بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
The Need Of The Hour Is To Protect Our Imaan
O You who believe! Fear Allah as He ought to be feared and die not but as believers.(S:3 V:102)
Definition Of Success
There will be various different opinions regarding the definition of success but the ultimate success is death on Imaan. Hadhrat Sultan Nizaamuddeen Awliya Saheb رحمه الله
was taunted by a Hindu green grocer as to whose beard was better; his beard or the beard of his goat. Hadhrat Sultan Nizaamuddeen Awliya Saheb رحمه الله later passed away. The green grocer lamented about his question not being answered. Hadhrat Sultan Nizaamuddeen Awliya Saheb رحمه الله instructed his disciples that they take his Janaazah pass the shop of the green grocer. A miracle took place. Hadhrat Sultan Nizaamuddeen Awliya Saheb رحمه الله got up and informed the green grocer that Hadhrat’s رحمه الله beard was in fact better than the beard of the green grocer’s goat. The reason for this was that Hadhrat رحمه الله passed away on Imaan. If he did not pass away on Imaan, the goat’s beard would have been better than his. (For Friends v.1 pg.417)
Malfooz (statement) Of Hadhrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thaanwi رحمه الله
Hadhrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thaanwi رحمه الله mentions: ‘Imaan is not snatched away at the time of death rather it is snatched away long before. However, it becomes apparent at the time of death.
Malfooz (statement) Of Hadhrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thaanwi رحمه الله
Hadhrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thaanwi رحمه الله mentions: ‘Imaan is not snatched away at the time of death rather it is snatched away long before. However, it becomes apparent at the time of death.
Important Dua for death on Imaan
اَللَّهُمَّ لَقِّنِيْ حُجَّةَ الايْمَانِ عِنْدَ الْمَمَاتِ
Oh Allah! Teach me the code of Imaan at the time of death.
Statement, Actions and Opinions Affect Imaan
Hazratjee Moulana Muhammad Maseehullah Khan Saheb رحمه الله mentions an incident quoting Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thaanwi رحمه الله , regarding an Aalim in Makkah Mukarramah:
It was the time of Hajj. Normally, before or after Hajj, people go to the qabrastan (graveyard) –Jannatul-Mala in Makkah Mukarramah and Jannatul-Baqi in Madinah Munawwarah- to recite fatihah (make Dua). One group of Hajis stopped at a certain grave to make Dua when the thin top-covering of the grave suddenly caved in, revealing the body lying inside. Their gazes fell on the body inside and they saw, to their utter amazement, what appeared to be the body of a young Christian girl! As we are all aware, no non-Muslim is allowed entrance into the Haramain, sacred cities of Makkah Mukarramah and Madinah Munawwarah. How could a Christian girl be present here? What an amazing thing! One of the onlookers said: “But a local Aalim –a proper practising Muslim, performing his Salaah at the correct times, with a proper beard and so forth- was buried in this grave! In his lifetime, was there any action of his that could be the cause of this strange occurrence? Let us enquire at his home.” Some people went to the house where this man used to reside to enquire from his wife. They asked her as to the kind of person her late husband was and what his character was like. She replied: “He was a very good man. He was regular and punctual on Salaah and he kept a proper beard – He had all good qualities in him. Why are you asking?” They urged her: “Think carefully. Was there anything he may have done that was… err… not entirely Islamic? The widow paused to think. After some thought, she spoke: “One thing comes to mind. When my husband was in need of ghusl after janabat, yes he definitely did perform ghusl. However, he used to comment: ‘There is this good thing about the Christian religion that it is not necessary to perform the ghusl of janabat.” The widow continued: “I kept on telling him: ‘Please don’t utter such words!’, but he never listened.”
One of those who were present at the grave had an amazing tale to tell. He said: I recognise this girl in this grave, who appears to be a Christian. I am her teacher. I used to teach her in Paris. She accepted Islam in front of me – she read the Kalimah at my hands. She passed away in Paris and was buried there. It was thereafter, with the season of Hajj coming, that I came for Hajj. This is that very girl!
Just see: This girl living in Paris as a Christian her entire life, accepted Islam, passed away in Paris, buried there, and now came to lie in a grave in Makkah Mukarramah; whilst this man, a resident of Makkah Mukarramah, regular with his Salaah and fasting, a good Muslim in appearance, buried in the sacred precincts of Makkah Mukarramah was nowhere to be found.
A collection was made and funds were made available to send the teacher to Paris where he spoke to the parents of the girl. He sought permission for the body in the grave to be exhumed. When the coffin was opened, the body of the Muslim Aalim buried in Makkah Mukarramah was found in the coffin!
Allah Ta’ala had caused the body of the girl to be transported from Paris, as if to say that this Darul-Kufr (non-Muslim country) was not a worthy place for her to lie and that Makkah Mukarramah was a more appropriate place for her. As for the body that was in Makkah Mukarramah, it was as if Allah Ta’ala had said that this is not a place of disbelief, and the Aalim’s body was transported to Paris, a land of Kufr.
(For Friends v.1 pg.260/ v.2 pg.142, Hazrat Thaanwi Ke Pasandeedah Waaqiaat pg.167)
LET US EXAMINE OUR LIVES AND PREFERENCES!! ASCERTAIN WHETHER THEY HAVE BEEN A SOURCE OF PROTECTING OUR IMAAN OR NOT!!
Honouring The Symbols Of Islam Is A Means Of Guidance
There was a hindu Lalajee who used to reside in Deoband. This hindu Lalajee was seen strolling on the gardens of Jannah. The reason for this was that he slapped his son in honour of Ramadaan. This resulted in Allah Ta’ala blessing him with death on Imaan.
Intense Need For Muhaasabah (taking stock of our actions) And Muraaqabah (contemplation of death)
It is often heard people saying: “The Ulama should discuss current news and affairs”.
THE MOST CURRENT NEWS IS THAT WE ARE ALL DYING! EVERY BREATH WE TAKE, WE ARE ONE BREATH AWAY FROM THIS WORLD AND ONE BREATH CLOSER TO THE GRAVE!
Acknowledging Our Deficiencies
Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه reports that Nabi صلّى الله عليه وسلّم said:
“There was a man who had transgressed [by committing many sins]. Before he could pass away, he said to his sons, ‘When I die, cremate me, crush me and then scatter [the dust/ash] in the wind. By Allah, if my Rabb gets hold of me, He will punish me with a punishment more severe than He has inflicted on anyone.’ When he died, [they fulfilled his request]. Allah Ta’ala commanded the earth, saying, ‘Gather up what is in you of him.’ It did so. Suddenly he was standing and Allah Ta’ala asked, ‘What motivated you to do what you did?’ He said, ‘O My Rabb, Your fear!’ [Allah Ta’ala] forgave him.” (Bukhaari #3294)
There are three lessons we can learn from the above Hadeeth:
- The sinner acknowledged his sin.
- He had regret and remorse.
- He feared accountability and punishment in the court of Allah.
Harms of Ignorance
A child was brought to Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thaanwi رحمه الله . The reason for this was that so Hazrat Moulana رحمه الله could read and blow on him. The child, on the other hand, was crying excessively out of fear. Hazrat Moulana رحمه الله mentioned: ‘Ignorance is strange. Something that is beneficial is regarded as harmful. Look at this child; he is brought here for his own benefit but he is afraid. This is exactly our connection with Allah Ta’ala. He treats us with mercy and we turn away out of fear.’
HOW CORRECT AN OBSERVATION! WE HAVE DEVELOPED SO AS TO SAY, A FEAR OF OBEDIENCE WHEREAS OBEYING ALLAH TA’ALA IS A MEANS OF MERCY TO US.
Let us examine the institution of Salaah. People regard the performance of Salaah as a burden but understand the immense benefits:
- Forgiveness of sins in Wudhu.
- Blessings and virtues of using Miswaak.
- The great reward of Tilaawat and Zikr.
The list is endless but alas what is our attitude? We regard an institution that is a mercy for us as ‘cramping our style’ (May Allah Ta’ala save us). Our actions are proof to this. Jamaat is compromised for silly reasons. We read our Salaah out of its prescribed times by making Qadha of it. We come late to the Musjid for Salaah, missing Rakaats with Jamaat and sadly it is noticed that many who are involved in various services of Deen are involved in this neglect.
What do we consider as valuable?
Ask Hazrat Saeed Ibn Musayyab رحمه الله . For forty years, he performed his Salaah with Takbeere Oola (the first takbeer). (Hilyatul Awliyaa v.2 pg.57)
On the contrary, we occassionally get the first Takbeer with Jamaat but mostly miss it. What is the reason? It is because we have not identified with those things that Islaam has ordained that we prioritise. Our example is like that of a patient who goes to a doctor. He is given a guaranteed prescription and told to take the medication at certain times. Thereafter, he goes home and marvels at the potency of the medication. He kisses the bottle and respectfully places it in the fridge. Will this benefit his health? Will he get the desired effect from the medication? Of course not! He needs to take the medication to get cured. Merely admiring and kissing it will not give him the desired benefit. Our condition is exactly like this person; we have been given the guaranteed prescription. We have also been told that if we take the medication at its appointed times i.e. perform Salaah five times daily, most definitely we will get the promised rewards mentioned in the Mubaaarak Ahadeeth of Nabi صلّى الله عليه وسلّم . Unfortunately our condition is such that we do not object to the medication, but we take the medication occasionally and neglect it most of the time. Most certainly, complete cure will not be attained.
THE UNFORTUNATE REALITY IS THAT WE HAVE SHOWN INDIFFERENCE TO THE PRESCRIPTIONS AND PROMISES OF NABI صلّى الله عليه وسلّم .
Subservience And Humility
Hazrat Aarifi رحمه الله once had to visit a remote area for some work. The road was gravel and the only way to travel on it was by horse and cart. After completing his work, Hazrat رحمه الله was returning when they had to pass a long and wide stretch of wilderness. On the way there was a long and wide stretch of wilderness. The cart-driver suddenly stopped the cart and asked them to jump off. On asking him the reason he replied, “This area is notorious for violent storms which causes great destruction. It is known to lift very heavy objects into the air and drop them elsewhere. The signs are visible that a storm is quickly approaching.”
As the wind grew strong, Hazrat Aarifi رحمه الله was about to take shelter at the side of a tree when the cart-driver warned Hazrat رحمه الله against this. On enquiring the reason again, the cart-driver explained that massive trees collapse with the force of such winds which makes it extremely dangerous to take shelter behind them.
Hazrat رحمه الله enquired as to what he should do in this situation. The cart-diver advised him, “There is only one way of safety and that is to lay, face down on the ground.”
Hazrat رحمه الله took to his advice and laid down on the ground. The storm struck with all its might, uprooting trees and hillocks in the process. All this took place around us without a single hair of ours moving out of place. (Impressions of Aarifi pg. 108)
REFLECTION FOR REFORMATION:
The lesson we learn from the above incident is that if we show humility and subservience to the orders of Allah Ta’ala, we are guaranteed safety.
IN LIFE, WE NEED TO ABANDON OUR OPINIONS AND LISTEN TO AN EXPERT FOR GUIDANCE TO ATTAIN THE ULTIMATE SUCCESS!
Gems From The Lips of Hazrat Umar رضي الله عنه
a) Never allow people to distract you from yourself because you are ultimately responsible for yourself and not them.
b) Never spend your days wandering about because everything you do is recorded.
c) Always carry out a good deed whenever you sin because I have never seen anything
catch up with another as a newly done good deed catches up with an old sin.
Be A source of mercy
Hazrat Abdullah bin Mubaarak رحمه الله initially lived in a rich locality but moved to a simpler neighbourhood. Nonetheless, an unbeliever put up his house for sale and it was double the price! The non-Muslim was asked the reason for this. The non-Muslim replied: “Half is the value of the house and the other half is for being the neighbour of Abdullah bin Mubaarak.”
Concern for the feelings of others
Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmaani Sahib حفظه الله writes that his respected father, Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Shafi Saheb رحمه الله mentions an incident of Hazrat Moulana Sayed Mia Asghar Husain Saheb رحمه الله :
Hazrat Mia Asghar Husain Saheb رحمه الله asked Mufti Shafi Saheb رحمه الله : “Will you eat mangoes?” Mufti Shafi Saheb رحمه الله replied: “Mangoes?! And that too from Hazrat’s hands, نور على نور (illumination upon illumination). Definitely!” Hazrat Mia Asghar Husain Saheb رحمه الله stood up and brought a basket full of mangoes and another empty basket for the peels and seeds. After eating the mangoes, Mufti Shafi Saheb رحمه الله took the basket filled with seeds and peels to throw away. Hazrat Mia Asghar Husain Saheb رحمه الله
asked: “Where are you off to with the basket?” Mufti Shafi Saheb رحمه الله replied: “I am going to throw the seeds and peels outside.” Hazrat Mia Asghar Husain Saheb رحمه الله
remarked: “Do you know how to throw them or not?” Mufti Shafi Saheb رحمه الله enquired: “Hazrat! What special science is throwing away peels, that it needs to be learnt?” Hazrat Mia Asghar Husain Saheb رحمه الله exclaimed: “Yes! You are not aware of this science. Come, give it to me.” Hazrat Mia Asghar Husain Saheb رحمه الله took the basket himself, and after separating the peels from the seeds, went outside. He began to put the peels, at specific places on the side of the road, each place a short distance from the other. Thereafter, he
placed all the seeds together in one place. Mufti Shafi Saheb رحمه الله curiously asked Hazrat Mia Asghar Husain Saheb رحمه الله the reason for disposing the seeds and peels in this manner. Hazrat Mia Asghar Husain Saheb رحمه الله explained: “All the people who stay around us are poor and needy. Most of the people, with difficulty, get bread to eat. If these poor people see all these peels are thrown in one place, they will realise the extent of their poverty and because of their need, they will become grieved. I will be the cause of all this inconvenience and hurt. For this reason, I divided the peels and placed it at different places. I also placed it at such places where the animals pass so that it can be of benefit to the animals. As for the mango seeds, I put them in such a place where the children play and jump about, these children roast the seeds and eat them. These mango seeds and peels are also a bounty of Allah, it isn’t appropriate to waste them.”
A point to note over here is that Hazrat Mia Asghar Husain Saheb رحمه الله would seldom have a mango by himself, it was more for the guests and the poor children of the locality, who Hazrat Mia Asghar Husain Saheb رحمه الله used to call and feed. Despite all of this, Hazrat Mia Asghar Husain Saheb رحمه الله abstained from dumping the mango seeds and peels in one place so that it does not become a cause of grief for the poor. Some Fuqaha (Islamic Jurists) refrained from eating food from the market places for the sole reason that the gaze of the poor fall on it and because of their poverty, it becomes a reason for their hearts becoming aggrieved.
SUBHANALLAH! Just look at how refined are the gazes of the friends of Allah Ta’ala in worldly matters and notice the manner in which they fulfil the rights of everyone! (Akaabir Deoband Kya Te pg.55)
Hazrat Moulana Sayed Mia Asghar Husain Saheb’s رحمه الله Consideration For Others
Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmaani Sahib حفظه الله writes that his respected father, Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Shafi Sahib رحمه الله mentions regarding Hazrat Moulana Sayed Mia Asghar Husain Sahib رحمه الله :
The house of Hazrat Mia Asghar Husain Saheb رحمه الله was made of mud thus every year, it had to be reinforced before the Monsoon rains. If this was not done then there was a fear that the entire house would collapse. During the reinforcement, his house had to be emptied of all his belongings. On one occasion, I (Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Shafi Sahib
رحمه الله ) mentioned to Hazrat Mia Asghar Husain Saheb رحمه الله : “Hazrat! Every year you go
through the same difficulty and if the expenses incurred every year had to be added up, then with the expense of six years, you would be able to re-build your house with bricks.” Hazrat Mia Asghar Husain Saheb رحمه الله , with a lot of love and compassion, replied: “Masha Allah! What an intelligent statement you have made! My calculation was the same; the money used for reinforcing the house for five years is enough to re-build my house with bricks, and in this way I’ll be spared the inconvenience of emptying my house, which I experience every year. We have become old, it did not even occur to us once that we can do what I just mentioned.”
Hazrat Mia Asghar Husain Saheb رحمه الله thereafter, explains the actual reason for not re-building his house with bricks: “All the houses in my neighbourhood belong to poor people and all are made from mud. In such conditions, it would be inappropriate to build my house with bricks and be content whilst the neighbours’ continue to suffer with their mud houses. Such an action of mine will cause them a lot of grief.”
I (Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Shafi Sahib رحمه الله ) continued to witness Hazrat Mia Asghar Husain Saheb رحمه الله going through this difficulty, every year until the time came when the poor neighbours re-built their homes with bricks. It was only then, that Hazrat Mia Asghar Husain Saheb رحمه الله also built his house with bricks. (Akaabir Deoband Kya Te)
Four Concerns of Hazrat Ibraheem bin Adham رحمه الله
a) When the covenant was made on the first day of creation. Allah Ta’ala decreed that a portion of mankind will enter Jannah and the other portion will enter Jahannam: I am worried as to which portion do I belong to.
b) When a baby is formed in the mother’s womb, an angel asks Allah Ta’ala whether the soul should be regarded as a blessed soul or an accursed one. The thought as to whether I am a blessed soul or not constantly worries me.
c) When the angel of death takes away the soul of a person, the angel asks Allah Ta’ala whether the soul should be placed with the believers or disbelievers. I am worried because I do not know what command will be given to the angel regarding my soul.
d) An announcement will be made on the day of Qiyaamat: “Separate yourselves today, Oh you criminals!” My concern is whether I shall be found innocent or guilty.