Ittaqullah | Fear Allah

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

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

Allah Ta’ala describes the love of the Believers for Him as intense.

وَالَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْاۤ أَشَدُّ حُبًّا لِّلّٰهِ ^ط

 “…And those who have Imaan are more intense in their love for Allah…”

[Surah Al-Baqarah 2: 165]

Allah Ta’ala describes His friendship with the Believers:

اَللّٰهُ وَلِيُّ الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا ^لا يُخْرِجُهُم مِّنَ الظُّلُمٰتِ إِلَى النُّوْرِ ^ط

 “Allah is the Wali (Friend / Protector/ Guardian) of those who believe. He brings them out from darknesses into the light.”

[Surah Al-Baqarah 2: 257]

Our Sheikh, Hadhrat Moulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) had beautifully explained that many Aayaat are specifically addressing the Believers, and generally commence with: “O you who Believe…”

Based on this love relationship, these words translate as: “O you who love me intensely…”  - and then Allah Ta’ala, from His Side, lovingly presents His Commands to us - as a Friend, as a Protector, as a Guardian (Wali).

SubhanAllah! It is only for us to respond with obedience and gratitude.

From amongst the Rights of Allah Ta’ala is that we should love Him and also fear Him. Allah Ta’ala says:

◌ يٰٓأَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللهَ حَقَّ تُقٰتِهٖ وَلَا تَمُوْتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنْتُمْ مُّسْلِمُوْنَ

 “O ye who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islam.”

[Surah Al-Imran 3: 102]

This fear is borne out of love. When a person loves another, then he fears displeasing his beloved. This is the nature of love: Seeking to please the beloved and afraid to displease the beloved.

As is commonly said: ‘Imaan is between fear and hope.’ ...So this fear of Allah Ta’ala is balanced with hope in Allah Ta’ala, and this fear and hope will be established when we know Allah Ta’ala’s Attributes and recognise Allah Ta’ala. 

Allah Ta’ala mentions the quality of the Believers:

يَدْعُوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ خَوْفًا وَّطَمَعًا ^ز

 “…While they call on their Lord, in Fear and Hope…”

[Surah As-Sajdah 32: 16]

Taqwa is to restrain and abstain from everything displeasing to Allah Ta’ala. This is what earns a person the crown of Allah Ta’ala’s Friendship:

إِنْ أَوْلِيَاۤؤُهٗ إِلَّا الْمُتَّقُوْنَ

 “…Verily none are the Auliya except those who refrain from His disobedience…”

[Surah Al-Anfal 8: 34]

Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Mas`ood (Radhiallahu ‘anhu) explained the meaning of Taqwa as :

•             Allah Ta’ala is to be obeyed and not disobeyed;
•             Allah Ta’ala is to be remembered and not forgotten, and
•             Allah Ta’ala is to be shown gratitude and not ingratitude.

FRIENDS

Allah Ta’ala presents His friendship, the friendship of His Messenger (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and those who believe:

إِنَّمَا وَلِيُّكُمُ اللّٰهُ وَرَسُوْلُهٗ وَالَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوا الَّذِيْنَ يُقِيمُوْنَ الصَّلٰوةَ وَيُؤْتُوْنَ الزَّكٰوةَ

 وَهُمْ رٰكِعُوْنَ ◌

 “Your (real) friends are (no less than) Allah, His Messenger, and those who have believed - those who establish regular prayers and regular charity, and they bow down humbly (in worship).”

[Surah Al-Maa’idah 5: 55]

Based on this relationship and friendship, we should be most appreciative of the well-wishing, guidance and direction from Allah Ta’ala, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and the sincere Believers.

THE COMMAND OF ALLAH TA’ALA

There are numerous Aayaat, wherein Allah Ta’ala commands the Believers to fear Him - Ittaqullah (Fear Allah).

وَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ وَاعْلَمُوْاۤ أَنَّ اللّٰهَ مَعَ الْمُتَّقِيْنَ ◌

 “…And fear Allah, and know that Allah is with those who restrain themselves.”

[Surah Al-Baqarah 2: 194]

وَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُوْنَ ◌

 “…and fear Allah that you may successful.”

[Surah Al-Imran 3: 200]

يٰۤأَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ وَلْتَنْظُرْ نَفْسٌ مَّا قَدَّمَتْ لِغَدٍ ^ج وَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ ^ط إِنَّ اللّٰهَ خَبِيْرٌ^م بِمَا تَعْمَلُوْنَ ◌

“O you who believe! Fear Allah, and let every soul look to what (provision) it has sent forth for the morrow. Fear Allah, for Allah is well-acquainted with (all) that you do.”

[Surah Al-Hashr: 18]

We read these Aayaat and many more, where there is a clear Command to fear Allah Ta’ala, but the reality of these words does not seem to sink into the recesses of our hearts and move us in the direction of Taqwa.

We remain heedless.

We do not appreciate.
This is our sad reality.

Yet from Allah Ta’ala’s side there is the reminder again and again of “Ittaqullah”, that we may be beneficiaries of His Great Bounties.

Implementing the Command of “Ittaqullah”, in our lives, bears the fruit of every good and is a prescription and a medication for all spiritual ailments. 

This fear of Allah Ta’ala yields, produces and generates the noble qualities of righteousness, morality, sincerity, justice, honesty, trustworthiness, decency and all good.

Allah Ta'ala informs us that righteousness is the attribute of the one who fears Allah Ta'ala:

وَلٰكِنَّ الْبِرَّ مَنِ اتَّقٰى ^ج

 “But righteousness is (the quality of the one) who fears (Allah Ta'ala)” 

[Surah Al-Baqarah 2:189]

THE COMMAND OF RASULULLAH (SALLALLAAHU ‘ALAIHI WASALLAM)

In the Ahadith, we read of the loving caution and guidance of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) – who similarly, commanded us to fear Allah Ta’ala.

Hadhrat Abu Dharr al-Ghifari and Mu`adh ibn Jabal (Radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) related that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said: “Fear Allah wherever you are. Follow up a bad deed with a good deed and it will blot it out. And deal with people in a good manner.”^[1]

This was the Command from our Beloved (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam), whose concern for us was so overwhelming that Allah Ta’ala says:

لَقَدْ جَاۤءَكُمْ رَسُوْلٌ مِّنْ أَنْفُسِكُمْ عَزِيْزٌ عَلَيْهِ مَا عَنِتُّمْ حَرِيْصٌ عَلَيْكُم بِالْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ رَءُوْفٌ رَّحِيْمٌ ◌

 “There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Grievous to him is what you suffer; [he is] full of concern over you and to the believers is kind and merciful.”

[Surah At-Taubah 9: 128]

THE MOST EXCELLENT EXAMPLE

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) set the most excellent precedent for the entire Ummah and was the epitome of the Command “Ittaqullah”. His entire life was an expression of love and fear for Allah Ta’ala – as is seen in his worship, speech, actions and in all of his Duas. He (Sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam) said: "I am the most knowledgeable of Allah among you and the most fearful of Him among you."[2]

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) also taught us Duas that enhance and expedite Taqwa: 

اَللّٰهُمَّ اٰتِ نَفْسِيْ تَقْوَاهَا وَ زَكِّهَا اَنْتَ خَيْرُ مَنْ زَكَّاهَا اَنْتَ وَلِيُّهَا وَ مَوْلَاهَا

O Allah! Grant piety to my soul (nafs) and purify it, You are the Best of the ones to purify it; You are its Guardian and Patron.^[3]

اَللّٰهُمَّ اِنِّيْ اَسْأَلُكَ الْهُدٰى وَ التُّقٰى وَ الْعَفَافَ وَ الْغِنٰى

“O Allah! I ask of You, guidance and piety and chastity and to be free of depending on anyone (except You).”^[4]

THE CONCERN OF THE SAHABA-E-KIRAAM (RADHIYALLAHU ‘ANHUM)

Despite their great piety and closeness to Allah Ta’ala, the Sahaba-e-Kiraam (Radhiallahu ‘anhum) still concerned themselves with the matter of Taqwa. There is a well-known incident where Hadhrat ‘Umar (Radhiyallahu ‘anhu), who was distinguished for his fear of Allah Ta’ala, asked Hadhrat Ubayy bin Ka’b (Radhiyallahu ‘anhu): “What is Taqwa?’

Hadhrat Ubayy bin Ka’b (Radhiyallahu ‘anhu) asked in reply: ‘Have you had the experience walking down a path of thorns?’

Hadhrat ‘Umar (Radhiyallahu ‘anhu) replied: ‘Yes.’

Hadhrat Ubayy bin Ka’b (Radhiyallahu ‘anhu) asked: ‘What did you do?’

Hadhrat ‘Umar (Radhiyallahu ‘anhu) replied: “I tucked up my clothes, and paid attention, walking very cautiously, so as not to be harmed by the thorns.’

Hadhrat Ubayy bin Ka’b (Radhiyallahu ‘anhu) responded: ‘That is Taqwa.’

One of our Akaabir had explained that the Haqeeqat (reality) of Taqwa is to be alert and vigilant in all aspects of life. A person should reflect and deliberate over whatever he intends to do and say. Accordingly, he will gauge for himself whether he will earn the pleasure or displeasure of Allah Ta’ala in what is to be undertaken. 

OUR FAILING

 

Very sadly, we do not appreciate the Command of Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) when it is said to us: “Ittaqullah”. So it is no surprise that today, if any person tells us to fear Allah Ta’ala, we take offence. We are annoyed.

Hadhrat Sufyaan Thauri (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) said: “We met a people who loved being told, “Fear Allah.” Today we find that people only become annoyed when they are advised to fear Allah Ta’ala.”

How true these words are.

This is the evident and sad difference between us and the Sahaba-e-Kiraam (Radhiallahu ‘Anhum). Where they appreciated being told to fear Allah Ta’ala, where they sought to understand the concept of Taqwa and practice upon Allah Ta’ala’s Commands, many of us become offended and think that our dignity is attacked. This is our pride and arrogance – for which we do not even care to acknowledge and make Islaah of.

We should take lesson from their humility and appreciation. Their conduct and demeanour reflects their pure hearts and their beautiful Ikhlaas. 

When a person advises us to fear Allah Ta’ala or conveys some Nasihah to us, then we should not look at our position, our learning, our qualifications, and reject based on that.  We should also not reject advice because the person is a subordinate, a layperson, a poor person or anyone else. We should take heed of the advice. Pay attention to the advice. Appreciate it. Consider it Allah Ta’ala’s Favour and Blessing.

That person who encourages us to fear Allah Ta’ala is not an enemy. The person is a friend. He is, in fact, following the Sunnah of Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam). He is showing his concern and kindness. …Of course, if our nafs is puffed up, it will be difficult to digest with humility and gratitude.

May Allah Ta’ala give us the concern, the understanding and the reality of piety in our Zaahir (external) and Baatin. (internal)

Previously, it was a rare occurrence that a Muslim was involved in major sins. Now, the Muslim is sometimes the forerunner in drugs, gambling, fraud and other vices. Zina (adultery / fornication) has become a plague in the Muslim Ummah – but alas, heedlessness intoxicates and lust overpowers all senses.

Today, we find even those who have knowledge of Dien, compromising on the great and noble quality of Taqwa.

Previously, it was unheard of, that an Aalim would be willing and happy to take his photograph. Today, not only are photographs and selfies taken by Scholars of Dien, but even videos, etc. circulate freely.

When it is said: “Fear Allah”, we justify.

And to Allah Ta'ala is our complaint.

Imam Ghazali (رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْهِ) related in his Ihya different distinguishing signs of the Ulama-e-Rabbaniyyeen. Amongst these, he said: “Allah Ta'ala's greatness, magnificence and fear are manifest from their every gesture — from the style of their dress, from their actions and personal habits, from their speech and even from their silence.”

DUTY-BOUND

Hadhrat Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (Radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reported: Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said: “Let not one of you belittle himself.”

They said: “O Messenger of Allah, how can any one of us belittle himself?”

He said:  “He finds a matter regarding Allah about which he should speak up but he does not. Allah the Exalted will say to him on the Day of Resurrection: What prevented you from speaking up about such-and-such? He will say: It was out of fear of the people. Allah will say: Rather, it is I who deserved to be feared.”^[5]

Hadhrat Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (Radhiyallahu ‘anhu) also narrated that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said in a sermon:

“Verily, fear of people should not stop a man from speaking out the truth that he knows.”[6]

NOBILITY

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

إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِنْدَ اللّٰهِ أَتْقٰكُمْ ^ط إِنَّ اللّٰهَ عَلِيْمٌ خَبِيْرٌ ◌

 “Verily, the most honourable of you with Allah is that (believer) who has Taqwa

[i.e. one of the Muttaqun (pious)]. Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.”

[Surah Al-Hujurat 49: 13]

Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (Radhiyallahu ‘anhu) narrated that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was asked: “Who are the most honourable of the people?”

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said: “The most honourable of them in Allah’s sight are those who keep their duty to Allah and fear Him…”^[7]  

Hadhrat Samurah (Radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reported that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said: “Nobility is in the fear of Allah.”^[8]

May Allah Ta’ala grant us the understanding and the Taufeeq of humbling ourselves for our own Islaah and Tazkiyah, seeking His Pleasure and appreciating when it is said to us, “Fear Allah”.

---

[1] Sunan al-Tirmidhî 

[2] Sahih Bukhari

[3] Sahih Muslim

[4] Sahih Muslim
[5] Sunan Ibn Majah 4008
[6] Al-Mu’jam al-awsat of al-Tabrani.

[7] Sahih Bukhari 6/211

[8] Sunan At-Tirmidhi 3271

Durban Safr

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

Khanqah Akhtari

Gems 56 - 60

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

Selected and concise advices / sayings of

 Hazrat Maulana Abdul Hamid Is`haq Saheb

(Daamat Barakaatuhum)

56.

When we ask of Allah Ta’ala, our respect increases.

When we ask of people, our respect is lost.

57.

Implementing the Command of “Ittaqullah”, in our lives, bears the fruit of every good 

and is a prescription and a medication for all spiritual ailments. 

58.

We should not be deceived by our outward dress and/or titles which 

signify and allude to Taqwa (piety).

Taqwa is leaving off every form of disobedience to Allah Ta’ala.

59.

Rich is that person whose wealth is in his heart.

60.

Close your eyes to Haraam and open your eyes to Halaal (i.e. your wife) 

– and you will find your wife to be the most beautiful.

Understanding Ikhlaas

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

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

Many people misunderstand Ikhlaas (Sincerity). They think that Ikhlaas means that no one should know about or see the person’s actions.

Ikhlaas does not mean to hide. It is to do solely for Allah Jalla Jalaaluhu, seeking His Pleasure alone.

The intention when undertaking any deed should be for Allah Ta’ala and not for show (Riyaa). Our hearts must be pure of all objectives except for Allah Ta’ala.

If we do for show, then Allah Ta’ala will say on the Day of Qiyamah:  ‘Go to those who you showed off your deeds to, in the worldly life, then see if you can find any reward with them!’[1] ...Then all will be lost and our efforts will be in vain. May Allah Ta'ala protect us and protect our deeds.

Our Sheikh, Hadhrat Moulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) would say: “For others to see one's action is not wrong, but for one to show (i.e. do out of Riyaa) is wrong.” 

Hadhrat also presented the following example, by way of understanding:

"If Saudi Airlines is landing at the O R Tambo Airport and the captain, who is a Muslim, announces: “We are all Muslims, and have just returned from performing Hajj. Our plane has the best wheels in the world. No other airline has wheels such as ours. However, we will not show them to anyone. To show them will be boastful. So we will land without taking out the wheels!”

All will say: “Please keep your Ikhlaas – of that level – for Tahajjud or for Makkah Sharief, but here, please take out the wheels. If not, we will go up in flames.”"

Hadhrat would say that some people overdo their Ikhlaas – meaning they do not understand the reality of Ikhlaas, and thus seek to hide everything.

If Ikhlaas meant that no one should know of our A’maal (actions) or see our A'maal, then the Fardh Salaah would not have been made Waajib (obligatory) with Jamaat, nor would Hajj have been made Fardh. …Everyone would have been ordered to make their Fardh Salaah at home, hiding away.

Hajj would then not entail spending 5 days with millions of other Muslims, engaging in the rites of Hajj and other Ibaadaat openly.

There is a Hadith, wherein Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “Perform Salaah as you see me performing Salaah.”[2]

Regarding Hajj, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “Take from me your rites.”

We learn how important it is to see - so that we can practise correctly. 

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) taught the Ummah practically all aspects of Islam. After him, the Sahaba-e-Kiraam (Radhiyallahu ‘Anhum) were the teachers of the Ummah, teaching us how to carry out our Ibaadaat – and this is Allah Ta’ala’s system, that to learn Dien, we have to see how our seniors practise on Dien.

We find in various narrations, the Sahaba-e-Kiraam (Radhiyallahu 'Anhum) showing others how to perform different acts of Ibaadah (worship), to teach them. 

On one occasion, a Sahabi (Radhiyallahu ‘anhu) said to his companions: “Shall I perform Wudhu for you in the way that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) would perform Wudhu?” He then took some water and performed Wudhu whilst they observed.

So in this manner, we learn Wudhu, Salaah, Hajj and so forth.

If everyone were to hide, then the practical side of Islam would be lost to us. We would be doing things based on our own understanding.

There is a need for the Sheikh or the Ustaadh to set an example : We learn from him by seeing his actions.

On one occassion, at our annual Jalsa, our Sheikh (Rahmatullahi 'alayh) was also present. After the Maghrib Salaah, the people were taking their places before the commencement of the Jalsa. Despite the huge crowd, Hadhrat Moulana, undeterred by the people around, performed his Awwabeen - tranquilly. This was his habit - and he did not forego his habit to hide it from the people.

Of course, in order for us to nurture and maintain sincerity and save ourselves from the tricks of nafs and shaytaan, we should try to keep our deeds, a secret from others, and hidden as far as possible. We should not make a show of what we do, nor should we unnecessarily and deliberately do our actions in front of people or talk about what has been done or is being done. This would then be Riyaa and a great sin.

After the demise of Zubaidah, the queen and wife of Harun Ar-Rashid, someone saw her in a dream and asked how she faired before Allah Ta’ala. She said that Allah Jalla Jalaaluhu had given her very high stages and great ni'mats of Jannah. The person asked if that was on account of all the social work she did in her life time. …Zubaidah had built a canal for the people of Makkah Sharief and had engaged in various great works. She replied: “No! On account of certain intentions which were hidden in my heart and no one knew of them!”

Imam Shaafi (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) had said that every person should have certain ‘A’maal (actions) which are known to only Allah Ta’ala, even if these are Mustahab or Nafl! These secret good deeds will, Insha-Allah, help him tremendously on the Day of Qiyamah!

What has worth by Allah Jalla Jalaaluhu is sincerity! Imaan without sincerity is Nifaaq (hypocrisy), and A’maal without sincerity is Riyaa (show) – Shirk-e-Asghar, the minor Shirk.

There are so many extremes which we fall prey to. A person who is sincere thinks that he is not sincere, while a person who is a show-off makes his outward sincerity the cause and basis of his show and ostentation!

It is due to the inherent weakness of the nafs that a person should consult with his Sheikh, regarding his A’maal. This is for the purpose of Islaah. He should be honest in respect to his intentions when undertaking his deeds – because the nafs, by nature, wants to be credited and seeks attention also. 

Alhamdulillah, our Sheikh, Hadhrat Moulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (Rahmatullahi 'alaih) explained and corrected us in regard to these matters. 

May Allah Jalla Jalaaluhu guide us, give us the correct understanding, forgive us and grant us the reality of Ikhlaas. Aamien.

---

[1] Musnad Ahmad

[2] Sahih Bukhari

In the Love of Rasulullah ﷺ

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

EXTRACT

THE SCALE OF DEEDS BECOME HEAVY BY

DUROOD SHARIEF

It is narrated in a Hadith that a person will have his bad deeds out-weighing his good deeds, by far, on the scales. He will lose all hope and be very despondent. Suddenly a handsome young man will appear and put a small piece of paper in his pan of good deeds, by which it will outweigh all of the huge amounts of his bad deeds! He will exclaim, “Who are you and what did you put in my pan of good deeds - that it immediately outweighed all my bad deeds?”

He will reply : “I am your Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) and 

this was your Durood you recited on me!”

READ THE BOOK HERE

Take Responsibility

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

ON ONE OCCASION, we were sitting at the dastarkhan[1] and our Sheikh, Hadhrat Moulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْهِ was also present. One of the brothers dropped a tumbler and water spilt across the dastarkhan. On hearing the disturbance, Hadhrat Moulana رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْهِ asked: “What happened?”

Someone responded: “The glass fell.”

Hadhrat Moulana رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْهِ asked: “Did the glass fall on its own?”

In correcting the Mureed and all of us, Hadhrat رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْهِ said: “Learn to take responsibility for your actions. Say: ‘I dropped the glass.’”

This was a lesson for everyone. Hadhrat Moulana رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْهِ was bringing to our attention the great need to bear the responsibility or blame of whatever we do. …Till the person does not take responsibility, his Islaah (reformation) will not be made. Regrettably, we don’t and we won’t take responsibility of our actions. Sometimes we refuse to acknowledge that we are doing something wrong or that there is a weakness in us. There is denial.  We find this same denial with many drug addicts, alcoholics and others. As long as the person is in a state of denial, he or she does not take help.

If a sick person is in denial, the person will not seek treatment. Similarly, a person is spiritually sick – he has an anger problem or he cannot control his gaze, but he says: “I don’t have any problem.” …This denial makes Islaah very difficult. Once a person acknowledges there is a problem, then that is half the battle won and half way to solving the problem. If a person admits he has faults and weaknesses and he goes to a Sheikh for this purpose, there will be Islaah, Insha-Allah. …Unfortunately, some go for worldly reasons, such as obtaining Khilafat, and not with a sincere intention.

Sometimes there is stubbornness in our stance that we are right – when, in fact, we are wrong. If there is a car accident, each party blames the other. The other driver was at fault. Most drivers will declare that they were abiding by the rules and regulations and are blameless – despite driving through the red traffic light, speeding or violating some other traffic law.

If there is a fight between husband and wife, the husband will say: “She is the problem.” And the wife will say: “He is the problem.” …Do we ever hear anyone saying: “I am to blame. I am the problem.”? …And this is where the problem lies. Most people are not truthful and sincere enough, nor humble to take the blame when in the wrong. Between brothers and sisters, other family members, or in business dealings, if any problems arise, the same scenario is found. We are not prepared to accept responsibility; rather we blame the other party.

People, in general, have this great weakness of shifting responsibility to others and are very quick to blame everyone else, seeking to absolve themselves. …If anything goes wrong, we look for someone to blame. If anything goes right, we are in the front line to take the credit. This is a common weakness and is a very serious matter. It is a sickness if we think that everyone else is wrong and we are always right.

This denial is a form of pride. The person refuses to acknowledge that he is wrong or refuses to acknowledge what is true. He is also not being sincere to himself. Say: “I am wrong.” Learn to acknowledge and admit: “I am wrong. I am to blame.” What is so difficult in this?

There is progress in taking responsibility of our actions and accepting blame.  This humility will melt hearts and will solve our problems. It is a beautiful quality to have. Unfortunately, shaytaan whispers: If you say that you are wrong, your wife (or your employees) will take advantage and won’t listen to you in future. Your wife will say: “You are always wrong!”… You have to wield control. You have to show her that you are in charge, so that she listens…. You have to show your employees who is in charge!

Don’t listen to shaytaan. Listen to Allah Ta’ala and Rasulullah Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam. That person who adopts noble character, humbles himself, forgives, overlooks, and abandons arguing when he is right, opens the doors of reconciliation, Muhabbah (love), unity and happiness. Allah Ta’ala says:

  “The good deed and the evil deed cannot be equal. Repel (the evil) with that which is better (to be patient, forgive, etc.), then verily, he between whom and you there was enmity, (will become) as though he was a close friend.”

[Surah Fussilaat 41 : 34]

Rasulullah Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam said: “I guarantee a house in the outskirts of Paradise to the one who gives up arguing even if he were on the right side.”^[2]

On another level, there are those who say that they did not get an opportunity to learn Dien, learn Qur’aan Sharief, do Hifz, and were not taught the practical side of Dien – because their parents were neglectful and indifferent and did not send them to Madrasah, etc. They say that their parents deprived them of all those opportunities. Again, the fault is placed on the other party. No doubt, in such a circumstance, the parents are to be blamed. Parents have a responsibility of seeing to the Tarbiyyah and spiritual nurturing of their children – but what stops a person now from learning Dien, learning the Qur’aan Sharief and getting occupied in good?

Your failure is not outside of you. …Our success or failure does not lie outside of us. Our success or failure lies inside of us.

Take lesson from the cow: Its diet comprises mainly of grass, grains and water – so limited! However, with that grass, it produces milk and from that milk, what not is made! Cheese, cottage cheese, yoghurt, butter, ghee, condensed milk, fresh cream, buttermilk, ice-cream, etc. are produced.

If a person had limited opportunities in life, it does not mean that he now cannot make the most of what he has of life, skill and resources! Where there’s a will, there’s a way. We have heard of people in their seventies and eighties completing Hifz of the Qur’aan Sharief. Allahu Akbar! Nothing deterred them from pursuing noble goals – not even their old age!

Let us take responsibility of our actions and our lives. No one else is accountable for our lives, except ourselves. It is up to us to utilise the gift of life productively; instead of wasting it by blaming others for what has past.

May Allah Ta’ala grant us the understanding and the Taufeeq of practising.

By Hadhrat Moulana Abdul Hamid Is`haq Sahib (Daamat Barakaatuhu)

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[1] floor mat for eating

[2] Abu Dawood