There are many,
many Muslim brothers and sisters throughout the world who due to
various negative influences and bad elements, find themselves ‘de-railed’
from Deen. Many others sit on the fence, wanting to enjoy or benefit
from both sides of the fence – engaging in sins as well as
being practical on certain teachings of Deen. However, deep in their
hearts is the desire to get back on track, and once again become
good, practical Muslims; to jump off the fence and enjoy the green
pastures of Islam. So they write, e-mail, phone, fax seeking guidance
and direction.
The main weakness is indulgence in sins; sometimes many sins and
excessive indulgence in those sins. A standard prescription that
I give as a reply, is as follows. Alhamdulillah, many who followed
through with the prescription have found a whole new life –
of peace, happiness, blessings and mercy. On tasting the sweetness
that comes with obedience, there is no desire to return to any form
of disobedience.
- The ideal is that we abstain from sins,
out of love for Allah Ta’ala. He has granted us so much
– He has granted us everything and it is the nature of human
beings that we love the person that is kind and generous to us.
Then what of Allah Ta’ala who has provided us with plentiful
– with everything? The sight, hearing, speech, the organs
that are functioning in such an amazing manner, the limbs - all
in our service – for eating, drinking, walking, sitting,
etc. The gifts of wealth : the clothing, shelter, transport, food,
drink, and so many other comforts. …We use them all, but
do we keep in mind, the Generous Benefactor ? Do we give thanks
for these bounties or show any appreciation to the Giver ?
- Developing the conscious awareness that
Allah Ta’ala is with us : He is watching us, He is hearing
us, He knows all and everything about us; We cannot hide from
Him; We cannot conceal our actions from Him. Then should we not
feel ashamed that in His Presence, we are disobeying Him? Are
we not showing ingratitude to the Benefactor, when engaging in
sins in His very Presence ?
- Keep in mind that the angels too are
witness to all our actions; that the earth is recording our behaviour
and that all of it is also noted in our books of deeds –
that we are accountable to Allah Ta’ala on the Day of Judgement.
Added to this, our actions are also presented to Rasulullah (sallallahu
alayhi wasallam), so we should give thought to whether our actions
are a source of joy or grief to him. …In this manner, we
will develop that shame and modesty which will make it easy to
restrain from Haraam.
- Muraqabah is meditating on the actions
engaged in during the day : We should reflect over our deeds for
the day and seek forgiveness for shortcomings and resolve not
to return to those bad deeds. We should also express gratitude
on good deeds and make dua for an increase in them.
- Ponder over the fact that the Angel
of Death does not give respite. It must not be that whilst obeying
the nafs in sinful pleasure, the Angel of death visits; and departure
is in disgrace, and return to Allah Ta’ala is at a time
when He is angry, and that death is an embarrassment to the person,
family and community who find out that death came in sin. May
Allah Ta’ala protect us all from death in a state of transgression,
but this is very much a reality.
…Death visits – more often, very unexpectedly, and
no true Muslim would want to be seized by the Angel of death when
Allah Ta’ala is displeased. I often say : We now have instant
tea, and instant coffee, and instant cereal and instant pudding
and so many other things on the market are instant – we
are also living in times when death is just as instant. So any
sin is too much of a risk in the face of the reality of death.
…The Hadith is explicit : That we will be resurrected on
the day of Judgement as we have died and we will die as we have
lived. …Would any Muslim want to rise up on the Day of
Judgement in sin, for all of mankind to witness what kind of life
he led?
- Ponder over the fact that Allah Ta’ala
has blessed us with the gift of sight, hearing, health, wealth,
and so much else – and has also granted us the gift of respect.
However, what He gives, He can also take away. He has explicitly
stated that ingratitude for His Gifts will draw very severe punishment.
So is sin not abuse and ingratitude for the gifts of sight, of
heart, of mind, of limbs ?
A little contemplation on the consequences of such behaviour and
a little bit of mujahada – which entails ‘not doing’
and Alhamdulillah, the sicknesses are cured.
Together with this :
- Attend the talks of the learned Scholars
of Islam whenever possible, or listen to recordings of their talks
and read their books to gain benefit of pious, righteous company.
Join and participate in the Deeni activities with those who follow
the Qur`aan and Sunnah. On will, Insha-Allah, find a great improvement
in one’s condition by keeping the right company.
- Make the effort to read Salaah punctually.
Men should make every effort to read their Salaah in Jamaat.
- Read good, Islamic literature. Abstain
from magazines or books that have filthy and indecent contents
and pictures.
- Give up television viewing. …90%
of the content is Haraam. If a person offers a full glass of clean
and pure water, and mentions that there is just one drop of urine,
would any sensible person, drink it ?
- …Then when the major content
of television is Haraam, what would we then say ? When the gaze,
heart and mind are consuming and digesting so much of Haraam viewing,
what else would be the end result except indulgence in the same
Haraam.
- Lower the gaze from the opposite sex.
- Dress as a Muslim should – Wearing
the pants above the ankle and keeping the beard, one fist in length
must not be considered as insignificant actions. These are teachings
of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) which he has emphasized.
Although it is permissible to wear the shirt and pants, the dressing
of the righteous (i.e. the kurta) has a speciality which benefits
in different ways. A person with this appearance will think a
hundred times before engaging in an open sin, when he is being
recognized as someone who must be very pious. So this attire and
appearance will offer a protection, Insha-Allah. Women too should
dress modestly as is prescribed by Shariah.
- By doing these few things, you have
won more than half the battle. And it is not as difficult as Shaytaan
and nafs will whisper. A little courage, a little effort and a
little sacrifice are all that is required.
Of course, these are just basic aspects of Deen, which everyone
can implement immediately and easily. There is a need to fulfill
the Obligatory Injunctions such as Salaah, Zakaat, Fasting in the
month of Ramadaan, etc. and to fulfill the rights of family, neighbours
and others. There is a need to read the Qur`aan Sharief regularly,
together with some authentic commentary – a little at a time,
as well as giving time to studying some book on Islamic Jurisprudence
and reading the life and teachings of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi
wasallam) , etc. A reading of the books of virtues of actions such
as Salaah, Fasting, Haj, Sadaqaat, Zikr, etc. by Shaykh Zakariyyah
Saheb (Rahmatullah ‘alayh) will create enthusiasm in the heart
for action.
May Allah Ta’ala grant us His
Love and the Love of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) , such
that it becomes easy to give up all sins and submit to His Obedience.
May He protect us all from the mischief of nafs and Shaytaan. May
He fill our hearts with Love for this beautiful Deen and inspire
us in being a practical and good Muslims and be true role-models
to our community. |
