Prescription for Lustful Gazes

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

Lustful gazes have become an epidemic with consequences that are so far-reaching, to the point of crippling one’s spirituality, weakening one’s Imaan, sometimes even to the extent of losing one’s Imaan - for a pretty face or a handsome face. (May Allah Ta’ala protect us all).

More and more Muslim brothers and even sisters write, after realizing or experiencing the effects of the ‘bitter-sweet’ poison of evil glancing: They want an antidote; they want desperately to escape their habit – before they totally self-destruct; because their habit of casting lustful gazes landed them in the gutters of immorality and they have had to then contend with disgrace, humiliation and sometimes a life-long stigma.

…But they find themselves weak in the face of the demands of their nafs. And the nafs, by nature, enjoys the forbidden, and is never satisfied even on fulfilment of its demands.  It is very much like the salty water of the ocean: it increases thirst and does not quench thirst.

So for those who find themselves weak in lowering their gazes from Haraam, they should now use their gazes – the invaluable gift of sight - in carefully reading the following prescription, for cure.

Alhamdulillah, if followed, lowering the gaze will become second nature and a person will reach a stage where he will not even care if Miss Universe is passing in front of him … because he would have tasted the sweetness of Imaan, and would know the lofty experiences that come on pleasing Allah Ta’ala.

To cast an evil gaze will then be most indecent and shameful for him. The person will now know better than to disgrace himself, destroy the tranquility and Sukoon of his heart and exchange the sweet pleasure of Allah Ta’ala’s love for what will inevitably become dust. He says, as my Shaykh, Hadhrat Moulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) said in poetry:

“I will not look, I will not look,

Never will I look at one,

Looking upon whom,

Displeases my Rabb (Allah Ta’ala).”

Whilst beauty is an attribute that charms and captivates any heart; if it is that which Allah Ta’ala has declared as forbidden, it not only destroys the peace of the heart, it lays to waste the very substance of Imaan that resides in the heart. Therefore, Allah Ta’ala, addresses both the believing men and believing women:

“Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at that which is Haraam) and to be modest (i.e. to protect themselves from prohibited deeds like adultery and fornication, etc.). That is purer for them. Verily Allah is Aware of what they do.”

 “And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at that which is forbidden) and to be modest (i.e. to protect themselves from prohibited deeds like adultery, fornication, etc.) and not to show off their beauty except only that which is apparent and let them wear their head-coverings over their bosoms…”

[Surah An-Nur 24 : 30/ 31]

The absolute wisdom and beauty inherent in these injunctions of Allah Ta’ala, of lowering the gaze, guarding ones modesty (and adopting the full Hijaab for women), is that a person will remain far removed from the crime of Zina (adultery / fornication), as well as the stepping stones to Zina.

All those actions that lead to the commission of sin are, like the sin itself, absolutely forbidden. Like Zina is forbidden, so too are all those actions that will inevitably lead to Zina. Therefore, Allah Ta’ala says:

“And come not near to Zina. Verily it is a shameful and evil path”

[Surah Al- Isra 17 : 32]

Evil glancing is the very inception to Zina. By lowering the gaze, we curtail furthering our evil desires. These injunctions of Allah Ta’ala are a protection from sin and should be appreciated by practical implementation.

• It is not impossible to lower the gaze from Haraam, as some say. …If we have the ability to look up, we also have the ability to look down or turn our gazes away. We open our eyes and we close our eyes. …So what is it difficult to look down or look away when we see a pretty face, accidentally? …More especially when that pretty face will result in:

-         The heart burning with restlessness,

-         Darkness filling the heart,

-         The Noor of the heart and the Noor of the face being lost.

-         Earning the displeasure of Allah Ta’ala  

-         Inviting the Curses of Allah Ta’ala.

All that is required is a little courage. If we are bold to displease Allah Ta’ala in His Presence, then this proves adequately that we can be bold enough and displease nafs and shaytaan instead. We have courage and need to re-channel it to earn His Pleasure.

• Our respected Shaykh, Hazrat Maulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) had mentioned that if a person is a lover of sweets and he is informed that in a certain district, there are many, many sweet shops, the person naturally feels happy because he will be able to enjoy sweetness any time he so wishes. ...Allah Ta’ala’s promise on lowering the gaze is sweetness of Imaan…

In a Hadeeth-e-Qudsi, Allah Ta’ala says: “Verily evil glancing is an arrow from the poisonous arrows of Shaytaan. Whosoever fears Me (Allah) and refrains from it will receive from Me such Imaan, the sweetness of which he will taste (feel) in his heart.”^[1]

So we should consider the occasions, when we are in public areas and other venues, where there may be many strange women present, as an opportunity of lowering the gaze and enjoying and savouring the sweetness of Imaan. 

Of course, this should not be misconstrued to mean that we visit those places where there is temptation. Where there is mud, even an elephant can slip.

• At such a time – when the desire is strong to cast that evil gaze, immediately strike a deal with Allah Ta’ala. Say: “O Allah, it is solely for Your Pleasure and out of Love for You that I am restraining myself from casting these evil gazes, even though my nafs and heart desire to derive forbidden pleasure in this. …O Allah, I am placing Your Pleasure before my pleasure and am hopeful of the fulfillment of Your Promise, of granting the sweetness of Imaan to the one who lowers his gaze from Haraam.”

In another Hadeeth mentioned in Mishkaat Shareef, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “When anyone’s eyes fall on a pretty girl and he immediately casts his gaze away from her, Allah grants him the Divine Guidance towards such Ibaadah, the ecstasy of which he feels in himself.”

• Moreover, if a person is married, then keep in mind that Allah Ta’ala has given a wife who is Halaal. It is great ingratitude that a person would choose to look at and fantasize over Haraam women, when blessed with a Halaal wife. This will inevitably result in dissatisfaction, unhappiness and even criticism of one’s wife and will open the doors of marital misery.

Lustful glancing is infidelity and a violation of the rights of one’s spouse. …Would any well-balanced, sound-minded person like that his wife casts evil gazes at other men, and fantasizes about them? …So similarly, she too will not like that her husband engages in such disloyalty and betrayal.

Of course, the same is applicable to women. Many women, including married women, complain of their weakness of admiring men.

• Always keep in mind that casting lustful gazes means casting those gazes at someone’s daughter, mother, sister, wife, etc. Would anyone of us like that someone does the same to our wives, our daughters, our mothers or our sisters? ...No.

If we respect strange women by lowering our gazes and keeping our hearts free of evil passions and lust, Insha-Allah, Allah Ta’ala will protect our womenfolk from those who have sick hearts and minds. Otherwise they will also be subjected to the same evil from strange men. None of us would be happy with that.

• Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “Allah curses the one who looks and the one at whom the gaze is directed (i.e. the one who was responsible for attracting the attention of a ghair-mahram).”

The La`nah (curse) of Allah Ta’ala is no trivial and insignificant matter, to be taken in the light-hearted manner we do. A person tagged with the label of the ‘La`nah’ of Allah Ta’ala is denied His Mercy and deprived of His proximity, until he repents thereof, firmly intending not to indulge in such Haraam pleasure again. If not, then this evil habit of lustful gazes paves the path of disgrace. May Allah Ta'ala save us all. 

• Furthermore, by developing the love and fear of Allah Ta’ala, it becomes extremely easy to restrain oneself from sin. Taqwa and the conscious awareness of Allah Ta’ala’s presence are a protection, security and barrier from sin. These beautiful qualities are easiest acquired from the company of the Auliya Allah (Friends of Allah Ta’ala).

Mullah Ali Qaari (Rahmatullah ‘alaih) had given the following definition of Hayaa (Modesty): ‘The ‘Haqeeqat’ of Hayaa is that your Maula (Master, Allah Ta’ala) must not find you in that place which He has forbidden.” …or indulging in that which He has forbidden.

The conscious awareness of Allah Ta’ala prevents us from committing sins.

Ultimately, if we lower our gazes, we guard our hearts from evil desires and lust, and we also guard our minds from Haraam fantasizing – and Allah Ta’ala blesses our hearts with the sweetness of Imaan.  Just one small action of lowering the gaze or turning the gaze in another direction and major problems are solved, and the net result is the Supreme Bounty of Allah Ta’ala’s pleasure, the sweetness of Imaan, peace and contentment! This is indeed a wonderful exchange for such a small deed.

May Allah Ta’ala grant us the Taufeeq of 100% obedience and bless us with the sweetness of Imaan.

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[1] Kanzul-Ummaal

       Also: Read the Book

 "The 14 Harms Of Casting Evil Glances"

By Hazrat Maulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb 

(Rahmatullahi Alayh)

When Inviting to Islam

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

When we talk to a non-Muslim, we argue about his ‘book’. This is not the starting point of Da’wah (inviting to Islam).

First talk to the person about Islam: Its beauty, purity and perfection. In this manner, the flaws and loopholes of the other religion becomes evident and manifest.

If the person has an interest, he will ask questions. We should then answer the questions truthfully and with Hikmah (wisdom). There should not be an apologetic attitude when it comes to those aspects of Islam which non-Muslims frown upon, object to, or criticize. Everything of Islam has been established by the One Who is All-Wise and All-Knowing, for the good of man.

Attacking, vilifying and insulting the person’s religion, when inviting him to Islam, will lead to defence and attack from the non-Muslim, especially if he is a staunch adherent of his beliefs. He will also not want to listen further to our discussion, since he will consider anything derogatory to be blasphemous.

By Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb

(Rahmatullahi ‘Alayh)

Anaa’niyyat and Fanaa’iyyat

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

By Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh)

There are two opposing conditions, which are found in people. These are: Anaa’niyyat and Fanaa’iyyat.

Anaa’niyyat means that everything is about “me”, or about: “I, me and myself”. At all times life revolves around me and myself. That’s all.          

The person puts himself first, gives preference to himself and believes that he is important. The person wants to be recognized wherever he goes – that he is somebody.  If he is not recognized, he is offended.  If he goes to some Majlis and people do not shake his hand and acknowledge his presence, he is upset. The thinking is: I am such a great person and people are not showing any kind of interest. 

The inner desire is to be recognized and to be known. Such a condition indicates that the person is in the firm grip of his own nafs.  

This is Anaa’niyyat. Everything is ‘ana’, ‘ana’, ‘ana’ (I, I, I).

When there is Anaa’niyyat, Allah Ta’ala destroys. 

When the sheep is alive, it bleats. It repeatedly says: ‘Meh meh meh”. This is the sheep that comes under the knife for slaughter. When the nafs is alive, and its condition is ‘ana, ana, ana’, then that person comes under the punishment of Allah Ta’ala and is humbled; is destroyed.

On the other hand, there is the person who develops Fana’iyyat: He annihilates himself. There is no “me, myself and I”.   

…One girl had a proposal from someone. I am not mentioning any name and no one knows who I am talking about. In her e-mail, she mentioned her level of Taqwa.  She said: ‘I have a high level of Taqwa. There is someone who is proposing marriage. However, I do not want his level of Taqwa to be lower than mine.  He must be able to increase my level of Taqwa.” 

Part of the reply that was given was: “I have to caution you with regard to your claim of your Taqwa being of a very high level.  This is very dangerous.  …All those who are of a high level of Taqwa consider themselves to be insignificant; they consider themselves to be the most sinful ones on earth.   Allah Ta’ala then places in the hearts of people, Husne Zann (good opinion) and Thanaa (praise) - that the person is a person of Taqwa.  Those who have Taqwa do not make loud and bold claims, because they have annihilated themselves.”

They have made Fanaa of their nafs. On that Fanaa, Allah Ta’ala gives them “Baqaa”.  Allah Ta’ala keeps their names, keeps their works, keeps their Bayanaat, their Uloom and their Naseehah alive, because they made Fanaa. …Whereas the one who is always chasing after name and fame and prominence, then Allah Ta’ala gives him or her, “Fanaa”. Allah Ta’ala destroys.  …This “Fanaa” and destruction has a different meaning to Fanaa of the nafs.

Allah Ta’ala dislikes and disapproves that the servant makes a claim and testifies to his or her own purity and piety.  Allah Ta’ala says:

“…So do not claim purity for yourselves. He knows best who is God-fearing.”

[Surah An-Najm 53 : 32]

It is most definitely Allah Ta’ala’s Fadhl and Karam upon any person, if the person progresses in this path of Islaah and Tazkiyyah:

“…Had it not been for the grace of Allah upon you, and His Mercy, not a single person from you would have ever attained purity. But Allah purifies whomsoever He wills. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.”

[Surah An-Noor 24 : 21]

The Mashaa’ik used to train their Mureeds in many different ways.  Hazrat Maulana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi (Rahmatullah ‘alaih) was a Mureed of Hazrat Haaji Imadadullah (Rahmatullah ‘alayh) and in that Ta-alluq, he became very close to his Shaykh. …However, consider the training he received from his Shaykh:

He was seated at the Dastarkhan with his Shaykh. When the food came from Hazrat Haaji Saheb’s home, one plate contained very delicious kofta (kabaab). The other plate contained a simple type of gravy. Hazrat Haaji Saheb (Rahmatullah ‘alaih) kept the kabaab aside and gave Maulana Gangohi (Rahmatullah ‘alaih) the simple gravy.

As they were eating, Hazrat Zamin Shaheed (Rahmatullah ‘alaih) walked in. On seeing them eating, he addressed Hazrat Haaji Saheb (Rahmatullah ‘alaih) and said: "Why do you not pass the kofta also to Rashid Ahmad?"

Upon this, Hazrat Haaji Saheb (Rahmatullah ‘alaih) replied, with the object of testing his Mureed: "He (Maulana Gangohi) should be grateful that I am allowing him to even eat with me. In fact, I had intended to give him a piece of bread in his hand and for him to eat elsewhere!"

While he said this, he also watched the reaction of Maulana Gangohi (Rahmatullah ‘alaih). Hazrat Maulana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi (Rahmatullah ‘alaih) did not take any offence on this statement and his facial expression also did not change in any way. He himself said: “Alhamdulillah! There was no effect on my heart. I accepted that whatever Haaji Saheb had said, was the truth. In fact, to get a piece of bread from him was a great favour, regardless of the way it was obtained.”

…When someone is a little upset, it is easy to make out that he is upset.

Another person would have said that he is being humiliated and disgraced and shamed.  But these were the type of tests they went through in the past.

Today, Mureeds would say: “What does this Shaykh think of himself? Does he think I can’t have good food at home?”  …The person would leave. He would go home. Finished. 

Most Mureeds today don’t have that same capacity or appreciation. So the present day Mashaa’ik, understanding the nature of people, adopt a somewhat lenient approach. Of course, there will be discipline but they understand the nature of the people is not the same.

The objective is the reformation of the Mureed. Some inexperienced people constantly reproach and admonish their Mureeds or students. They reprimand and reprimand. This indicates that there is no correct understanding and no skill of how to make Islaah. Each person is different. Each person’s temperament is different. And the Shaykh has to understand the temperament of each Mureed. There are some who will take a harsh reprimand but others may just disappear altogether – and then they will lose out on the benefits of the Suhbat and the Ta’leem of the Shaykh. 

Even the Shaykh and the Ustaadh need to check why they are reprimanding. Is it motivated by nafs or is it a sincere concern for the Mureed to progress in this path or the student to excel in his studies?

So these are the aspects of Sulook that need to be learnt: To make Fanaa of one’s self! 

Once that Azmat of Allah Ta’ala enters the heart, the person will not think anything of himself.

Nabi (Sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) taught us the Dua: 

اَللّٰهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِيْ فِيْ عَيْنِيْ صَغِيْرًا وَ فِيْ اَعْيُنِ النَّاسِ كَبِيْرًا

“O Allah, make me small (insignificant) in my own eyes, and make me great (significant) in the eyes of the people.”

Meaning, in my heart, I should think of myself as very small, as insignificant, as nobody, but in the hearts of people, Allah Ta’ala places  respect and Azmat (honour).

If people are not going to have Azmat in their hearts, who will listen?  If a person is addicted to drugs or is known as a womanizer or is a gambler or involved in other major sins, and if the person is told to sit on the Mimbar and give a Bayaan, will anyone listen to his Bayaan, with Azmat?  …We know, and the public knows, what sins he is engaging in. …Will people make special requests that he makes Dua for them? … No. 

Why?

Because there is no Azmat in the hearts of the people and no Azmat in the sight of the people.

Ask Allah Ta’ala to give us Azmat, but in our own sight, in our own hearts, we must not think of ourselves as people of worth and esteem.  There must be Fana’iyyat. However, this is a process. Fana’iyyat is not just saying: ‘I’m nothing!’. Words are very easy to utter, but the reality is something else. The reality requires Islaah, Tazkiyyah and Mujahadah.

My Shaykh, Hazrat Maulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) had said that sometimes a person tries to project an image of humility and self-effacement; he wants to be known as a very pious and humble man. So he will say: “I’m nothing. I’m absolutely nothing.” …But if a person were to agree with him and say: “Yes, you are nothing.” – then his colour changes and he becomes angry. Why? Because there is no Haqeeqat; no reality.

This Fanaa’iyyat is achieved when the connection with one’s Shaykh is sincere, and the Mureed plays his part as a Mureed should, by informing the Shaykh of his spiritual ailments, accepting and following through with the guidance and direction, with the spiritual medication and prescriptions of the Shaykh. All of this requires humility and surrender – but how many are prepared to humble themselves?  

Yet it is in humbling oneself, undertaking this process of Islaah and bringing this reality in us, that Allah Ta’ala will grant elevation and Baqaa.

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “Whoever humbles himself for the sake of Allah, Allah elevates him.”

We should not do, seeking elevation and Baqaa. We should do for the sake of Allah Ta’ala.

May Allah Ta’ala grant us complete and correct understanding and the Taufeeq of reforming ourselves. May Allah Ta’ala grant us the qualities of Istighnaa, Qanaa’at, Tawakkul and Yaqeen in Him. 

To Forgive Others...

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

We should try and keep in mind the many virtues regarding forgiving those who wrong us. Allah Ta’ala will, Insha-Allah, reward us in different ways. We will become the beneficiaries of great good:

1.)  ALLAH TA’ALA WILL FORGIVE US:

Allah Ta’ala says:

 “Let them forgive and overlook. Do you not wish that Allah should also forgive you?  Indeed Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

[Surah An-Noor 24: 22]

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (Radhiyallahu ‘anhu) narrated that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “He who forgives the faults of a Muslim, Allah will forgive his faults on the Day of Resurrection.”^[1]

2.)  ALLAH TA’ALA WILL LOVE US:

"Those who control their anger and are forgiving towards people; Allah loves those who do good."

[Surah Aal-Imraan 3: 134]

3.)  ALLAH TA’ALA WILL GRANT HONOUR :

Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “Charity does not decrease wealth; no one forgives except that Allah increases his honour, and no one humbles himself for the sake of Allah except that Allah raises his status.”^[2]

It is much easier on the heart that we forgive and let the past remain in the past, than hold onto it, carry it with us, and remain unhappy, depressed and miserable. This burden bogs a person down. Many a time, holding onto the past deprives a person of productivity and being able to live life, successfully.

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[1] Ibn Hibban

[2] Sahih Muslim