Passing the Examination of Life

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

If in any school, university, college or institute, questions of an examination are given or there is a paper ‘leak-out’, the examination is cancelled or reset.

Allah Ta’ala has given us the final question paper consisting of three outwardly simple questions. The preparation time has also been given - i.e. our lives. The examiners are also known: Munkar and Nakeer[1]. 

The consequences too have been spelt out. There is tremendous reward and honour in passing the examination, and there is disgrace and punishment on failure.

Even though it would take just a few seconds to learn these simple questions and answers, such that even 3 and 4 year olds could be taught the same, and can memorize them, it is not as easy as it seems.

Had it been so extremely easy, many more would have led their lives in accordance to the demands and dictates of the nafs .... because the answers are known. However this is not the reality of our final examination.

These answers depend on one’s life and one’s preparations for it.

The 3 questions to be asked (and their answers), as we know, are : 

1

2

3

If we say that Allah Ta’ala is our Rabb (Sustainer), we have to recognize Him as our Creator; as the One who has blessed us with all our spiritual, physical and material gifts. We have to recognize Him through His signs and we have to submit to and obey Him in this worldly life. This Ma`rifat or recognition is what will bring Ibaadah (worship) into practice and be the means by which the person will be able to answer the first question in the grave, immediately, and without any doubt. 

The second question can be answered without any difficulty if the person has lived a life of Submission to Allah Ta’ala, conforming to the Shari'ah which Allah Ta'ala revealed to His Messenger (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam).

The third question can readily be answered if the person has followed the beautiful and noble way of life of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam). It won’t be possible for the person who lived the lifestyle of the enemies of Islam to answer this question easily.

Although we claim that we have Imaan and love for Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam), our actions contradict our claim. We assert and affirm that the true religion is Islam but we do not practise on its beautiful teachings. …Why?

A person may bribe, lie and cheat just to pass an examination of this world but there is no possibility for the same in the Qabr. To fly through the examination of the Qabr, we need to develop our Imaan in Allah Ta’ala, adorn our hearts with His Love and Ma’rifat (Recognition) and grace our lives with a practical expression of Islam by following the Qur`aan and the Sunnah of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam).

This is the only way to pass this most crucial examination of life, with ease. And we should always keep in mind that there is no re-testing and no re-marking. A person either passes or he fails.

May Allah Ta’ala grant us the understanding of the greatness of this test, and the effort to work in the direction of preparation for the questioning of the grave, that we may pass without any difficulty and with distinction.

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[1] Munkar and Nakeer : Two angels who question a person in his grave, shortly after death.

By Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Rahmatullahi Alaih)

Tasawwuf and Bay`ah

Bismihi Ta'ala

‘The following is a collection of recommended audio lectures explaining Tasawwuf and Bay`ah (pledging allegiance), as well as removing general misconceptions.

These discourses accentuate the great importance of Islaah (Reformation) and Tazkiyyah (Purification), and striving to secure friendship and Love of Allah Ta’ala.’

The Purpose of Bay`ah (Part 1 and 2)

Bay`ah : The Road to Allah (1 – 2 – 3)

Download from:

http://yunuspatel.co.za/audio-bayat.php

Students and Bay`ah

Bismihi Ta'ala

By Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh)

In the past, students of Deen applied themselves fully and completely to their studies. Thereafter, they became bay’ah^[1]  and traversed the path to Allah Ta’ala (Sulook). All their time was fully occupied with studies. There was no such ‘free’ time to pass. Their studies were their Ibaadah and Mujahadah^[2].

In these days, fitnahs are crashing upon the Ummah[3], like an avalanche. Students have more free time. This free time gives shaytaan and nafs the opportunity to lead them into all kinds of sins. Many students of Deen have become toys for nafs and shaytaan: Just the cell phone alone has become the means of trapping them in illicit relationships, pornography and other vices. What then of the other fitnahs that they are exposed to?

…Due to the deficiency in ‘tarbiyyah’[4] and the general indifference by students, in respect to practicing on their ilm, the Mashaa`ik of the time accept students for bay’ah.

Our students of Deen need to seriously consider submitting themselves to a Shaykh who is “kaamil” and with whom there is “munasabat” (compatibility). They should thereafter keep his company, benefit from his guidance and advice, and strive to complete the process of Islaah (reformation) and Tazkiyyah (purification), under such a Shaykh. This will make them ‘Ulama in the true sense of the word.

Otherwise we just have mass production of ‘Ulama, but very little “haqeeqat”[5] of years of knowledge. Titles have become so cheap, that they have become a crying shame and embarrassment for the Ummah. …Emphasis is given to titles, whereas attention should be directed towards Islaah and Tazkiyyah.

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[1] Bay’ah : Pledging Allegiance

[2] Mujahadah : Striving

[3] Ummah : Community of Muslims

[4] Tarbiyyah : nurturing/ guiding

[5] Haqeeqat : reality

Gems 35 - 40

Bismihi Ta’ala

Selected and concise advices / sayings of 

Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh)

36.

The Shaykh-e-Kaamil looks at khuloos and not fuloos.

*khuloos : sincerity

*fuloos: money

37.

Ilm, without khashiyat is not recognized by Allah Ta’ala.

 *Ilm :  knowledge

*khashiyat: fear / awe

38.

In the circus, lions are subjected to the commands of man. They are trained to obey. 

Similarly, we have to subject nafs to the Commandments of Allah Ta’ala. 

We have to train the lion of nafs to obey Allah Ta’ala 

and Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam).

39.

To cover up our sins, we allow our children to do as they please.

40.

When it comes to demanding a dress or money or some toy, a child begins to cry and insist: 

“I must have it! I must have it!”

Learn from that child. Insist : “O Allah, I must have Your Love.”