بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Returning To Allah Ta’ala
INSTITUTION OF TAWBAH
Shafeequl Ummah Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Farooq Sahib رحمه الله has said that Tawbah means to leave sins totally; it is not just lip service but rather a firm determination not to return to sins. Istighfaar is to seek forgiveness for past sins and Tawbah is a promise not to sin in the future.
We are but human; we will succumb to negligence and sins. It is therefore the sheer mercy of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله that notwithstanding us having broken our promises repeatedly (and we will continue in our errors), He has made the institution of Tawbah a means of renewing our commitment to Him.
TAZKIYAH (REFORMATION)
It must be clearly understood that reformation is not an option but rather a compulsion. Sayyidina Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه وسلم was sent as a reformer for the Ummah and the Sahaba
رضوان الله عليهم اجمعين immediately changed their habits after pledging allegiance to him. The temperament of the Sahaba رضوان الله عليهم اجمعين was unique in that they totally and immediately submitted to the demands of Īmān. Undoubtedly, this was a blessed miracle of Sayyidina Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه وسلم where, after accepting the message of Islam through the mercy of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله the Sahaba رضوان الله عليهم اجمعين developed and sustained the concern to practice on Islam.
It has been an accepted system that the Mashaa’ikh would exercise great care with regards to their disciples. If we reflect on the life of Sayyidina Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه وسلم he painstakingly made the tarbiyyah of the Sahaba رضوان الله عليهم اجمعين . Similarly, the Mashaa’ikh also worked excessively on their disciples in emulation of the blessed Sunnah. Our pious predecessors would adjust every detail in the life of the disciple irrespective of how insignificant it may have appeared. Once this procedure is followed, the disciple becomes an embodiment of hidāyah (guidance).
Another misconception in our minds is that we feel that results cannot be achieved nowadays; hidāyah (guidance) is most certainly attainable but we need to play our part. Just as the Sahaba رضوان الله عليهم اجمعين offered themselves to Sayyidina Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه وسلم so too should we search for a spiritual mentor who will guide us in life. Adjustments will have to be made to secure salvation. Our habits are strange indeed in that we are desirous of the best results but we are not prepared to engage in any effort. This attitude is counter in any institution or business; so too should we acknowledge that we will not achieve true success if we do not abandon our opinions and link ourselves to a Sheikh who will systematically guide us in navigating the journey of life.
THE ACTUAL AIM
Sheikh Sahl bin Abdullah al-Tustari رحمه الله was a saint of the highest order. He was without equal in abstinence and righteous deeds,. He grew up in the company of his uncle Sheikh Muhammad bin Sawwār رحمه الله who planted the seeds of Tawheed in his heart from a very young age. Sheikh Sahl رحمه الله narrates that one day his uncle said to him; “Why don’t you remember Allah Ta’ala who created you?”
Sheikh Sahl رحمه الله : “How should I remember him?”
Sheikh Muhammad رحمه الله answered: “Before you sleep every night, say the following three times in your heart, without moving your tongue; ‘Allah is with me, Allah is watching me, Allah is present with me.'”
Sheikh Sahl رحمه الله said that he followed the advice of his uncle and after a while reported to him. He was then advised to repeat the phrases seven times every night. Sheikh Muhammad رحمه الله thereafter asked that the phrases be increased to eleven times before sleeping. Amazingly, Sheikh Sahl رحمه الله said that he continued with the practice of reciting the phrases eleven times until the sweetness of Īmān entered his heart.
After a year had passed, Sheikh Muhammad bin Sawwār رحمه الله advised his nephew (Sheikh Sahl رحمه الله ),”Remember what I taught you and continue with it as long as you live. It will benefit you in this world and the Aakhirah.” Sheikh Sahl رحمه الله mentioned that he continued with this practice until he felt the sweetness of it (the phrases) within.
One day Sheikh Muhammad bin Sawwār رحمه الله addressed his nephew, Sheikh Sahl رحمه الله , again, “Sahl, a person who realises that Allah Ta’ala is watching him all the time, would find it difficult to disobey Him. Beware of disobeying Allah!”
This is a simple but potent prescription to create the awareness of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله in our lives. Amazingly, the simple things are the most effective!
CHANGE OUR ATTITUDE
The spiritual condition of the Ahlullāh is something that we need to develop in our personalities. Hazrat Mianjee Noor Muhammad Sahib رحمه الله had a unique habit where he would carry a money bag when he needed to but anything. On making the purchase, he would give the shopkeeper the bag and ask him to take the required amount. Hazrat Mianjee Noor Muhammad Sahib رحمه الله used to say that if he had taken out the money, and then presented it to the shopkeeper, he would have been deprived of many moments of Zikrullāh.
In another incident, Hazrat Mianjee Noor Muhammad Sahib رحمه الله was walking with his money bag when a thief snatched the bag and ran away. Hazrat رحمه الله did not even bother to turn to see who the thief was but went straight home, instead.
Hazrat رحمه الله reflected that if he ran after the thief in search of his money, he would lose many moments making Zikrullāh.
The underlying message we learn from the lives of our Akaabir is that they wished to spend their time in this world to ensure benefit in the Aakhirah. We urgently need to remind ourselves that we do not know how long we are going to live in this world and should therefore abandon all acts of futility and negligence.
EXTINGUISHING THE HEAT OF SIN
Hazrat Moulana Yunus Patel Sahib رحمه الله has shared the advices of Hazrat Moulana Jalāluddeen Rūmi رحمه الله in which the beauty of the fourteenth moon is mentioned. The glow and shine of the moon illuminates the night and expels total darkness. However, this light is not its own as the moon has no light. The moon “borrows” the light from the sun and thus reflects the light of the sun onto the earth.
Hazrat Moulana Yunus Patel Sahib رحمه الله further added that when the earth, whilst rotating around the sun, comes between the sun and the moon, the moon is eclipsed.
The shadow of the earth falls upon the moon which results in it’s darkening. Hazrat Moulana Jalāluddeen Rūmi رحمه الله uses this example and draws a beautiful analogy; the hearts of the Mu’min are akin to the moon, deriving their effulgence from the Noor of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله . This Noor effaces the darkness within the hearts thereby illuminating it.
The two enemies of the believer; Nafs and Shaytān block the radiance of the Noor of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله which is directed towards the hearts of the Mu’min. The effects of Nafs and Shaytān create a darkness upon the heart. When the Mu’min succumbs to the temptations of Nafs and Shaytān, the hearts which are extremely negligent experience a total eclipse; whereas the hearts of those who are somewhat mindful experience a partial eclipse.
We need to confront the onslaught of the enemies and acquire the spiritual ‘light’ for obedience. This spiritual strength can be attained through the Zikr of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله ; Zikrullāh is the opposite of heedlessness. The ‘light’ of spiritual strength is attained through the different forms of Ibaadah. What is further required is that we refrain from the lure of sin. When we as committed believers resist the urge to rebel, our hearts will become illuminated. Furthermore, it is essential that over and above being involved in acts of obedience and staying away from sins; a vital component is to fulfil the rights of people whom we interact with.
RESPECT AND LOVE
Hazrat Mufti Ebrahim Salejee Sahib حفظه الله has said that when we restrain ourselves from something, then it is either because of respect or love for the person who instructed us to do so. We further acknowledge that there exists a deficiency of love and respect if instructions are not obeyed. Therefore, we need to understand that the entire structure of Deen revolves around the pillars of love and respect.
We appreciate and respect our wives because of the great service they render. The reason we fail in our loyalty to Sayyidina Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه وسلم is that we have not recognised him. We have failed in learning what Sayyidina Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه وسلم has done for the Ummah. It is indeed a disservice to his blessed personality that we only remember him at a specific time of the year. This is the temperament of the rebellious and the disbelievers. A Mu’min needs to take time out in his daily schedule to reflect on the message of Sayyidina Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه
وسلم , be punctual on the Sunnah and in recitation of Durood Shareef.
When the elders in the family show their appreciation, commitment and dedication to the life of Sayyidina Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه وسلم it will serve as an example for our progeny. Our deficiency in love and respect towards Sayyidina Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه وسلم bears testimony to our relationship with Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله . This aspect requires immediate attention to fortify our Deen.
THE MISERY OF MISDEEDS
Hakeemul Ummah Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thaanwi Sahib رحمه الله has explained that the adverse conditions that we are experiencing is due to the fact that we have not heeded the lessons of the Kalaamullah. Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله says:
‘Nor would Allah ever treat them unjustly but they dealt unjustly with themselves.’ (Surah Ar-Room:9)
Hazrat Thaanwi رحمه الله has written in Jazā- ul- A’māl that Imām Ahmad رحمه الله has related a tradition in which Jubair bin Nufair رحمه الله on the occasion of the Muslim conquest of Persia, sees the companion Abu Dardā رضي الله عنه sitting by himself in tears. When Jubair رحمه الله asked Hazrat Abu Dardā رضي الله عنه as to why he is crying on such a blessed day, a day in which Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله had bestowed honour and glory upon Islam and the Muslims, the noble companion replied: “It’s a shame, Jubair, that you don’t understand. When a people neglect the commands of Allah, the most High, how wretched and insignificant they become. Look at these people! What majesty was theirs until, when confronted with the commands of Allah Ta’ala, they neglected them. Now you see them humbled and abased.”
Undoubtedly, the pitiful condition of the Ummah is due to rampant transgression. But even more painful is the fact that we are not taking any lessons from the difficulties we are experiencing. In the Musnad of Imām Ahmad رحمه الله a tradition is related in which Sayyidina Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Verily, a man is denied his daily bread (or a portion thereof) for the wrong he has done.”
There is a dire need for the Ummah to stay away from sins. One of the consequences of sin is where a person is deprived of real knowledge, which is inner light. By slipping into sin, the sinner causes the light to be extinguished.
Imām Mālik رحمه الله once counselled Imām Shāfi’ī رحمه الله saying: “Verily I perceive that Allah the most High has lit a light in your heart. See that you don’t extinguish it by wrongdoing.”
HOW FAR HAVE WE DRIFTED…
Hazrat Nadhr bin Abdullah رحمه الله relates that one day when Hazrat Anas رضي الله عنه was alive, it became very dark during the day. Hazrat Nadhr bin Abdullah رحمه الله went to him (Hazrat Anas رضي الله عنه ) and asked: “Did you ever see such a thing in the time of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم ?” Hazrat Anas رضي الله عنه replied: “I seek refuge in Allah! In those days if the breeze grew a little stronger than normal, we would hasten to the Musjid, fearing the approach of the Last Day.”
Hazrat Abu Dardā رضي الله عنه has narrated: “Whenever there was a storm,
the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم became perturbed and would hasten to the Musjid.” Sheikhul Hadith Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya Sahib رحمه الله has mentioned: “Who thinks of going to the Musjid nowadays, even at the time of the worst of calamities? Leave aside the common people, even those who regard themselves as good and practicing Muslims do not observe this Sunnah. What a deterioration!”
When we examine our behaviour, we have to acknowledge that we have a massive problem with our attitude. It is imperative that we rectify our waywardness and attune our lives to the blessed temperament of the Sunnah. The evil traits of arrogance and obstinacy have to be eliminated and replaced with humility and submission. It is essential that we take out a few minutes daily and remind ourselves of Sayyidina Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه وسلم ; emulating his blessed personality will certainly invite the mercy of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله .
Are we prepared to make the changes in our lives? May Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله guide us!
THE PROPER CONNECTION
The ambition of a Mu’min is to link up with Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله and maintain the connection.
Everything else is insignificant. If a person has a proper relationship with Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله , he will be content irrespective of the situation he finds himself in.
Presently, the trend is to acquire a ‘smart’ phone. People want to make an impression.
If a person has an extremely expensive phone but no sim card; he would not be able to use the phone due to the lack of the means of connectivity. On the other hand, another person may not have a ‘smart’ phone but it is functional, has a sim card and is connected to a network. In this case, work will be achieved.
Similarly, the ‘smart’ connection to Allah Ta’ala is through humility and submission. Arrogance and obstinacy are great impediments in the road to Ma’rifah (recognition). A short cut in establishing the ‘better’ connection is through the company of the pious and constancy in Zikrullāh.
Unfortunately, people are in search of something ‘new’ in anticipation of recognising Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله . This is indeed a foolish notion. As an example, we have breakfast daily. In most cases, the menu is the same EVERY day. Nobody has invented a ‘new’ breakfast because the conventional meal is nutritious, beneficial and delicious. In exactly the same way, the tried and trusted prescriptions to attain Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله are timeless and do not go out of fashion. Why do we then search for something different?
(Lessons extracted from the discourses of Hazrat Moulana Yunus Patel Sahib رحمه الله and Hazrat Mufti Ebrahim Salejee Sahib حفظه الله )
CHANGE IN ATTITUDE
One of the impediments in the road to Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله is having a superiority complex. We do not want to realise that our attitude has prevented us from spiritual progress. We learn an immense lesson from Hazrat Hassan al-Basri ;رحمه الله there was once a severe drought in Basrah. Two hundred thousand people gathered on the outskirts of the city for Salātul Istisqā (to pray for rain). A mimbar was set up and Hazrat Hassan al-Basri رحمه الله was requested to mount it and supplicate for rain. Hazrat Hassan رحمه الله said: “If you wish for rain, expel me from Basrah.”
الله اكبر كبيرا
The humility of Hazrat Hassan al-Basri رحمه الله constrained him to believe that he was the cause of the drought as droughts occur as a consequence of the sins of people.
Once, Hazrat Hassan al-Basri رحمه الله spent the entire night weeping. He was asked: “Hazrat, why do you weep so much inspite of being an Aabid (worshipper) and Muttaqī (pious)?”
Hazrat Hassan al-Basri رحمه الله replied: “I fear that I may have committed such a deed which negates my ibaadah. As a result of it, Allah Ta’ala may say; ‘Hassan! You have no position by Us. None of your acts of worship is acceptable.'”
These pure souls regarded their virtuous deeds as ‘sins’ – they never apportioned any importance to their actions. They simply hoped for the mercy of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله and nothing but His mercy.
THE HARMS OF SUSPICION
Hazrat Hassan al-Basri رحمه الله once noticed a slave with a woman near the banks of the Tigris River. The slave held a bottle from which he was drinking. Hazrat Hassan al-Basri رحمه الله
thought to himself that although he regards himself as a sinner, he considered himself to be better than the slave. As he looked on, a boat with seven men on board began to sink in the river. The slave instantly jumped in and saved six men. He then turned to Hazrat Hassan al-Basri رحمه الله and remarked that he had saved six of the seven. He then admonished Hazrat Hassan رحمه الله that since he had considered himself to be superior, he should save the remaining person on the boat. The slave said; “I was trying to test whether you were blind or observant. This woman by my side is my mother and this bottle contains nothing but water.”
Hazrat Hassan al-Basri رحمه الله realised his error and immediately sought forgiveness. He also requested the slave; “Just as you saved six men from drowning, save me from drowning in the sea of blindness.” From this moment onwards, Hazrat Hassan al-Basri رحمه الله never regarded anybody with contempt.
The disease of looking down upon others is rampant in our society. Sadly, we fail to realise that this illness is causing great difficulties for us in the Aakhirah. Shafeequl Ummah Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Farooq Sahib رحمه الله has said that the spiritual disease of thinking low of others devours our good deeds just as fire consumes dry wood. A unique principle we learn from Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Maseehullah Khan Sahib رحمه الله is that we should hate the sin and not the sinner. Another pious servant of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله mentioned that he does not even speak about the good of others because invariably, human nature is such that we search for faults when discussing the good character of others.
Having a pure and an uncontaminated heart is essential to progress in the Court of Allah Ta’ala .جل جلاله It must never happen where we become destitutes in the Aakhirah by failing to rectify this spiritual malady.
CONCLUSION
Our Mashaa’ikh have stated that people have an incorrect understanding of Tasawwuf; people feel that it is difficult to make one’s islah whereas it is not only manageable but easy. One of the vital aspects in Tazkiyyah is the establishment of good character.
Hazrat Mufti Ebrahim Salejee Sahib حفظه الله has said that good character can be defined as; “Conducting oneself in a way that is pleasing to the Creator and to the creation.” As an example, a person realises the importance of the first Takbeer of Salaah but he parks his car incorrectly and blocks the Musjid driveway. One becomes content that the first Takbeer has been attained and Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله is pleased but inconvenience has been caused to the creation. A believer cannot utilise such defective tactics in gaining proximity to Allah Ta’ala .جل جلاله
Good character and conduct is the basis of success. Honour and respect will be achieved if the believer adopts the character of Sayyidina Rasoolullah .صلى الله عليه وسلم The lifestyle of Sayyidina Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه وسلم should occupy a special place in the heart of a Muslim and his character should be preferred over the styles and systems of others. The Mu’min has his own identity and this cannot be compromised at any cost.
May Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله grant all of us the tawfeeq to return to Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله by adopting the personality and ways of Sayyidina Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه وسلم in our lives. آمين يا رب العالمين
Alhamdulillah, the Majlis on RETURNING TO ALLAH has been completed. May Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله accept our feeble efforts and make our islah with aafiyah. آمين