The True Wealth of Madinah Munawwarah
The True Wealth of Madinah Munawwarah by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (rahmatullah ‘alayh) My respected Shaikh, Hazrat Maulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (Damat Barakatuhu), mentioned in his poetry that our value is dependent on our Nisbat with Madinah Munawwarah. When anything is purchased and brought from Madinah Munawwarah, a lover of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) will naturally appreciate and value it —no matter how small or cheap. Why? -Because it has a connection with the city of the Beloved (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). The air of Madinah Sharif has touched it, or it has been produced from the blessed land of Madinah Sharif —which has made it special. The residents of Madinah Sharif are the neighbours of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), and they are the envy of the heavens because they have such extreme physical closeness to Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). They are the envy of all of us as well – for we, too, desire the honour of being in such proximity to Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) at all times. Allah Ta’ala, in His infinite Mercy and Grace, does not want to deprive anyone of us of this blessing of being close to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), so He has given us a simple recourse to always being near to our Beloved Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). This nearness is attained via our Nisbat (connection) with the A’amal (Actions) of Madinah Munawwarah – i.e. the Sunnah (way of life) of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). Our value in the sight of Allah Ta’ala is dependent on our relationship with His beloved Rasul (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). Allah Ta’ala has informed us of this in the Qur’an Sharif : Say (O Prophet): “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 Al-Imran 3:31] My Shaykh has presented the same message in poetry form : “The footprints of the Beloved of Allah, Nabi Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) is the road to Jannat; The Sunnats of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam)connect one with Allah Ta’ala.” It is a misconception that a person’s repeated performance of Haj and Umrah and repeated visits to Madinah Munawwarah is to be taken as the yardstick of piety. The yardstick of piety is not how many umrahs or Haj a person has made. The present-day scenario is saddening, to say the least – since Umrah and Haj have become a holiday, a shopping spree, and a “tour” for the majority. The deficit is in “sincerity of intention”. As has been said, the visitors are many, but the pilgrims are scarce. For many, these trips are now for business and trade. And for others, each trip is another “feather” in their caps – which must be made known and announced to the world. There are those that boast of their yearly trips, whether for Haj or ‘Umra, or both, updating us on the number of visits they make to Makkah Mukarramah and Madinah Munawwarah. We have heard people say: “I have made Umrah for the past 20 or 30 years and have never missed out one…” Yet, the reality is that we cannot count our umrahs and haj. We cannot say how many have been performed because we do not know how many have been accepted. Those umrahs and Haj that are accepted are the only ones that we can count. And we will only come to know of their acceptance on the Day of Judgement. Despite the frequent visits to the Haramayn Sharifayn, there is generally not much improvement in our spirituality. If we have not brought a reformation in our lifestyles: If we have not fulfilled the rights of people, if we have not returned to people that which is their due, if we have not asked forgiveness from those whom we have wronged, if we are not punctual with Salah, and if our Zahir (external condition) and our Batin (internal condition) does not reflect the purity and spirituality that come with visits to the Haramayn Sharifayn, then we should truly be concerned as to the quality and acceptance of our Haj and Umrah. I have mentioned many times that the “Mal” (wealth/material goods) of Madinah Munawwarah is not what is available in its marketplaces, bazars and shopping complexes. Unfortunately, when we visit Madinah Munawwarah, then more often than not, the objective is the “Mal” of Madinah Sharif. The majority of those visiting Madinah Munawwarah forget the purpose of their visit once their gazes fall on the commercial centres of Madinah Sharif. Many who know about the material commodities being sold plan in advance – that there will be an exchange or purchase of gold, and there will be this commodity and that commodity bought. Whilst in Madinah Sharif, the talk is about the latest technology, cellphones, the best gold shops, cloak shops, and so forth. The intention and pursuit become the “Mal” of Madinah and not the “A’mal” of Madinah Munawwarah. And this is how our stay of 7 or 8 days passes: we are “mauled by the malls”. Our Iman, love for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), time, energy, and money are “mauled” in the obsession we have with shopping. We forget, and sometimes we do not even care to give any kind of attention or express any kind of appreciation to our host, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), because we are so caught up in material purchases. Instead of filling up the pockets of our hearts with the wealth of Love for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and with the wealth of his noble characteristics, we fill up suitcases and suitcases – many a time, even purchasing more suitcases – for filling up the material commodities of Madinah Sharif. I am not saying that it is Haram to shop there. It will be meritorious if a person makes purchases with the intention of supporting the businessmen
The Knowledge of Allah Ta’ala
Imam Malik (rahmatullah ‘alayh) had great respect and love for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and Madina Munawwarah. He once wanted to perform Nafl Hajj but feared that he might die whilst on his journey for Hajj. It was his deep-hearted desire to die in Madina Sharif. In a dream, he saw Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and told him of his wish to die in Madina Sharif, and he asked Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) as to how long he would live. Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) showed his five fingers to Imam Malik (rahmatullah ‘alaihi). Not understanding the meaning of this dream, Imam Malik (rahmatullah ‘alaih) wrote an anonymous letter to Shaykh Ibn Sirin (rahmatullah ‘alayh), who was the renowned and distinguished interpreter of dreams in his time. On reading the dream, Ibn Sirin (rahmatullah ‘alayh) said that only Imam Malik (rahmatullah’ alaih) could have had such a dream. He then gave the interpretation, saying that the dream referred to an Ayah (verse) of the Qur’an Sharif in which five things are mentioned —which are in the exclusive knowledge of Allah Ta’ala alone. Allah Ta’ala states in the Qur’an Sharif: “Indeed, Allah alone has the knowledge of the Hour. He sends down the rain, and knows what is in the wombs. No soul knows what it will earn for tomorrow, and no soul knows in what land it will die. Surely Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.” [Surah Luqman 31:34] To briefly explain these five things as mentioned in this Ayah (verse): THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE HOUR The exact year and time remain unknown to us. In the famous Hadith-e-Jibrl, where Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was questioned about Islam, Iman and Ihsan, he was also asked: “So inform me about the Hour (i.e. Qiyamah).” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) replied: “The one being questioned is not more knowledgeable than the one asking the question.” (meaning: neither do I know nor you know.)[1] Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) conveyed many signs indicating the last day’s proximity. These signs have been categorised as minor signs and major signs. All the minor signs have come to pass. Soon to follow are the major signs of Hazrat Mahdi, Dajjal, the descension of Hazrat ‘Isa (عليه السلام), etc. HE SENDS DOWN THE RAIN Weather bureaus predict rainfall. However, this is EXPECTED rainfall. Allah Ta’ala does not talk about expected rain but refers to the absolute and complete details of rain : ♦The exact time when the rainfall will commence. ♦The exact details of the land, city or farm which will receive this rain. ♦How much rain is going to fall, i.e. the exact amount. ♦Whether the rain will be beneficial or destructive. If we had such detailed knowledge, we would be able to prepare ourselves for floods and damage. All the scientific instruments of the world cannot give us such details. AND HE KNOWS THAT WHICH IS IN THE WOMBS Whether that child will be born or whether the mother-to-be will miscarry. The most science can do is inform one as to whether the child will be a boy or a girl, which is not always 100%. Even if they advance to the level of 100 % certainty, then too, they cannot predict details such as : ♦The child’s life span and the sustenance they will receive. ♦ Whether the child will be black or white, whether the child will live a life of health or ill health. Whether the child will be a doctor, Aalim, teacher, etc. ♦ Whether the child will be a blessing for the parents or a curse. NO PERSON KNOWS WHAT HE WILL EARN TOMORROW The detailed knowledge of exactly what a person will be able to do. All we can do is plan. However, we should not trust those plans. Anything can happen, an accident, death, war, revolution, etc., which then changes those plans. All plans are subject to Allah Ta’ala’s confirmation. This part of the Ayah (verse) also refers to wealth, i.e. exactly how much money a person will earn for that day. AND NO PERSON KNOWS IN WHICH LAND HE WILL DIE Sulaiman (عليه السلام) was given the Kingdom of the world and the power to control and rule over everything —even the winds and the animals. A simple man was once in the presence of Sulaiman (عليه السلام) when a stranger came before him. The stranger stared at the person in such a manner that he was overwhelmed with fear and anxiety. He quickly requested Sulaiman (عليه السلام) to send him to a distant land. Sulaiman (عليه السلام) commanded the wind to take the man where he wanted to go. The following day Sulaiman (عليه السلام) met the stranger who was Israil (‘alayhis salam)[2] and asked him why he had created such fear in a Muslim by staring at him. Israil (عليه السلام) replied that he stared at the man in astonishment since Allah Ta’ala had commanded him to take the man’s soul that very day in a certain distant land, and yet, he was in the Court of Sulaiman (عليه السلام). However, he found him where he was meant to die and took his soul at the appointed time. Many people remained all their lives in Madina Sharif or Makkah Sharif. Just before their death, they travel to another land where they pass away and are buried. And many people reside elsewhere, and Allah Ta’ala creates those means whereby they reach Makkah Mukarramah or Madina Munawwarah, pass away and are buried there. May Allah Ta’ala give us the understanding and acceptance of Allah Ta’ala’s Decree. Acceptance will create calm and peace in this journey of life. Otherwise, there is restlessness, apprehension, anxiety and worry about what is beyond a person’s knowledge and capacity. So many people debate and argue about the knowledge of the Hour, whereas it is Allah Ta’ala’s secret. How many non-Muslims have given away all their belongings, etc., believing that the world will come to an end on a