A GREAT CALLER TO ALLAH - HAFIZ PATEL RA

 With tearful eyes I write this, in remembrance of Hafiz Patel Saheb Ra - his demise is a great and saddening loss to the Ummat.

Allah granted this weak one the opportunity to sit in his company numerous times. The one thing about him that left upon me the most lasting impression, something that I can still vividly picture even after many years, is his fikr for Deen - the worry and concern he had for this Ummat. Every word he would utter would be literally soaked in fikr and concern. Such a high level of fikr is difficult to find in the world today.

His way of speaking, the gestures of his hands while speaking, Allahu akbar, everything about him would be loudly and clearly showing his extreme sadness and worry for the Ummat.
A few hours after his demise, an Aalim from South Africa saw him in a dream smiling, his face shining, and he was already relaxing in Jannat. (He hasn't even been buried yet, at least as of the typing of this post)

May Allah grant us that same fikr for deen which is so missing in us. It is this fikr which is needed in Kenya specifically, and the whole world in general.

Below are some of his blessed words which I heard from him and noted down (his words were in Urdu which I have then translated into English) -

"The effort of Deen is more important than eating and the (material) upbringing of children"

What this means is that to make an effort of Deen, and to have the worry and concern for Deen is more important than eating and the material upbringing of children, because the former is a means of success in both Dunya and Aakhirat, while the later is restricted to the comfort of Dunya. Unfortunately many times we see parents going all out in giving material comfort to their children - food, clothes, toys, and anything else they may want. However, giving them the true Islamic and Deeni nurturing, according to Shariah is given the back seat, if at all in the picture.

"Hazrat Maulana Ilyas Ra said that nothing can be achieved with ease and comfort - neither 'Ilm nor Deen nor the strength of Imaan"

Sadly, today we want to reach great heights without making any efforts, without sacrificing in the least bit. Our great Ulama and elders reached the lofty levels we see them on, or read about, after long periods of great difficulties and distress, through which they persevered.

"Once the students of Darul Uloom Deoband came to Markaz Nizamuddeen at a time when the health of Maulana Ilyas Ra was down. Through his attendant, Maulana Ilyas Ra gave them three points of advice - 1. 'Ilm is acquired through adab. Adab holds the greatest importance, especially adab of the Ustadhs. 2. Realize your own value! You are more valuable than the wealth of the entire world! 3. In acquiring 'Ilm, your objective should be to act upon the knowledge that you gain." 

May Allah grant us the tawfeeq to act upon these meaningful and blessed words, and bless us with the ability to walk on the footsteps of our Akaabireen. Aameen.

GUIDELINES ON HOW TO PROTECT THE UMMAH FROM SHIAISM, SALAFIISM, BID’AH, QADIYANISM, MODERNISM, ETC.

 Build a strong and unbreakable connection with Allah Ta’ala, so as to draw from His help at every step and breath, by being steadfast on aamaalus saaliha and keeping away from sins. This will be achieved most effectively by establishing a connection of self reformation with a spiritual guide.

 Learn about the deviant sects, how they work, their wrong thinking, aqaaid and masaail, by reading authentic books, or from the ulama.

 As much as possible, avoid close contact and friendship with them, unless you are in a position to influence, because it’s much easier for you to be influenced by them. A rotten tomato will spoil all the good tomatoes around it.  Also, don’t get married into such families.

 Avoid at all costs, seemingly harmless literature authored or published by these deviant sects, because these contain that hidden poison which these people use to brainwash innocent unwary minds. Remember, these people are very passionate about propagating their deviating ideas, and will leave no stone unturned in pursuing this objective, so no literature that comes from them is harmless.

 Create public awareness by organizing lectures, seminars, and madrassah classes in which these sects are explained.  Also, creating awareness by helping to write or publish authentic  Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama’ah literature in the form of books, articles, newsletters, emails, and websites.

 Create individual awareness by talking and explaining to people about these sects personally, starting with our immediate family, then moving on to extended family, relatives, friends, and every person with whom we have some contact, to try to rid ourselves from the wrong practices and thinking which we have made our own, but which actually belong to these sects who have no share in the true Islam.

 Follow that same path which was treaded by our pious predecessors – the Ulama of Deoband, who sacrificed their entire lives in keeping the flag of Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama’ah high, and battling every individual and group that harboured any intention of trying to destroy and distort the true Islam which was brought by the leader of the two worlds, Hadhrat Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam. Hold on fast to their teachings because their teachings are the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah.


Dear brothers and sisters, let us realise that the Ummah is in a crisis today, such a critical situation which needs to be rectified. It is our responsibility to take on that worry and concern of how to protect the Ummah from the trials that it is facing today in the form of deviant sects, so as to pave the road to eternal salvation. Every single individual’s effort is needed, only then can we achieve victory.

ANOTHER CHANCE

As I went about my way, one fine, bright and calm sunny day
In my usual never-ending pursuit of short lived pleasures, drowned in a world of amusement and play

I felt a rumble and roar beneath, I fell to my knees as the earth began to shudder and shake
It tore open with a belching, grating sound that made my ears do a double take

From the deep, gaping holes it regurgitated all that was in its womb
The verse echoed in my mind, “Wa akhrajatil ardu athqaalaha,” it left not a bone, a body, or a tomb

A deafening blast above, my head jerked up – the folding sky had turned a deep crimson blood-red
Bare fear, terror, and shock gripped my every nerve, my blood froze, it was as if I had bled till I was dead

I trembled uncontrollably at the scene around me – stampedes in all directions of confused, horror stricken people with drunken looks
The horrific agony that was unfolding before my eyes was a reality, The Promised Day as described in the greatest of all books

Pregnant mothers aborting their babies, breast-feeding infants being thrown aside, children turning old with white hair
The realization suddenly sank in deep, there was no turning back, no second chance, and hopelessness turned into despair

Amidst streams of silent tears of regret, my mind flashed back to all those missed opportunities which Allah gave me, but which I denied
The soft caring words of my mother, full of worry and concern, “Beta, did you go to madrasah?” and my reply, “yes of course,” but I always lied

Golden chances of seeking knowledge were presented before me, repeatedly I was invited to gatherings of spiritual reformation
But I always preferred to hang out with my friends in dens of vice and sin for some dangerous exploration

Then abruptly my remorseful thoughts were interrupted as I became engulfed in pitch darkness, yet another scare
I knew the sun was no more, ear-piercing screams and blood curdling shrieks of pure panic filled the air

Suddenly my eyes flew open, I sat up straight in my bed, clothes soaked with sweat, heart thumping violently against my chest
Disoriented, I looked around with wide, weary eyes and realized it had been a dream, I was still in the test

Although shaken up, a warm feeling of sweet relief washed over me – it wasn’t too late to do what was right
This was a warning to me from Allah, I vowed that of my true objective in this world I will never lose sight

How many months of Ramadan, year after year, had passed wasted in my life, to take advantage I never cared
Now once again this blessed month is at our doorstep, a gift-wrapped invitation of Allah’s love, for it now, inshallah, I am fully geared

I jumped out of bed to hurriedly get ready for salaah and madrasah, there wasn’t a moment to lose
I eagerly set off to start a new life with renewed vigor and zeal, this was another chance, not a time to snooze.

PROPAGATION THROUGH THE PEN

The importance that the pen has always held in Islam is something that is not hidden to  anyone who casts even a cursory glance over our rich history of the past fourteen centuries, and over the history of the very existence of humans on earth. In fact, the pen precedes in existence not only man, but the entire creation of Allah. It was at that time that Allah bestowed upon it an immense honour by entrusting it with a very great and crucial role. Hazrat Ubadah bin Samit Ra narrates that Nabi sallallahu alaihi wasallam said, “The first thing that Allah created was the pen. After creating it, He commanded it to write. The pen asked, ‘what should I write?’ Allah replied, ‘write the taqdeer of Allah.’ Subsequently, the pen wrote all the events and happenings that were to take place till eternity.” (Tirmidhi)

       Allah proffered honour onto the pen in the Quran as well—an entire surah was named after it—Suratul Qalam. The first aayat of this surah is, “(I swear) By the pen and what they write.” As is the general principle, whenever Allah takes an oath of something, it is to show the importance and greatness of that thing.  In the very first wahy that Allah sent down upon Nabi sallallahu alaihi wasallam in the cave of Hira, He mentions, “He taught by the pen.” Under these two verses, the commentators of the Quran have stated that the first and foundational method of teaching and imparting knowledge was through the pen. According to one opinion it was Hazrat Adam AS who  first used the pen, and according to another it was Hazrat Idrees AS.

     Hazrat Qatada Ra said, “The pen is a very great favour of Allah. If it wasn’t for the pen, then no Deen would remain, and no worldly matters would be able to run.” Hazrat Ali Ra said, “If it wasn’t for the pen then all works of Deen and Dunya would become impaired.

     In the blessed life of Nabi Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam we find a precedent for propagation through the pen. He dispatched numerous letters to different kings, leaders, and tribes, conveying to them the message of Allah, and inviting them towards accepting Islam. We mention here, an excerpt from his letter to the Roman emperor-

“Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem. From Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), the servant and messenger of Allah, to Hercules, the leader of Rome. May peace be upon the one who follows the guidance. Verily I invite you toward the call of Islam (kalimah of tawheed.) Accept Islam, and secure eternal safety. Allah will give you double reward. However, if you turn away, then upon you will be the sin of all those who follow you.” (Bukhari)

    Thus, the pen has always been an indispensable, vital, and fundamental tool for  the acquisition and retainment of knowledge, and for the propagation of the pure and pristine Deen.

It is for this very reason that our Ulama have always emphasized on showing adab - respect - to the pen. They have taught us not to throw it to someone, and not to put it on the floor. When the ink in the pen finishes, then instead of throwing it away in the dustbin, we should respectfully bury it in the ground. Hazrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi Ra never entered the toilet with an ink mark on his hand - he would first wash it off, and then proceed to relieve himself, saying that it is with this ink that we write Quran and Hadeeth, it is highly disrespectful to go into the toilet with it being visible on the hand. Subhanallah, may Allah grant us the adab that our elders had. In today’s times, digital and printed literature in the form of authentic books, magazines, newsletters,  and articles is the advanced and progressed form of the pen, and continues to quench the never ending thirst of the Ummah for knowledge, thus remaining a major field for the propagation of the truth. Subsequently, such literature is also deserving of our adab.

Through the grace of Allah, we have resumed posting on this blog with a more refined and focused outlook, which is also included in the category of 'Propagation Through The Pen. May Allah accept this humble and weak effort although it doesn't deserve acceptance, and may Allah make it a means of hidayat for the entire mankind, ameen.

RISE AND SHINE!!

Rise and shine! Time to wake up and smell.....the beautiful fragrance of the love of Allah all around us!
Very sadly, there are many men (and some women too) who sleep in late on Sundays/public holidays, waking up very late in the morning - 9am, 10am, 11am, sometimes even 12am and past that!!
This is something that cannot be expected from a Muslim who has iman on Allah and Qiyamat - a person who knows that in a short while he will have to stand in front of The King of kings and give an account of every second of his life.
As Muslims we have a goal, an objective in life which we are supposed to be desperately trying to rush towards, with the constant fear that the time given to us for it can run out at any moment. A person working on a million dollar contract that needs to be finalised by the morning will gladly stay awake the entire night, and the morning as well, until his job is done and he has pocketed his million. Is Allah lesser in value to us than a million dollars?
According to shariat, and medically as well, a person needs six to eight hours of sleep in a 24 hour period. Anything more than that is a waste of our precious life, and can cost us dearly. It will result in a hardened heart, laziness, unmindfulness of Allah, strengthening of the nafs, and general deprivation in every aspect.
A seeker of Allah (which is what we are all supposed to be) will become restless, regretful, and disturbed at even an extra second in bed, yet today we will spend hours and hours in the morning glued to our beds, unable to pull ourselves out. Where are we heading to?
May Allah open our eyes before it is too late.

Reflect and Ponder (33) - Relationship Relief

In today's times, one of the biggest tragedies that we are witnessing is the failing of relationship after relationship. Whether it is husband and wife (this is by far the most abused and broken one from the list) or a brother and sister, or parent and child, or any other relationship, people just can't seem to get along with those around them.

So, the question is, how do we make it work?? What is the solution??

Well, frankly speaking, I am no relationship councelor, but open pondering over the calamity at hand, a few points come to mind, which although are quite obvious, but InshaAllah, they will shed a bit of light on the matter from a purely Islamic Shar'ii perspective, and be of benefit to someone.

1.) The relationship should be built upon a solid foundation of TRUST. Without this main component, a relationship can not last. It is very important for a husband and wife to trust each other, and not entertain any doubts whatsoever about their partner regarding anything. Almost always, these doubts are just the weapons of Shaytaan that he uses to break away trust, and are usually without any proof whatsoever.

2.) There should be an UNDERSTANDING between the husband and wife, and not a MISUNDERSTANDING. What this simply means is that each one should try and understand the other, know exactly what he/she is trying to say, and what exactly is happening in that person's life, and not be quick to make assumptions. How many relationships are broken because one of the two made an assumption about the other, not bothering to find out the reality, not trying to understand. The basis of this point is actually GOOD COMMUNICATION between the spouses. Relationships fail because the spouses fail to communicate with each other, and bad communication (or no communication) leads to misunderstandings which then destroy the marital bond.

3.) To be FORGIVING and not to harbour in your heart ill feelings for your spouse. We are humans and humans are very far from being perfect. Let us accept this, and forgive one another just like we would like to be forgiven by them, and just like how we would like Allah to forgive our innumerable sins. One of the main problems is that boys and girls go into marriage with this mentality that our spouse should be perfect and faultless. When, after marriage, they see the reality, they are not ready to accept. We all make mistakes, and thus we should all be tolerant with other people's mistakes, and not react in such a way which will be destructive. However, with FORGIVE there should also be FORGET. Many people forgive the mistakes of others, but they aren't prepared to forget. Many a times, an argument erups between the husband and wife, and old mistakes are dug up anew, which just adds fuel to the fire and makes matters worse. Every night, a husband and wife should sleep with a completely clean heart.

These three points require quite a bit of detail, but I have chosen to just touch on them briefly, knowing that people don't have time to read long articles, and attention spans are also very short.
May Allah make it a means of benefit, and may Allah bless us with relationships that last forever, ameen.

Reflect and Ponder (32) - Everlasting Support

Out of His endless mercy and sheer kindness upon His helpless slaves, Allah (swt) creates for us, in the arduous journey of life, pillars of support all around us, people from within our family, from our relatives, our friends, and sometimes, people whom we never knew.

 Allah brings these people into our lives to make our perilous journey a bit easier. These are the ones who are forever at our side, in grief and sorrow, as well as in happiness, always there to offer us their support and encouragement, give us that push that we always need to be able to achieve our best, to give us the will to keep moving forward even when we don't want to, to light up our horizon with beams of hope even when utter hoplessness engulfs us from every direction.

However, there is a point in life, when Allah, in His eternal wisdom, suddenly takes away these pillars of support. A person feels alone, scared, depressed, confused, not knowing what to do. He feels like he was walking in the night on a path which was illuminated by bright lamps on either side, and suddenly they are extinguished, and he is left stranded in the pitch darkness, unable to even take a step forward.

Allah does this for a reason. He wants us to realize that our only real support in this life is Him and no one else. Our only source of hope and help, strength and endurance, is only Allah. So long as we have those pillars of support around us, we will keep forgetting this reality. When Allah takes away these pillars, even temporarily, we are forced to turn to Him, to fall into sajdah and shed those tears that are so precious in the sight of Allah. This becomes a means of strengthening our connection with Him, and the fearful person in the darkness will only understand why the lamps were snuffed out, when the sun of Allah's support and help, millions of times brighter than the lamps, rises and generates an everlasting illumination. Thus, a seemingly big setback turns into an even greater bounty.
 This is the wisdom of Allah which very few comprehend.