Recognising Truth and Falsehood
by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (rahmatullah ‘alayh)
Rasulullah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was the teacher of Haq, and through him, we received our Iman and Islam. From him, we learnt how to differentiate between Haq and Batil (Truth and Falsehood). We also learn how to preserve, nourish and strengthen our Imaan, love Allah Ta’ala and establish a beautiful friendship with him, such that we return to and meet Him in a condition that He is pleased to meet us, and we are happy to meet Him.
Amongst thousands of beautiful Masnun Duas, the following Dua has also been taught by our Beloved Rasul (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), whereby we ask Allah Ta’ala to make apparent to us, what is Haq and Baatil, and grant us the Taufeeq and ability to follow what is Haq and stay away and refrain from whatever is Batil.
The Dua is as follows:
O Allah! Enable us to see the Truth as Truth and give us the ability to follow it. And show us the falsehood as false and give us the ability to refrain from it.
There was no question of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) considering Haq as Baatil or Baatil as Haq. Everything said and done by Rasulullah (sallallahu’ alayhi wasallam) was inspiration from Allah Ta’ala:
“And he does not speak out of (his own) desire. It is only a revelation sent down to him)”
[Surah An-Najm 53:3-4]
This Dua was made as a lesson for the Ummah. It was to teach the Ummah –especially people like us, living in these times of great Fitnah, where for many, Baatil is no longer regarded as Baatil and Haq is no longer regarded as Haq.
Looking at these times, we see people from all walks of life research Islam and come to conclusions that conflict with what Islam truly is. We see Muslims who speak about the need for Haraam to be Halaal, such as the giving and taking of interest. We see Muslims, influenced by the different “isms”, misinterpret Islam, and clamour for changes in Shariah or call for a modern approach, living in modern times —Na ‘uzu billahi min zalik.
There is such an onslaught of Batil, and so many are caught up in that assault, in that ambush.
Placed in this present day and age, living in these times, we now truly appreciate this Dua. We see that in whatever Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) taught us, cautioned us about, or informed us of — every statement of that is true to the letter.
We learn that knowing Haq is not sufficient because many know Haq but do not practice it.
Who does not know that pornography is Haraam? Who does not know that adultery is Haraam? That to gamble, take or give interest, miss Salaah, speak lies, commit fraud, etc., is Haraam? Generally, Muslims are acquainted with Halaal and Haraam. However, despite knowing, many of us do not practice. No Salaah, Zakaah, Fasting and other Deeni obligations are being fulfilled.
Accordingly, the Dua continues, asking for the Taufiq of Ittiba – the ability to practise on it; because Amal (practice) is necessary.
After that, the Dua is:
And show us the falsehood as false and give us the ability to refrain from it.
We are asking Allah Ta’ala that He make known to us, apparent to us, clear to us, whatever is Haraam, sinful, detested and disliked by Him.
Often, a person sees the Haq as Baatil and vice versa. So Dua is made so that we know what Haq is and what Baatil is, without any confusion and uncertainty, that we can easily differentiate between the two.
Like a tsunami, sin and falsehood are sweeping through the Muslim Ummah. All around us, we find that Batil is widespread. It has become the norm; it is in vogue, and the majority accepts it and engages in it. It is not even considered Haraam.
Take the example of photography – the good and the bad, the ignorant and even the even learned ones are caught up in this vice. No one speaks out against it; if a person does, he is labelled as orthodox and outdated.
The same with television —If someone has to advise against viewing television, not only will people argue, they will present the “Fazaa’il” (virtues) of television – despite 80% of those programmes being immoral and Haraam.
Nafs and Shaytan blind the person to the great harms of Haraam, and the person sees only benefit.
The sad conditions and plight of the Ummah are gauged when we see the extent of Baatil in our personal lives, and we see how the culture and customs of the Kuffaar have become dominant and have replaced the practical implementation of Islam —and everyone is quite content and comfortable living with that.
When the Sahaba (rahiyallahu ‘anhum) accepted Islam, despite most of them coming out of Kufr and Shirk, there was no sign of Kufr in their lives after that.
We were born and brought up in Islam. We have Islam, but the culture of the Kuffaar is found in all dimensions of our lives —our homes, businesses, Nikahs and Walimas, and our dressing. Sometimes there is no trace of Islam. Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’oon.
In this Dua, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) used the word “warzuqna”.
My respected Shaykh, Hazrat Maulana Hakim Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (rahmatullah’ alayh) beautifully explained that just as we search for our Rizq, we look forward to it, we enjoy it —so too, Haq should become like our Rizq.
Like how we seek sustenance, in the same way, we should seek good deeds —with eagerness and enthusiasm.
From the early hours of the morning, millions of people are on the move, travelling by car, bus, train, and plane – active in the effort of sustenance, and there seems to be no satisfaction when it comes to wanting more and more of the material world. Even if a person is multi-rich, we find the person is still seeking more. There is just no contentment.
In this Dua, we are asking that we are not content except pursuing the Rizq of Haq, the Rizq of Ibadah, and the Rizq of Sawaab. Ittiba of Haq must become our spiritual Rizq, and this Haq includes both the rights of Allah Ta’ala and the rights of creation —of parents, wife (or husband), children, neighbours, and others.
Furthermore, we all know that we require food for our survival.
When a person has not eaten in many days, his hearing is affected, his sight is affected, and his speech is affected. Weakness sets in. Similarly, without the spiritual nourishment of Haq —knowing it and practising it, Imaan will weaken and deteriorate on all fronts.
Added to this, the Hadith informs us: “No soul will die until it completes its sustenance.” [1] —a person does not die until he has eaten the last grain of food which is destined for him.
Similarly, we ask Allah Ta’ala that Haq be the same to us, that we complete our lives on the Rizq of Haq, and that our lives end on Haq, on Imaan.
We are also asking for Taufeeq to stay away from sin, with the same kind of happiness as when we seek our Rizq; we look forward to restraining ourselves from all Haraam.
Just as a Muslim does not go out in search of pigs for his Rizq; rather, he keeps clear of pigs and pork —so too, should he stay away from Baatil. Just as pigs are Haraam, so too is everything else classified as sin.
Unfortunately, we find that many seek out Haraam. They plan and make arrangements for indulgence in Haraam —going to the cinemas and casinos, visiting porn sites, taking and giving interest, etc. May Allah Ta’ala protect us all.
Abstinence from sins and doing good deeds must be done just as how we find our sustenance —enjoyable. This, in turn, will bring happiness and Sukoon.
If this becomes the condition of a person: He pursues good deeds with that kind of eagerness and abstains from sins, with that kind of happiness, as sustenance is enjoyed, the person becomes a Waliyyullah.
We should learn this Dua, teach it to others and frequently recite it. May Allah Ta’ala grant us Taufiq (ability) to do so, Aameen.
[1] Ibn Majah