The Airport

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

  By Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel (Rahmatullahi ‘Alayh)

At the Johannesburg International Airport[1], some brothers requested that I give them some nasihah (advice) before leaving.

I mentioned the following : ‘The Airport itself presents sufficient Ibrat (lesson) for a person’s Islaah (reformation).

Boards are seen, computer screens inform, and announcements are repeatedly heard of Arrivals  and  Departures.

We should take lesson from this.

We have ‘arrived’. Our scheduled arrival to the destination of this world has come to pass. We have journeyed from Aalame-Arwah[2] to this transitory world. Our next journey is to ‘Aalame-Barzakh’[3].

In this material world, the time of departure is given for the flights that are leaving for various cities and countries. A person can make preparations for travel, accordingly. As is common experience though, flights are generally delayed.

Our departure, to the Aakhirah (Hereafter), is scheduled, but absolutely unknown to us. Moreover, this time of departure will not be delayed or cancelled.      

“…At length when death approaches one of you, Our angels take his soul

and they Never fail in  their duty.”

[Surah An`aam : 6 : 61]

In a couplet that deeply impresses upon the reality of this life, my Shaykh, Hazrat Maulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (Rahmatullahi 'alayh), states:

Strange is the visa of life;

It can be cancelled at anytime.

The duration of its validity is unknown

And its extension too, impossible

Therefore, we need to be ever ready for the journey to the Hereafter.

Passengers are either seated in the VIP lounge or in the ordinary waiting area. Whether the person intends traveling ‘First Class’, ‘Business Class’ or ‘Economy Class’; all will depart. Each has a boarding pass in hand. It is just a matter of time before departure.

  

The Azaan in our right ear, and the Iqaamat in our left ear, was already given at the time of our birth. All that is left is the Janaza Salaah at the time of our death. Just as the time between the Iqaamat and Salaah is negligible – so too is the time span of our lives.

As someone has mentioned : Our life is just like the ‘dash’ between the date of birth and the date of passing away, which is inscribed on many tombstones. Though this ‘dash’ of life is so short, it is such a significant stage in our journey, that it either ‘makes’ or ‘breaks’ our Hereafter. This little dash either delivers a person to Jannat or Jahannum. So before someone mentions the date of our departure, we should convert the ‘dash’ of life to time spent securing provisions for the coming journey.

Then I mentioned that now two new boards are to be found :  

UNDERGROUND PARKING

and

PRAYER ROOM UPSTAIRS

Our ‘parking’ too is reserved. …What then should we do? Before ‘departure’ and before being ‘parked’ under the ground, we should visit the ‘prayer room’ – meaning, that we should bring the submission and servitude found in prayer or Salaah, into our lives. Submit to the One who gave us this life because very soon will we be returning to Him.

“…And the destination (of all) is to Allah.”

[Surah Ahzaab 35 : 18]

In addition, this world is very much like a time-share. The occupants make full use of all facilities during the week/s or month/s – the lounge, fridge, stove, furniture, air conditioner and the luxuries of the timeshare. However, they know that they will have to move out as soon as their time expires.

Similarly, we should make use of the bounties of Allah Ta’ala in this world but we should not give our hearts to this world. …How can we give our hearts to a world which is so unfaithful?  …The home in which there is excitement and celebration of a wedding is suddenly plunged into grief, sorrow and mourning.

We should keep before us the following Hadith of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam): ‘Verily, the world has been created for you and you have been created for the Aakhirah.’

Preparation for the Aakhirah (Hereafter) does not mean that we will be deprived of the good things of this world. Eat, drink, marry, conduct business and do all other activities according to the teachings of Shari'ah and Sunnah of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam). This is all that is required. 

“…(O my Lord) Take You my soul (at death) as one submitting to Your Will (as a Muslim), and unite me with the righteous.”

[Surah Yusuf 12 : 101]

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[1] Now known as O R TAMBO International

[2] Aalame-Arwah : The World of Souls

[3] Aalame-Barzakh : The period of life after death until the Resurrection

Towards Reformation of the Heart | Book 1

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

Read the Book HERE

Leashing the nafs

By Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh)

Whilst taking a walk through a park one morning, accompanied by some friends, we passed by a sign which is generally found in many parks. It read :

ALL DOGS MUST BE ON LEASH

Considering a deeper meaning to the sign, I mentioned to my companions: Our nafs (ego) is akin to a dog. The nature of an undisciplined, unleashed dog is that it barks, relieves itself anywhere, devastates and lays waste the delicate flower beds as it tramples them, attacks or spoils people’s picnics, and runs behind people, frightening them. Without its leash and without training, it can scare, harm and bite others, as well as cause damage. Therefore the Parks Board insists that dogs be on leash.

A dog, well trained, will obediently remain on leash, under the control of its master and will not cause inconvenience or damage. It will walk along its master and do as he commands.

The temperament of the nafs (carnal self/ego) is like that of the dog. It also needs to be disciplined and trained, and it also requires a leash. This leash is the leash of Shari'ah, the love and fear of Allah Ta’ala, and fear of accountability on the Day of Judgment, tied tightly and securely around its neck.

Without this leash, the person will break the commands of Allah Ta’ala and violate the rights of creation. The person will steal, gamble, fornicate, suppress, oppress, abuse his wife, children or parents, and perpetrate various other crimes. Malice, greed, jealousy, pride and other filthy, vile qualities will also be found in the person’s heart. People will distance themselves from such a person for fear of being harmed or troubled.

The person who has disciplined his nafs and controls it with the leash of Shari'ah, will find that it becomes submissive and compliant to the instructions of its Master. The person then finds it easy to fulfill the rights of Allah Ta’ala as well as creation, since the nafs is compliant to its Master’s commands. The person will want to do good deeds, assist people, invite others to Deen. …He will not cause harm to people; rather he will benefit them. People will then love such a person. 

When there is a need to go to the shops, factories, airports, hospitals, etc., the person will first leash the nafs with the Khauf (fear) and love of Allah Ta’ala and then go about the fulfillment of duties.

Nabi (Sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam) said: “The intelligent one is he who suppresses his desires and practises for what is after death, and the foolish one is he who makes his nafs follow its desires and (he) places (baseless) hope on Allah.”

Family Ties

Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Rahmatullahi 'alayh)

Allah Ta’ala holds back His Rahmah (mercy) from those who break family ties.

If the tie is broken solely for the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala; for some legitimate Islamic reason, then to do so would not be a sin.

However, we who are the slaves of our egos and nafs should be careful that shaytaan does not instigate us to sever family ties in the name of Deen[1], whereas it is, in reality, for the sake of our nafs[2]. 

As a result of breaking ties, the entire family – in truth, the entire community suffers. Allah Ta’ala holds back His blessings.

Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Abi Aufa (Radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had related that in the evening of the Day of Arafah, the Sahaba (Radhiyallahu ‘anhum) were sitting with Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) when he announced: ‘Anyone who has broken his relationship with any of his kin, should leave the company and not sit with us.’

ONLY ONE man got up and left…  clearly illustrating that the Sahaba-e-Kiraam (Radhiyallahu ‘anhum) upheld and preserved family ties.

The man returned after some time and informed Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) that on hearing the order, he immediately went to his aunt with whom he had severed ties. He explained to her the instruction of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam). On hearing it, she made a Dua of forgiveness for him, and he for her, and they reconciled. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was extremely pleased, allowed him to rejoin their company, and explained to his companions that Allah Ta’ala does not grant His blessings on a community among whom there is someone who has broken off family ties.

If we have to consider our times, then in almost all cases it is because the ego has been hurt by the snubbing or bad attitude of relatives that causes the break up. As Muslims, we should be good to our relatives, even if they are unkind to us. The Hadeeth states :

‘He who reciprocates good treatment does not really strengthen family bonds; but the one, who through kind behaviour, strengthens his ties of kinship with those who sever relations with him, does so.’[3]

Whilst visiting another country on a lecture tour, a brother met me and said to me that he has elderly parents, whom he is taking care of. However, from their side, there is no appreciation. He keeps serving them and giving to them, but there is no expression of gratitude.

His brother visits the parents ‘once in a blue moon’ and brings a gift; and for this, the parents sing this son’s praises. And yet, this is the son who seldom gives them his time and hardly ever serves them. So the brother said that this was eating him up, that he is doing so much, but the attention and appreciation is going to the brother.

I replied to him: “Remember just one simple thing, and all this disappointment and these frustrations will disappear:

“DO FOR ALLAH’S PLEASURE

HE WILL GIVE FROM HIS TREASURE.”

Simple …and see how, despite their ingratitude and inattention, you will find tremendous happiness in the sacrifices you make for your parents. And Allah Ta’ala will show you His happiness in various bounties, on your sincerity and service to your parents.”

Alhamdulillah, the brother was extremely thankful for this piece of advice and was already happy with the great honour and privilege of serving his parents.

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[1] Deen : religion

[2] Nafs : ego

[3] Bukhari and Tirmidhi

Haqeeqat

Were we to analyse the eras when Muslims throughout the world were dominant, then we will find that they had the haqeeqat (reality) of Islam in their lives; they were living Islam – happily, willingly and enthusiastically. They understood their purpose in this world. They understood that they had higher and nobler objectives to aspire for, because they looked beyond this life.

Before them was their return to their Creator, to Allah Ta’ala; before them was Aakhirah (the Hereafter); before them was Jannah … and so they exerted themselves in the direction of obedience to Allah Ta’ala and securing His Pleasure.

Allah Ta’ala put into the hearts of people, love for these sincere and obedient servants and granted them success. There was a dynamic effect when people met with these Muslims because they not only had the ‘soorat’ (outer form), they had the Haqeeqat as well. People changed their religion, their culture, their dress and their language because they were seeing the beauty and blessing of Islam.

In the early days of Islam, we see how a small number grew to 500, then 700 and thereafter 1500 - which was something of a great and wonderful accomplishment, considering the odds against the Muslims at that time…

Today, we are plus one billion – but what a difference between the early Muslims and us!

In the 1950s, as a young boy, I recall visiting the museum. There were different animals – wild animals, omnivores, carnivores and so forth… but they were all stuffed with sawdust. And there were signs near the animals, which read : ‘PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH.’

Now would we find such a sign in the Kruger National Park when we go on a safari, wanting to see the Big Five…?

When does the king of the jungle require a sign such as : Please do not touch?

Yet, in the museum, this sign was placed next to the lion because there was no life in that lion. There was no haqeeqat (reality). Even if it was the king of the jungle – he was now stuffed with sawdust. Rats too could nibble without fear because there was no life, there was no worry of even a roar.

Looking at the present scenario of the Muslim Ummah – globally, and we see our likeness to those stuffed creatures. …We have lost that power and supremacy which is otherwise reserved for the Believers.

The majority of Muslims today have no reality. …We have ‘stuffed’ our hearts with the love of dunya and therefore our great weakness and overwhelming incapacity – a prophecy which is so clearly manifest today.

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) said: "The People will soon summon one another to attack you as people, when eating, invite others to share their food."

Someone asked, "Will that be because of our small numbers at that time?"

He replied, "No, you will be numerous at that time: but you will be froth and scum like that carried down by a torrent (of water), and Allah will take the fear of you from the breasts (hearts) of your enemy and cast al-wahn into your hearts."

Someone asked, "O Messenger of Allah, what is al-wahn?" He replied, "Love of the world and dislike of death."

[Abu Dawud and Ahmad]

One billion in number, but how shameful, humiliating and dishonourable that we are subservient to the minority. …Who is influencing the political and economic climate? Who is manipulating global dynamics? … Certainly not the Muslims.

The early Muslims had the reality and spirit of Islam. As such, success and victory was theirs for the taking. On the other hand, we want to conquer the world with soorat (form) or with talks and literature.

Dominance, Supremacy, Power and Authority do not come with soorat. In fact, the majority cannot even be recognized as Muslims – so even soorat seems to fall by the way side.

In one of my trips to Pakistan, I visited someone at his home. There was a bowl of plastic fruit which looked so real – but it was “good for looking”, not good for eating.

Many of us Muslims today are not even good for looking. The plastic fruit was a good imitation - but in our soorat, there is no imitation also… very much like the munafiqeen: neither here nor there.

Success and supremacy come with engendering sincere piety in the heart and living Islam … not selecting what we like and leaving off what our nafs does not incline to.

Allah Ta’ala wants us completely IN Islam.

"O you who Believe! Enter into the Fold of Islam completely..."

[Surah Baqarah 2 : 208]

This is the recipe of success. But we will have to bring together the correct ingredients to make that “flop-proof” success.

By Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel (RA)

Exquisite Gem

The ‘ruh’ of Ilm is Aml, and the ‘ruh’ of Aml is Ikhlaas, and the ‘ruh’ of Ikhlaas is not to even think that you are mukhlis.

Ruh : soul

Ilm : knowledge

Aml : Practice

Ikhlaas : Sincerity

Mukhlis : sincere 

The Concealment of Women

Throughout the Qur`aan Shareef, besides the name of Hazrat Maryam (عَليْهَا السَّلام) there is no name mentioned of any other woman; and yet there are so many verses relating to women; in fact an entire Surah has been named ‘An-Nisaa’ (The Women).

When the Beloved wife of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam), Hazrat Ayesha (رَضِىَ الله عَنْهَا) was slandered, Allah Ta’ala revealed 10 verses in Surah Noor^[1], proving her innocence. However, her name is not mentioned.

Allah Ta’ala mentions the wife of Hazrat Nuh (عَليْهِ السَّلام) and the wife of Hazrat Lut (عَليْهِ السَّلام) as Disbelievers.

ضَرَبَ اللّٰهُ مَثَلًا لِّلَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوا امْرَأَتَ نُوْحٍ وَّامْرَأَتَ لُوْطٍ ^ط كَانَتَا تَحْتَ عَبْدَيْنِ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا صَالِحَيْنِ فَخَانَتٰهُمَا فَلَمْ يُغْنِيَا عَنْهُمَا مِنَ اللّٰهِ شَيْئًا وَّقِيْلَ ادْخُلَا النَّارَ مَعَ الدّٰخِلِيْنَ ◌

 “Allah sets for an example to the Unbelievers,  the wife of Nuh and the wife of Lut : They were (respectively) under two of Our righteous servants but they betrayed their husbands (i.e. in regard to matters of Truth ) and they profited nothing before Allah on their account, but were told : ‘Enter the Fire along with (others) that enter!’”

[Surah Tahreem 66 : 10]

The mother of Maryam (عَليْهَا السَّلام) is mentioned as ‘Imraan’s wife’.  The vow she took, when she had conceived, has been mentioned in the Qur`aan Shareef as follows:

إِذْ قَالَتِ امْرَأَتُ عِمْرٰنَ رَبِّ إِنِّىْ نَذَرْتُ لَكَ مَا فِىْ بَطْنِىْ مُحَرَّرًا فَتَقَبَّلْ مِنِّىْ ^ج إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ السَّمِيْعُ الْعَلِيْمُ ◌

“When ‘Imraan’s wife said : ‘O my Lord, I have vowed what is in my stomach to be exclusively for you. So accept (it) from me. You, certainly You, are The All Hearing, The All Knowing.”

[Surah Aal-‘Imraan 3 : 35]

Hazrat Aasiya (عَليْهَا السَّلام) is mentioned as ‘the wife of Fir’aun’.

وَضَرَبَ اللّٰهُ مَثَلًا لِّلَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوا امْرَأَتَ فِرْعَوْنَ ^م إِذْ قَالَتْ رَبِّ ابْنِ لِىْ عِنْدَكَ بَيْتًا فِى الْجَنَّةِ وَنَجِّنِىْ 

مِنْ فِرْعَوْنَ وَعَمَلِهٖ وَنَجِّنِىْ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِيْنَ ۙ

“And Allah sets forth as an example to those who believe the wife of Fir’aun (Pharoah) : Behold she said : ‘O my Lord! Build for me, in nearness to You,  a house in Paradise, and save me from Fir’aun and his doings and save me  from those who do wrong.’”

[Surah Tahreem 66 : 11]

Allah Ta’ala mentions only Hazrat Maryam (عَليْهَا السَّلام) by name.

وَمَرْيَمَ ابْنَتَ عِمْرٰنَ الَّتِىْٓ أَحْصَنَتْ فَرْجَهَا فَنَفَخْنَا فِيْهِ مِنْ رُّوْحِنَا وَصَدَّقَتْ بِكَلِمٰتِ رَبِّهَا وَكُتُبِهٖ وَكَانَتْ مِنَ الْقٰنِتِيْنَ◌

“And Maryam, the daughter of ‘Imraan, who guarded her chasity…”

[Surah Tahreem 66 : 12]

Why has Allah Ta’ala specifically mentioned the name of Maryam (عَليْهَا السَّلام)?

Besides proving the purity and chastity of Hazrat Maryam (عَليْهَا السَّلام) against the false accusations of the Jews, as mentioned in Surah An-Nisaa:

وَبِكُفْرِهِمْ وَقَوْلِهِمْ عَلٰى مَرْيَمَ بُهْتَانًا عَظِيْمًا ۙ

‘…That they uttered against Maryam, a grave false charge.’

(i.e. that she was unchaste)

[Surah An-Nisaa 4 : 156]

Allah Ta’ala presents her elevated rank in Surah Aal-Imraan :

وَإِذْ قَالَتِ الْمَلٰٓئِكَةُ يٰمَرْيَمُ إِنَّ اللّٰهَ اصْطَفَاكِ وَطَهَّرَكِ وَاصْطَفَاكِ عَلٰى نِسَآءِ الْعٰلَمِيْنَ ◌

‘Behold! The angels said : ‘O Maryam, Allah has chosen you and purified you – chosen you above the women of all nations.”

 [Surah Aal-Imraan 3 : 42]

Hazrat Ibn Abbas (رَضِىَ الله عَنْهُ) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) once said : ‘The most highly esteemed women of Paradise will be Hazrat Khadeeja, daughter of Khuwailid; and Faatima, daughter of Muhammad (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam); and Maryam, daughter of Imraan; and Aasiya, daughter of Muzaahim; the wife of Fir’aun.’ (Ahmad)

Allah Ta’ala mentions Hazrat Maryam by name in the Qur`aan Shareef, stating very clearly the miraculous birth of Hazrat ‘Eesa (عَليْهِ السَّلام). By mentioning ‘Eesa (عَليْهِ السَّلام) as the son of Maryam – ‘Eesa Ibn Maryam’, Allah Ta’ala highlights the fact that Hazrat ‘Eesa  (عَليْهِ السَّلام) is not the son of any father.

اسْمُهُ الْمَسِيْحُ عِيْسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ وَجِيْهًا فِى الدُّنْيَا وَالْاٰخِرَةِ وَمِنَ الْمُقَرَّبِيْنَ ۙ

“…his name will be ‘Eesa the son of Maryam, held in honour in this world and the Hereafter and of those nearest to Allah.”

[Surah Aal-Imraan 3   : 45]

This also teaches us a very important lesson : Allah Ta’ala has granted women, respect and honour, and He wants them to guard this. Therefore, if there is no real need to reveal her name, then it should not fly around in newspapers, magazines, faxes, over Radio stations, on car number plates, etc.

There is no harm in revealing a woman’s name when there is a need to do so. For example, the names of many, many women have been mentioned in the Ahaadeeth of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam), including that of Rasulullah’s (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) wives and daughters. There was a genuine need for this since there had to be verification of Ahaadeeth and so forth.

In our times of fitnah^[2] and high crime, the concealment of a woman’s name is for her own protection, from the mischief of pranksters and other evil-minded people. There is no lack of evidence to prove the harassment, so many women have faced, who published their names, addresses, telephone numbers, and photographs in newspapers and magazines.

Beside the above protection that such concealment offers, it is also a protection from the efforts made by nafs, in seeking ‘name and fame’ – which has become a common motive behind many, both men and women, announcing and publishing name, qualifications, and so forth. This love for ‘name and fame’ is a sickness of the spiritual heart, which renders deeds unacceptable in the Court of Allah Ta’ala. One has to be very much on guard against the snares of nafs and shaytaan.

As has been mentioned, there is no sin if this is required or the intention is not “name and fame”.

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[1] Surah Noor : Verses 11 - 20

[2] Fitnah : Trial (It also implies corruption, mischief, etc.)