Inviting Curses
The story of Hazrat Aadam (عليه السلام) is known to all of us. When Allah Ta’ala commanded the angels to bow down before Nabi Aadam (عليه السلام)– in honour and respect – it was Iblees who refused to do so. Allah Ta’ala asked him: قَالَ يٰۤإِبْلِيْسُ مَا مَنَعَكَ أَنْ تَسْجُدَ لِمَا خَلَقْتُ بِيَدَيَّ ط أَسْتَكْبَرْتَ أَمْ كُنْتَ مِنَ الْعَالِيْنَ “He (Allah Ta’ala) said, ‘O Iblees, what did prevent you from prostrating before what I created with MY Hands? Did you wax proud or were you among the lofty ones?” Iblees proclaimed his arrogance before Allah Ta’ala, asserting the claim of being greater and better than Nabi Aadam (عليه السلام). أَنَا خَيْرٌ مِّنْهُ ج خَلَقْتَنِىْ مِنْ نَّارٍ وَّخَلَقْتَهٗ مِنْ طِيْنٍ ‘I am better than he. You created me from fire, and him from clay.’ [Surah Sad 38:75/76] On this refusal and rejection of the Command of Allah Ta’ala, Allah Ta’ala banished him from Jannah. Open the ears of the heart and listen. And listen carefully. Allah Ta’ala said : قَالَ فَاخْرُجْ مِنْهَا فَإِنَّكَ رَجِيْمٌ ۚ وَإِنَّ عَلَيْكَ لَعْنَتِيْۤ إِلٰى يَوْمِ الدِّيْنِ ◌ “He (Allah Ta’ala) said, ‘Then, get out from here, for you are accursed. And on you shall remain My curse till the Day of Judgment.” [Surah Sad 38:77/78] This was because he refused ONE Sajdah – which was on the Command of Allah Ta’ala. Let us consider our condition: How many Salaah are missed? How many Sajdas are missed? On all of this negligence – and many a time, it is deliberate negligence, let us consider how many curses we are inviting into our lives and in our family life. What will our condition be on the Day of Qiyamah if Allah Ta’ala rejects us for the numerous Sajdahs we refused to make? Rasulullah Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam said that Allah Ta’ala said: “O Muhammad! I have made a covenant with Myself, that whosoever is regular in performing his Salaah at its fixed hour, he shall be admitted into Jannah. Those of your followers who do not guard their Salaah are not included in this covenant.” – Abu Dawood. May Allah Ta’ala grant us the Taufeeq of obedience to all of Allah Ta’ala’s Commandments.
Burma: A Lesson for Us
Burma: A Lesson for Us by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Rahimahullah) When Maulana Sayyid Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi (Rahimahullah) visited Burma in the early 1960s, he addressed the Muslims, who were living in great wealth, who were extravagant and lavish and were very negligent of Deen and the work of Deen. The gist of Hazrat Maulana’s (Rahimahullah) speech was: “If I have to see a pregnant woman and say that she will be delivering a child – then I am not making a claim of being a Nabi of Allah Ta’ala. The signs are there and it is evident that she will, Insha-Allah, deliver a baby. If I have to see dark clouds gathering and I say that rain is expected, this is not a prophecy that I am making. The signs are there. …Similarly, looking at your condition, I say: Make an effort on Deen; establish Deen. Allah Ta’ala will assist you and protect you. If you do not change and you do not establish Deen in your life and you do not do the work of Deen, then you will not be able to live in this country; very difficult times will visit and the Azaab (punishment) of Allah Ta’ala will descend upon you.” The advice given by Hazrat Maulana Sayyid Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi (Rahimahullah) relates to all Muslims, wherever they are in the world. …But how true are these words: I met a person in Madina Shareef. He was from Burma. He related his story to me, saying that they were extremely wealthy and lavish. If they had any function, one chicken would be provided for each guest – one entire chicken per person, and then the wastage! When the revolution took place, the soldiers said to them: “We are the owners now. If you wish, you can work for us or take 200 Rupees only and leave the country!” They were millionaires. They owned big factories and businesses. In one day, all was lost. The brother said that they had to gather all their money – all the notes – take a match and set it alight, and they watched their millions burn. And they had no choice. If they were caught with that kind of money, they would have been imprisoned. …All their hard work and they set fire to their money. What was the cause? …Negligence in practising Deen, negligence in propagating Deen and negligence in establishing Deen in their country, and then the lavishness and extravagance. …We should not sit content thinking that we are safe, because our extravagance and lavishness exceeds bounds. The consequences could be similar. May Allah Ta’ala protect us! We are seeing the Kuffaar uniting to destroy the Muslim Ummah. We were warned of this in the Hadīth. The enemy nations will invite each other to pounce upon and attack the Muslim Ummah as hungry people invite one another for food. Our downfall is due to Hubbud Dunya (Love for the world) and dislike for death. May Allah Ta’ala guide us and grant us the understanding and the Taufeeq of practising upon the teachings of the Qur’aan Shareef and Sunnah. In this lies our protection.
Expectations
Expectations By Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Sahib (Rahimahullah) Most of our arguments arise because we entertain a lot of expectations in people. If we look into our lives, we will gauge how extensive this weakness is in us. There are, of course, exceptions but on a general note, we find that parents have great expectations: When my son grows up, he will qualify from some college and will then be earning plenty of money. He will then provide for me, take care of my needs and requirements. The son grows up, obtains his degrees, goes into some profession and forgets that he even has parents. …We are living in such a time, where many children don’t care about their parents. Despite the parents making so many sacrifices, there is no mercy and no compassion from the children. Many children live for themselves, with no thought of those who brought them to this stage in their lives, where they are successful. This then creates a deep sense of disappointment, ill feelings and bitterness within the parents. Arguments arise and sometimes relationships are severed. Children, too, have a lot of expectations: My father has many properties. He is multi-rich, so he should be giving me plentiful. Whatever I ask for, he should give it to me. …More expectations. Sometimes, the mother-in-law has many expectations. She thinks: My daughter-in-law will come into the family and she will do this for me and do that for me. I will retire from my chores. I will relax. My daughter-in-law will take over these responsibilities of mine. …When the daughter-in-law arrives, the expectation is not fulfilled and fights and quarrels ensue. The daughter-in-lw also has expectations: When I am going to go there, to my in-laws, I will be treated like a queen in that house. …When she is not treated like one, she harbours bitter and bad feelings, complains and demands because she was expecting and feels that she is entitled to some kind of special treatment. This naturally leads to a strain in her marriage because the complaint is against the husband’s parents and family. Friends also have expectations: He is my friend. He will do whatever I ask him to do. …Or a person has been kind and generous to someone and entertains the expectation: I did many favours for him, so if I need to contact him and request anything, he will accommodate me – any time of day or night. …But the person does not care to reciprocate the kindness or the favours; instead he has a string of excuses. Sometimes the so-called Peer or the Shaykh has got great expectations in his Mureed. He has the hope that the Mureed will be presenting an envelope or a gift. …There are so many bogus peers. They even have a register of the names of their Mureeds and they send their Mureeds, monthly bills. They charge fees and they will go so far as to inform their Mureeds that the last month’s installment is overdue. (Na-uzu Billahi min zaalik) There is an incident about a Mureed who was very sincere in his Ta-alluq (relationship) with his Shaykh, whereas the Shaykh was a Dunya-daar person and had expectations that his Mureeds should be giving him wealth and gifts in abundance. On one occasion, the Mureed said to the Shaykh: “Hazrat, I had a dream. Your hand was in a bottle of honey and my hand was in a bottle of faeces.” The Shaykh immediately and happily said: ‘This is true! This is the reality! I am involved in Deen – honey, and you are involved in Dunya – faeces.’ The Mureed said: ‘But that was not the end of the dream. In the dream, I am sucking your finger and you are sucking my finger!’ So there are those Peers who are more interested in what material gains they can get from their Mureeds. May Allah Ta’ala protect us. Nonetheless, we want others to do for us, and when they don’t, we start blaming: My brother didn’t do this for me. My uncle didn’t do this for me. My nephew didn’t do this for me. I went to my sister and she did not listen to me. I went to my father and he did not listen to me. …This is what happens. We feel a sense of entitlement and when our expectations are not met, that inevitably leads to disappointment, depression, anger, complaints, arguments, disunity and many other problems. Therefore, we should not have expectations and hopes in any person. If we can only learn this lesson: Have hope and trust solely in Allah Ta’ala. He is the only One who can do for us. If we turn away from Allah Ta’ala and cast our attention and hopes on any other, we will meet with disappointment. …Even if the person is a millionaire or billionaire; a king or tycoon, or the owner of the oil wells of the world, his trust must be fully in Allah Ta’ala as well. It happens sometimes that a person meets someone on a journey. That person makes mention that he owns oil wells or he is the director of some big corporation or owner of some huge business. The person immediately thinks: ‘I now have got a friend. If I have any problem, all I will have to do is just contact this person and he will sort out my problems.’ …The gaze turns away from Allah Ta’ala and falls on creation. Allah Ta’ala does not like that our expectation is in people. Often, the person is humiliated and disgraced when he seeks out favours from people. Our expectation is in Allah Ta’ala because we believe that everything lies in the Control of Allah Ta’ala; all treasures are with Allah Ta’ala; there is no shortage in His treasures. If we are in need, we seek from Allah Ta’ala first. After turning to Allah
A Blessing or A Punishment
A Blessing or A Punishment By Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Rahimahullah) A person had come to meet me, to discuss some of his problems. In the conversation, he said: “Maulana, my ‘lighty’ (son) is only 24 years of age but he’s done very well for himself! He has achieved a great deal in his young age. …He has a house in a posh suburb, a luxury car and a very flourishing business – and all this is due to his hard work and effort.” I said: “Masha-Allah, it really pleases us when we hear about the progress of the Muslims, whether it is in the economic field or any other field. However, as a father, you should also look towards how well your ‘lighty’ is doing with his Ibaadah. Is there Salaah, Roza, Zakaah, Hajj in his life? Is he honest and trustworthy in his business dealings? Is he spending his wealth in the correct avenues? These are the things we must be concerned about.” As far as progress in the material field is concerned, it is a good thing and we appreciate it. If material progress is achieved with the blessings of Allah Ta’ala, this is something to be happy about. But if wealth reaches us accompanied with the displeasure of Allah Ta’ala – due to our sins – then this is very dangerous. It is no blessing; rather it is an Azaab (punishment) in a disguised form. What we really have to ascertain is, as to whether our progress and success is accompanied with the blessings of Allah Ta’ala or the displeasure and wrath of Allah. If it is the former, Alhamdulillah. The person should express tremendous gratitude and use the ni’mats (bounties) of Allah Ta’ala in a manner that will be pleasing to Him. If these material bounties are followed with the displeasure of Allah Ta’ala, then this is akin to feeding a rat. …We feed the pigeons and we feed the rats as well. We feed the pigeons or little budgies because we like them. We feed the fish in the aquarium because we want to continue to enjoy seeing them. Other animals are also fed because we have made them our pets. We like them. Since it gives us pleasure to have them and see them, we feed them. On the other hand, we also feed rats with beautiful pieces of cheese. However, those beautiful pieces of cheese are to trap the rat – because we see rats and mice as pests and not pets. Previously, traps and little cages were set up to catch the rats. Cheese was placed in the cages to attract the attention of the rat. …When the rat enters the ‘room’ (cage), it falls into deception. It thinks: Masha-Allah, a beautiful, air-conditioned room – for me!’ When it sees the cheese, it thinks: This master; the owner of this home! What a wonderful man he is! How generous! He is even concerned about my entertainment. He is very hospitable to even provide the best cheese in the country, just for me. …But we know otherwise. It is for no other purpose except to trap the rat. When the rat begins nibbling at the cheese, the trapdoor shuts and the rat is caught. What seemed so comfortable and enjoyable becomes a misfortune and curse. In a like manner, if material bounties are accompanied or followed with sins and the displeasure of Allah Ta’ala, this is like how the rat is fed. Allah Ta’ala gives out of His pleasure and He also gives out of displeasure. When Allah Ta’ala is pleased with a servant of His, He grants to him His Bounties, in this world as well as in the Aakhirah (Hereafter). … Some of the pious servants of Allah Ta’ala may not get the material bounties of this world but Allah Ta’ala gives to them the unlimited bounties of the Aakhirah. Despite the trials of this worldly life, their lives are like roses blooming amidst thorns. This contentment and Radha-bil-Qadha are also great blessings from Allah Ta’ala. …So, in accordance with His wisdom, Allah Ta’ala gives. As for so many of us, who deliberately disobey Allah Ta’ala to the extent of openly sinning; Allah Ta’ala gives us rope … gives us opportunities for Taubah. If we persist in our sins, then Azaab descends in different forms. For some, Allah Ta’ala makes life straightened and difficult. Allah Ta’ala warns us that if we turn away from His Message, life will become very difficult. “But whosoever turns away from My Reminder (i.e. neither believes in this Qur’aan nor acts on its orders, etc.) verily, for him is a life of hardship…” [Surah Ta-Ha 20 : 124) And for others, the punishment comes in the form of Istidraaj. Allah Ta’ala opens up the doors of material bounties and the person thinks that everything is well and good, but in actual fact, this is the punishment of Allah Ta’ala in a disguised form. Allah Ta’ala says: “Then, when they forgot that whereof they had been reminded, We opened unto them the gates of all things till, even as they were rejoicing in that which they were given, We seized them unawares, and Lo! they were dumbfounded.” [Surah Al-An’aam 6 : 44] The doors of all good were opened up for them. Health, wealth, properties, gold, silver, oil wells and all the worldly luxuries are made available for them… and then … “…Even as they were rejoicing in that which they were given, We seized them unawares, and Lo! they were dumbfounded.” In the midst of their luxury, pleasure and amusement, they were suddenly called to account. They were seized without warning. They plummeted into destruction and misery! May Allah Ta’ala protect us all. As for the Kuffaar (Disbelievers), Mushrikeen (Polytheists), Yahood (Jews) and Nasarah (Christians): If Allah Ta’ala gives or He does not give to them, both are forms of His
Avoid Futile Actions
In Surah Mu’minoon, Allah Ta’ala presents an outstanding quality of the Believers: وَالَّذِيۡنَ هُمۡ عَنِ اللَّغۡوِ مُعۡرِضُوۡنَۙ “…who keep themselves away from vain things …” [Surah Mu’minun 23:3] All those actions and all those activities that are vain, futile and useless are not the occupation of a Mu’min, of a true Believer. The Muslim understands that those futile actions will not help him in any way – not in this world, not in the Aakhirah, not in the Qabr – not spiritually, physically, mentally or economically. There is absolutely no benefit. It is unquestionably completely futile and useless. If the person is a Believer, he avoids and shuns deeds, actions and talk which are vain, pointless and fruitless. He does not engage in them. He does not spend hours upon hours upon hours wasting away his life in them – for he knows and he understands that life is a very precious and valuable commodity. …The world cup and other sports events also fall in this category of being absolutely futile. No one has the luxury of time, and time is not to be wasted. There is so much to do in the little life that we have. There are preparations that need to be made and provisions that need to be accumulated for the long journey ahead. If we get caught up in all the different entertainments and sporting events that are laid out – how much will that valuable time be then squandered and wasted? In Surah Al-Asr, Allah Ta’ala informs us that man is a loser if he does not spend his time fulfilling the objective of his creation. Four qualities are highlighted, which if a person has, he will be excluded from the category of the losers and will be included in the category of the successful ones, Insha-Allah: Imaan, Good deeds, Encouraging one another to do good and Towards observing patience. No one wants to be a loser, but in the light of the Qur’aan Shareef, let us assess which category we fall in. …What will we earn of Deen and Aakhirah in all this time spent in these sporting events? …Besides these sporting events being futile, they entail a great wastage of two valued commodities – wealth and time. Money is spent, and time is wasted. Rasulullah Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam informed us: ‘[On the Day of Judgment], the feet of a person will not move until he is asked regarding: (1) His life; how did he spend it, (2) His knowledge; how did he act upon it, (3) His wealth: how did he acquire and spend it, (4) His body, how did he use it.’ People are spending hours and hours – watching and talking about sports, eating and drinking, and screaming at the stadiums. Even Salaah is contaminated with sports. …We have brought that pollution into the Masjid with our talk about sports matches and sports players. We polluted our lives, our hearts, our homes and now, even the Masjid. We do not even sense the displeasure of Allah Ta’ala in our hearts. This shows the weak condition of our hearts – if we cannot even sense darkness in it. Don’t look at what people are doing, and don’t argue and fight with others. So many are listing the “benefits” and “virtues” of the World Cup. …Allah Ta’ala’s Shaan is sometimes Jalaali, sometimes Jamaali. We don’t know which Shaan of Allah Ta’ala is focused when. Therefore, we have to be very, very careful and cautious. …The soccer player understands that if he breaks the rules, a yellow card will be issued. The yellow card is a serious warning, and the player knows he will have to be more cautious and abide by the rules. If not, and he continues with foul play or foul language, the red card will be issued. He will then have to immediately leave the field and will be suspended from playing further. This is for a mere sport – something which is insignificant and completely irrelevant in the true picture of life! A Mu’min should understand that Allah Ta’ala gives us warnings in various ways and makes decisions according to our actions. At times, our sins bring upon us different punishments, and at times, those sins are such of a nature that they can take the person out of Deen. The person leaves Deen because he kept breaking the rules and did not care to rectify his actions. He had no remorse, no regret, no concern for the consequences and penalties. This is my message: Don’t think that it cannot be avoided. We avoid so many other things. Why can we not avoid this? Look at the restlessness that these sports events bring – for the whole month. May Allah Ta’ala save me, save you and protect the Ummah at large. Sukoon-e-Dil (tranquillity of the heart) will only be acquired in remembering Allah Ta’ala, fulfilling His Ahkaam and following the way of Nabi ﷺ. …This is the route of true success. These are the goals of the Believer! Strive to be a top goal scorer in Deen! Aim for the highest goals: The pleasure of Allah Ta’ala and Jannah! May Allah Ta’ala guide us and give us the Taufeeq of practising on His Commandments.
Sports – Thinking Correctly
Our condition as an Ummah is such that we have lost our direction, and we have forgotten our purpose of being in this world. In addition to the various fitan plaguing the Ummah, the sports scene – with its national and international matches, tournaments, cups, etc. – is also a severe fitnah. It is a diversion and a cause of ghaflat (heedlessness). And this ghaflat is ‘the hen that lays the eggs of all sins’. One brother said to me: “Maulana, you mentioned that you made Dua that the Saudi soccer team must lose. Should we not support our brothers?” How the mindset of the Muslim has changed! If Rasulullah ﷺ were to be present, amongst us in these times, and he is informed of the Muslim teams going around the world to play football, their dressing which exposes their thighs, the entertainment, music, photography, the women attending who are immodestly dressed, the drinking and other Haraam which will be rife at those venues, the sponsorships by those fully involved in Haraam— manufacturers of liquor, banks and other Haraam establishments, would Rasulullah ﷺ have said: Support your national team!?—Na-uzu Billah. Would he be happy with this? And would he be pleased that the Ummah considers this kind of ‘win’ a great victory? Is this what we have been sent for to win soccer matches and other games? We have lost sight of the true victory! The Sahaba-e-Kiraam (Radhiyallahu ‘anhum) saw their victory in Jihad and in Shahadah (martyrdom). In the tragic expedition of Bir-Ma’unah, when Hazrat Haram ibn Milhan (Radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was martyred, he uttered: “By the Lord of the Ka’bah! I have won!”—he achieved such a goal! Nabi ﷺ’s Duas and sympathy are with those who are following Deen and obeying him. Are we not instructed in the Qur’aan Shareef: “Follow me…”? قُلۡ اِنۡ كُنۡتُمۡ تُحِبُّوۡنَ اللّٰهَ فَاتَّبِعُوۡنِىۡ يُحۡبِبۡكُمُ اللّٰهُ وَيَغۡفِرۡ لَـكُمۡ ذُنُوۡبَكُمۡؕ وَاللّٰهُ غَفُوۡرٌ رَّحِيۡمٌ “Say (O Muhammad Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam): ‘If you really love Allah, then follow me, and Allah shall love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful.” [Surah Aal-Imraan 3:31] We also went through the high school route. In our young days, we played cricket and other sports… and we would follow the newspaper scores and commentary over the radio. There were no televisions at that time. Now, when I look back, I think: What an absolute waste of time… listening to the commentary of a few people chasing a ball from one end to the other! What did we gain? …Nothing. These thoughts … that we should be supporting our brothers who are participating in the world cup … are from shaytaan. We are to support each other in Deen; in what will draw us closer to Allah Ta’ala and what will be a means of the victory of Allah Ta’ala’s Pleasure and Jannah. وَتَعَاوَنُوۡا عَلَى الۡبِرِّ وَالتَّقۡوٰى وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوۡا عَلَى الۡاِثۡمِ وَالۡعُدۡوَانِ وَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ شَدِيۡدُ الۡعِقَابِ… “…Help one another in goodness and piety, and do not help one another in sin and aggression; and be careful of (your duty to) Allah; surely Allah is severe in requiting (evil).” [Surah Al-Maa’idah 5:2] Let us seriously reflect over our condition, make sincere Taubah and get our priorities in order. Time is running out. …We fail to understand that we are leaving this world, that our death is fast approaching, and that Qiyamah is before us. Every moment is delivering us to our grave. Every passing second our life is closing in on us. It is all coming to an end, but we are heedless and unmindful. In watching and following the world cup, we forget the cup of death. We will have to drink of that cup. Allah Ta’ala mentions in Surah Al-Ambiyaa: اِقۡتَرَبَ لِلنَّاسِ حِسَابُهُمۡ وَهُمۡ فِىۡ غَفۡلَةٍ مُّعۡرِضُوۡنَۚ ‘Closer and closer to mankind comes their reckoning: yet they heed not and they turn away.’ [Surah Ambiyaa 21:1] May Allah Ta’ala guide us and give us the correct understanding of the purpose of this worldly life.
I’tikaaf – An Analogy
“When a car has been badly smashed and damaged, it is taken to the panel-beater. It is repaired using different skills until it is back in shape and to its pre-accident condition. The procedure involves removing, repairing and replacing damaged parts, spray painting, etc. Special equipment is also used. After the hammering, welding and so forth, the car is in show-room condition. However, the car is not meant to remain in the panel-beating workshop; it is to be driven out on the roads. Similarly, we come into I’tikaaf with our spiritual hearts smashed and damaged with sins. The I’tikaaf – as well as our time at the Khanqah, in Jamaat or Hajj – is that opportunity to panel-beat the heart back into its original sound and pure state. The time in I’tikaaf gives us the opportunity to make sincere Taubah and engage in various Ibaadaat to get back into our pre-accident condition. However, we will not be staying in the Masjid, in I’tikaaf, all year round. We will have to leave, go back to our families, go out and do our work of dunya as well. Insha-Allah, with the correct intention and effort, we will leave the I’tikaaf with a heart which is in a sound and strong condition. We should also keep in mind that no one sends his car for panel-beating and intends that the moment he drives it outside, he will smash his car again. He will take great precaution after his first experience. Similarly, we will take more precaution that we do not commit sins and damage the heart again!”
Flights To Allah Ta’ala
“Each odd night, in the last ten nights of Ramadaan, offers us a “flight” to connect with Allah Ta’ala. Even if the entire month may have passed in negligence, Allah Ta’ala, in His Infinite Mercy, gives us these odd nights to make amends and connect with Him. If a person wants to make Hajj, there are many flights that leave for the Haramain Shareefain, but he will have to board one of them. Similarly, if we want to connect with Allah Ta’ala and gain His Forgiveness, we too have to board these flights on the odd nights 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th and 29th. Don’t miss out on the great bounties to be found in these Mubarak nights – of forgiveness, mercy and fulfilment of Duas.”
The Masjid of Rasulullah ﷺ
By Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Sahib (Rahimahullah) The Masjid of Rasulullah ﷺ was so simple that it was made of mud walls; the roof was made of palm leaves, and the palm tree trunks were used as pillars. The entire Masjid did not have a roof, nor was there anything that covered the ground. When it rained, the roof leaked, the ground became mud, and Salaah would be performed like that. The greatest Nabi of Allah Ta’ala, the Beloved of Allah Ta’ala ﷺ, yet his Masjid was so simple. These days, we want all the physical comforts, and thereafter, we will make Salaah. It is not easy to make everything comfortable for everyone in the Masjid. Some feel cold, others feel hot and it is not possible to adjust the fans or air-conditioners to suit all. We are supposed to become Mujahids in the Masjid – but instead, we just want ease, comfort and luxuries. Due to our weakness, we do not have such simple Masaajid. Of course, it is permissible to have a well-built Masjid, carpets, air-conditioners and so forth. However, the purpose of building Masaajid is not for the luxuries, decorative designs and architecture, or to compete with others. It is for the Ibaadah of Allah Ta’ala. Hazratjee, Maulana Yusuf (Rahmatullahi’ alayh) used to say: “In the time of Rasulullah Sallallaahu’ alayhi wasallam, the Masjid was kachha (made of mud walls) but the Musallis were pakka (true and genuine). Nowadays, the Masaajid are pakka (i.e., the buildings are solid), but the Musallis are kachha (weak in the Imaan and a’maal).” The Sahabah (Radhiyallahu ‘anhum) were solid in their Imaan. Nothing would shake their Imaan. They were able to conquer the world with their solid Imaan and solid characters. The preparation of their noble character was in the Masjid. Hazratjee, Maulana Yusuf (Rahimahullah) also said that we are in deception, thinking that our money governs the Masjid. We make the Masaajid elaborate and focus on material commodities for the Masjid, but it has become empty of the A’maal which were found in Masjidun-Nabawi (Sallallaahu’ alayhi wasallam). We, ourselves, are not present in the Masjid; negligent with Salaah in Jamaat and even turn away from the call of the Mu’azzin, yet it is in the Masjid where our Imaan is developed. It is where our brotherhood is established. It is where our unity is cemented. So many Masaajid are built at great expense, but some are empty, and others have just a handful of Musallis, despite so many Muslims residing in those areas. In the time of Rasulullah ﷺ, the Masjid was so simple that it did not have expenses. However, the people attended the Masjid. Their hearts were attached to the Masjid. They loved the Masjid. Besides the Jamaat Salaah, they were engaged in acquiring Ilm (knowledge), in Zikrullah (Remembrance of Allah Ta’ala), Dua and other Ibaadaat in the Masjid. There, they were also trained to become Da’ees and to strive for Deen. The Masjid was the training centre for all activities of good for the Believer. And the fruit of it was seen at Badr, Uhud, Khandaq, Fath-e-Makkah, etc. Thereafter, when the Sahaba-e-Kiraam (Radhiyallahu’ anhum) went out in the world, Allah Ta’ala gave them authority and rule over vast territories. They not only conquered lands; they conquered hearts. Thousands upon thousands came into the fold of Islam. When we compare; how contrasting our Masaajid are to the Masjid of Rasulullah ﷺ , how different we are to the Musallis who frequented the Masjid in the time of Rasulullah ﷺ – the Sahaba-e-Kiraam (Radhiyallahu’ anhum); how neglectful we have become of the A’maal of the Masjid. The consequences of our heedlessness are experienced throughout the Muslim world. We are seeing the difficulties and suffering. Again, there is nothing wrong with having different amenities in the Masjid for our comfort, but we need to bring those A’maal alive in the Masjid, as was done in the time of Rasulullah ﷺ and the Sahaba-e-Kiraam (Radhiyallahu’ anhum). We will have to frequent the Masjid to do so; otherwise, how will we achieve this? When we attend the Salaah in the Masjid, engage in other forms of Ibaadah and activities of the Masjid, and accordingly live our lives in obedience to Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul ﷺ and give up our sins, we will then invite the Pleasure of Allah Ta’ala, His Mercy, His Protection, His Help and success in both worlds. The sad state and distressing plight of the Muslim Ummah will most definitely change for the better. May Allah Ta’ala grant us the Taufeeq of Aml.
Keeping the Spirit of Ramadan Alive
Keeping the Spirit of Ramadan Alive by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (rahmatullah ‘alayh) In a world that has become rather strange and peculiar, we find in the quest for peace that nations of the world are waging wars of devastation and destruction against each other. World governments look towards war as the solution for peace. Greed and selfishness are considered the key to the success of man. In the clamour for justice, injustice towers over and above, in all its ugliness. Instead of peace, freedom, success and justice, man finds himself shackled under the yoke of more and more tribulations. Despite the billions of dollars spent on sophisticated technology to establish law and order and eliminate crimes of theft, murder, bribery, corruption, rape, fraud, hijackings and so forth, crime has not been eradicated nor reduced by any percentage. Instead, there has been, and there is, a daily escalation in all criminal offences. Frequent get-togethers of the so-called masterminds of the world, summit conferences and high-level discussions have all failed to provide a solution to man’s economic, political, cultural and social problems. Man is a created being, and only Divine guidance can solve his problems. The reality is clear: The heavy arm of the law on its own, just legislation, the imposition of fines and jail sentences, cannot and will not solve problems that face mankind. The only sure deterrent to crimes of all kinds is firm conviction and belief in our Creator, a life hereafter and a day of judgement, where complete justice will be meted out. These are long-term solutions and solutions that were proven to give the best results and create the best societies on the face of the earth. The obligation of fasting in the month of Ramadan for the Believers —men and women, who are sane and healthy, is a clear message to mankind that unrestricted indulgence in fulfilling the desires of one’s base or animal self has to be curbed for some time to give an upliftment to one’s spiritual self. The object of fasting, as described in the Holy Qur’an is: “O you who believe, the fasts have been enjoined upon you as they were enjoined upon those before you, so that you may be God-fearing.” [ Surah Al-Baqarah 2:183] During the auspicious month of Ramadan, a fasting person abstains from food, drink and sexual relations from dawn until sunset in obedience to the command of his Creator. The month is a training whereby the Believer’s trait of being God-conscious is nurtured. Even though he may be in place of total privacy and seclusion on the hottest day of the year, he does not submit to the temptation of sipping even a few drops of water because he is convinced that he cannot evade the sight of the All-Observing Almighty. If the spirit of fasting were to become a reality in the society of Muslims who have observed the fasts of Ramadan, and it has advanced our piety, then mankind would see a society in which every person becomes the guardian of respect, honour, a society in which the needy, poor, destitute, and the under-privileged are taken cared for. A society in which honesty, chastity, nobility, kindness, compassion, mercy and forgiveness shine forth like the midday sun; a society in which no harm is caused to any human or animal without a just reason; and a society in which material progress does not bring about a moral collapse. Eidul Fitr signifies the end of this fasting period and is a day of joy and thanksgiving. Still, despite being a day of celebration, the day commences with an additional prayer after sunrise, reminding the believers that the object of fasting must be entirely borne in mind even after Ramadan. A believer must be aware that he was made to observe the fast to become God-conscious, pious and self-restraining. His natural inclinations to eating, drinking and fulfilling his sexual passions were curbed for a month from dawn to sunset – the willpower to abstain from all evil and submit himself to the will of the Creator should now be easy for the months to follow. Ramadan was a golden opportunity for the Muslim community to bring about a total transformation in all spheres of their lives. Eid and the days to follow are opportunities to demonstrate the moral upliftment and spiritual elevation gained through fasting by showing compassion, mercy and kindness towards the creation of the Almighty. Whilst conveying to the Muslim community best wishes for a Happy Eid, I make a humble appeal to every Muslim brother and sister to keep the spirit of fasting alive – Let obedience of Allah Ta’ala shine forth from this day forward. Let the rest of mankind observe the effect that fasting has in changing the outlook of a believing Muslim. Let the world observe a community free from all sins, crime and vice and let us be an example which is worthy of emulation and of others accepting Islam.