For Islaahi questions refer to the website for details of Hazrat s Khulafa who are attending to answering questions Website:

Transcription

1

2 For Islaahi questions refer to the website for details of Hazrat s Khulafa who are attending to answering questions Website: Jazakallah

3 CONTENTS AMAZING PROOF OF THE DISPLAY OF ALLÂH S LOVE... 3 WHY IS THE WORD FUJÛR (SIN) BEFORE TAQWA?... 4 THE FIRST FORM OF JIHAAD... 5 CONDITIONS FOR PARTICIPATING IN JIHAAD BY HADRAT THANVI... 5 WHY DON T PEOPLE PRACTISE!... 6 THE RIGHTS OF THE MUSLIH (SPIRITUAL GUIDE) AND THE ETIQUETTE OF REFORMATION... 8 FROM KAMÂLÂTE-ASHRAFIYYAH MALFUZÂT)... 8 FOUR BENEFITS OF NINE PROVEN PRESCRIPTIONS FOR STEADFASTNESS AND A PLEASING DEATH Page 1

4 THE MAKTAB SYSTEM TWO AMAZING EXAMPLES TO UNDERSTAND THE COMPANY AND NURTURING OF THE AHLULLAH BY SINNING THOUSANDS OF TIMES, ONE WILL NOT ATTAIN PEACE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PERTAINING TO ONE S ISLAAH THE IMPORTANCE OF SHUKR Page 2

5 AMAZING PROOF OF THE DISPLAY OF ALLÂH S LOVE رب الس جن احب اىل مم ا يدعونىن اليه (.1 Hadrat Sayyidina Yusuf said, O my Sustainer, jail is more beloved to me that those actions towards which the women of Egypt are inviting me (i.e. the difficulties of jail is precious in my sight due to Your pleasure and closeness). This verse exhibits great love for Allâh. A beautiful way of expressing this would be -: The Being in whose path jail is not only coveted, but most beloved; then what will the gardens in His path be like? و اىل رب ك فارغب (.2 In this verse also, the quality of Allâh s being beloved is clear. Translation: Turn in desire to Your Sustainer. From here we learn that the worship of Allâh and the enjoyment of His name are much coveted. كال اهنم عن رهبم يومئذ حملجوبون (.3 In this verse, Allâh being most beloved is apparent. Allâh states, Never, verily the disbelievers will remain deprived of seeing Allâh on the Day of Judgment. Allâh announcing deprivation of beholding His Being as a mode of punishment points to Allâh being most beloved. No king is able to punish any defaulter in this manner, since he is only a ruler, and not a beloved. This verse also proves that the believers will be able to see Allâh. Page 3

6 WHY IS THE WORD FUJÛR (SIN) BEFORE TAQWA? فاهلمها فجورها تقوها (.4 According to principle, commendable acts are supposed to be mentioned first. Thus, taqwâ should have been mentioned first. Why did Allâh, then foremost mention fujûr (sin)? The answer to this is that taqwâ is dependent on fujûr. Every prohibition demands that the prohibited act can occur. Taqwâ means to prevent the nafs (carnal self) from fulfilling its incorrect desires النفس عن الهوى.نهى If there was no desire of evil, then taqwâ would not be found. If a person says, Do not look at my pen, and he does not possess one, his speech is futile. Similarly, the desire and matter of sin was necessary so that by not acting according to its dictates one could attain taqwâ and become a muttaqi person. For this reason, Hadrat Shah Abdul Ghani Saheb used to say that Hadrat Shah Waliullah Saheb has written, that a congenital (born) impotent person cannot attain wilâyat-khâssah (special closeness). Page 4

7 THE FIRST FORM OF JIHAAD The first form of Jihaad is to change one s life, give up adultery, people are frequenting porn websites, going to nightclubs and at the same time they want to participate in Jihaad. When Ali had the upper hand over a Kaafir on the occasion of a certain battle, the Kaafir spat on the face of Ali, yet Ali had total control of his anger and his Islaah was completed to such an extent that Ali let him free. He knew that he will not be killing the Kaafir for the pleasure of Allah rather he will be killing him for his personal gain and egos. The word Jihaad was not used by Rasulullah for thirteen years in Makkah Sharif as it was a time of making the Islaah of Sahaaba, making effort and building the Imaan and Akhlaaq of the Sahaaba. When they had reached Madinah Munawwarah then only did the battle of Badr take place. CONDITIONS FOR PARTICIPATING IN JIHAAD BY HADRAT THANVI When the British were ruling in India, the man behind the scene was prepared to make every person in India a Christian. The Ulema stood up for Jihaad. At a later stage, the people whom we refer to as the modernist, the liberal people also became very concerned. They formed a delegation and came to Hadrat Maulana Thanvi. They said, Hadrat, we have to start Jihaad now and we appoint you as our leader. Maulana made three conditions. The first is that there won t be any Jihaad for a Page 5

8 period of ten years. You will first have to make your Islaah. We must have Salaah in our lives, look like Muslims, deal like Muslims, etc. The greatest Jihaad is Jihaad of the Nafs. رجعنا من اجلهاد االصغر اىل اجلهاد االكرب If we make Jihaad on the Nafs, the physical Jihaad will be a walk over. The conquest of Makkah was a walkover for the Sahaaba and the world cannot produce a second to the conquest of Makkah, it was such a walkover that not a single drop of blood was shed. In conclusion, we should spiritually reform ourselves before taking part in the physical Jihaad. May Allah grant us Taufeeq! WHY DON T PEOPLE PRACTISE! Hadrat Shaqeeq Balkhi states that there are six reasons why people don t get the Taufeeq of making Amal. Every Muslim knows that performance of Salaah five times a day is Fardh, but how many people perform their five times Salaah. We all know that it is not correct to wear western clothing yet we still wear western clothing. What is the reason? 1. People are busy enjoying the bounties of Allah yet they do not make Shukr. Allah then snatches away the Taufeeq of Amal. The poorest of people are also enjoying the bounties of Allah. The eyes with which we see is such a great bounty of Allah. In a like manner Page 6

9 we have our tongues, brains, hands, legs, etc. which are great bounties of Allah. 2. The people are concerned of acquiring knowledge but are not concerned of making Amal. We have so much of Islamic literature in our homes, cd s, Mp3 s, etc. but our Amal is limited. 3. The people remain in the companionship of the Awliya but do not follow them. We attend their discourses for entertainment. 4. We commit sins but do not make Taubah. Leave sins, we have to make Taubah of our Salaah. Our Salaah is also a sin for which Taubah is required. Allah loves a person that makes Taubah. 5. The Dunya is going behind you but you are chasing Dunya. If there is a road block or a speed trap and a person fails to stop his vehicle and speeds off, the police won t go in search of him in the opposite direction. Every moment of our lives the world is behind us, yet we are chasing the Dunya. We trying to earn more money, make our houses more comfortable, concerned of our gardens and bathrooms. Page 7

10 6. The Aakhirat is coming before us yet we turn our faces away from the Aakhirat. Every moment that is passing we are drawing closer to our Qabr, yet we behave as though it does not exist. The ability of practising will come when a person observes these six things. THE RIGHTS OF THE MUSLIH (SPIRITUAL GUIDE) AND THE ETIQUETTE OF REFORMATION FROM KAMÂLÂTE-ASHRAFIYYAH MALFUZÂT) 1) The basis of internal benefit is to have affinity in nature. Each person understands his own condition. As long as there is no affinity in nature, there will be no benefit. The Murîd should understand his Shaikh to be everything, even though he is nothing in reality. خالامےہ ہمہرہشرپزوخباںمنمو ي کن ( ہچ مہکمشچدبوخہندنکہبسکاگن ےہ page 158) 2) If one severs connection with his Shaikh, then all Fuyûdh (spiritual blessings) will terminate. By lessening one s connection with Rasulullah, no spiritual blessings or inspirations will remain. (page 164) 3) The constriction of the Shaikh s heart becomes a barrier of faidh (spiritual blessings) reaching one. Therefore, a Murîd should not study under his Shaikh as a student of dîn. Yes, there is no harm in sitting without a book, Page 8

11 listening to his lesson and not asking questions. (page 214) 4) The crux of the rights of the Shaikh is that his heart should not be hurt, neither by one s statements, actions or movements. (page 277) 5) Perfect obedience and adherence of the Shaikh is not in beliefs, Kashf (visions), in all Masâil and in social matters (e.g. the Shaikh tells the Murîd to marry his daughter to the Shaikh s son or someone else). Obedience is only in the path of Tarbiyah (spiritual nurturing), diagnosing of sicknesses and prescribing a cure, and in those Masâil related to internal reformation. This too is as long as the permissibility of the action is accepted by both the Shaikh and Murîd. If there is a difference, then to debate with the Shaikh is contrary to the path and to follow him is contrary to Shariah. In this case, the correct etiquette is to ask the Ulema for a fatwa or to pass judgment according to one s investigations and then to inform the Shaikh, I do not regard so-and-so action to be permissible. This is the teachings of our path. What should I do? Then too, if the Shaikh commands you to do that action, then leave him. If he gives permission to abstain from it, then this is obedience to him. This is the meaning of perfect obedience and adherence i.e. to completely follow the prescriptions which he has administered for spiritual sicknesses, and those actions are permissible according to both the Shaikh and Murîd. Do not proffer your opinion in those matters. Adhering to him in other matters is not meant. Page 9

12 6) Spiritual taste (dhauq) is created in the company of Ahlullah and by straightening their shoes (being in their service) which is with conviction and obedience. Here, only taqlid (blind following) works. By objecting, no progress takes place. An example of this is a child who sits in front of the teacher. He tells the child, Read alif bâ. The child asks, Why is the form of ا like this, and why is ب in this shape? The teacher will retort, Go home. The fact of the matter is that in every matter, the beginning stage is mere taqlid. (page 126) :ال حول و ال قوة اال باهلل FOUR BENEFITS OF throne. is a treasure of Jannah under the ال حول و ال قوة اال باهلل 1.) The roof of Jannah is the Divine throne. By reciting it, one attains the ability of practicing on good actions and abstaining from evil actions. This is what is meant by the treasure of Jannah. Nabî said, O Abdullah Ibn Qays, should I not show you one great treasure from amongst the treasures of Jannah? ال حول و ال قوة اال said, He replied, Please inform me. Nabî 1 باهلل Why is this Kalimah called the treasure of Jannah? This Kalimah is called a treasure for the following reasons: a.) This Kalimah was hidden and protected like a treasure it was then granted to us by Nabî. b.) This Kalimah is from the treasures of Jannah. 1 Bukhâri, Muslim, Mishkât Page 10

13 c.) This Kalimah grants a person the beautiful bounties of Jannah. d.) Allamah Nawawi states that this is a treasure of Jannah since it gathers a treasure of great reward for its reciter. This weak one states, The cause is thus given the name of its effect. تسمية السبب باسم In Arabic, this is a type of Majaze-Mursal called.المسبب 2.) This Kalimah is a cure for sickness; the least of which is sorrow which melts a person. This is called hamm (worry). عن اىب هريرة قال قال رسول هللا صلى هللا عليه و سلم ال حول و ال قوة اال ابهلل دواء من تسعة و تسعني داء ايسرها اهلم Translation: Rasulullah said, ال حول و ال قوة اال باهلل is a cure for 99 (worldly and relating to the hereafter) sicknesses, the smallest of which is worry (of this world and the hereafter). 2 3.) When a servant reads this Kalimah, then Allâh says to the angels carrying the throne, My servant is obedient and has left obstinacy و عنه قال قال رسول هللا صلى هللا عليه و سلم اال ادلك على كلمة من حتت العرش من كنز اجلنة ال حول و ال قوة اال ابهلل يقول هللا تعاىل اسلم عبدى و استسلم Translation: Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah narrates that Rasulullah said, Should I not show you a Kalimah which is a treasure of Jannah under the throne: حول و ال قوة اال باهلل.ال When the servant recites it, Allâh says (Hâfiz Ibne Hajar Asqalani states Allâh says to the angels) 2 Mirqât vol.5 page 121 Page 11

14 My servant is obedient and has left (انقاد و ترك العناد ( اسلم عبدى obstinacy My servant has handed all -(فوض امور الكائنات اىل هللا ابسرها) استسلم matters of the universe to Me. 3 What a great bounty that when the servant reads this Kalimah on the ground, Allâh mentions it to a gathering of angels around the Throne. NINE PROVEN PRESCRIPTIONS FOR STEADFASTNESS AND A PLEASING DEATH THIRD PRESCRIPTION Allamah Shâmi has written in volume 1 page 84 that Rasulullâh has stated: صلوة بسواك افضل من سبعني صلوة بدون سواك A salâh performed with wudhu in which miswâk was used, is more virtuous than 70 salâh with wudhu in which miswâk was not used. Through the blessings of the sunnah of miswâk, one will remember the kalimah of shahâdah (declaration of faith) at the time of death. 3 Mirqât vol.5 page121,122 Page 12

15 و من منافعه تذكري الشهادة عند املوت رزقنا هللا تعاىل مبن ه و كرمه From amongst its manifold benefits, one is remembrance of Shahadah at the time of death. May Allâh bless us with this bounty through His grace and kindness. Âmîn The sunnah method of holding the miswâk: Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Mas ûd has stated that the small finger should be placed beneath the miswâk (at the bottom), the thumb should be placed beneath the miswâk of the top section, and the remaining fingers should be above the miswâk. 4 FOURTH PRESCRIPTION: TO BE GRATEFUL FOR ONE S PRESENT CONDITION OF IMÂN Daily, make shukr (be grateful) for the Imân one possesses. Allâh has promised لئن شكرتم الزيدنكم If you make shukr, then I will definitely increase you (in My bounties). By making shukr on îmân, not only will it remain, but this will be a means of its progress. FIFTH PRESCRIPTION: SAVING ONESELF FROM EVIL GLANCES By protecting one s gaze from evil glances, we have been promised the sweetness of îmân. When the sweetness of Imân 4 Shâmi vol.1 page85 Page 13

16 enters the heart once, it is not taken away. By this action, there are thus glad-tidings of a noble death. Nabî has stated, ان النظر سهم من سهام ابليس مسموم من تركها خمافىت ابدلته امياان جيد حالوته ىف قلبه )طرباىن عن ابن مسعودكنز العمال( Verily, the (unlawful) gaze is a poisonous arrow from the arrows of Shaytân. Whoever has protected his gaze (from ghairmahram (strange) women or handsome lads); I will grant him such Imân whose sweetness he will experience in his heart. (Note : The above is a hadîth-e-qudsî which Mulla Ali Qari defines as follows: هو احلديث الذى يبينه النىب صلى هللا عليه و سلم بلفظه و ينسبه اىل رب ه Hadîth-e-qudsî is that which Nabî explains with his own words and attributes it to Allâh 5 ) Mulla Ali Qâri has stated: و قد ورد ان حالوة االميان اذا دخلت قلب ا ال خترج منه ابد ا Once this sweetness of îmân enters the heart, it never emerges. The glad-tidings of passing away in the state of Imân by this action is thus established. This gift is being distributed openly on the streets and pathways. Protect your gaze and receive this wealth. 5 Mirqât vol.1 page95 Page 14

17 THE MAKTAB SYSTEM We are very lax in paying the Madrasah fees. We generally pay the school fees, give our children their pocket expenses, etc. The pocket expense is sometimes more than the fees. In fact if we are wealthy, we should pay on behalf of those kids that are unable to afford the Madrasah fees. Alhamdulillah, in our neighbourhood many Makaatib have been established in the local indigenous areas. This is also a system of Allah. The seeds are being planted but we don t know when the crops will grow. This is similar to those that plant trees from which paper is manufactured. The trees mature in forty years time. The person that is planting the tree will perhaps never live to see the tree mature fully. Therefore, generally these are projects undertaken by the governments. Similarly, a person that has reached the age of forty will not make such an investment, the benefit and returns of which he will only reap at the age of eighty. If the governments don t undertake such projects, we won t have writing paper. This is a great bounty that we are enjoying. We scribble on pieces of paper not contemplating on how the paper reached us. We never contemplate of the manner in which a pen is manufactured. Anyway, the fruit of the Makatib that have been established in the indigenous areas can be seen before us immediately. The real fruit will be witnessed after another thirty or forty years. There isn t a speck of doubt that Islam is going to spread in the Page 15

18 world. The so called advanced countries can fight Islam phobia as much as they want they will not be able to stop that which Allah has decreed. There are clear signs of Islam spreading like wild fire in the world. We thought that Islam was the fastest growing religion in France, but lately we have found out that it is the fastest growing religion in Italy. This is where the Vatican is located. They are really fearful of the spread of Islam. These Makatib are blossoming throughout our country and the world at large. In our country there are those brothers who have taken the concern of other countries such as South America, Malawi, Mozambique, Vietnam, etc. The Makatibs are the foundations of our Deen. Whilst lecturing at the Rand Afrikaans University, a professor acknowledged that as long the Makatib system is in place the Muslims will thrive as a Muslim community. If the Makatibs are removed the Muslims will be a professional community as they are businessmen by nature. There is plenty of work taking place in the effort of Dawat and Tabligh, but if it is not coupled with the Maktab system then there is a fear of great danger of the Salafis ruining all the effort that was made. This is the reason Maulana Sa ad Saheb is stressing that the Maktab system should also be in place. Education is one s power and strength without which one can be moved in different directions. When the education of a person is in order his Aqaaid will also be in order. With Islamic Page 16

19 education we will have knowledge of the injunctions of the Quraan Sharif. In the 90 s the Christian NGO s were doing missionary work in Africa and they spent huge amounts of money in order to propagate their beliefs. In a particular place they had purchased a farm in order to accommodate their workers. These workers leave their residence even before dawn. They target under privileged areas and provide the learners with school books, food, blankets, etc. These missionary workers had a seminar to discuss their progress thus far. In their discussion they mentioned that they were unable to make inroads into the Muslim communities due to the Maktab system that they have in place. When a child is born, Adhaan is given in the right ear and Iqaamah in the left. If we look at it logically, is there any benefit to this action? The child doesn t understand anything even if he is an Arabian child whose mother tongue is Arabic. The teachings of Rasulullah are by the command of Allah. The Quraan states, وما ينطق عن اهلوى ان هواال وحى يوحى This means that the procedure of Azaan in the right ear and Takbeer in the left ear is in actual fact the command of Allah. The reason for this is that the first words that a child hears has a lifelong impression of it. The child that heard the Azaan and Page 17

20 Takbeer will leave the world with Imaan Insha Allah. He may go off the straight path but will eventually return to the straight path and eventually leave the world with Imaan. Every woman that goes for delivery of a child is told to have a caesar. Those that have some understanding will tell that it is just a money making technique. In previous times, every woman had a normal birth. When Mozambique experienced floods a few years ago, the American and European newspaper had stated as headlines that a woman had delivered on the top of a tree. We are told to go to the maternity homes where music is being played softly. They claim that this is to soothe the nerves of the mother. The ladies delivering the child are busy engaged in their conversations which are affecting the child. At the same time we suffer from an inferiority complex and therefore do not call out the Azaan immediately. Some even give Azaan after a week. When the kids grow up like the kids of today (with a rebellious nature) then who else is worthy of blame? We are taught in the Ahadith that a man should recite certain Duas when cohabiting with his wife, else Shaytaan also has a share. If the mother is a smoker or the mother is a HIV patient the disease is transmitted into the child. Approximately ten to fifteen years ago we used to visit Durban quite often. There was an 8 year old boy that had completed Hifz and would recite Qiraat without any fear. I asked the father, How did he acquire Page 18

21 this? He said, When the mother had conceived she would recite fifteen Paras a day. There is a family that resides in Muzaffar Nagar which is in India close to Deoband that are Sayyids. All the members of the family are Huffaz. The last child born in that family was able to recite the entire thirtieth Para when he started speaking. The mother of this child would recite all the time. When the mind is clear, free from cell phones, games, nursery rhymes, etc. then whatever is taught to the child immediately registers. The six year old child commenced with Hifz and the mother used to teach him the Sabaq. Whilst teaching the six year old the four year old child would be playing. Before the six year old memorized his Sabaq the four year old would have memorized the Sabaq. This is because of his mind being so pure and clean. In that seminar another point that was mentioned, the Roman Catholics said that if a newly born child is handed over to them until the age of five, then such a child will always remain a Roman Catholic. There is a famous Arabic saying, Whatever is inscribed in childhood remains in one like something that has been inscribed on a rock. In other words it will never be removed. We feel that a child should be left to play in the first few years, so the child is left to do as he pleases. This is the type of foundation that we have placed in the child. Of course, there shouldn t be any type of formal teaching but a Muslim home should be a Madrasah. There cannot possibly be a better teacher than the mother. What interest will the helper have in Page 19

22 the child? Her interest is her wages at the end of the month. The love that a mother gives to a child cannot be given by anyone else. We have got nursery rhymes, music, etc. playing in the home and then we complain of the children. We have got no right to complain. We chop our legs with a chopper and then we complain. Our rise and fall is within us. It is extremely important that we teach the Quraan Sharif to our children at home. Lately we have heard that the moment a girl has learnt to recite the Quraan Sharif (naazara) then her Islamic education is considered as complete. This was the trend in the past that only Quraan Sharif was taught to the girls and then they were required to remain at home. Nowadays, the girls are taught Quraan, Hadith, Fiqh, history, Aqaaid, etc. When a child completes Naazara then this is ingrained within the child. Allah has not prescribed anything that is in vain. فعل احلكيم ال خيلوا عن احلكمة An action of The Wise is not void of wisdom The Mizaaj (temperament) of being a Muslim is created by the Quraan Sharif. The Quraan builds the heart and mind of a person. The source where these things are taught unadulterated are the Makatib. The same things may be taught in an Islamic school but it is adulterated. The Maktab is the place where Quraan Sharif and other Islamic subject should be Page 20

23 taught under such an Alim that has sacrificed seven years to study and has Deen in his life as well. There may be an Alim at the Islamic school but the environment is mixed up. We may refer to the Muslim schools as Islamic school but secular teachers and secular subjects enjoy preference over Islamic subjects. The mindset created is that Islamic education is under secular education then the child also grows up with that mentality that Islam is secondary and Dunya is primary. Everyone should devote himself to the teaching of the Quraan Sharif. We should take a personal interest in the Makaatib that are established in our towns. Many people don t like to assume the position of becoming a Mutawalli. However, if a person is interested in the future of a community then he should get involved in the Maktab system. We should ensure and see that we have a proper Maktab system with the best teachers and ensure that everything is functioning very smoothly. We should also remember that in Islam education is not only restricted to formal education but the actual thing is practice. Whatever knowledge we acquire should be practiced upon. Knowledge plays the position of the Imaam and Amal is like the Muqtadi (follower of the Imaam in Salaah). If we only have an Imaam without any Muqtadis then we cannot have Jamaat Salaah. In the Makatib the teachers only impart knowledge, they show no concern whether the child is performing Salaah or not, or whether the child is dressed correctly or not. This Page 21

24 indicates that the Ustaad is failing in his duty. The responsibility of the Ustaad is that he should see that the child has Islamic Ethos and character as well. The mindset of society is such that if a one year is dressed in a Burqah then the pious members of the family also object to such a code of dressing. Many even comment by saying, You are making her look like an old lady, dressing her in Burqah. On the other hand if the child is dressed like a Hindu, Christian, Jewish woman then nobody will object, in fact then she is referred to as smart and cute. If a little boy is dressed in Kurta on Eid s day, then the maximum that he will be allowed to remain in such clothing is an hour and then the casual clothing is put on again. We dress our children in such clothing that contain pictures of animate objects. They are given shoes that play musical tunes. By doing so, we are actually prohibiting the angels from entering. If our homes are free of pictures, music, tv, video, newspapers, magazines, etc. this indicates that our homes are open to the angels. If we cannot do without our newspapers and magazines, then at least keep them in the garage. Having these things in our houses stop the angels from entering. In Germiston there was a revert lady in the throes of death on one Sunday morning. A particular person who was actively involved in assisting the community was also present, but the soul wasn t leaving the body. He was wondering as to what was Page 22

25 the reason for this. Later he found a puppy under her bed. The moment the puppy was removed her soul departed. It is due to such things that the angels of mercy do not enter the house. One person told a Maulana that he won t die. The Maulana asked the reason. He said, I keep a dog with me so the angel of death wouldn t approach me. He said, The angel of mercy won t approach you, but the angel of Adhaab will approach you. How many people have their wives displayed on their phones screen! In a foreign country, the main Imaam of the Masjid had the picture of a young woman most probably his wife on the key holder. Where is the sense of our shame and modesty? Anyway, the Ustaads should ensure that our kids are dressed in Islamic attire as this is part of their responsibility as well. There are those people that have time allocated for Taleem in their business places. In fact some have got madrasahs that are operating at their businesses. Every Muslim home should be a Maktab. The Maktab is a Taleemi Markaz as well. We should all try and engage in the teaching of the Quraan. A very good friend of mine who is an Alim has great passion for the Quran Sharif. He goes to the offices and businesses of people and teaches them Quraan accommodating those that have forgotten how to recite Quraan Sharif. The people are under the impression that Maulana has come for some work with the employer yet he is busy teaching them Quraan Sharif. Page 23

26 He gets people reciting Quraan quite easily as he has an art is teaching. We should therefore make our businesses a Madrasah as well. We should ensure that every Muslim child receives Islamic education and knows how to recite Quraan. No child in our community should be left out or deprived of Islamic education. Every adult should know how to recite Quraan Sharif. Once or twice a week, there should be an adult class 15 min before Esha Salaah. Those that aren t fluent in recitation can easily brush up on their recitation. This will draw the mercy of Allah and the problems in our towns and families will be easily solved. We always try and solve our problems in our way. The only way of solving our problems is by drawing the Rahmat of Allah. We can only draw the mercy of Allah with Aamaal, and these Aamaal take place in the Madrasah, Khanqah, etc. We on the contrary have the television switched on in the house, a video playing, etc. These things obstruct the mercy of Allah. A person that knows how to recite Surah Fateha should teach Surah Fateha or a few Surahs. A person that accepts Islam should learn that much by which he can perform his Salaah even if it means repeating the Surah initially. If the maid at home had accepted Islam then we should teach her, we shouldn t just push over the responsibility to Imaam Saheb or Maulana. If we can t impart knowledge of Deen, then at least Page 24

27 sponsor a Hafiz so that you may have a Hafiz to your credit on the day of Qiyaamah. What great rewards have been kept for a person that makes his son a Hafiz-ul-Quraan, and if one is unable to do so then at least sponsor a student. Currently there is a demand for South Africans to run Makatib in other countries. There are brothers that are running institutes in Mozambique, Malawi, etc. and other countries. Get a few businessmen involved and incorporate an Alim as well in these projects. Once these projects have taken on, then regular visits should take place to ensure the smooth functioning of these institutes. South Africans have a share in many parts of the world. We should therefore try and work locally or abroad or do both if it is within our means. Whatever work is currently taking place whether Darul Ulooms, Madrasahs, Maktabs, etc. we shouldn t interfere with them. Some people have a problem as they say that the Tabligh Jamaat doesn t go to non-muslims. If they aren t going, you should go to the non-muslims. Leave the Tablighis to do their work. Some people told Hadrat Mufti Mahmood Saheb that people are going for Haj and Umrah yearly and neglecting the poor. Hadrat Mufti Saheb said, In that case you should see to the needs of the poor people. We shouldn t interfere with others or remove people from their work. All works are absolutely necessary and should carry on. We should fill the vacuums, if any. Page 25

28 TWO AMAZING EXAMPLES TO UNDERSTAND THE COMPANY AND NURTURING OF THE AHLULLAH Two amlâ (fruit) seeds fell from a tree. A confectioner asked one of the fruit, May I make you into jam? The fruit asked, How is jam made? The confectioner answered, We will poke your body with a needle, thus removing all the pungent water from within you. Then we will boil you in water until every atom of you becomes cooked and soft. Thereafter we will place you in syrup, and then you will be placed in an earthen glazed jar. The hakims will wrap you in silver paper and feed you to sick people. The Mufti A zam and prime minister will eat you. You will be prescribed for those whose hearts are weak. You will be an invigorator of the heart. On hearing this, the fruit accepted this nurturing. The second one proudly refused and said, We cannot bear such mujâhadah (striving). The nurtured fruit eventually becomes jam and will be sold at a high price. It will be used to strengthen the hearts with honour. The second non-nurtured fruit will become dry and black by the rays of the sun. It will be gathered by the broom and shoved into sachets. Its form and features will be changed. It will be sold for the price of powder which is of a very inferior cost. If someone has constipation or due to constipation, one s waste vapors will ascend to the vital organs, then he will be given this unruly unrefined amlâ powder which will be used in the intestines to force out one s stools. It will be used to relieve constipation like a menial street-sweeper. This is the result of pride and remaining aloof from the people of truth (Ahle-Haqq). Page 26

29 BY SINNING THOUSANDS OF TIMES, ONE WILL NOT ATTAIN PEACE By sinning will one s desire for sin be satiated, will the desire of sin be extinguished? Hadhrat Hakimul Ummah Thanwi said, If a person looks with an evil eye at every woman in the world, save one and he is then asked, Are you satiated or do you want to see the last woman? he will say, Show her to me as well. From here we learn that to seek tranquility from sin is like adding fire to fire with the hope that it will be extinguished. By sinning and then hoping for satiation of the desires of sin is like cleaning excreta with urine and hoping for purity. By pondering over the lives of those people who follow their desires and run after outward forms of beauty, you will find them to be suffering from anxiety, depression, worry and unable to sleep and rest. On the other hand, those who sit in the company of the Ahlullah and AhleZikr are granted enjoyable lives and peaceful sleep. يترےرکمےنوگد ي يمےلرکالسد ابيا آیت ي ہنیھت يندےھجمارطضابےس I was not getting sleep due to anxiety, Your grace has taken me into Your lap and put me to sleep. Due to the blessings of the zikr of Allâh, the servant is in the lap of the mercy of Allâh. This weak one translates the following غشيتهم الرحمة with the language of love. Allâh s mercy caresses the gathering of that group of people engaged in zikr in its lap of love. Page 27

30 Hadhrat Hakimul Ummah Thanwi said, By struggling against the desires of sin, the servant becomes more closer to Allâh, even if the heart is uneasy and agitated. However, if a person sins and attains temporary tranquility, he is far from Allâh even if the desire of sin at this time is not present, since he has achieved this temporary tranquility through the medium of sinning. On the other hand, the unease and agitation was due to leaving of sin and via the medium of taqwa. By sinning, after a short period, this temporary tranquility is snatched away. Then such severe desires commences that one forgets everything. The reason for this is that the nafs has received the impure food of sin and has now become fattened. One s spirituality is weakened. Now, under the command of the nafs, the desire for sin will be more. My guide, Hadhrat Maulana Abrarul Haq Saheb mentioned, Some people lower their physical gazes, however with their gazes of the heart, they fantasize and derive pleasure. Due to its darkness (the darkness of the misappropriation of the heart), the heart is blackened. He also mentioned, The darkness of evil glances does not completely go away by repentance (Taubah). As long as the desire does not occur again and one does not lower his gaze bearing the sorrow of abstaining from this sin, one s heart will not become illuminated and pure. Page 28

31 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PERTAINING TO ONE S ISLAAH 457. Condition: Hadrat, I like looking at pictures in the newspapers. All praise is due to Allâh that I make full effort to safeguard my eyes. Answer: Don t even look at the newspapers. It is unlawful to look at pictures, and to look at the shapes in the pictures is also badd nazrî (evil glances). If you look at the pictures, then your claim of safeguarding your eyes is incorrect Condition: Hadrat, I am in the habit of smoking cigarettes. This causes me great stress. I smoke two cigarettes a day. Kindly guide me in this regard. Answer: Just as it takes courage to free one s self from every sin, in like manner, this cigarette smoking will be given up through courage. When you feel like smoking, combat this feeling and make a firm resolution that you will never bear the little pleasure that you experience for a little while by smoking. It is easy to give up smoking just two cigarettes. But if you do not give up, this habit will not decrease but increase Condition: I have extreme love for Hadrat. Answer: Love for the shaikh is a blessed thing. It is the key to all the levels of sulûk. Page 29

32 460. Condition: Hadrat, despite this love for you, I also perceive fear for you. I cannot say anything to you and this causes me stress. Kindly guide me in this regard. Answer: This is laudable. This is proof of awe for the shaikh. If you cannot say anything verbally to me, write a letter to me. Come regularly to my assemblies. There is no loss even if you are unable to say anything: ےبوسایلیھباخیلہناجےئیگ Even the person who does not ask will not go empty-handed. Allâh most certainly bestows His grace to the person who has a quest (talab) Condition: May Allâh bestow Hadrat with life, complete, quick and continuous health, and may He bless us in both the worlds. Âmîn. Answer: There is no dearth in the treasures of Allâh whereby He has to take someone s life and give it to another person. Therefore, may Allâh bless you with long life and bless us as well. Page 30

33 THE IMPORTANCE OF SHUKR It is necessary that a person be grateful unto Allah as Allah has blessed us with various bounties. If a person has a big sized body with a large tummy then can we imagine how he would have looked if Allah had not blessed him with clothing, or if the toes of a person didn t look too pleasant then what embarrassment would a person undergo if we didn t have socks and shoes to cover them. We have therefore being taught a beautiful Dua when wearing our clothing, ى ا با ا ه اىف ح ي ات ا ا حل م اد ا هللا اذلل ا ذى ك س ااىن م ا او ا ارى با ا ه ع و ر ت ا ى و ا ج ذلمل All praises are due to Allah who has granted me clothing by which I conceal my private parts and I beautify myself in my life. When Hadrat Mufti Taqi Uthmani Saheb visited Azaadville, he had mentioned that his Sheikh Hadrat Doctor Abdul Hay Saheb used to greatly emphasise the importance of Shukr. There are various good qualities that one should endeavour to acquire such as gratitude, humility, humbleness, generosity, etc. Any of these qualities are sufficient to attract the mercy of Allah and thereafter Allah will pull a person and make him His beloved. There was once a young boy that had two doves which he loved very much. On one occasion he attended a fair. At the fair he wanted to drink water so he told a young girl to take care of the doves. When he returned he found that one dove had flown Page 31

34 away. He enquired, What happened to the dove? She replied, it flew away. He then enquired, How did that happen? She caused the second bird to fly away and commented, Just like this. He was amazed with the simplicity of the girl to such an extent that he fell in love with her. He then married her and when she passed away he had built the Taj Mahal in her remembrance. On falling in love with her, he had done so much for her. When Allah loves a person what won t Allah do for him? On acquiring a single good quality one can become the beloved of Allah. If a person is grateful unto Allah, Shaytaan will never gain the upper hand over such a person. Allah says in the Quraan, ا ثذل آلت ا ي نذل ا هم ا من ب ني ا أ ي ا دياهم و ا من خ ل ا فاهم و ع ن أ مي ا ا هن ا م و ع ن ش آئ م ش اك ااري ن ا ل ااهم و ال ج ا اد أ ك ث ر ا ه (To mislead them,) I will then approach them from the front, from their backs, from their right and their left (in every possible manner) and You will not find most of them to be grateful (most of them will follow me and not Your Deen of Islaam). Shaytaan has taken a vow to come to lead man astray and the ungrateful ones will easily follow Shaytaan. This indicates that one that makes Shukr will not be easily misguided by Shaytaan. However, do we make Shukr unto Allah? Allah complains in the Quraan Sharif, و ق ل ا يل ا من ع ا ب ا ا دي ال ذلش اكو ا ر Page 32

35 (Unfortunately,) Few of My bondsmen are thankful. In another verse Allah states, ق ل ا يال ذلما ت ش اك ا رون (Unfortunately, despite all these favours) Little is the gratitude that you show (to Us). This is the condition of those that show gratitude and make Shukr. Allah has blessed us with in-numerable favours because of which we are required to be grateful. We should also be grateful unto the people that have assisted or favoured us in anyway. Once Hadrat Doctor Abdul Hay Aarifi was invited for meals. After meals he thanked the womenfolk for preparing such delicious meals from behind a screen adhering to the relevant rules of Purda. The woman began weeping so the husband asked her the reason. She said, I am cooking for you for so many years yet you never thanked me, yet this man appreciated the meals. The husband had learnt his lesson so he decided to thank her the next day for the meals. Again, she began crying profusely which left the man baffled. He again enquired, Why are you crying? She replied, I cooked for you for so many years yet you never thanked or praised me but the day the neighbours wife send food, you can t stop praising the food. We should thank our womenfolk for the Khidmat that they offer to us in the form of cooking for us, cleaning the house, taking care of the kids, etc. Similarly the womenfolk should be grateful Page 33

36 to the men for ensuring that the rental is paid on time, the utility bills are attended to, the groceries are purchased and brought into the home, etc. Rasulullah is reported to have said, من مل يشكر الناس مل يشكر هللا Whosoever does not thank people will not thank Allah Many a times the husband feels it below his dignity to thank the wife. The boss feels it below his dignity to thank the employee as the employee may start taking advantage. However, Allah does not take advantage of His servant so we should always be grateful unto Allah. Nevertheless we should thank fellow human beings as well by saying Jazakallah. May Allah grant us the Taufeeq of being grateful for all His bounties and express Shukr to fellow human beings as well. Page 34

37 اتکباالالخق ا رضحتمیکحاالماھتونیرحفرامےتںیہہکیسکدوس يابدنمشےکزوالتمعنےسارگادنرےس دلوخشوہوتارگہچاظبہراسےساظھااراوسفسیھبایکاجوےاوروچہکنادنریکوخیشریغاایتخری وہےنےسگاہیھبںیہننکیلہیاحلصقنیکالعمےہ اساکالعجہبفلکترکے اسرطح اعتلہیصقنزا لوہ ہکاسصخشےکےئلوخبداعءایکرکے رثکبتااسیرکےنےسانشاءاہلل ا اجوےاگ - امکالتارشہیفوفلمظ ۴۵۰ ا ا دسحاکالعج ا دسحاکالعجہیےہہکسجصخشرپدسحوہ ) (1 اسےسالسمںیمتقبسرکے - ا ۲ رفسرپاجوے وتاسےسالماقترکےکاجوے ا ۳ رفسےسآوےوتاسےکےئلوکیئدہہیالوےوخاہرصتخمرمقاک وہ ا ۴ یھبکیھبکباہتشیکدوعترکدے ا ۵ اینپسلجمںیماسیکرعتفیرکے - ا ۶ اسےک ےئلوخبداعءایکرکے ا ۷ اسیکوکیئبرایئرکےوتیتخسےسعنمرکدےاورتبیغانسےناور نسدوونںےکرحاموہےناکہلئسماسوکاتبدے انشاءاہللدنچدنانرطقیرپلمعرکےنےسہی امیبریافشبااجیتےہاوررھپاسےسےنلجےکاجبےئاسےکتبحمولعمموہیگاوردلالگبیکوھپلیک اعتلیکدابدتوکرکےکےئلرار اوررپنوکنوہاگ - اا رطحاکلہاکلھپوہاجوےاگاورقح ا Page 35

38

39 ا KHANQAH AKHTARI, AZAADVILLE Audio Streaming: Listen to all Khanqah Programmes live over the Internet on your laptop or on your Blackberry /iphone / Smartphone / Android Phone. Refer to Khanqah Website for more information Blog: Blog: hameediyyah.blogspot.com Contact Details Tel:(+2711) /6, Fax: (+2711) , Khanqah Website: Web: enquiries@ka.org.za

40