The Thoughts of Sinning
The Thoughts of Sinning by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (rahmatullah ‘alayh) Many people are anxious and troubled when the thought of sinning comes to their minds. Whilst Shaytan whispers such thoughts, inviting and tempting towards sins, we should not entertain them. I often present the analogy that our minds can be likened to a national highway. Whilst travelling on the highway, we find different kinds of vehicles and conveyances – luxury cars, old cars, trucks, bicycles, motorbikes, etc. Many times, animals are seen being transported – horses, cows and even pigs. If we find ourselves driving behind a truck transporting pigs, even though it disgusts us, we don’t have to leave the highway. All we have to do is, indicate, accelerate, overtake and continue driving. Similarly, our mind is like that national highway, and all kinds of thoughts begin travelling through the mind – good and bad. When evil thoughts visit our minds, we should pass them. We should not intentionally bring them into the mind or entertain them when they come to mind. Simply ignore them. Despite the thought being bad, no sin is recorded. In fact, Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) mentioned that Nabi (sallallahu’ alayhi wa sallam) had said that if a servant has an inclination towards some evil but does not act upon it, one good is written of good deeds.[1] The following is another analogy which I have also presented ad an explanation: If during the blessed month of Ramadan, whilst sitting at the Dastarkhan (tablecloth), waiting for Iftar, many delicious foods are placed before a person, and the thought comes to his mind to eat this or partake of that, then there is no sin concerning those thoughts. As long as the person does not eat anything, his fast will not break, and there will be no sin at the mere thought of eating the different delicacies coming to his mind. Click here to download or read the book “Combating the Whisperings of Shaytan” on this website. [1] Sahih Al-Bukhari
Getting up for Fajr Salah
Getting up for Fajr Salah by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (rahmatullah ‘alayh) The following is the prescription that has been given regarding getting punctual with Fajr. In summer, when Fajr Salah[1] is very early, many complain about their inability to get up for Fajr Salah. In winter, when Fajr is relatively late, many complain about their inability to get up due to the cold. As the phrase goes: ‘Where there’s a will, there’s a way.’ If one is sincere in wanting to perform the Fajr Salah (or any Salah), then come any season, weather, condition or circumstance, the person will do all that which is within his capacity to fulfil the rights of Allah Ta’ala. Due to the weakness being so common, the following are prescriptions to remedy the problem of missing the Fajr Salah: >> An alarm clock should be kept a distance away from the bed. Instead of switching it off and going back to sleep, you will have to get out of bed to switch it off. >> If you are a deep sleeper, then use two alarm clocks with loud alarms. Place one on either side of you – and at a distance. >> If your hearing is good in one ear and weak in the other, then place the clock on that side, where you will hear it loud and clear. >> Sincerely make Du’a before sleeping: ‘O Allah, I want to get up for Fajr Salah. Please give me the Taufeeq (ability) to do so.’ >> Tell those at home who also awaken for the Fajr Salah to get you up, even if it means shaking you up. >> Request a friend to give you a few rings in the morning – 20 or 30 minutes before Fajr. It will not cost him any money since you know that he is ringing you for Fajr Salah, and you won’t answer the call. >> Do not stay awake till two o’clock in the morning – involved in entertainment or pastimes: watching television, surfing the Internet, reading novels, etc. or in any activity, even ‘Mubah’ (permissible), which would then make it difficult to get up for Fajr. In such cases, go to bed early and begin the day early. >> Shaytan makes a person feel lazy at Fajr. On awakening, read the Masnun dua: ‘All praise is due to Allah who has given us life after death (i.e. sleep). And to Him will we be raised and returned.’ Then read: ‘La haula wa la quwwata illa billah’ and Ta’awwuz: ‘I seek protection in Allah from Shaytan, the accursed.’ Even though these are suggested prescriptions, the condition of a Mu’min (Believer in Allah Ta’ala) is that he or she is also ‘Ashiq’ (a sincere lover) of Allah Ta’ala. Since when is an Ashiq Ghafil (negligent) in pleasing his or her Beloved? If those who say they cannot get up for the Fajr Salah[2] have to read an advertisement in a newspaper by a gold coin company that all customers who arrive between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. at their premises will receive a Kruger Rand (gold coin), free. Will they then sleep or camp there the night? Whereas a gold coin has no worth in comparison to the value of a Salah. If a concerted and sincere effort was made to get up for the Fajr Salah after having adopted the prescriptions mentioned above, and still the person was unable to make it for Fajr with Jamat, then insha Allah, he will not be questioned on the Day of Qiyamah. [1] Fajr: Prayer performed after true dawn and before sunrise. It is mentioned in a Hadith: ‘One who performs the Salat at Fajr comes under the security of Allah…’ Sahih Muslim [2] Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reported that Rasulullah (sallallahu’ alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘There isn’t any Salah which is (heavier) more difficult on the Munafiqein (hypocrites) than Fajr and Esha Salah.’ Sahih Al-Bukhari
Giving up Sins: An Easy Prescription
Giving up Sins: An Easy Prescription by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (rahmatullah ‘alayh) There are many Muslim brothers and sisters throughout the world who, due to various negative influences and bad elements, find themselves ‘de-railed’ from Deen. Many others sit on the fence, wanting to enjoy or benefit from both sides of the fence – engaging in sins as well as being practical on specific teachings of Deen. However, deep in their hearts is the desire to get back on track and once again become good, practical Muslims, to jump off the fence and enjoy the green pastures of Islam. So they write, e-mail, phone, and fax, seeking guidance and direction. The main weakness is indulgence in sins; sometimes, excessive indulgence in those sins. A standard prescription that I give as a reply is as follows. Alhamdulillah, many who followed through with the prescription have found a new life – of peace, happiness, blessings and mercy. On tasting the sweetness that comes with obedience, there is no desire to return to any form of disobedience. The bes is to abstain from sins out of Love for Allah Ta’ala. He has granted us so much – He has given us everything, and it is the nature of human beings that we love the person that is kind and generous to us. Then what of Allah Ta’ala, who has provided us with plentiful – with everything? Our sight, hearing, speech, organs that are functioning in such an amazing manner, the limbs – all in our service – for eating, drinking, walking, sitting, etc. The gifts of wealth: clothing, shelter, transport, food, drink, and so many other comforts. We use them all, but do we keep in mind the Generous Benefactor? Do we give thanks for these bounties or show any appreciation to the Giver? Developing the conscious awareness that Allah Ta’ala is with us: He is watching us, He is hearing us, He knows all and everything about us; We cannot hide from Him; We cannot conceal our actions from Him. Then should we not feel ashamed that we are disobeying Him in His Presence? Are we not showing ingratitude to the Benefactor when engaging in sins in His Presence? Keep in mind that the angels, too, are witnesses to all our actions; the earth is recording our behaviour, and all of it is also noted in our books of deeds – and we are accountable to Allah Ta’ala on the Day of Judgement. Added to this, our actions are also presented to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), so we should consider whether our actions are a source of joy or grief to him. In this manner, we will develop that shame and modesty, which will make it easy to restrain from Haram. Muraqabah is meditating on our actions during the day: We should reflect on our deeds for the day, seek forgiveness for shortcomings, and resolve not to return to those bad deeds. We should also express gratitude for good deeds and make Dua for an increase in them. Ponder over the fact that the Angel of Death does not give respite. It must not be that whilst obeying the Nafs in sinful pleasure, the Angel of death visits, and our departure is in disgrace, and our return to Allah Ta’ala is at a time when He is angry. Our death will be an embarrassment to us, our family and the community who will find out that death came in sin. May Allah Ta’ala protect us from death in a state of transgression, but this is very much a reality. Death visits – more often, very unexpectedly, and no true Muslim would want to be seized by the Angel of death when Allah Ta’ala is displeased. I often say: We now have instant tea, instant coffee, instant cereal and instant pudding and so many other things on the market are instant – we are also living in times when death is just as instant. So any sin is too much of a risk in the face of the reality of death. The Hadith is explicit: We will be resurrected on the day of Judgement as we have died[1]. Would any Muslim want to rise on the Day of Judgement in sin for all of humanity to witness what kind of life he led? Ponder over the fact that Allah Ta’ala has blessed us with the gift of sight, hearing, health, wealth, and so much else – and has also granted us the gift of respect. However, what He gives, He can also take away. He explicitly stated that ingratitude for His Gifts would draw severe punishment. So is sinning not abuse and ingratitude for the gifts of sight, heart, mind, and limbs? A little contemplation on the consequences of such behaviour and a little Mujahada (effort) – which entails ‘not doing’ and Alhamdulillah, the sicknesses are cured. Together with this: Attend the talks of the learned Scholars of Islam whenever possible or listen to recordings of their lectures and read their books to gain the benefit of the pious, righteous company. Join and participate in the Deeni activities with those who follow the Qur’an and Sunnah. Insha Allah, there will be a great improvement in one’s condition by keeping the right company. Make an effort to read Salah punctually. Men should make every effort to read their Salah in Jamat (congregation). Read good Islamic literature. Abstain from magazines or books that have filthy and indecent contents and pictures. Give up television viewing. 0% of the content is Haram. If a person offers a full glass of clean and pure water and mentions that there is just one drop of urine, would any sensible person drink it? When the major content of television is Haram, what would we then say? When the gaze, heart and mind are consuming and digesting so much of Haram viewing, what else would be the result
Prescription for Lustful Gazes
Prescription for Lustful Gazes by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (rahmatullah ‘alayh) Lustful gazes have become an epidemic with consequences that are so far-reaching, to the point of crippling one’s spirituality, weakening one’s Iman, sometimes even to the extent of losing one’s Iman – for a pretty face or a handsome face. (May Allah Ta’ala protect us all). More and more Muslim brothers and even sisters write, after realizing or experiencing the effects of the ‘bitter-sweet’ poison of evil glancing: They want an antidote; they desperately want to escape their habit –before they self-destruct; because their practice of casting lustful gazes landed them in the gutters of immorality and they have had to then contend with disgrace, humiliation and sometimes a life-long stigma. But they find themselves weak in the face of the demands of their nafs. And the nafs —by nature, enjoy the forbidden and are never satisfied even on fulfilment of its demands. It is like the ocean’s salty water: it increases thirst and does not quench thirst. So, for those who find themselves weak in lowering their gazes from Haraam, they should now use their eyes – the invaluable gift of sight, in carefully reading the following prescription for a cure. Alhamdulillah, if followed, lowering the gaze will become second nature, and a person will reach a stage where he will not even care if Miss Universe is passing in front of him because he will have tasted the sweetness of Iman and will know the lofty experiences that come on pleasing Allah Ta’ala. To cast an evil gaze will then be most indecent and shameful for him. The person will now know better than to disgrace himself, destroy the tranquillity and Sukoon of his heart, and exchange the sweet pleasure of Allah Ta’ala’s love for what will inevitably become dust. My Shaykh, Hadhrat Moulana Hakim Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (rahmatullah ‘alayh) said in poetry: “I will not look, I will not look, Never will I look at one, Looking upon whom, Displeases my Rabb (Allah Ta’ala).” Whilst beauty is an attribute that charms and captivates any heart, if it is that which Allah Ta’ala has declared as forbidden, it not only destroys the peace of the heart, but it also lays to waste the very substance of Iman that resides in the heart. Therefore, Allah Ta’ala addresses both the believing men and believing women: “Tell the Believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at that which is Haraam) and to be modest (i.e. To protect themselves from prohibited deeds like adultery and fornication, etc.) That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is aware of what they do.” “And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at that which is forbidden) and to be modest (i.e., To protect themselves from prohibited deeds like adultery, fornication, etc.) And not show off their beauty except that which is apparent, and let them wear their head-coverings over their bosoms )” [Surah An – Nur 24: 30/ 31] The absolute wisdom and beauty inherent in these injunctions of Allah Ta’ala, of lowering the gaze, guarding one’s modesty (and adopting the full Hijaab for women), is that a person will remain far from the crime of Zina (adultery/fornication), as well as the steppingstones to Zina. All those actions that lead to the commission of sin are forbidden, like the sin itself. Like Zina is prohibited, so are all those actions that will inevitably lead to Zina. Therefore, Allah Ta’ala says: “And do not go near Zina. Indeed, it is a shameful and evil path”. [Surah Al – Isra 17:32] Evil glancing is the very inception of Zina. By lowering the gaze, we curtail furthering our evil desires. These injunctions of Allah Ta’ala protect from sin and should be appreciated by practical implementation. It is not impossible to lower the gaze from Haraam, as some say. If we have the ability to look up, we also have the ability to look down or turn our gazes away. We open and close our eyes, so why is it difficult to look down or away when we accidentally see a pretty face? More especially when that pretty face will result in: – The heart burning with restlessness, – Darkness filling the heart, – The Noor of the heart and the Noor of the face being lost. – Earning the displeasure of Allah Ta’ala – Inviting the Curses of Allah Ta’ala. All that is required is a little courage. If we are bold enough to displease Allah Ta’ala in His presence, then this proves that we can be brave enough to displease nafs and Shaytaan instead. We need to have courage and re-channel it to earn His Pleasure. Our respected Shaykh, Hazrat Maulana Hakim Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (rahmatullah ‘alayh) had mentioned that if a person is a lover of sweets and he is informed that in a certain district, there are many sweet shops, the person naturally feels happy because he will be able to enjoy sweetness any time he so wishes.Allah Ta’ala’s promise on lowering the gaze is the sweetness of Iman. In a Hadeeth-e-Qudsi, Allah Ta’ala says: “Verily evil glancing is an arrow from the poisonous arrows of Shaytaan. Whosoever fears Me (Allah) and refrains from it will receive from Me such Iman, the sweetness of which he will taste (feel) in his heart.”[1] We should consider the occasions when we are in public areas and other venues, where there may be many strange women present, as an opportunity of lowering our gaze and enjoy and savour the sweetness of Iman. Of course, this should not be misconstrued to mean that we visit those places where there is temptation. Where there is mud, even an elephant can slip. At such a time – when the desire is strong to cast that evil gaze, immediately strike a deal with Allah Ta’ala. Say: “O Allah, it is solely for Your Pleasure and out of Love for You