Sunday 30 November 2014

Islaahi Correpondence | Letter Two | Homosexual Inclinations


Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

LETTER TWO
  
Question

As-Salaamu ‘alaikum,

I am a Muslim male who was very normal in my nature until recently. Having watched a movie which explicitly encouraged homosexuality, I now find myself strongly attracted to other males, to the extent that it is extremely difficult to restrain the desire to engage in Haraam. Evil thoughts constantly plague my mind. I am overcome with remorse and very ashamed of these feelings and also afraid of giving into my desires, knowing that this is a very major sin. Please help.



Reply

Bismihi Ta’ala

Respected Brother in Islam,

Wa-alaykumus Salaam wa-Rahmatullahi wa-Barakaatuhu


1.)     Being ashamed of one’s sins and wanting to keep them concealed is a sign of Imaan. Of course, this does not mean that a Muslim continues secretly indulging in disobedience to Allah Ta’ala and makes no effort of giving up sins.


2.)    Thoughts should be ignored, but if these feelings are being entertained, effort has to be made in diverting the attention. Keep the mind distracted and occupied with some work or activity – either some form of Ibaadah or something permissible.


3.)    Often, the cause of boys/men suddenly feeling inclined and attracted to other males is due to watching some film with such content (i.e. of homosexuality). The purpose of such films is promotion and encouragement of sin, and the effects of such viewing are such that even an otherwise normal male will begin having evil thoughts and desires in respect to other men.


Others too have written of such experiences, so you are not alone in your anguish. Recently a teacher wrote to me, stating that he was a normal Muslim male – who had a complete aversion to homosexuality. However, after viewing just one film on homosexuality, found himself overcome with lust when it came to his male students. He too was overcome with fear that he must not fall into the sin. He found himself very weak to the demands of his evil desires, but was also making every effort to curb them. And yet prior to viewing this film, he was sickened at the sin. So it was one movie that triggered off such a volatile situation in his personal and spiritual life. …May Allah Ta’ala save all.


4.)    Make the effort of reading 2 Rakaats of Salaatut Taubah and Salaatul Haajah every day, with sincere Dua thereafter that Allah Ta’ala forgive and change your feelings and protect you from the mischief of nafs and shaytaan.


5.)    Keep reading :


يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّوْمُ لَا اِلٰهَ اِلَّا اَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ اِنِّىْ كُنْتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِيْنَ


"O All Living, Self-Subsistent, there is no deity worthy of being worshipped but Thee, You are above all deficiencies and weaknesses. I am indeed of the wrongdoers"


6.)    Continue meditating over the punishment that was meted out to the people of Lut (Alaihis Salaam) and the Shar`i Punishments for the person engaging in the act; together with the fact that indulgence in the sin draws the curses of Allah Ta’ala and Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) - and a person under such a curse is deprived altogether of the Mercy of Allah Ta’ala. (May Allah Ta’ala protect us.)


7.)    Try and give Sadaqah (charity) in some form, on a daily basis, with the intention that Allah Ta’ala grant complete change in your feelings and protect you.


8.)    If Zam Zam  is available, drink it with the intention of cure from your evil, base desires – for Zam Zam is a cure for whatever is intended, when drinking it.


9.)    Lower your gaze when it comes to such young boys / handsome men, where you fear there will be some kind of attraction. Do not be alone with anyone.


10.)       Keep yourself occupied. Even when retiring to bed, try to listen to some Zikr or Naath Shareef until you fall off to sleep.


11.)      Try and sleep in a state of Wudhu , read the Masnoon Duas and Ayatul Kursi (Surah 2 : Verse 225).


12.)   These are actually the whisperings, encouragement and deception of shaytaan and nafs. Both are trying to deceive and convince you that this is your nature, so that shaytaan can ruin your worldly life and your Hereafter, and the nafs can get some temporary gratification, not considering consequences – i.e. its own humiliation and disgrace. With effort and striving, you will, Insha-Allah, overcome both of them.


13.)     At least you feel remorse over your weakness. Consider the effort you are now making to address your weakness and to come out of the sin, as a sign that Allah Ta’ala is with you and He will support and assist you in your efforts to give it up.


14.)    Fantasizing about men (or women) is Haraam. I generally give a standard prescription to those who write about having the weakness. It is titled, Giving up Haraam Fantasizing, and will be found on the website http://yunuspatel.co.za. Alhamdulillah, many have found this beneficial in giving up the sin. You too should make the effort to follow the advice given.


15.)     May Allah Ta’ala grant complete cure from this sickness, protect from any Haraam indulgence and purify the heart of such evil feelings.


Was-Salaamu alaykum wa-Rahmatullahi wa-Barakaatuhu

Yunus Patel (Maulana)



Friday 28 November 2014

Islaahi Correpondence | Letter One | Bay`ah and Tasawwuf



Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

Question

As-Salaamu alaikum warahmatullah

Respected Maulana,

I would like to know about Sufism. Is it a part of Islam or is it something which has just been made up by fraudulent people who are marketing it as religion? What I hear sometimes makes me think this is a “hoax” – a money-making racket. Many talk about shaykhs, peers, taking bay`ah, Islaahun nafs, etc. I would appreciate a correct understanding of the ideology. What is the purpose?



Reply
Bismihi Ta’ala


Respected Sister in Islam,

Wa-alaykumus Salaam wa-Rahmatullahi wa-Barakaatuhu


1.)     “Sufism”, or Tasawwuf / Tariqah is very much a part of Islamic teachings. Shari'ah is knowledge and Tariqah is acting upon that knowledge. It covers all aspects of Deen, by following in the footsteps of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam), and revolves around the purification of the heart and soul, the reformation of the nafs (self / ego), developing intense love for Allah Ta’ala and a connection with Him, such that we submit to Him, with heart, mind, soul and body. The Qur`aan Shareef alludes to Tazkiyyah (purification of the soul) and Islaah (reformation) a number of times.


2.)     Unfortunately, many have spoilt the good name of “Sufism” or Tasawwuf, by introducing actions which are not in conformity with Islamic teachings. Some people have made Tasawwuf appear like another religion, or they have brought into Tasawwuf, the ideas and rites of mysticism from other religions. Moreover, there are many bogus ‘peers’ who are just in it for money. Therefore caution needs to be exercised in choosing a spiritual mentor.


3.)     Bay`ah is a practice (Sunnah) of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam), which has been carried down, through the ages, by our spiritual guides.


It is through the Barakah (blessings) of Bay`ah that a person is able to easily and steadily traverse and progress through the different stages in the spiritual world, in a more efficient manner. The seeker is constantly drawing direction and guidance from the spiritual guide who has proficiency and expertise in the field.


Bay`ah is choosing a spiritual doctor (a Shaykh) for your spiritual ailments. The Shaykh must be one whom you are most compatible with, and whose teachings, you readily accept and follow. Of course, the Shaykh must be on Haq. There are many fraudulent people in the guise of the pious. The Shaykh must be learned, experienced, pious and wise – for such a person must have your best interests at heart.


The objectives are Islaah and complete obedience to Allah Ta’ala and Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam). The Mureed (disciple) should therefore inform the Shaykh of his or her spiritual weaknesses: hasad (jealousy), kibr (pride), riyaa (ostentation), hirs (greed), hubbud-dunya (obsessive love for the world) and so forth – or sins such as missing out Salaah due to laziness, backbiting, casting lustful gazes, listening to music, being involved in an illicit relationship, etc.

The Shaykh, if he is ‘Kaamil’[1], will not look down upon his Mureed when informed of such sicknesses – just as a doctor will not look down upon his patient, because his patient has cancer, or a brain tumuor, or some other disease or disorder.


The right of the Mureed over the Shaykh is that the Shaykh then makes Islaah of that spiritual malady – thus the Shaykh prescribes some remedy and also makes Dua. For the Mureed to experience the benefits and curative properties in the Shaykh’s treatment, it becomes necessary to now follow the Shaykh’s advice. This is the mode and manner to restore spiritual health.


As an example: The Mureed thinks himself to be pious and great, and better than others. He looks down upon those who do not do good deeds as he does, who do not dress according to the Sunnah like he does, or who do not have a beard as he does. …He considers himself superior, and considers others as sinful, immoral and condemned to hell-fire. This then is ujub (conceit) and takabbur (pride).


The Mureed should thus explain his condition by informing his Shaykh: I think of myself as pious. I see my piety to be my achievement because of my efforts. I look down upon those who do not do what I do. I do not keep their company because I consider it is below my dignity to be with such people. …etc.


So the Shaykh will prescribe some suitable remedy, depending on various other aspects of the Mureed.


If the Mureed has a problem in controlling his anger, he should inform the Shaykh: I am very temperamental – and I lose my anger when my wife does something wrong, even if it is something small. I sometimes swear her, curse her, and even threaten with Talaaq….


The Mureed must spell out his weakness by giving an example of his behaviour.


Just saying that I have anger, pride, jealousy is not very helpful to the Shaykh. …What makes you feel that you have pride or jealousy? 


The more specific you are in informing of your sickness, the more specific and exact will be the remedy, Insha-Allah.


4.)    In this journey of love, the Mureed will experience different spiritual states and conditions. However, this is, as I generally describe, the scenery, enroute, as we travel to reach our destination. The scenery, no matter how beautiful, is not the destination. The objective is securing the Pleasure of Allah Ta’ala.


 …This too requires explanation. You could listen to the talk or read the book: Feeling spiritually low? – which you will find on the website (YunusPatel.co.za).


5.)    You can also listen to the talks: “Tasawwuf made Easy”, and can download the book ‘Ikhlaas’ from the same website. The book includes some discussion on Tasawwuf.


6.)     May Allah Ta’ala fill our hearts with His Love and guide us all on the Path of Divine Love, and grant each one of us the crown of His Friendship. May Allah Ta’ala grant Taufeeq of obedience and protect us from anything that is displeasing to Him.


Was-Salaamu alaykum wa-Rahmatullahi wa-Barakaatuhu
Yunus Patel (Maulana)



[1] Kaamil : a devout, proficient, learned  and impeccable Shari'ah adherent



Monday 24 November 2014

Giving up Haraam Fantasizing


Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

Prescription given by 
Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh)


There is no shortage of complaints when it comes to giving up sins and the struggle that ensues between a person, his nafs and shaytaan.


This battle is on-going – till our dying day. There is no way out, except to show the courage and bravery that every Muslim does have – when it comes to Pleasing Allah Ta’ala.


Sadly, another widespread weakness is that of Haraam fantasizing. Young and old, married and unmarried – thousands upon thousands, succumb to their runaway imagination when it comes to fantasy world, and this in turn leads to even graver sins.


Allah Ta’ala granted us the power of Imagination for a beautiful purpose; but most people today utilize this imagination for entertaining filthy thoughts.


The following is a prescription, which I have given to many who complained of the weakness of Haraam fantasizing. Alhamdulillah, it has been a means of cure for many. May Allah Ta’ala make it a means of cure for all those who have this ailment. Aameen.


Haraam fantasizing is a spiritual ailment. It is an abuse of the great, wonderful and amazing gift of imagination.


Why did Allah Ta’ala give us this gift of imagination?


The imagination has been given to us so that it may be used to ponder over the Qur`aan Shareef, which entails stories of past nations and verses upon verses of Jannah[1] and the beautiful bounties of Jannah, as well as Jahannum[2] and accountability. This imagination was to be used for the purpose of taking lesson and strengthening our Imaan. It was to be used as a catalyst for undertaking good deeds.


The imagination was certainly not given to us so that we may indulge our nafs in evil, filthy thoughts. Allah Ta’ala forbid.


One of the main reasons why both men and women have this problem plaguing them, is due to casting lustful gazes.[3]


Lustful gazes, socialising with ghair-mahareem[4], or watching porn movies, paging through porn magazines, or reading romance novels, increases desire. To satisfy these shahawaat (base desires), which then overcome the person, the person resorts to fantasizing.


But fantasizing is not going to satisfy desire. It will only increase desire. The person’s sickness will increase. His physical health will inevitably also suffer.


When the desire to engage in Haraam fantasizing comes into the heart, then take the imagination to the Day of Judgment; stand before Allah Ta’ala’s Seat of Judgment and begin accounting for all your actions in this world. Think of how you will have to account for and what you will say to Allah Ta’ala when all these filthy thoughts will be presented to you – if you continue in this sin. 


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

“When the Scrolls are laid open.”
[Surah At-Takweer 81 :10]


“This Our record speaks about you with truth : For We were wont 
to put on record all that you did.”
[Surah Al-Jaathiya  45 :29]


Even though Allah Ta’ala is All-Knowing and well aware of all that we do, He has established a system whereby every action and every detail of every action is recorded and which will be presented to us on the Day of Reckoning – in favour of us or witness against us.


Otherwise take your imagination for Hajj: Picture yourself at the Multazam, making Tawaaf, making Sa`ee; picture yourself at the Raudha Mubarak, conveying Salaam to Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam), or take your imagination to your Qabr[5] and the events which unfold in the grave after death. …Insha-Allah, this will a means of defeating nafs and shaytaan, as well as obliterating a filthy habit.


If you find yourself still weak against the demands of nafs and the whisperings of shaytaan, then immediately occupy yourself in that which is ‘Mubaah’ (permissible). Begin conversation with your parents, or with brothers and sisters, or phone a good, pious friend, or listen to some Qira’at or Deeni talk… Occupy yourself in that which is Halaal and Mubaah; otherwise nafs will ravage your heart and destroy your peace of mind and lead you to even suicidal tendencies.


Consider filthy thoughts as pigs. Just as we show aversion and absolute disgust on seeing a pig, so should we be disgusted with dirty thoughts – which are also Haraam (forbidden). 


Furthermore, Haraam fantasizing leads to the evil habit of self-gratification (masturbation), because the person does not find a Halaal avenue to immediately satisfy his desires. This is a rather disastrous weakness amongst the youth and one should ponder over the various harms, which are too many, and these harms are spiritual, physical and psychological harms.


Satisfying one’s desires by masturbating is not permissible even if a person does not have the means to marry. Allah Ta’ala mentions in the Qur’aan Shareef that those who do not find the means to marry should remain chaste.


“And those who do not find the means to marry, should remain chaste until Allah gives them resources by His Grace.”
 [Surah An-Noor 24 :33]


Remaining chaste is thus a Divine command which is compulsory to comply with – therefore we will find the Ahaadeeth presenting prescriptions to remain chaste – for example, lowering the gaze, fasting, etc.


As a prescription, the following harms should be read and re-read if need be, until it is understood that the harms long term are not worth the gratification that comes with the sin.


SPIRITUAL HARMS :

1.) Taufeeq of doing good deeds is taken away. The person is deprived of Tahajjud, Tilawah of the Qur`aan Shareef, associating with the pious, etc.

2.) The person deprives the Ruh (soul) of spiritual knowledge and finds an aversion to people.

3.)   The most dangerous is that the person will not be able to remain steadfast on Deen. (Allah Ta’ala protect).

4.)  Besides this, a person who satisfies his evil desires in this manner is cursed according to Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam). ...Sincere Taubah and Istighfaar should be resorted to. In most cases, while the sin is forgiven, the physical harm is long lasting.


The following physical harms have been recorded by highly qualified Hakims, the equivalent of specialist doctors. Some harms listed are for men and others, for females.


PHYSICAL HARMS :

1.)    The bladder becomes weak and this leads to problems in respect to Taharah – Wudhu/ Salaah and other Ibaadah. There are many that are suffering with involuntary urinary and seminal discharges due to the indulgence in this sin, and they write mentioning the difficulties that are thereafter encountered.
2.)    It weakens the nerves.
3.)    It causes some limbs like the legs to shake and quiver.
4.)    It causes pain in the vertebra column, the spinal column from which semen is ejaculated. This pain creates crookedness and twisting in the back.
5.)    It creates weakness in the brain and weakness of memory.
6.)    It weakens the sight and reduces the normal limit of vision.
7.)    It causes a person to become old before time.
8.)    It decreases the natural resistance of the body.
9.)   It causes harm to the four principle organs in the body: the heart, brain, liver and stomach.
10.)  It leads to impotency.
11.)  Excessive loss of semen is in reality excessive loss of blood. In later years, it can be, that such a person will not have the ability to father any children.
12.)  It causes an excessive loss of sperm by way of nocturnal emission (wet dreams).


PSYCHOLOGICAL HARMS:

It leads to:

1.)    Agitation and irritation over trivial matters,
2.)    Lack of confidence,
3.)    Disinterest in studying and
4.)    Desire for isolation.


Much more can be stated in respect to the harms of this sin. So contemplating the above, should give every incentive to give up the sin. No one would like to contend with any one of the above problems and yet just one evil deed and the person has invited waves of calamities upon himself or herself.


If evil desires still get the better, one should fast lengthy periods of time (weeks on end and reduce intake of meat, etc.); otherwise Nikah is a simple solution. Where the evil desires are so difficult to suppress that the person engages in Haraam then it becomes Fardh (compulsory) for the person to marry. This is, of course, for those who have the ability.


May Allah Ta’ala grant us the understanding and the Taufeeq to stay away from all sins.





[1] Jannah : Paradise
[2] Jahannum : Hellfire
[3] Read the Prescription for Lustful Gazes HERE
[4] Ghair Mahram: A person whom one can marry at some stage. For example: A sister-in-law is a ghair-mahram and can be married after the brother’s death or after divorce.
[5] Qabr : literally means ‘Grave’ [Also the period of life after death until the Resurrection].