Ghaflat

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

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

ALLAH TA’ALA STATES IN THE QUR`AAN SHARIEF:

 “AND DO NOT BE AMONG THE HEEDLESS.”

[Surah Al-A'raaf 7:205]

Living in this world, it is not proper for any person to be unmindful and negligent of the objective and purpose of his existence. Allah Ta’ala informs us:

 “AND I CREATED NOT THE JINN AND MANKIND EXCEPT THAT THEY SHOULD WORSHIP ME.”

[Surah Az-Zaariyaat 51 : 56]

And Allah Ta’ala reminds us:

“DID YOU THINK THAT WE CREATED YOU FOR NOTHING, AND THAT YOU WILL NOT BE BROUGHT BACK TO US?”

[Surah Al-Mu`minoon 23 : 115]

Ghaflat is heedlessness … negligence … being unaware. It is diversion. It is thinking or doing something when one should have been thinking or doing something else. Being distracted in any work is ghaflat, and ghaflat is extremely dangerous.

I usually give the example, that if a family is receiving special guests, then normally, the ladies of the house are busy in their preparations. If the ladies decide to serve hot, hot samoosas, they keep the frying pan on the stove, with the hot oil in it, ready for frying. When they hear the visitors arrive, the exchange of Salaam, etc. and are about to put the samoosas into the hot oil, a two year old child, playing nearby, pulls down the handle of the frying pan and all that boiling hot oil falls onto the child. May Allah Ta’ala protect all.

What was the cause of that terrible accident? …It was a little unmindfulness; a moment of Ghaflat; a moment of distraction. The ghaflat of not being watchful over the child and leaving the handle easy for reach, leads to such a frightening situation and such extensive harm! A person is driving and talking on his cell-phone. He is distracted. This is Ghaflat, which can result in a serious accident.

In worldly matters, we find that negligence and inattentiveness have resulted in tremendous loss, harm, damage and regret. However, the unmindfulness of Dien is worse than the unmindfulness of Dunya. Ghaflat of Dien has worse consequences by far. Unfortunately this is widespread and it is a grave weakness and failing, which we need to remedy.

We pass our lives, spending days and nights, unmindful and heedless of Allah Ta’ala, of Allah Ta’ala’s Commands, of our purpose in this world, of death, of Aakhirah and of accountability. This results in futility and sins. …Many wander through life, aimlessly. Although Allah Ta’ala’s signs are everywhere, no effort is made to find out why we are here.

 “… AND VERILY, MANY AMONG MANKIND ARE HEEDLESS OF OUR SIGNS.”

[Surah Yunus 10 : 92]

The repercussions of heedlessness are most severe and grave. When a person is ghaafil, he makes no effort for his Aakhirah. No effort is made to accumulate the provisions for the journey ahead – the journey to the Hereafter. …Ghaflat makes us forget Allah Ta’ala. And Allah Ta’ala says in regard to those who forget Him:

 “AND BE NOT LIKE THOSE WHO FORGOT ALLAH; AND HE MADE THEM FORGET THEIR OWN SOULS; SUCH ARE THE TRANSGRESSORS.”

[Surah Al-Hashr 59 : 19]

Heedlessness leads us far away from Dien and practising on Dien; far away from Allah Ta’ala’s Pleasure and far away from Jannah, with all its never-ending bounties. A heedless heart falls into sin. Shaytaan becomes the companion of one who is ghaafil, and shaytaan invites to all those actions which satisfy the nafs and which leads us to the doorstep of Jahannum.

Allah Ta’ala mentions those who have sound knowledge and skill when it comes to the affairs of the world, business, trade, etc. but they do not consider beyond this temporary world. Despite their worldly acumen and expertise, they are heedless in preparing for the life to come. Let us not be counted as one of them.

 “THEY KNOW WHAT IS APPARENT OF THE WORLDLY LIFE; AND OF THE HEREAFTER, THEY ARE GHAFILOON (HEEDLESS).”

[Surah Ar-Rum 30 : 7]

Ghaflat is also found in our Ibaadah. While engaged in Salaah, we are pre-occupied with everything besides Salaah. We are careless, inattentive and read just for the sake of reading. We fulfil the postures of Salaah without thought that we are standing in the Court of Allah Ta’ala, before Allah Ta’ala, and that we are communicating with Allah Ta’ala. We give no attention to the required etiquettes. There is no concentration and no humility. Allah Ta’ala describes this kind of Salaah as the Salaah of the Munafiqeen (hypocrites).

      

 “SO WOE TO THOSE PERFORMERS OF SALAAH, WHO ARE HEEDLESS OF THEIR SALAAH…”

[Surah Al-Ma`oon 107 : 4 / 5]

…Very, very sadly, the Ummah, at large, has fallen deep into this misfortune and catastrophe of Ghaflat, and the consequences are seen today, throughout the world – in the form of oppression, suppression and destruction of the Ummah.

From amongst the remedies for the sickness of heedlessness, is keeping before us, our death – our return to Allah Ta’ala, as well as consciously remembering Allah Ta’ala. Unfortunately, we are so consumed in our worldly matters, we forget that we are going to die, and we pass our days care-free; or worse, in the disobedience of Allah Ta’ala. Allah Ta’ala says:

“THE RECKONING OF THE PEOPLE HAS DRAWN NEAR TO THEM, WHILE THEY ARE IN NEGLIGENCE, TURNING AWAY.”

[Surah Al-Ambiyaa 21:1]

Rasulullah Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam said: “Frequently remember the destroyer of life’s pleasures; death.”[1] …If death is brought into the equation, the chain of thoughts, which will come to mind, whenever nafs and shaytaan encourage and tempt us towards Haraam, will be: What if I have to die in this action? What will happen in my grave? What will happen on the Day of Qiyamah? …This chain of thoughts will protect us from committing sin. This train of thoughts will encourage us towards righteousness.

How long is the enjoyment of this world? A few days and it is all over; yet, we are so immersed and involved in Dunya that we rarely think about our Maut (death) and Aakhirah.

“Whoever comes into this world, death says to him:

‘I am following you closely!’”

We are distracted and side-tracked by the toys of the world – whether in the forms of our homes, businesses, cars, cell-phones, etc. – all of which we will have to leave behind very soon.

Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziya رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْهِ had encapsulated these spiritual weaknesses and their remedies, saying: “The heart is tarnished by two things: heedlessness and sin. It is polished by two things: remembrance and asking forgiveness.”

Rasulullah Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam said: “Everything has a cleaner, and the cleaner of the hearts is the remembrance of Allah.”^[2]

In various Aayaat of the Qur’aan Shareef and in many Ahadith as well, we are enjoined to remember Allah Ta’ala. Very fortunate are those who constantly do so. …Allah Ta’ala praises those who remember Him in all situations, in all conditions; at all times:

 “…THOSE WHO REMEMBER ALLAH STANDING, SITTING AND LYING DOWN ON THEIR SIDES…”

[Surah Aal-Imraan 3 : 190/1]

As mentioned, the heart is also polished by seeking forgiveness. Rasulullah Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam explained: “When a Mu’min (believer) sins, a black dot appears on his heart. If he repents and seeks Allah’s forgiveness, his heart becomes cleansed and polished. If he continues to commit more and more sins (without repenting), the spot continues to spread and ultimately covers all of his heart.”^[3]

May Allah Ta’ala grant us the understanding and the concern. May Allah Ta’ala cure us of all our spiritual ailments, awaken our sleeping hearts and grant us the Taufeeq of spending our lives, constructively occupied in noble deeds, which will earn us His Pleasure and Najaat (salvation).

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[1] An-Nasaa’i

[2] Shu'abul Iman (This has also been recorded as the statement of Hazrat Abu Darda رَضِىَ الله عَنْه)

[3] Tirmidhi

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.

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[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]