07.31.09
Appreciating Appreciation
Many people do not know how to appreciate appreciation. If someone were to thank us or express their appreciation, often times we do not know how to take that properly. Sometimes that gets to our heads and we get caught up in vanity which is an extremely deadly disease of the heart. The other extreme is we feel distasteful towards those who praise us or appreciate us.
Our mashaaikh teach us to adopt a moderate path. In one hadith, the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam) has instructed us to throw dirt in the face of those who praise us. Yet in another hadith, we are told that when true believer is praised, they increase in their level of imaan.
The important lesson we must learn is that whatever we do for which appreciation may be due is all by the tawfiq and grace of Allah. So give credit where credit is due. Since none of what we do is of our own accord, for the good, well that comes from Allah, and the bad, well that comes from our own selves. Hence, if we are praised, we should say “Alhamdulillah” and realize that Allah has shown the world one good that He has given us and has hidden our blemishes from people out of His sheer mercy.
One other thing is that we should realize is that whoever thank us or appreciate what we do or have done is a sign of that person having proper gratefulness and shukr. We have been told that the person who cannot be grateful to mankind can never truly be grateful to Allah. So that person’s appreciation of us is in reality appreciating the bounties of Allah.
To conclude, we do not do enough to even be appreciated. If per chance we are, then we should attribute it to Allah. Kibr and shukr cannot coexist. So by thanking Allah, we save ourselves from vanity. Also, we must realize that we are deficient and definitely could have done much more and in a better manner.
I pray to Allah that He grants us the ability take appreciation the right way and that we learn to appreciate one another so that we develop proper love for each other for the sake of Allah.
07.29.09
Why Our Dua’s Go Unanswered
Ibrahim Bin Adham (RA) was asked as to why our dua’s do not get accepted even though Allah Ta`ala has said, “And ask of me; I shall grant you…”
So Ibrahim Bin Adham (RA) answered:
Your dua’s do not get answered because your hearts are dead.
They said, ‘why are our hearts dead?’
He answered, because of 8 things….
1) You know the rights of Allah upon you but you do not fulfill them.
2) You read the Qur’an but you do not act on its commandments.
3) You claim that you love the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) but you don’t follow his way.
4) You say we fear death, but you don’t prepare for it.
5) Allah says, “Indeed shaytan is your enemy, so take him as your enemy…” but you obey him in committing sins and disobeying Allah.
6) You claim that you fear the hell fire but you have thrown yourselves therein.
7) You claim that you love paradise but you don’t make an effort for it.
8) When you get up from your beds in the morning, you throw your deficiencies behind your backs and involve yourselves with other peoples’ faults.
Thus you have angered your Lord, so why would He answer your prayers?
(Taken from: Ihya Ulum al-Din; Kitab Sharh `Aja’ib al-Qalb)
07.15.09
Don’t You Just Love It When You Get Dua’s!!!
As a form of tahdith bi an-ni’mah, Alhamdulillahi Ta’ala, by the grace of Allah and the blessings of my Shaykh (DB), I was able to start a session on a very unique book. It is basically a compilation of notes that my Shaykh (DB) took down of his Shaykh (RA). The book is special to me because my Shaykh (DB) had granted it to me as a gift when, by the grace of Allah, Allah had allowed me to commit the Qur’an to memory.
I must have read the book cover to cover at least 5 or 6 six times since then, and each time something new emerges. So vast are the hidden treasures in the words of our elders that every time we take a dive, we come up with a new pearl. One of my students had requested that I go over the book with him. So instead of making it a private thing, I thought that it would be a nice review for me and hopefully others might benefit as well.
Alhamdulillah, one session or the introduction took place last Saturday. Insha Allah the actual book will start this Saturday.
So late last night, I had texted two of my friends in Karachi, to inform my Shaykh (DB) that I am starting this. At different times, both went to my Shaykh (DB) and had informed him of my plan. My Shaykh (DB) at both times made dua’ for me and for the sessions. If he wanted, he could have told the second person that he already knows, but out of his kindness, he made dua’ a second time. It is just so euphoric to know that one’s shaykh has made a specific dua’.
Allah Ta’ala does not reject dua’s at all. Their fruition may be of a different nature, but nonetheless, all dua’s are accepted. But the dua’s of those that are the beloveds of Allah are in a league of their own. And knowing that someone of that caliber has made a special and specific dua’ for you, puts a person in a transport of delight. Hence it is of the utmost importance to request the beloveds of Allah to make dua’ for you. If a person can understand just this one point then they’ve got it made.
We pray to Allah that He grant us His love, the love of those who love Him, and the love of those deeds which will make us reach His love. We also pray that Allah makes His love more beloved to us than our lives, our families, and cool water on a hot day. Aameen!
07.10.09
Majalis-e-Abrar
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07.02.09
True Love Leads to True Value
Once, a beggar came to Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliyaa (RA) asking for some financial assistance. The Shaykh replied, “I will give you whatever I receive today.” It just so happened that the Shaykh had received nothing on that day. The Shaykh then told him, “Whatever I get tomorrow will be given to you.” The next day, too, the Shaykh had nothing. So, the Shaykh then gave his shoes to the beggar.
Amir Khusro (RA), who was a student of the Shaykh, was accompanying the king when he saw the beggar somewhere on a journey. Amir Khusro (RA) noticed that the beggar was extremely happy. He asked the beggar, “Where are you coming from?” He replied, “I am coming from Dehli.” Amir Khusro (RA) then asked about his Shaykh. The beggar informed him that the Shaykh was doing well. Amir Khusro (RA) told the beggar, “I sense some fragrant smell coming from you. Did the Shaykh give you something?” The beggar replied, “I have the Shaykh’s shoes. He had given them to me out his extreme kindness.”
Amir Khusro (RA) then asked the beggar, “Would you like to sell the shoes?” The beggar replied, “I had intended to sell the shoes so that I can acquire some money.” The beggar knew how much reverence Amir Khusro (RA) had for his Shaykh. The beggar then told Amir Khusro (RA) that he would sell the shoes for 500,000 rupees.
Amir Khusro (RA) happily paid the price for the shoes. Placing the shoes with the utmost care by him, he set off for Dehli to visit his Shaykh. Sultan al Mashaaikh, Hazrat Nizamuddin (RA) saw him approaching with the shoes and commented, “Khusro! You have bought those shoes for a cheap price.” Amir Khusro (RA) replied, “Hazrat, I only paid the price the beggar asked for; otherwise, I was prepared to give all of my wealth for these shoes.”
Subhaanallah! It is indeed intriguing to see the level of love Amir Khusro (RA) had for his shaykh. The pious of the past had value for the shoes of their shaykhs. Today, we don’t have value for our shaykhs, let alone their shoes. We overlook their feelings, likes and dislikes. We disrespect them and do not even realize it.
We pray to Allah that He grant us the ability to truly appreciate our shaykhs and to value them the way they deserved to be valued and appreciated.
