Recognizing Allah Ta'ala, The Creator

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

 

 

THERE ARE SIGNS of Allah Ta’ala’s Greatness and power in everything, if a person reflects and contemplates the creation; himself included.

 

“On the earth are signs for those of assured faith, as also in your own selves: Will you not then see?”

[Surah Az-Zaariyaat 51 : 20 / 21]

“Verily in the Creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are signs for the people of wisdom. Those who remember Allah standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and think deeply about the creation of the heavens and earth…”

[Surah Aal-Imraan 3 : 190/1]

From millions and billions of examples, let us just take two little creatures that offer beautiful insight to Allah Ta’ala’s marvelous design and creation. …The bees and the flowers initiated an amazing business: manufacturing honey. And how successful a venture!

 

The bee collects nectar from its suppliers – the flowers; then stores it in honeycombs and in this manner, manufactures a substance which is in high demand by man – because of its wonderful curative and other properties.

 

Allah Ta’ala chose the bee – a small, little creation – to be a means of the mass production of honey, throughout the world. However, the bee did not go to any school or university to learn the method of making honey.  It is Allah Ta’ala who taught and inspired the bee. This establishment, this operation, is on the permission of Allah Ta’ala.

 

“And your Lord inspired to the bee, "Take for yourself among the mountains, houses and among the trees and (in) that which they construct.

 

Then eat from all the fruits and follow the ways of your Lord laid down (for you). There emerges from their bellies a drink, varying in colours, in which there is healing for people. Indeed in that is a sign for a people who give thought."

 

[Surah An-Nahl 16 : 68/69]

 

We also see how the silkworm and the mulberry leaf have founded an extraordinary enterprise: producing silk. SubhanAllah! …And how prosperous and lucrative the trade!

 

As is known to all of us, the silkworm is the chief producer of silk and silk is considered the queen of textiles, which fetches a high price in the markets of the world. However, the skill of the silkworm was not developed in any university or college. Its skill is on the Command, guidance and power of Allah Ta’ala. 

 

Man takes the silkworm to be in his employment but its skill was not due to man’s effort and training.  It is due to Allah Ta’ala’s Infinite Power and Guidance – Allah Ta’ala not only creates, but also programmes His Creation for specific tasks.

 

“Our Lord is He who gave everything its shape, then guidance.”

[Surah Ta Ha 20: 50]

 

“Who created (everything), then made (it) well, and who determined a measure (for everything), then guided (it).”

[Surah Al-A’la 82 : 2 / 3]

 

Allah Ta’ala chose a worm – another small, little creation - to produce the most beautiful fabric in the world! …Had Allah Ta’ala not disclosed this secret enterprise, would the mind of man have ever conceived that a worm would have such ability?

 

Scientific research also discovered that the spider manufactures silk. Its silk is considered the toughest material on the surface of the earth. So strong and malleable is the spider’s silk that it is able to withstand immense pressure before breaking. Due to this, scientists and researchers consider it an ideal material for the manufacture of bulletproof vests and other protective clothing – and are seeking ways to generate productivity for man’s benefit.

When Allah Ta'ala mentions the spider's house, He describes it as:

“Truly the filmiest of houses is the spider's house...”

[Surah Al-Ankaboot 29:41]

The weakness and frailty are within the spider’s house and not the spider’s threads. The spider’s web does not protect from heat or cold, does not provide shade or offer protection. Rain can wash it away and human beings can easily trample or destroy it. However, the threads are considered exceptionally strong, as mentioned. …Who guides the spider – so small in comparison to man – to manufacture such strong material? …Everything directs to the Creator, Allah Jalla Jalaaluhu.

 

In spite of their intelligence, scientists, professors, students and others, have to go to the beehives, go to the silkworm and the spider, to learn from them, about their expertise. Even then, man can only make use of the silkworm and bee but cannot achieve the remarkable abilities to do what the silkworm does, or what the bee does – without the silkworm and without the bee. SubhanAllah!

 

It is due to both the silkworm and the bee that huge industries have been set up, with these products being imported and exported throughout the world. …Remove these two little entities from the equation and there would not be these highly profitable trades. What great signs of a Creator!

 

Another lesson we learn is that silkworms are reared in captivity, and as they grow and mature, they begin to spin their cocoons, with silk threads which are secreted from their bodies. …In man’s quest and greed for commercial gain from producing silk, the cocoons are steamed or baked or plunged into boiling water, killing the silkworms inside them and softening the silk gum. The boiling water unravels the silk fibres for silk manufacturing and man enjoys the luxury of silk and the profits of silk.

 

The silkworm is sacrificed for the benefit of man. It offers a noble service and is “thanked” by being killed. However, if the worm is allowed to grow, it turns into a silk moth and is freed from the confines of the cocoon. 

 

Man is the slave and servant of Allah Ta’ala, born in a state of fitrah (Islam) – to be nurtured for servitude and submission to Allah Ta’ala.  Islam is innate and inborn in every one of us. Thus, human beings naturally incline to belief in Allah Ta’ala and worshipping Allah Ta’ala.

 

“And I created not the Jinn and mankind except they should worship me.”

[Surah Zariat 51 : 56]

 

If man surrenders his life for Allah Ta’ala – obeying His Creator, working towards righteousness, and sacrificing his evil desires, seeking the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala, Allah Ta’ala does not destroy man, does not deprive man, does not allow his efforts to go in vain. Allah Ta’ala, in turn, graciously rewards man with spiritual life and eternal life in the Hereafter, to enjoy the everlasting bounties of Jannah.

 

Like the silk moth which is freed from the confines of the cocoon; when man is released from the confines of dunya, he is granted everlasting freedom in the Hereafter, in Jannah. …In this world also, Allah Ta’ala grants a beautiful and good life (Hayaatan Tayyibah).

 

 “Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.”

[Surah An-Nahl 16 : 97]

 

As has been said:

 

“The clouds and winds, the moon, the sun and

the sky are continually at work,

So that you earn your living and do not eat in forgetfulness.

The entire creation is engaged in working

for you, in submission;

The law of justice will not be accomplished if you

fail to submit to and obey Allah.”

 

 

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

4 Day Programme

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

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Khanqah Ashrafia Islamia | Aswaatul Masaajid | Sautun Noor

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Understanding the Lawful, Unlawful and Doubtful : A Simple Analogy

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

 

Rasulullah Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam said: “Verily Halaal is clear and verily Haraam is clear. And between them there are certain doubtful matters many people are unaware of, therefore, who stays away from doubtful matters, he has protected his Dien and honour. And who gets involved in doubtful matters, he would fall into Haraam.”[1]

 

This Hadith clearly places matters relating to us into three specific classes:

 

Halaal: The lawful

Haraam: The unlawful or prohibited

Mushtabihaat: The doubtful

 

Halaal offers safety; Haraam signals danger and the doubtful indicates to caution and abstinence.

 

All of us, who have the experience of driving, understand that the green traffic light allows us to drive. The green light indicates that it is safe to continue driving; the amber or yellow traffic light signals that we be cautious and that we slow down. The red traffic light stops us from driving – it warns us of danger if we do.

 

We understand that these are the rules and regulations of the road. If we do not stop at the red light, we will be fined or may meet up with an accident and cause damage to our vehicle. We may even injure and harm ourselves – and we could also harm pedestrians who may be crossing the road. Many a time, there is loss of life. As such, we abide by the rules.

 

Allah Ta’ala has given us the green lights of Halaal enjoyments, the amber or yellow lights of caution and the red lights of prohibitions.

 

The red lights of prohibitions are bright and clear. There is no doubt in them. They have been established in the Qur`aan Sharief. There can be no difference of opinion or uncertainty. Zina (adultery), Ribaa (Usury/Interest), gambling, intoxicants, et. are clearly established as prohibitions in the Qur`aan Sharief.

 

Whilst Allah Ta’ala has given us these “red lights” of prohibitions and restrictions, He has also given us all the capacity and ability to put a “brake” on our nafs and to stop ourselves from sins. No person can say that he cannot abstain from sins or that it is impossible to give up sins. He can restrain himself and he can give up all sins, if he sincerely wants to please Allah Ta’ala. We all have courage. We only need to employ it in the obedience of Allah Ta’ala.

 

If we give unrestrained freedom to the nafs and speed through these red lights in Dien – dangerously indulging in Haraam, we will not only damage the physical body, we will cause great harm to the soul. It is a fact that many have caused great harm to themselves spiritually in violating the laws of Allah Ta’ala and indulgence in major sins, or have destroyed their Imaan and destroyed their Aakhirah. (May Allah Ta’ala protect us all).

 

The “yellow lights” which Allah Ta’ala tests us with is that which is doubtful – and we are advised that it is best to be cautious and abstinent. This is beautifully contained in the Hadith: “Leave that which causes you doubt for that which does not cause you doubt.”[2] …This is piety and offers protection to our Dien.

 

Alhamdulillah, Allah Ta’ala has given us the green lights of Halaal: There are so many types of foods and drinks to enjoy, different forms of recreation as is found in the Sunnah – which offer Halaal pleasure; celebrations such as Eid, Nikah, Walimah; the comforts and happiness of marriage and children, etc. – that is, within the parameters of Dien and Shari’ah. …Allah Ta’ala has granted plentiful.

 

Additionally, we have been promised much, much more in the Hereafter, in Jannah - if we abide by the rules and regulations in this worldly life. Allah Ta’ala has said: ‘I have prepared for My pious servants which the eye has not seen, and the ear has not heard, and no human heart has ever perceived (such bounties).’[3]

 

Despite the freedom which the green light offers, caution still has to be exercised.

 

…When I started driving, I would drive through the green light, speedily – because it was my right of way. My Marhum father (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) cautioned me about this, saying that I should be careful at the intersections, even when it is my right of way and the traffic light is green. He explained that the driver from the other side may be negligent, may not heed the red light and could hit into the car I was driving. Naturally, I would then suffer the consequences as well.

 

Today, we find that certain Scholars and organisations give a “green light” where there should be abstinence. We find that photography is given the green light, with some Ulama actively participating on television, YouTube, etc. – all of which has opened the door to great fitan.

 

We find that certain organisations give a “green light” to different types of foods which they certify as Halaal, but which are sometimes not Halaal. This results in great spiritual harm and damage because the Muslim believes he is traveling through a green light – so to speak, whereas the other party is driving through the red light, certifying some products as Halaal without proper investigation or due to negligence.

 

…In South Africa, the United Kingdom and other parts of the world, the Muslim communities have been left shaken at times at the sheer carelessness in Halaal certification - of various items which have traces of pork, beef burgers which have horse meat, chickens which have not been slaughtered in accordance to Islamic law, and impure and Haraam ingredients introduced into other foods, which are certified Halaal. The non-Muslims too are reeling in shock at the kind of ingredients that are brought into the meat they are consuming. It is now common knowledge to all that many meat products and other foods on the market have incorrect labels - which leaves the Muslim especially, victim to both ill-health and spiritual degeneration. …So, nowadays, a Muslim must be extremely careful and cautious even at the "green light".

 

We also have the experience where the traffic light is on the blink. Drivers have to then take extra precaution and manoeuvre themselves safely through such intersections – because the traffic lights or robots are not working and there are vehicles driving across. …Similarly, we have Ulama-e-Soo or other groups, parties, sects whose teachings or belief systems are on the “blink” – so to speak. They are corrupt and present a different version of Islam, contaminated with Bid’aat and Haraam – which is not Islam, in its true and pristine form. …The Muslim has to thus be all the more cautious and manoeuvre himself safely through these evils and fitan as well. Shiaism, Qadianism and other distorted belief systems have been established throughout the world, working towards ensnaring the unwary and unsuspecting Muslims.

 

Of course, we have the traffic department repairing those traffic lights on the blink or those not working, and they then work properly. If those who misrepresent and falsify Islamic teachings or have a corrupt agenda, sincerely repent, correct their Aqeedah, etc., that is to their own benefit and advantage – in both worlds. ...Sincere Taubah gives the green light signal for salvation in the Aakhirah and the green light for entrance into Jannah, Insha-Allah.

 

Whilst traffic lights establish control and smooth flow of traffic, Islam establishes harmony in a person’s life – with the fulfilment of the rights of Allah Ta’ala as well as the rights of creation. When we follow through with practising on Dien, we will enjoy peace, Sukoon and happiness.

 

May Allah Ta’ala protect us all, give us a good understanding, true appreciation and the courage to restrain from Haraam.

 

 

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[1] Sahih al-Bukhari / Sahih Muslim

[2] An-Nasaa’ee

[3] Sahih Muslim

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