Bismihi
Ta’ala
THE SUNNAH : OUR VALUE AND PROTECTION
By
Hadhrat Moulana Abdul Hamid Is`haq (Daamat Barakaatuhum)
In today’s times, the
methods of rice harvesting, cleaning and production are more advanced, with
different and upgraded machinery. The rice we purchase today is well packaged
and clean.
In previous times, when
we purchased rice, we would find tiny stones, straw and little twigs with the
rice. The merchants sold rice like this and we bought the rice, knowing fully
well that the little stones are weighed with the rice.
When we bought the rice,
we kept that rice in glass jars or storage containers, as a measure of
protection, until we intended to cook it.
The stones and twigs were
not only priced with the rice, but they were protected as was the rice. Even though they had no value, they drew
the same value and protection because they ‘kept company’ with the rice.
When the rice was
cleaned, these particles were picked out and thrown aside. …Even today, when
rice is cleaned, these stones, the straw, etc. are separated and thrown out. A
de-stoner is used, and it serves the same purpose - to separate the stones,
dirt, and other materials from the grain. On the one end of this machine, is
the grain which has been cleaned. On the other end, the stones, straw and dirt
are collected – to be thrown away.
Once thrown out, they
immediately lose value. People walk over these stones, the hay, etc. Cats, dogs
and other animals walk over them; even relieve themselves on them… because they
have no worth when separated from the rice.
Our likeness is of the
tiny stones, straw and little twigs that are found with the rice we
purchased. So long as we were joined to the Sunnats, we were priced as the Lovers
of Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam). And we were also
recipient to Allah Ta’ala’s special protection.
As long as we had Dien
and we had the Sunnah in our lives, we were protected and honoured by Allah
Ta’ala. When we separated ourselves from Dien and from the Sunnah; when we went
the route of sins, transgression, Bid`ah, modernism and other ‘isms’, which
have no share in Islam – it was a choice we made, which threw us out of the
Protection of Allah Ta’ala. Our value
was lost, our protection was no more, and our honour was replaced with
dishonour.
Now we have the enemies
of Islam – people, whom Allah Ta’ala has declared His enemies and our enemies –
people who live their lives in rejection and rebellion to Allah Ta’ala…
‘O you who believe, do not take My
Enemies and your enemies for friends, expressing love with them, while they
have rejected the Truth that has come to you…’
[Surah Al-Mumtahina 60 : 1]
We have such people
trample upon us, murder our weak, elderly and children, rape our women, raze
our homes and unjustly imprison and persecute our men. The oppression is so
compounded, words fail – yet it seems as if there is no one to even sigh over
this. This is the outcome of alienating ourselves from Dien and from the Sunnah.
Islam, as a religion and as a way of life, is easy and
perfectly practical in every time.
For each and every Ummati, there is the ray of hope, the
opportunity to salvage that honour of being an Ummati, and that promise of
success – if only we connect with Dien and the Sunnah.
If we do, we will become recipient to that Special Divine
Protection, our value will increase and we will become the beneficiaries of
Allah Ta’ala’s Promises:
“Allah has promised those of you
who believe and do good deeds that He will certainly make them (His)
vicegerents in the land, like He made those before them, and will certainly
establish for them their religion that He has chosen for them, and will certainly
give them peace in exchange, after their state of fear; (provided that) they
worship Me, ascribing no partner to Me. And whoever turns infidel after that,
then such people are the transgressors. And establish Salaah and pay Zakaah and
obey the Messenger so that you may be favoured with mercy.”
[Surah Nur 24 : 55 / 56]
From another angle,
considering the analogy of rice; it is a well-known fact that rice is a staple
food which is consumed by billions and which is considered a vital grain for
human nutrition. Millions depend on rice for their survival, with many
consuming rice every day of their lives.
In relation to this fact,
the Sunnah is the staple food for the
soul. And the Sunnah encompasses every good and noble deed, including abstinence from all sins.
This is vital for the soul’s nourishment and improvement. With it, the
spiritual heart and the soul thrive. Without it, Imaan will suffer impairment
and the soul will weaken.
Added to this, Allah Ta’ala’s Love and Forgiveness are
binding for the one who follows in the footsteps of the Beloved (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi
wasallam):
“Say (O Muhammad (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam)) : If you do love Allah,
follow me. Allah shall love you and forgive you your sins; And Allah is
Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful.”
[Surah
Aal-Imraan 3 : 31]
Hadhrat Moulana Abrarul Haq (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) had
explained that every Sunnat is اَسْهَلْ
(most simple), اَكْمَلْ (perfect) and اَجْمَلْ (most beautiful).
Hadhrat Moulana Umar of
Palanpoor (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) had mentioned that on practising and living the
Sunnah, a person becomes recipient to Rahmat
(Mercy), Barakah (Blessings), Hidayat (Guidance) and Muhabbat (he becomes beloved to Allah
Ta’ala and to the people).
May Allah Ta’ala give us
understanding and the Taufeeq to appreciate every single aspect of this
beautiful way of life called Islam, and to practise upon the Sunnah, on every
breath and moment.
