Integrity and Honesty
Integrity and Honesty by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (rahmatullah ‘alayh) It has been mentioned in a Hadith[1] that a pious person from the Bani Isra’il took a loan of 1000 gold coins and, fixing a date, promised to pay it back at that time. The person giving the loan required witnesses. The pious person said: ‘Allah is sufficient as a witness.’ He was then asked: ‘Who stands surety on your behalf ?’ The pious person replied: ‘Allah is sufficient as a surety.’ The person giving the loan accepted this, saying: ‘You have spoken the truth.’ And without further consideration, handed over to him a thousand gold coins. On the due date, due to a flood, the saintly person could not find a boat to take him across to his creditor to make the payment. This both perplexed him and hurt his conscience. The people of the past had integrity and honesty. They stood by their word. The thought of deliberately breaking their promises or going against their word did not even pass through their minds.[2] Nevertheless, such was this saintly person’s predicament. Having found some wood, he made a hollow in that piece of wood and, in desperation, placed 1000 gold coins and a note therein that it be given to such and such a person. Since this person’s niyyah (intention) was correct, he received Allah Ta’ala’s assistance. Taking the piece of wood to the river, he said: ‘O Allah! You know well that I took a loan of a thousand Dinars from so and so. He demanded a surety from me, but I told him that Allah’s guarantee was sufficient, and he accepted Your guarantee. He then asked for a witness, and I told him that Allah was sufficient as a witness, and he accepted You as a witness. I have tried hard to find a conveyance so that I could pay him his money but could not find one, so I hand over this money to You.’ Saying this, he threw the piece of wood into the river and placed his trust in Allah Ta’ala. On the other side, the creditor was waiting for the arrival of the boat that was to bring his money. He went to the riverbank, and as he paced about, losing hope in his debtor returning, he noticed the log (wherein his money was deposited). He picked it up and took it home to use as firewood. When he struck the axe against the log, and it split open, he found the 1000 gold coins with the note, wherein his debtor had written that since he could not get a boat in due time, he had opted to mete out his payment in this manner, trusting solely in Allah Ta’ala. Upon return, the saintly person was anxious to find out whether his creditor had received the money. Taking another one thousand gold coins with him, he went to the creditor’s home with the intention of making a late payment had the creditor not received his money. After explaining his plight and offering the thousand gold coins, the creditor truthfully told him that Allah Ta’ala had already delivered the money he had sent in the piece of wood, and the saintly person was told to keep the thousand gold coins which he had brought with him. That was their level of honesty and trustworthiness; for that, Allah Ta’ala gave them plenty of barakah (blessings) -a far cry from present-day experiences with even Muslim businessmen and traders. Due to the temptations faced by traders, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) enumerated many great rewards for the honest trader[3]. It is mentioned in a Hadith that an honest and trustworthy merchant shall be with the Ambiya (‘alaihimus salam), the Martyrs and the pious.[4] Allah Ta’ala opens the doors of rizq (sustenance) and barakah (blessings) for the honest and truthful ones. All the same, Allah Ta’ala has presented various laws on loans, which we are instructed to implement in our transactions. This is especially necessary in these times of hypocrisy, cheating and deceit when we cannot even trust some of those who have adopted the garb of the pious and have a connection with the Masjid (mosque) and Deen. Due to fraudulent deals, even family members and friends are not being trusted anymore. In Surah Baqarah, Allah Ta’ala states : ‘O you who believe, when you transact a debt payable at a specified time, put it in writing… – … it is more just in the sight of Allah, More suitable as evidence, and more convenient to prevent doubts among yourselves …’ [surah baqarah 2: 282] Allah Ta’ala clearly outlines and establishes various directives for a loan in this ayah (verse), which has more details of importance. The gist of which directs towards a written document to be drafted for such transactions, wherein the names of all parties, the analysis, the exact due date of payment and fine points of the transaction are distinctly and unambiguously stated. The wisdom behind written agreements is that it is a precaution against breach, oversight, misunderstanding or dispute and conflict at a later stage. Allah Ta’ala also calls for witnesses to such transactions since they would verify and resolve any dispute that may arise in future. [1] Bukhari [2] Rasulullah (sallallahu’ alayhi wasallam) has said: “Whoever has the following four (characteristics) will be a pure hypocrite and whoever has one of the following four characteristics will have one characteristic of hypocrisy unless and until he gives it up. Whenever he is entrusted, he betrays. Whenever he speaks, he tells a lie. Whenever he makes a covenant, he proves treacherous. When he quarrels, he uses foul speech. [3] Mu’amalat is a branch of Shariah dealing with business and trade. It is compulsory (Fardh) for a person involved in business and trade to learn the relevant masa’il (rules). [4] Tirmidhi
Business and Salah
Business and Salah by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (rahmatullah ‘alayh) Once, a person asked me: “I am in my business from the morning; and from the business, I proceed to the Masjid for Zuhr, Asr, and Maghrib. I join the Salah with “Allahu Akbar”, but then it seems as if the whole business comes into that Salah. How do I get concentration?” I replied: “You came out of business and went directly into Salah. At least your complaint is about your business consuming your thoughts while in Salah. Others complain of their Salah being contaminated with television, pornography, sport, video games, etc. They also hear the Azaan, enter into Salah, but their complaint is that the images of filthy women come before them in their Sajdas (Na ‘uzu Billah).” People have written to me at a loss because their minds are picturing Haraam in that Sajda —that Sajda where they are supposed to be closest to Allah Ta’ala.” I explained: “Allah Ta’ala’s Ihsan (favour) is always all-embracing, so He granted the Sunnah Salah to us before the Fardh Salah. It is only Maghrib which is read immediately after the Azaan. Regarding the Salah, we should not wait for the Azaan and proceed to the Masjid or Musallah. If a person has no excuse, he should be in the Masjid by the time the Azaan is completed, preferably having completed his Wudhu. After responding to the Azaan and making a Du’aa (since this is a time of the acceptance of Dua), the Sunnah Salah should be read. Unfortunately, we complete 4 Rakats in one minute ‘flat’. We want to show speed in Salah since we cannot show speed in any marathon. If carried out as Sunnah, the 4 Rakats of Sunnah will take about 5 minutes. After Sunnah Salah, there will still be a few minutes left before the Jamaat Salah commences. During those minutes, make Istighfaar, Taubah, think of Aakhirah and accountability and presentation of deeds on the Day of Qiyaamah. Reflect on one’s life. What if my death has to come now? Like this, you cut off the business and worldly thoughts as much as possible. Now commences the Fardh Salah, by which 80% of the heart will be in that Salah, insha Allah. If the effort continues, the person will experience “Mi’raj” in his Salah.” Alhamdulillah, many, having followed through with this advice, have found a world of difference in their Salah. When the Sahabah (rahiyallahu ‘anhum) entered Salah, how is it that they were able to maintain their Khushu’ (concentration) in Salah -why is it that they were not disturbed by worldly thoughts, like how we are plagued with worldly thoughts? They, too, came into Salah from the business world yet proceeded directly into the Mi’raj of Salah. The Kaifiyyat was different. From the time they commenced preparation for their Salah, making Wudhu, etc., the kaifiyat was different. It was very unlike our condition: We are talking, joking and laughing, and we enter the Masjid in this manner. On the other hand, they truly understood and believed that they would now stand before Allah Ta’ala – as will be on the Day of Qiyamah. The Ayah described their condition: “And as for those who were in awe of standing before their Lord and restrained themselves from (evil) desires…” [Surah Nazi’at 79:40] So why was it that their Salah was not affected, and they were not diverted or distracted by what they were, until then, occupied with? After all, they were also in business and trade, agriculture, and other avenues of earning a living. They were also selling different items and animals, planting crops, moving into foreign lands and engaging in big business. Allah Ta’ala says in Surah Nur: “…men who are not distracted—either by buying or selling—from Allah’s remembrance, or performing prayer, or paying Zakah. They fear a Day when hearts and eyes will tremble,…” [Surah Nur 24:37] Men, whose businesses and transactions, exporting and importing, do not divert them from the remembrance of Allah Ta’ala, do not distract them from the establishment of Salah, and giving Zakah … Allah Ta’ala brought to my heart a beautiful point concerning why the Sahabah (rahiyallahu ‘anhum) were not disturbed in their concentration. And that is that they were men – the true believing men, whose businesses did not prevent them from obedience or divert their attention. Why was their Salah not affected even though they came out of business? Because they came out of one Ibaadah into another. Therefore, from one Ibaadah, they entered into another Ibaadah. They were conscious of Allah Ta’ala’s presence at all times, even in their businesses. Thus, their business was also “Zikrullah”. The same awareness was required for Salah, but this was their condition at all times. In their businesses, they were cautious. Their trade, talking, selling, and purchasing were all carried out as sanctioned by Shari’ah. Their intentions were noble, their efforts were clean, and their earnings were Halaal and pure. They worked not to extend their hands and beg of others. They worked to support their families, contribute to good causes, assist others, give Zakaah, go for Hajj, and so forth. Their intentions were correct, and their businesses were conducted in the manner approved by Allah Ta’ala. That person who has made his business into Ibaadah, then his concentration will remain in Salah. It does not mean that a person is just holding a Tasbih all the time and reading: ‘SubhanAllah, SubhanAllah…’. Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (rahmatullah ‘alayh) mentioned that if a person is selling – for example, mangoes – and goes on repeating: “Mangoes, Mangoes …”, he will get the reward of Tasbeeh because the person’s effort is to acquire Halaal sustenance. So, the Sahabah (rahiyallahu ‘anhum) were conscious of Allah Ta’ala’s presence and were mindful of all the Ahkaam (Laws) pertaining to trade and business, so they simply moved from one Ibaadah to another. Unlike us, our
Avoiding the Forbidden Handshake
Avoiding the Forbidden Handshake by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (rahmatullah ‘alayh) In business, men and women often offer their hands for a handshake. It is a formality and is considered part of good business dealings and interactions. Many brothers enquire as to how to deal with such situations. As Muslims, we keep before us the Command of Allah Ta’ala: That it is Haraam (forbidden) for us to touch, let alone shake the hand of a strange woman (or vice versa). Rasulullah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “It is better for an iron rod (nail) to be driven into the head of a man, than for him to touch a woman who is not permissible for him.”[1] Moreover, Allah Ta’ala’s Pleasure comes before any form of social etiquette – when it contradicts Shari’ah. In such a circumstance, where a woman extends her hands, then averting the gaze, politely tell her: “It should not be taken as an insult that I do not shake your hand. It is from my religious teachings that Muslim men are not allowed to shake the hands of those females who are not related to them. It is also out of respect for you, and it is out of loyalty to my wife, that I do not touch a strange woman.” Simple! There is nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about, nor is there a need to be apologetic. There is also no need for a lengthy speech. It is evident that such a teaching is full of wisdom and protection, and it directs towards modest conduct and respect for others. Similarly, we should lower our gazes and avoid looking at strange women. These are commandments, which if practised, will truly impress and attract those who are non-Muslims. Many have accepted Islam, observing such high levels of respect, modesty, purity and noble character. [1] Al Mu’jamul Kabir