Friday 30 November 2012

Understanding Bay`ah


A Valuable Analogy 

by Hazrat Maulana Abdul Hamid Is`haq Saheb (Daamat Barakaatuhum)



Bay`at can be described as a kind of captivity, with a unique outcome. That outcome is Freedom.


Strange as it seems, it is a reality, and will be the experience.


Reflecting over this point, we will come to understand that there is freedom in captivity. We will also come to realize that there is captivity in freedom.


As an example: If a student is in the 5th year, and lives in “captivity” of his studies: strictly attending classes, diligent in completing his homework and sincere in his efforts, that student gets “freedom” - meaning, he is the successful one because he passes ‘with flying colours.’


As for the student who lives in freedom: He does not attend classes, he is indifferent to his studies, and makes no effort to complete his homework, then he becomes ‘captive’ in that same class - meaning, he fails. He does not make the grade, and does not qualify.


In a similar vein, the captivity of Bay`at will free us and will be a means and medium of our success, in both worlds, Insha-Allah – since Bay`at also serves to remind us of our allegiance to Allah Ta’ala and Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam), which we have pledged with the Kalima, “La ilaaha illallaah Muhammadur Rasoolullah".



We should not fear losing our freedom with Bay`at; rather, we should trade our freedom for this ‘captivity’ and experience true freedom.


Moving outside this example, we find the well-known Hadith, which conveys this reality, on a different level; in the context of Dunya (the material world) :

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “The world is a prison for the Believer and a paradise for the disbeliever.”[1]


Here, we find that choosing ‘captivity’ (in Dunya) opens the Door to everlasting freedom in Aakhirah[2] (i.e. Jannah[3]). Choosing ‘freedom’ (in Dunya) leads to captivity in the Aakhirah (i.e. Jahannum[4]).


May Allah Jalla Jalaaluhu grant us the understanding.






[1] Sahih Muslim 8/210
[2] Aakhirah : Hereafter
[3] Jannah : Paradise
[4] Jahannum : Hellfire



Tuesday 27 November 2012

Gems 1 - 5


Bi Ismihi Ta’ala

Selected and concise advices / sayings of Hazrat Maulana Abdul Hamid Is`haq Saheb (Daamat Barakaatuhum)



1.

The Shaykh is the doctor who removes the cataract from the eyes of the spiritual heart, after which the Saalik is blessed with baseerat (spiritual sight) and Ma`rifat of Allah Ta’ala. And naturally, having recognized the Beloved, the goal is achieved.


2.

The noble qualities of Akhlaaq-e-Hameeda increase the value of a person.

3.

The Kalima ‘La ilaaha Ilallah’ has an alchemy effect : It changes a Jahannami  into a Jannati; it changes one who was hated into one who is now loved; it changes the lowest into the highest. SubhanAllah.

4.

The Ahlullah teach us how to make our lives valuable.


5.

In the decisions of Allah Ta’ala, is Hidden Kindness.



Friday 23 November 2012

Formulating Intentions when serving Deen




On one occasion, when Hazrat Maulana Yusuf Kandhlawi (Rahmatullahi ‘Alayh) gave the Jumu`ah Khutbah, his respected father, Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Ilyaas (Rahmatullahi ‘Alayh) asked him what intention he had made for the Khutbah he had delivered.


Hazrat Maulana Yusuf (Rahmatullahi ‘Alayh) replied that his Niyyah (intention) was to deliver the Sunnah Khutbah.


Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Ilyaas (Rahmatullahi ‘Alayh) advised him thus:  “Had you made the Niyyah that Allah Ta’ala conveys this message to all the people of the world, you would have then reaped so much more in thawaab (rewards), you would have secured tremendous rewards on such a niyyah.”


Contemplating on this priceless gem, and thereafter on the intentions we make, it came to mind that on undertaking any khidmah of Deen – whether, Khutbah, bayaan, writing, travel for the purpose of Deen, etc. – we should keep the following points and concerns before us when formulating our intention, including the above.


The following Dua is actually an extension and an explanation to the main intention to do solely and only for the Pleasure of Allah Ta’ala, and this Dua also reflects the weighty responsibility we have when engaging in the services of Deen, creating that concern to carry out our work in the best possible manner, as would be pleasing to Allah Ta’ala (Insha-Allah):


When formulating our intentions, we should keep the following before us. Insha-Allah, it will assist us in understanding what a sincere intention should be:


“O Allah, make this a means of Aml and Hidayah for myself and for all; grant me the Taufeeq to convey it correctly, and explain it correctly; let it be understood correctly and let it be practised upon correctly.


O Allah, grant me 100% sincerity, as well as all the qualities of acceptance. Allow the message of Your Deen to spread to all mankind and jinn till the day of Qiyaamah. Wherever it reaches, in which ever way it reaches, by whatever means, let there be only good in it and let only good come out of it, let there be no evil or harm in it and let no harm come out of it.


O Allah, Bless me to convey that which is necessary and beneficial, according to each individual; let there be no test or trial in it, no mistakes or errors in it, and O Allah, save me from any kind of disrespect also.


O Allah, let each and every Ayah and Hadeeth be only for Your Pleasure. Seal this talk with Your Special Pleasure and Acceptance - whether of the sayings, actions and conditions of the pious, or the analogies and the examples, or the events, poems or anecdotes.


O Allah, let every single moment spent in the Khidmat of Your Deen be only for Your pleasure. You, out of Your Kindness, declare it to be only for Your pleasure, as far as the words, meanings, insinuations and body language are concerned.


O Allah, Crown our humble efforts and endeavours with acceptance even though not worthy of acceptance.”


By Hazrat Maulana Abdul Hamid Is`haq (Daamat Barakaatuhum)


Friday 16 November 2012

About Hadhrat Moulana

                                        Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

An Introduction to 
HAZRAT MOULANA ABDUL HAMID IS`HAQ SAHEB
(Daamat Barakaatuhum)


Principal of Darul Uloom Azaadville, South Africa and
A Senior Khalifa of Hadhrat Maulana Shah 
Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (DB)


Hadhrat Moulana Abdul Hamid Ibn Ibrahim Is’haq Sahib was born on the 24th of Shawwal 1364 AH (20th September 1946) on the auspicious day of Jumu’ah at 1 p.m. (the time of Jumu’ah) in Primrose, a district of Germiston, on the East Rand, as recorded by his father on the back of his birth certificate.

Hadhrat Moulana Sahib grew up in difficult conditions. The dwelling of Hadhrat Maulana’s family was a stable which had been converted into a house.

At the young age of nine, Hadhrat Moulana lost his mother, Amina. (May Allah Ø¬َÙ„َّ جَÙ„َالُÙ‡ٗ   shower her Qabr with His mercy).

Moulana attained his Maktab education at Madrasah Quwwatul-Islam in Germiston. Amongst his Asatizah, were: Moulana Fakhruddin Sahib (RA), Hafiz Muhammad Salloo Sahib (RA), Moulana Ahmed Bera Sahib (RA) and Apa Zubeida (RA).

Moulana attended the Singh Indian Primary School in Germiston up to standard five (1370-1376/1952-1958). Thereafter, he proceeded to William Hills High School in Benoni where he completed his Matric (1377-1381/1959-1963).

In 1382/1964 (at the age of 17), Hadhrat Moulana enrolled at the Waterval Islamic Institute (Mias Farm) to study the Aalim Course. There, over a period of five years, Maulana studied various Kitaabs, including Hidaaya Awwalain and Jalaalain, under the expert tuition of Asatiza such as: Mufti Ibrahim Sanjalwi Sahib (RA), Mufti Bashir Sanjalwi Sahib (RA), and Moulana Ibrahim Mia Sahib (RA).

During this very period Moulana utilized whatever free time was available for the memorisation of the Qur’aan Majeed which he completed under the renowned Ustaadh of Hifz, Hadhrat Hafiz Abdur Rahmaan Mia Sahib (RA).

Thereafter in 1388 AH (1969), at the age of 22 Moulana travelled to India and took admission in the world famous institute, Darul Uloom Deoband. The following year (1389) Hadhrat Moulana completed the Aalim-Fadhil course, studying Bukhari Sharief under Hadhrat Moulana Fakhruddin Sahib (RA) and Mufti Mahmud Hasan Gangohi Sahib (RA).

After qualifying, Moulana spent an additional year at Deoband, solely to make effort on the Qur’an Majeed (revision and Tajweed.)

When Hadhrat Moulana had arrived in India, Moulana took Bay’at at the hands of Hadhrat Shaikhul Hadith, Maulana Muhammad Zakariyyah Sahib (RA) and had established an Islaahi Ta’alluq with Hadhrat Mufti Mahmud Hasan Gangohi Sahib (RA).

Before returning to South Africa, Hadhrat Moulana went to Saharanpur to spend Ramadaan in the auspicious company of his mentor. It was during this period that Hadhrat Moulana was informed of the passing away of his father, Ibrahim Bhai, who had passed away on the 29th of Ramadaan at the age of 63, due to a heart attack. (May Allah Ø¬َÙ„َّ جَÙ„َالُÙ‡ٗ shower his Qabr with His Mercy)

On his return from India, Hadhrat Moulana took up the post of Imamat at the Germiston Masjid. Together with Imamat, Moulana taught Maktab and later taught Hifz, and devoted himself to the effort of the Tablighi Jama’at.

Moulana had a great fervour and interest to translate the Kitaabs and great works of our Akaabir (religious elders) from the Urdu language into English. For this, Moulana thought that he should do a course in journalism so that he may have a better command of the language, etc. On application for the course, he was informed that a bachelor’s degree had to be done first.  Moulana thus did his B.A. with Unisa, through correspondence.

In 1396 (1976), after completing his B.A. with distinctions, majoring in Arabic and Linguistics, Moulana spent 1 year in Jamaat, in Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka, together with his wife. 

After completion of the 1 year in Jamaat, the Rand Afrikaans University approached Mia’s Farm as they required a lecturer in Islamic studies. Mia’s Farm referred them to Hadhrat Moulana.

Moulana made mashwarah concerning this with the Ulama of Mia’s Farm, as well as with Marhoom Bhai Padia Sahib (Rahmatullahi ‘Alayh). It was eventually decided that Moulana accept the offer. Thus, Moulana became a lecturer at RAU. Moulana not only lectured the students, Moulana also taught lecturers from the Pretoria University, Potchefstroom University, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) and other Universities.

During this period, RAU offered Moulana the option to do his BA Honours, which he did. Moulana lectured at RAU in 1977 and 1978. The University, being pleased with Moulana’s results, registered him for his M.A. and doctorate for which only one thesis each had to be written.

After having accepted the post, and whilst studying, Hadhrat Moulana realized that the university had only requested for Moulana to come in as a lecturer, to further their agenda to harm Muslims.  Since then, Moulana has publicly repented for studying for these degrees and lecturing at the university, and hopes that that would be an eye-opener for others.

Thereafter in 1979, Moulana left for his second ‘one-year’, travelling to countries such as Holland, Belgium, Turkey, France and the UK. On his return Moulana lost interest in university studies and lecturing.

Moulana continued with Imamat, teaching Hifz and the Aalim Course in Germiston.

In 1401 (1981), many more students desired to do the Aalim Course under Moulana. Great efforts were made to accommodate them in Germiston, but this did not materialize.

In the Khanqah of Hadhrat Shaikhul-Hadith, Moulana Muhammad Zakariyyah Saheb, Mashwarah took place as to Moulana moving to Azaadville to establish a Darul Uloom there. Finally in 1402(1982) Moulana moved to Azaadville and established the Darul Uloom there, with the Fadhl of Allah Ta'ala. 

In 1994 Hadhrat Moulana took Bay’at to Hadhrat Arif-Billah Shah Moulana Hakim Muhammad Akhtar Sahib (Rahmatullahi 'alayh). Hadhrat Moulana thereafter accompanied his honourable Shaikh for Umrah. On the Mubarak day of Jumu’ah, in front of the Ka’bah Sharief, in front of the Mizaab-e-Rahmat, after the Asr Salaah, Moulana was blessed with Khilafat.

Despite old age, illness, and the responsibilities of the Darul-Uloom, which rest upon Hadhrat Moulana’s shoulders, Hadhrat Moulana’s deep hearted passion to spread the message of the love of Allah (Jalla Jalaaluhu) has caused Hadhrat Moulana to travel the length and breadth of his country as well as many countries of the world.


May Allah Ø¬َÙ„َّ جَÙ„َالُÙ‡ٗ bless Hadhrat Moulana with long life, good health, the strength to continue in his blessed endeavours and Divine acceptance. Ameen



Taken from : http://khanqahashrafiaislamia.co.za/about/