Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem
In the Seerah of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam), we read the beautiful experience and miraculous journey of the Mi’raj. The journey from
Makkah Shareef to Baitul Muqqaddas (Jerusalem) is known as Isra and the
miraculous journey to the seven heavens and beyond is known as the Mi’raj. …Whilst
every aspect of the Isra and Mi’raj offers great lessons, there is a lesson
that comes to mind considering these times that we live in and the
responsibilities and the trust that devolves upon those who have knowledge of
Deen and who are in a position where they are able to influence the people.
Our respected Muhadditheen have quoted Ahadith wherein Rasulullah
(Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) related that during this journey he (Sallallaahu
‘alayhi wasallam) was offered wine and milk to drink. Some say that this was at
Masjid-al-Aqsa and others say it was in the heavens, near Sidratul Muntahah. When
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) accepted the milk, Hazrat Jibra’eel
(Alaihis Salaam) said: “You
have adopted that which is Al-Fitrah[1]. Had
you taken the wine, your Ummah would have certainly gone astray.”[2]
Allah Ta’ala blessed Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) with
a disposition which was pure and unadulterated and thus he (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi
wasallam) inclined to what is good and pure. Milk is pure and nourishing. …Hazrat
Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) explained that like milk
provides nourishment and serves as a food and drink, similarly, the Deen of
Islam offers complete spiritual nourishment.
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) is Sayyidul Ambiyaa[3],
Khaatamun Nabiyyeen[4] and Imamul
Muttaqeen[5].
If he (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) adopted the wrong action, then as Hazrat
Jibra’eel (Alaihis Salaam) had said, it would have had such an influence – such
a great effect – on the entire Ummah, that the Ummah would have gone
astray.
There is a great lesson in this incident for those who are known as
scholars, and for those who preach, and for those who sit on the Mimbars, and
for people like myself who give Bayaans, Wa’az and Nasihah. A lot depends on
such people. In whichever direction they go, the Ummah will follow.
There will be a large following in whichever direction these people go.
If a Scholar goes in the right direction, there will be a following in
that direction and if he goes in the wrong direction, then too, there will be a
following in the wrong direction. Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Aashiq-e-Ilaahi Bulandshahri
(Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) had said: “This statement of Hazrat Jibra’eel (Alaihis
Salaam) makes evident that the character and deeds of a leader have a direct
impact on his followers.”
It is not that everyone in the Ummah will just naturally and
instinctively follow Haq (the truth). If that was the case, we would
not find so many people in the Ummah of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wsallam)
following nafs and shaytaan. …Are we not
following nafs and shaytaan in our lives? How often we place our own desires
before the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala? …So many engage in sins recklessly – as if
sins are the aim and objective of this worldly life (Na uzu Billah).
…Whether Haq or Baatil, there will be followers. Look at shaytaan! He
too has a following!
The Scholars are supposed to be the leaders of the Ummah of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam). They are assigned with the great trust and immense
responsibility of conveying this message of Deen, of Haq. They are to show us the direction towards Jannah and also lead us in that direction –
by practically implementing the Commandments of Allah Ta’ala and keeping clear
of all the Prohibitions of Allah Ta’ala. Now, if the Scholars are going to go in
the direction of Jahannum, then there will be a number of people who will
follow them and who will say to Allah Ta’ala on the Day of Judgment: “Maulana Saheb, Qari Saheb, Mufti Saheb, Haji
Saheb, Tablighi Saheb, Khanqah Saheb – and all these people of Deen, were
showing us the direction to Jahannum. They were our leaders and we followed
them.” …But this will not be an excuse.
We, who are categorised as Scholars, should keep in mind the Hadith wherein
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “Whoever initiates a good practice in Islam and is emulated by others
in doing so will get the reward of it and the reward of all those who act upon
it without their rewards being diminished in any respect. And whosoever
initiates an evil practice in Islam and is emulated by others will bear the sin
of it and the sin of all those who act on it without their burden being
diminished in the least.”[6]
One of the outstanding qualities of one who has knowledge is his fear of
Allah Ta’ala:
إِنَّمَا يَخْشَى اللّٰهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْعُلَمٰؤُاْ
“…It is only those who
have knowledge among his slaves that fear Allah…”
[Surah Fatir 35 : 28]
If a person has much knowledge but there is no obedience to Allah Ta’ala
and there is an absence of the fear of Allah Ta’ala, he will not be categorised
amongst the ‘Ulama or Ahle-Ilm.
So if the Scholars give leeway in respect to any of the Muharramaat
(prohibitions), there is no doubt that the Ummah will very freely move in
the direction of sins. And this is what we find happening today. Hazrat Mufti
Rasheed Ahmad Saheb Ludhyaanwi (Rahmatullahi Alaih) had explained that when the
people of learning set a wrong precedent, the consequences are very severe:
1.) Accountability before Allah
Ta’ala will be harsher.
2.) The wrongdoing by the Scholars
emboldens the masses to engage in sin.
3.) The masses will consider sin as
permissible.
Our Akaabir always considered that their actions must not affect the
Deen in any way. They were very particular about their actions. They looked at
the bigger picture and did not compromise on Deen. As Scholars, there has to be concern for the
safety of the Ummah and of humanity at large. We should think of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam)'s deep concern for the Ummah, his tears for the Ummah, and his repeated Dua for: "Ummati, Ummati"
The incident of Isra and Mi’raj is very clear: Had Rasulullah (Sallallaahu
‘alayhi wasallam) adopted that one single action, the Ummah would have gone
astray. Those who hold some kind of influence should realise that their
actions can ultimately “make” this Ummah or “break” this Ummah.
May Allah Ta’ala grant us the concern. May Allah Ta’ala grant us Taqwa and
Istiqaamah on Siraatul Mustaqeem. May Allah Ta’ala make us true flagbearers of
this beautiful Deen and true representatives of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi
wasallam).
By Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh)
[1] A natural,
pure state
[2] Sahih
Muslim
[3] Sayyidul
Ambiyaa : Master of the Messengers (of Allah Ta’ala)
[4] Khaatamun
Nabiyyeen : Seal of the Messengers (of Allah Ta’ala)
[5] Imamul Muttaqeen
: The leader of the pious
[6] Sahih
Muslim
