficient. …Because there are many who know Haq, but do not practice on it.


Who does not know that pornography is Haraam? Who does not know that adultery is Haraam? That to gamble, take or give interest, miss Salaah, speak lies, commit fraud, etc. is Haraam? 


Generally, Muslims are acquainted with Halaal and Haraam. However, despite knowing, many of us do not practice. There is no Salaah, Zakaah, Fasting and other Deeni obligations being fulfilled. 


Accordingly, the Dua continues, asking for the Taufeeq of Ittiba – the ability to practise on it; because Amal (practice) is necessary.


Thereafter, Dua is made:

وَ اَرِنَا الْبَاطِلَ بَاطِلًا وَّ ارْزُقْنَا اجْتِنَابَه

And show us the falsehood as false and give us the ability to refrain from it.


We are asking of Allah Ta’ala, that He make known to us, make apparent to us, make clear to us, whatever is Haraam, sinful, detested and disliked by Him.


Often, a person sees the Haq as Baatil and vice versa. So Dua is made that we know what is Haq and what is Baatil, without any confusion and uncertainty, that we are easily able to differentiate between the two.


…Like a tsunami; sin and falsehood are sweeping through the Muslim Ummah. All around us we find that Baatil is widespread. It has become the norm; it is in vogue, and the majority accepts it and engages in it. It is not even considered Haraam.


Take the example of photography[1] - the good and the bad, the ignorant and even the learned ones, are caught up in this vice. No one really speaks out against it, and if a person does, he is labeled as orthodox and out-dated. 


The same with television[2] – If someone has to advise against viewing television, not only will people argue, they will present the “Fazaa`il” (virtues) of television – despite 80% of those programmes being clearly immoral and Haraam. …But nafs and shaytaan blind the person to Haraam and to the great harms, and the person sees only benefit …


The sad condition and plight of the Ummah is gauged when we see the extent of Baatil in our personal lives, and we see how the culture and customs of the Kuffaar have become dominant and have replaced practical implementation of Islam – and everyone is quite content and comfortable living with that.


…When the Sahaba (Radhiyallahu 'Anhum) accepted Islam, despite the majority of them coming out of Kufr and Shirk, there was no sign of Kufr in their lives thereafter.


We were born and brought up in Islam. We have Islam, but the culture of the Kuffaar is found in all dimensions of our lives – our homes, our businesses, our Nikahs and Walimas, our dressing… Sometimes there is no trace of Islam. …Inna Lillahi wa-inna ilayhi raji’oon.


In this Dua, the word “warzuqna” is used.


My respected Shaykh, Hazrat Maulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) beautifully explained that just as we search for our Rizq, we look forward to it, we enjoy it – so Haq should become like our Rizq. …Like how we seek sustenance, in the same way, we should seek good deeds – with eagerness and enthusiasm.


From the early hours of the morning, millions of people are on the move, traveling by car, bus, train, plane – active in the effort of sustenance... and there seems to be no satisfaction when it comes to wanting more and more of the material world. Even if a person is multi-rich, we find the person is still seeking for more. There is just no contentment even in sufficiency.


In this Dua, we are asking that we are not content except pursuing the Rizq of Haq, the Rizq of Ibaadah, the Rizq of Sawaab. Ittiba of Haq must become our spiritual Rizq… and this Haq includes both the rights of Allah Ta’ala and the rights of creation – of parents, of wife (or husband), of children, neighbours, and others.


Furthermore, we all know that we require food for our survival. …When a person has not eaten in many days, his hearing is affected, his sight is affected, his speech is affected. Weakness sets in. Similarly, without the spiritual nourishment of Haq – knowing it and practicing on it, Imaan will weaken and will deteriorate, on all fronts.


Added to this, the Hadeeth informs us: “No soul will die until it completes its sustenance.” - A person does not die until he has eaten the last grain of food which is destined for him.


In a similar vein, we are asking for Allah Ta’ala that Haq be the same to us, that we complete our lives on the Rizq of Haq, that our lives end on Haq, on Imaan.


We are also asking for Taufeeq to stay away from sin, with the same kind of happiness as when we seek our Rizq; that we look forward to restraining ourselves from all Haraam


Just as a Muslim does not go out in search of pigs for his Rizq; rather he keeps clear of pigs and pork – so too, should he stay away from Baatil. Just as pigs are Haraam, so too is everything else that is classified as sin. 


Unfortunately, we find that many seek out Haraam. They plan and make arrangements for indulgence in Haraam - going to the cinemas, casinos, visiting porn sites, taking and giving interest, etc. May Allah Ta’ala protect us all.


Both, abstinence from sins and doing good deeds must be as we find our sustenance – enjoyable. This, in turn, will bring happiness and Sukoon.


If this becomes the condition of a person: He pursues good deeds with that kind of eagerness and abstains from sins, with that kind of happiness, as sustenance is enjoyed, the person becomes a Waliullah (A Friend of Allah Ta'ala).


We should learn this Dua, teach it to others and frequently recite it. May Allah Ta'ala grant us Taufeeq.





[1] Read Hazrat Maulana’s (RA) discussion on “The Prohibition of Photography” HERE
[2] Read Hazrat Maulana’s (RA) article, “The Influence of Television” HERE


By Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh)


Monday 16 September 2013

Branch Offices

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem



All Branch offices have a connection with the Head Office. In a similar vein, all the branch offices of sins have their connection with the Head Office of Jahannum.

The Fire of Jahannum is the Head Office, and the areas and deeds of disobedience are the Branch Offices. Allah Ta’ala inflicts some of that fire which is burning in Hell into the heart and life of a person, in this world, when he indulges in sins. Restlessness and misery burns the heart to such a degree that the likeness is that of those who will enter Jahannum.

Allah Ta’ala describes this condition :
  
“... Who will enter the great fire in which he will then neither die nor live (a life of comfort).”
[Surah Al-A’la : 12/13]

Similarly, the branch offices of good deeds have their connection with the Head Office of Jannah. 
The person who engages in good deeds will experience within his heart and life, 
a beautiful, fresh garden.



Thursday 12 September 2013

Emulating the Sunnah


Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem




My Shaykh, Hazrat Maulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh), repeatedly said that if a person adopts the garb or outer features of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam) and the Sawliheen (pious) who follow, then the soul of righteousness will come into his body.

For example : Keeping the Sunnah length beard, pants above the ankles (which has been greatly emphasised in the Hadeeth Shareef), the dressing, eating, sleeping, trading and so forth, in conformity with the Sunnah.

Hazrat mentioned that he once told a person in Karachi to keep a beard. Not only did this person refuse to do so, he made a joke of this. Allah Ta’ala caused a sickness to afflict him. As a result, pus would ooze out from his cheek. He therefore grew a beard and still had the audacity to say: “I kept it, not because it is a Sunnat, but to cover my wound.”
(Na-oozu Billah)

One of Hazrat’s Khalifas, who is also a poet, says : If the beard was going to make a person look ugly, it would not have been the Sunnah of my Beloved (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam).

The person who is clean-shaven is – as if - ‘announcing’ : I am not happy with the face of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam). – Na’uzu Billah

The beauty of a man is his beard. There are a group of angels who read the following Tasbeeh[1] :  “Glory be to Allah, who gave beauty to men with their beards and who gave beauty to women with their locks of hair.”





[1] Tasbeeh : incantation


Friday 6 September 2013

Laughter


Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem



Laughter should be like salt in a curry or chutney with food. Too much salt or only chutney is not going to be desirous. So within limits if a person laughs or makes others laugh, this is not sinful. In fact, to put happiness into the heart of another is a Sunnah which draws rewards.


However, too much of laughter is spiritually harmful. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) cautioned us: ‘Do not laugh too much, for excessive laughter deadens the heart.’[1]


The trend of frequenting comedy shows and paying for hours of laughter and entertainment, the content of which is shameless and indecent is not at all condoned. In fact, it is Haraam. In these days, many comedy shows target Islam and the beautiful Sunnah. Islam becomes the brunt of mockery. This is extremely dangerous for a person’s Imaan.


Allah Ta’ala, the All-Wise, did not create us for a useless purpose, that we squander valuable time in worthless – nay, in destructive past times:


"Did you then think that We had created you in jest, and that you 
would not be brought back to Us (for account)?"

[Surah Al-Mu`minoon 23 : 115]





[1] Ibn Majah