Tuesday 20 December 2016

Two Ponds



Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem


Hazrat Maulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْهِ had given an analogy of two ponds that are in immediate proximity to each other. In the one pond, there are beautiful, charming, colourful fish swimming around and offering joy to the people who see them. The other pond is empty of fish. However, if the wall of sand, separating the two ponds, is broken down, then the water of both ponds will mix and the fish of the first pond will move into the second pond. The second pond will then also have these beautiful fish in it.


Hazrat رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْهِ explained that when a person sincerely keeps the company of a Shaykh-e-Kaamil[1] and he removes from his heart any prejudices, then like the breaking of the wall between the two ponds and the movement and transfer of the fish from one pond to another, so the barrier between his heart and the Shaykh’s heart is removed and the beautiful qualities of the Shaykh – the qualities of Akhlaaq-e-Hameedah – now move into the heart of the Seeker. 


The empty pond of the heart also becomes filled with Taqwa, Tawaadhu, Sabr, Shukr, Tafweez, Zuhd, Hayaa and other beautiful, noble qualities. ...The Love and Ma'rifah of Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam also transfer to the heart of the sincere Seeker (Saalik).


Allah Ta’ala directs us to the company of His Friends. We should thus keep their company and take full benefit. We should remain with them and become like them.


“O You who Believe, Fear Allah and join the company of the Truthful ones (the pious, the Auliya Allah).”
[Surah At-Taubah 9 : 119]


May Allah Ta’ala grant us the understanding and the Taufeeq of practising. May Allah Ta’ala grant us the companionship of His Friends, that we may draw their beautiful qualities and also become Friends of Allah Ta'ala.


by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Rahmatullahi 'alayh)





[1] Shaykh-e-Kaamil: An accomplished Spiritual guide



Thursday 10 November 2016

The End Result

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem


by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Rahmatullahi 'alayh)


IN A HADĪTH[1], RASULULLAH (Sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam) mentioned the creation of the human being and the end result of some people. The gist of the Hadīth is that sometimes a person spends almost his entire life doing those deeds which are characteristic of the people of Jannah, until there is only an arm span between him and Jannah. However, towards the end of his life, he commits Kufr and enters the fire, to remain therein eternally. May Allah Ta’ala protect us all.


On the other hand, another person may do the deeds characteristic of the people of Jahannum (hell) until he is only an arm span from Jahannum, yet near the end of his life, he brings Imaan in Allah Ta’ala, does righteous deeds and enters Jannah – to remain therein forever and ever.


The question may arise: What is the benefit of good deeds, if at the time of death one can lose one’s Imaan?


Once, when I was in the company of Hazrat Mufti Mahmood Hasan Gangohi رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْهِ, Hazrat Mufti Saheb رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْهِ explained this Hadīth and said that those people who suddenly lose their Imaan before death, or give up Islam openly, had in actual fact lost their Imaan long before that time. Due to their criticism of the Ahkaam (Laws) of Allah Ta’ala, or their condemnation of Islam and Shari’ah, or rejection of some teaching of Islam – all of which is frighteningly common in these days – they had already committed Kufr. Allah Ta’ala then exposes the person’s Kufr before death.


So the Kufr that was concealed or hidden in the person’s heart – despite his outward, pious actions such as Salaah, Zakaah, Hajj, ‘Umrah, etc. – is exposed at the time of his death. Before dying, he utters something or does something which is clearly Kufr and then dies in that condition and consequently enters the fire. His Kufr was not something sudden, it was perhaps even life-long. May Allah Ta’ala protect us all.


How many people pass their time in mocking, ridiculing and condemning the laws of Allah Ta’ala: the Hijaab and Niqaab, the laws of inheritance, Talaaq, the Command to lower the gaze, etc.? They belittle the noble teachings and practices of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam)  like the beard, Miswaak, men wearing their pants above their ankles and so forth. This criticism and mockery are really directed to Allah Ta’ala since these are His Laws. Such an attitude has a destructive impact on one's Imaan – as outlined in the Hadīth.


On the other hand, another person may have been leading a life of Kufr, but at heart he may have admired the Islamic way of life – its purity, perfection and beauty. He may have appreciated and respected the Commandments of Allah Ta’ala and the teachings of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam). Allah Ta’ala then creates the means for his guidance. He accepts Islam, dies on Imaan, gains salvation in the Hereafter and enters Jannah. There are many known incidents of people who accepted Islam in the latter stage of their lives and were also granted very blessed deaths.


The Hadīth does not mean that we should sit complacent, thinking that what has been destined will happen – whether Jannah or Jahannum. A person works and strives for his or her portion of the Hereafter. We should not allow shaytaan to make us use Taqdeer as an excuse to be lazy in the matter of Deen. Thousands of Sahabah-e-Kiraam رَضِىَ الله عَنْهُمْ heard this narration, but we have never found any one of them giving up doing good, and giving up striving for the Aakhirah. On the contrary, we find that they made very concerted efforts and they strived sincerely to earn the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala.


Allah Ta’ala has granted man intelligence and willpower; He has granted man guidance through His Ambiyaa عَليْهِمُ السَّلام and His Kitaabs (revealed books). He has informed man as to what is right and what is wrong, what is Jannah and what is Jahannum, and what leads to each destination. The decision then rests with man. If he accepts, it is to his gain. If he rejects, it is to his loss.


‘Whoever works righteousness benefits his own soul; Whoever works evil, it is against his own soul: Nor is your Lord ever unjust (in the least) to His servants.’
[Surah Fussilaat 41 : 46]


May Allah Ta’ala grant us Hidayah, Istiqaamat on Deen, Ikhlaas in all undertakings and death on Imaan. May Allah Ta’ala grant us the Taufeeq of learning Deen from our ‘Ulama-e-Haq so that we understand Deen correctly, value the beautiful teachings of Islam and work towards the goals of Allah Ta’ala’s Pleasure and Jannah.




[1] Sahih Al-Bukhari, Hadith: 3208 and Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 2643



Thursday 27 October 2016

Towards Reformation of the Heart | Book 3


Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem


"This book is the third compilation of inspiring advices and lesson-giving analogies of Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel (Rahmatullahi alayh) which will, Insha-Allah, be found to be very effective in the process of reformation. Alhamdulillah, each discussion offers 'food for thought' and wonderful incentive and encouragement to give up sins and practise on Deen."

READ THE BOOK HERE






Saturday 22 October 2016

Upbringing of Children


Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem


“The child is a tape recorder, a computer, a camera ... It will play back whatever it records. So give the child the best in upbringing.”
-          Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh)





Friday 14 October 2016

Traveling Without A Mahram


Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem



by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Rahmatullahi 'alayh)


IN THE EARLY YEARS, Allah Ta’ala granted us the opportunity of performing Hajj. We departed from Johannesburg for Jeddah.  At 6 a.m. an announcement was made that we were landing in Brussels. Where we were supposed to land and where we ended up! …There was some problem due to the sanctions against South Africa because of Apartheid.  


We spent one night in Brussels and the next day we flew to Beirut. At that time, Beirut was known as the sin city. Unfortunately, the hotel that we were booked into, by the airline, also had song and dance. The second night was spent in Beirut and the next day we left Beirut only to be taken to Athens. So we reached Athens on the third day. None of these cities were on our itinerary.


There are always lessons derived from travel, and in that trip, there were women who were traveling alone. They had no husband, no father, no brother – no Mahram accompanying them. Being alone, and in that unanticipated situation, moving from one foreign city to another, they experienced a lot of difficulty. There was also no technology as we have in these days, of cell phones, tablets, WiFi, etc., where a person can keep in touch with family and be updated on any situation. As passengers, none of us really knew where we would be taken next and what would happen thereafter.


That experience made me reflect over the Command of Allah Ta’ala, that a woman must travel with a Mahram – that is, if it is the Safr distance.


Alhamdulillah, we find that Islam prioritises the safety, chastity and well-being of women. Allah Ta’ala has established various laws which offer a shield and protection for women – so that they are not exploited, abused, harassed, or left alone and vulnerable. Unfortunately, modernists, feminists and others take these same beautiful laws and present them as prejudiced and biased and as undermining womenنَعُوْذُ بِاللّٰه.


…There is a condition found in certain people called colour blindness. A person who is colour blind has difficulty or inability to distinguish between certain colours; usually between the red and green. This condition arises because of some kind of defect in the eye nerves. Similarly, we have people with the condition of spiritual colour blindness – who cannot see the colour of Truth, due to a weakness or defect in their spiritual hearts. They see the colour of falsehood and thus do not appreciate the beauty and perfection of Islam.


In these times, we read and hear of women who are promised work with high salaries and other perks, in foreign countries. They fall for the bait and travel out on their own, or travel with strangers who give them all kinds of assurances. However, their passports are thereafter taken away from them, and they are then drawn into prostitution, pornography and drugs.


Human trafficking has become the fastest growing criminal operation in the world. An article, which presented statistics regarding human trafficking, stated that the largest group of victims are women and young girls – who are bought and sold like slaves. Besides prostitution, many are used as cheap labour – which also entails very oppressive and abusive treatment. They live in harsh conditions, without any family support or protection. They are not given proper food and clothing and suffer various physical sicknesses and emotional trauma.


We have also read of planes being hijacked and of the distress that passengers have to endure. …Presently, throughout the world, Muslims are being targeted due to Islamophobia. There is so much of aggression against Muslims. Muslim women especially have been harassed, attacked, beaten and even killed. Here, in South Africa, rape and hijackings are everyday occurrences.


Allah Ta’ala is our Creator and knows our vulnerability as well as the evil that is inherent in human beings, which leads to exploitation and injustices. His Laws are to protect us as well as curb the evil within us. We should appreciate His guidance and understand that it is best for us.


…In this day and age, travel is promoted and advertised because it has become a business and a commercial venture. Advertisements seek to create the desire within us to visit other countries and experience different cultures. ‘Globe-trotting’ is a term that has been coined for those who travel often and it is looked upon as something glamourous.


Added to this, nowadays, the means of travel have become so advanced that you just board a plane, and within a matter of hours you can be in a country, thousands of miles away. Similarly, we find so many people traveling locally – because of the ease of flight travel.


Traveling is not Haraam. If it is for a noble purpose – such as acquiring the knowledge of Deen, it is extremely rewarding. If it is to engage in Haraam, then of course, such traveling will not be endorsed by the Shari’ah. Many people now travel with the sole intention of participating in some Haraam entertainment, such as attending concerts and other entertainment places and events.


Sadly, we find that many Muslim women are also carried away by the western culture and they too start “living it up” by working in foreign countries, traveling for business, or for leisure and pleasure, or even to visit family or attend a Nikah or Walimah – and they do so without a Mahram accompanying them. Often, it is plain disregard and disrespect for Allah Ta’ala’s Commandments.


We should consider and deeply reflect over the Ahādīth of Rasulullah 1: “It is not permissible for a woman who believes in Allah and the Last Day to travel the distance of one day, except with a Mahram.”[1] 
      
                                                                                                    
In another Hadīth, Rasulullah 1 said: “No woman should travel except with a Mahram and no man may visit her unless she has a Mahram with her.”[2]


A woman should be accompanied by her Mahram when traveling. The Mahram too must be of sound and good character. Shari’ah forbids traveling with a Mahram or being alone with him – whether he is one’s father, brother, uncle, nephew or anyone else, if he is of loose morals, corrupt character, and a risk to one’s chastity and modesty. Although he is a Mahram, he is now the danger and threat. Traveling alone with him or being alone with him should be avoided.


The Ahādīth and the clear ruling found in them takes into account all forms of travel. Of course there are exceptions to the rule and this exception would arise when there is some emergency. But generally, in these times, the reasons for traveling without a Mahram are flimsy and carry no weight.


Some women say that they do not have a Mahram for traveling long distances. They should understand that this is Allah Ta’ala’s choice for them – and there is wisdom and great khayr (good) in all His Decisions. We need to nurture the qualities of a true Believer. In this case, the qualities of Tafweez[3], Sabr, Ridha bil Qadha[4] and Dua. By doing so, great rewards will be secured.


Allah Ta’ala mentions the response of His sincere servants: 


“The only reply of the (true) believers, when they are summoned to Allah and His Messenger, that he (the Messenger) may judge between them, is that they say,We hear and obey.’ Such people are the successful.

Whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger and has awe of Him and observes Taqwa for His sake, then such people are the victorious.”

 [Surah An-Noor 24 : 51 / 52]


May Allah Ta’ala grant us the concern and the understanding, grant us appreciation and the Taufeeq to practise on the beautiful way of life called Islam.




[1] Sahih Muslim
[2] Sahih Al-Bukhari
[3] Tafweez: Accepting the Decisions of Allah Ta’ala
[4] Ridha bil Qadha: Being happy with the decisions of Allah Ta’ala


Tuesday 11 October 2016

Aashura | 10th of Muharram


Bismihi Ta'ala




The Day of Aashura

By Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh)

Allah Ta’ala is Forgiving and Loving and has given us this blessed day of Aashura, so that we repent and make changes in our lives. If we do, then Allah Ta’ala is willing to accept us. Allah Ta’ala does not want us to go into Jahannum; He wants to see us enter Jannah. Allah Ta’ala forgave a nation on this Mubarak Day of Aashura; so we should maximise on the opportunity with abundant Istighfaar and Taubah.

The Day of Aashura is not a day to engage in sins. It should be a day free of sins. Completely free. And our entire lives should then become the same.


Experience of the Ahlullah

Whilst the following is not a Hadeeth, it is the experiences of the Mashaa’ik and Ahlullah …and we limit it to that. We do not say that it is Qur`aan and Hadeeth, but we can draw benefit from the good and wise counsel of the Mashaa`ik:

If a person makes up his mind, is sincere and is determined, and commences some good deed on the Day of Aashura or brings about a change in his life for the better, giving up his bad habits and weaknesses, then Insha-Allah, this will be the medium of Taufeeq to continue in that line of righteousness.

It may be that the person has a drug addiction or porn addiction or gambling addiction – but he makes up his mind that on this day of the 10th of Muharram, he will restrain himself, give it up, and makes Dua that Allah Ta’ala makes this a means of total change, then Insha-Allah, through the Barakah of Aashura, he will maintain Istiqaamat … so long as he keeps far away from those avenues and venues of sins, and distances himself from company that will take him back to sins.

So many people gave up some bad habit on the 10th of Muharram and Alhamdulillah, they did not return to it. They were sincere in their Taubah. They cried and teared before Allah Ta’ala and asked for courage and himmat. Allah Ta’ala assisted them in giving up their sins.

The Day of Aashura is a day wherein Allah Ta’ala accepts duas and gave salvation to people in the past. Allah Ta’ala’s doors of Maghfirat and forgiveness are ever-open. Just as we have Laylatul Qadr and Laylatul Bara`ah, we have blessed days such as Eidhul Adha, Eidul Fitr and Yaume Aashurah.

Just as we prepare ourselves for the big nights, let us also prepare ourselves for this blessed day and set aside some time for Ibaadah, for Istighfaar and Taubah.

Let us make this Day of Aashura the start, walking the path of obedience to Allah Ta’ala and Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam).


…Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Where there is a sincere effort in the right direction, we will most certainly find the assistance of Allah Ta’ala.

Extract from "Lessons from Muharram and Aashura" 
by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel (RA)


Saturday 8 October 2016

Seclusion


Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem


by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Rahmatullahi 'alayh)


SECLUSION should not be with the intention of protecting ourselves from the mischief and evil of others. Staying away from people should be with the Niyyat (intention) of protecting others from the evil and mischief within ourselves.


Whilst, at times, we are required to seclude ourselves from others, we should be wary that such seclusion does not cause pride and a feeling of superiority in our hearts. This would cause spiritual havoc.