Integrity and Honesty

by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Rahmatullahi 'alayh)

It has been mentioned in a Hadeeth that a pious person from the Bani Israel took a loan of one thousand gold coins, and fixing a date, promised to pay back at that time. The person giving the loan required witnesses.

The pious person said : ‘Allah is sufficient as a witness.’

He was then asked : ‘Who stands surety on your behalf?’

The person replied : ‘Allah is sufficient as a surety.’

The person, giving the loan, accepted this, saying : ‘You have spoken the truth.’ And without further consideration, handed over one thousand gold coins.

On the due date, due to flood, the pious person could not find a boat to take him across the river, to his creditor, to make the payment. This both perplexed him and hurt his conscience.

…The people of the past had integrity and honesty. They stood by their word. The thought of deliberately breaking their promises or going against their word did not even pass through their minds. They were averse to hypocrisy and did not allow it to taint their hearts. They stayed clear of those qualities which Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam) described as qualities of the hypocrites.

Rasululullah (Sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam) said: "Four are the qualities which, when found in a person, make him a complete hypocrite, and one who possesses one of them, possesses one characteristic of hypocrisy until he abandons it. These are: When he is entrusted with something, he betrays trust; when he speaks, he lies; when he promises, he acts treacherously; and when he argues, he becomes vulgar.

…However, such was this pious person’s predicament.

Having found some wood, he made a hollow in that piece of wood, and in a state of desperation, placed one thousand gold coins and a note therein, that it be given to such and such a person and then sealed it.

Since this person’s Niyyah (intention) was correct, he became recipient to Allah Ta’ala’s assistance.

Taking the piece of wood to the river, he said: ‘O Allah! You know well that I took a loan of one thousand Dinaars from so and so. He demanded a surety from me but I told him that Allah’s guarantee was sufficient and he accepted Your guarantee. He then asked for a witness and I told him that Allah was sufficient as a witness, and he accepted You as a witness. No doubt, I have tried hard to find a conveyance so that I could pay him his money but could not find one, so I hand over this money to You.’ So saying, he threw the piece of wood into the river and placed his trust in Allah Ta’ala.

On the other side, the creditor was waiting for the arrival of the boat that was to bring his money. He went to the riverbank and as he paced about, losing hope in his debtor returning, he noticed the log (wherein his money was deposited). He picked it up and took it home to use as firewood.

When he struck the axe against the log and it split open, he found the one thousand gold coins with the note, wherein his debtor had written, that since he could not get a boat in due time, he had opted to mete out payment in this manner, trusting solely in Allah Ta’ala. 

On return, the pious person was anxious to find out if his creditor had received the money or not. Taking with him another one thousand gold coins, he went to the creditor’s home with the intention of making a late payment, had the creditor not received his money.

After having explained his plight and offering the thousand gold coins, the creditor truthfully told him that Allah Ta’ala had already delivered the money which he had sent in the piece of wood, and the pious person was told to keep the one thousand gold coins which he had brought with him.

…That was their level of honesty and trustworthiness and for that, Allah Ta’ala gave them plenty of Barakah (blessings)… A far cry from present day experiences with even Muslim businessmen and traders.

Because of the temptations faced by traders^[1], Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam) enumerated many great rewards for the honest trader. It is mentioned in a Hadeeth that an honest and trustworthy merchant shall be with the Ambiyaa^[2] (عَليْهِمُ السَّلام)^[3], the Martyrs and the pious.

Allah Ta’ala opens the doors of Rizq (sustenance) and Barakah (blessings) for the honest and truthful ones.

Allah Ta’ala has presented various ordinances on loans, which we are instructed to implement in our transactions. This is especially necessary in these times of hypocrisy, cheating and deception, when we cannot even trust some of those who have adopted the garb of the pious and have a connection with the Masjid (mosque) and with Deen. Due to fraudulent deals, even family members and friends are not being trusted anymore.

In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah Ta’ala states :

يٰٓأَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْٓا إِذَا تَدَايَنْتُمْ بِدَيْنٍ إِلٰٓى أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى فَاكْتُبُوْهُ ^ط

‘O those who believe, when you transact a debt payable at a specified time, put it in writing. …’

  

ذٰلِكُمْ أَقْسَطُ عِنْدَ اللّٰهِ وَأَقْوَمُ لِلشَّهَادَةِ وَأَدْنٰٓى أَلَّا تَرْتَابُوْٓا

    …that is more equitable with Allah and more establishing for the evidence and nearer to  that you fall not in doubt…’

[surah baqarah 2 : 282]

Allah Ta’ala clearly outlines and establishes various directives to a loan in this Ayah (verse), which has more details of importance.

The gist of which, directs towards a written document to be drafted for such transactions, wherein the names of all parties, the analysis, exact due date of payment and fine points of the transaction are distinctly and unambiguously stated. The wisdom behind written agreements is precaution against breach, oversight, misunderstanding or dispute and conflict at a later stage.

Allah Ta’ala also calls for witnesses to such transactions, since they would verify and resolve any dispute that may arise in future.

May Allah Ta’ala grant us the noble qualities of honesty, truthfulness, trustworthiness and sincerity in our dealings with people.

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[1] Mu’aamalaat is a branch of Shari'ah, dealing with business and trade. It is compulsory (Fardh) upon a person involved in business and trade to learn the relevant Masaa`il (rules).

[2]  Ambiyaa : Messengers of Allah Ta'ala

[3] (عَليْهِمُ السَّلام): ‘May peace be upon them’.

Bringing Life into the Heart

Bismihi Ta’ala

When a hen lays enough eggs, her effort is then to incubate her eggs, and we observe how she sits on the eggs, and is so committed to the process, that she only leaves her eggs for a few minutes in a day, when she needs to eat and drink.

As is well-known, it takes 21 days for the eggs to hatch - that is, if they were properly incubated by the hen. So for almost all that time, the hen sits on the eggs, and the embryo develops inside the egg in that period of time, until a chick pecks its way out of its eggshell and is hatched.

When life comes into that chick, the chick does not require any assistance to come out. It does not wait for its mother to crack the shell so that it may come out. It is able to crack the shell itself.

Once the eggs hatch, the hen continues to stay on the nest for weeks thereafter, occupying herself in raising her chicks. She teaches them survival skills and how to look for food.

Together with providing her chicks with warmth and the shelter of her wings, she passionately protects her brood from anyone who dares to disturb them. She constantly worries over them and keeps them close to her, knowing that her little ones are vulnerable to predators. …We have seen how the chicks hide under the wings of the mother hen.

A beautiful lesson is drawn from this natural phenomena :

The Saalik or Mureed who takes cover and refuge in the sanctuary of the Shaykh-e-Kaamil will find spiritual life being generated in him. The Suhbah  (company) of the Shaykh-e-Kaamil is akin to the incubation process, whereby spiritual life is generated into the Mureed.

Just as there is a required period for the chicks’ development and growth, so too, the Mureed or the Saalik is required to spend sufficient time with the Shaykh to draw that spiritual life within his heart. Naturally, and it should go without saying, the intention should be sincere.

In the company of the Shaykh-e-Kaamil, the sincere Saalik finds a change overcoming his heart, he finds the love and fear of Allah Ta’ala flourishing in his heart, he finds the courage and capacity to give up sins, and he finds the inclination and strength to do good deeds.

…Many a time, through the noble company and guidance of the Shaykh, the Mureed is able to abandon sins more easily. Of course, some striving (mujahadah) and sacrifice (qurbaani) are required. …But it becomes easy to become ‘muttaqi’ or pious in the right company.

…And this is the Command and Direction of Allah Ta’ala (i.e. to be in the company of the pious):

“O You who Believe, Fear Allah and join the company of the Truthful ones

(the pious, the Auliya Allah).”

[Surah Taubah 9 : 119]

Through the Suhbah, Dua and Tawajjuh (attention) of the Shaykh, the Saalik is then able to easily crack the shells of all ma`siyyat or sins. He will be able to un-shackle himself from the chains of nafs and shaytaan. And when a person makes ‘fanaa’ of (i.e. destroys) the evil desires of his heart (qalb), Allah Ta’ala grants that heart, ‘Hayaat’  (life).

Once there is life in the heart, all parts of the body will function properly, as has been explained by Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam).

“There is a piece of flesh in the body, if it becomes good (reformed) the whole body becomes good but if it gets spoiled, the whole body gets spoiled – and that is the heart.”

[Sahih Bukhari]

Thus, the heart is the focal and central point for reformation and spiritual life. The simple and most successful means to the heart’s reformation is ‘join the company of the Truthful Ones.’

‘My journey has become easy;

Even the winds have changed direction.

…when your hand came into my hand,

Even the lamps of the road lit up.’

Like the hen, we find that the Kaamil Shaykh offers protection to those who come under the wings of his spiritual care and nurture. He guides and directs them to recognizing the predators which are out hunting them – i.e. nafs and shaytaan. He teaches them how to find their spiritual food, through various good deeds and through good character; through following the Sunnah and through practicing on Deen and Shariah.

He, himself, is constantly burdened with the responsibility and obligation of attending to them, but earnestly continues in his efforts.

The Auliya Allah are ‘mahfooz’ (protected by Allah Ta’ala) so the Shaykh-e-Kaamil is also in the special protection of Allah Ta’ala, and in this manner, those who keep his company benefit from that protection, especially against nafs and shaytaan.

…And this is the experience of those who are sincere Mureedeen and Saalikeen. It is said that those who remained in the company of the great Shaykh, Hazrat Abu Sulayman Darani (RA) did not suffer adversity or misfortune, nor did evil thoughts come to their minds, nor did negative feelings enter their hearts – such was the protection found in his companionship.

If anyone is seeking this ‘Hayaat-e-Qalbi’, the Suhbah of the Ahlullah is the simplest recourse in obtaining the same.

One of our Mashaa`ik had defined Deen as the name for ‘Hayaat-e-Qalbi’.

If a person develops ‘Hayaat-e-Qalbi’, then life will automatically come into his Deen. And the definition of ‘Hayaat-e-Qalbi’  is none other than the adoption of Taqwa. Abstinence from sins brings about Hayaat-e-Qalbi. This brings knowledge into practice. Aml comes to life.

In a Hadeeth, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) said : ‘…Taqwa is here.’ and he pointed towards his heart, repeating this statement thrice.

Taqwa is the life of the spiritual heart. Without Taqwa or ‘Hayaat-e-Qalbi’, there is only the casing of Deen.

Presently, what we have is the shape and form of Ibaadaat. Even though our bodies are occupied in Ibaadaat, there is no spirit, soul or ‘kaifiyyat’ because there is no Hayaat-e-Qalbi, because there is no Taqwa – because there is no abstinence from sins.

In fact, without Hayaat-e-Qalbi, there are so many who can be seeing the truth, but at the same time they are not seeing; since there is no acknowledgement by the heart. Many can be listening to the truth, but in reality, they are not listening, since there is no belief and acceptance in the heart.

The heart which has no ‘Hayaat’  is a heart devoid of the Tajalli^[1] of Allah Ta’ala. Such a heart has become hardened, so much so that it is not even considered a heart…

Allah Ta’ala says regarding the Bani Israeel :

‘Thenceforth were your hearts hardened : They became like a rock and even worse in hardness.’

[Surah Baqarah 2 : 72]

May Allah Ta’ala safeguard us from the hardness of the heart, from death of the spiritual heart, and may He, out of His Infinite Kindness, bless us all with spiritual life and strength. May Allah Ta’ala afford us the good fortune that our life and death be amidst His Auliya Allah and that we too become His Friends.

By Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel (RA)

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[1] Tajalli : Special Mercy 

New Book : Spiritual States of the Heart

http://yunuspatel.co.za/books-feelingspirituallylow.php

"Just as the journeys of the material world inevitably entail some difficulty or a few 'hiccups' en-route, so too, in this journey to achieve proximity to Allah Ta'ala (Qurb), there is some degree of striving and struggle. There are various experiences to test our mettle, our sincerity, our commitment, our strength of faith in Allah Ta'ala, and the trueness of our claim of Love for Him."

Feeling Spiritually Low? offers an insightful explanation to the different conditions that visit the spiritual heart, in its quest for the Beloved (Allah Ta'ala).

The discussion provides an effective prescription and remedy for those feeling spiritually low.

Character

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

As Muslims, our character, morals and etiquette should differentiate us from others. Non-Muslims are not so attentive to our beautiful Salaah, Tilawah, Zikr, and other Ibaadaat as they are to our character and dealings with others.

Wherever the Sahabah (Radhiyallahu ‘anhum) went, it was their character which attracted so many; which often became the focus of attention, as well as admiration.

When Rasulullah  (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) invited the Quraysh to the worship of ONE Allah, he climbed Mount Safa and called out to his people, calling every family of the Quraysh. When they arrived, he asked them: ‘If I told you that horsemen were advancing to attack you from the valley on the other side of the hill, would you believe me?’^[1]

Simultaneously and immediately, they all responded: ‘Yes! We have always found you honest.’

Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) presented his credentials to them : That that person who has never spoken a lie for 40 years, do you think he is going to do so now, in his invitation to the worship of One Allah?

How many of us can present trustworthiness, honesty and truthfulness as outstanding traits within us, let alone beautiful speech and noble etiquette in our dealings with people?

This is one of the main reasons why a large number of non-Muslims remain aloof from Islam. Our poor character and our poor dealings have become a barrier to them coming into Islam. It is as if we are standing at the door of Islam, and keeping them out – or pushing them away. …Have we ever given a thought as to how we are going to answer for this?

Islam is not only Salaah, Fasting, Hajj and ‘Umrah. …These forms of worship only make up one branch of Shariah.  … The person may be fulfilling the rights of the Creator (Allah Ta’ala) but he is at the same time displeasing Allah Ta’ala by neglecting and violating the rights of the creation (Makhlooq).

There are 5 branches of Shariah :

§  Aqaa`id : Beliefs

§  Ibaadaat : Worship

§  Mu’aamalaat : Business transactions and dealings

§  Mu`aasharaat : Social dealings

§  Akhlaaq : Character

Every Muslim has to make an effort to correct all of these branches for perfection of Islam. It must not be that any one of us returns to Allah Ta’ala with plentiful of Ibaadaat, which subsequently accrues to others and is lost to ourselves.

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (Radhiyallahu ‘anhu) related that Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) once asked his companions: ‘Do you know who is a pauper?’

The Companions replied that a pauper is a person who has no money or property.

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: ‘A pauper from among my followers (Ummah) is one who will come on the Day of Judgment with a good record of Salaah (prayers) and Saum (fasting) and Zakaah (compulsory charity) but also he had abused somebody; slandered someone or beaten yet another person. Then all the oppressed persons will receive a part of the aggressor’s good deeds. Should they fall short of his aggression, then the aggrieved persons’ sins and defaults will be transferred from them to him, and he will be thrown into the Fire (Hell).’^[2]

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (Radhiyallahu ‘anhu) also related that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: ‘If any Muslim has oppressed his brother, concerning his honour or anything else, let him obtain his pardon today (in this world) before the time comes when he will have neither Dinaars^[3] nor Dirhams^[4] (i.e. he will be penniless). If the aggressor may have some good deeds (in his account) the same would be deducted in equal proportion to his wrongs. If the aggressor will have no good deeds in his account, the wrongs of the aggrieved would be added to the account of the aggressor in equal proportion.’^[5]

I often say : ‘Pay back HERE, to save your back THERE.’

If we want safety and salvation, we have to get our deeds in order. We need to make amends and compensate for our shortcomings HERE, in this worldly life; otherwise, THERE, on the Day of Resurrection, there will be great regret and humiliation. May Allah Ta’ala guide and protect us all.

By Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh)

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[1] Sahih Bukhari

[2] Sahih Muslim

[3] Dinaars : gold coins

[4] Dirhams : silver coins

[5] Sahih Bukhari