12.21.08
The Bounty of Becoming a Friend of Allah Ta’ala
Hazrat Mawlana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sahib (Damat Barakatuhum) commenced his discourse by relating a recent incident of a scholar who came from Rangoon which is located in Burma. Hazrat Wala (DB) said: “He came from Burma, Rangoon, from a lengthy distance. This is the real thirst. All of you people live in Karachi and deem it difficult to come here. Where is Rangoon and where is Karachi? Rangoon is in Burma.” In other words, look at the distance between Rangoon and Karachi.
“Is attaining the friendship of Allah an ordinary gift? If one has a connection with an ordinary police inspector as compared to a senior officer, then people proudly boast about the connection they share with such and such person. Then what would one say about a person who has a connection with Allah Ta’ala? Who is greater than Allah? No one is greater than Allah, He is the Greatest. In turn, a connection with Allah Ta’ala is the greatest gift, but to attain a connection with Allah Ta’ala one must have Taqwa.”
Allah Ta’ala has said, “None is My friend except those who are muttaqi (God-fearing),” those who are fearful of Allah Ta’ala and protect themselves from all sins. This is why it is very important to leave sin. Leaving sin is the base of attaining the friendship of Allah. If one does not leave sin, then one will be stuck in a state of sinning until one dies, and will face Allah Ta’ala in that state, as a sinner.
Therefore my friends fear Allah. While fearing Allah do not displease Allah regardless of how much struggle one may have to endure. Do not displease Allah Ta’ala even for a single moment whether the nature of the sin is minor or major. Allah Ta’ala is the Greatest, a minor sin is also considered a grave sin to the One that is the Greatest.
04.15.08
Harshness or Kindness?
Another point to bear in mind is the rights of one from whom one has acquired Deen. Do not, till the end of one’s life dash his rights to the ground. There are some who after having acquired Deen display independence, in that they no longer maintain contact with the teacher. Some disappear for a month or two, others for much longer, even to the extent of years. Remember to fulfill the rights till the end of life of one from whom one has learned even a single letter. Hazrat Ali (RA ) states, “One who has taught me a single letter has enslaved me.” Immaterial of the circumstances that prevail, even though one’s teacher, one’s spiritual guide scolds and reprimands one, never bear malice in one’s heart towards them. If at times they are harsh with one, do not bear enmity against them. Consider their reprimands, their scolding as being part of one’s treasure in the quest for Allah’s love. If, for one’s reformation one is scolded by a Godly person, consider it to be an investment in the account of love for Allah which He will definitely record. That love which is for the sake of Allah is true love.
-A Happily Married Life
04.09.08
Signs of a Sound Heart
There are five things that constitute a sound heart (Qalb Saleem):
1. الذي ينفق ماله في سبيل الله
“A person is able to spend his wealth in the path of Allah (SWT).” i.e. having a giving nature
2. الذي يرشد اهله الي الحق
“A person is able to guide and instruct their family towards that which is the reality/the truth.”
What is ‘truth’? امر بالمعروف و نهي عن المنكر “To promote virtue and prohibit vice.”
3. الذي يكون قلبه خاليا عن غلبة الشهوات
“A person, his heart be in such a state that it is free from his carnal and base desires dominating his life.” i.e. Being the slave/servant of Allah, not a slave/servant of the nafs.
4. الذي يكون قلبه خاليا عن العقائد الباطلة
“A person, his heart if free from corrupted, distorted beliefs.”
5. الذي يكون قلبه خاليا عما سواك تبارك و تعالي
“A person, his heart is free from everything else other than Allah (SWT).”
Initial steps to take to attain a pure heart:
To make Taubah (repentance). There are three general requirements when repenting:
- To remove yourself from the sin that you are doing.
- Feel regret – Nadamat
- To make a resolution to never return to that sin.
- If you have wronged another human then there is a fourth condition which is to clear things up with that person and ask for forgiveness.
Symptoms of a sick heart:
-Making false gods
- Love of wealth – حب المال
- Love for fame – حب الجاه
- Love of fulfilling lustful desires – حب الباه
-False love for things
A few things to do in order to abstain from sin:
1. To be in the company of the Ahlullah.
2. Constantly remember Allah (SWT).
3. To be in public the same way you are in private.
4. To recite the Qur’an.
03.23.08
The Reliable Road of Loving Allah and Loving the Messenger
Hazrat Hakeem ul Ummah Mujaddid ul Millah, Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (RA) has said, “The only reliable method of loving Allah and loving the Messenger is that which is acquired through the Sunnah.” If this love is acquired in a method contrary to the Sunnah, either through drums or music etc, then this love and longing is not reliable. Allah has told His Beloved Messenger to proclaim the following,
“قل ان كنتم تحبون الله فاتبعوني ‘If you claim to love Allah, then follow (obey) me,”
“يحببكم الله” “Then Allah will love you.”
Hazrat Mawlana Fadhl ur Rahman Ganj Muradabadi would express it in the following manner, “Allah has announced through His Beloved Messenger that if you want to become the beloved of Allah, then walk my walk. Our Beloved Prophet is so lovely that whoever walks his walk will also become beloved to me.” Examine the love of this world like that of father and son. If a father sees a child in the neighborhood who resembles his own child, then the father also becomes beloved to Allah also. What is our situation today? We have forsaken the Sunnah and yet make claims of loving the Prophet! The Sahabah who toed the line in following the Prophet and who had been given the certificate of Allah’s pleasure, their road is the only reliable road. From this we can understand that the claim of love contrary to the method of the Sahabah is unreliable and unauthentic.
مستند رستے وہی مانے گئے
جن سے ہو کر تیرے دیوانے گئے
Only those paths have been accepted as authentic
Upon which your lovers have tread.
-‘Ishq-e- Rasool Ka Saheeh Mafhoom
03.05.08
From Beyond the Heart
Due to the infinite wisdom of Allah, I had fallen really ill late last night. Living where I live, I have no family close by. By the grace of Allah, I feel that I have been granted something far greater, i.e. students who care for my well being. All day today and even during the night, they have been “lecturing” me about how I need to look after my health etc. In fact, one of them was willing to go as far as to forcefully drop me home so I can rest.
I have no blood relation with these people, but we do have is mutual love for one another for the sake of Allah. It is the love of Allah that binds us together. These people care so much for me that I cannot express it in words. In fact, vocabulary is deficient in its ability to express my true inner feelings.
I realize that I have many deficiencies when it comes to Deen and Dunya, but I desire and expect nothing but the best from my students. I see them to be a means of my salvation in the hereafter. I myself have nothing to present in the court of Allah. I just hope that these students of mine serve as a means of my salvations. If Allah asks me what I have brought, I will just hopefully present them.
Their behavior today made me realize how unworthy I am, and how kind Allah is, that He has put me in the midst of such people who care so much who are willing to go out of there way for a stubborn sinner like myself. My earnest request to anyone who reads this or benefits from this blog, is that they please make dua’ for me, but also make dua’ for my students who are an inspiration for me. Pray to Allah that He makes us all amongst the Awliyaa Siddiqeen. Aameen!
