The 1-Cent Coin
The 1-Cent Coin by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (rahmatullah ‘alayh) Once, when walking through a park with some friends, we came across a fountain with many 1-cent and 2-cent coins. On noticing this, it came to mind that since the 1-cent and 2-cent coins have negligible value – in fact, no worth or value is given to these coins; they are generally discarded in a fountain after some ‘wish’ is made. If the wish were such that it would be accomplished with money, then a mere 1 or 2 cents would not suffice to fulfil the grand wishes of those who throw with any such hope. Nevertheless, I presented this analogy to my companions: The value of the 1-cent coin diminished after separating itself from the R5 coin or the R100 note. It ‘depreciated’, so to speak. Many pass by such fountains, yet no one considers taking one or a few of those coins. However, when that 1 cent coin attaches itself to the R100 note, its value and worth are considered just as that R100 note. When the 1 cent coin attaches itself to the R100 note, its value will increase – It is now part of R100. If that 1 cent coin prefers its ‘independence’, then inevitably, that would be to its own loss. It will then be considered worthless and insignificant and discarded in some fountain or thrown on the street. In a like manner, when Salikin (Seekers of Allah Ta’ala) attach themselves to the Ahlullah (People of Allah) by keeping their pious company and emulating them in their actions, speech and character, their value increases. When we keep the company of the friends of Allah Ta’ala, then insha Allah, we will, through the blessings of their value, also acquire some worth. The Salik (Seeker of Allah) will also become as valuable and precious if there is sincerity. My Shaykh, Hazrat Maulana Hakim Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (rahmatullah ‘alayh ), had given a wonderful analogy when he visited South Africa and observed the sand of the gold mines in Gauteng. He explained that the sand which remained in the company of gold became ‘golden’ in colour. Something as ordinary as sand took on the hue and shade of something as precious as gold. So too, one will notice that the sand which contains coal becomes black in colour. Hazrat then compared the ‘golden sand’ to the person who sincerely befriends and associates with the Ahlullah. Such a person will not only acquire the same colouring as ‘gold’; he will become gold. Those who think they can tread the path to Allah Ta’ala on their own and become so ‘valuable’ are quite mistaken. Even our honourable and respected Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi (rahmatullah’ alayh) had said: “People addressed me as ‘Molvi’ (one who has knowledge) until I attached myself to the blessed company of Shamsuddin Tabrezi. Then people began addressing me as ‘Maula-e-Rum’ (The Master of Rum).” Then again, the Sahaba (rahiyallahu ‘anhum) became ‘Sahabah’ because they attached themselves to the blessed, noble, and exclusive company of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). This ‘Suhbat’ (companionship) of the Ahlullah is the medium of spiritual achievement. However, great caution should be exercised in choosing a mentor. This warning cannot be emphasized enough. Just the garb of piety or flowery speech does not make a person a Wali (friend) of Allah Ta’ala. Some ‘peers’ have ulterior and worldly motives, especially milking their mureedin (disciples) of money. They give their mureedin some Waza’if and tasbihs to read. There is no education, disciplining, or reform. If there is no Deen in the Shaykh, how will his mureeds change their lives? When the Shaykh is a prisoner of nafs (ego) and Shaytan, how can he free his mureeds from nafs and Shaytan? Therefore Maulana Jalaluddeen Rumi (rahmatullah ‘alayh) said: “Develop contact with a righteous one So that through his company and du’aa, you may succeed, But search for a guide who is awake in all situations So that you, too, may become awake. And if you should remain in the company of the vanquished, You, too, will become vanquished.” Many claim to be Masha’ikh but are caught up in the snares of Nafs and Shaytan. They have not even recognized their own nafs, have no experience in the field of Islah and Tazkiah, and instead of guiding, they misguide. They then become a trial for the people. The true Masha’ikh don’t promote and advertise themselves nor canvass for Mureedein. They don’t chase after name and fame. They don’t hanker after Dunya. They wish to remain concealed, but Allah Ta’ala sometimes chooses for them to be known. Thus, when choosing a Shaykh, consider the Shaykh who is learned, practising on his knowledge, pious, trained and experienced in the field of Islah and Tazkia, and acknowledged by the Ulama-e-Haq as one who is truly Sahib-e-Nisbat and a Waliyyullah. By attaching oneself to such a Shaykh, the Salik will acquire value. Dr. Abdul Hay Saheb (rahmatullah ‘alayh), who was a senior Khalifa of Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (rahmatullah ’alayh) used to say : “There is only one way to meet Him (Allah), Seek the road from those who have already found Him.”
Saving Spiritual Lives
Saving Spiritual Lives by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (rahmatullah ‘alayh) We often hear helicopters circling the area, generally searching for some hijacked vehicle. This is a common observation and experience in the area. If it is at night, the helicopter uses a powerful light as a searchlight. Listening to and observing this, the following analogy came to mind : The Auliya-Allah, the Masha’ikh, are like those helicopters, except that they are searching for people who have been hijacked by nafs and Shaytan —people like us. The Auliya-Allah also possess a powerful light in their hearts: It is a Noor that has developed in their hearts through obedience to Allah Ta’ala and Rasulullah (sallallahu’ alayhi wa sallam) as well as total abstinence from sins. With this powerful Noor, they are able to search out and save thousands, if not millions. We know that if the hijacked vehicle is found and returned to the owner, the owner is naturally very happy, especially if his car is expensive. Similarly, due to the search efforts made not only by the Auliya-Allah, but by all Muslims, others return to Allah Ta’ala’s obedience or to Iman and Islam, and Allah Ta’ala’s happiness is much greater than that of the car owner. The owner of the car may either thank the person who found his car or he will express his gratitude with some gift if he is of a noble disposition. Allah Ta’ala is far more generous and appreciative, and His rewards are granted in various forms in this world, as well as the hereafter, for those who search and save hijacked persons —those “hijacked” by Nafs and Shaytan. Then again, looking at the life of the Muslim, we find that it is a “Rescue Mission”: They are always prepared to make sacrifices to save the spiritual lives of others. How often we read of the rescue missions that go out to sea to rescue someone or the other carried away by a strong current, or those struggling to survive due to the ship sinking, or those who need to be evacuated from ships. We find that the pilot is well-trained for the operation, and the rescue swimmers who form part of the rescue team are physically strong, fit, able, and very experienced. They have to be highly skilled to ensure that the operation is successful. If not, they, too, will become victims to the waters of the ocean. Similarly, as Muslims who are rescue swimmers and ‘spiritual’ life savers in the field of Da’wah and Tabligh, we have got to be spiritually strong, fit and able, and we need to gain experience; otherwise, the current of Fitnas may sweep us away also. If we are spiritually weak, we, too, can end up drowning in some sin. And this is very much a reality: Many who have surface knowledge and have not made much effort against their Nafs become victims to the storms of some sin. Similarly, the Muslim is a Paramedic. Every Muslim should be qualified in the basics of how to save the spiritual lives of those who meet up with tragic accidents —that is, they fall into sins). If we are in the know-how, we will be able to apply ourselves immediately in aiding and saving such people from spiritual death. How often is CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) or artificial respiration given before being taken to the hospital that saves the person? Even though the person’s situation will still be critical, he has been revived with CPR, and the chances of his survival are thus strong if he is taken to a hospital immediately. Similarly, we need to learn spiritual CPR for emergency cases – that is, make sincere dua for Hidayat. However, building our spiritual stamina, training and expertise come in keeping company with those who are qualified and are masters in the field —our Masha’ikh and Ulama-e-Haq. Another analogy is the tacking, search, and security companies formed to track kidnapped children or hijacked persons. The Muslim is a tracking company: He searches, invites and calls the disbelievers to Iman and Islam, and he calls the weak Muslims to stronger Iman. Unfortunately, the state of affairs today is that many a time, the guards hired by security companies turn out to the thieves, hijackers, and criminals. Here in South Africa, security guards and police officers are being caught, arrested and apprehended. Sadly, many Muslims have also become hijackers, taking their Muslim brothers and sisters to Haram – casinos, clubs, pornography, music, etc. Some give the injection of spiritual death with drugs and other such Haram or kufr ideologies. Instead of saving them from the fire of Jahannum, many invite others to join and accompany them in disobedience and even rejection of Allah Ta’ala and His Ahkam (Laws). May Allah Ta’ala have mercy upon us – because this is truly a reality. The Majority invite to the fire, but the Auliya-Allah invite to Paradise. The majority “go with the flow”. The Auliya-Allah move against the current of the Fitnas. Despite the difficulties and challenges, the help of Allah Ta’ala is with those who are his friends. Take heed : “If you were to obey most of those on earth, they would lead you away from Allah’s Way. They follow nothing but assumptions and do nothing but lie.” [Surah An’am 6 : 116] “Your only friend is Allah, His Messenger and those who believe; who establish Salah, and pay Zakah, and bow before Allah.” [Surah Maidah 5 : 55] “The believers are only those who believe in Allah and His Messenger—never doubting—and they strive with their wealth and their lives in the cause of Allah. They are the ones who are true in faith.” [Surah Hujurat 49:15]
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,
Creating a Niche in the Heart for The Awliya Allah
Creating a Niche in the Heart for the Awliya Allah by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (rahmatullah ‘alayh) It is said that we should make a niche in the hearts of the Awliya Allah (Friends of Allah Ta’ala) –that is, create a special place in their hearts. One is to say: “Make Dua…” – and the person will make Dua when he thinks of you. When we would request our Shaykh, Hazrat Maulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (rahmatullah ‘alayh) to make Dua, Alhamdulillah, Hazrat would immediately make Dua. However, that person who makes Khidmah, then Dua comes out from the heart without the person asking. This is the Dua that is extremely special. Khidmah does not mean only serving the Shaykh by assisting him in various tasks and work. That is undoubtedly a kind of Khidmah, and the Ahlullah appreciate that as well because this is a world of means. However, the real Khidmah is for us to become a Sadaqah-e-Jariyah for them. How do we become ‘Sadaqah e Jariyah’? —By practising upon their teachings. A person sits in the company of his Shaykh all his life, but there is no improvement in his Salah, no improvement in his fasting, no improvement in his character and in his speech – he still swears and curses, cheats and deceives. Despite having one body, he has two faces, and his heart is a container of greed and pride, malice, miserliness, etc. Will this person become Sadaqah-e-Jariyah for the Shaykh? What kind of Sadaqah-e-Jariyah will he be? On the other hand, another person came through a “rough life” –as they describe it. He was caught up in various sins. Many come through a rough life, but then they keep the Suhbat of the Shaykh, and they progress at a fast speed. Although this person came from a rough life, his speed is fast —concerning his reformation and change. Now this person will be a Sadaqah-e-Jariyah. The Masha’ikh appreciate most: Seeing their teachings being brought into practice and seeing positive changes and improvements being made. If a person is blessed with both: There is Ittiba’ of the Shaykh, and the person’s A’maal are improving and increasing, and there is also Khidmah, then the Muhabbat increases even more. A place is created in the heart and due to that Muhabbat, the Shaykh makes Dua for the person. Sometimes the Shaykh has thousands of Mureeds. He will not be able to remember the names of all his Mureeds and may not even know who the persons are. In one big gathering – there may be one hundred, two hundred, or five hundred people who became Bay’at. How will you remember every single person? The one who makes positive changes and his Muhabbat is expressed with Ittiba of the Shaykh; he is the one who wins the heart of the Shaykh. We are living in times of corruption, and there are so many bogus peers and even bogus mureeds. Peers have become bogus, and the mureeds have become bogus too. Those Masha’ikh who are on Haq have Istighna and Qana’at. Their gaze is not on Makhlooq and what the creation will do for them. A Shaykh must not have his gaze on the pockets of anyone. His gaze must be fully focused on Allah Ta’ala – that Allah Ta’ala is the Provider, and there is no shortage in the treasures of Allah Ta’ala. When a Mureed is rendering some Khidmah, the Mureed must not think: I’m doing a great favour. He must do Khidmah with Ikhlaas; then there will be a lot of Barakah and benefit in that Bay’at. As said, the greatest Khidmah is to go through the process of Islaah sincerely – rectifying one’s character, correcting one’s relationship with Allah Ta’ala and the creation, and improving in good deeds. That is the Khidmah that is most appreciated. What is the purpose if there are large crowds, and nobody is changing his life? What happiness is there in this? Those who are fraudulent and bogus are happy with large numbers following them and are happy so long as you pay their subscription fees and shower them with material gifts. Those who are concerned about connecting us with Allah Ta’ala and his Nabi (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) will be happy when their Mureeds bring changes into their lives and their Akhlaaq (character). This is the most neglected area, and even if we talk the whole year round on Akhlaaq, it is worthy of being talked about. You will notice in our discussions that we always come back to Akhlaaq. This is what will build Muhabbat. If there is no Akhlaaq, then as I have already mentioned many times, the person who is your friend will become your enemy. If there is Akhlaaq, the enemy also will become your friend. Now it is left to us as to what we want. If there is Akhlaaq, then the wife will become loving and caring. If there is no Akhlaaq, the wife will distance herself from the husband; she will want out of the marriage. Some wives write about their husbands –that they do not wish to have their husbands in Jannah because living with them here in this world is so burdensome. What kind of life is that? The reason for such a wish is that some do not understand that Jannah will not be like the Dunya, and every Jannati will have a beautiful character. Or the children say: “We don’t like to have our parents.”, or the parents say, “We don’t like to have our children.” This happens when there is a deficiency in Akhlaaq from either side or both sides –then there must be problems. If we create magnanimity in our hearts and have big hearts, then we can win over our families. We cannot share our wealth with everybody! Can we share our wealth with everybody? How much wealth can a person share, and that too, with everyone? Even if a
Insulating the Heart
Whilst in the company of one’s Shaykh, or when in good company, or during the month of Ramadan, we find an undeniably positive effect concerning our overall behaviour and our relationship with Allah Ta’ala. It suddenly becomes easy to perform good deeds and abstain from sins. Our hearts become light and happy after being relieved of the terrible burden of sins. Noor and Sakinah permeate the heart, and life becomes pleasant, Alhamdulillah. Then we leave the company of the Shaykh or Ramadan passes, and we find ourselves susceptible and vulnerable to the invitations and temptations of sins. We fall prey to nafs and Shaytaan. We ask: Why? How come? We were slowly but surely improving, and then we started stumbling, faltering, falling, and sometimes we are floored by nafs and even land up in the gutters of sins. May Allah Ta’ala protect us all. We, ourselves, are the reason for our weaknesses and failings. Whilst in the company of the Masha’ikh or during Ramadan, we do not develop sufficient Taqwa to insulate ourselves against sins, nafs and Shaytan. The Suhbah (company) of the pious and righteous and the month of Ramadaan offers special protection. However, we generally visit or keep company with the pious for short periods, and Ramadan visits us once a year. The time certainly comes when we have to face the many challenges outside the company of the pious and outside of Ramadan. Therefore, it is necessary to strongly insulate the heart and soul against the harsh climate of sins. For better understanding, let us take an example: It is a freezing Winter’s day; whilst we are indoors, we keep warm because our homes offer some insulation: the walls and the roof provide protection; the carpets, heater, fireplace add to that protection and also generate warmth. We will enjoy this warmth if we sit near the fireplace or heater. However, when we go outside, we obviously cannot carry the heater with us. We have heard and read of people who climb mountains covered in snow. What do they do? Do they carry heaters with them? —No! They insulate themselves with warm, thermal clothing. If we have to go outdoors, then knowing the extreme temperature outside, we adopt measures to protect ourselves. To keep warm while we are outdoors, we first insulate ourselves by wearing warm clothing, thick jackets, warm hats, socks, gloves, etc. We may even drink some hot soup or any hot drink to warm ourselves from the inside. If we adopt all these means before leaving our homes, we will be shielded against the icy, bitter cold —insha Allah. Similarly, while in the company of the Mashaikh, or during the blessed month of Ramadaan, we must do our best to insulate ourselves with the qualities of Taqwa, Sabr, Shukr, Zuhd, Tawadhu, etc. In the company of the Shaykh, we draw the warmth of the love of Allah Ta’ala—this is what is generated from his heart. This then becomes the insulation and protection against the demands of Nafs and the attacks of Shaytan. It is not possible to be with the Shaykh twenty-four hours a day. He has a life to lead. He will teach at the Madrasah, give talks at the Masjid, travel out in the Khidmat of Deen, etc. What do we do at such times? In the company of the Shaykh, we prepare for ourselves—for the harsh climate of sins and distractions of the outside work. We adopt protection measures just like the person who covers himself with a blanket or wears a heavy jacket before going out. In the Majlis of the Shaykh, we also insulate the heart with the Sifah of Ihsan, with the conscious awareness of Allah Ta’ala –keeping before us that Allah Ta’ala is All-Seeing, All-Hearing, All-Knowing, All-Aware —and that nothing escapes the knowledge of Allah Ta’ala. This quality is what we take with us wherever we go. Even though the Shaykh cannot be with us all the time, Allah Ta’ala is with us at all times: “And He is with you, wherever you are.” [Surah Al-Hadid 57:4] If we maintain a conscious awareness of Allah Ta’ala’s presence at all times, then when we have to go to the bazaar, marketplace, university or college, we will be well-insulated. Therefore, when we sit in those Majalis, we should not think that it is just a bayan, just a talk given. The bayan will take place, and even if there is no bayan, the silence of those who are Kaamil generates a Noor, a light. This enters through the eyes and ears and lights up the heart with the love of Allah Ta’ala. It gives the person strength in his Imaan. After that, when the person goes outside, that spiritual warmth is with him —like the person who wears his jersey and jacket, warm hat and warm socks. May Allah Ta’ala bless us all with well-insulated hearts. Allah Ta’ala has granted us such great means for renewed fortification. Our insulation is also found in our Salaah, which needs to be established five times a day in the Masjid – and that too, with concentration and attention. It should not be a ‘slap-dash’, ‘hit and run’ Salaah, as is so common. (na’uzu billahi min zaalik). Allah Ta’ala says: “…Verily Salaah restrains from shamelessness and evil….” [Surah Ankabut 29:45] We also insulate with our Tilawah, our Zikrullah, and our deep-hearted Dua for protection. My Shaykh, Hazrat Maulana Shah Hakim Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (rahmatullah ‘Alayh), would repeatedly make Dua: ‘O, Allah! Wherever I am – whether on earth or in the skies – my Taqwa must always remain safe.’ Together with these, we also insulate our lives by ridding our homes of all those elements that will nullify the spirituality that we develop in the company of the Shaykh. We throw out the television, give up music, and whatever other Haraam pollutes our homes and lives. The Suhbah of the Shaykh