Honour
Honour by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (rahmatullah ‘alayh) Allah Ta’ala has mentioned in the Qur’an Sharif, in Surah Munafiqun: “…And to Allah belongs the honour, and to His Messenger, and to the believers, but the hypocrites do not know.” [Surah Munafiqoon 63:8] and ‘… those who take the disbelievers for friends rather than the believers. Are they seeking honour in their company? But, indeed, all honour belongs to Allah,. [Surah An-Nisaa 4:139] Recently, a brother expressed deep admiration and praise for a world-renowned celebrity. I brought it to his attention and explained that it is not appropriate for us Muslims to exalt and revere non-Muslims, those who have rejected Allah Ta’ala. Sadly, this is a weakness common to most Muslims today – who are swept away by glamour, name, fame, power, sporting excellence, etc. Often we hear Muslims glorifying actors, actresses, sportsmen and sportswomen, politicians and others. There is even a term which has been coined: Hero-worship. Let us understand Islam’s view on this matter: Allah Ta’ala sometimes gives those Kuffar (disbelievers) and Fussaaq (evil-doers) who are famous – whether actors, actresses, musicians, models, politicians, sports stars, etc. – name, fame, popularity, wealth and worldly power as a reward for some good deeds done. Many publicize their contributions to charitable causes, their voluntary and humanitarian work, their adoption of children from war-torn countries, their efforts to save the planet, protect endangered species, and so forth. The compensation for good deeds will be given only in this world to the non-believers[1]. In the Hereafter, eternal punishment awaits those who commit the great crime and the high treason of rejecting belief in Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), and they die in that condition. Mullah’ Ali Qari (rahmatullah’ alayh) [2] states that the Muslim who respects and honours those who have Kufr and Shirk in their hearts is in grave danger of losing his Imaan; of becoming a Murtadd (apostate), because this Azmat (respect/honour) is for someone who has no Azmat for Allah Ta’ala. Reflect on this statement of a great Scholar: The person who respects and honours those who have Kufr and Shirk in their hearts is in grave danger of losing his Imaan. It is a fact that people have died in such conditions – uttering the names of their heroes and not having the ability even to take the name of Allah Ta’ala, read the Kalima, or utter words of Taubah (repentance). This was due to their veneration and ‘hero-worship’ of someone who stands as a rebel to Allah Ta’ala. We should reflect on our obsession, reverence and craze – or that of our children – of film stars, sports stars and others who have rejected belief in Allah Ta’ala. Sometimes, there are posters of such celebrities in our homes, their photographs on our cell phones, and there are huge amounts of money spent to meet them, take a picture with them, and get a signature from them. Fans dress like them, cut their hair like theirs, and try to emulate them in everything they do. Our daughters go crazy over these sportsmen and actors – Na’ uzu Billah. Consider the consequence of our behaviour in the light of the teachings of Mullah’ Ali Qari (rahmatullah’ alayh), who was a great Muhaddith of his time. A warning has been sounded, directing us to make sincere Taubah. Allah Ta’ala states in the Qur’an Sharif : “O you who believe, do not take My enemies and your enemies for friends, expressing love with them, while they have rejected the Truth that has come to you…” [Surah Mumtahina 60:1] Have we not witnessed enough enmity in Bosnia, Kosova, Iraq, Afghanistan and other parts of the world? Those who were considered friends and companions were the first to assault, kill, maim, and even rape our Muslim brothers and sisters for no other reason than that they were and are Believers in Allah Ta’ala. Have we not still taken any lessons? Are we so blind in recognizing our enemies? Signs of enmity and hatred are manifest at every turn. Allah Ta’ala, in His Kindness for us, has made this known to us so that we can adopt protection measures. Forewarned is forearmed. But no, we do not want to take understanding. “O those who believe, do not take anyone as confidants but from your own selves. They would spare no effort to do you mischief. They want you to be in trouble. Malice has come out of their mouths while what is concealed in their hearts is far worse. We have made the signs clear to you, provided that you understand.” [Surah Aal-Imraan 3:118] Regarding business, one’s neighbours and other related matters, it is permissible to have outward respect for such persons, but there must be no respect and love in the heart.[3] When we claim to love Allah Ta’ala, how can we love those who have rejected Him? [1]Non-Believers: Those who do not believe in Allah Ta’ala and His Final Messenger Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). [2] Mullah Ali Qari (rahmatullah’ alayh) was a great and learned Muhaddith, the author of ‘Mirqaat’ -a commentary of the famous Hadith Kitaab, ‘Mishkaat’ He is buried in Jannatul Mu’allah, Makkah Mukarramah. [3] Hazrat Mufti Shafi Saheb (rahmatullah’ alayh) had given a detailed explanation regarding Muslim – Non-Muslim relations, which effectively clarifies the issue.
Ana’niyyah and Fana’iyyah
Ana’niyyah and Fana’iyyah by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (rahmatullah ‘alayh) There are two opposing conditions which are found in people. These are: Anaa’niyyah and Fanaa’iyyah. ‘Ananiyyah means everything is about “me” or “I, me and myself”. At all times, life revolves around me —that’s all. The person puts himself first, gives preference, and believes he is important. The person wants to be recognized wherever he goes – that he is somebody. If he is not recognized, he is offended. If he goes to some Majlis and people do not shake his hand and acknowledge his presence, he is upset. The person thinks that I am such a great person and people are not showing any interest. The inner desire is to be recognized and known. Such a condition indicates that the person is in the firm grip of his nafs. This is Ana’niyyah. Everything is ‘Ana’, ‘Ana’, ‘Ana’ (I, I, I). When there is ‘Ananiyyah, Allah Ta’ala destroys. When the sheep is alive, it bleats. It repeatedly says: ‘Meh meh meh”. This is the sheep that comes under the knife for slaughter. When the nafs is alive, and its condition is ‘ana, ana, ana’, then that person comes under the punishment of Allah Ta’ala and is humbled and destroyed. On the other hand, the person who develops Fana’iyyah, i.e., annihilates himself —There is no “me, myself and I”. One girl had a proposal from someone. I am not mentioning any name, and no one knows whom I am talking about. In her e-mail, she mentioned her level of Taqwa. She said: ‘I have a high level of Taqwa. There is someone who is proposing marriage. However, I do not want his level of Taqwa to be lower than mine. He must be able to increase my level of Taqwa.” Part of the reply that was given was: “I have to caution you concerning your claim of your Taqwa being of a very high level. This is very dangerous. All those who are of a high level of Taqwa consider themselves insignificant; they consider themselves the most sinful ones on earth. Allah Ta’ala then places in the hearts of people, Husnus Zann (good opinion) and Thanaa (praise) —that the person is a person of Taqwa. Those who have Taqwa do not make loud and bold claims because they have annihilated themselves.” They have made Fanaa of their nafs. On that Fanaa, Allah Ta’ala gives them “Baqaa”. Allah Ta’ala keeps their names, works, Bayanaat, Uloom and Naseehah alive because they made Fanaa. On the other hand, the one who is always chasing after name, fame, and prominence, then Allah Ta’ala gives them “Fanaa” —Allah Ta’ala destroys. This “Fana” and destruction have a different meaning to Fana of the nafs. Allah Ta’ala dislikes and disapproves that the servant makes a claim and testifies to their own purity and piety. Allah Ta’ala says: “…So do not claim purity for yourselves. He knows best who is God-fearing.” [Surah An-Najm 53: 32] It is most definitely Allah Ta’ala’s Fadhl and Karam upon any person, if the person progresses in this path of Islaah and Tazkiyyah: “…Had it not been for the grace of Allah upon you and His Mercy, not a single person from you would have ever attained purity. But Allah purifies whomsoever He wills. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.” [Surah An-Noor 24: 21] The Masha’ikh used to train their Mureeds in many different ways. Maulana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi (rahmatullah ‘alayh) was a Mureed of aji Imadadullah (rahmatullah ‘alayh), and in that Ta-‘alluq, he became very close to his Shaykh. However, consider the training he received from his Shaykh: He was seated at the Dastarkhan with his Shaykh. When the food came from Haji Saheb’s home, one plate contained delicious kofta (kebab). The other plate contained a simple type of gravy. Haji Saheb (rahmatullah ‘alayh) kept the kabab aside and gave Maulana Gangohi (rahmatullah ‘alayh) the simple gravy. As they ate, Hazrat Zamin Shahid (rahmatullah ‘alayh) walked in. On seeing them eating, he addressed Haji Saheb (rahmatullah ‘alayh) and said: “Why do you not pass the kofta also to Rashid Ahmad?” Upon this, Hazrat Haji Saheb (rahmatullah ‘alayh) replied —with the object of testing his Mureed: “He (Maulana Gangohi) should be grateful that I am allowing him to even eat with me. In fact, I had intended to give him a piece of bread in his hand and for him to eat elsewhere!” While he said this, he also watched the reaction of Maulana Gangohi (rahmatullah ‘alayh). Maulana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi (rahmatullah ‘alayh) did not take any offence to this statement, and his facial expression did not change in any way. He himself said: “Alhamdulillah! There was no effect on my heart. I accepted that whatever Haji Saheb had said was the truth. Getting a piece of bread from him was a great favour, regardless of how it was obtained.” When someone is a little upset, it is easy to make out that he is upset. Another person would have said he is being humiliated, disgraced, and shamed, but these were the types of tests they went through in the past. Today, Mureeds would say: “What does this Shaykh think of himself?! Does he think that I can’t have good food at home?”, the person would leave —he would go home. Most Mureeds today don’t have that same capacity or appreciation. The present-day Masha’ikh —understanding the nature of people, adopt a somewhat lenient approach. Of course, there will be discipline, but they understand that the nature of the people is not the same. The objective is the reformation of the Mureed. Some —who are inexperienced, constantly reproach and admonish their Mureeds or students. They reprimand and reprimand. This indicates that there is no correct understanding and no skill in how to make Islaah. Each person is different. Each person’s temperament is different, and the Shaykh has to understand the temperament of each Mureed. Some will take a harsh reprimand,