Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem
by
Hazrat Maulana Abdul Hamid Is’haq Sahib (Daamat Barakaatuhu)
Allah Ta’ala gives directions for every department of our
lives and informs us, in the Qur’aan Shareef, as to how to deal with the tests
and hardships which come our way. Our work is to turn to Allah Ta’ala and
follow the guidance of Allah Ta’ala.
Allah Ta’ala is our Creator and Master; He is Haakim and
Hakeem. His knowledge and Wisdom are perfect and unlimited and He is the
Ultimate and Absolute Ruler and will make Decisions as He wills. His
legislations and decrees are always in our best interests. The conditions, which
are sent, are not random or haphazard. Behind His decisions, is His Unlimited
Wisdom.
Sometimes, we, as human beings, forget who is in Charge
and who is in Control. We see ourselves as masters because of our intelligence
– which is limited, because of our study and research, our scientific
achievements, advancement in technology, etc. and we forget our reality. We
forget that we are the servants of Allah Ta’ala. Allah Ta’ala then sends
conditions over us, for us to realise who we are and how helpless we really
are. …Allah Ta’ala is Absolute. Every condition is from Allah Ta’ala. These circumstances visit us so that we
become true slaves and servants and submit to Allah Ta’ala.
TAFWEEZ
For the Mu’mineen – the Believers – Allah Ta’ala’s Decrees
are to be accepted. Tafweez is that noble quality where a person accepts
wholeheartedly, the Decisions of Allah Ta’ala. This will bring peace and
tranquillity. We will be at peace with ourselves, at peace with our families
and at peace with the conditions that have befallen us. Of course, Tafweez does
not mean that we should not adopt the means (asbaab), that we should not seek
medical treatment, help, etc. We should take the necessary and correct
precautions and seek a solution, with our Trust entirely in Allah Ta’ala alone.
…On the other hand, if we don’t accept; if we don’t
resign our will to the Will of our Creator, what are we going to do? Presently,
people are becoming agitated, restless, panic stricken and frustrated; they are
blaming, fighting and cursing others. None of these are solutions.
As a simple example: A little child broke his arm. Being a
child, his mind works like a child. He wants the freedom to run and play. On
the other hand, his parents are adults, who will think rationally. They will
impose certain conditions and restrictions because the child needs to heal;
needs to recover. The child will have to wear a plaster cast for his arm to
heal. Even if it is uncomfortable, he has no choice. If the child goes through
the treatment and follows instructions, Insha-Allah, everything comes right. If
he throws tantrums and fights with everyone all the time, then he harms
himself. The recovery may then be slow and the results may not be good.
Similarly, if we follow the spiritual treatment and the
instructions of Allah Ta’ala, then everything comes right. In all conditions, a
Believer submits to Allah Ta’ala’s Decree. Nobody can escape the decrees of
Allah Ta’ala - not here, in this world nor in the hereafter.
SABR AND
SALAAH
Allah Ta’ala gives us guidelines and shows us how to
resolve the problem:
“O you who believe, seek the help of Allah Ta’ala with
patience and Salaah…”
That is, when we are faced with hard or difficult
conditions, we should seek His Help with patience and Salaah. True
patience is to accept what Allah Ta’ala has destined and to remain steadfast
and firm on Deen. We should see our tests as means to improve and better our
relationship with Allah Ta’ala.
Another simple example: If a person throws a stone at a
dog, the dog also knows that the stone is not the cause. The dog will not go to
the stone and fight with the stone. The dog will run after the person who threw
it; it will bark and may even bite the person.
Of course, we cannot fight with Allah Ta’ala or harm Allah
Ta’ala. This is out of the question. Since conditions come from Allah Ta’ala, the
correct response, befitting a slave and servant, is to seek His Help. Salaah
invites the help of Allah Ta’ala. When Rasulullah Sallaallahu ‘alayhi
wasallam was faced with any grave situation, he would, without delay, turn
to Salaah.
Let us not focus on just the asbaab. Focus on Musabbibul
Asbaab – Allah Ta’ala. This is an Aqeedah of Tauheed. The
material causes are there but behind everything is Allah Ta’ala. Seek His help.
There is no need to become panic stricken, frantic, distressed or agitated. Once
Allah Ta’ala favours us with His Forgiveness, Mercy and Help, all difficult
conditions will be removed. Asbaab are in the control of Allah Ta’ala. Asbaab
are not an independent power that can do anything. Everything is under the
Control and Power of Allah Ta’ala.
REAL
INTELLIGENCE
Hazrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) had
given an example:
A gang of criminals are pursued by police. They are being
shot at, and some are killed. Those who are still alive decide to discuss and
research how the bullet is made and what the gun powder comprises of. It will
be inevitable that within seconds or minutes, bullets will hit them and kill
them, but they are pre-occupied with what they deem crucial: discussing bullets.
Now that they are surrounded by the police, the logical thing would be to hand
themselves in, express remorse and regret for their crimes and make amends.
Similarly, we are criminals … who have violated many of
Allah Ta’ala’s Laws and we have also perpetrated injustices on people. The
logical thing is to acknowledge our wrongdoing, ask for forgiveness and correct
our actions. However, instead of doing so, we are spending all our time in
investigation and research, in news reports and conspiracy theories. The real
intelligence is turning to Allah Ta’ala and doing what we are required to do:
Obey Him and His Rasul Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam.
DUROOD SHAREEF & ISTIGHFAAR
Shaykhul Hadith, Hadhrat Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya
(Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) had said: “It is my experience and conviction and that of
our Akaabir, that when problems come, individually or collectively, two actions
solve the problem…
1.)
Abundance of Durood
Shareef
At present, we are experiencing different tests and we are
weak. We need Allah Ta’ala’s Rahmah. Where Rahmah descends, Azaab disappears
and difficulties vanish. Durood Shareef draws the Rahmah and Mercy of Allah
Ta’ala.
Our Shaykh,
Hadhrat Moulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sahib (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) had related that when Hadhrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi
(Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) was writing the Kitaab, Nashrut Teeb, on the Seerah of
Rasulullah Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam, he would write this Kitaab only
on certain days. He had a very disciplined schedule for his work, so specific days
were given to the writing of this Kitaab. At the time, a plague had overcome
the area. He observed that on the days he wrote Nashrut Teeb, no deaths were
reported. On the other days, deaths were reported. He then continued with writing
Nashrut Teeb on a daily basis. Alhamdulillah, people stopped dying of the plague and the
plague then disappeared.
Our Shaykh, Hadhrat Moulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sahib
(Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) explained that Durood Shareef is a solution for plagues
and difficulties. Others won’t understand the connection between Durood
Shareef and difficulties, but as Muslims we know that Allah Ta’ala has placed
Shifa in His Kalaam and Shifa and solutions in many other forms of Ibaadah.
2.) Taubah and Istighfaar
We need to first realise that we have sinned. Many of us
are in denial or we only pay attention to a few good deeds that may be done,
but the Hadith mentions very clearly that all of Bani Aadam (the children of
Hadhrat Aadam (Alaihis Salaam)) are sinners and the best of sinners are those
who make Taubah. Allah Ta’ala loves Taubah and makes beloved, the one who
sincerely repents to Him.
Fortunate is the person whose sins open up to him. It is a
great favour from Allah Ta’ala because we can then make amends and rectify
ourselves. There were many of our Akaabir, who despite their obedience to Allah
Ta’ala and their great Deeni contributions, were regretful that they did not do
more or improve more. May Allah Ta’ala grant us this concern as well.
The need of the hour is to ask for forgiveness. We engage
in outward and inward sins: adultery and fornication, drinking, gambling,
interest taking and giving have become widespread in the Ummah. On another
level, the sins of greed, jealousy, pride, hatred, wishing evil on others, etc. have
ruined our hearts.
In the Aakhirah, the creation will lay charges against us,
because of the sins we engaged in. When we don’t pay Zakaat, this affects the
creation. Rains are with-held, people and animals suffer. All will lay charges
against us. When we engage in immoral behaviour, plagues and sicknesses then
come into existence which affect even the innocent.
So we need to beg for forgiveness for all our sins, engage in much Istighaar and rectify our conduct. We should also make Istighfaar after doing good
deeds since there are still so many shortcomings and failings in our Ibaadah.
Another two beneficial practices, which are drawn from the
Sunnah and were the practices of our Akaabir:
3.) Giving Sadaqah
Hadhrat Haji Ahmad Nakhooda (Daamat Barakaatuhu), a
Khalifa of Hadhrat Moulana Muhammad Zakariyyah (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) repeatedly
encourages us to give in charity, even if it is only R1. The Ahadith
fully encourage us to give whatever we are able to. If we can give more,
Alhamdulillah. We will be the beneficiaries. Sadaqah saves a person from a bad
death and ensures a good death. Through the blessings of Sadaqah, problems are
removed and those that were going to come are blocked.
4.) Dua
Dua is instrumental in changing conditions. It even
changes Taqdeer. We just have to have Yaqeen (conviction) that Allah Ta’ala is
the Doer and that nothing is difficult for Him. There are Aadaab (etiquettes) of
Dua, where we should face the Qiblah, raise our hands, etc. However, even if a
person makes Dua in his heart, it will greatly benefit him.
These are four A’maal which we should get involved in and
should encourage our family, friends and others. Unfortunately, we are wasting
our valuable time discussing only the problem and not solving the problem. Take
precautions but the solution is turning to Allah Ta’ala.
If the lights are gone and there is only darkness, and at
that time, a group of electricians and Eskom’s executives and managers start
discussing why there is no electricity, the lights will not go on. Just talk
and speeches will not help bring back the electricity. However, if a person
lights one candle, then there will be some light. A person needs to do
something to solve the problem. Similarly, these A’maal, together with Tafweez,
Sabr and Salaah, will benefit and resolve our problems.
Our sad condition is that what is simple, easy and inexpensive
or free, does not appeal to us. We rather pay big amounts of money, go down a
difficult route and waste our time, money and energy, with no results or
solutions. These prescriptions are simple … and free of charge. Get engaged in them
and see the results.
Moreover, with the lockdown and many restrictions, Allah
Ta’ala freed most of us from the work of Dunya so that we can prepare for our
return to Him; so that we can build up our Aakhirah. Take the opportunity.
Appreciate the opportunity. There is no escaping death so prepare for it.
May Allah Ta’ala grant us the Taufeeq.
