Why the Suffering?

 

By Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Sahib

(Rahmatullahi ‘alayh)  

 

Many ask the question: Why is the Ummah suffering so much, despite millions making Dua throughout the world, and millions making Dua during Haj and Umrah? Why is there no change?

 

The answer can be understood by way of an analogy:

 

A son is disobedient and rebellious towards his father’s instructions, and arrogant in his stance against his father, demanding, swearing, abusing and adopting the bad behaviour as found common in this day and age. The father is deeply hurt, grieved, offended and even angered. When he has had enough of the insolence and arrogance, he finally resorts to breaking off ties with his son. He cuts off all privileges.

 

Now, if the entire family, or the entire community, tells that father: “Forgive him. He is your son…”

 

That father will respond: “I have no problem with forgiving him. All he has to say is, “I’m sorry”, and I will forgive him.”

 

However, on being encouraged to humble himself and ask for forgiveness, the son retorts with arrogance: ‘Why must I? Why do I need to? I’m independent! I don’t need him!’

 

Then will that father forgive that son? Will he grant those privileges of money, car, etc.?

 

Similarly, the Auliya-Allah (friends of Allah Ta’ala), the Sawliheen (the pious) and so many more are making Dua for the Ummah. …In fact, if all the Auliya Allah were to gather on the Day of Arafah and earnestly pray for the Ummah, Allah Ta’ala will most assuredly be prepared to forgive. However, from our side, there is a step to be taken – and this is what the majority are not prepared to do: We are not prepared to take the step of “CHANGE”.

 

Allah Ta’ala’s doors are ever-open. Allah wants us to become His. He wants to forgive us and shower His infinite Mercies and Blessings upon us, but we are not prepared to take the step of obedience; the step that will secure His Forgiveness and Pleasure and His Nusrah (help).

 

Unfortunately, the majority of us do not want to sincerely repent from our sins, let alone acknowledge our sins. Many justify and reason their sins, even dispute and argue regarding Allah Ta’ala’s Commandments, as if they have some kind of authority over Allah Ta’ala (Na-uzu Billah). So many are brazen in their indulgence in sins, as if challenging Allah Ta’ala, like that arrogant son: “What can You do? I’m not in need of You!” (Na-uzu Billahi min zaalik).

 

With this kind of behaviour and attitude, can we expect any favours, any privileges or any kind of assistance from Allah Ta’ala?  We are living in a fool’s paradise if we think that we can continue sinning and still be recipient of Allah Ta’ala’s bounties and aid.

 

If we truly want Allah Ta’ala’s assistance, then we will have to give up sins; all sins – adultery, gambling, Ribaa (interest), intoxicants, music, dancing, immodest dressing, imitating the disbelievers, freely intermingling with the opposite gender and so forth. ...So many of us are not even fulfilling the Fardh Injunctions of Salaah, Zakaah, Fasting in the month of Ramadaan, etc. Many are not concerned about Haraam and Halaal or the importance of following the Sunnah of Rasulullah Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam … a way of life, which most assuredly brings the blessings, mercy and help of Allah Ta’ala and great success. …Others, naively depend on Wazeefas to solve their problems, not prepared to give up sins. This is sheer foolishness. Wazeefas and taweezes are no barrier against the Azaab of Allah Ta’ala, when there is indulgence and persistence in sins.

 

Then we have those Muslims who, in the face of natural disasters, war, genocide, etc. begin to question the existence of God or ask as to where is Allah Ta’ala’s Mercy and Compassion, or ask if He is seeing all that is happening. (Na-uzu Billah).

 

Allah Ta’ala is not blind or deaf. He does not want chaos. Allah Ta’ala wants peace. However, we have to fulfil the conditions of the contract. The first condition is that we become true Believers - practising Believers. If we implement Deen in our lives, adopt Taqwa and follow the noble example of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) then the conditions will change.

 

The Day the Ummah fulfills its duties, across the board – making a total change, then our suffering will be replaced with success, prosperity and happiness and people of other faiths will also accept Islam.

 

Allah Ta’ala explicitly spells out His conditions and His promises:

 

 “Allah has promised, to those among you who believe and perform righteous deeds, that He will, of surety, grant them in the land, inheritance (of power), as He granted it to those before them; that He will establish in authority their religion – the one which He has chosen for them; and that He will change (their state), after the fear in which they (lived), to one of security and peace: ‘ They will worship Me (Alone) and not associate anyone with Me.’ If any do reject Faith after this, they are rebellious and wicked.”

So establish Salaah (Prayer) and give regular Charity (Zakaah); and obey the Messenger that you may receive mercy. ”

[Surah An-Nur 24 : 55 / 56]

 

Thus, we will have to fulfil our pledge by making the effort to obey Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam), to see the fruit of our Duas and receive the assistance of Allah Ta’ala – on an individual level, on a national level, and on an international level.

 

 

Sincere Repentance

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

 “If anyone does evil or wrongs his own soul, but afterwards seeks Allah’s Forgiveness, he will find Allah, Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

[Surah An-Nisaa 4 : 110]

In the Tafseer (commentary) of this ayah (verse), the Mufassireen (Commentators of the Qur`aan Shareef) have explained that Allah Ta’ala makes known to us, the recourse of sins : Taubah (repentance).

Whatever the sins committed – be they major or minor, violations of the Rights of Allah Ta’ala (Huququllah) or the rights of human beings (Huququl Ibaad), sincere Taubah (repentance) will secure for one, Divine forgiveness.

However, we need to understand that Taubah is not merely a verbal announcement and confession of: Astaghfirullah (I seek Allah’s forgiveness). The validity and acceptance of Taubah is dependent on certain accompanying conditions.

The ‘Ulama have stated the following 3 necessary segments which complete one’s Taubah :

1.)   Being ashamed and grieved over one’s sins.

2.)   Leaving off the sin, immediately.

3.)   Having no intention to commit the sin again.

If, perchance, one finds oneself entangled in sin thereafter, Taubah should be made once more and forgiveness should be sought. …Allah Ta’ala forgives all sins.

However, even though Allah Ta’ala is Most Merciful, Forgiving, Kind and Compassionate, we should not lose sight of and forget His punishment for those who are persistent in sin. Often, many continue in their indulgence in sins, presenting the argument that Allah Ta’ala is Ghafurur - Raheem (Most Forgiving, Most Merciful).

One of the deceptions of shaytaan is that he persuades and encourages a person to sins with this very excuse that Allah Ta’ala is Ghafurur-Raheem. This leads to indifference to the laws of Shariah and even deliberate disobedience.

Therefore, Allah Ta’ala warns us in the Qur`aan Shareef against such an attitude, saying :

 “…Let not the deceiver (i.e. shaytaan) beguile you in regard to Allah.”

[Surah Luqmaan 31 : 33]

… Do not be fooled and misled by shaytaan to commit sins because Allah Ta’ala is Most Forgiving and Most Merciful.

Allah Ta’ala mentions in Surah Ta-Ha :

 “And verily, I am indeed Forgiving to him who repents, believes (in My Oneness, and associates none in worship with Me) and does righteous (good) deeds, and then remains constant in doing them (till death).”

[Surah Ta-ha 20 : 82]

Allah Ta’ala is informing us that His Forgiveness extends to those who make sincere Taubah and Istighfaar, believe in Allah Ta’ala, do Amal-e-Sawleh (righteous deeds and actions) and remain steadfast thereon.

Allah Ta’ala is Ghafurur-Raheem for those who are afraid of displeasing Him. However, being human, they accidentally sin.

We should keep in mind, that even though Allah Ta’ala is Ghafurur-Raheem, He is also Muntaqim – One who takes Retribution. Out of His kindness, Allah Ta’ala gives to us numerous opportunities to make amends and return to His Obedience. If we still persist and insist on sin, and we are bent on disobedience, then His Punishment is something that cannot be escaped.

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

 ‘…But verily your Lord is full of forgiveness for mankind for their wrong-doing. And verily your Lord is (also) strict in punishment.’

[Surah Ra’d 13 : 6]

…Taubah and Istighfaar are like the ointment used for burns, which we keep in our homes. Even though we have a remedy for burns, we will not deliberately burn ourselves.

      Furthermore, forgiveness for those sins in respect to people, will have to be secured from those whose rights have been violated and who were wronged.

by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (RA)