Saturday 30 August 2014

Do not delay Nikah


Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem



If the proposal has taken place, make the so-called engagement, the Nikah[1], and whatever is to be given to the girl, make that the Mahr[2].
                                 

To delay in performing Nikah, which in itself takes only a few minutes, leads to many problems. A person called saying that his daughter who is engaged is already four months pregnant. The question asked: Will the child be regarded as legitimate or illegitimate?


If a child is born before six months of the marriage has passed, it is regarded as illegitimate.


Because of delay in performing the Nikah, a child will now be illegitimate.


One young Muslim girl studying at one of the universities called me and said that she is overcome by the guilt of her sins. She is proposed but her parents said that the Nikah can only be performed after she completes her studies and qualifies. They were not willing to have the Nikah performed before her graduation. She said, herself, that in two years, she had three abortions and now cannot live with the guilt.


These are realities which many parents do not want to consider because of their selfish reasons.


To delay Nikah so that the Nikah will be performed at a certain Ijtima, Jalsa, or that some Buzurg  may perform the Nikah are also not valid reasons in delaying Nikah.


In a Hadeeth related by Hazrat ‘Ali (Radhiyallaahu ‘anhu), Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) mentioned three matters wherein there should be no delay:


1.) Salaah when its time arrives,
2.) Offering the Janazah Salaah when the body is brought forth (after the completion          of the washing) and
3.) Marriage of a woman whose match is found.[3]


Hazrat Abdur Rahmaan Ibn Auf (Radhiyallaahu ‘anhu) married without even inviting Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam), who was present in Madina Munawwarah at the time. That was the simplicity and quickness of their Nikahs.


May Allah Ta’ala give us the understanding and the Taufeeq of setting noble examples, and discarding all the fanfare, with halls, with receptions and with décor – which is extravagance and wastage.



[1] Nikah : Marriage
[2] Mahr : Dowry
[3] Tirmidhi



Tuesday 26 August 2014

Istikharah

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem


Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Rahmatullahi 'alayh)


Istikharah is a Sunnah that should be resorted to whenever there is indecision. There is great goodness and great blessings in doing so, and Insha-Allah, Allah Ta’ala will make clear, in some way, what is best.


Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam): “It is from the good fortune of man that he makes Istikharah (seeks good) from Allah, and it is from his misfortune that he discards Istikharah.” [Mustadrak lil Haakim]
 


Istikharah builds one’s Tawakkul (Trust) in Allah Ta’ala. The person hands his matter over to Allah Ta’ala, asking for the best and trusting in His Guidance. And who knows us best? And who knows best what is best for us? …Allah Ta’ala!


It also nurtures the noble qualities of Tafweez  and Ridha bil Qadha . The person then resigns himself to the decisions of Allah Ta’ala and is pleased with whatever the outcome is. He understands that that is the best for him, since he sought from Allah Ta’ala, what would be to his benefit and goodness.


So we should read Istikhara and draw these blessings.


Many people request others to read Istikharah on their behalf. There is no substantiation in the Ahaadeeth for this. The individual should read Istikharah for himself or herself. This is the Sunnah.



May Allah Ta’ala grant us the Taufeeq.


Tafweez : Accepting the Decisions of Allah Ta’ala
Ridha bil Qadha:  Being happy with the decisions of Allah Ta’ala


Saturday 23 August 2014

The Love that Occupies the heart


Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem


Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Rahmatullahi 'alayh)



When a person talks about something EXCESSIVELY, then know that the love of that thing has entered his or her heart. The one who talks excessively about fast cars, fashionable clothes and accessories, pretty women, handsome men, multi-storey buildings, palaces, gold and silver and oil wealth, then the love of these things has entered and settled in that heart. Such excessive attachment and love for material things, spoils the heart and darkens the heart.


There is no sin in earning and using wealth to provide for comfort and maintenance. However, the love for material possessions must not enter the hearts. …A Muslim earns a Halaal livelihood not for seeking and just acquiring ‘Dunya’; rather to spend on his family, without being extravagant and lavish, and he earns with noble intentions of going for Hajj and Umrah, assisting the poor and needy, and to channel his money in other Deeni causes.


The toilet is a necessity and some homes have beautiful toilets; some even have gold taps, etc. But what would we think of the person who talks excessively about his toilet? …Just like the toilet, the things of this world are necessities - we, therefore, don’t make the material things of this world objects of reverence and veneration. Just like we would not give our hearts to our toilets, we should not give our hearts to worldly commodities.


The one who talks excessively about Deen, about the Love of Allah Ta’ala and His Beloved Rasul (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam), then their love has entered and settled in that heart. This love beautifies and enlightens the heart and the life of the person.



Of course, during business hours, the businessman will talk mainly about business with his clients and customers, the doctor will talk about medicine and health, and the fruit seller will call upon passers-by to purchase his fruit. All this talk, with the correct intention, causes no harm to the spiritual self.



Thursday 14 August 2014

A Lesson in Begging


Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem


  Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh)


There are signs outside the Haram in Makkah Shareef and Madina Shareef, which clearly instruct that there should be no begging. Outside our Masjid also, we have a sign that reads, “No Begging.”


But this is outside the Masjid. There is no begging outside the Masjid and, indeed, Shari'ah discourages begging. The Hadeeth also tells us:  “The upper [giving] hand is superior to the lower [taking] hand.”[1]


So on this level, begging is not at all encouraged. It is disliked in Islam, unless the person is destitute and in dire need.


However, on another level, a Muslim must beg – but a Muslim must beg of only Allah Ta’ala. This is something beloved to Allah Ta’ala. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “There is nothing dearer to Allah than a servant making Dua to Him.”


Allah Ta’ala's treasures are unlimited. So, inside the Masjid, we beg of Allah Ta’ala.


Furthermore, we find that beggars teach us how to beg of Allah Ta’ala – we find this especially so in Makkah Shareef. We see how beggars follow us, and they will persist and insist in asking from us, to the extent of even catching the person’s garment. They even cry for something, for anything. …They just refuse to leave until something is given. They have that Yaqeen that the person they are begging from has something and will give if they persist. 


These beggars outside the Haram Shareef are teaching us a lesson of how to beg of Allah Ta’ala, inside the Haram Shareef or whenever we are making Dua.


…Sadly, we do not consider who we are asking when we make Dua. As such, we make Dua casually, in a relaxed manner: legs are stretched out, leaning against a wall, and no effort is even made to raise the begging bowls of the hands. And we make a Dua in this laid-back, careless manner – and we say we begged of Allah Ta’ala. And we sometimes do not even have conviction that Allah Ta’ala will give and will do and will provide.  …A far cry from the beggars who beg from human beings.


These beggars teach us to keep begging – to persist in asking, and to ask of Allah Ta’ala with full Yaqeen: ‘O Allah, there is no shortage in Your Treasures… You have unlimited treasures. Everything is in Your control… Grant us complete forgiveness…’


Nothing is difficult for Allah Ta’ala to do and Allah Ta’ala will do, when we ask sincerely. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “Indeed Allah Ta’ala is extremely Bashful and Generous. If His servant raises his hands to Him (in supplication) He becomes shy to return them empty”[2]


May Allah Ta’ala grant us all the Taufeeq of raising our hands and asking of Him, with sincerity and with conviction.



[1] Sahih Bukhari / Sahih Muslim
[2] Sunan Tirmidhi, hadith: 3556



Thursday 7 August 2014

Insulating the heart

By Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh)


Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem


Whilst in the company of one’s Shaykh, or when in good company, or during the month of Ramadaan, we find an undeniably positive effect in respect to our overall behavior and in our relationship with Allah Ta’ala.


It suddenly becomes easy to perform good deeds and abstain from sins. Our hearts become light and happy, after being relieved of the terrible burden of sins. Noor and Sakeenah permeate the heart and life becomes so pleasant - Alhamdulillah.


…Then we leave the company of the Shaykh or Ramadaan passes, and we find ourselves susceptible and vulnerable to the invitations and temptations of sins, and we fall prey to nafs and shaytaan. We ask: Why? How come? …We were slowly but surely improving, and then we start stumbling, faltering, falling, and sometimes we are floored by nafs, and even land up in the gutters of sins. May Allah Ta’ala protect us all.


We, ourselves, are the reason for our weaknesses and failings.


While in the company of the Mashaa`ik or during Ramadaan, we do not develop sufficient Taqwa to insulate ourselves against sins, against nafs and shaytaan. The Suhbah (company) of the pious and righteous, as well as the month of Ramadaan, offers a special protection. However, we generally visit or keep company with the pious for short periods of time, and Ramadaan visits us once a year.


The time certainly comes when we have to face the many challenges outside the company of the pious and outside of Ramadaan. It is therefore necessary to very strongly insulate the heart and soul against the harsh climate of sins.


For better understanding, let us take an example: It is an extremely cold Winter’s day. Whilst we are indoors, we keep warm because our homes offer some kind of insulation: the walls and the roof provide a protection; the carpets, heater, fireplace, etc. add to that protection and also generate warmth.


If we sit near the fireplace or heater, we will enjoy this warmth. However, when we have to go outside, we obviously cannot carry the heater with us.


…We have heard and read of people who climb mountains, covered in snow.  What do they do?  Do they carry heaters with them? No! …They insulate themselves with warm, thermal clothing. 


If we have to go outdoors, then knowing the extreme temperature outside, we adopt measures to protect ourselves. 


In order to keep warm, while we are outdoors, we first insulate ourselves, by wearing warm clothing, thick jackets, warm hats, socks, gloves, and so forth. We may even drink some hot soup or any hot drink to warm ourselves from the inside. …If we adopt all these means prior to leaving our homes, we will be shielded against the icy, bitter cold – Insha-Allah.


Similarly, while in the company of the Mashaa`ik or during the blessed month of Ramadaan, we must do our best to insulate ourselves with the qualities of Taqwa, Sabr, Shukr, Zuhd, Tawaadhu, etc.


In the company of the Shaykh, we draw the warmth of the love of Allah Ta’ala. This is what is generated from his heart. This then becomes insulation and protection against the demands of nafs and the attacks of shaytaan.


It is not possible to be with the Shaykh twenty four hours of every day. He has a life to lead. He will be teaching at the Madrasah, giving talks at the Masjid, traveling out in the Khidmat of Deen, etc. What do we do at such times? In the company of the Shaykh, we prepare for ourselves, for the harsh climate of sins and distractions of the outside work. We adopt the measures of protection just like the person who covers himself with a blanket or wears a heavy jacket, before going out.


In the Majlis of the Shaykh, we also insulate the heart with the Sifah of Ihsaan, with the conscious awareness of Allah Ta’ala – keeping before us that Allah Ta’ala is All-Seeing, All-Hearing, All-Knowing, All-Aware – and that nothing escapes the knowledge of Allah Ta’ala. This quality is what we take with us wherever we go.


…So even though the Shaykh cannot be with us all the time, but Allah Ta’ala is with us at all times:


“And He is with you, wherever you are.”
[Surah Al-Hadid 57 : 4]


If we maintain the conscious awareness of Allah Ta’ala’s presence at all times, then when we have to go to the bazaar, marketplace, university or college, we go well-insulated.


Therefore, when we sit in those Majaalis, we should not think that it is just a bayaan, just a talk given. The bayaan will take place, and even if there is no bayaan, the silence of those who are Kaamil, generates a Noor, a light. This enters through the eyes and ears, and lights up the heart with the love of Allah Ta’ala.  It gives the person strength in his Imaan. Thereafter when the person goes outside, that spiritual warmth is with him - like the person who wears his jersey and jacket, warm hat and warm socks.  May Allah Ta’ala bless us all with well insulated hearts.                      


Allah Ta’ala has granted us such great means for renewed fortification. Our insulation is also found in our Salaah, which needs to be established five times a day, in the Masjid – and that too, with concentration and attention. It should not be a ‘slap-dash’, ‘hit and run’ Salaah as is so common. (Na’uzu Billahi min zaalik).


Allah Ta’ala says:


“…Verily Salaah restrains from shamelessness and evil…”
[Surah Ankabut 29 : 45]


We also insulate with our Tilawah, our Zikrullah, and our deep-hearted Dua for protection. My Shaykh, Hazrat Maulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (RA) would repeatedly make Dua:


‘O Allah! Wherever I am – whether on earth or in the skies – my Taqwa must always remain safe.’


Together with these, we also insulate our lives by ridding our homes of all those elements that will nullify the spirituality that we develop in the company of the Shaykh. We throw out the television, give up music and whatever other Haraam that pollutes our homes and our lives.


The Suhbah of the Shaykh and the beautiful month of Ramadaan are opportune times to insulate our hearts and souls – since they facilitate ease in practising on Deen.


Thus, when Ramadaan ends or we leave the company of our Mashaa`ik, then despite the harsh climate of sins on the outside and all around us, Allah Ta’ala will protect us and assist us in abstaining from evil because we made a concerted effort to insulate ourselves against the severe and dreadful environment of sins.


Of course, to whatever extent we can, we should try to regularly attend Deeni programmes and maintain some connection through correspondence or even telephoning the Shaykh from time to time. This will be very conducive to one’s progress, Insha-Allah. May Allah Ta’ala grant us the Taufeeq.


Sometimes, some mureeds are content to just wait for their Shaykh to come from Pakistan, India or some other part of the world and they say: “We will make our Islaah when the Shaykh visits.” …The Shaykh may only visit once a year, and he may be in one’s city for seven days, ten days, or just a few days. Then he is gone and the rest of the year passes. What is to be done?


If the person says: “I will not attend the Majlis or programmes of any other Shaykh. I will not accept the Nasihah of any other Shaykh,” then shaytaan will say: “This is a good candidate for me, easy to prey on! This is easy prey because this person has got no Shaykh for the next eleven months.” – Shaytaan will pounce on him.


“Suhbat” is something that has to be on a continuous basis.  If for some reason there are not many Majaalis in the area or there are no Akaabir or Mashaai’ik, then take the kitaabs of the Shaykh or other Mashaa`ik, and read them, or listen to the cds or programmes via audio-streaming. Insha-Allah, this will keep a person insulated against nafs and shaytaan – otherwise, the person will become like the lone sheep which is easy prey for the wolf.



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