Tuesday 22 December 2015

Spiritual Diamonds


Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem


By Hadhrat Moulana Abdul Hamid Is`haq Saheb (Daamat Barakaatuhum)


Diamonds are known to be an extremely prized commodity; something which is sought-after. They are treasured for their rarity and beauty.


In its original form, a diamond is a rough stone and has to undergo a demanding process to create the sparkling diamond, which will then be made available for an exclusive market.


Diamonds are explained as crystals of pure carbon that are formed under intense heat and very high pressure, deep in the earth’s mantle. They are also known as one of the hardest minerals.


Whilst carbon is a very abundant element, not all of it becomes diamonds. Similarly, there are billions of human beings but not all become "diamonds". However, every person has the potential to become a spiritual diamond - if the effort is made.


Just as a diamond is formed deep in the earth, a diamond amongst people is generally formed in the safety and fortification of the Suhbat of the Ahlullah.


...The Sahaba-e-Kiraam (Radhiyallahu 'anhum) had become bright, brilliant, glittering stars by virtue of the Suhbat of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam). They have been described as stars, which offer guidance. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam) said: “My Companions are like the stars, whichever of them you follow you will be rightly guided”


In this path of Sulook, there are many unique diamonds. They are different individuals, from different walks of life, who become the friends of Allah Ta’ala. In the making of the human ‘diamond’, there is also the heat and pressure of different tests and sacrifices, which brings to the surface the true value and worth of a person.


As a diamond undergoes an intense degree of Mujahadah (Striving), so too does the one who seeks to become a diamond in the Court of Allah Ta’ala! The tests of life and the efforts and striving for the cause and pleasure of Allah Ta’ala, are factors which contribute to the making of the spiritual diamond. 


Through these tests, struggles and sacrifices, the spiritual diamonds amongst mankind are created.


Allah Ta’ala mentions in Surah Al-Mulk


“[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed - and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving.”
[Surah Al-Mulk 67 : 2]

And in Surah Al-Baqarah:

 وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ بِشَىْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوْعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنْفُسِ وَالثَّمَرٰتِ قلے
وَبَشِّرِ الصّٰبِرِينَ ۙ الَّذِينَ إِذَآ أَصَابَتْهُمْ مُّصِيْبَةٌ لا
 قَالُوْآ إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّآ إِلَيْهِ رٰجِعُونَ ◌
 أُولٰٓئِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَلَوٰتٌ مِّنْ رَّبِّهِمْ وَرَحْمَةٌ صلے وَأُولٰٓئِكَ هُمُ الْمُهْتَدُونَ ◌

“We will definitely test you with some fear, some hunger and some loss in your wealth, in your health and in the fruits. Give glad-tidings to those who patiently persevere. And when any trial reaches them, they say: ‘Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji-oon (from Allah we have come and to Him is our return).” They are those on whom are the benefactions of their Lord, and receive His Mercy, and it is they who are the guided ones.”
[Surah Al-Baqarah 2 : 155/156/157]


In his quest to become a spiritual diamond, the Saalik strives against his nafs and shaytaan; and continuously renders the sacrifices of the evil desires of his nafs. He chooses Allah Ta’ala’s pleasure before his own pleasure. No matter what the demand, no matter what the temptation and no matter what great pressure he has to contend with, he remains firm and steadfast in his obedience to Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam).


Like carbon becomes a diamond and a very hard mineral under very high pressure, the Saalik becomes a spiritual diamond with his abstinence from sins, and becomes strong, firm and solid in his Imaan in Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul (Sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam).


When diamonds are discovered, they are not left in their raw form. Th­ere are special techniques adopted to cut and shape a diamond before it is embedded in a ring, in earrings, in a bracelet or in a necklace. Diamond cutters use different techniques:


1.)   Cleaving or sawing – is a technique where the diamond cutter cuts a diamond down to an appropriate size.
2.)    Cutting – is the technique adopted to give the diamond its shape.
3.)    Poli­shing – is the final technique to give the diamond its finished look.


These diamond cutters bring life to rough diamonds and transform them into brilliant, glittering gems. When they are placed on the market, then as we know, they are sold at a high price – depending on their carat, cut, colour and clarity. As such, not everyone can purchase diamonds.


Similarly, when the rough diamonds of mankind are placed in the Suhbat of the Sheikh-e-Kaamil, then like the diamond cutter, the Sheikh-e-Kaamil makes an effort on the Mureed and adopts different techniques to mould him into a true human being and a sincere Aashiq of Allah Ta’ala and Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam).


Sometimes, in the efforts made by the Saalik, in his obedience to Allah Ta’ala and in undertaking good deeds, the Saalik suffers the malady of Ujub (vanity / conceit), Takabbur (pride) or some form of Hubbe Jah or Hubbe Bah. So the Sheikh also uses the technique of ‘cleaving’ and brings the Saalik down to size – down to Abdiyyah (servitude to Allah Ta’ala), whereby the Saalik annihilates his nafs and recognises that he is a slave and servant of Allah Ta’ala.


This Abdiyyah and Fana’iyyah are achieved most easily when there is a spiritual diamond cutter doing the work – that is, the Sheikh-e-Kaamil. On its own, a diamond cannot cut itself or do anything to improve itself. If a diamond does not entrust itself – so to say - to a diamond cutter, it will remain a rough, course diamond. It would not have become the brilliant Kohi-Noor or the Great Star of Africa.


The Sheikh also adopts the technique of giving the Saalik, a beautiful ‘shape’ and form – by guiding him and correcting him in his Aqaa'id (beliefs), in his Ibaadaat (worship), in his character and in his dealings with the creation. The “polishing” of the Mureed is the effort of Zikrullah and the effort of Ikhlaas whereby the Saalik shines brightly in his Love for Allah Ta’ala and Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam).


Indeed, that person who connects with this perfect Dien and with the beautiful Sunnah becomes the envy of diamonds. …Diamonds fade when compared to the brilliant light, splendid shine, beauty and value of the one who sacrifices himself for Dien and sacrifices himself upon the Sunnah. 


What is the Kohi Noor next to the heart of a Mu’min? Nothing!


The buyer for the spiritual diamond is none other than Allah Ta’ala – who then houses His diamond in the everlasting home of Jannah! Allah Ta’ala says:

إِنَّ اللّٰهَ اشْتَرٰ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ أَنْفُسَهُمْ وَأَمْوَالَهُم بِأَنَّ لَهُمُ الْجَنَّةَ ط

 “Allah has purchased from the Believers their lives and their properties; [in exchange] for that they will have Paradise…”
 [Surah At-Taubah 9 : 111]


Whilst the buyers of worldly diamonds consider the carat, cut, colour and clarity, Allah Ta’ala considers the sincerity of our hearts and deeds.


Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:  “Verily Allah does not look towards your physical appearances, or towards your riches; but He sees (the sincerity of) your hearts, and (the nature of) your deeds.”[1]


Diamonds are after all stones that have some material value attached to them. Even if a person possesses these diamonds, it is only for the duration of his earthly life. They will be left behind when the person is placed in his grave. They may even be lost to him in his lifetime.


On the other hand, a diamond amongst mankind appreciates and increases in value – even after his death! His value increases with his Ibaadaat, with his Khidmat of Dien, with his efforts to benefit the creation in various ways, and in other good deeds – and his value increases after death, by virtue of the Sadaqah-e-Jaariyah he leaves behind.   


Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “When a man dies, his acts come to an end, but three, recurring charity, or knowledge (by which people) benefit, or a pious child, who prays for him (for the deceased)”.[2] 


An Aashiq of Allah Ta’ala and Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) becomes a unique diamond by virtue of the qualities in his heart, which he carries with him wherever he goes and which accompany him to his grave and are a source of tremendous spiritual profit in both worlds.


Our Sheikh, Hadhrat Moulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (Rahmatullahi 'Alayh) had said that on one occasion, Shah Waliullah (Rahmatullahi 'Alayh) addressed the Moghul Emporers, saying: “Waliullah has a heart that is adorned with the gems and pearls of the Love of Allah Ta’ala. When you die, you will be beneath the ground, covered in a few sheets, while your wealth and treasure, your power and position will be left behind, above the ground.”


Every person has the ability to become a spiritual diamond. However, it is with the skilled work of the spiritual diamond cutter (the Sheikh-e-Kaamil), that the person acquires spiritual shape, beauty and shine. So we should hand ourselves over to a Sheikh who is Kaamil – and allow him to cleave, saw, cut and polish – that is, allow him to make our Islaah.

…Of course, we should be very wary of those who are fraudulent and bogus peers.


May Allah Ta’ala grant us the understanding and Taufeeq of Amal and bless us all with the Suhbat of such a Sheikh who will mould us to be diamonds that will fetch a high price in the Court of Allah Ta’ala!




[1] Sahih Muslim
[2] Sahih Muslim


Wednesday 16 December 2015

Seerat of Our Beloved Nabi ﷺ

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem


This Kitaab is a basic translation of Hamare Rasul  
with a few additions from the Kitaab, Seerat-ul-Mustafa  
written by Hadhrat Moulana Idrees Khandelwi 
(Rahmatullahi Alayh).


EXTRACT

The sun of Nubuwwah was born in a city which was the headquarters of idols. ...Like before the rising of the sun, the horizon lights up, similarly, before the birth of Nabi  the world lit up with Barakaat!


When Nabi’s mother conceived him, she was given the glad tidings, in a dream, “Your child is going to be the leader of this Ummah! When he will be born, make this Dua, ‘I give him in the protection of the One and Only Allah’, and name him Muhammad.” She also said, “After conceiving him I saw a light by which the palaces of Syria were seen.”


The mother of Uthman bin Abul Aas (Radhiyallahu ‘anhu), Fatima bint-e-Abdullah says, “At the time of childbirth I was near Amina. At that time, I noticed that the entire house was filled with Noor, and the stars are lowering themselves to such an extent that I thought that the stars will fall on me.” (The stars lowering themselves indicated that very soon Kufr, Shirk and darkness will be removed from the world, and the world will be filled with brightness and Hidaayah (guidance).)



On the 7th day after birth, Abdul Muttalib celebrated the Aqeeqah of Nabi . Most of the Quraish were invited for the function and the name Muhammad was chosen for Nabi . The Quraish said, “O Abdul Haarith (the title of Abdul Muttalib), why did you choose such a name which none from amongst your forefathers have chosen up to this day?” 

Abdul Muttalib replied, “I chose this name, because I hope Allah Ta’ala, in the heavens, and the creation of Allah Ta’ala on the earth, will praise him.”


READ THE BOOK HERE