By Hazrat Maulana
Abdul Hamid Is`haq Saheb (Daamat Barakaatuhum)
Bismihi Ta’ala
The ni`mats (bounties)
of Allah (Jalla Jalaaluhu) upon us are innumerable. Countless reach us, without
any effort or exertion from our side. …And whilst we see, with our physical
eye, different bounties, there are billions and billions more which are not even known to us.
The oxygen we breath,
the water we have on tap, our ability to see, hear, speak, and move are
bounties we use all the time, but without thought or even appreciation – until
the bounty is no more (Allah Ta’ala protect us). It is a fact, that generally
when a bounty is lost, it is then recognized as a bounty.
On the highest level,
our Imaan and Islam are the greatest gifts.
So we find Allah
Ta’ala’s bounties are all around us, in every way. As Believers in Allah
Ta’ala, there are certain requirements in fulfilling the Shukr of Allah Ta’ala.
These are :
1.) MA`RIFAT (RECOGNITION): To recognize these bounties as bounties and not take them for granted, heedlessly.
For example: To recognize that our
homes, which offer us protection from rain and cold, which offer us privacy,
comfort and so much else, are great
bounties – even if that home is not a palace or not located in the upper-crust
areas of society.
Many
complain about their homes, yet they do not look at the thousands living in
shacks, on the streets or in refugee camps, and recognize and understand that that
one bedroom flat or that little cottage is, in fact, a great, great bounty.
2.)
I'TIRAAF/IQRAAR (ACKNOWLEDGEMENT):
There are
two sides to recognition and acknowledgement:
a.) To
consciously acknowledge Allah Ta’ala’s favours.
As an example: We will not just say: ‘What wonderful weather
today!’
We would
say: ‘Ma'shaAllah, Allah Jalla Jalaaluhu
has blessed us with this wonderful weather.’
We bring Allah Jalla Jalaalu
consciously into the equation! We must know the source of bounties and
attribute it rightfully to Allah Jalla Jalaaluhu.
b.) To
recognize and acknowledge that we were not deserving of these bounties.
Our
Shaykh, Hazrat Maulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (DB) has taught us that
Allah Ta’ala’s sifat of Kareem, alludes to The One Who Gives without the
recipient deserving. So bounties are not given based on us deserving them. Bounties are given out of Allah Ta’ala’s Infinite
Generosity and Kindness.
3.) SHUKR (APPRECIATION AND GRATITUDE): This is the condition of that heart which has recognized
and acknowledged. The tongue then automatically expresses that appreciation.
The
person will then say, for example: ‘Alhamdulillah, Allah Ta’ala has granted
me cure from this ailment.’
Or: ‘Alhamdulillah,
Allah Ta’ala has blessed me with a pious spouse.’
4.)
AML (ACTION): To use the bounties of Allah Ta’ala
to earn His Pleasure, utilizing them in His Obedience.
For
example: We will utilize our faculty of speech in noble deeds, such as Tilawat
(Recitation of Qur`aan Shareef), Zikrullah, Enjoining good and forbidding evil,
speaking to others amicably and politely.
We will not utilize this priceless bounty of
speech in sinful deeds, such as engaging in nonsensical or shameless talk, swearing,
speaking lies, gossiping about others, taking false oaths or spreading
mischief.
Even in this effort
to render Shukr and to fulfil the Right of Allah Ta’ala, a person will not be
able to do so adequately and completely.
Despite this
shortcoming, we do as is within our capacity.
Allah Ta’ala’s Sifat
is ‘Shakoor’ – The One who Appreciates the efforts and good deeds of His
Servants - efforts and deeds, which we
acknowledge are full of weakness and deficiency. Yet, we fail to be ‘shaakir’ (appreciative and grateful) to Allah
Ta’ala for His Bounties which have no weakness and deficiency.
…Just ponder on the
contrast between the two and we would realize how empty and void we are of
shukr. Yes, from our side, complaints are all too common.
When we imbibe these aspects in expressing gratitude to Allah
Ta’ala, the noble quality of humility will be nurtured within our hearts and
souls. We will become humble. And the Hadeeth makes mention :
“WHOEVER HUMBLES HIMSELF FOR THE SAKE
OF ALLAH,
ALLAH ELEVATES HIM.”
The
one who recognises His Creator, recognises himself; the one who recognises the favours
and greatness of Allah Jalla Jalaaluhu, recognises his lowliness and
humbleness. He who humbles himself, Allah Jalla Jalaaluhu elevates him. Whom
Allah Jalla Jalaaluhu elevates, Allah also protects.
Humility is the crown of Abdiyyat (servitude) which then becomes
the means by which the person becomes beloved to Allah Ta’ala.
May Allah Ta’ala
imbibe within us, these beautiful qualities of true Shukr, humility and Abdiyyat.
