Our Begging Bowl

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

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

Allah Ta’ala informs us in the Qur`aan Sharief, that each and every one of us is poor:

“O mankind! You are all poor to Allah, but Allah is Rich, Worthy of all praise!”

[Surah Fatir 35:15]

All of mankind are registered by Allah Ta’ala as fuqarah (poor). No matter who the person is and what his potential is, no matter the intellect and the resources of the person – whether a millionaire, billionaire, Mufti, Wali, president, doctor, scientist, engineer - each and every one is registered as ‘faqeer’. …Even if all of mankind pools their resources, potential and their wealth, all will remain fuqarah.

Allah Ta’ala has listed us and recorded us as poor, and there is no way that we can deregister. Allah Ta’ala announces thereafter that He is the One who is Rich, Self Sufficient and Independent. Thus the ones who are poor are dependent and reliant on the favours and generosity and benevolence of the One Who is Rich.

Allah Ta’ala, having registered us as poor, favoured us with the utensil that beggars generally possess - a bowl, to beg of Allah Ta’ala.

Allah Ta’ala makes us conscious of our poverty, by attaching our begging bowls to our physical bodies.

Our Shaykh, Hadhrat Moulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) explained that this faqeer is not a professional beggar, who works from 9 to 5, counts his earnings of the day and places his bowl on a shelf at night. The registered faqeer has his bowl with him, 24 / 7. He cannot put his bowl away. It is part of him. Whenever he has a need - even if it is the middle of the night – the faqeer has his precious bowl with him, to beg of Allah Ta’ala, Al-Ghaniyy.

Our bowl is our two beautiful hands, which we bring together – to make our unique begging bowl. The rich, the poor, the ruler, the subject – all have begging bowls.

Hadhrat Maulana (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) had also explained that one reason behind the punishment and Hadd of cutting off the hand for the one who steals, is that these same hands – the begging bowl which Allah Ta’ala so graciously gave to us, was meant to ask and supplicate of Allah Ta’ala, and draw from His Halaal Treasures. Instead, it is used to steal and take in a Haraam manner.

…What humiliation there is for that king who is caught stealing two potatoes from a street vendor who sells vegetables on a street corner - when treasures are at the king’s disposal? Similarly, when a person has easy access and can take from the unlimited treasures of Allah Ta’ala, without any difficulty, he engages in the Haraam action of stealing and gets a paltry amount in comparison.

Theft is misuse and ingratitude for the bounty of the wonderful, precious begging bowl bestowed to us.

This begging bowl which was given, to use and take from the vast treasures of Allah Ta’ala was not appreciated, so it is taken back. Allah Ta’ala punishes on this misuse, taking back half of it – that is, first, only one hand is cut. …Of course, there are many conditions to be met before the Hadd or penalty of cutting the hand is implemented. It is not applicable in every situation of theft.

The correct etiquette when making Dua is as follows:

·        To keep the hands in front of the chest. …When we perform Salaah, it is a condition that our chests face the Qiblah. When we beg of Allah Ta’ala, then our begging bowl should face the Arsh of Allah Ta’ala. This is its Qiblah. This is from where, acceptance descends. SubhanAllah.

·        There should be a little gap between our hands. …This begging bowl is a broken bowl, to remind us, how poor we really are!

Allah Ta’ala who is Al-Ghaniyy (The One Who is Rich, Independent and Self-Sufficient) and who is Al-Mughni (The Enricher, The Bestower of Wealth – spiritual and material) does not give a little, which will slip through or fall through our broken bowl. Allah Ta’ala gives generously and abundantly, to fill up our bowls.

An Allah Waala poet says so aptly:

“My hands are so small and limited;

Your gifts are so great and unlimited.”

·        After Dua, we should use these same hands and wipe our faces. …Wiping our faces, we are saying : “I have received what I have asked for.” (wajadnaa maa talabnaa).

This is to show our conviction that we have received what we asked for.

Allah Ta’ala says in the Qur`aan Sharief:

وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ادْعُونِىْٓ أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ ^ط

“And your Lord says : Call on Me; I will answer your (du’aa)…”

[Surah Mu`min 40 : 60] 

If our child begs for something, or begs for some money to buy something, and before we can say no or refuse, the child says: “JazakAllah Abba…” – the father will naturally be compelled to give it. And he gives it.

Allah Ta’ala is Akramul Akrameen (The Most Generous of those who show generosity), Arhamur Raahimeen (The Most Merciful of the merciful) – He gives when we ask. …Of course, we need to understand that His answering our Duas is also in different ways. Sometimes, Allah Ta’ala gives some other good in place of what was asked.

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) said: “Any Muslim who makes a Dua and his Dua does not contain a request for anything sinful or anything regarding the severance of family ties, Allah grants  him one of three things most assuredly; namely,

1.) What he has asked is granted immediately, or

2.) What he has asked is saved for him as a treasure in the Aakhirah, or

3.) Allah wards away some calamity from him in lieu of the object asked for.”

This face is ‘ashraf’ (the most honourable, noble and distinguished part of the human being). Passing our hands over our faces after Dua is also our expression of thanking Allah Ta’ala.

Added to this, these begging bowls hold beautiful reminders to us all.

Allah Ta’ala states in the Qur`aan Shareef:

“We will show Our signs in the universe and within their own beings until it will become manifest to them that it is the truth….”

[Surah Fussilaat 41 : 53]

And further:

وَفِى الْأَرْضِ اٰيٰتٌ لِّلْمُوْقِنِيْنَ◌ وَفِىْٓ أَنْفُسِكُمْ ^ط أَفَلَا تُبْصِرُوْنَ◌

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

[Surah Zariyat 51 : 20/21]

If we look at our palms, we will see lines which form Arabic numerals : Eighty one in the left palm and eighteen in the right palm. Adding these numbers and we get a total of ninety nine. Hazrat Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “Allah has 99 Names, i.e. one hundred minus one, and whoever learns (memorizes) them will go to paradise.”[1]

These lines in our palms are signs from the signs of Allah Ta’ala – alluding to His ninety nine names, which Allah Ta’ala instructs us to call upon Him by. …SubhanAllah, Allah Ta’ala has given us this reminder in our hands.

وَلِلّٰهِ الْأَسْمَآءُ الْحُسْنٰى فَادْعُوْهُ بِهَا ^ص

 “The Most Beautiful names belong to Allah:  So call on Him by them…”

[Surah Al A’raaf 7 : 180]

قُلِ ادْعُوا اللّٰهَ أَوِ ادْعُوا الرَّحْمٰنَ ^ط أَيًّا مَّا تَدْعُوْا فَلَهُ الْأَسْمَآءُ الْحُسْنٰى ^ج

“Say: ‘Call upon Allah, or call upon Rahmaan : By whatever Name you call upon Him, (it is well): For to Him belong The Most Beautiful Names …”

[Surah Al-Israa  17 : 110]

A computer keyboard has keys or buttons. When a key is pressed, it produces a letter, a number or a character on screen. Keys can also execute certain actions or commands.

Similarly, we have different switches and buttons, which, when we press, a light comes on, an air-conditioner starts producing cold air, a stove-plate becomes hot, a heater starts warming the environment around, a washing machine or dishwasher begins washing and cleaning, etc.

Our Shaykh, Hadhrat Moulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) had explained that the Arabic numerals on our hands offer us a reminder of Allah Ta’ala’s 99 beautiful names. And for every need we have or any condition we may face, Allah Ta’ala has a Name by which His Servants may call Him by.

Like how we press on a key or button and there is some outcome, when we call upon Allah Ta’ala by His Attributes, that attribute of Allah Ta’ala is focussed on the one who is asking; that Tajalli manifests itself on the person.

If a person calls Allah Ta’ala, with His Beautiful Names: 'Ya Ghaffaar, Ya Ghafoor, Ya Afuww, Ya Tawwaab', he becomes beneficiary to Allah Ta’ala’s extensive forgiveness.

If a person takes the name “Ya Batino” (The Hidden One), he becomes concealed. If he takes the name “Ya Razzaaqu” (The Sustainer), he will become recipient to sustenance from Allah Ta’ala’s Side.  If he takes the name “Ya Salaamu”, Allah Ta’ala will shower him with Salamati (peace). If he calls upon Allah Ta’ala, with His Name, “Ya Shaafi”, Allah Ta’ala  grants him shifa.

It is left to us to appreciate these wonderful blessings and opportunities and to maximise on them. They are accessible to all.

Furthermore, if we look at the numbers in our palms and we subtract eighteen from eighty one, we will get sixty three. Sixty three was the age of our Beloved Rasul (Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) when he passed away.

As someone beautifully brought to our attention: Our palms also become a reminder for us to convey Durood Shareef upon Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam), especially when engaged in Dua. …The reminder is in the hands we raise for Dua.

Indeed, it is by virtue of Durood Shareef that our Duas are granted acceptance.

Hadhrat Anas (RA) said: ‘Every Dua is prevented from reaching the Court of Allah until the person making Dua conveys Durood upon Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) and upon the family of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam). Then it reaches the Court of Allah and is accepted.’

Hadhrat ‘Umar (RA) said: ‘Dua remains suspended between the heavens and earth. It does not ascend and is not accepted until you send Salawaat upon Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam).’

We also take lesson that we need to bring that noble lifestyle, that noble Sunnah, into our own lives. Then, when we ask of Allah Ta’ala, we ask as lovers of Allah Ta’ala, as beloveds of Allah Ta’ala – and Allah Ta’ala surely gives much more to those who are beloved to Him.

قُلْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِىْ يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللّٰهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ ^ط وَاللّٰهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ◌

“ 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]

Our ten fingers have got each three parts. We could say that this indicates to the thirty days of the month. Every day of every month should pass on this way of the Sunnah. Day and night should conform to the beautiful Sunnah. Allah Ta’ala will grant us the success of both worlds. And if we are sincere to Allah Ta'ala, we will experience Jannah in this life of Dunya as well.

Our begging bowls are a means of great goodness and success. Let us use it. Let us ask of Allah Ta’ala. Let us take from Allah Ta’ala’s Treasures.

May Allah Ta'ala grant us all the Taufeeq of lifting our begging bowls and asking of Allah Ta’ala, The Generous. Aameen.

---

[1] Sahih Bukhari

Gems 31 -35

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

Selected and concise advices / sayings of 

Hazrat Maulana Abdul Hamid Is`haq Saheb 

(Daamat Barakaatuhum)

31.

Your action of abstinence (from sins) makes you a favourite and friend of Allah (Jalla Jalaaluhu)

32.

The person who harbours evil thoughts of the Ahlullah is the one who is deprived; who is cut off from many spiritual blessings.

33.

In the Majaalis of the Sheikh, general prescriptions are given.

However, if a Mureed maintains his Ta-alluq, informing the Sheikh of his spiritual weaknesses, whether when meeting with him or via correspondence, that Mureed is privileged with a Tailor-made prescription. 

There is great progress in informing the Sheikh, but how many do so?

34.

We must not be ‘salt’ with the label of ‘sugar’. Allah (Jalla Jalaaluhu)’s Help is not on the label, but it is on the reality.

35.

People call by different names: Extremists, fundamentalists, radicals, fanatics, rebels, terrorists. …Don’t feel offended. Glad tidings to the Ghurabah (strangers).

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “Islam began as something strange and it will return strange as it began, so glad tidings for the strangers.”

[Sahih Muslim]

Unity in the Efforts of Dien

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

EXTRACT

"All efforts of Dien are required. If a person can involve himself in any work of Dien, he should join in and make the relevant effort. 

If a person is involved in running a Maktab, he should continue to do so. If a person is involved in the work of Da’wah and Tableegh, he should continue in that effort. If a person is linked to a Khanqah, he should continue in that field.

Those who are more versatile, and can manage participating in more than one effort, should Masha-Allah, continue, and strive to participate in as many efforts as possible. An ability of this nature should not be limited.

One should not give preference to Dunya; preference should be given to the effort and Khidmat (service) of Dien. Basically, one should do all one can, and as much as one can in the Khidmat of Dien.

What is important, even though one is limited in his capabilities of assisting with Dieni efforts, is to support all the other efforts by way of Dua. One should also render moral support to all the other noble efforts of Dien as well. One should not criticize other works of Dien nor those who strive in any particular effort of Dien."

READ THE BOOK HERE

Every Rakaat of Salaah: A Flight to Allah Ta’ala

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

Our respected Shaykh, Hadhrat Moulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (Rahmatullahi ‘Alayh) had presented to us, a unique analogy in explaining the reality and beauty of Salaah.

Salaah has been described as: “As-Salaatu Mi’rajul Mu’min” – the Ascension of the Believer. In the light of this description, Hadhrat Moulana (Rahmatullahi ‘Alayh) used the analogy of flight travel.

Before take-off, an announcement is made to wear one’s seatbelt, the “fasten seat belt” light is turned on, directing to the same, and the screen in front of one’s seat, shows the passenger how neatly one end of the buckle goes into the other. If passengers are heedless of these safety measures, they may have to contend with some injury at the time of take-off, or during turbulence, etc.

Similarly, when it comes to Salaah, we have been taught to ‘buckle' up! …The Sunnah  manner when folding the hands is:

• The palm of the right hand should be placed on the back of the left palm.
• The small finger and the thumb of the right hand should form a circle around the wrist of the left hand – neatly.
• The middle three fingers should be placed flat over the forearm.
•  And one should position the hands below the navel.

(This is the manner in which males place their hands in Salaah)

Whilst the aeroplane will only be flying to an altitude of about 8000 / 9000 metres, we are taking off for a flight to Allah Jalla Jalaaluhu.  

Negligence in “buckling up” will result in loss of concentration, and stray and wayward thoughts – which will then enter our minds.

On nearing our destination, when traveling by plane, the captain announces that all should prepare for landing. …In regard to Salaah, we will not be landing in any other city or country on planet earth; rather our destination is Allah Jalla Jalaaluhu. Our flight is a spiritual one, which transfers us to the Court of Allah Ta’ala. SubhanAllah!

From the position of Qiyaam, we move into the posture of Ruku. We bow down, holding our hands firmly on our knees - in preparation for “landing”.

…As we traverse distance with a physical journey of this world, our anticipation and happiness increases. So too, as the Musalli covers “distance” – moving from Qiyaam, to Ruku, to Qauma – his anticipation increases, knowing that the destination is approaching, is nearing.

After fulfilling the posture of Ruku and Qauma, we move down – “landing” at the ‘feet’ of Allah Jalla Jalaaluhu – so to speak. (Allah Ta’ala is free of shape and form).

The Hadith states : “A person in Sajda is nearest unto Allah.” 

We gently place both knees on the ground.[1] Thereafter we place both the hands, with our fingers close together, on the ground.[2] We then present our head, showing our complete submission and complete surrender before Allah Ta’ala.

This is our beautiful landing before Allah Ta’ala. This prostration is what grants us extreme closeness and establishes a deep bond with Allah Ta’ala.

The Qur’aan Sharief says[3]:

'Wasjud Waqtarib'

“…But prostrate and draw near [to Allah ].”

[Surah Al-Alaq 96 : 19]

Allah Ta’ala is directing us to Sajdah, informing us that in Sajdah, we will attain great and immense closeness to Him.

So this is our Salaah, our Mi’raj : Every Rakaat of every Salaah is a flight which takes us directly to Allah Jalla Jalaaluhu. SubhanAllah.

Our good fortune and privilege is that this opportunity is afforded to us five times a day and more, with Sajdah being made twice in every Rakaat. SubhanAllah! If only we would recognize Allah Ta’ala’s Benevolence and Generosity in giving us the honour and favour of drawing near to Him so many times, and enjoying the sweet pleasure of being close Him - The Only True Beloved.

The postures of Salaah, which are Mustahab (preferable), have so much value in them – Allahu Akbar! What then about the Sunnats, Waajibaat and Faraa’idh? …What a priceless gift has Allah Jalla Jalaaluhu given us in Salaah[4].  

May Allah Ta'ala grant us the Taufeeq of appreciating and of improving our Salaah, such that we too experience the sweet pleasure of Sajdah, and of being so close to Allah Ta'ala. 

---

[1] Shami-Vol.1, pg. 398 and Tahtaawee- pg.145

[2] Shami-Vol.1  and Tahtaawee- pg.145

[3] By reading this Ayat, Sajda becomes Waajib (obligatory)

[4] This is the method of Salaah for males.

By Hadhrat Moulana Abdul Hamid Saheb (Daamat Barakaatuhum)

Aashura | 10th of Muharram

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

THE DAY OF AASHURA (10th of MUHARRAM)

Hazrat Abdullah ibn Abbaas (Radhiyallaahu Anhu) said: “I did not see Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) anxiously await the fast of any day, which he gave preference to over other days, but this day, the Day of Aashura.” 

(Sahih Bukhari)

It is mentioned that when Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) arrived in Madina Munawwarah, he found the Jews fasting on the Day of Aashura and enquired of them: ‘What is this day on which you fast?’

They replied : ‘This is a great day. On this day, Allah saved Musa (عَليْهِ السَّلام) and his people and drowned Fir`aun and his people. Thus Musa (عَليْهِ السَّلام) fasted on this day as a token of thanksgiving, therefore we too fast on this day.”

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: ‘We are more worthy of Musa and nearer to him than you.” Thereafter, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) fasted on this day and ordered his companions to keep a fast on this day.

BEING DIFFERENT TO THE JEWS

Hazrat Ibn Abbas (Radhiyallaahu Anhu) said:

“When Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) observed the fast of the day of Aashura and ordered (his Companions) to fast, they said: `O Rasulullah! It is a day revered (glorified) by the Jews and Christians.’

Thereupon Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “The coming year, if Allah wills (I remain alive), I will surely fast on the ninth (also).” 

(Muslim)

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “Observe the fast of Aashura and oppose the Jews. Fast a day before it or a day after.”

(Bayhaqi)

·        A person should thus fast on the ninth and the tenth or the tenth and the eleventh of Muharram.

FORGIVENESS

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) was asked regarding the fast of the day of Aashura. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) replied: 

“It is a compensation for the (minor) sins of the past year.”

(Sahih Muslim)

GENEROSITY

Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:

 “One who generously spends on his family on the day of Aashura, 

                             Allah will increase (his provision) for the whole year.”                                

(Bayhaqi)