Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem
by
Hazrat Maulana Abdul Hamid Is’haq Sahib (Daamat Barakaatuhu)
Allah Ta’ala gives directions for every department of our lives and informs us, in the Qur’aan Shareef, as to how to deal with the tests and hardships which come our way. Our work is to turn to Allah Ta’ala and follow the guidance of Allah Ta’ala.
Allah Ta’ala is our Creator and Master; He is Haakim and Hakeem. His knowledge and Wisdom are perfect and unlimited and He is the Ultimate and Absolute Ruler and will make Decisions as He wills. His legislations and decrees are always in our best interests. The conditions, which are sent, are not random or haphazard. Behind His decisions, is His Unlimited Wisdom.
Sometimes, we, as human beings, forget who is in Charge and who is in Control. We see ourselves as masters because of our intelligence – which is limited, because of our study and research, our scientific achievements, advancement in technology, etc. and we forget our reality. We forget that we are the servants of Allah Ta’ala. Allah Ta’ala then sends conditions over us, for us to realise who we are and how helpless we really are. …Allah Ta’ala is Absolute. Every condition is from Allah Ta’ala. These circumstances visit us so that we become true slaves and servants and submit to Allah Ta’ala.
For the Mu’mineen – the Believers – Allah Ta’ala’s Decrees are to be accepted. Tafweez is that noble quality where a person accepts wholeheartedly, the Decisions of Allah Ta’ala. This will bring peace and tranquillity. We will be at peace with ourselves, at peace with our families and at peace with the conditions that have befallen us. Of course, Tafweez does not mean that we should not adopt the means (asbaab), that we should not seek medical treatment, help, etc. We should take the necessary and correct precautions and seek a solution, with our Trust entirely in Allah Ta’ala alone.
…On the other hand, if we don’t accept; if we don’t resign our will to the Will of our Creator, what are we going to do? Presently, people are becoming agitated, restless, panic stricken and frustrated; they are blaming, fighting and cursing others. None of these are solutions.
As a simple example: A little child broke his arm. Being a child, his mind works like a child. He wants the freedom to run and play. On the other hand, his parents are adults, who will think rationally. They will impose certain conditions and restrictions because the child needs to heal; needs to recover. The child will have to wear a plaster cast for his arm to heal. Even if it is uncomfortable, he has no choice. If the child goes through the treatment and follows instructions, Insha-Allah, everything comes right. If he throws tantrums and fights with everyone all the time, then he harms himself. The recovery may then be slow and the results may not be good.
Similarly, if we follow the spiritual treatment and the instructions of Allah Ta’ala, then everything comes right. In all conditions, a Believer submits to Allah Ta’ala’s Decree. Nobody can escape the decrees of Allah Ta’ala - not here, in this world nor in the hereafter.
Allah Ta’ala gives us guidelines and shows us how to resolve the problem:
“O you who believe, seek the help of Allah Ta’ala with patience and Salaah…”
That is, when we are faced with hard or difficult conditions, we should seek His Help with patience and Salaah. True patience is to accept what Allah Ta’ala has destined and to remain steadfast and firm on Deen. We should see our tests as means to improve and better our relationship with Allah Ta’ala.
Another simple example: If a person throws a stone at a dog, the dog also knows that the stone is not the cause. The dog will not go to the stone and fight with the stone. The dog will run after the person who threw it; it will bark and may even bite the person.
Of course, we cannot fight with Allah Ta’ala or harm Allah Ta’ala. This is out of the question. Since conditions come from Allah Ta’ala, the correct response, befitting a slave and servant, is to seek His Help. Salaah invites the help of Allah Ta’ala. When Rasulullah Sallaallahu ‘alayhi wasallam was faced with any grave situation, he would, without delay, turn to Salaah.
Let us not focus on just the asbaab. Focus on Musabbibul Asbaab – Allah Ta’ala. This is an Aqeedah of Tauheed. The material causes are there but behind everything is Allah Ta’ala. Seek His help. There is no need to become panic stricken, frantic, distressed or agitated. Once Allah Ta’ala favours us with His Forgiveness, Mercy and Help, all difficult conditions will be removed. Asbaab are in the control of Allah Ta’ala. Asbaab are not an independent power that can do anything. Everything is under the Control and Power of Allah Ta’ala.
Hazrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) had given an example:
A gang of criminals are pursued by police. They are being shot at, and some are killed. Those who are still alive decide to discuss and research how the bullet is made and what the gun powder comprises of. It will be inevitable that within seconds or minutes, bullets will hit them and kill them, but they are pre-occupied with what they deem crucial: discussing bullets. Now that they are surrounded by the police, the logical thing would be to hand themselves in, express remorse and regret for their crimes and make amends.
Similarly, we are criminals … who have violated many of Allah Ta’ala’s Laws and we have also perpetrated injustices on people. The logical thing is to acknowledge our wrongdoing, ask for forgiveness and correct our actions. However, instead of doing so, we are spending all our time in investigation and research, in news reports and conspiracy theories. The real intelligence is turning to Allah Ta’ala and doing what we are required to do: Obey Him and His Rasul Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam.
DUROOD SHAREEF & ISTIGHFAAR
Shaykhul Hadith, Hadhrat Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) had said: “It is my experience and conviction and that of our Akaabir, that when problems come, individually or collectively, two actions solve the problem…
1.) Abundance of Durood Shareef
At present, we are experiencing different tests and we are weak. We need Allah Ta’ala’s Rahmah. Where Rahmah descends, Azaab disappears and difficulties vanish. Durood Shareef draws the Rahmah and Mercy of Allah Ta’ala.
Our Shaykh, Hadhrat Moulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sahib (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) had related that when Hadhrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) was writing the Kitaab, Nashrut Teeb, on the Seerah of Rasulullah Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam, he would write this Kitaab only on certain days. He had a very disciplined schedule for his work, so specific days were given to the writing of this Kitaab. At the time, a plague had overcome the area. He observed that on the days he wrote Nashrut Teeb, no deaths were reported. On the other days, deaths were reported. He then continued with writing Nashrut Teeb on a daily basis. Alhamdulillah, people stopped dying of the plague and the plague then disappeared.
Our Shaykh, Hadhrat Moulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sahib (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) explained that Durood Shareef is a solution for plagues and difficulties. Others won’t understand the connection between Durood Shareef and difficulties, but as Muslims we know that Allah Ta’ala has placed Shifa in His Kalaam and Shifa and solutions in many other forms of Ibaadah.
2.) Taubah and Istighfaar
We need to first realise that we have sinned. Many of us are in denial or we only pay attention to a few good deeds that may be done, but the Hadith mentions very clearly that all of Bani Aadam (the children of Hadhrat Aadam (Alaihis Salaam)) are sinners and the best of sinners are those who make Taubah. Allah Ta’ala loves Taubah and makes beloved, the one who sincerely repents to Him.
Fortunate is the person whose sins open up to him. It is a great favour from Allah Ta’ala because we can then make amends and rectify ourselves. There were many of our Akaabir, who despite their obedience to Allah Ta’ala and their great Deeni contributions, were regretful that they did not do more or improve more. May Allah Ta’ala grant us this concern as well.
The need of the hour is to ask for forgiveness. We engage in outward and inward sins: adultery and fornication, drinking, gambling, interest taking and giving have become widespread in the Ummah. On another level, the sins of greed, jealousy, pride, hatred, wishing evil on others, etc. have ruined our hearts.
In the Aakhirah, the creation will lay charges against us, because of the sins we engaged in. When we don’t pay Zakaat, this affects the creation. Rains are with-held, people and animals suffer. All will lay charges against us. When we engage in immoral behaviour, plagues and sicknesses then come into existence which affect even the innocent.
So we need to beg for forgiveness for all our sins, engage in much Istighaar and rectify our conduct. We should also make Istighfaar after doing good deeds since there are still so many shortcomings and failings in our Ibaadah.
Another two beneficial practices, which are drawn from the Sunnah and were the practices of our Akaabir:
3.) Giving Sadaqah
Hadhrat Haji Ahmad Nakhooda (Daamat Barakaatuhu), a Khalifa of Hadhrat Moulana Muhammad Zakariyyah (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) repeatedly encourages us to give in charity, even if it is only R1. The Ahadith fully encourage us to give whatever we are able to. If we can give more, Alhamdulillah. We will be the beneficiaries. Sadaqah saves a person from a bad death and ensures a good death. Through the blessings of Sadaqah, problems are removed and those that were going to come are blocked.
4.) Dua
Dua is instrumental in changing conditions. It even changes Taqdeer. We just have to have Yaqeen (conviction) that Allah Ta’ala is the Doer and that nothing is difficult for Him. There are Aadaab (etiquettes) of Dua, where we should face the Qiblah, raise our hands, etc. However, even if a person makes Dua in his heart, it will greatly benefit him.
These are four A’maal which we should get involved in and should encourage our family, friends and others. Unfortunately, we are wasting our valuable time discussing only the problem and not solving the problem. Take precautions but the solution is turning to Allah Ta’ala.
If the lights are gone and there is only darkness, and at that time, a group of electricians and Eskom’s executives and managers start discussing why there is no electricity, the lights will not go on. Just talk and speeches will not help bring back the electricity. However, if a person lights one candle, then there will be some light. A person needs to do something to solve the problem. Similarly, these A’maal, together with Tafweez, Sabr and Salaah, will benefit and resolve our problems.
Our sad condition is that what is simple, easy and inexpensive or free, does not appeal to us. We rather pay big amounts of money, go down a difficult route and waste our time, money and energy, with no results or solutions. These prescriptions are simple … and free of charge. Get engaged in them and see the results.
Moreover, with the lockdown and many restrictions, Allah Ta’ala freed most of us from the work of Dunya so that we can prepare for our return to Him; so that we can build up our Aakhirah. Take the opportunity. Appreciate the opportunity. There is no escaping death so prepare for it.
May Allah Ta’ala grant us the Taufeeq.
