Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem
By
Hadhrat Moulana Abdul Hamid Is’haq Sahib
Presently, there is a lot of talk about saving lives. The people of the world have made ‘SAVING LIVES’ a great priority of 2020. However, in our beautiful Dien, Islam, there has always been emphasis to save lives. Allah Ta’ala mentions in Surah Al-Maa’idah:
“…And whoever saves a life, it will be as if they saved all of humanity.…”
[Surah Al-Maa’idah 5 : 32]
We are commanded to break our Salaah - it is, in fact, Fardh (obligatory) to break our Salaah - if we know that someone, who is present, will be harmed or injured in any way, and needs protection. Salaah will have to be broken to save the person.
This concept of ‘saving lives’ is not something new as has now become the slogan, chant and order of the day, with people clamouring: “STAY HOME, SAVE LIVES” … and we have been influenced by their call, so much so that many of us are even prepared to compromise and change our Dien, to save lives.
We are not saying that people should be indifferent and unconcerned. In our beautiful Dien, we are advised to adopt the means and trust in Allah Ta’ala. Those means should be within the boundaries of Shari’ah. However, should we not question the validity and legitimacy of the restrictions and policies being presently imposed upon us? There are so many different views; including opposing views and opinions, of doctors, specialists and other experts, but we choose to wear blinkers and blindly follow. Sadly, we totally ignore the guidance of our perfect Dien. …How is it that we eagerly submit to these man-made guidelines which are prone to error, but we are indifferent to the directives and instructions of the Creator of man, Allah Ta’ala, which are faultless and indisputable? Is it not an extremely miserable situation that the non-Muslims are telling us how we should pray, where we should pray, etc. and we very meekly and fearfully accept … from people who reject Allah Ta’ala?
Whilst we can endeavour to save someone’s life, we must understand that life and death – both – are 100% in the Control of Allah Ta’ala. Life is saved only on the permission of Allah Ta’ala and death too is only on the Command of Allah Ta’ala. And death is the inevitable. Allah Ta’ala says
كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَآئِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ قف
‘Every soul shall taste of death.’
[Surah Al-Ambiyaa 21 : 35]
Muslim or non-Muslim; no one has a doubt regarding death. Everyone has to experience death - whether due to the Coronavirus, a heart attack, motor car accident, cancer or in some other way.
Let us consider something that Allah Ta’ala has granted us of ability and capacity … and that is, NOT TO WASTE A LIFE!
If we save a life, but that life is spent in disobedience and rejection to Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam, then that life is being wasted. If a person has no Imaan and dies in that condition, it is a life completely wasted – terribly wasted. …Wasting this worldly life impacts on our life of Aakhirah, which is eternal.
Whether people are living in affluence and opulence, and they own huge bungalows and palaces, have the most luxury vehicles and all the amenities and comforts of this world, or whether they are living in abject poverty, in informal settlements and tin houses … if there is no Imaan and they die without Imaan, then all those millions and millions of lives are wasted. So many are highly qualified; they are professionals and experts in their fields; others are politicians, rulers, celebrities – but without Imaan, lives are being wasted.
Don’t we see so many people living their lives, bereft of Imaan and Islam, completely heedless of Allah Ta’ala and Aakhirah? Despite the great Ni'mats that Allah Ta’ala has bestowed of the heart, brain, body, soul, and other bounties, there is no recognition of Allah Ta’ala. They do not believe in Allah Ta’ala. Are these not lives which are wasted? Why do we not show the same concern and reach out to them, invite them to Dien so that their SPIRITUAL LIVES are saved?
From another perspective, how many have wasted their lives by suicide? Suicide is a life wasted. We say save lives but consider the millions and billions of lives just wasted.
On another level, if we have Imaan, how much of our time is being wasted? How much of our money is being wasted? How much of our energy is wasted?
The real life is not Dunya; it is Aakhirah. Rasulullah Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam said:
“What is the example of this worldly life in comparison to the Hereafter other than one of you dipping his finger in the sea? Let him see what he brings forth.”
When undertaking our actions, we should always consider if it is of benefit to us in the Aakhirah. Think: Will I accomplish something of goodness or waste my time? There is an example, which we usually give, to illustrate how little time we have in this world. Those who are travellers will relate to it very well, Insha-Allah.
GETTING TO THE BOARDING GATE ON TIME
A person is travelling with his family and he is late reaching the airport. He hurries to the counter, to check in his baggage and collect his boarding passes. He still has to go through to Passport Control before he reaches the boarding gates. He is told that he has only 8 minutes before the gates close. If he is late, he will not be able to board the flight. How won’t he rush to make it in time, to board the flight?
…Presently, there are new initiatives and projects launched at certain International airports. Video game lounges or ‘gaming spaces’ are included for entertaining passengers 24/7 - which of course, only increases our ghaflat and heedlessness. A Muslim does not travel in the disobedience of Allah Ta’ala.
We see people at the airport, irrespective of other passengers, they jump the queue because they are late. They may say: “Excuse me,” in making their way through, but it is obvious that they are desperate to get to the boarding gate on time.
Now, if at this crucial time, where every second counts, the man’s young son, sees one of these gaming facilities and insists he wants to play. The father will naturally be greatly angered and annoyed, because they are short of time. There is no time to waste. He will grab the child, even if he is screaming, and rush for the gate.
We are like that passenger, except that we have to board the flight of death. We have to leave and we have to make it to the gate of Maut with Imaan.
This Ummah has an average age span of 60 / 70 years. Most people see less than that, and a few reach 90 or 100 years. However, even with a long life, how much can be done in old age? Most of our work is done with ease until the ages of 40 / 50. Thereafter, health goes down. A person wants to do much more, but he cannot. As for the first 15 years of life, they are generally passed in un-mindfulness. For many, even at the age of 50, there is still so much of negligence. Women have mentioned that their husbands are 40 and 50 years of age, but behave like children, addicted to video games and whiling away and wasting their lives in useless play; not being responsible husbands and fathers.
PREPARE FOR THE HEREAFTER
We have to prepare for a life which is eternal – not 100 years, 1000 years, 1 million, 1 billion years. The Hereafter is forever. The time of this worldly life is finite, temporary and fleeting. How short are we not of time? Moreover, at the time of death, we don’t know if Imaan will stay with us. None of us has got this guarantee. We have heard and read of people with Imaan and A’maal but they left this world in a very bad condition. May Allah Ta’ala protect us all.
We have to be preparing all the time: Our concern should be our Imaan; our effort should be to make our Imaan strong and to protect our Imaan … especially in these times, with the onslaughts of Fitan from all sides. Unfortunately, we choose to remain indifferent and are more concerned about sports matches, holidaying and all the Haraam entertainment being laid out; despite our Imaan being in great danger.
If a person has $1000 000 in cash or valuable gemstones in his possession, he will be concerned that no one steals his wealth and will be extremely cautious. Our Imaan is by far, more valuable than all the wealth of this world, but we are un-mindful; we are careless. Shaytaan is that thief who is after our Imaan. This is his main target: to take us away from Dien and to take us out of Dien.
In every undertaking, ask: “Will this holiday help me in my Aakhirah? Will spending so much of time and money on my garden, benefit me in my Aakhirah? Will my clothes, cars and home be of any good for the Aakhirah? Does my house compare to the palaces of Qar’un and Namrood or is it like the house of Nabi Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam, wherein there is the Ibaadah of Allah Ta’ala? Will this friend or the company I keep, make my Imaan strong or destroy my Imaan? Are my week-ends spent gaining the profits of Aakhirah or are they a means of spiritual loss? Will my actions, conduct, speech HELP me or HARM me in the Hereafter?
We want maximum profits in our investments of Dunya. Dedicated students will keep focussed, study hard and prepare for their examinations. They too will say that they cannot waste time when it comes to the examinations. Retailers get very busy during the December month and they become absorbed in business. How can our focus for the Aakhirah be any less when it is far more important?
With everything we do, let us think if we can earn our Aakhirah through it. If we are spending on ourselves, without being extravagant and lavish, spending in the path of Allah Ta’ala and using Allah Ta’ala’s gift of wealth, to uplift the poor and needy, then Insha-Allah, all will help us. If a person has been blessed with a car, and he uses it for going to Masjid, for Dieni Khidmat and rendering assistance to others, then this possession of Dunya benefits his Aakhirah. There are many very wealthy people who choose to live very simple lives. They have plenty of money but their money is spent on the poor, needy, on Masaajid, Madaaris, boreholes and in worthy avenues. They set a noble example for us all, of the Sunnah: Living simply and humbly, and spending generously in all avenues that will earn Jannah!
Then again, how many waste their precious lives in drugs, alcohol, partying, Zina, gambling and other Haraam? We even have Muslims who choose to dress like witches to celebrate Halloween, many who call for unity and fraternity and celebrate Christmas and Thanksgiving, or eagerly participate in Guy Fawkes, New Years, pride parades and other celebrations, which have nothing to do with Islam.
Despite the lockdown, the restrictions, the oppression of our Muslim brothers and sisters in Yemen, China, Burma, Syria, Kashmir and other parts of the world, and now the terrible cartoons that target our Beloved Rasul Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam, we still lend our support and bond with those whom Allah Ta’ala has declared are our enemies?
Every moment is a valuable opportunity to earn the Aakhirah. However, earning Jannah is not a matter of just making Amal. …A person has to come with a good deed. Allah Ta’ala says:
“Whoever comes with a good deed will be rewarded tenfold. But whoever comes with a bad deed will be punished for only one. None will be wronged.”
[Surah Al-‘An’aam 6 : 160]
Allah Ta’ala uses the words “comes with a good deed” and not “does a good deed” … because factors arise which nullify good deeds. As an example: A person made Hajj or went out in Jamaat. On return, he shares his Kaar Ghuzari (experiences), but there is boasting and pride talking about the ‘Ibaadah he had undertaken. Or the person may do many righteous deeds but he entertains jealousy and hatred in this heart. Then those noble deeds are wasted. It mentioned in a Hadith: "Beware of jealousy, for verily it destroys good deeds the way fire destroys wood." … Shaytaan and nafs work together to destroy our good deeds. So the good deeds must endure until we return to Allah Ta’ala; that He may then reward.
If we really contemplate the choice of words Allah Ta’ala uses and the meaning, and reflect over our actions, we would naturally be concerned because we know how easy it is to lose the rewards.
Time is limited. Energy is so limited. Money is so limited. We have to save ourselves, in this little and limited time, from Jahannam… and we have to make our Jannah – which has many stages; different stages. The time and energy should be directed towards achieving the best of Aakhirah.
No one stays here forever, and no one comes back, once he leaves. The real life and permanent life is Aakhirah. This life is not just to pass time; it is to work and earn the life of the Hereafter. Keep in mind: How will I fare there?
BAHLOOL AND THE KHALIFA, HAROON AR-RASHEED
There is a well-known incident of Bahlool who was known as a madman and was mocked by people. On one occasion, the Khalifah, Haroon Ar-Rashid handed him a walking stick saying, “This stick is for the most foolish person in the world. If you find anyone more worthy of it besides yourself, you should give it to him.”
Many years later, when the Khalifah fell extremely ill, Bahlool visited him and asked him regarding his sickness and treatment:
The Khalifah replied: “No treatment or medication have benefitted me and I see that my final journey is about to commence.”
Bahlool asked: “Where are you proceeding to?”
The Khalifah replied: “I see the time of my departure from this world has arrived and I am proceeding to the next world.”
Bahlool asked: “How long is your stay there?”
The Khalifah replied: “It will be forever.”
Bahlool then asked: “Perhaps you have made great preparations for this journey, like how you do in your worldly journeys? Have you sent ahead your men and troops, and arranged all the security that will be required? Have you prepared for this long trip as you do for the short trips of this life?”
The Khalifah replied: “This is a journey that I will travel alone. And I have not made the preparations required for this journey.”
Bahlool responded: “If you have not made any preparations for this long journey ahead, then I think that I have finally found the one who is more deserving of the stick that you handed to me so many years back.”
This incident offers a lesson for each of us. What preparations have we made? The Hadith mentions: “The intelligent one is he who suppresses his desires and practises for what is after death, and the foolish one is he who makes his nafs follow its desires.”
A person gets married and he buys a house, but has made no other arrangements. The water and electricity have not been connected; there is no stove, fridge and other requirements, then how will he live with his wife? But we know that this is not what happens. The husband will make all the arrangements, right down to the finest details, so that he and his wife can live comfortably. Unfortunately, for the Aakhirah, we seem content with the basics and necessities!
WHAT TO DO
Whilst the present call is to SAVE LIVES, billions of lives are wasted. What can we do? …We can make Dua; everyone can make Dua. Make Dua for those who are in drugs and drink and other Haraam; those who have passed away and are desperately waiting for Eesale Sawaab and Dua for their Maghfirah. Make Dua for those who are living their lives in Kufr and Shirk; that they are guided to Islam. ...We can give Nasihah and Da’wah; and in a suitable manner, make Amr-bil-Ma’roof and Nahy anil Munkar. Allah Ta’ala is the Greatest and is above everything. Our attachment to Him is also through the beautiful ‘Ibadah of Dua. Dua is something that changes Taqdeer, but it is for us to have Yaqeen (conviction).
Allah Ta’ala has given us the great door of Taubah (repentance). Let us turn to Him with sincere Taubah, rectify our lives and live in His obedience. He will change our sinful deeds into good deeds. Allah Ta’ala mentions:
“Except for those who repent, believe and do righteous work. For them Allah will replace (change) their evil deeds with good. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.”
[Surah Al-Furqaan 25 : 70]
Work to please Allah Ta’ala and don’t worry about what
people say.
May Allah Ta’ala give us Taufeeq of Amal.
