THE STORY OF THE DRUNKARD

------------------------------A saint was once walking on the bank of a river when he saw a scorpion moving hastily towards the water. Knowing that a scorpion cannot swim he was surprised and decided to watch what happened.

In the meantime a tortoise emerged from the water and came close to the bank. The scorpion jumped onto the back of the tortoise and the tortoise began swimming. Very surprised he decided to follow the tortoise and scorpion. Finally, the tortoise reached the other end of the river and the scorpion jumped onto the bank. The scorpion then continued on its way. The saint continued to follow the scorpion.

A while later he saw a young man sleeping beneath a tree and the scorpion was headed in his direction. Thinking that the scorpion would sting the sleeping man he prepared himself to kill it just as it was about to sting the man. As he went forward he saw a snake quickly moving towards the man. He was more surprised than ever. When the snake was close to the man the scorpion ran straight to the snake and bit it. The snake began to toss and turn and died on the spot. The scorpion then returned from the direction it had come.

The saint explained: "I was amazed at this spectacle of fate and began to think. O Allah, Your servant was sleeping here. A snake was about to bite him and You sent a scorpion from such a distance to save him! I went close to the man and awakened him only to find the stench of liquor emanating from his mouth!

I said to him: 'O young man, you were asleep but Your sustainer was protecting you all along.' When he rose to see the snake and he heard my story he began to cry, saying: 'O Allah, I was astray and did not fear You. O Helper of the helpless! O Listener of those who call out for help! O Remover of calamities! O Being who is seventy times more loving than a mother! I had broken Your commands but You did not turn away from me. You showered me with so many bounties to protect me.' The young man sincerely repented and changed his life."

*Moral*
What man regards as a coincidence is a carefully worked-out plan from Allah Ta’ala. Allah Ta’ala showers His mercy upon us every second of the day. Only He knows of the countless occasions on which He has saved us from a calamity, disease, accident or misfortune. In return the least we can do is to obey His commands.

Monitors: LCD vs. CRT

There’s a fierce battle raging in the world of computer monitors these days! It’s basically old technology pitched against a constantly evolving new technology and there's no telling who will eventually triumph over the other. It will more than likely be LCD, but for now, let's take a look at the following factors before favoring one over the other. Here we go!

Size Does Matter:There’s something to be said about Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) monitors. To begin, the size is a lot less than what is usually given. For example, if it’s a 32" monitor, it actually means 32" diagonally. However, a 17" CRT monitor will only have a 15.7" viewable diagonal image. This is where LCD monitors score, because they are measured by the actual size of the screen.

Look at the Applications:If you're really into gaming or your job is to create high-end graphic designs and animations, a larger, more advanced CRT screen is still the best bet for you. But, if you're a home user who isn’t so particular about size or application, an LCD screen would do just fine. The image quality on an LCD is excellent, the look is more contemporary and it doesn’t strain your eyes that much either. Now, if your preference is a CRT monitor, don’t buy anything smaller than a 17” monitor. Similarly, if you're going for a 15" LCD monitor, you might as well go for a 17,” because they cost pretty much the same.

Bundled Monitors: If you're going for a branded PC, the monitors (whether LCD or CRT) come with it. However, those monitors may not score high on quality and performance. So, it’s best to choose the right brand that is good at all of these things. The way out of this is to go for an "assembled PC," where you go to a vendor and choose the brand of PC, UPS, DVD ROM, hard drive, monitor and so on. The best way to find the best monitor for yourself is to check out the entire range of monitors and go for one that suits your needs the most.

Don’t Mistake Them for Flat Screens:You can get a flat screen CRT monitor, as well as, an LCD. So, just because the vendor is promising to hand you a cheaper flat screen monitor, don’t think it’s an LCD and jump for the deal. You should always ask the vendor if it's a CRT or an LCD. That's the only way to know for sure.

- Taken from http://www.worldstart.com

So You Want to be Something Huh?

Hazrat Hakim-ul-Ummah Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (rahimahullah) addressing his students and disciples said:

“Unfortunately the condition of people (who are treading the path of Deen) today is that they want to quickly become “something” from the get-go before actually doing anything. I say to them, that even the fact that Allah Ta`ala accepts us to be involved and occupied with His Deen is a great status and bounty in itself. What more of a blessing can a person ask for than being occupied in the Deen of Allah Ta`ala.

As for that person who desires to become “something” and gain some name and status for himself through Deen, then remember this well…this person is a very unfortunate and deprived (mahroom) person. Annihilate your desires of status and name and remain busy in His servitude, being hopeful of His grace.

Never become hopeless of Him due to your weaknesses and shortcomings. Stand up and move (trusting in Him alone) and see how Allah makes all the difficulties easy and removes the obstacles.

The condition of treading this path is that one must have talab (the fervent desire) and the problem with us today is that we do not have the talab to attain Allah alone. "DESIRE ALLAH ALONE, AND THEN SEE WHAT HAPPENS.”

(Malfoozat-e-Hakim-ul-Ummah; Vol. 7, Pg. 74)

Dropouts and relevance of school curriculum

- S. MUTHUKUMARAN
It may be worthwhile to introduce two or three levels of exams and not to insist on minimum marks in all subjects


-In an ideal school system there will be no dropouts and no one will be declared as a failure. A student may drop out due to economic or academic reasons. The economic reasons can be tackled through appropriate measures such as waiver of tuition fees, providing free textbooks, uniforms, free meals, etc. Such measures are in force in Tamil Nadu as well as in several other States though the details may vary from State to State.


The academic reasons may be irrelevance of the syllabi, poor teaching, etc. There are attempts at training and retraining of teachers to improve the teaching-learning process. The question of relevance is discussed in the following:


The Kothari Commission (1964-66) recommended adoption of 10+2+3 scheme of education with a single programme of study for all students up to the 10th standard. This recommendation was deliberated upon for several years and accepted by all States and implemented.


It is known from psychological studies on children that every child exhibits its individuality by the time it is 10 or 12 years old i.e. by the time the child is in the 5th or 6th or 7th standard it shows its likes and dislikes. This aspect was taken care of in the earlier scheme of 11 years of schooling by providing scope for branching off at the 8th or 9th or 10th standard, equivalent to the present 7th or 8th or 9th standard.


The argument for a common school system up to the 10th is that the child of 10 or 12 years will not be mature enough to really choose the appropriate branch of study. Therefore there is a need to give sufficient time for the child to identify its own choices for higher studies or training.
The school syllabus may be broadly grouped as those areas of knowledge that are essential for developing the individual as a good citizen and those required to learn a profession or a vocation. In the first five years of schooling the syllabi may almost entirely fall under the first group.
In the next five years of schooling about two thirds of the present syllabi may fall under the second group. As all the students are undergoing the same syllabi which may be covering the needs of all types of students, the syllabi content may be comprehensive but may not be student specific i.e. some parts of the syllabi may not be relevant to some students. Evaluation
Therefore there is no need to insist that every child should pass in all subjects. However, it is necessary that every child successfully completes the schooling. This dichotomy may be resolved by the provision of two or three levels of evaluation. The child may choose any one of these levels. It may be helped by the parents, the class teacher and school advisor, if any, to choose the level based upon its abilities, needs and aspirations.


When a child completes ten years of schooling, the data provided by the school system on the performance of the student in each of the ten years and the levels of achievement in each subject will provide all the necessary information about the interests, abilities, traits and suitability for the particular higher course or training which the individual may aspire to pursue.


To conclude, the experience gained in the implementation of a single programme of study with no branching or optional up to the 10th standard has brought out the following: the present system may have to be continued so that every child is exposed to the full range of subjects and areas of training. But over the years, the load has become very heavy and to some extent partly irrelevant leading to failures and dropouts.


Therefore there is a need for rethinking on the scheme of evaluation. It may be worthwhile to introduce two or three levels of examinations and not insisting on any minimum marks in all the subjects of study. The criteria may be that the student passes all the subjects at the lowest level of examination and at least a certain specified number of subjects at the higher levels.

Buying an Inkjet Printer: Dos and Don'ts

Are you in the market to buy a new inkjet printer? If so, I urge you to take the following suggestions with you when you go shopping. They are dos and don'ts that are sure to save you from disappointment! They're also very simple and easy to implement. Continue reading for the full scoop! Quality Speaks for ItselfOften times, we ask for the best without realizing we don’t really need that kind of technology. Take printing, for example. You don’t really need high quality printing if you're in the business of printing large pictures and photographs. It’s enough for individuals and even small businesses to go for a medium quality printer that prints just as well. Print quality is nothing but the number of dots per inch. So, the greater the number, the higher the print quality will be. For a printer, this is as important as the ink that goes with it. The best way to judge this is to ask if the printer you're buying needs a separate set of ink cartridges for good quality prints. If the vendor says, "yes," it's likely the regular ink cartridges are filled with inferior quality ink and you should avoid buying a printer like that. The next step is to actually take some paper and test the print quality yourself. What usually happens is that vendors conduct the trial by printing the photo on very high quality photo paper. So, when you see the very same photo printed on plain paper, you will immediately know if the printer and ink are inferior. If there are ink smears or the edges are blurred, you'll know for sure that the printer is not good enough for you.

Replacement Costs:
Here is the real scam! Most printer manufacturers sell printers very cheap, only to make up for it by manufacturing costly ink cartridges. So, before you choose a printer, be sure to find out the cost of the ink cartridge as well. If it’s outrageous, skip it and go for the next brand and then keep at it until you find a printer that’s cheap on both ends. You know, something that works just a little bit better for you!

-Taken from http://www.worldstart.com/tips/index.php

EDUCATION vs WEALTH

A THOUGHT

EDUCATION vs WEALTH-----------------------A sage, instructing his students, said to them: 'O darlings of your fathers, learn a trade because property and riches of the world are not to be relied upon; also silver and gold are an occasion of danger because either a thief may steal them at once or the owner spend them gradually; but a profession is a living fountain and permanent wealth; and although a professional man may lose riches, it does not matter because a profession is itself wealth and wherever he goes he will enjoy respect and sit in high places, whereas he who has no trade will glean crumbs and see hardships: [SA'ADI]

Behayayi ka Anjaam

-Taken from http://fahmedeen.org/new/index.asp

Eik mauqey per Rasulullah(saws) ki khidmat mein Hazrath-e-Ali(rz) tashreef laye, toh aap baithey baithey roney laggaye . Toh Hazrath Ali(rz) farmaney lagey-" Ya Rasulullah merey maabaap aap per qurbaan! Sab qairiyat hai , kya takleef hai kahin? Kaha -" na Ali, mujhey Meraj ka woh safar yaad aagaya aur woh dardnaak azaab mainey dekhey jo meri ummat key khawateen ko milrahey they aur uski kaifiiyat ye thi key koi chaati key bal latkaye huwe thi, koi baalo key bal latkayi huwi thi, mukhtalif ye azaab key shakley thi aur aaj mujhey woh yaad aaraha hai toh mujhey rona aaraha hai. Hazrath Ali(rz) farmaney lagey - Huzur(saws) shafaqat aur reham ki wajeh sey roney lagey. Aur phir Huzur(saws) ney farmaya - Key jab mainey Meraj key safar mein poochneywalo sey poocha toh unhuney mujhey bataya key ye aurat bansawar key nikalti thi aur apney baalo key zariye behayayi phailaya karti thi , ye seeney key bal jo aapko latkaye huwe nazar aarahi hai ye behayayi key zariye mashirey ko ganda karti thi.

Merey bhaiyo himmat karkey behayayi ka rukawat baney, apney apney mahol ko sazgaar karey, apney mahol ko haya key uper tameer karey. Isliye key jab raasta tang hota hai aur dono taraf sey gaadiya chalti hai, idhar sey bhi gaadi, udhar sey bhi gaadi toh gaadiya takraya karti hai.Toh Islam ney yehi kaha key jab mard-0-zan ka ikhtilaaf hoga toh badkaari hogi, behayayi hogi, gandagiya hongi, islami mashira ganda hojayega, isliye aurat ka kaam karney ka daereykaar alag rakha, uskey liye alag shara'it muqarrar ki, mard key liye alag rakhi, iski zindagi ki tarteeb alag, uski zindagi ki tarteeb alag rakhi, takey alag alag raasto per chaley, takey takraav na ho, mashira ganda na ho. Sacchi baat hai Islam kabhi taraqqi sey nai rokta, kisi key huqooq nahi salb karta, sacchi baat hai Islam toh taraqqi key tareeqey batata hai , arey yu taraqqi karogey toh yaha bhi hogi, wahan bhi hogi. Kaunsi taraqqi hai? - beti maa ki nafarmaan baney iska naam taraqqi hai? Biwi aaj shohar ki nai rahi, iska naam taraqqi hai? Aulad maa baap key saamney aankhein dikhaye iska naam taraqqi hai?, arey ye zillat hai , zillat , ruswayi hai.

Merey azizo Allah key liye apney gharo ka mahol sambhaliye, apney daftaro ka, apney idaro ka mahol sambhaliye, jitna hum karsaktey woh toh kariye, apney gharo key mahol ko sambhaliye, mohabbat sey, pyaar sey, unhey deen key mahol mein layye. Ager ye karingey toh hamari auladey mahfooz rahingey warna Allah na karey, Allah na karey key hamein kal aisa din dekhna padey key hamari auladein hamari aankho key saamney woh tamasha karey key hum rokna bhi chahey toh na rok sakey.

Huzur(saws) eik mauqey pey, jab aaney waley ney aap sey kaha key - Ya Rasulullah(saws) Qayamat kab aayegi? Toh aap(saws) ney farmaya - " Main poochney waley sey zyada nai jaanta ". Toh usney eik aur sawaal kardala - Ya Rasulullah Qiyamat ki nishaniya kya hai? Aap(saws) ney farmaya - " Maa apney aaka ko janeygi ". Toh hazrat-e-Ulema ney aur Muhaddith ney farmaya matlab ye hai - Key aulad apney maa baap per yu hukum chalayegi jaisa key aaka apney ghulam per chalaya karta hai, Aulad apney maa baap key saamney woh sarkashi kareyga jo eik zaalim eik mazloom ghulam per kiya karta hai. Zaahir hai jab behayi sey dil sakht hojayingey, aankho key ander sey haya khatam hojayega, aur uskey khadam khadam per uski shehwat bhadkayi jayegi, toh phir woh nai dekheyga maa baap kya cheez hoti hai, woh nai dekhta rishtey naatey kya cheez hotey hai, woh nai dekhtey bado ka ehteraam kya cheez hota hai, usper toh eik junoon sawaar hai gandagi ka. Isliye merey azizo ager hamein apney aapko tabahi sey, halakat sey bachana hai toh mahol saazgaar karey Allah key liye.

Allah ney farmaya - Jo log bhi Ahl-e-Imaan mein behayayi phailatey hain unkey liye Allah ki taraf sey dardnaak azaab ka ayelaan hai.

Allah hamein amal ki taufeeq naseeb farmadey.

Muraqaba for the afflicted

Hakim al-Umma Hadhrat Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) use to instruct the seeker afflicted by something unfavorable that he should contemplate (muraqaba) on the Divine names al-Hakim and al-Hakeem.
Allah, Most High being the Sovereign authority in charge (al-Hakim) has all the right to do with us as He wants. No one can question it. We being His slaves have to accept it. However, at the same time we must remember that He is Wise (al-Hakeem) and whatever He does certainly has something beneficial for us. We may not be able to acknowledge this right away but this is for sure.
Thinking on these lines decreases the apprehensions and sufferings associated with the affliction. Also it increases one’s love and trust on Allah at the same time.

- Taken from http://www.ashrafiya.com/

Mufti Abdul Wahab Saab

Allah jallejalalahu ney jo deen hamein ata farmaya hai , yehi woh deen hai jismein Allah ney hum sab ki kamyabi rakhi hai. Deen kya hai - Allah key bando key liye zindagi guzarney ka eik tareekha . Quran-e-paak mein jaghon jaghon per kaii andaaz mein Allah farmatey hai key humney paida kiya insaano ko . Aur jis Allah ney insaan ku paida kiya wahi Allah behtar jaanta hai key iski zindagi kaisey guzrey toh yeh kamyaab ho.

Jo jis jisku banata hai uskey istemaal ka tareekha bhi wahi batata hai . Kisi cheez ko istemaal kiya jaye bataye huwe tareekhey per, toh cheez ki bhi hifazat hai aur istemaal karney wali ki bhi hifazat hai , balkey ussey faida bhi hoga. Ager cheez ka istemaal , bataye huwe tareekhey key uper nahi kiya jaye toh cheez sey na faida hoga, balkey ultha nukhsaan hoga aur cheez ki hifazat bhi nai hogi.

Allah ney insaan ku paida kiya aur insaan key ahwaal sey Allah waqif hai . Allah taala Quran mein farmatey hai - Humney insaan ku paida kiya aur insaan mein kya cheezein aarahi hai hum sab jaantey hai , uska dil kya chahta hai , uskey ander ki khahishaat kaisey ubharti hai , hum sab jaantey hai , hum uskey jugular vein sey bhi zyaada khareeb hai .

Kahi farmaya - Insaan ku humney banaya , aur humney usko do cheezo sey mila huwa banaya . Khair aur sharr ye dono baatein uskey ander hai. Bhalai wala madda bhi , burai wala madda bhi hai , chahey woh Allah ko khush karkey aur uski raza ko saamney rakhkey apni zindagi guzarey ya jaisey jee mein aaye apni zindagi guzarey .

Insaan ney ager apney paida karney waley Khuda key bataye huwe tareekhey ko apney liye kamyabi ka zariya banaliya aur phir usper chalna shura kardiya toh kamyabi usey milegi. Ager usney apney paida karney waley Khuda key bataye huwe tareekhey per apni zindagi nai daali toh zaahir baat hai key jab Allah key bataye huwe tareekhey per apni zindagi nai daleyga toh laazmi taur per jo jee ki chahatey hai usper chaleyga. Jiska nateeja uskey liye nakami hai .

Allah ney insaan ku banaya hai , aur insaan per kya kya ahwaal aaney waley hai insaan sey pehley Allah jaantey hai . Insaan toh ab key haal ko jaanta hai - ab kya horaha hai , ya zyaada sey zyaada gurishta kya guzra woh uskey dil mein hai , ayinda kya halaat aayingey aur kin kin cheeezo ka usko saamna karna hoga insaan ussey nawaqif hai. Zamaney ki jo taqseem banti hai woh insaan key aetbaaar sey hai - guzargaya zamana toh usko maazi kaha , jo iss waqt guzarraha hai uska naam haal diya , jo abhi zamana nahi aaya usko mustaqbil kaha . Lekin Allah key yahan aur Allah key aetbaar sey zamaney ki koi taqseem nahi. Kya hoga qiyamat tak kya hoga aur qiyamat key baad kya hoga , sab Allah jaantey hai , kyunkey sab unhi key hukum sey hai .

Allah key iraadey key baghair koi haal nahi aata. Insaan samajta hai key ye apni taraf sey kuch karta hai toh yu hota hai. Eik buzurg ney ajeeb baat farmayi - " Mainey apney Rabb ko pehchana , Rabb ki taaqat aur khudrat ko pehchana , apney pakkey iraado ko tuut'ta dekhker.

Puuri kayenaat ka nizaam Allah ka khayam karda hai . Aur Allah ta'ala apney bandey ko bhejey aur bandey sey mutaliba kartey hai key banda iss puri kayenaat per nazar daley aur iss baat ka iqraar karey key kayinaat ka bananey wala aur khud insaan ka bananey wala eik akela Allah hai.
Aur isko Allah ney akhalmand kharaardiya. Hadith-e-paak mein aata hai key - " Hashar ka maidan baqa hoga aur Allah key darbaar sey ayelaan hoga key akhalmand log kaha hai . Ab logon key nazdeekh duniya mein akhalmandi ka matlab meyaar tha - jiskey paas duniya zyaada ho woh akhalmand , jo duniya mein suud rishwat khakey aagey badjaye woh akhalmand , ab duniya khatam hogayi woh saarey cheezein khatam hogayi , khel saara khatam hogaya , ab dekhingey key akhalmand kaun hai. Toh phir Allah key darbaar sey ayelaan hoga - Akhalmand woh hai jo Allah ko pehchaney - uthey , baithey , khadey , letey Allah ku yaad karey. Kaun yaad karta hai - woh yaad karta hai jo pehchaanta hai, jisko pehchaanta hai usko yaad karta hai. Toh Allah ku yaad karney ka matlab ye hai key khadey bhi , baithey bhi , letey bhi , uthey bhi , chaltey bhi key unhuney Allah ko itna pehchana hai key Allah ku toh bhooltey nahi hai , har cheez mein Khuda ki khudrat nazar aana, darakh dekhey toh iss darakht ka paida karney wala Allah hai , tinkey sey lekey pahaad tak , chunti sey lekey Jibrael tak (as), har eik ka khaliq aur maalik eik akela Allah hai.

Allah jab apney iraadey per aatey hai toh Allah key saamney kisi ka bas nahi chalta.

NAMAZ:

Jitni Allah ki badai dil mein baitheygi usi aetbaar sey namaaz baneygi aur Allah ki badai dil mein na aaye toh namaaz jaandaar nai banpayegi.

" Labbaik Allahumma labbaik , labbaika la shareeka laka labbaik , innal hamda wal ne'mata laka walmulk , la shareekalak " - ye talbiya kya hai . Ye tabliya Allah ki badai , Allah ki kibriyayi , Allah ki wehdaniyat , aur Allah hi sab kuch karneywaley hai , iska iqraar hai. Ahlullah jo hotey they , woh Ahlullah toh baat baat per apney per dartey they . Chunachey Ahlullah key baarey mein aata hai key tehliya padney khadey hotey toh behosh hokey girjatey , phir sey sambhla kar khadey hotey , phir padneyjaatey , phir behosh hokey girjatey , kahi aisa toh nai hai key hum tehliya mein hum jhootey na hojaye - " Aye Allah main haazir hu , main haazir hu , tu aisa akela maula hai key teri khudrat mein , teri wahdaniyat mein tera koi shareek nahi , saari tareef tere liye , saari ne'matein teri hai , aur sara mulk tera hai , tera koi shareek nai hai ".

Merey dosto , namazi namaz padhey aur Allah ki badai aur uskey dil mein baithjaye aur namaz sey jab faarigh ho saari kayinaat uskey nigaho mein macchar key per sey bhi kamzor nazar aaye aur Allah ki badai , Allah ki kibriyayi uskey dilo dimaagh mein basi ho. Namaaz per mehnat karey , har cheez seekhtey seekhtey aati hai . Kahi aisa toh nai hai key hamari namaaz Allah key darbaar mein jaye aur Allah ta'ala usko waapis kardey. Hadith mein aata hai - paanch waqt namaaz padtey hai aur namaaz yu kehtey huwe jaati hai - Allah ta'ala tujhey zaye kardey , barbaad kardey jaisey tuney mujhey barbaad kardiya. Iska matlab ye nahi key namaaz choddey. Namaaz per mehnat karey. Yehi woh namaaz hai jissey Allah ta'ala ka khurb haasil hota hai. Aur ye aasaan. Har ameer key liye , har ghareeb key liye, mard aur aurat key liye namaaz kitni aasaan hai . Ager Khudanakhaasta koi takleef hai , khadey nai sakta toh farmaya baithkey pado , baithney mein bhi takleef hai waqayi toh leth key pado , pani sey wudhu nai karsakta , takleef hai , darr hai marz padney ka waqyi andeysha hai toh kaha gaya key tayammum karo .

Waisey toh deen pura aasaan hai , Allah ney deen bahut aasaan kiya hai , kyunkey dosto deen per chalney ka mizaaj nai bana hai isliye ye deen hamarey liye mushkil maloom hota hai. Allah taala kisiko uskey wusa'at sey zyaada takleef nai daaltey. Lekin jab aadmi ka mizaaj nai banta , kab baneyga jab aadmi bananey lageyga toh baneyga , lekin aadmi ney isper apney aap ko dhala hi nai , apna mizaaj bananey ki koshish hi nai ki.

Allah ta'ala farmatey hai - " Namaaz badi bhari hai , mager jo namaaz ka aadi bangaya , jinhuney namaaz ko namaaz ki tarah padna shuru kiya , namaaz ka haq ada kiya , khushu aur khuzu , Allah ko haazir aur naazir jaanker , jaisey namaaz padna hai waisi namaaz Unkey liye namaaz mushkil nahi." Kyun unhuney namaaz seekhi hai , namaaz seekhney ki cheez hai . Arey wudhu seekha hai - Hazrat-e-Imam-e-Hasan (rz) eik jagah tashreef legaye toh logo ney darkhwaast ki key hamein Sarkar-e-do aalam (saws) ka wudhu sikhayye toh hazrath-e-ImameHasan(rz) eik uper jageh per baithey aur aapney khud wudhu karkey farmaya - ye hai Sarkar-e-do aalam (saws) ka wudhu. Wudhu seekha hai , halaankey woh wudhu nai jaantey they aisa nai , phir bhi ye dekhna chahtey they kahi hamarey wudhu mein khot toh nai hai. Jinhuney wudhu seekhney ki koshish ki ho woh namaaz kitni seekhey hongey. Merey dosto tijarat seekhna samajh mein aata hai , kheti karna seekhna samajh mein aata hai , aur koi factory ka nazam chalana isko seekhna samajhmein aata hai lekin namaaz ye seekhney ki cheez hai , aur wudhu ye seekhney ki cheez hai , du'a ye seekhney ki cheez hai , imaan ye seekhney ki cheez hai, merey dosto ye cheez hamarey samajhmein nyaati.

Sahaba farmatey hai - Humnein Imaan seekha hai , Huzur-e-paak(saws) ki sohbat mein , aapkey mubarak mahol mein rehtey huwe Sahab-e-ikram ney imaan ko seekha hai. Khushi mein , ghami mein , tangi mein , farakhi mein kis tarah chalna hai aur Allah key wado pey kis tarah bharosa karna hai. Huzur-e-paak(saws) ney Sahab-e-ikram sey jo bay'et lee aur aakhir mein shart lagayi - Aye Allah key nabi aapki baat hum maningey khushi mein ho tab bhi , gham mein ho tab bhi , dil mein bhaye tab bhi , dil mein na bhaye tab bhi , samajmein aaye tab bhi , samajmein na aaye tab bhi.

Hazrat-e-Sahaba chaltey phirtey imaan key fikro mein rehtey they. Aaj hamara kya haal hai , jissey miltey halaat poochtey hai - kaisa mausam hai tumharey yaha , kaisi tijarat hai tumharey yaha , duniya key umuur key baarein mein hamari aapas mein baat cheet hoti hai aur Sahaba ki baatcheet - dekhey tumhara aur hamara Imaan kis haal mein hai. Sotey they toh imaan ki fikro mein , jaagtey they toh imaan ki fikro mein , ghaflat key mahol mein rehtey toh imaan ki fikro mein. Hazrta Abdullah ibn rawaha(rz) apni biwi key paas baithey hai aur achanak rorahey hain , rotey rotey , itna roye key biwi bhi roney per majboor hogayi , jab ifaqa huwa toh biwi ney poocha kya hogaya tha. Farmaya Quran-e-paak ki aayat yaad aagayi. Kaha yaad aarahi hai ghaflat key mahol mein Quran yaad aaraha hai toh dhyaan waley mahol mein kitna yaad nai aayinga. Allah farmatey hai - tummein sey har eik ko pulsiraat per sey guzarna hai , aur main ye sonch mein padgaya key mera kya haal hoga jab pulsiraat pey sey mera guzar hoga. Hazrath AbdurRahman ibn auwf (rz) dastarqaan per hai , do saalan aagaye , rorahey hain , Quran-e-paak ki ayat yaad aagayi halaankey Allah ta'ala ye nafarmano key baarein mein farmarahey hain , mager kya maloom Allah ta'ala ney mujhsey kehdiya toh mera kya haal hoga - Jo kuch tumhara nekiyo ka badla milna tha tumhey duniya mein milgaya , aaj tumhey kuch nai mileyga , ager Allah ney mujhsey yu kehdiya key - Aye AbdurRahman mainey duniya mein tumhey do do khisam key saalan dediya aur ye dediye toh mera kya haal hoga. Halaankey phoonk phoonk ker khadam rakhney waley.

Dekha Huzur-e-paak(saws) ney masjid mein Hazrath AbdurRahman ibn auf(rz) key kapdey per halka sa peela rang hai, poocha – AbdurRahman ye kaisa rang hai ? Hazrath AbdurRahman ibn Auf(rz) ney arz kiya – Sarkaar mera nikaah hogaya. Kitni saadgi thi.Aisey AbdurRahman ibn auf(rz) key jab rahey Quda mein kharch karney ka mauqa aaya toh sau sau (100, 100) unt per samaan laadker aur unt jitna bardaasht karey utna laadker RaheyQuda mein bhejtey they aur apney per kharch karney per itni ehtiyaat , iskey bawajood rorahey hai.

Merey dosto Allah key bando ko Allah key ghar ki daawat dena. Ussey zyaada unchi baat kiski hosakti hai jo Allah key bando ko Allah key taraf bulaye. Ye Allah ko bahut pasand hai.

Allah key raastey mein kisi dusrey ko sudharney nai jaarain hum. Ye alag baat hai jab apney ko sudharney key fikar mein chalingey, iss fikar ka asar Allah dusro per dalingey, Allah ta’ala sudharney ka raasta unkey liye bhi aasaan kardingey. Apni islaah ki niyyat sey jaogey Allah tumhari bhi islaah karingey, dusro ki bhi islaah karingey. Ager musleh banker jaogey na apni islaah hogi, na dusro ki islaah hogi.

Hadith-e-Qudsi hai Allah ta’ala farmatey hai – Aye duniya jo meri khidmat karey (yani mera baney), toh uski banja. Duniya Allah hi ki toh hai , chand Allah ka, sooraj Allah ka, sooraj ku rukaya key nai Sahaba ney, khadey they Hazrath UmerFarooq(rz) aur zameen per halka sa zalzala aaney laga toh Hazrath UmerFarooq(rz) ney koda lekey maara. Asbaab ki chakkar mein padker ye mayuus hota jaraha hai, key merey paas ye nai, woh nai. Arey kuch nai hai Allah hai toh sabkuch hai, aur ager Allah nai hai toh kuch bhi nai hai.

“ Padbhi liya La ilaha toh kya haasil
Qalb-o-nazar muslama nahi toh kuch bhi nahi.”

Allah key baghair koi kuch nai karsakta, Allah sab kuch key baghair sabkuch karsaktey hai. Ye haqeeqat paida ho.

Hashar key maidaan mein sabsey pehley sawaal Namaaz ka hoga, ager woh durust nikalgayi toh baakhi amal bhi durust nikaljayingey. Kya matlab hai – matlab ye hai key jisney namaz ko banaliya, namaaz ko namaaz ki tarah padha toh ye namaaz uskey 24 ghantey ki zindagi ko durust kareygi. Namaaz fahash munkar baato aur kamo sey rokdeyti hai, yani namaazi ko namaz paak kardeti hai.

Allah ta’ala jo apney bandey sey sabsey zyaada khareeb hotey hai woh sajdey ki haalat mein hotey hai.

HUQUQUL I’BAAD:

Huququl i’baad key taluq sey farmaya – Zameenwalo per tum rahemkaro, aasmaan wala tum per rahemkareyga. Rahemkarneywalo per Rahman rahemkarta hai.

Merey dosto malumaat ye kaafi nai hotey, malumaat mamulaat mein aaye. Malumaat toh mamulaat mein laaney key liye hai.
Apney saath rehney walo key huqooq ko pehchaney warna jitni nekiya woh saari nekiya eik haqtalafi sey zaye hojasakti hai. Toh aadmi paisey kamaker ab usko zaye kyun kareyga. Akhalmand aadmi subah sey shaam tak tijarat kiya, apni tijori usney bhari, ab tijori bhari toh khamokha usko zaye kareyga? Uski toh badi hifazat kareyga. Huququli’bad key haqtalafi sey apney ko bachaye.

Isiliye Huzur(saws) ney farmay- Jaantey ho merey ummat ka sabsey bada muflis kaun hai?
Sahaba ney seedha saada jawaab diya- "jiskey paas deenar aur dirham na ho woh ummat ka muflis hai". Sarkar(saws) ney farmaya- "merey ummat ka muflis woh nai hai, woh hai jo kal qiyamat mein nekiyo key amwaar layega, lekin saat hi kisiku gaali dee hogi, kisi ki zameen cheeni hogi , toh haqwaley aayingey aur Allah key saamney fariyaad karingey toh Allah ta'la kya karingey... Ab usper badla ye hoga - nekiya iski uthayingey aur unkey hawaley kardingey, ab nekiya nai hai, gunaho ka bojh isper laadtey chaleyjayingey

IKHLAAS:

Bada sa bada amal kiya lekin ikhlaas wali kaifiyat nai aayi toh woh amal dhara ka dhara rehjayega.

Hazrath Umer(rz) key zamaney mein eik jihad huwa. Ab jo shaheed huwe unki fahrist banayi jarahi thi taakey unkey gharo ku khabar pahunchaye. Toh fehrist bananey waley ney eik key paas pahuncha toh unkey zindagi kuch lamhey baakhi they, hosh mein they. Ab unsey poocha- "bhai tumhara kya naam hai? Kaha tumhara naam AmirulMumineen ko dena hai. Usney kaha hum AmirulMumineen key liye jaan nahi derahey hai, jiskey liye derahey hai woh hamara naam jaanta hai aur rooh nikalgayi. Ab fehrist pesh karney waley ney Amirul Mumineen key khidmat mein fehrist pesh kiya aur kaha key eik jageh khaali hai, uskey zindagi key kuch lamhey baakhi they, humney usi sey naam poocha toh usney kaha hum AmirulMumineen key liye jaan nahi derahey hai, jiskey liye derahey hai woh hamara naam khoob jaanta hai. Hazrath Umer(rz) ropadey.

Tumhara seedha haath deraha hai, tumharey baye haath ko bhi pata na chaley.

• Hazrath Mufti Zainul AbideenSaab(ra) eik martaba farmaya key eik shaks jarahey they, mujhey maloom tha kaha jarahey hai woh, woh apney muqami gasht key liye jarahey they, phirbhi mainey unsey poocha key bhai kaha jarahey ho. Unhuney kaha - Mufti Saab main duniya mein deen phailaney jaraha hu. Dekho niyyat kitni buland hai, niyyat ki bulandi per Allah a'mal ka ajar badadetey hai.

DEEN KI FIKAR:

Fikar merey dosto, deen ki fikar.Badey farmatey hai - Fikar iss ummat ki hayaat hai, beyfikri iss ummat ki maut hai. Niyyat buland ho. Hamsey kya hoga, hamsey toh kuch nai hoga, karney wali zaat toh Allah ki hai, Allah ku raazi karney key liye, aur fikrey hamari aisi ho key Allah taala hamein mauqa dey key hum mashriq sey maghrib tak, shumaal sey junuub tak Allah key deen key kaam ku apna kaam banatey huwe aur apni islaah ko apney saamney rakhtey huwe Allah key bando mein chalphiringey aur Allah key bando mein chalphirker Allah ki badayi ki daawat dengey - Allah bahut badey hain, karney waley Allah hai, Allah ki manogey toh Allah ta'ala ki madat tumharey shamil-e-haal hogi, Allah jab madat karney per aaye toh tum per koi ghaalib nai hosakta.

Hazrath Ilyas(ra) ney farmaya key merey iss mehnat ka maqsad ye hai key madaaris ku taliba miley aur mashaikh ku unkey sacchey talib miley.

Merey dosto hamarey badey farmatey hai - ye Mubarak mehnat paani ki tarah hai. Paani jis darakht ki jad mein pahunchta hai uss darakht ko taro taza banadeta hai - Keiley key darakht per pahunchey toh keila banaye, anaar key darakht per pahunchey toh anaar banaye, aam key darakht per pahunchey toh aam banaye. Ye daawat ka kaam paani ki tarah hai - jis shobey deeni mein pahuncheyga uss shobey ko taro taaza kardeyga inshallah.

Duniya toh hamari ghar ki laundi, duniya toh hamarey ghar ki baandi hai. Duniya sey jitna daringey duniya utna darayegi. Khina'at ku jinhuney pesha banaliya unko duniya key zarurat hai kya?

Maujuud per qina'at na karna ma'buud per badgumani hai.

Masla toh asal mein Akhirat ka masla hai. Jo Allah key deen key kaam ku apna kaam banata hai Allah uskey duniye key maslo ko aasaan kardetey hai. Allah key deen ki tum madat karogey Allah tumhari madat karingey aur tumharey khadmo ko jamayingey.

Allah key raastey mein nikal ker hum Allah key bando key darmiyaan chalphirker Allah ki badayi, Allah ki wahdaniyat, Allah ki kibriyayi, aur Allah ki madatey jo nabiyo key saath huwi usko khuub sunaker taakey uskey zariye Allah hamerey deen ko banadey , merey dosto iskey liye himmat karkey bataye kam-as-kam apni zindagi mein 4 mahiney key liye kaun tayyaar hai, boliye bhai.

The Cure for Depression By: Hazrat Mawlana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sahib (DB)

Taken from - http://annoor.wordpress.com/

Tafweez - The Cure for Depression

Ulama-e-Kiraam, dear brothers and respected sisters… Depression, it seems, has become synonymous with living in a society overrun with innumerable problems. It is an ailment which has unfortunately reached epidemic proportions. In the search for a solution, we sink deeper and deeper into the abyss of depression. Hardly a day passes, without some person complaining about his failures or of the acute depression that he is suffering, due to various factors.What I wish to discuss very briefly is Tafweez. If we learn Tafweez, then we have indeed found the antidote for depression.

We have to clearly understand, that we cannot escape the decisions of Allah Ta’ala with regard to any matter in our lives. Whatever Allah Ta’ala has decided will happen, no matter how much we may wish otherwise.

Our anxieties, depression and worries are all created because we first make the decisions and then expect Allah Ta’ala to conform; whereas what we plan and decide is subject to Allah Ta’ala’s confirmation.

Advice of a Sheikh

One Mureed, after having spent many years in the company of Sheikh Abdul Qader Jailani (R.A.), requested some parting advice before taking leave from his Sheikh. Sheikh Abdul Qader Jailani (R.A.) told him : “Do not claim Divinity and do not claim Nabuwwat (Prophethood).”The Mureed asked : “Does Hazrat think that after all these years in Hazrat’s company, I will make such a claim ?”

Sheikh Abdul Qader Jailani (R.A.) then explained what he meant … It is imperative that we understand certain sayings of the Auliya Allah, otherwise we may misunderstand and then start issuing Fatwas on the basis of our misinterpretation.

A Famous Anecdote

Once, in Delhi, a Wali of Allah was heard saying : “You are not my ALLAH and I am not your servant. So why should I listen to you; why should I obey you?” Those who heard these statements regarded them as statements of Kufr. However, one sensible person asked the saint : “What do you mean ?”.The saint answered : ” My Nafs was inciting me to fulfill its desire. I thus addressed my Nafs and said : ‘You are not my Allah and I am not your servant. I am a servant of Allah so why should I worship you?’ “

Returning to the advice of Hazrat Abdul Qader Jailani (R.A.): He explained to his mureed that, “Do not claim to be Allah.” means that do not wish that everything happens according to your will and desire. If you do so, then you are claiming to be Allah; whereas whatever Allah Ta’ala wills, will happen, for it is HE who makes the final decisions in all matters.

As far as we, human beings, are concerned, if we feel that our whims and fancies have to be fulfilled as is, then we are claiming to be Allah.

“Do not claim Nabuwwat” means that no matter how much of piety and Taqwa you acquire with your Tarbiyah and Tazkia, don’t make the claim that you are sinless and never in the wrong. This is the sifat (attribute) of the Ambiya (A.S.), for they are ‘ma’soom’ (sinless) and ‘mahfooz’ (protected from sin).

Therefore, no matter how much of time you have spent in the suhbat (company) and khidmat (service) of your Sheikh and no matter what high rank you attain to, do not think that you are like the Rasul of Allah and that no slip can occur in your life. Do not claim that you will never err because of the years spent with your Sheikh and because of the Wilayat conferred upon you. Being human beings we are prone to slip.

The Story of the Snake-catcher

Moulana Jalaluddin Rumi (R.A.) relates a story of a snake catcher who once went to the mountains. Due to the winter cold and heavy snow, many very big snakes lay motionless, as if they were dead.The snake-catcher picked up one of these seemingly lifeless snakes and took it to Baghdad, with the purpose of using it for a show. Showing it off, he made big claims as to how he had brilliantly captured the snake. However, when the sun began to shine and its warmth cloaked the snake, the coldness in its body disappeared. The signs of life were soon apparent and when the snake began to move, the snake-catcher and all those around, fled.

Moulana Rumi (R.A.) then explains that our Nafs is like that snake. With Tazkia (purification), Mushaqqat (effort), our nafs (self) becomes frozen. It appears to be dead. But give it a little heat from the fire of sin and it will bite again. A little exposure to some past sins and the nafs swings back to life.

We should not think that we have killed our nafs and thus become unmindful. Yes, with some mujahadah (striving), suhbat (company) of the Sheikh, tilawat (recitation) of the Qur’aan Sharif, Zikrullah, following Deen and Shariah and in building up that contact and love for Allah Ta’ala and Rasulullah e , the nafs can be frozen. However, a little taste of sin revives the evil nafs.

Hazrat Khwaja Azizul Hasan Majzoub (R.A.) says most aptly:

“Have no trust in this nafs, O devout one! Even if it becomes an angel, remain distrustful of it. Look at the snake of your nafs. As soon as you are negligent here, it bites there.” The point being discussed was: “Do not claim divinity.” (i.e. that you are Allah) and that everything must happen according to your will and desire.

Depression

Let us now consider the various causes of depression to be found presently in our lives. These simple, little things, which if ignored and we adopt a little Tafweez, we will find our lives free of depression.To cite an example (and there are true incidents of this nature): A woman goes to a certain family with a proposal for her son, considering her son to be the best person in the world. If the son, himself, goes, then he believes that there is no one like him as a prospective husband. He has everything : the qualities, degrees and character. He is handsome as well.

Hence, mother and son believe that the moment a proposal is put forth, the girl’s family will definitely accept, without any delay or further consideration. Thus, a decision has been made: If I propose, they are going to accept it.

This family rejects the proposal. Immediately there is depression and enmity. The mother starts thinking about the reason as to why the proposal was turned down : “What is wrong with us ? … Are we bad people ? … Is my son a drug addict ? … What is wrong with him ?”. Because Tafweez is not adopted, such thoughts surface and depression seizes the person.

Tafweez in this case would have been that the person put forward the proposal and thereafter left the decision to Allah Ta’ala. If Allah Ta’ala had willed and put an acceptance into their hearts, then they would have accepted. Since everything was done correctly there is no need to be annoyed or upset. Rather believe that there must be some good (’khair’) in that.

If we can only learn and understand this that behind each and every decision made by Allah Ta’ala there is goodness and wisdom. It may appear that this person is very good but we can neither predict the future, nor can we foresee into the future. How many times have we heard of a person who was in the Musjid, in Zikr, etc. etc. but after some time the person suddenly changes? (Allah forbid. Allah protect us all.)

“There were so many who were good, who later in life became bad; And there were so many who were bad, Who later in life became ‘Walis’” Thus, we do not know what is to happen in the future. The knowledge of what is to occur in the future lies only in the knowledge of Allah Ta’ala.

Istikhara

In Istikhara, as well, we must not think that whatever we have been directed towards is going to be problem free. Take for example : A girl is proposed . She makes Istikhara. The Istikhara is positive. She feels satisfied, with an inclination to accept and she follows this inclination and accepts the proposal.After some time, problems arise and the marriage breaks down. Such persons come back to us and say : “Moulana, when I made Istikhara and related the dream (or the feeling) that I had, then you told me that it is good and that I should proceed. Now why is it that the marriage didn’t last?”

Istikhara does not mean that the person will have a problem-free life. It means that at that time this was much better than perhaps marrying someone else. It was “the lesser of the two evils”. The problems being experienced presently could have been worse had she married another person.

It could also mean that at the time of Istikhara, this was good, but then again, this is no guarantee that the marriage will be successful, if after the Istikhara, the person leads any kind of life, indulges in any Haraam he or she wishes to and displeases Allah Ta’ala and Rasulullah(Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam)

It does not give a license to both, husband and wife, to watch plenty of filth on Television, read any sort of literature, neglect Salaah and then ignorantly and foolishly say : ” We made Istikhara, therefore it must work out.” … It does not work like that.

So, perhaps, that Istikhara meant that that was ‘better than’, probably another person she would have married. Here again arises Tafweez : If the person made Tadbeer i.e. made use of the means that Allah Ta’ala has created, but after doing so, the marriage fails, then she adopts Tafweez; accepting that this is the will of Allah Ta’ala, and He knew before hand that this is how the marriage would end.

She knows that both, she and her husband, did not purposely do those things which were contrary to Shariah or against the normal effort that a person should put in. They tried to the best of their ability but it failed … now this is Tafweez : ” Whatever Allah Ta’ala is happy with, then I am too happy with that.” This understanding immediately brings consolation and peace to the heart. The person’s depression will disappear.

* Taqdeer * A person had in mind that when a certain property or building comes onto the market, or comes under his control then, because of the ideal location, etc., business will thrive and he will be successful. The person bids but someone else is successful and the property is gone.

If this person has Tafweez then he will think : I did what was in my capacity to do but it was not in my Taqdeer. It was written in the Taqdeer of the other person, thus he got it. I must search for something else. Allah Ta’ala does not provide rizq (sustenance) through one business house in the world. It is not that I would have succeeded and received my sustenance and livelihood through only that.

The effort, which needs to be made, must then be made. What transpires thereafter is Taqdeer.

Rasulullah(sallallahu alayhi wasallam) has said :”Strive to acquire what is beneficial for you; seek the aid of Allah; do not lose courage and if a setback overtakes you, do not say : ‘If I had done this then it would have happened like this

(i. e. not what had happened).’ Instead say : ‘Allah has ordained this. Whatever He has willed, has happened.’”

Failure

If a person fails after having made the correct effort, there is no need to resort to alcohol, drugs and suicide.Many students succumb to such drastic measures. Some students work and study extremely hard but fail. Due to failure, they sink into such depression that they feel they have to take or inject themselves with drugs, tranquilizers, etc. for sleep. Why ? Because they failed.

If a person did not make Tadbeer, did not make a serious and concerted effort and thereafter fails, then he must blame himself. However, generally, we do make a reasonable effort but sometimes still meet with failure. For example : A person is fit and healthy when he started something but later becomes sick and is unable to complete what he undertook.

Tafweez is handing our matters over to Allah Ta’ala, trusting Him, placing our matters before Him and believing that in whatever Allah Ta’ala has decided, there is goodness. Outwardly, it may appear as if there is some problem that we are faced with, but great wisdom lies in the decisions of Allah.

The Story of an Eagle taking Rasulullah’s sock

Moulana Jalaluddin Rumi (R.A.) narrates a story in his Mathnavi; an incident which occurred during the time of Rasulullah(sallallahu alayhi wasallam) :Once, after having performed wudhu, Rasulullah(sallallahu alayhi wasallam) was about to wear his leather sock when an eagle came along, snatched it and flew away. Nabi (sallallu alayhi wasallam) was most distressed as he was preparing for Salaah.

In a short while, the eagle returned and turned the sock upside down, towards the ground, causing a snake that was inside, to fall out.

The eagle then presented the sock to Rasulullah(sallallahu alayhi wasallam)and addressed him :

“O Rasulullah(sallallahu alayhi wasallam)! The reason for me having taken the sock was that there was a snake hidden inside it. Otherwise I would never harm you, for Allah Ta’ala has ordered me to protect you. It was on account of the snake that I flew off with the sock.”

Thus, outwardly there was some distress but it was a means of goodness. Whatever calamity befalls you, consider it warding off a greater calamity.

All Praise be to Allah in Every Condition

One morning, as a Wali was leaving his home, he struck his head against the doorframe (in India, many homes have doorframes which are low). The pain experienced, forced him to lie down. He uttered the words : “Alhamdu lillahi ala kulli haal” (All praise be to Allah in every condition).In every decision and action of Allah’s, there is both wisdom and good for His servant. Sometimes this remains unknown and hidden.

Nevertheless, a short while later, he was informed that on the path which he would have proceeded down, there lay in wait some of his enemies who intended to kill him. A little injury but he was saved from death at the hands of his enemies.

Thus, if something does happen, there must not be such concern in our hearts that we rush towards Haraam. To cite another example : A person’s car is hijacked. He must believe that there is some goodness or ‘khair’ in this; that it was only the car. It could very well have been that the car was hijacked when the family was in the car and they could have been taken to some desolate spot and could have been killed.

Always think of something worse which could have happened. Adopt Tafweez : believe that everything is in the hands of Allah Ta’ala and if He has decided something, then there is definitely goodness therein. Then be satisfied with the decision of Allah Ta’ala. If we learn only this much : that after Tadbeer, follows Tafweez i.e. being pleased with Allah Ta’ala’s decision, then there can be no question of depression, anxiety, contemplating or committing suicide, etc.

A Crippled Buck in the Jaws of a Lion

Hazrat Jalaluddin Rumi (R.A.) mentions an example in his Mathnavi Sharif of a buck which had a limp in its leg. As this crippled buck was hopping and jumping along, it was caught by a lion. Even though in the jaws of the lion, it tried to escape. The more it tried to free itself from the lion’s mouth, the more difficulty it experienced.Since it was already in the lion’s mouth, it should have accepted the consequences. It could not run away. There was no question of running away, especially since the buck was limping. How could it then escape such a huge lion? It was better for the buck to remain still. It may have happened that the lion saw another buck and left the crippled one to prey on that one.

Moulana Jalaluddin Rumi (R.A.) then explains that this is exactly our condition. Where and how are we going to escape the power of Allah Ta’ala? Can we escape the decision and will of Allah Ta’ala?

There is no doubt in the fact that there will be many tests, trials and difficulties. Allah Ta’ala says in the Quran Sharif : “We will definitely test you with some fear, some hunger and some loss in your wealth, in your health and in the fruits (’fruits’ denote many things). Give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere. And when any trial reaches them, they say :’ Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon ‘ (from Allah we have come and to Him is our return). They are those on whom are the benefactions of their Lord, and receive His mercy, and it is they who are the guided ones.” ( Al - Baqarah : 155/156/157 )

Allah Ta’ala is informing us, that in this world, ordeals are to be expected and patience, tested. Tidings of grace and peace are conveyed to those who patiently withstand such trials, not expressing ingratitude but rather turning to Allah and remembering Him.

Unfortunately, the moment a person suffers a little difficulty, he says : “I must insure everything.” A little loss of some goods and the person says that the only way to protect everything is insurance. Instead of turning towards Allah Ta’ala or becoming strict in matters of Shariah, the person turns towards insurance and starts insuring everything. Then he suffers more and more.

Fatwas

Fatwas have, however, been issued because of the weakness of our Imaan. The principle of Shariah; the principles of Jurisprudence are applied. This is so, because of the environment we live in or the circumstances and difficulties we face. Therefore, we find, that in the community certain things are made permissible. This does not mean that Haraam becomes Halaal … some laxity is given to insure certain things in certain areas to a certain extent. A good Mufti should be contacted for details.For example : if a person is about to die, due to hunger, and the only food available is pork, then even the Qur’aan Sharif permits the consumption of something Haraam like pork. This would obviously not be done with pleasure and enjoyment, rather to just stay alive. Thus, a little Haraam is permitted in such dire circumstances.

A person is in financial difficulty and is extremely desperate. There is no one willing to provide him with any assistance of the Halaal kind e.g. an interest free loan, etc. At this time, if the person takes a loan to the extent that is necessary for him to survive, this would be permissible.

However, if a person rushes towards Haraam simply to live a luxury life or maintain a high standard of living, then this is certainly not permissible. This person’s condition is likened to that fish which jumps for the tempting bait, and is then caught and hooked.

If that fish, in its struggle to free itself, starts to jump, the hook will sink deeper into the fish, increasing its desperation, but to no avail. Thus, if a person, in a little difficulty, ‘jumps’ towards Haraam and after taking the bait, is hooked, then the more he jumps, the more involved he will find himself in Haraam.

The difficulties will increase and everything will be void of barakat (blessings). Presently, there is no barakat in our lives, our homes and our businesses because as soon as a little difficulty or trial afflicts us, we immediately rush towards Haraam.

Thus, due to the weakness of our Imaan, Fatwas are given. Shariat takes everything into consideration; it can accommodate our every condition and solve our every problem.

A Fatwa of Mufti Mahmood (R.A.)

A person, from Bombay, once wrote to Hazrat Mufti Mahmood (R.A.) (a great Wali of Allah who passed away here in South Africa) explaining his plight. He had had a taxi which was ‘freehold’ and which was the only means of his livelihood. It was his only means of feeding his 5 children and paying his rental (which in Bombay is very high).The taxi was smashed in an accident. He had tried to secure an interest free loan but without success. If he had to forego another car, it would mean great difficulty for his family. The only other option, which he had, was to obtain a loan from the bank on H.P. (hire purchase) and buy another car, paying in installments. So he asked Hazrat as to what he should do ?

Hazrat replied that in his case, the car was the only means of support. If he did not purchase another, his family would suffer considerably. Since he had tried to get an interest free loan but to no avail, he could then take it from the bank. He must, however, regard the payment of interest as Haraam and try to pay it off as quickly as possible. At the same time, he should make plenty of Taubah and Istighfaar.

This was the Fatwa of a Mufti of an exceptionally high caliber. He issued this Fatwa because the person was in a genuine need.

If the person was not in a genuine need, then a Fatwa of this nature would not have been issued. For example : If a person had in his possession many ‘luxury’ items, then he would be told to dispose of some of those luxuries and buy another car or try to obtain a loan within the boundaries of Shariah.

Lesson

The lesson of this Majlis is that we must not become despondent. If something does not work out or does not come our way, then we should not despair. If we had made certain decisions or plans which were not fulfilled or we expected some venture to be profitable and it was not, then we should not weaken to depression.Turn to Allah Ta’ala, make extra Zikrullah and you will find in your heart sukoon (tranquillity) and chen (peace). Depression and despondency will not be found in that person who adopts Tafweez.

Tafweez on the path of Sulook

Like we should adopt Tafweez in worldly matters, so too must we adopt it in spiritual matters. Sometimes, Allah Ta’ala gives a person who is making his Islah (reformation), an enjoyment or an experience of ecstasy (In Tasawwuf, this state is termed ‘Bast’). The person is on a high. Others take drugs for a ‘high’, but the Allah Waalas, with their Zikr, Ibaadat and Ma’rifat, experience a special ‘high’, and there is a world of a difference between these two ‘highs’.Nevertheless, there are times when these pious ones, who despite doing everything correctly and not disobeying or displeasing Allah Ta’ala, suddenly experience a ‘low’ (In Tasawwuf, this state is called ‘Qabdh’). That ‘high’ is no longer enjoyed. They begin to wonder as to what had happened…Why ? And they too suffer depression.

A person, experiencing such a spiritual ‘low’ should reason that there is the great wisdom of Allah Ta’ala behind this state, otherwise it may be that pride enters the person’s heart and he begins to consider himself very great.

This is Allah Ta’ala’s way of keeping a balance. This ‘low’ offsets pride and thus saves a person from spiritual ruin. After this, if Allah Ta’ala so wills, He can always return him to his previous condition.

Thus in worldly as well as spiritual affairs, we need to make an effort and then adopt Tafweez. Ask Allah Ta’ala to make the best decision for us. Plead to Him and beg of Him to give us the best of this world and the best of the hereafter.

A Blessing or Punishment ?

Sometimes, a sickness, disease, etc. comes in the form of a blessing and sometimes in the form of an Azaab (punishment). For a Mu’min, it is a blessing and mercy if it causes him to turn towards Allah Ta’ala.I will conclude with an incident that occurred a few years ago. I went to visit a person who was suffering from cancer. On entering his room, I found him surrounded by 3 television sets - one to his right, one to his left and one in front of him. This was, indeed, very surprising … a sick person in extreme pain who could well be in his last moments, in such a situation.

On inquiry, his relatives explained, that due to his being confined to bed, it became necessary to turn him in these 3 positions; sometimes left, sometimes right, otherwise flat on his back. The 3 sets were placed in such a manner so that he would not miss any part of the program being watched.

If in that sickness, which was meant to have brought us to the door of Allah Ta’ala, we continue to indulge in sins and more so, then who do we blame for the problems which we thereafter have to face?

May Allah Ta’ala protect us all from loosing trust and faith in Him.

From a Supplementary Discourse on Tafweez, Radha bil Qadha and Fanaa’iyat.

As had been discussed , the major cause of depression and worries is that we have not as yet learnt Tafweez, Fanaa’iyat and Radha-bil-Qadha.These three concepts mean basically one and the same thing : that we hand all our affairs and decisions over to Allah Ta’ala, and that we be satisfied with whatever He decides for us.

However, the illusion we live in, is that whatever we have decided, will happen accordingly. We expect Allah Ta’ala to oblige us, accommodate us and follow through with our decisions, exactly as they are. When this does not happen, then as is expected, we suffer anxiety, frustration, depression and worry. Why? … Because we forget that we are the slaves of Allah Ta’ala and that He is not our slave. As our Master, He can decide for us, whatever He wishes to. This is His prerogative.

Examples

Several examples had been cited last week and there are many more that could be alluded to. Some which had been mentioned were :1. ) A proposal is put forward with a ’surety’ and confidence that it will be accepted, but it isn’t. Since Tafweez was not adopted, the person suffers acute depression.

2. ) A businessman has his sights on a prospective business venture, which he believes would make him successful. Somewhere along the line the transaction does not go through, and depression seizes him.

3. ) A student works very hard for his examinations and then fails, for whatever reason. Depression overwhelms him to such an extent that it leads him to contemplate suicide, if not commit suicide

Within the framework of Shariah, we have to make an effort. After making the correct effort in the desired direction we should hand all our matters to Allah Ta’ala. Just as a person wanting to go to Cape Town, will board a plane headed for Cape Town and not a Johannesburg-bound plane, so too do we need to make the effort towards what we want to achieve… but the final decision must be left to our Infinitely Wise Allah.

Hidayat

In the different fields and spheres of Deen, there is much aspiration to be found in those that are rendering service of Deen. The Jamaat goes out for gusht, taleem and tabligh, desiring to bring Deen into the lives of others as well. The Asaatiza at the Madrassahs and Darul Ulooms, impart taleem, endeavour to educate their students and aspire to mould the ways and lives of their students. Likewise others, in whatever effort they make, they wish to see change, reformation, acceptance and implementation.Sometimes, an Alim teaching at a Darul Uloom may desire to reform a particular student or a Shaikh may desire to reform a certain mureed and they thus make a concerted effort in Da’wah, Tarbiyyah, etc. towards the change of the student or the mureed. Yet, despite the effort made, the student or mureed does not change. As a result, the teacher or Shaikh sometimes becomes despondent.

A very important incident in the life of Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) is a lesson to heed : Rasulullah’s (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) uncle, Abu Talib, had been like a father to Rasulullah (sallallahu alyhi wasallam), bringing him up and caring for him. When Rasulullah (sallallhu alayhi wasallam) declared his prophet hood, then Abu Talib supported him with everything which he had at his disposal. Thus, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) loved his uncle very much and encouraged him to accept Islam.

When Abu Talib was on his deathbed, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said to his uncle : “O my uncle! Declare (your faith in) ‘La ilaha Illallah’, so that I may argue for you before Allah on the Day of Judgement.” Despite the effort made and the encouragement given by Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), Abu Talib did not accept Islam and died on Kufr.

Allah Ta’ala informed Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) :

” Surely you cannot guide whom you love, but Allah guides whom He pleases; and He knows best those who receive guidance. “

Even though Allah Ta’ala is the one who guides, the pre-condition of being recipient to Hidayat is to WANT hidayat and make a concerted effort in that direction, otherwise Allah Ta’ala states that if a person is not interested in being guided, then He will not thrust guidance down such a person’s throat.

Nevertheless, if Allah Ta’ala so wills then He will use the Ustaadh, Sheikh, and others rendering service to Deen, to be a means of the Hidayat for, sometimes, not just one person but millions of people.

Our endeavor is to make the correct effort and thereafter trust completely in Allah Ta’ala. Depression and restlessness will not draw near to the heart which has resigned itself to the will and wish of Allah Ta’ala. The heart of such a person is akin to a garden.

The outward conditions surrounding the person could be difficult but the heart of that person is a flower blooming amidst thorns. Allah Ta’ala grants this person peace and contentment, because of the Tafweez (i.e. accepting Allah Ta’ala’s will) adopted.

The Route to Allah

Hazrat Shah Muhammad Ahmad Saheb (R.A.) mentions in his poetry :”In whichever condition He keeps me, it is the best condition for me. Through whichever route He takes me it is the easiest route for me.” Thus, whatever condition befalls a person, there is Tafweez. Of course, this person will take treatment if he is ill, apply ointment to his wound, if he is injured. On his dua and Tadbeer, restlessness, anxiety and worry will not touch upon his heart. He understands that Allah Ta’ala knows best what is best for him. This condition of heart reminds me of a beautiful explanation which Mullah Ali Qaari (R.A.) has written in his commentary of Mishkaat Shareef about Halawat-e-Imaan (Sweetness of Imaan).

The Sweetness of Imaan

I have mentioned previously that when the sweetness and ecstasy of Imaan enters the heart of a person, then his whole life changes.When a person does something out of his love for Allah Ta’ala and His Rasool, and not merely out of a sense of obligation, then Allah Ta’ala blesses this person with the sweetness of Imaan.

Fulfilling our Deeni obligations i.e. Salaah, Fasting, Zakaat, etc. just because it is our duty to do so is very different from fulfilling them out of love for Allah Ta’ala and Rasulullah e. Our weakness is that everything we do stems from ‘duty’ and ‘obligation’ and not love.

This is comparable to a person working for me and I tell him to go to the post office and fetch the post therefrom. Since no car is available, the person has to take a walk. He will not find enjoyment in his heart in having to walk to the post office.

Take a person who enjoys jogging. It is the pleasure of his life. Now if he is told to run the errand, then if the distance is 5 km, he will consider this too short a distance.

Then again, there are many of us, whose objective in fulfilling our Deeni obligations is that we derive pleasure, enjoyment and happiness as a reward for fulfilling them. We are therefore not Aashiqs (lovers) of Allah Ta’ala, rather Aashiqs of pleasure, enjoyment and happiness.

It is not Haraam to ask Allah Ta’ala for peace, contentment, pleasure, enjoyment and happiness - indeed, we should ask and continue asking Allah Ta’ala for these things. But since, most of the virtuous deeds we do revolve around a sense of duty and not the love of Allah Ta’ala, we don’t achieve this sweetness of Imaan.

For example : we render some service to Deen, but we do so because we think : “People are going astray and there is so much of corruption. It is our duty to make an effort.”

Yes, indeed, it is our duty, on which, we will Insha-Allah gain Thawaab (reward) but we will not taste of the sweetness of Imaan, because everything done stems from a sense of duty and not from the love for Allah Ta’ala and the desire to gain His pleasure.

Such khidmat (service) to Deen needs to be rendered out of love for Allah Ta’ala, with a deep-felt concern for those going astray, that some attempt be made to save them from deviation and that all the Ummaties of Nabi e follow the path laid out by him and gain salvation in the Akhirah.

Added to this, Deeni work should be undertaken with the understanding that it is Allah Ta’ala who has blessed us with life, with health, with wealth, with the faculties of sight, hearing and speech and He has granted us intelligence, coupled with knowledge. It is thus only befitting that a servant utilizes all these invaluable bounties of Allah Ta’ala for His pleasure alone.

Even though - the reality and essence of the sweetness of Imaan is not acquired so easily. To obtain such a precious commodity, we have to sit in the company of those whose hearts are aflame with the Love of Allah Ta’ala and who thus do everything for His pleasure alone. In their blessed company, where the lessons of Divine love are taught and where we may draw from their hearts, that fire of love, there we will reap the sweetness of Imaan.

Signs of the Sweetness of Imaan

1. Enjoyment in Ibaadat

The acquisition of the Sweetness of Imaan brings immense enjoyment in the Ibaadah undertaken. The pleasure a person finds in his Salaah, impels him to delay his Sajdas. His Zikr of Allah Ta’ala emanates from the deep recesses of his heart, intoxicating him. The requirement for this intoxication and ecstasy is neither wine nor worldly love; the requirement for this ‘high’ is neither heroine nor cocaine; it is the remembrance of his beloved Allah.When he recites the Qur’aan Sharif, then it is as if he is conversing and communicating with his Rabb. The speech of Allah Ta’ala, which he recites, deeply impresses upon his heart and establishes a profounder and stronger Imaan within him. With a deep hearted enjoyment, he believes that his Allah is listening to His own Kalaam (speech) from the tongue of His sinful servant.

The mercy and kindness of Allah Ta’ala is such that despite us having used and abused the tongue in Gheebat, lies, false oaths and Qasms and so many other evils, Allah Ta’ala still grants us the ‘towfeeq’ to read His Kalaam. He would have given it to the angels to read, because to read such pure and untainted speech, we require tongues which are sinless.

The objective will not be to complete as many paras or Qur’aans as is possible and thus read at breakneck speed, hastily and disrespectfully. There will be calm, dignity and beauty which will adorn the Qur’aan Sharif and which will win one special ‘audience’ from Allah Ta’ala.

When expending his money in the path of Allah Ta’ala, in charities and Zakaat, then this person does not feel financially burdened. There is an enjoyment in this person’s generosity, kindness, in his concern for the poor and needy and in the fulfillment of the rights of his kith and kin, neighbors and others.

Because every sphere of his life has become an Ibaadat, his entire life is blissful. When a person does any good deed, for the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala, then the heart is rewarded immediately with pleasure and joy.

2. Suppressing the Nafs

Another sign indicating that a person has tasted the sweetness of Imaan, is that this person will overcome and suppress all his evil and carnal desires. He will not succumb to his haraam passions and desires. He will regard them as cursed passions; the fulfillment of which earns him the displeasure of his Beloved Allah.”We regard such pleasures As worthy of being cursed, By which, O friends, My Lord becomes displeased.”

When evil thoughts enter the mind and evil desires enter the heart, then we should overcome them by ignoring them and not entertaining them. Let them pass by, but pay no attention to them. We should not invite these thoughts and lay out the dastarkhan (table) for them and amiably say: “O you wonderful thoughts, please remain in my heart for a long time because I am deriving much enjoyment from this visit of yours.”

It is natural that these thoughts and desires will come … this is expected, but it is sinful to entertain them. At such times, we should immediately focus our attention to something permissible.

Imaan

It is mentioned that some of the Sahabah (R.A.) once presented themselves to Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) and said : “Our condition is that sometimes we experience such evil thoughts and sentiments in our hearts that it is most painful even to mention them.”Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) enquired : “Is it really so ?”

They replied : “Yes, this is our condition.”

Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) exclaimed : “But that is pure faith.” … meaning, that to feel grieved and distressed at such thoughts and sentiments is a sign of good Imaan.

In another narration, a person said to Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam):

“Sometimes such wicked ideas come to my mind that I would prefer to be burnt down and reduced to charcoal than to give utterance to them.”

Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) replied : “Praise be to Allah who turned back the matter towards thought and sentiment.” … meaning, that it is the grace of Allah Ta’ala that these thoughts and desires were not accepted and adopted but remained as is.

Thus a person who has achieved this sweetness of Imaan, will not act upon his evil desires and thoughts. He will burn up these evil desires in the furnace of Taqwa and light up his heart with the Noor of Taqwa.

Figurative beauty

A beautiful woman passes by and one happens to cast an accidental glance at her. Thereafter a strong desire plagues at the heart of the person and he feels that he simply cannot forego the sight of such a beauty. What is he to do ? If he suppresses this desire …” I will not look, I will not look, Never will I look at one, Looking upon whom, displeases my Lord.”

… then Allah Ta’ala rewards him on this sacrifice.

Allah Ta’ala has stated in a Hadith-e-Qudsi : “Verily evil glancing is an arrow from the poisonous arrows of Shaitaan. Whosoever fears Me (Allah) and refrains from it will receive from Me such Imaan, the sweetness of which he will taste (feel) in his heart.”

If, on the other hand, he appeases the evil desires of his nafs, and continues glancing lustfully at the woman, then the end results of having displeased Allah Ta’ala will be restlessness, restlessness and more restlessness.

Allah Ta’ala promises a life of restlessness, difficulty and anxiety for those who indulge in sin.

Allah Ta’ala states in Surah Ta Ha :

” Whosoever turns away from My reminder (i.e. neither believes in this Quran nor acts on its orders, etc.) verily, for him is a life of hardship …”

Ayaaz and the Priceless Pearl

Moulana Jalaluddin Rumi (R.A.) mentions in his Mathnavi, a story of Sultan Mahmood : One day the Sultan decided to test his ministers and ordered them to crush the most prized pearl of his treasury. One by one, each of 65 ministers declined, stating that the pearl was far too valuable to be destroyed.The King then summoned his closest and trusted courtier, Ayaaz, and ordered him to crush the pearl. Without any delay or hesitation, Ayaaz crushed the pearl into fragments. When the ministers expressed disbelief and shock at such audacity, the King asked Ayaaz to inform them as to the reason for him having broken the pearl.

In response, Ayaaz asked these ministers : ” Which is more important, the Royal Decree or the pearl ? “

The question we pose to ourselves is : ” Which is more important, the command of my Allah or the desire of my heart ?”

The desires of the heart are akin to pearls, which appear to be quite beautiful but we should not fulfil these desires at the cost of breaking the decrees of Allah.

Ayaaz attained closeness to the king through his loyalty and faithfulness and his obedience and submission. Similarly, we will gain the extreme nearness and intimate closeness to the King of Kings through loyalty and faithfulness. This in turn is dependent upon sincere obedience and complete submission to His decrees.

The Test of Imaan

Imaan will not be tested in the Musjid because a Musjid is not a place for the testing of Imaan. It would obviously be very easy to be pious and abstain from sins therein. The testing grounds of Imaan are the streets, universities, bazaars and businesses.What kind of Imaan do we display, if we indulge in illicit relationships at the high schools, universities, etc., if we cast lustful glances at every woman who passes by us on the streets and if we cheat our customers, commit fraud and employ semi-nude women to work along side us in our businesses, believing that by employing them we will be saving on salary ?

Know that at such places our Imaan will definitely be tested. At such times we have to project and assert our Imaan and Islam. If the person passes the tests here, then indeed this person has tasted of the sweetness of Imaan.

3. Sacrifice for Deen

The third sign of the sweetness of Imaan, is that one will be prepared to undergo all forms of difficulties and hardships for the sake of Allah Ta’ala and Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). When a difficulty comes in the way of him fulfilling the commands of Allah Ta’ala, he will say :” For the pleasure of my Allah and His Rasool (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) , I will suppress my desires and withstand the difficulties which come my way.”

Thus, out of his love for Allah Ta’ala, he will walk to the musjid for Fajr Salaah even on the severest of winter mornings. If, however, he is ill or has some valid reason for missing his Jamaat Salaah, then this is different from not going to the Musjid due to laziness.

Such a person will also be prepared to defend his Deen on the battlefield and will even sacrifice his life for it. Of course, he must not beg or ask Allah Ta’ala for difficulties and hardships, rather for goodness and well being.

We are not of the caliber of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) and the Sahabah (R.A.), yet Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) taught the Sahaba-e-Kiraam (R.A.) to always ask Allah Ta’ala for Aafiyat, ease and comfort. We too should seek the same goodness from Allah Ta’ala.

Nevertheless, if a difficulty comes this person’s way, as a test, he will remain firm and steadfast in his beliefs and actions and endure it for the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala.

Duaa

We receive many calls from people saying that they make dua and read their Salaah, read Ishraaq, Chasht and Salaatul Haajaat and even awaken for Tuhajjid, but then say that despite all this, Allah Ta’ala still does not want to hear their duas (Na-oozo-bil-lahi-min-zaalik)… as if Allah Ta’ala is obliged to do so.Moulana Jalaluddin Rumi (R.A.) has said : “Sometimes Allah delays in answering the prayers so that one may continue to call on Him earnestly and crying in humility. While this is done, He is Aware thereof and He greatly approves thereof.”

Delay in acceptance of one’s duas is not a sign that Allah Ta’ala has rejected the dua. On the contrary, it is a sign of the pleasure of Allah; that His servant has recognized Him to be the only one who can fulfill all his needs. In fact, the person who sincerely asks of Allah, not despairing and losing hope in Allah, Allah enshrouds him in His Mercy.

Nabi Yacoob (A.S.) made dua that he be reunited with his missing son, Hazrat Yusuf (A.S.). After 40 years, this dua of Hazrat Yacoob (A.S.) was answered.Thus, Allah Ta’ala, knows best when and in what manner to answer a person’s duas. Therefore Nabi e has explained :

“Any Muslim who makes a dua and his dua does not contain a request for anything sinful or anything regarding the severance of family ties, Allah grants him one of three things most assuredly, namely,

1. ) What he has asked is granted immediately, or

2. ) What he has asked is saved for him as a treasure in the Aakhirah, or

3. ) Allah wards away some calamity from him in lieu of the object asked for.”

Our condition is that we make dua to just get over the problems we are faced with. There is that restlessness at heart because we are waiting for the problem to make a quick exit from our lives so that we may revert to our old lifestyle. To cite an example : many students are to be found in the Musjids at the time of their examinations … the dua, Ibaadah is merely done in order that we overcome the difficulty or problem at hand.

4. Sabr and Shukr

In the midst of difficulties, a person with the sweetness of Imaan, exercises Sabr and is neither found to be disturbed nor perplexed. He does not complain of his Master, Allah Ta’ala, rather he adopts patience and views this patience as the gateway to the closeness, Ma’rifat and Muhabbat of Allah Ta’ala.When blessed with abundance in bounties from Allah Ta’ala, like wealth, prosperity, etc. he makes Shukr and regards this gratitude as the gateway to the proximity, Ma’rifat and Muhabbat of Allah Ta’ala.

In both conditions, the person retains his trust and his faith in Allah Ta’ala. When afflicted with difficulties and trial, then Sabr is exercised and the heart is blessed with the sweetness of Imaan. When granted the best of bounties and gifts, plenty of gratitude and appreciation is expressed and the heart is blessed with the sweetness of Imaan.

Rasulullah(sallahu alayhi wasallam) has said :

“The Mu’min is a wonderful being. If goodness/prosperity comes his way, he praises Allah and offers Shukr (gratitude). And, if hardship/adversity strikes him, he (also) praises Allah and adopts Sabr (patience).”

This relationship with Allah Ta’ala is analogous to two pages stuck firm by glue. That glue has created such a ’strong’ bond that the page can be torn, but the two pages will not separate. This is the kind of relationship we need to build with our Allah; that irrespective of the condition, we will not separate ourselves from Allah Ta’ala.

A Lesson from Children

Many a time we have seen mothers slap or hit their children when they have been naughty or disobedient, yet those children cling on to their mothers and refuse to leave them. That little child is teaching us a lesson : Although I am getting a hiding well deserved, how can I leave my mother ? Where would I go ?If that child is not prepared to leave its mother, then where are we going to go, leaving our Allah? There is no one else for us, except Allah.

It is mentioned in the Mathnavi of Moulana Jalaluddin Rumi (R.A.) that once Allah Ta’ala said to Nabi Moosa (A.S.) :

“I love My bondsmen very much when they behave towards Me like infants, who in spite of their mother’s punishment and anger still attach themselves to her, instead of fleeing. When that mother gives him a slap, he still flees to her and while crying, holds onto her strongly. The small child does not want help from anyone save the mother. He even shows no inclination to his father. Instead he looks upon his mother as the source and origin of all good and evil. O Moosa (A.S.), your imagination and connection with us in good and evil is similar to that; that except for Us, your attention is not drawn to anyone else …”

Thus, no matter what the condition or circumstance, our dependence upon Allah Ta’ala should be as the child’s dependence upon its mother.

On the acceptance, patience, tolerance and fortitude exercised, Allah Ta’ala blesses a person with the sweetness of Imaan. As I have mentioned, this quality of Imaan is, however, acquired from the Ahlullah, those who possess the same in their hearts. This then is transferred and kindled into the hearts of those who keep their company.

The companions of Nabi(sallallahu alayhi wasallam) are known as ‘Sahabah’ because they spent time in the company of Rasulullah(sallallahu alayhi wasallam)and received from his heart, the great wealth and treasure of Imaan and Ishq of Allah Ta’ala.

My Sheikh, Hazrat Moulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (D.B.) says most beautifully and aptly in one of his poems : ” … the condition (of success) is (some) kind attention of the men of love, otherwise this gem of love cannot be had …”

5. Radha-bil-Qadha

The quality of Radha-bil-Qadha has also been cultivated within the person who has this sweetness of Imaan and is implemented under all conditions.Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (R.A.) once asked Hazrat Moulana Abdul Ghani Phulpoori (R.A.) :

“Is there any stage higher than Ikhlaas (sincerity) ?”

Hazrat Moulana Abdul Ghani (R.A.) replied :

” Ikhlaas is a very high stage; I cannot think of anything higher than that.”

Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (R.A.) then said :

” Higher than even Ikhlaas, is Radha-bil-Qadha - that you be satisfied with whatever Allah Ta’ala gives to you.”

This does not mean that a person can do the wrong thing and expect Allah Ta’ala to decide in his favour. We must not blame Taqdeer for our own mistakes. If a person takes a knife and slashes his throat, this is not ‘Taqdeer’. But if someone else slashed this person’s throat, then yes, this is Taqdeer.

One person gave his very young daughter in marriage to a very old man. For some wealth and property, the father pressurized his daughter and so, even though unwilling and unhappy, she was left no choice. As would be expected, plenty of problems surfaced. When the matter was brought before Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (R.A.), he asked the father as to where his intelligence had disappeared for him to have arranged such an unsuitable match for his daughter. The father replied : “Taqdeer.”

Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (R.A.) got very angry, saying :

“You made the mistake and now blame Taqdeer.”

We should not deliberately do the wrong thing and then blame Taqdeer for the end result. Using the means which are available, the correct effort should be made; thereafter accept whatever transpires.

Handing all matters to Allah Ta’ala, resigning oneself to the decisions of Allah Ta’ala and believing that there is great wisdom in His decisions, creates peace in one’s life.

Allah Ta’ala has mentioned in a Hadith-e-Qudsi :

“… Some of My slaves are keen to offer special type of (optional) prayers, but I do not let them do so, for it may lead to vanity; some of them are such, who can have sound faith only when in good health, if I destine sickness for them, they are adversely affected; there are others who can maintain their faith only in sickness, if I order health for them, they may go astray. I give orders befitting the affairs of My slaves, because I know all that which is in their minds.”

Thus, to protect the Imaan of His servants, Allah Ta’ala, out of His Infinite Kindness, grants some people favourable conditions and blesses them with plenty of wealth and prosperity and keeps them happy; for if He inflicts them with poverty and difficult conditions they may commit Kufr.

To some people Allah Ta’ala gives them poverty and less material wealth, because He knows fully well that if He were to give them plenty of wealth, then instead of coming to Him, making Ibaadah and Shukr, they will expend and squander this money in Haraam avenues e.g. gambling, prostitutes, etc. So Allah Ta’ala deprives these people of wealth so that their Imaan remains intact… such is the wisdom Allah Ta’ala has in everything which He does.

Due to the deficiency in our understanding we do not accept, acknowledge and appreciate Allah Ta’ala’s benevolence, loving-kindness and favours upon us as we should. Yet Allah Ta’ala informs us in the Qur’aan Sharif :

“Many a time you dislike a thing while (in fact) it is good for you, and many a time you love a thing while it is evil for you. And Allah knows while you do not know.”(Surah Baqarah 2 : 16)

Conclusion As the servants and slaves of Allah Ta’ala we should understand that our Master will grant to us only that which is good for us. Our duty and endeavor is that we supplicate and ask of Allah Ta’ala, then make the correct effort (tadbeer) and thereafter leave the final decision to Allah Ta’ala. This brings peace, contentment and happiness into our hearts.

Allah Ta’ala grants the sweetness of Imaan, together with all the accompanying conditions of peace, tranquility, happiness, etc., to those who are faithful and sincere servants. And if the Kings of this world knew of this condition of the heart, they would go to great lengths to snatch it away. However, this is something which Allah Ta’ala gives to whomsoever He chooses to.

Whilst this in itself is not difficult to attain, effort is a precondition. The effort is directed more in suppressing the nafs from Haraam because, in comparison, finding enjoyment in Ibaadat is a little easy. We sometimes derive enjoyment in Zikr, Tilawat, Haj, etc. The real test is in suppressing the nafs from Haraam. On doing this, Allah Ta’ala will ignite our hearts with the Noor of Imaan.

My sheikh mentions an example : he says that that area which is struck by a flood, earthquake or any other disaster, then due to the damage, the government declares it a disaster area and supplies the material - the sand, cement, etc. - for the reconstruction of those homes and buildings destroyed in such a disaster.

In a similar vein, when evil desires make their way into our hearts and we smash and destroy them for the pleasure of Allah, then this fragile building of our heart is shattered into thousands of fragments. On the pain and grief experienced at this destruction, Allah Ta’ala will reconstruct our hearts with the sweetness and the Noor of Imaan.

When a person experiences this, he will then really know and understand what it is … It will be as if he is here but not here; eating, drinking, laughing and joking, talking to his friends, etc. but his heart will always be connected to Allah Ta’ala …

” Whilst occupied in the world, he is still with Allah.
And in spite of being with everyone, he is still away from everyone.”

Dua

May Allah Ta’ala grant us all the ‘taufeeq’ of practising upon the teachings of the Qur’aan Sharif and the ‘taufeeq’ to follow the beautiful lifestyle of our beloved Nabi, Sayyedena Muhammad(sallallahu alayhi wasallam). May He bless us with implicit trust and faith in Him. May He strengthen our Imaan so that we accept all decisions made by Him, to be the best for us. May He give us the understanding that He is the Creator of means so that after adopting the means we may not trust in those means gaining us our desired objective but instead trust in Allah Ta’ala and pray to Him to grant us success in our endeavors. May Allah Ta’ala forgive us all and bless us with the best of both worlds.Wa Sal-lal-lahu alan Nabiyil Kareem wa ala aalihee Wa as-habihee ajma’een

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• Ahwaal
• Connection with Allah
• Fadhaail
• Fikr
• Muraqabah
• Spiritual Diseases and Their Remedies