Value The Bounty Of Time
Arif Billah Hazrat Dr Abdul Hayy Sahib رحمه الله has said that it is imperative that we value time and involve ourselves in those actions that will secure the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله . We have to acknowledge that we will not experience favourable circumstances always; sometimes we will have the time but not the health, on other occasions we may have more responsibilities – the focus should be to ensure success in the Aakhirah.
Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله has blessed us with opportunities where we can attain His pleasure; these are accepted moments and we will experience the benefits in this world and the Aakhirah. Furthermore, it is vital that we attach ourselves with the Ahlullah because their concern primarily is that we should look after the demands of Iman. In the present situation, to preserve Iman is indeed very difficult due to the shocking decline in moral values. We should take a regular analysis of the state of our Iman because the temperament nowadays is that people follow their desires and passions. The reality is that our heedlessness has dropped us into the abyss of humiliation.
We need to ask ourselves with sincere hearts; how low Muslims have degenerated into that we have chosen to follow the rebellious as against the pure teachings of Sayyiduna Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم. It is therefore the need of the hour that we take stock of our lives and search for avenues to protect our Iman.
The Compulsion Of Muhaasabah
Arif Billah Hazrat Dr Abdul Hayy Sahib رحمه الله has said that it is compulsory upon us to take stock of our lives and assess whether our condition, both spiritually and physically, gives testimony to our commitment to Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله . Furthermore, we need to examine whether our commitment to Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله has had any impact upon our subordinates. How steadfast have we been on the injunctions of Deen? Have we taken the time to assist and nurture our near and dear ones towards guidance?
We have to ensure that our evil desires are checked because if we are going to be negligent, we are going to endanger our Īmān. In this era of immodesty, the need for every believer is to assess the state of his/her faith because we are keeping ourselves vulnerable to the dangers of disbelief. It is therefore necessary to ascertain whether our character, social interaction, acts of worship and business dealings conform to the blessed Sunnah. Let us not be deceived in thinking of ourselves as pious; our actions are going to be adjudicated by Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله .
How then can we relax and assume that we have attained success? The perfection of Iman can only be attained through virtuous deeds, Taqwa and Ikhlas (sincerity).
The world is an abode of worries. We will definitely experience trials and difficulties. If in these trials, the believer displays impatience, it shows a deficiency in Iman. If the believer remains firm and resolute, he is granted the closeness of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله . Success in the Divine Court can never be attained by displeasing Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله . The essence of submission is to derive comfort in the injunctions of Shariah. The believer who does not submit to Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله voluntarily will have to suffer the imposition of submitting to creation. May Allah Ta’ala protect us.
Be Appreciative!
Arif Billah Hazrat Dr Abdul Hayy Sahib رحمه الله has advised that we express gratitude unto Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله for the numerous opportunities we have been given to learn and identify with our Deen. These occasions need to be treasured and the knowledge implemented so that they may serve as a means of protection for our Iman and Islam. Moreover, the bounty of being able to sit in the company of the Ahlullah for our reformation cannot be quantified.
It is essential that we make it a regular practice to attune ourselves with the lives of the Sahaba رضي الله عنهم and learn how they annihilated themselves for the mission of Sayyiduna Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم . Alas, it is a tragedy that we have distanced ourselves from Sayyiduna Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم and we have allowed ourselves to be influenced by those who have harmed Islam. We have become the slaves of sensual pleasures and evil desires actively choosing the ways of transgression and rebellion. Why don’t we sit in the company of the Mashaikh? They are true well-wishers who will assist us in securing our Aakhirah.
Iman & Modesty
Arif Billah Hazrat Dr Abdul Hayy Sahib رحمه الله has said that Iman and Haya (Modesty) are inseparable; if a person has Iman, he will have Haya. A great oppression we have committed to ourselves is that we have become the slaves of means and have forgotten Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله .
Hazrat Arifi رحمه الله has advised that we reflect on our modesty; where is the concept of modesty in our lives?Why do we not ask Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله first for our needs? Why do we make our Ever Compassionate and Ever Kind Rabb our last resort?
Hazrat Arifi رحمه الله has said that if we carefully examine Surah al-Fatiha, it teaches us the essence of modesty and explains to us how to ask from Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله . The fifth Ayah of Surah al-Fātiha states:
We worship Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله alone and it is Him جل جلاله alone that we seek assistance from.
(Surah Fathiha:5)
We are thus exhorted towards pleading unto Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله for every conceivable need. Due to us having forgotten to put forward our pleas to Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله ,it is necessary that we repent and seek forgiveness for not turning to Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله first.
Hazrat Arifi رحمه الله has further said that the above verse be repeated excessively when imploring Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله creating a conviction in our hearts that He جل جلاله can respond to our supplications. Hazrat رحمه الله has said that as believers, our duty is to continually ask Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله for guidance and assistance. This temperament of submission should be an outstanding feature of our lives. Moreover, it is the promise of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله that He will respond to our every dua. It is indeed shameful on our part that we seek assistance from creation and not our Creator جل جلاله. Hazrat رحمه الله gives us a thought provoking example of our attitude; it is as if the child is aware that his needs will be taken care of by his parents but he regretfully asks the neighbour and in the process hurts his parents. Will not the parents feel betrayed at this type of behaviour? Undoubtedly we have transgressed and we need to turn to Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله first. The approach to turn to Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله will earn us His pleasure. The result of this mindset will result in us being blessed with the spiritual bounty of humility which is the root of all virtues.