Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem
By Hazrat
Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh)
Allah
Ta’ala takes a Qasm by the first ten nights of Zul Hijjah:
“By the
dawn And [by] ten nights.”
[Surah Al-Fajr 89 : 1/2]
When
Allah Ta’ala is taking a Qasm on the blessedness and status of these nights,
then there can be no doubt of the greatness of these nights.
Allah
Ta’ala is the Creator of the Universe, and Allah Ta’ala has created the days
and the nights. As far as the hours of the days and nights, there is no
question of different hours. Each day has a fixed twenty four hours.
…We
describe certain days of our lives as “memorable” and “enjoyable” and we describe
certain days of our lives as “miserable” and “sad”. This alludes to the actions
or the happenings of that day, which made the day memorable or miserable.
So certain
days become distinguished for us due to the actions that transpired on those
days.
As far as
Shari’ah is concerned, there is no such thing as the day itself having any
misfortune. There is no “bad-luck” day – as people may regard some days. Our
deeds make a day good or bad. If we engage in good deeds – we perform our Salaah,
fulfil the rights of Allah Ta’ala and the creation, take care of the poor,
fast, engage in Zikrullah, Tilawah, Dua and other righteous deeds, so that day
is a good day; a bright day. If we spend the day in bad deeds – in Zina, in watching
porn, swearing, stealing, dealing in interest or engaging in other vices, we
have made the day a bad day; a “dark” day. Such a day is not a blessed day for
the person, because he disobeyed Allah Ta’ala in that day.
Allah
Ta’ala chose these days and nights of Zul Hijjah for Ibaadah. And Nabi
(Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam), who was the most truthful and who received Wahi
(revelation) also informed us as of the speciality of these days and nights and
how to occupy our time, whereby we gain the maximum profits of this period of
time – this peak period for the Ibaadah of Allah Ta’ala.
Not only
did Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) present to us the greatness of these
days and nights, he practically demonstrated the actions that should be carried
out during this very Mubarak time.
Nabi
(Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) was sinless. No one can engage in more Ibaadah,
Zikr, Da’wah, and other good as he did; yet look at how he would stand for
hours and hours in Salaah – until his Mubarak feet would swell, and look at how
he would place his head in Sajdah for so long that his beloved wife, Hazrat
Ayesha (Radhiyallahu anha) would fear his soul had departed. Despite all the
responsibilities that were entrusted upon him, he would give exclusive time to
the Ibaadah of Allah Ta’ala.
So whatever
he invited to, he practised upon.
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “There are no days in which righteous deeds
are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.”
The people
asked: “Not even Jihad for the sake of
Allah?”
He said: “Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah,
except in the case of a man who went out, giving himself and his wealth up for
the cause (of Allah Ta’ala), and came back with nothing.”[1]
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) also directed us towards how
to occupy our time: "No
days are as weighty with Allah and so liked by Him for good deeds than the
first ten days of Zul Hijjah. So on these days increasingly read: Subhanallah, La ilaaha illallaah,
Alhamdulillah and Allahu Akbar."[2]
And Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “On
no days is the worship of Allah desired more than in the first ten days of Zul
Hijjah. The fast of each of these days is equal to the fast of a whole year,
and the Ibaadah (worship) of each of these nights is equal to the Ibaadah of
Laylatul Qadr.”[3]
We have
to search for Laylatul Qadr in Ramadaan, and here Allah Ta’ala is giving us the
rewards of Laylatul Qadr, on each of
these nights of Zul Hijjah – indicating their blessedness and greatness.
Sadly, we
have become of those who ask: Is it
Fardh? Is it Waajib?
…We have
learnt the definition of the Fiqh terms: Fardh, Waajib, Sunnah, and so forth,
so that whatever is not Fardh, we may leave it out. This is our attitude: If
something is Nafl, Mustahab, Ghair Muakkadah – we just leave it out. We don’t include
it in our timetable, and if it is there, we strike it off, once we learn that
it is optional and can be left out, and there is no sin in not carrying it out.
The
Sahabah-e-Kiraam (Radhiyallahu anhum) did not have this weak approach to Deen,
this offhand attitude to Deen and this laziness in practising on Deen – as we
have. No. …They strived in even those actions which were optional. Their sound intellect
and their deep understanding were evident in the fact that their entire lives
were sacrificed upon the Sunnah. They spent their lives seeking Allah Ta’ala’s
Pleasure and Jannah, and raising the flag of Islam wherever they went.
How
different we are! Our condition becomes apparent
when we see how our lives are sacrificed for Dunya; for what is temporary and
what will be left behind when we depart from this world.
Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi 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.”[4]
In the
light of this Hadith, we can gauge which category we fall into.
Unfortunately
and very sadly, we look at the bare minimum when it comes to Ibaadaat. …Why is
it that we do not settle for the bare minimum when it comes to our clothing, our
cars, our homes and other material items? Why
are we not content with the bare necessities of life, like how we are content
with the bare necessities of Deen?
Do we
require a very luxury car to get from one place to another? Is this a necessity? …Yes, it is permissible, if
the person has a correct intention and there is no pride, arrogance and
boasting. But how unfortunate that we
choose the best in material commodities and we do not seek the best in
spiritual commodities: Al-Baaqiyatus Saalihaat (the everlasting, enduring good
deeds). Allah Ta’ala presents to us what is better – so that we profit
tremendously.
“Wealth and children are [but] adornment of
the worldly life. But the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for
reward and better
for [one's] hope.”
[Surah Al-Kahf 18 : 46]
Allah
Ta’ala is seeking from us the best of deeds, not the best of material
possessions:
“[He] who created death and life to test you
[as to] which of you is best in deed - and He is the Exalted in Might, the
Forgiving.”
[Surah Al-Mulk 67 : 2]
What was
the purpose of these virtues which are related in these Ahādith?
Nabi (Sallallaahu
‘alayhi wasallam) loved the Ummah. He wanted for every Ummati to enter Jannah,
with the maximum rewards. So these virtues were presented to us that we
appreciate and work in achieving all the rewards attached to these days and
nights.
We want maximum
profits on worldly investments. We appreciate the person who directs us to the
right investments – because that will yield great profits, big returns. We
value such friendship and welcome such wonderful advice. However, we do not
appreciate Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) nor consider his priceless
advice and guidance, which will earn for us the vast and immense profits of the
Aakhirah (Hereafter).
Ibaadaat
yield Sawaab (rewards). This is the currency of the Aakhirah. This is what we
need to take with us.
When we
travel in the world, we require certain currency. Not every type of currency
will be accepted in a country.
If a
person takes Zimbabwean Dollars, then that kind of money will be useless and
won’t be accepted in any other country. Moreover, we will require a massive
suitcase to carry those dollars. …When I went to Zimbabwe, then a few dollars
made me a millionaire. At one stage, a hundred-billion-dollar and a
hundred-trillion-dollar bill were the currency in Zimbabwe …but that amount
could not even purchase a bus ticket[5].
Our
condition is that we are traveling towards the Hereafter but we are not
accumulating the much needed currency of the Hereafter. We have very little.
And we will require a lot of currency. Nothing except good deeds will help us.
If we
accumulate only the Rands, Dollars and Pounds of this world, and give no
attention to securing that wealth which will make us multi-rich in the next
life, we will find ourselves to be paupers – and full of regret and remorse for
having wasted the opportunity of becoming rich in the true sense of the word.
These
blessed days and nights are a manifestation of Allah Ta’ala’s great love for
us. Out of His Infinite Generosity, He gives us these wonderful opportunities
whereby we multiply our rewards and gain the bounties of Jannah with ease,
Insha-Allah.
Added to
this, Allah Ta’ala’s floodgates of Mercy and Forgiveness are wide open – and are
not restricted to only the Hujjaaj; rather it is for the entire Ummah.
Of
course, these fasts are not in the category of the Ramadaan fasts, which are
Fardh. These fasts are Nafl. So if a person has many responsibilities or his
health is ailing, and fasting will weaken him or prevent him from fulfilling his
duties at work, etc. then the person should not fast. There is no sin.
However,
we should be desirous that if we had the ability, we would have kept these
fasts – and on just that good intention, the rewards are secured, Insha-Allah.
Where we can keep two or three or at least the fast of the 9th of
Zul Hijjah, then let us try and gain the rewards, Insha-Allah.
If a
person does not engage in any extra deeds, then the least he should do is
abstain from all sins. Don’t spend this
Mubarak time displeasing Allah Ta’ala.
Let it
not be that our attitude is: We don’t
care. We will not give up our sins. We will continue as we like.
How will
we then face Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) on the Day of Qiyamah? If he
has to hold our garments and say: You claimed to be my Ummatees and you want the
drink of Kauthar? – But where did you spend those days and nights? How did your
spend those days and nights, despite me informing you of their blessedness?
… How will we answer?
Hazrat Shaykh
Abdul Qadir Jeelani (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) had related that Allah Ta’ala rewards
a person for honouring and appreciating these ten days and nights. Some of the
rewards mentioned are:
1.) Barakah in one’s life: In a little time, Allah
Ta’ala grants so much. It may be a short span of life, but the person achieves
much in his time. We see this in the lives of our Akaabir, who were able to do
great work of Dien in their lives.
2.)
Barakah in one’s Rizq : Whether a little or a lot,
there will be blessings.
3.)
Protection of wealth, property and children.
4.)
Forgiveness of sins
5.)
The pangs of death become easy.
6.)
The scale of good deeds will be weighty
7.)
Protection from Hell.
8.)
Increase in stages in Jannah
For the Friends of Allah Ta’ala, these days are like another
Ramadaan to enjoy. For them, this is another occasion to take from Allah
Ta’ala’s treasures and enjoy the abundant Anwaar.
Come, let us join the ranks of Allah Ta’ala’s close and
beloved friends by appreciating these great opportunities and enjoying the
great profits in both worlds. Let us give up sins and move in the direction of
Allah Ta’ala’s obedience and pleasure.
May Allah Ta’ala grant us the understanding and Taufeeq.
[1] Sahih
Bukhari
[2] Musnad Ahmad
[3] Tirmidhi
/ Ibn Majah
[4] Tirmidhi
[5] This was around 2008 - 2009, when the Zimbabwean currency became very weak.
