Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem
From the Tafseer Lessons of
Hadhrat
Moulana Abdul Hamid Is’haq Sahib (DB)
3.) KUFR-E-I'RAADH
(Turning away)
This
is a type of Kufr where a person turns away from the truth; he ignores it or
avoids the truth and shows no interest in learning the truth. The majority on
the face of the earth have not accepted Imaan and Islam. They have turned their
faces away from Islam. This is Kufr.
Islam
is recognised by all. Islam and Muslims are often the focus in the media. And
although the media portrays and propagates tremendous negativity of Islam, many
non-Muslims then choose to research and find out more. They purchase the
English copies of the Qur’aan Shareef, seeking to know more and many then
accept Islam. Moreover, the Azaan is called throughout the world, five times a
day. Whether they like it or not, it is an invitation to Islam. The dressing of
the Muslim man and woman is seen all over. This is a means of Da’wah
without any speech.
The
Child
A
person may ask: “When a child is born in a Christian home, or a Jewish home
or Hindu home, the child Is innocent. What wrong did he do?”
The
Hadith mentions that every child is born on Fitrah, that is with a natural
inclination to Islam. Although the parents may bring him up in another
religion, what is required is for him or her to seek out the truth.
We
find with our little children of 3 and 4 years of age; they don’t stop asking
questions. Everything is, “Why this?”, “Why that?” “Why…?”
If
we have to ask them: “Why did you do this?”
They
reply: “Because…” They have no answer but they want answers all
the time. This shows us that it is a natural quality of a human being… to ask.
It is the natural learning process.
In
fact, the child is like a blank slate and when he asks, we have the perfect
opportunity to embed in his heart and mind, Imaan and Islam; the love of Allah
Ta’ala and His Rasul Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam. We should take
advantage of this time in their lives because they are like sponges which will
absorb anything… let it be that they absorb Deen and only good.
We
too should be asking. Asking shows our interest and will lead us to the
Ma’rifat of Allah Ta’ala. …Who took out the sun today? Who created me?
Who created the beautiful colours of the flowers, etc.? Who created the
fruit and vegetables? …Everything points to a Creator. If behind the
cell-phone, car, etc. we all acknowledge that there is a manufacturer, then
behind this entire universe, there must be a Creator!
In
Islam, ignorance is no excuse. It is a punishable crime in Islam. Allah Ta’ala
tells us that if we don’t know, ask the people who know; ask the Ulama-e-Haq.
A
Revert
Recently,
we met a person who accepted Islam. He was a staunch, practising Christian who
believed in the trinity. It was then brought to his attention that Isa (Alaihis
Salaam), whom they call Jesus Christ, is not the son of God and cannot be
worshipped. He thought to himself: Over a billion people are following
Christianity and worshipping Jesus Christ. How can so many be doing something
wrong? If we are wrong, why doesn’t God send a reformer?
This
brother then had a dream in which he saw a vision of Allah Ta’ala and he also saw
Hazrat Isa (Alaihis Salaam). However, Hazrat Isa (Alaihis Salaam) turned away
from him (because of his wrong beliefs). He then asks Allah Ta’ala: “We were
born as Christians. If our worship of Jesus Christ is wrong, then why don’t you
make it known to us, so that we follow the right way.”
In
the dream, Allah Ta’ala replied: “There is enough proof in the world of
Tauheed[1]. It
is up to you to look for it.”
He
discussed this with a friend, who informed him that the Muslims believe that
Isa (Alaihis Salaam) is not the son of God and he is not to be worshipped and
these are the Islamic teachings and beliefs. Alhamdulillah, this became a means of
his coming into Islam.
Allah
Ta’ala has granted us Aql (Intelligence). The onus is on the individual to seek
the truth. We too should look for the Truth and not wait for it to come to us.
It is our duty to look for it – like how we look for a treatment for an
illness, or how we seek our sustenance. Far more important than seeking a cure
or seeking sustenance, is seeking Allah Ta’ala - knowing Allah Ta’ala, knowing
His Commandments and practising upon them.
…One
brother from America requested an ‘Aalim to attend his Hifz graduation. He is
90 years old. At this age, he has completed the memorisation of the Qur’aan
Shareef. Another brother qualified as an 'Aalim at the age of 72 and he has now
commenced his Hifz. They have the interest, but what about us? We have so many
small excuses not to learn; not to find out. We are unmindful … yet Allah
Ta’ala has established the means everywhere. There are Madaaris and other Deeni
Institutions and Deeni works whereby we can easily learn and improve.
From
another angle, Allah Ta’ala’s Bounties are unlimited but we turn away from
them; we do not acknowledge them and show appreciation to Allah Ta’ala. This is
also a kind of ‘I'raadh’ which we are guilty of. We don’t pay attention to the
bounties of Allah Ta’ala. One is Imaan which is inherited – but because of our
lack of appreciation, there is weakness in our Imaan. Another person appreciates
and he works and builds on his Imaan. Similarly, we are showered with bounties
in every form, at all times, but we are oblivious and don’t think of expressing
gratitude. Allah Ta’ala mentions:
“…And
few of My servants are grateful.”
[Surah Saba 34 : 13]
4.) KUFR-E-SHAK
(DOUBT)
There
is either doubt or surety and conviction (Yaqeen). Wasaawis (whisperings) from shaytaan
is something different and does not fall in this category. It is easy to expel
these thoughts or whisperings of shaytaan, by turning to Allah Ta’ala and
seeking His protection.
However,
in Islam, there is no room for doubt. Allah Ta’ala mentions:
“…who
are certain (in their faith)”
This
Yaqeen is not only strong on the Aakhirah but on all matters of Deen.
In
these times, we find that many non-Muslims influence us, by telling us that if
there is a God, then why are there wars in this world; why the starvation, why
are thousands becoming orphans, etc.? This then leads to some questioning and
doubting and even giving up Islam. May Allah Ta’ala protect us.
To
doubt: Is there Allah? Is there Jannah? Is there Jahannum? – indicates that
there is no Yaqeen; no Imaan.
Where
can we understand the work of Allah Ta’ala? …He knows His work and why He does
what He does. Of course, Allah Ta’ala has explained so much to us in the
Qur’aan Shareef, which makes clear His Infinite Wisdom and Decisions. However,
we cannot be questioning Allah Ta’ala. Sometimes, we behave as if we are the
chief-advisors of Allah Ta’ala; when we express our opinions and say that
certain things should not have happened or should have happened, etc.
Taqdeer
is one of the basic beliefs of a Muslim. We believe that whatever came our way,
was meant to be. There should be no ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’. What was written, will
happen. …It is another issue when someone knowingly does the wrong
thing and he thereafter blames Taqdeer.
We
must know Allah Ta’ala as He is. Our Yaqeen is more than what we see. To
develop this Yaqeen, we require the Suhbat (company) of those who have it.
Allah Ta’ala instructs us to keep the company of His friends. It is in their
company that our Imaan will develop to Yaqeen and we will Insha-Allah, attain
that noble stage of Ihsaan – being conscious of Allah Ta’ala at all times. For
Imaan, a continuous effort has to be made.
From
another perspective, in these times, many of us have our Yaqeen in university
degrees, in our jobs, etc. We think that without this, we won’t survive. Yet,
so many who have degrees, don’t have jobs. And many who have no schooling and
education are multi-millionaires. …Allah Ta’ala is the Giver of sustenance.
5.) KUFR
OF NIFAAQ (Hypocrisy)
This
form of Kufr is when a person lives like a Muslim but does not believe in
Islam.
Allah
Ta’ala mentions regarding the Munafiqeen:
“When
the hypocrites come to you, [O Muhammad Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam], they
say, "We testify that you are the Messenger of Allah." And Allah
knows that you are His Messenger, and Allah testifies that the hypocrites are
liars.”
They
would bear witness but they did not believe. What they said with their tongues
was not in their hearts. They are the most dangerous group amongst us … Like
snakes in the grass; hidden amongst us.
In
this day and age as well, we have Munafiqeen; those who proclaim to be
champions of Islam but are not. Many excel in their outward practices of Islam,
but they are not Muslims. Shias, Qadianis and other deviant groups also
practise Islam, but it is null and void in the Court of Allah Ta’ala because
their beliefs are Kufr.
Our
Shaykh, Hadhrat Moulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sahib (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) once
mentioned to us: “In the United Kingdom, there are people who are so
particular on the practices of Islam, that they get up for Tahajjud; they
engage in Zikrullah and other Ibaadaat…”
Listening,
to Hadhrat, I said: “SubhanAllah.”
Hadhrat
said: “Do you know who they are? …These people are Christian missionaries
who are well trained in Islamic teachings and practices, for no other reason
but to go and destroy the Imaan of the Muslims – in the third world countries,
where poverty and ignorance is rife, etc.”
Although
their A’maal seemed very enviable but there is Kufr at heart.
One
sister accepted Islam. She was a Christian missionary worker and explained that
they were trained in Islam – to learn the Kalima and other aspects of Deen; to
work amongst the Muslims and win them over to Christianity. Allah Ta’ala made
that a means of guidance and she accepted Islam.
Sultan
Nuruddin (RA)
There
is a famous incident of Sultan Nuruddin (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh). He was a very
just and pious ruler. One night, after performing the Tahajjud Salaah, he fell
off to sleep and he dreamt of Rasulullah Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam,
who pointed towards two people of squint-eye, and said: “Protect me from these
two.”
The
Sultan had the same dream three times, consecutively, and was naturally very
concerned and disturbed. He, with a group of men, travelled speedily to Madina
Munawwarah. As the story goes, after inviting all of the people of Madina
Munawwarah to a feast, he searched for those two men whom he had seen in the
dream. When he was informed that there were two men who are great worshippers
and great ascetics, who resided near Jannatul Baqi, he called for them. After
some questioning them, he ordered that they be kept in custody whilst their
residence was inspected. Finally, the truth was exposed, that they were not
Muslims. They submitted that they were actually Christians who had come to
Madina Munawwarah, disguised as Hajis. A Christian King promised them great
wealth if they steal the Mubarak body of Rasulullah Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam.
And this is what they were working towards whilst in Madina Munawwarah, digging
a tunnel to the Mubarak grave for that same purpose.
They
were Christians, but the people of Madinah Munawwarah described them as people
who fasted by day, spent generously on the poor and needy, and who stood in
prayer at night. There were A’maal but there was no Imaan in the heart; rather
enmity.
Ibnu
Abi Mulayka (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh), who was a Tabi’e, said: “I met no less
than thirty Sahabah (Radiyallaahu ‘anhum) and each of them feared Nifaaq
(hypocrisy) within themselves.”
Hadhrat
Hasan Basri (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) would say in respect to Nifaaq: “No one
fears it but a Believer and no one feels safe from it but a hypocrite."
May
Allah Ta’ala reward Hadhrat Maulana Idris Kandehlawi (Rahmatullahi
‘alayh). I benefited a lot and Insha-Allah, it benefits all.
[1]
Tauheed: The Oneness of Allah Ta’ala
