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Our Value & Protection

Bismihi Ta’ala

THE SUNNAH : OUR VALUE AND PROTECTION

P‘RICE’LESS ADVICE

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

In today’s times, the methods of rice harvesting, cleaning and production are more advanced, with different and upgraded machinery. The rice we purchase today is well packaged and clean.

In previous times, when we purchased rice, we would find tiny stones, straw and little twigs with the rice. The merchants sold rice like this and we bought the rice, knowing fully well that the little stones are weighed with the rice.

When we bought the rice, we kept that rice in glass jars or storage containers, as a measure of protection, until we intended to cook it.

The stones and twigs were not only priced with the rice, but they were protected as was the rice. Even though they had no value, they drew the same value and protection because they ‘kept company’ with the rice.

When the rice was cleaned, these particles were picked out and thrown aside. …Even today, when rice is cleaned, these stones, the straw, etc. are separated and thrown out. A de-stoner is used, and it serves the same purpose - to separate the stones, dirt, and other materials from the grain. On the one end of this machine, is the grain which has been cleaned. On the other end, the stones, straw and dirt are collected – to be thrown away.

Once thrown out, they immediately lose value. People walk over these stones, the hay, etc. Cats, dogs and other animals walk over them; even relieve themselves on them… because they have no worth when separated from the rice. 

Our likeness is of the tiny stones, straw and little twigs that are found with the rice we purchased.  So long as we were joined to the Sunnats, we were priced as the Lovers of Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam). And we were also recipient to Allah Ta’ala’s special protection.

As long as we had Dien and we had the Sunnah in our lives, we were protected and honoured by Allah Ta’ala. When we separated ourselves from Dien and from the Sunnah; when we went the route of sins, transgression, Bid`ah, modernism and other ‘isms’, which have no share in Islam – it was a choice we made, which threw us out of the Protection of Allah Ta’ala. Our value was lost, our protection was no more, and our honour was replaced with dishonour.

Now we have the enemies of Islam – people, whom Allah Ta’ala has declared His enemies and our enemies – people who live their lives in rejection and rebellion to Allah Ta’ala…

‘O you who believe, do not take My Enemies and your enemies for friends, expressing love with them, while they have rejected the Truth that has come to you…’

 [Surah Al-Mumtahina 60 : 1]

We have such people trample upon us, murder our weak, elderly and children, rape our women, raze our homes and unjustly imprison and persecute our men. The oppression is so compounded, words fail – yet it seems as if there is no one to even sigh over this. This is the outcome of alienating ourselves from Dien and from the Sunnah.

Islam, as a religion and as a way of life, is easy and perfectly practical in every time. 

For each and every Ummati, there is the ray of hope, the opportunity to salvage that honour of being an Ummati, and that promise of success – if only we connect with Dien and the Sunnah.

If we do, we will become recipient to that Special Divine Protection, our value will increase and we will become the beneficiaries of Allah Ta’ala’s Promises:

 “Allah has promised those of you who believe and do good deeds that He will certainly make them (His) vicegerents in the land, like He made those before them, and will certainly establish for them their religion that He has chosen for them, and will certainly give them peace in exchange, after their state of fear; (provided that) they worship Me, ascribing no partner to Me. And whoever turns infidel after that, then such people are the transgressors. And establish Salaah and pay Zakaah and obey the Messenger so that you may be favoured with mercy.”

[Surah Nur 24 : 55 / 56]

From another angle, considering the analogy of rice; it is a well-known fact that rice is a staple food which is consumed by billions and which is considered a vital grain for human nutrition. Millions depend on rice for their survival, with many consuming rice every day of their lives.

In relation to this fact, the Sunnah is the staple food for the soul. And the Sunnah encompasses every good and noble deed, including abstinence from all sins. This is vital for the soul’s nourishment and improvement. With it, the spiritual heart and the soul thrive. Without it, Imaan will suffer impairment and the soul will weaken.      

Added to this, Allah Ta’ala’s Love and Forgiveness are binding for the one who follows in the footsteps of the Beloved (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam):

“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]

Hadhrat Moulana Abrarul Haq (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) had explained that every Sunnat is اَسْهَلْ (most simple), اَكْمَلْ (perfect) and اَجْمَلْ (most beautiful).

Hadhrat Moulana Umar of Palanpoor (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) had mentioned that on practising and living the Sunnah, a person becomes recipient to Rahmat (Mercy), Barakah (Blessings), Hidayat (Guidance) and Muhabbat (he becomes beloved to Allah Ta’ala and to the people).

May Allah Ta’ala give us understanding and the Taufeeq to appreciate every single aspect of this beautiful way of life called Islam, and to practise upon the Sunnah, on every breath and moment.

Book | Journey towards Allah

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

The book can be downloaded HERE

Eating with the best "fork"

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

Bi Ismihi Ta’ala

A scholar from one of the universities visited Darul Uloom Deoband during a trip to India. He was invited for a meal by Hadhrat Moulana Anwar Shah Kashmiri (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh). The scholar asked the respected Moulana (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh): “Why do you not also eat with a fork and spoon (as many others eat).”

Moulana immediately stretched out his hand, drawing attention to four of his fingers, and said: “I am eating with a fork! Just as a fork has got 4 prongs, my hand has got fingers!”

Hadhrat Moulana then said: “My fork is better than your fork in 4 ways…

1. My fork can feel the temperature of the food whilst your fork cannot.

2. My fork can bend and catch hold of the food easily, whilst your fork cannot. I notice how you find difficulty to get hold of your food.

3. If my fork hits against my teeth or gums I do not feel any real pain, whilst your fork causes great pain if it pierces you – as does sometimes happen when eating with a fork. 

4. My fork excretes a fluid after eating which helps with digestion, whilst your fork is unable to do so.

On reading this wonderful response, Allah Ta’ala put in my mind a few more points, which add to the excellence of this Sunnah:

• My fork is made by Allah Ta’ala whilst your fork is man-made. If it is made of plastic, it is likely to break in its first use.

• I personally wash my fork before meals (which is Sunnah), whilst your fork is washed by somebody else, if it is washed.

• The greatest benefit of all is that my fork is Sunnah, whilst your fork is the custom of the non-Muslims.

As such, eating with my fork draws a guaranteed reward, whilst eating with your fork carries no reward.

And eating with my fork earns the Pleasure of Allah Ta’ala, whilst eating with your fork earns the displeasure of Allah Ta’ala.

Alhamdulillah, a sister from Reunion mentioned an additional point: “My fork can clean the plate according to the Sunnah, whilst your fork cannot.”

The Sunnah has such benefit, goodness and advantage that the customs and culture of other faiths or societies cannot be compared to the Sunnah, nor can they rival with the Sunnah.

The way of life of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is priceless. Everything else is valueless and useless. In fact, any other way of life is null and void in the Court of Allah Ta’ala.

For a Muslim, his connection is with Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam), and this should be evident with every facet of life conforming to the beautiful and noble Sunnah.

May Allah Ta’ala grant us the Taufeeq of appreciating and practising upon the Sunnah entirely, and throwing out from our lives, the culture of the disbelievers.