Wednesday, 25 February 2015

The Harms of Secular Education and Secular Institutes



Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

Presently, we find that many learned people, pious people, Ulama and even Mashaa’ikh,  condone and even encourage secular education or tertiary education. They stipulate conditions such as: Not getting involved in sins and any immoral behaviour; maintaining one’s identity as a Muslim, performing Salaah, etc.


However, dealing with so many cases and we find that even good Muslim children, with a good Dieni upbringing, from good homes and Dieni families, become victims to the environment and get caught up in illicit relationships, fornication, abortions, marriage to non-Muslims, atheism, homosexuality, Shia’ism, Qadianism, drugs, alcohol, etc. 


These are the incidents that are brought to us – when the damage is done.


My Ustaadh, Hafiz Muhammad Salloo Saheb (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) had related that a father requested Dua for his young daughter, who he was sending to the UK, to study medicine. The father requested Dua that Allah Ta’ala protects her from all evils and harm since she would be alone in a foreign country.


Hadhrat Hafiz Saheb (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) said to the father: “You are telling me that you want to send your daughter out in the pouring rain and I must make Dua that she must not get wet. If she goes out in the rain, she must get wet.” …And being alone in a foreign country, or even in another part of the country, leaves her without the “umbrella” of a Mahram, to offer her protection.


If there is a young and beautiful, tender and healthy buck in front of a hungry lion, then even if you were to give a lecture to the lion that it must not eat the buck, that advice will not mean anything to the lion. The lion only sees a delicious meal before him, which he will devour.


We send our children into the universities and colleges – this is akin to sending them into the lion’s den – except that these institutes are shaytaan’s dens. And we have seen so many devoured by the environment – not only losing their Hayaa and chastity, but their Imaan as well.


Recently, a girl, from a very Dieni family, was sent to a foreign country to study. When she was returning home for a holiday, she asked her parents if she could bring her friend along. They gave permission, not realising that her friend was a male, whom she was involved with and also living with.


On seeing him and being informed of the relationship, the parents refused to accommodate any Haraam in their home. ...Despite the Dieni upbringing that had been given, this young girl refused to take understanding, saying that there was no way she would give up the Haraam relationship. She chose to leave her family and chose to live in sin. The parents were naturally devastated. 


Attending these western secular insitutions and pursuing secular education have given rise to such incidents. There is an escalation and surge of cases, brought to us, of Muslim girls and Muslim boys caught up in Zina or homosexuality, giving up Islam, etc. 


A doctor from Welkom mentioned to me that after his son completed high school, he took him to one of the universities to register him for his tertiary education. However, on seeing how degenerative and immoral the environment at the university is, he decided against enrolling his son. He said to me: “If I send my son to university, it will be paying thousands of Rands to send him to Jahannum. I will be signing a cheque to dispatch my son to Jahannum!”


This was the observation and realisation of a medical doctor and he had the good understanding that this tertiary secular education is not worth anything if it meant that his son lost his connection with Dien and lost his Aakhirah.


One brother asked me for advice regarding his son’s education. I suggested that he enrol his son in a Darul Uloom and make him an Aalim. Insha-Allah, this would invite the success of both worlds – for his son and for the parents. The father was not keen on this, so I said that his son should join him in the business. The father’s inclination was a university education and this was the decision of the father and son. Later, it was brought to my attention that the son was influenced by Shias and was even propagating shia’ism at the university he was attending. May Allah Ta'ala save us all. 


Another incident was of a student who would boldly announce to Muslim students, at one of South African universities, that he had been a Muslim, gave up Islam, is an atheist and also a homosexual.


This is what the university/college life and secular education took from him and what it then gave him …and many, many more like him. It took away the gems and jewels of Imaan and Dien, of chastity, morality and modesty.


Worldly education is permissible in Islam. It is not prohibited. ...Secular education is rejected because its purpose is to eradicate religion.


We should also remember that worldly knowledge is necessary to the extent of its necessity and for who it is necessary.


One principal of Darul Uloom Deoband was told to introduce worldly education in the Darul Uloom. He replied: “There are enough toilets available. I do not have to introduce more of those toilets in the Darul Uloom.”


What he was alluding and indicating to was that Dunyawi education is a necessity just as a toilet is a necessity. And worldly education was and is already more than sufficiently catered for by governments, NGOs, private schools, etc. There was no need for the Darul Uloom to also offer it.


Dieni education is a necessity like air and water - and is by far more important. We are dependent on air and water for our survival. To a greater extent we are in need of Dien to survive spiritually. Dien is the basis of salvation in the Hereafter.


Qaasimul Uloom wal Khairaat, Hadhrat Moulana Muhammad Qaasim Nanotwi (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) had also explained that where worldly education was flourishing, the knowledge which was sacred (Dieni knowledge) was abandoned. This is why Darul Uloom Deoband focussed entirely on Dieni knowledge.


Many are not even aware of the aims of secular education but they endorse and support it. Yet, secular education is that worldly education which does not feature Allah Ta’ala. It is knowledge minus the belief in Allah Ta’ala. It is entirely atheistic in essence. Behind the secular education system, are hard-core atheists. Their aim is to divest us of our religion.


Sadly, materialism has become our pursuit. There are some of us, who even have a connection with Dien, yet look towards our children’s Dunya first. Dunya takes priority. Dien takes a back seat or is left out. ...May Allah Ta'ala guide us.


We fail to understand the serious repercussions when secular education is favoured over Dieni education. When Dunya is given preference, Dien and Aakhirah can easily be lost.  


Secular education is a deception. We are deceived into believing that it is a need and a must, and without it, there is no worldly success. Yet, Allah Ta’ala promises success in both Dunya and Aakhirah if we give precedence to Dien.


Sometimes, our thinking and our priorities are very wrong. We hear people say that their daughters have to study, they have to get their degrees and they have to earn a living. They consider this a must and their reasons are: What if she gets divorced?  Or: In today’s time, you need two incomes per family.


…Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’oon. Where is our Imaan? Up until Matric, did Allah Ta’ala not make all the arrangements for their food, shelter, clothing, etc. without them going out to earn? Do we doubt His ability to provide? Why do we have to adopt such negativity regarding our daughters futures that we assume divorce is likely and that they will have to go out and fend for themselves?


This mind-set makes evident our weak and diluted trust in Allah Ta’ala and it is chalking out a Taqdeer of adversity and perhaps even a failed marriage - Allah Ta'ala forbid. 


Rasulullah (Sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam) said: “Allah Ta’ala said: ‘I am as My servant thinks (expects) I am.”[1] 


Hafez Ibn Hajar (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) had said that this means: “I am able to do whatever he expects I will do.”[2]


If our expectation in Allah Ta’ala is good, we invite good circumstances. If our expectation is bad, we invite bad circumstances. Our lives are in the full control of Allah Ta’ala. This kind of negative thinking indicates a very poor opinion of Allah Ta’ala... that Allah Ta'ala will not create favourable conditions and situations. (Na'uzu Billah).


With two incomes today, people still complain that it is not enough.  …And the truth is that even two incomes are not sufficient in the face of materialism and greed. 


Our Rizq (sustenance) is Muqaddar. It has been pre-destined. It will reach us – nothing less and nothing more.


Women have written, stating that in trying to juggle a career, marriage and responsibilities of children, etc. they have completely exhausted themselves and have lost their bearings spiritually. The second income and all the material luxuries did not buy them happiness and peace; it just brought in its wake, a lot of stress, tension, depression and sickness.


Brothers have written that in all their efforts and exertion and sacrifices to acquire the luxuries of the world, there is still a vacuum. There is something missing. This is because Dunya cannot satisfy the Rooh (soul). The soul only finds its peace and contentment in Dien.


Let us not foolishly remain trapped in the rat race of Dunya – weighed down and shackled by worldly worries and expenses – and Allah Ta'ala forbid, at the time of death, exiting the world spiritually bankrupt.


Not one single thing of all the material comforts of Dunya accumulated will be accompanying us to the Hererafter. So take the provision that is essential – the provision of Imaan and good deeds. Work hard for this, to reap the best of the Hereafter.


The worldly life is fleeting. The Herafter is forever. Be intelligent. Invest where there are never-ending returns.


Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: Verily, the world has been created for you and you have been created for the Hereafter.[3]


May Allah Ta’ala grant us the understanding, the concern and the effort towards learning Dien and achieving Allah Ta’ala’s Pleasure and Jannah.





[1] Sahih Bukhari
[2] Fath al-Bari
[3] Tambeehul Ghaafileen


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Thursday, 19 February 2015

Annual Islaahi Jalsa

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

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Wednesday, 18 February 2015

Gems 61 - 65


Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

Selected and concise advices / sayings of
 Hazrat Maulana Abdul Hamid Is`haq Saheb
(Daamat Barakaatuhum)



61.

Allah Ta'ala looks for an excuse to forgive;
Allah Ta'ala does not look for an excuse to punish.


62.

When a person abstains from sins and is occupied in good deeds, 
he is living in the shade of Jannah.


63.


 Allah Ta’ala greatly loves that Ibaadah that ends with Istighfaar.


64.

Without any request or application, Allah Ta’ala gave us this passport of Imaan – 
which is the passport of Jannah.

If we lose it and return to the Hereafter without it, 
there are no application forms that can be filled in for a new passport.

May Allah Ta’ala grant us the understanding, the concern and the Taufeeq of all 
those deeds which will be a means of preserving our Imaan. 
May Allah Ta'ala protect our Imaan, in these times of great Fitnah.


65.


It is Allah Ta’ala’s great favour upon us that He has instructed us to carry out 
the same act that He and His Malaa'ikah do – which is conveying Durood Sharief
to Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam).

Value this privilege by reciting Durood Sharief in abundance.

Read Durood Sharief with love and respect.


“Indeed, Allah and His Angels confer blessings upon the Nabi. 
O you who believe, ask [Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask 
[Allah to grant him] peace.”

[Surah Al-Ahzaab 33 : 56]






Sunday, 8 February 2015

Tazkiyah and the Amaanat of Dien




Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem


When Hadhrat Ibraheem (Alaihis Salaam) completed the reconstruction of the Ka’bah Sharief, he made Dua to Allah Ta’ala for acceptance, and also made the Dua:

رَبَّنَا وَابْعَثْ فِيْهِمْ رَسُولًا مِّنْهُمْ يَتْلُوْا عَلَيْهِمْ اٰيٰتِكَ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتٰبَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَيُزَكِّيْهِمْ ط 
إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْعَزِيْزُ الْحَكِيْمُ

 “Our Lord, and send among them a Messenger from themselves who will recite to them Your verses and teach them the Book and wisdom and purify them. Indeed, You are the Exalted in Might, the Wise."
[Surah Al-Baqarah 2 : 129]

From this Dua of Nabi Ibraheem (Alaihis Salaam) we learn the syllabus of Rasulullah Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam. This comprised of:

1.)     يَتْلُوْا عَلَيْهِمْ اٰيٰتِكَ   (Recite to them Your verses). 

This signifies the teaching of the Qur’aan Sharief. 

Alhamdulillah, today, this is found in our primary Madaaris or Makaatib where the Qur’aan Sharief and its rules of recitation are taught.


2.)     وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتٰبَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ (Teach them the Book and Wisdom). 

This refers to the comprehensive teaching of the Qur’aan Sharief and the Sunnah. This knowledge is acquired from our Darul Ulooms where the sciences of Tafsier, Hadith, Fiqh, etc. are imparted in great detail and depth.


3.)    وَيُزَكِّيْهِمْ  (Purify them)

This is the department of Tazkiyah which is the purification of the heart and soul from every kind of evil and sin.

Alhamdulillah, most of us have fulfilled the first two departments of learning but have not given consideration to the third. We tend to be satisfied with two thirds of the mission of Rasulullah Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam and do not attach importance to the third department; whereas Tazkiyah is extremely important. It is success of both worlds.

Allah Ta’ala states:

قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَنْ زَكّٰهَا
“Indeed he succeeds who purifies his ownself.”
 [Surah Ash-Shams 91 : 9 ]


During a visit to Sri Lanka, I met an Aalim, Maulana Ismail. In our conversation, I mentioned the purpose of our trip, presenting an example. I said:

“If an Imam, whilst leading the Salaah, recites the verse:

رَبَّنَا وَابْعَثْ فِيْهِمْ رَسُولًا مِّنْهُمْ يَتْلُوْا عَلَيْهِمْ اٰيٰتِكَ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتٰبَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَيُزَكِّيْهِمْ ط إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْعَزِيْزُ الْحَكِيْمُ

[“Our Lord, and send among them a Messenger from themselves who will recite to them Your verses and teach them the Book and wisdom and purify them. Indeed, You are the Exalted in Might, the Wise."]
[Surah Al-Baqarah 2 : 129]

but he leaves out the words: وَيُزَكِّيْهِمْ (purify them), he will be given Luqma (i.e. he will be corrected).

Similarly, this visit to Sri Lanka is to give Luqma. Generally, we have left out the practical side of وَيُزَكِّيْهِمْ 

Alhamdulillah, we attended Maktab where we learnt to recite the Qur’aan Sharief. We also completed the course at the Darul Uloom, but we left out Tazkiyah and jumped to Imamat, teaching, etc.

Just as the Ayah will not be complete if a word is left out, so the purpose and objective of our worldly life will not be complete without Tazkiyah. Our efforts in the service of Dien will also be incomplete and deficient. So Tazkiyah is an obligation, a must.  ...This visit is a reminder for myself as well.”

Alhamdulillah, Maulana appreciated the point made and the great need to give attention to this branch of Tazkiyah.

Even though one has qualified and possesses the knowledge of Dien, there is a great need to rectify oneself spiritually and develop the reality of Ilm. 

Sheikhul Hadith, Hadhrat Moulana Muhammad Zakariyyah (Rahmatullah ‘alayh) related in his Fazaa’il-e-Sadaqaat, the distinguishing signs of the Ulama-e-Rabbaniyyeen as conveyed by Imam Ghazali (Rahmatullah ‘alayh) in his Ihya. One outstanding sign of a true Aalim is his interest and concern regarding this field of Tazkiyah and the effort to purify his heart.

There is well-known incident which was related by some person – perhaps in humour – but it offers us a lesson.

A person was to undergo an operation. When taken into theatre, he became very nervous and agitated. The doctor asked him:  “What is wrong?”

He replied: “This is the first operation in my life and I have a wife and young children. I am anxious about the outcome of this operation. What if I do not survive the operation?”

The doctor, in trying to console him, said: “Don’t worry my friend; this is also the first time that I will be operating on someone.”

What will be the condition of that patient?

If a doctor does not do housemanship; he has no training; then despite studying medical textbooks, he will not be able to carry out any surgery. Even with distinctions in theory, there are many conditions to be met before the scalpel can be used…

In the same vein, if an Aalim passed his subjects with distinctions but did not give time to train under the guidance and supervision of a Sheikh, he will be a danger.

The Ulama are spiritual doctors and surgeons. People come to the Ulama for guidance and advice; for solutions to their problems. How can we be successful in our field and truly benefit the people if we have not learnt the skill of operating on spiritual hearts? 

Most of us are operating without practically learning how to. In fact, often, our own spiritual health is in need of attention; of medication. Sometimes, our own hearts require an operation so that we are cured of the cancer of Takabbur (pride), Ujub (conceit/vanity), Riyaa (show/ostentation), Hasad (jealousy), Hubbud Dunya (love for the world), and sins such as lustful gazes, lies, evil thoughts, gheebat, etc.

We all recognise these sins because we have knowledge of them. We even read their remedies and prescriptions in the Qur’aan Sharief and Sunnah, yet Allah Ta’ala has kept Tazkiyah as a separate department in Dien. And it is a fact that for many, despite having indepth knowledge, there is still difficulty in practising on that Ilm. 

Just as we learnt to read the Qur’aan Sharief and we studied the Qur’aan Sharief and Sunnah under the guidance and supervision of our Asaatiza – who are experts in their respective fields, so we will have to do our Tazkiyah under the guidance of a mentor, who has mastered this particular field of Tazkiyah and Islaah. And this too is on the Command of Allah Ta’ala:

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]

Our Sheikh, Hadhrat Moulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sahib (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) had explained that we should remain with them until we become like them – that is, take from them the reality of Dien – the Akhlaaq, Ibaadaat, Mu’aasharaat, etc. which is in complete conformity with the Sunnah of Rasulullah Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam.

Islaah and Tazkiyah cannot be stressed enough. Without spiritually rectifying ourselves, we cannot move forward.

Hadhrat Mufti Muhammad Hasan Sahib Amritsari (Rahmatullah ‘alayh) set a very noble example of an Aalim who understood the need for purification of the heart and soul, and his sincerity in undertaking this route to rectify himself. He was one of the senior Khulafa of  Hadhrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh).

When Hadhrat Mufti Amritsari (Rahmatullah ‘alayh) requested Hadhrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) to accept him for Bay’at, Hadhrat Moulana Thanwi (Rahmatullah ‘alayh) stipulated four conditions:

1.  Repeat your Daurah Hadith because you studied the final year of your Aalim course in an Ahle-Hadith Madrasah.

2.    Correct your Tajweed.

3.  Obtain a NOC (No Objection Certificate) from your wife; that she certifies that you treat her well and keep her happy.

4.  Write 40 letters requesting your Islaah to be made.

Since Hadhrat Mufti Amritsari (Rahmatullah ‘alayh) was sincere in his quest, he repeated his final year studies at Darul Uloom Deoband. He studied Tajweed from a student of his and obtained a certificate from him, and fulfilled the remaining conditions.
 
On this humility and labour of cleaning the heart, Allah Ta’ala opens up all doors of goodness.

On one occasion, Hadhrat Moulana Maseehullah (Rahmatullah ‘alayh) visited Sheikhul Hadith, Hadhrat Moulana Muhammad Zakariyyah (Rahmatullah ‘alayh) in Saharanpur. Hadhrat Sheikh (Rahmatullah ‘alayh) requested for all who were with him to allow him some time alone with Hadhrat Moulana Maseehullah (Rahmatullah ‘alayh).

When both were alone, Hadhrat Sheikh (Rahmatullah ‘alayh) began to cry profusely. On enquiring the reason, Hadhrat Sheikh (Rahmatullah ‘alayh) replied: “Students are graduating yet they do not make their Islaah. They are the ones who are entrusted with the great responsibility of passing the Dien to others. However, they do not have Dien in their own lives. …What will be the condition of the Ummah?”

This was the concern of our Akaabir – because this knowledge of Dien is a great, great Amaanat (trust) and responsibility. We will be questioned about our knowledge and how we acted upon it. Rasulullah Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam informed us:

‘[On the Day of Judgment], the feet of a person will not move until he is asked regarding:

1.)                          His life; how did he spend it,
2.)                          His knowledge; how did he act upon it,
3.)                          His wealth; how did he acquire it (and)
4.)                          How did he spend it, and
5.)                His body, how did he use it.’[1]


Alhamdulillah, a lot of Khidmat of Dien is being rendered throughout the world and may Allah Ta’ala increase all these noble efforts. However, there is a need for Tazkiyah and Islaah. Takabbur, Ujub, Riyaa, love for name, fame and titles, love for dunya, etc. creep into the greatest of works and then render them defective or null and void. It must not be that we reach the Court of Allah Ta’ala having expended our entire lives for His beautiful Dien but nothing was done sincerely, for Him alone.

May Allah Ta’ala forgive us and protect us.  May Allah Ta’ala grant us the concern and the Taufeeq to undertake this process of Islaah and Tazkiyah and grant us the success of both worlds.


~ Hadhrat Moulana Abdul Hamid Is`haq Sahib (Daamat Barakaatuhum)




[1] Tirmidhi