Palmridge Programme

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem 

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Gems 51 - 55

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

Selected and concise advices / sayings of

 Hazrat Maulana Abdul Hamid Is`haq Saheb

(Daamat Barakaatuhum)

  

51.

Sabr (patience) is bitter but its fruit is extremely sweet.

52.

What is Haraam to touch; is Haraam to look at.

What is Haraam to speak; is Haraam to listen to.

53.

When searching for a spouse look for a soft natured and gentle person, for he/she will change the world for you!

And you be the same for your spouse!

54.

On sincere repentance and Rujoo ilallaah, a person who was “Naari” 

(destined for the fire of Jahannam) becomes “Noori” (full of Noor).

55.

The love of Dunya does not allow preparation for the Aakhirah (Hereafter). 

Greed for Dunya diverts from the obedience of Allah Ta’ala.

Yet, at the time of death, nothing of Dunya is taken.  

Rustenburg Programme

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem 

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A Failing of many Mureedeen

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

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

Were we to reflect over various incidents in the annals of our history, we find that without fail, shaytaan whispers negative thoughts in the hearts and minds of people, whereby many incline towards objecting and fault-finding.

In the time of Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam), the people said that they want a Nabi like Musa (Alaihis Salaam) who received his Kitaab in one tablet form. They also presented other objections and baseless reasons in not accepting Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam): The Quraish questioned why Nubuwwah was not given to one of their leaders; why an angel was not sent down; and the Jews turned away because the final Nabi descended from Hadhrat Isma`eel (Alaihis Salaam) and not Hadhrat  Is`haq (Alaihis Salaam).

They also say: 'Why was this Qur'an not revealed to some mighty man

from the two towns'?

[Surah al-Zukhruf,43:31]

"They also say: 'How is it that this Messenger eats and walks about the markets? Why has no angel been sent down with him to warn us? Or, why has no treasure been thrown to him, or a garden for him to eat from?' And the harm doers say: 'The man you follow is surely bewitched.'"

[Surah Al-Furqaan 25:7−8]

With the choosing of the Khulafa in the history of Islam, we find objections. …This is what happens all the time. This fitnah has always prevailed…

We find the same trend and pattern being followed in every generation, at different levels. The Sheikh passes away and shaitaan places objections in the people, regarding those who are Khulafah. The Mureed thinks or even says: “There is no one to guide me! …I don’t find anyone fit for me. There is no one worthy for me to take Bay`ah, to continue with, on this path…”

Is there any humility in this kind of thinking? …There is no humility in this. This kind of thinking smacks of pride! 

The person’s thinking discloses that he considers himself such a person, such an important and great person that presently in the entire world, there is no one good enough to be a means of guidance and assistance on this path to Allah Ta’ala. 

When Hadhrat Moulana Muhammad Ilyas (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) passed away, people said that the work of Tabligh was dead – there is no one to continue. Allah Ta’ala disproved their conclusions by bringing Hadhrat Moulana Yusuf (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) into the work, and Masha-Allah, he made the work flourish in the world. When he passed away, the people said there is nobody to continue. Hadhrat Moulana Inaamul Hasan (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) then continued the work. He too passed away and still the work continues – everywhere.

This is the effort of shaytaan, where people think: ‘Now there is nobody!’

Sheikhul Hadith, Hadhrat Moulana Muhammad Zakariyyah (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) would say: “Make a connection with a Sheikh who is here today, because tomorrow he too will not be here. Appreciate (make qadr) before even the present day Mashaa`ik are gone.”

There are many who compare the present day Mashaa’ik with the Mashaa’ik and Auliya Allah of the past, and in their comparison, they consider and even describe the present day Ahlullah as ‘3^rd class’, as ‘low grade’ or as inferior. …How easily we forget what our own condition is and to what class we belong to...

Hadhrat Moulana Maseehullah (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) had given an apt analogy: A person wants to travel from Bombay to Delhi, but he arrives late and the train has already started moving. He has a first class ticket but the first class coach has already moved ahead. If he says: ‘I only travel first class. I will never consider traveling third class.’ – Then he must not expect to reach his destination.

…The train is slowly moving out and picking up speed. There is still the opportunity to get onto the third class coach.  If he does not, he will not reach Delhi. The person will just stay where he is.

He should rather board the third class coach, despite the inferior and inadequate facilities. It may be that the windows do not close, or the fans do not work or the seats are loose, or the hinges are broken. However, despite all of these conditions and the discomfort, if he boards, he will reach his destination.

It is a known fact that the destination of the first class coach is the destination of the third class – even though not so comfortably.

Hadhrat Moulana Maseehullah (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) then said that the truth is, that there is never a case where the Auliya Allah are third class.

…Your thinking is third class. They are not third class. They are all first class.

It is the Mureed’s bad thinking: ‘They are not fit for me; not good enough for me!’ This train of thoughts reveals pride.

Allah Ta’ala not only informs us that there will always be His Truthful and Sincere Friends, He commands us to keep their company, to be with them. This proves the need for a Sheikh and to relate to him.

يٰٓأَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللهَ وَكُوْنُوْا مَعَ الصّٰدِقِيْنَ ◌

“O You who Believe, Fear Allah and join the company of the Truthful ones 

(the pious, the Auliya Allah).”

[Surah Taubah 9 : 119]

It is essential to have a sheikh and a living sheikh. Hadhrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) had said that he considered it necessary upon every individual to connect himself to a reliable, experienced spiritual guide (and undergo the process of Islaah and Tazkiyyah). 

Here too, we should keep in mind the following: Not only is there a need to have a Sheikh who is living, but a Sheikh who we can make Mashwarah with. 

It is to the benefit of the individual if he links up with some Sheikh-e-Kaamil. Without a Sheikh, the Mureed/Saalik will not draw the full blessings of this path.

Also: It should not be that Bay`ah is taken and nothing follows thereafter.

Of course, great caution needs to be exercised in choosing a Sheikh and a person should seek a Sheikh, making sincere Dua to Allah Ta’ala to guide to the one who will benefit the most. One should not be hasty in regard to taking Bay`ah. It would also only be to one’s benefit if Mashwarah is made and Istikharah is read, when there is an inclination towards any Sheikh of Tariqah.

Furthermore: It is sadly a reality that some Khulafa also, become negligent or lax after the demise of their Sheikh – sometimes, even during the lifetime of the Sheikh. They then do not also make suitable guides for others. May Allah Ta’ala save us all.

It was for this reason that Hadhrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) would present a yearly list of his Khulafa, so that people are aware who could be taken as a worthy spiritual guide. Anyone whose Khilafat was withdrawn – due to laxity or some other valid reason, would not be included in the list.

May Allah Ta’ala guide us all and grant us the appreciation of our Mashaa'ik.

Three Advices from a Priest who accepted Islam

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

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

When we were in Jamaat, in about the year 1400 Hijri (1979), we met an elderly priest, who had accepted Islam. He was about 80 years of age and was from France. Prior to his acceptance of Islam, he was drawn to and loved Islam and the Muslims very greatly and very dearly. On that basis, he built a Masjid for the Muslims in his locality, since the Muslims had no place of worship.

On completion of the Masjid, he handed the keys of the Masjid to them so that they could establish their Salaah in congregation. …Sadly, as is common, those Muslims began to fight amongst themselves as to who would be the chairman, the secretary, etc.

The priest then took the keys back and said to them: “I did not have the Masjid built for arguments and fights. I had it build for the Ibaadah (worship) of Allah (Jalla Jalaaluhu)!”

Alhamdulillah, Allah Ta’ala opened all doors for his Hidayah (Guidance) and he accepted Islam. On meeting him, he shared with us three special advices. They were:

1.
   

“NEVER GIVE UP THE AZAAN. …Wherever you are, always call out the Azaan. You people do not know what effect the Azaan has on Christians! We enjoy hearing the words of Azaan!"

Of course, this does not mean that we increase the volume of our mike-systems and wake up the entire neighbourhood at the time of Fajr. There must be consideration also for the non-Muslims, who will be sleeping. 

At such a time, the mike system should not be used. Disturbing them – especially in the early hours of the morning, when they are asleep – creates animosity towards Islam and Muslims. They then object to us having Masaajid and having our programmes, because of our inconsideration. Then we are a poor reflection of the noble teachings of Islam! May Allah Ta'ala guide us and give us the understanding.

2.

“ALWAYS PERFORM YOUR SALAAH – WHEREVER YOU ARE! …Whether it is the Masjid, at a filling station, railway station, airport terminal, etc., perform your Salaah. …The postures of Salaah have a tremendous effect on our hearts. The Ruku – the posture of bowing down, and the Sajdah – the posture of prostrating, impacts upon our hearts greatly.”

…On one occasion, after spending time with my Sheikh, Hadhrat Moulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh), I was returning home from Nigel. Since the Salaah time had set in, I stopped at a filling station and read my Salaah on one side. After completing the Salaah, the petrol attendant came up to me and asked me: “What were you doing?”

I explained to him about Salaah and he responded: “This is wonderful! I love it! I will also do this every night before going to bed!”

On another occasion, when returning from Durban, by air, we arrived at sunset. When I entered the terminal building of the O.R. Tambo airport, I completed my Maghrib Salaah, on one side. Not aware, but the security guard was observing me all the time. After the Salaah, he approached me and enquired from me as to what I was doing.

Again, I explained to him that I was praying, etc. He also expressed his great appreciation at such a wonderful prayer, with such beautiful postures! Sadly, we do not appreciate what Allah Jalla Jalaaluhu and His Rasul (Sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) have given to us, of this beautiful and perfect Dien!

The enemies of Islam, understanding the effect of our Salaah, have deliberately accommodated us with prayer rooms at airport terminals and other places. This is with the intention that our prayers be concealed and hidden away from the people; otherwise the Salaah, on its own, is a great means of Da’wah and invitation to Islam. We think it is a noble gesture that they grant us facilities for Salaah but the reality is that they do not want our Salaah to be seen – because of its great influence and sway on hearts!

The third advice given by the elderly French Muslim was:

3.

“NEVER GIVE UP YOUR ISLAMIC DRESSING. ...You do not realise it, but this dressing leaves a deep impression on our hearts and has a very great influence upon us! …The Sunnah Libaas and the beard have always been the dressing of the Men of Allah and its beauty and Noor draws hearts…. The same effect is found when seeing the Muslim women covered in their modest and concealing dressing (that is, the Hijaab and Niqaab).”

These were the advices of a learned priest who had accepted Islam. He was not making any assumptions. He was presenting these advices from experience and observation.

Many first hand experiences prove these same advices to be so true.

• On one occasion, while in Jamaat, I related to Hadhratjee, Moulana In'aamul Hasan Saheb (Rahmatullahi 'alayh), an incident of a lady, in our locality, who accepted Islam solely on the basis of the Islamic dressing of the Muslims. She said herself, "It came strongly into my heart that this is the dressing of the righteous, the pious and the Men of God (Allah Ta'ala."

• After my studies, when I returned to South Africa, I had to travel by bus, from Primrose to Germiston Location, where I was teaching. On the third day, a lady also boarded the bus at the same point. She asked me, with astonishment and admiration: “Are you Jesus?!”

Subhanallah! They have such admiration and appreciation for this honourable dress. Sadly and most unfortunately, we Muslims have lost our spiritual bearings and are taken with the immodest fashion and dress of the non-Muslims!

• In the early days, in Germiston, I had decided to buy a washing machine. In those days, washing machines were hardly being used. Clothes were washed by hand. However, we did not want to keep a helper, so I thought to make the household chores lighter, by buying a washing machine.

On the morning of one Jumu’ah, I went to have a look at the different washing machines. In one shop, there were two very elderly white ladies, who belonged to the church. When I entered the shop, they were so taken by my dressing – the Kurta Libaas - that they virtually made Tawaaf around me and with much regard, joy and amazement, they expressed their great appreciation at the dressing.

Really, Allah Ta’ala has blessed us with extremely great favours, but we just take them for granted; otherwise we show such ingratitude that we totally discard this beautiful way of life of Islam for a rotten life which the enemies of Islam are also sick and tired of!

• A very great and pious Aalim, Moulana Sulaiman Aananwi (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) was visiting his friends in Hekpoort, who were also very pious people. It was a Saturday afternoon and he expressed his desire to take a walk down to the river. The others tried to discourage him because, on the way, there were Afrikaner people residing and they would probably be sitting on the stoep at the front of their houses. They thought that if these Afrikaner people saw them and Moulana dressed in the Sunnah clothing, they would laugh and make a mockery of them!

However, Moulana was persistent, and so they went, and as they approached the house, the Afrikaner people called them. These Muslim brothers were sure that they would be laughed at and teased. …But what did they say?!

They said: “As long as you people dressed like this – in the way of your Messenger (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) - we had great respect for you people. …When you would do hawking, we invited you into our homes, and gave you coffee to drink, since you would not have eaten our food. We gave you places in our homes to sleep and called you Abraam (a term of great respect for the followers of Hadhrat Ibraheem (Alaihis Salaam)). However, when you started dressing like this, pointing to the other people, in shirt and trousers, we lost all respect for you people and started calling you 'koolies' (a very derogatory term)!”

• In the early days, I had to take Aapaa, my wife, for passport photographs. I chose to take her to a photo studio which was owned by a lady. My wife related that when the lady saw her in her complete Burqaa, she was astonished and amazed and said: “I read about this in books but never imagined I would see anybody dressing like this!”

She asked to have an interview with Aapa and asked for details about the Islamic dressing and how Aapa managed to wear this kind of dress, etc. Alhamdulillah, at the end of the conversation, she accepted that this is the most ideal, the safest and the perfect way of dressing for a woman.

The same lady also told us that around that time, about 1972, the ruling Nationalist Government was considering giving Muslims, more rights, for their honourable character and values of life. However, for various reasons they found it difficult to implement.

In those days, there were only a very few Muslim ladies wearing the Burqah and were fully covered. To the best of what I can remember, in those days, where we lived, Aapaa was the only Muslimah in Hijaab and Burqa. Later, I came to know that Moulana Sulaiman Aananwi’s (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) wife was also in Hijaab; fully covered. Thereafter, it was mentioned of a certain lady, in Natal, who also dressed in full Hijaab and Burqa.

• Around 1977, we were in Karachi, in Jamaat. We were told of an American lady who accepted Islam and came to Pakistan to spend time. Seeing the Islamic dressing of the Muslim women there, she also put on a Burqa. When she looked at herself in the mirror, she cried profusely. On being asked why she was crying so much, she replied: “This is the first time I look at myself as a woman!” …She was just too delighted and pleased! 

These are just a few incidents, and others have had similar experiences. People have accepted Islam on hearing the beautiful Azaan, seeing the humility of Muslims in Salaah, and the noble postures of Ruku and Sujood. People have accepted Islam on seeing the dignified dressing of the Muslim – but we who are Muslims do not have that kind of spirit and zeal to implement the same in our lives. We do not have that concern of being flag-bearers of Islam and of the Sunnah. Yet, if we did, then without any speeches, we would be giving Da’wah and inviting the world to Islam, wherever we went! If only we ourselves appreciated!

May Allah Ta’ala give us the understanding, the concern, and the Taufeeq of practising on Dien, entirely. And may Allah Ta’ala make our practice of Islam a means of Hidayah for whoever comes into contact with us. And nothing is difficult for Allah Ta'ala.