We often hear helicopters circling
the area; generally searching for some hijacked vehicle. This is
a common observation and experience in the area.If it is night,
then the helicopter uses a powerful light as a search light.
Listening to and observing this, the following analogy came to
mind :
The Auliya Allah, the Mashaa`ik, are like those helicopters,
except that they are searching for those persons who have been hijacked
by nafs and Shaytaan - people like us.
The Auliya Allah also possess a very powerful light in their hearts:
It is Noor that has developed in their hearts through obedience
to Allah Ta’ala and Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'alayhi waSallam) as
well as total abstinence from sins. With this powerful Noor, they
are able to search out and save thousands, if not millions.
We know that if the hijacked vehicle is found and returned to the
owner, then the owner is naturally very happy, more especially if
his car is a very expensive one. Similarly, if due to the search
efforts made, not only by the Auliya Allah, but by all Muslims,
others return to Allah Ta’ala’s obedience, or return
to Imaan and Islam, Allah Ta’ala’s happiness is much,
much greater than that of the car owner.
The owner of the car may either thank the person who found his
car or if he is of a noble disposition, he will express his gratitude
with some gift. Allah Ta’ala is by far more generous and appreciative
and His rewards are granted in various forms, in this world as well
as the hereafter, for those who make the effort of searching and
saving hijacked persons – those “hijacked” by
nafs and Shaytaan.
Then again, looking at the life of the Muslim, we find that it
is a “Rescue Mission”: He or she is
always prepared to make sacrifices to save the spiritual lives of
others.
How often we read of the rescue missions that go out to sea, to
rescue someone or the other carried away by strong current, or those
struggling to survive due to the ship sinking, or those who need
to be evacuated from ships. We find that the pilot is well-trained
for the operation and those persons, those rescue swimmers, who
form part of the rescue team, are physically strong, fit, able and
very experienced in their field. They have to be highly skilled
to ensure that the operation is a successful one. If not, they too
will become victim to the waters of the oceans.
Similarly, as Muslims who are rescue swimmers and ‘spiritual’
life savers in the field of Da`wah and Tabligh, we have got to be
spiritually strong, fit and able and gain in experience …
otherwise the current of fitnahs may sweep us away also.
If we are spiritually weak, then we too can end up drowning
in some sin or the other. And this is very much a reality : Many
who have surface knowledge and they have not made much of an effort
against their nafs, become victim to the storms of some sin or the
other.
Similarly, the Muslim is a Paramedic. Every Muslim
should be qualified in the basics on how to save the spiritual lives
of those who meet up with tragic accidents (that is, they fall into
sins). If we are in the know-how, then we will be able to apply
ourselves immediately in aiding and saving such people from spiritual
death.
…How often it is the CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation)
or artificial respiration given, before being taken to hospital
that saves the person... Even though the person’s situation
will still be critical, he has been revived with CPR and the chances
are thus strong of his survival if he is taken to a hospital immediately.
Similarly, we need to learn spiritual CPR for emergency
cases – that is, make sincere dua for hidayat; but the building
of our spiritual stamina, the training and the expertise comes in
keeping company with those qualified and masters in the field –
our Mashaa`ik and Ulama-e-Haq.
Another analogy is that of the Tracking and Security companies and
search parties that are formed to track kidnapped children or hijacked
persons. The Muslim is a tracking company: He searches,
invites and calls the disbelievers to Imaan and Islam, and the weak
Muslims, to stronger Imaan.
Unfortunately, the state of affairs today is that many a time the
guards hired from security companies turn out to the thieves, hijackers,
criminals. Here in South Africa, we have security guards and police
officers being caught, arrested and apprehended.
Sadly, many Muslims have also become hijackers, taking
their Muslim brothers and sisters to Haraam – casinos, clubs,
pornography, music and so forth. Or some give the injection of spiritual
death, with drugs and other such Haraam, or kufr ideologies.
…Instead of saving from the fire of Jahannum, many invite
others to join them, to accompany them, in disobedience and even
rejection of Allah Ta’ala and His Ahkaam (Laws). Allah Ta’ala
have mercy upon us – because this is truly a reality. The
Majority invite to the Fire, but the Auliya Allah invite to Paradise.
The majority “go with the flow”. The Auliya Allah move
against the current of fitan.
Despite the difficulties and challenges, the help of Allah Ta’ala
is with those who are his friends. Take heed :
“If you obey the majority of the people
on earth they will take you astray from Allah’s path.
They follow nothing but conjecture & do nothing but lie”.
[Surah An’aam 6 : 116]
“Your (real) friends are (no
less than) Allah, His Apostle, and the (Fellowship of) Believers,
- those who establish regular prayers, and regular charity, and
they bow down humbly (in worship).”
[Surah Maa`idah 5 : 58]
"The (true) believers are those only
who believe in Allah and His messenger and afterward doubt not,
but strive with their wealth and their lives for the cause of Allah.
Such are the sincere." |