Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem
by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Rahmatullahi 'alayh)
RASULULLAH ﷺ said: “Whoever
holds onto my Sunnah, at the time of corruption (Fasaad) of my Ummah, will get
the reward of a hundred martyrs.”[1]
Sahib-e-Mirqaat,
Mullah Ali Qaari[2] رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْهِ explained Fasaad as: When sins
will be very dominant; when there will be violation of the laws of Allah Ta’ala
and when it will be difficult to tell others what is Halaal and Haraam. In another
explanation, it is explained that Fasaad is when there will be an abundance of
Kufr and Shirk.
Fasaad has also been described as
a predominance and prevalence of:
1.) Bid’aat (Innovations) …There is
no reward in Bid’aat but people will make certain actions compulsory and
attribute rewards to them.
2.) Jahalat (Ignorance) … This is
also a sign of the nearness of Qiyamah.
3.) Fisq (open sin and
transgression)
Were we to
consider our present condition, in the light of these commentaries, we will
find that we are in the midst of Fasaad. All around us – and sometimes, even
within us – there is this Fasaad. If, in these times, we hold fast onto Deen
and the noble Sunnah, then the rewards are exceptional; the rewards are very,
very great – because the Mujahadah (striving) and effort in practising upon
Deen is much more, due to the environment of Fasaad and Fitan.
…For anyone
to say that in these days we cannot follow and we cannot practise Islam, is
Kufr. Instead of acknowledging our weaknesses in not practising, many place the
blame on Shari’ah. By doing so, a person is asserting and claiming that Nabi ﷺ was sent for only a short period of time and that
Islam is not practical – نَعُوْذُ بِاللّٰه. This beautiful Deen and the
noble Sunnah can be practised in a hut and in a palace, in every era. It is for
all people and for all times.
In regard to
the Hadīth: “Whoever holds onto my
Sunnah, at the time of corruption (Fasaad) of my Ummah, will get the reward of
a hundred martyrs.”, Hazrat Shah Wasiyyullah رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْهِ had said that we take, following the Sunnah, to mean the Sunnats
relating to eating, drinking, sleeping, using the Miswaak, etc. – all of which
will draw the promised rewards. However, this also refers to those Sunnats in
the Faraa’idh – for example, Salaah. There is a Sunnah method of Salaah. Thana,
Ta’awwuz, Tasmia, reading with Khushoo[3],
etc. are Sunnah in Salaah – and usually neglected. We also have the Sunnat-e-Muakkadah Salaah – which
many people do not perform. If we bring these Sunnats into Salaah and read the
Sunnah Salaah, we will be reviving the Sunnah.
…Similarly,
there is a Sunnah method of performing Wudhu, but many people are content with
only fulfilling the four Faraa’idh of Wudhu, leaving off the many Sunnats that
accompany Wudhu and which carry great rewards. In the same way, there is also a
Sunnah way for conducting our Nikahs and our Walimahs … but how many endeavour
to bring alive the Sunnah in their Nikahs? …Both Nikah and Walimah are simple
and easy, with minimum expense. Unfortunately, we are so carried away by the
concept of a fantasy, glamourous, dazzling and fairy-tale wedding that we
choose to follow in the way of the disbelievers, and have made our own weddings,
extremely costly, lavish and elaborate – far from what is Sunnah and far from
what is pleasing to Allah Ta’ala. In the name of the Sunnah, Hollywood and
Bollywood weddings are organised. It is Nikah in name but devoid of the Noor,
Barakaat, Rahmah and rewards that accompany the Sunnah.
Shaykhul Hadīth,
Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Zakariyyah رَحْمَةُ
اللهِ عَلَيْهِ would say that Nikah is as easy
as performing two Rakaats of Salaah. Hazrat Maulana رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْهِ had said that there is no need for the formalities that we have
introduced into Nikah. Nikah is an Ibaadah and does not require unnecessary
expenses. Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Zakariyyah رَحْمَةُ
اللهِ عَلَيْهِ practically implemented the Sunnah in the marriages of his daughters,
maintaining the simplicity as is found in the Nikahs of Rasulullah ﷺ and the Sahaba-e-Kiraam رَضِىَ الله عَنْهُمْ, and setting an excellent
example for others to follow.
These days,
we rival and compete with each other as to whose wedding is more extravagant,
more lavish, more glamourous and costlier. Instead, we should try to outdo each
other, as to who can be closest to the Sunnah, who can secure the most rewards
and earn the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul ﷺ. Take the wonderful Nikah of
Hazrat Faatima رَضِىَ
الله عَنْهَا and Hazrat ‘Ali رَضِىَ الله عَنْهُ … there was no fanfare … but
their Nikah is a blueprint and model example for a very blessed, successful and
happy marriage.
The Walimahs
of Rasulullah ﷺ were no different. They were so simple that
Rasulullah ﷺ would request his companions to
bring whatever food they had … which was very simple as well, like Khajoor
(dates), butter, etc. The food items would be spread out on a Dastarkhan[4] and all
would eat. …In comparison, our Nikahs and Walimahs are generally the opposite.
Whereas an Ibaadah should be incurring rewards, nowadays, many Nikahs and
Walimahs incur Allah Ta’ala’s Wrath, due to the sins that we engage in, which
contaminate the pure Sunnah and destroy the rewards.
Hazrat Maulana
Abrarul Haq رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْهِ had said that every Sunnat
is:
اَسْهَلْ (most simple),
اَكْمَلْ (perfect)
and
اَجْمَلْ (most beautiful)
Hazrat Maulana ‘Umar
Palanpoori رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْهِ had mentioned that on
practising and living the Sunnah, a person becomes a recipient of Rahmah (Mercy), Barakah (Blessings), Hidayah
(Guidance) and Muhabbah (he
becomes beloved to Allah Ta’ala and to people).
Imam Maalik رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْهِ had said: “The Sunnah is like the Ark of Nooh. Whoever
embarks upon it will attain salvation and whoever refuses, will drown.” …
The Fasaad and Fitan that we see around us are like floods … like a tsunami. Those
who board the ship of the Sunnah will reach safety and attain Najaat
(salvation), Insha-Allah.
Our Shaykh,
Hazrat Maulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْهِ had related a Hadīth, which offers additional and
wonderful incentive and encouragement for whoever will hold fast onto Deen and
do good deeds. Rasulullah ﷺ said: “….For
verily ahead of you are such (difficult) days, staying steadfast on Deen will
be like holding onto burning cinders. Those who do good deeds, in those days,
will receive the reward of fifty people who carry out deeds like you.”
It was asked:
“O Rasulullah! Will they receive the reward of fifty people like them or fifty
of us?”
Rasulullah ﷺ replied: “Fifty
of you!”[5]
It should go
without saying that a person who makes the effort to remain steadfast on the
teachings of the Qur’aan Shareef and Sunnah, does not become better or higher
in status than the Sahabah-e-Kiraam رَضِىَ الله عَنْهُمْ. It is the reward that is being spoken about. …Not only does one get the
reward of one hundred martyrs by practising upon the Sunnah, one also secures
the reward of fifty Sahaba-e-Kiraam رَضِىَ الله عَنْهُمْ on doing good actions. These are such rewards that should eagerly be
sought.
No matter
what the person is labelled and no matter how much the person is criticised, he
takes courage and comfort by the fact that he is following in the footsteps of
the Beloved Nabi ﷺ earning the pleasure of Allah
Ta’ala and acquiring great rewards. Allah Ta’ala promises His Love and
Forgiveness for the one who follows His Beloved ﷺ:
“Say (O Muhammad ﷺ): If you do love Allah, follow me. Allah shall love you and forgive you
your sins; And Allah is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful.”
[Surah Aal-Imraan 3 : 31]
Practising
upon the Sunnah invites honour in both worlds! …My Shaykh رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْهِ said very beautifully in poetry
form:
“The footprints of the Beloved
of Allah,
Nabi Muhammad (Sallallahu
alayhi wasallam),
is the road to Jannah;
The Sunnats of Rasulullah
(Sallallahu alayhi wasallam)
connect one with Allah Ta’ala.”
Glad tidings
have been given to the one who maintains steadfastness upon Deen in these times
of Fasaad. Rasulullah ﷺ said: “Islam began as something
strange and it will return strange as it began, so glad tidings for the
strangers.”[6]
May Allah
Ta’ala grant us the Taufeeq of being sincere ambassadors of the Sunnah, that we
revive it, in these trying times, for it is a Noor that lights up our lives and
it is protection from all forms of Fitnah and Fasaad. May Allah Ta’ala grant us
the honourable rewards that accompany the Sunnah, in both worlds, and be
pleased with us.
[1] Al-Bayhaqi
[2] The compiler of the Kitaab,
Mirqaat, which is the commentary of the Hadith Kitaab, Mishkaat
[3] Khushoo: concentration with
full devotion
[4] Dastarkhan: floor mat for
eating
[5] Sunan Tirmidhi and Sunan Abi
Dawood
[6] Sahih Muslim
