Troubles are Inflicted on the Friend
Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Shafi Sahib رحمه الله used to recite a Persian couplet in a state of deep enthusiasm; “Almighty Allah جل جلاله says that sometimes He cherishes the enemy and kills the friend. There is none to take exceptions to His decree.”
It is because Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله alone knows the wisdom of His actions and decisions.
Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib حفظه الله has said that it should be noted that it is the system of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله that He sometimes inflicts His righteous servants with hardships and misfortunes with the intention of elevating their status and position in the Aakhirah. It is thus the noble trait of the servant that whenever he faces some hardship, he turns to Allah Ta‘ala جل جلاله in repentance and submission.
(SOURCE: SELF MANAGEMENT – SUFFERING, A BLESSING IN DISGUISE by Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib حفظه الله )
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A Unique Incident
Hakeemul Ummah Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thaanwi Sahib رحمه الله had mentioned in one of his lectures that there were two people in a city lying on their death beds. One was a Muslim and the other a Jew. The Jewish person desired to eat fish which was not available in the vicinity and the Muslim desired to have some olive oil. Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله called two angels and commanded one of them to get the fish for the Jew so that he could satisfy his desire. With regards the Muslim, there was sufficient olive oil available but Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله commanded the other angel to go and destroy the olive oil. The angels proceeded on their missions, but both happened to meet each other and inquired about their respective missions. The angels were at a loss to understand why each had been sent on an opposite mission; however both discharged their duties.
When they returned after having discharged their duties, they requested Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله to let them know why the desire of the Muslim who was an obedient believer was not fulfilled although the olive oil was available; whereas the desire of the Jew was fulfilled by arranging the fish for him. Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله told the angels that they were unaware of the wisdom underlying His decisions; Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله explained to them that he treated the disbelievers and the Muslims differently. The disbelievers also do good deeds in this world in the form of charity, opening schools and relief efforts. Their good deeds are not acceptable in the Aakhirah; they are therefore repaid for their virtuous deeds in this world. With regards to the believers, Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله desires to punish them for their sins in this world, so that they present themselves in the Court of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله in the Aakhirah free from sins and vices.
Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله compensated the Jew for his good deeds in this world. Only one good deed remained to be compensated for; therefore his desire to eat fish was fulfilled. As for the Muslim, all his sins were washed away during his sickness save one; he was not allowed to fulfil his desire of having olive oil at the time of his death so that he appear before Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله free and purified from all sins.
We cannot comprehend the wisdom underlying the decisions of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله. Indeed our intellectual capacity is too limited to understand the wisdom behind the decisions of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله.
(SOURCE: SELF MANAGEMENT – SUFFERING, A BLESSING IN DISGUISE by Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib حفظه الله )
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Calamities are a Form of Mujaahadah (Striving)
Ārif Billāh Hazrat Dr Abdul Hayy Sahib رحمه الله used to say that previously, when a disciple surrendered himself to the spiritual guide for spiritual training and reformation, the disciple was subjected to very difficult Mujaahadah (strivings) and disciplines which were not compulsory (but optional). These types of strenuous Mujaahadah have now been abandoned. Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله has, however, not deprived these seekers (Saalikeen) of the benefit of such exertions.
The Saalik is now subjected to compulsory disciplines. The progress made under these compulsory striving is quicker, lasting and effective. The compulsory disciplines are imposed by Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله in the form of difficulties, worries, hardships and sicknesses. The progress made under these forced types of Mujaahadah are quicker, lasting and effective.
(SOURCE: SELF MANAGEMENT – SUFFERING, A BLESSING IN DISGUISE by Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib حفظه الله )
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Reflections
A unique way to understand this point is the pandemic which the Ummah recently experienced. This is taqdeer (Divine Decree) and the Ummah is indeed passing through a challenging phase; the defining factor is how does the Saalik react when confronted with this difficulty? Servitude is where one acknowledges that these conditions are from Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله, the servant submits wholeheartedly to the injunctions of the Shariah, makes Tawbah, reforms his actions, adopts the consciousness and fear of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله, takes the necessary precautions and then reposes his trust in Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله.
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No Optional Mujaahadah
Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib حفظه الله has explained that there was no optional Mujaahadah in the lives of the Sahaba رضي الله عنهم; they did not have to resort to intentional starvation, self denial or self torture – their lives give testimony to continuous Mujaahadah. Numerous Sahaba رضي الله عنهم were tortured for believing in
لا إله الا الله محمد رسول الله
They were forced to lie on the burning desert sand and blocks of stones were placed on their chests. They were subjected to untold tortures for believing in and supporting the mission of Sayyiduna Rasulullah صلي الله عليه وسلم. All these ordeals were forcefully imposed on the Noble Companions رضي الله عنهم ; this resulted in their status to be elevated to such an extent that a non-Sahabi cannot even dream of coming close to them.
We thus learn that forced Mujaahadah is conducive to rapid achievement of success. Therefore, the troubles, hardships and worries which we regard as calamities and misfortunes are really imposed spiritual disciplines; they reflect the mercy and love of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله for His servant.
(SOURCE: SELF MANAGEMENT – SUFFERING, A BLESSING IN DISGUISE by Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib حفظه الله )
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The Example of a Child
Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib حفظه الله shares the example of a child who feels afraid of being given a bath or having his hands and face washed. The mother washes her child in spite of his protests because she knows that cleanliness is indispensable for the health of child.
The child experiences discomfort in the entire process and feels that his mother is torturing him. The child, in his innocence, is disgusted with the manner of his mother washing him roughly. But as time progresses, the child will be grateful towards his mother because her actions were in the best interests of his well-being and good health. The method used by the mother was based solely due to affection and pure love.
Similarly, Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله subjects His servants to the cleansing process (of worries and adversities) due to His intense love and affection.
(SOURCE: SELF MANAGEMENT – SUFFERING, A BLESSING IN DISGUISE by Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib حفظه الله )
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Protestation of a Child
Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib حفظه الله has given a common example that the parents get their small child admitted to school. The child frets and protests vehemently against this ‘injustice’ – he detests this imposition and regards school as a jail. It is, however, in the best interests of the child that he be sent to school even by force, if necessary.
After attaining the age of understanding, the child will realise that had his parents not taken the initiative in sending him to school for education, he would not have been successful in society.
In exactly the same way, Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله sends down on His servants hardships and worries to elevate their status provided that the servants turn to Him in repentance and gratitude for these afflictions (because these are excuses to fortify the ta’alluq with Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله ). These hardships and difficulties are in fact the mercy of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله in disguise.
(SOURCE: SELF MANAGEMENT – SUFFERING, A BLESSING IN DISGUISE by Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib حفظه الله )
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The Ordeal of Sayyiduna Ayyub عليه السلام
Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib has mentioned that we need to reflect on the great suffering of Sayyiduna Ayyūb عليه السلام and the intense trial he was afflicted with. Shaitān visited him in this condition and told him that the suffering was due to his sins which was inflicted on him because of the displeasure of Allah Ta’ala جل حلاله. In addition, Shaitān put forward his proofs in support of his allegations and on this occasion, he debated with Sayyiduna Ayyūb عليه السلام .
Sayyiduna Ayyūb عليه السلام counteracted the argument of Shaitān saying; “It is wrong to allege that this disease is due to Allah’s displeasure on account of my sins. In fact, the ordeal of the disease is a token of love and favour towards me from my Allah. I do invoke Allah to cure this disease, but I do not complain against Him for the disease. At the same time I do not object to the disease which has been sent down to me by Allah, nor do I ask why my Allah has inflicted me with this disease, I always turn to Him in repentance and submit to Him the Qur’ānic dua:
And (Sayyiduna Ayyūb), when he cried to his Lord saying: “O my Lord, indeed adversity has touched (afflicted) me; and You are the Most Merciful of all who show mercy.”
(Surah al-Ambiyaa: Verse 83)
Sayyiduna Ayyūb عليه السلام further added saying; ” My invoking Allah is a favour from Him. When He has caused me to turn to Him in repentance, it is quite clear that this misfortune too is a sign of His mercy and love.”
(SOURCE: SELF MANAGEMENT – SUFFERING, A BLESSING IN DISGUISE by Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib حفظه الله )
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Reflections
The response of Sayyiduna Ayyūb عليه السلام gives testimony to the perfection of Ma’rifah )recognition) of Sayyiduna Ayyūb عليه السلام. Furthermore, this serves as a lesson for the Ummah that difficulties are indeed a sign of mercy from Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله ; if one has been sinful, his sins are forgiven. If there are no sins, it is a means of higher stations in the Aakhirah. There is no loss for a believer.
There must be no objections with regards difficulties being experienced; we must understand that Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله is All Knowing, All Wise. We should submit to His decisions and implore Him to intervene in our affairs.
Shaitān will attack us with stray thoughts which will make us feel despondent. Our duty is to remain focused on what is required of us; i.e. involve ourselves in those actions that will result in the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله.
Furthermore, we notice that Muslims in general are consumed with regards the effects of the pandemic which has afflicted us. We cannot deny the seriousness of the situation but have we taken the time and siezed the opportunity to fortify our relationship with Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله? Or are we still involved in those sins which we have previously committed? We need to remind ourselves that difficulties are an excuse to reattach ourselves to Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله ; we have to remove the disease of heedlessness in our lives. May Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله guide us!
آمين
(Points sourced from the teachings of Shafeequl Ummah Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Farooq Sahib رحمه الله)