Distinctions in Deen

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

There are those students who have great ambition and high aspirations for worldly success. We find that they will exert themselves in their efforts to secure excellent results in their examinations.

To obtain as many A’s or distinctions, diligence and hard work become the order of the day. They ‘burn the midnight oil’ – for what? For success in this worldly life.

If this is the one-tracked, single-minded effort for worldly success, what of the Muslim’s efforts to secure the success of the Hereafter?

What of the many A’s that a Muslim should make every effort to obtain for success in the Hereafter: The A for Akhlaaq, the A for Aashiq^[1] of Allah Ta’ala, the A for “Amal^[2]”, the A for “Aabid^[3]”, the A for “Aarif^[4]”?

Why do these As not feature in the lives of the majority?

So many are very successful in their Matric examinations, but for many there is no A for Akhlaaq, no ‘A’ for Amal and other noble characteristics of the Muslim.

The Muslim’s view of Success is the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala and Nabi (Sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam). In the examination of this worldly life, it is their pleasure which secures an A+.

Otherwise, a person is as good as obtaining a ‘Z’.

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[1] Aashiq : Lover of Allah Ta’ala

[2] Amal : action

[3] Aabid : worshipper

[4] Aarif : One who has recognition of Allah Ta’ala

Imbibing the flavours of piety and virtue

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

On visiting a friend at his home, he brought a container of chocolates and offered them to me. There was a mix of mint chocolate and plain chocolate. …I took one of the plain chocolates, and on taking a bite, tasted the flavour of mint.

So I mentioned to the friend : The plain chocolate was after all just plain chocolate but in keeping close company with the mint chocolate, the plain chocolate drew and imbibed the flavour of mint, to such an extent, that on eating the plain chocolate, one would think it to be mint.

Similarly, that Mureed^[1] who keeps a close companionship with a Shaykh-e-Kaamil^[2], will draw the flavours of piety and virtue from the heart of his Shaykh.

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[1] mureed : disciple of a spiritual guide.

[2] Shaykh-e-Kaamil : An accomplished Spiritual guide.

In Search of Allah Ta'ala

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

A Saalik or a person setting out in search of Allah Ta’ala; in the gaining of His Ma’rifat (Recognition), His Love and the love of His Beloved Nabi, Sayyidina Muhammad (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) must not only be an Aashiq or lover of ‘sweets’ (i.e. of pleasing conditions), but must be prepared to take bitter medicine also, with a willing heart, as proof of his or her Love for Allah Ta’ala.

Pain in the body, poverty in the home, other problems outside or in the family should not affect the tranquillity of the heart. The heart must remain ‘Saabir’ (patient) under adverse conditions and ‘Shaakir’ (grateful) over pleasing conditions.

May Allah Ta’ala grant us all these ‘Sifaat’^[1] which all Auliya possess, but which we lack to a great degree.

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[1] Sifaat : attributes / qualities

The Ahlullah and Dunya

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

In India, one will find certain people who play the flute to charm snakes. …The snake ‘drowns’ in the sweetness of that sound. In this manner, the snake is caught. These snake catchers have learnt the art of catching snakes and they have learnt the skill of removing the poison of the snake. Thereafter, they ‘play’ with that python and cobra – since it is under their control.

What one learns from this is that one has to first learn the art of charming snakes; then the biggest snake too will be under one’s control.

This world is akin to a snake – a very dangerous one. The Ahlullah are such people who have mastered the art of controlling the snake of ‘Dunya’ . They take out its ‘poison’ from the heart (Hubbud Dunya), and thereafter make use of it. 

By keeping the company of these Ahlullah, we too will learn how to remove the poisonous effects of the world and how to make use of the world, without giving our hearts to it. Otherwise we will become victim to its fatal poison.

The poison of “Hubbud Dunya” will then consume the heart, make the person ‘ghaafil’ (negligent), lead him into sin and can be the means of ruin and destruction, of not only one’s Aakhirah, but even one’s worldly life. Greed, jealousy, rivalry, pride and a host of evils are the offshoots of hubbud Dunya. 

May Allah Ta’ala purify our hearts, give us the recognition of this fleeting worldly life, and the Taufeeq of attaching ourselves to Allah Ta’ala.

Praise

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Rahmatullahi 'alayh)

It is mentioned in the Hadith: “When a true Believer is praised, he increases in his level of Imaan.”^[1]

The person who is a Kaamil Mu`min understands that everything is a gift from Allah Ta’ala. Allah Ta’ala conceals sins and weaknesses and puts into the hearts of people, ‘Husne zan’ (good opinion).

In fact, this Husne zan or Thana-e-khalq^[2] is one of the commentaries of the Masnoon Dua, where we ask for, ‘Hasana fid dunya’^[3].

رَبَّنَاۤ اٰتِنَا فِى الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَّفِى الْاٰخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَّقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ ◌

 “Our Lord and Sustainer, grant us good in this world and good in the hereafter, and save us from the torment of the fire.”

What needs to be understood is that the person who is ‘Qaabil’ (efficient and hard-working) is not necessarily ‘Maqbool’ (accepted).

Maulana Sayyid Sulayman Nadwi (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) used to say:

‘Whether we live like this or whether we live like that,

What is left to be seen is how our stay there will be

(i.e. the Hereafter).’

So when someone praises us, we must not allow that to inflate our egos. Let it inflate our Imaan.

Recognize Allah Ta’ala’s Sifat of Sattaar (The One who conceals). Look at His great Mercy and Kindness… that He conceals our many, many weaknesses and sins. This will increase our Imaan and love for Allah Ta’ala because we see how loving, caring, compassionate and tolerant Allah Ta’ala is.

The nature of man is such, that he picks up weaknesses of people to broadcast them. People search for weaknesses in others and hasten to broadcast, circulate and publish. Newspapers and radio stations clamour to broadcast the vices and failings of others. They want the rights to publish. Look at Allah Ta’ala’s favour upon us - He conceals. سُبْحَانَ الله

When praised, we should make Dua: “O Allah, this is the good opinion of these good people. Make me as per their opinion, and even better than their opinion.”

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[1] Mustadrak lik Haakim

[2] Thana-e-Khalq : Praise of creation.

[3] ‘Hasana fid Dunya’ : The good of this world.

Ramadaan Recordings

From 2006 - 2010

http://www.yunuspatel.co.za/audio-ramadaan-collection.php

Noor of Nubuwwah

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

Through the medium of kitaabs (books), we will gain Ilm (knowledge). In the light of this Ilm, we are then able to operate our activities of life in accordance to the Pleasure of Allah Ta’ala. Kitaabs are thus not something that we can dispense of. It is through kitaabs that we gain the priceless knowledge of Nubuwwah (prophethood).

However, the Noor[1] of Nubuwwat is drawn from the hearts of the Ahlullah. That Kaifiyyat[2] and Nisbat with Allah Ta’ala and with Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam) are realized in the Suhbah (company) of the Ahlullah. Their hearts are reservoirs of Ikhlaas and in their company one will experience a transfer of this Noor. 

If the Ustaadh (teacher) is Sahib-e-Nisbat[3], his teaching will be Noorun ‘ala Noor: Ilm will be imparted and Noor will be transferred into the hearts of the student, if the student is also sincere.

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[1] Noor : Spiritual effulgence

[2] Kaifiyyat : Feeling of spiritual delight

[3] Sahib-e-Nisbat: One who has established a close and special bond with Allah Ta’ala