Friday 27 February 2015

Eesalus-Sawaab


Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem


Eesalus-Sawaab[1] is not only for the deceased; it is also for the living – and is established from the Sunnah as well.


We should therefore also convey the rewards of our optional deeds to the entire Ummah of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam), which includes those who are living. 


Moreover, when the rights of a Muslim have been unintentionally violated, it would be a sign of sincerity, that besides asking for forgiveness, the person conveys the reward of some good deed as ‘Eesalus-Sawaab’ to the person who was wronged.



For example : If  the person was party to Gheebah (backbiting) and did not prevent it, then besides asking Allah Ta’ala to forgive, the person could read the ‘Quls’[2] or give something in Sadaqah (charity) and send the reward as Eesaalus Sawaab to the person whose right was violated.


If the person has come to know of what was said about him (or her), then the person’s forgiveness should be sought as well.


Of course, this does not mean that we violate people’s rights, using this as an atonement and compensation. A Muslim is careful not to cause hurt or injury to others.


By Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb
(Rahmatullahi ‘Alayh)





[1] Eesalus Sawaab : to convey the reward of a good action or charitable deed to another person, alive or deceased.
[2] The recitation of Surah Al-Ikhlaas, Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Naas  - which begin with the word ‘Qul’.  These are the last 3 Surahs of the Qur`aan Shareef.

Saturday 21 February 2015

Islaahi Correspondence | Letter Seven | Revising Qur`aan Shareef for a Hafez

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

LETTER SEVEN


Revising Qur`aan Shareef for a Hafez

Question
  

As- Salaamu ‘alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakaatuhu

I am a Hafez of the Qur`aan Shareef, but find it very difficult to keep up with Dhor, due to my responsibilities as the breadwinner, husband and father. As a result, there is neglect. The time is never enough to do the Dhor I used to do as a student. I would appreciate Maulana’s suggestions on how to maintain my dhor.


Reply

Bismihi Ta’ala

Dear Brother in Islam,

Wa-alaykumus Salaam wa-Rahmatullahi wa-Barakaatuhu

1.)             Every difficulty becomes easy on the path of Love and for the Lover of Allah Ta’ala, there is always time for the Beloved, and always a desire to be in communion with the Beloved.


The Qur`aan Shareef is the Kalaam (Speech) of Allah Ta’ala: When reciting it, you are listening to Allah Ta’ala and simultaneously, Allah Ta’ala is listening to you. The Hadeeth mentions: “Almighty Allah listens to the voice of the reader of the Qur`aan more eagerly than does a master to the song of his singing slave girl.”


We should be desirous of such opportunities whereby we are recipient to this special attention from Allah Ta’ala.


2.)                 The following is an easy prescription which I give to Huffaaz who are in professions and business:

a.       Between the Azaan of Fajr and Fajr Salaah, after the 2 Sunnats of Fajr, read 3 Rukus of Qur`aan Shareef. After Fajr, read the same 3 Rukus. It will take + 5 minutes.

b.       Before and after Zuhr do the same 3 Rukus only. Then before and after Asar, Maghrib and Esha respectively, the same 3.

c.       In a day, you have done the same 3 Rukus +10 times, allowing for some days when you cannot manage before or after.

d.       Take the following 3 Rukus the next day and recite as explained above. In six days (average), you will complete a para. On Sunday, make dhor of that para, reading a few rukus each Salaah time.

e.       In a month you will do + 4 paras, and in 7 months revision of the complete Qur`aan Shareef without much effort, Insha-Allah.

f.        Continue like this for the rest of your life. 


3.)                 May Allah Ta’ala grant Barakah in time, preservation of His Kalaam in your heart, and Taufeeq of always reciting the Qur`aan Shareef.

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



Sunday 15 February 2015

Islaahi Correspondence | Letter Six | Doubts in respect to Taharah


Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

LETTER  SIX
  

Doubts in respect to Taharah

Question


As-Salaamu ‘alaikum

My problem is as follows : Every time I make Wudhu, I feel as if my Wudhu is not valid. I repeatedly wash my face, going beyond 3 times. When I take Ghusl, I consider that it is not valid and repeat it. When I make Istinja, I feel I am still not clean. I continue making Wudhu, Ghusl and Istinja but the doubts are not leaving me. I have been to many Aamils and follow different treatments, but the problem is persistent. I feel my sickness only increasing and am fed up of running after Aamils and doing the different treatments. Would be grateful for your help.



Reply

Bismihi Ta’ala

Respected Brother,

Wa-alaykumus Salaam wa-Rahmatullahi wa-Barakaatuhu

1.)     First of all : Put a complete stop to visiting Aamils. Just read the following :


-          3 x Durood Shareef
-          3 x Ayatul Kursi
-          3 x 3 Quls (3 x Surah Al-Ikhlaas, 3 x Surah Al-Falaq and 3 x Surah An-Naas)
-          11 x La Haula wala Quwwata Illah Billah
-          3 x Durood Shareef


Blow over yourself. Blow on water and drink. Make Taubah and Istighfaar from sins. Give some Sadaqah. This will be sufficient to ward off Jinn and Jadu effects. Do this morning and evening.


2.)     Ignore all the doubts when making Wudhu. It is possible to cover the face properly in washing 3 times. Thereafter, just ignore the doubts.


3.)     When in the toilet : After relieving yourself, stand up, cough a few times, then make Istinja with toilet tissue. After this, wash the private part. Wear your underwear. Sprinkle a little water around the groin area. Then attribute whatever wetness you feel to that sprinkle. Ignore the doubts.


4.)     When bathing : Soap your body properly once. When the soap is washed off, believe your body too has been washed.


5.)     If you do not follow through with the above, you will suffer anxiety and the problem can even lead to a nervous breakdown and sicknesses.


6.)     Read the book : “Combating the Whisperings of shaytaan”– found on the website (www.YunusPatel.co.za). Or send us your address, and we will post it to you.


7.)     I make Dua for your complete recovery from all ailments – physical and spiritual.


Was-Salaamu alaykum wa-Rahmatullahi wa-Barakaatuhu

Yunus Patel (Maulana)



Tuesday 10 February 2015

The Dressing of the Muslim



Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

It is very common amongst the youth to emulate the dress code and ways of the non-Muslims. ...Following Hollywood, Bollywood, western and eastern fashion, lifestyle and culture is the pursuit, interest and fixation of many people.


I have mentioned to boys and girls and even adults, that the dressing which is according to the Sunnah, greatly benefits in different ways. This dressing of the Kurta, pants above the ankle and Topee/Amamah for the men, and the Hijaab and Niqaab for the women has Noor.


When this Sunnah attire and modest dressing are adopted, then this Noor enters the heart and results in piety being nurtured in the heart, character and speech. There is an immediate effect and improvement in a person’s spirituality.


The Sunnah dressing is also extremely modest and simple. As such, modesty and simplicity are also cultivated in the person.

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said: Simplicity is a part of Imaan” [1] and: “Modesty is a branch of Faith.”


Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) also said: Haya (modesty) does not bring anything except good.”[2]


Where there is modesty, then virtue, chastity and purity will be found – in actions, speech and thoughts.


Another benefit of the dressing of Islam is that it becomes a barrier and a protection from sins. It makes it so much easier to stay away from sins. 


The person who is in Kurta or the sister who is in Hijaab and Niqaab will stay far away from committing open sin, going to places such as cinemas, clubs and other evil venues. There is an understanding that this dress represents piety and that people look upon such people as pious. It is most inappropriate to be present in such places, more especially when in such attire. 


I advise and encourage all the brothers, young and old, who are not in the habit of wearing the Sunnah Libaas, to commence by wearing it for the Fardh Salaah. Salaah demands respect. Being in the House of Allah Ta’ala also demands respect and dignity.


In answering the call to Salaah, also respond to the Command of Allah Ta’ala regarding our dressing to Salaah.


“O Children of Aadam! Take your adornment at every prayer time…
[Surah Al-A’raaf 7 : 31]


Wearing short sleeves, tight fitting pants, performing the Salaah bare-headed, etc. goes against the grain of respect and is Makruh (extremely disliked).


If a person wears this Sunnah Libaas, five times a day, for the Salaah, he will, Insha-Allah, see the day where he will cast off the western garb and adopt the Sunnah attire full time, with great love and happiness. He will establish great affinity with the Sunnah and will lose interest in the ways of the non-Muslims.


Very sadly, so many of our sisters go out ill-clad - wearing immodest, revealing and modern garb, and they beautify and perfume themselves. They then become targets of filthy, lustful glances and even physical and verbal harassment. In a society wherein evil and obscenity abound, rape has a ‘visual’ dimension as well…


Allah Ta’ala revealed the laws of Hijaab in various Aayaat (verses) of the Qur`aan Shareef. Hijaab identifies a woman as a respectable human being and she is safeguarded from any kind of harassment - which is so common in this day and age. 

 
“O Nabi ! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed….”

[Surah Al-Ahzaab 33 : 59]


Our sisters should look towards the pure wives and daughters of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and the noble Sahabiyaat (RA) as role models. These are women who earned great honour and success in both worlds, and whe are beloved to Allah Ta’ala. Aspire for this!



When the dressing of the Kuffaar is worn, there is Zulmat (darkness) that falls on the heart and this darkness then becomes apparent in the person’s character, actions and speech. ...An attribute of the dress of the kuffaar is that of immodesty and indecency. It destroys the inherent modesty and shame of a person. Very quickly, the nature of a person becomes spoiled – inclining towards immodesty and indecency.


We see the end result of imitating actors, actresses, singers and others: smoking, drugs, alcohol, swearing, illicit relationships, fornication, etc. Darkness spreads in the person's life.


Their culture encourages girls to look like boys and boys to look like girls. Identity is lost and natural characteristics are ruined. 


Allah Ta’ala has defined the most perfect dress code for men and women. Various Ahadith offer us guidelines and details regarding our dressing. We should acquaint ourselves with this knowledge and implement them practically and also appreciate the bounty of such beautiful, noble attire.


The clothing of the Muslim is extremely important. It is our identity. We should not be embarrassed or ashamed to be recognized as Muslims and as followers of our Beloved Rasul (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam). We should be desirous of having this resemblance with him (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam).


Moreover, our dress makes us ambassadors, representatives and flag-bearers of this beautiful Deen, without any effort.


May Allah Ta’ala grant us the courage and the Taufeeq of practising on all of Deen, and grant us the great benefits and rewards that follow as a result of this.

~ Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Rahmatullahi 'alayh)



[1] Abu Dawood
[2] Sahih Bukhari