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» 6th August 2010
GLIMPSES FROM THE HOLY QUR'AN (2)
BECOME OF THE MUHSINEEN
From Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat’s tafseer of Sura Saaffaat.
In this Surah Allah Ta’aalaa declares His tawheed, then gives many examples of various Prophets and how their followers were saved and how the disbelievers perished.
Allah Ta’aalaa says in this Surah, “Thus do We reward the Muhsineen”
Shaykh explains; if you desire good in this world and in the Hereafter, if you desire protection from evil in this world and in the Hereafter, if you desire acceptance in this world and in the Hereafter, then become of the Muhsineen, (those who do good deeds). Work hard, adopt taqwa and become deserving of Sifate Ehsaan.
But what is this?
“Worship Allah as though you see Him and if not, then know that if you don’t see Him, He definitely sees you”. When the notion is born in one that my Allah is watching me at all times, and He is Great and Powerful (Azmat wala, Qudrat wala), so He will reward me on my good but He will punish me on my bad deeds. To have this azmat in one’s heart is called Maqaame Muraaqabah.
Ma’rifat, Yaqeen is just this – that in the heart and mind one is constantly aware that my Allah is watching me and He is the Maalik of nafaa-nuksaan (benefit-harm), I have to obey Him and not disobey Him. After one becomes firm on this, then this stage develops whereby the person will see Allah’s qudrat in everything i.e. if the hand is raised then he will realise the hand is being raised.
This is Maqaame Mushaahadah. This is Sifate Ehsaan.
» posted by ummi taalib on 6th August 2010 - 0 comments
» 6th August 2010
RIGHTS & DUTIES
From the teachings of Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat (hafizahullah)
In every religion and every system people are taught that everyone has “Rights”, including Islam. However the difference between Islam and other religions / systems is that the beautiful teachings of our beloved Prophet sallallaahu ‘alyhi wasallam say that we should fulfil everyone’s rights even if our rights are not fulfilled while the non Islamic way is to expect and even demand those rights to be fulfilled and whether or not we do the same is of no importance.
Islam teaches us that if we do not fulfil our duties to others, punishment in the Hereafter will be our lot and on the other hand, if our rights as a wife / husband or parent / child etc. are not fulfilled and we remain patient on this we shall reap great rewards in the Hereafter. We should therefore be fulfilling everyone’s rights and not be concentrating on demanding our rights. In fact Islam teaches us that Allah’s mercy is on those who forgo their rights as in the case of a person who kindly extends the time for repayment of a debt or even forgives it altogether.
In abandoning the beautiful teachings of Islam and in emulation of other systems we have become of the “takers” whereas in times gone by people used to be “givers”!
» posted by ummi taalib on 6th August 2010 - 0 comments
» 13th July 2010
HOLDING THE HANDS OF A PIOUS PERSON
With regard to ‘holding the hand of Saints’, a poet describes as to how Allah opens up the road;
“My journey has become easy
Now that the winds have changed their direction.
The lamps of the road have lit up
Now that I have held your hand.” When one holds the hand of a pious person, i.e. when he surrenders himself for reformation under the guidance of a spiritual mentor i.e. a Shaykh, then it becomes easy for him to conform to the Sunnah and the Shar’iah, as well as to abstain from sins. Hakeemul Ummah, Shaykh Ashraf Ali Thănwi (R) says that some ignorant people think that when Shaykh Qasim Nănotwi, Shaykh Rashid Ahmad Ganghohi and himself held the hand of Hăji Imdădullah (R), then he (Hăji Imdădullah) suddenly became an outstanding personality. Shaykh Thănwi (R) rebutted this thought with great emotion saying; “I take an oath that these people are in folly! By Allah! ask these very Ulamă what was their condition before they had held the hand of Hăji Saheb? Before being blessed with the beneficial companionship of Hăji Saheb, we undoubtedly possessed knowledge, but it was dormant. We likewise possessed Imăn before being in the company of Hăji Saheb, but it was the Imăn of belief, an argument and an intellectual Imăn. We had the belief of’; “And He (Allah) is with you where ever you are.” ‘But we believed in general companionship. After placing our hand into the hand of Hăji Saheb, and commencing Zikrullah, the doors of our hearts opened, allowing the Noor of Allah to enter therein. Our Imăn of belief now advanced to a level of Imăn of ecstasy and reality, and our belief concerning the general presence of Allah progressed to a level of believing in His Special Presence. This belief was now changed to a fervent and intuitive belief and experience, which we actually perceived with our hearts, that Allah has indeed entered our hearts.” LINK WITH ALLAH Once Khwaja Azizul Hasan (R) asked Shaykh Thănwi (R) in Jaunpur; “How will a person know that he has attained sainthood and has established a link with Allah? Will he realise that he has actually established a firm link with Allah? Will he perceive that Allah has entered his heart?” Shaykh Thănwi (R) replied, “When you attained puberty (buloogh) did you realise it? Did you have to ask your friends, ’O friends! Tell me, have I attained puberty?” What a marvellous example! Shaykh Thănwi (R) then explained; “Likewise, when a person devotes some time in the company of the Ahlullah (saints), engaging in Zikrullah and abstaining from sins, his soul reaches puberty. A different life enters in him. His heart becomes filled with the love of Allah and he perceives the special spiritual warmth and closeness of Allah.” Taken from "Tarbiyatus Saalikeen - ITA
» posted by ummi taalib on 13th July 2010 - 0 comments
» 20th June 2010
FOR MUSLIM SISTERS...(4)
Sisters, we all know that women are said to be always complaining, never satisfied with anything and never being appreciative. Perhaps we should ask ourselves why we are labelled as “complaining ungrateful women”? They say that there is no smoke without fire, so perhaps there is a grain of truth in this statement.
Everyone knows the story of the very pious saint who was seen flying by everyone including his wife, who thought it was some pious Shaykh (not realising that it was her own husband). When told it was none other than her husband she refused to accept it. When everyone insisted, she finally accepted that it could have been him since the man flying was not a good flyer and his legs had been crooked!
One may wonder how true this story is. However, whether true or false, one may well ask if women deserve this label. I can imagine you sisters getting up in arms at my audacity and impudence, but let's be honest and search deep within ourselves. Let’s admit that perhaps we do complain about our men folk just a teensy weensy bit?
If so Sisters, we can rise above it for the Pleasure of Allah. Let’s show them that we can overlook their coming home in the evenings with a frown, when what we could have done with was a loving, sympathetic smile after having put up all day with tantrum throwing teenagers, screaming six year olds and burpy babies. Let’s show them that we can be patient when they answer in monosyllables when all we want to do is to pour our hearts out to them. And let’s avoid sulking, when after having slogged over a hot stove for hours to prepare his meal, he says, “It’s not like my mother’s”. Let’s not forget Sisters, that they too have had a hard day trying to earn a living to make life easier for us. It’s not easy out there you know.
“Who is asking for luxuries?” I hear you say. Come on Sisters, let alone the luxuries, even bare necessities don’t come cheap nowadays, and as for those sisters who expect new clothes at every occasion with perfectly matching shoes and scarves, and fancy house decor, well, need I say more? And what about the bills, especially the phone bill? We use the phone to complain to each other about this that and the other and it gets us nowhere. So Sisters, lets avoid getting connected with every Sister ‘Ă’ishah, Fătimah and Maryam. Instead let’s get connected with Allah ta‘ălă and let’s put our complains to Him since it is He Alone Who will hear us. No matter what the need, instead of complaining to each other, let’s plead instead to Him Who is the most Powerful and in Whose Hands are the hearts of all men.
As for every brother Ibrăheem, Ismă‘eel and Saleem, who are at this very minute sitting back with a self satisfied smile, they should perhaps contemplate upon the story about the very pious saint, who was forgiven only on account of swallowing his anger along with his food when his wife once forgot to add salt to it. Contemplate also on the words of our beloved Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam,
“...The best among you are those among you who are the best to their wives.” (Tirmizi)
©Islāmic Da‘wah Academy (Da‘wah Series 35)
» posted by ummi taalib on 20th June 2010 - 0 comments
» 16th June 2010
FOR MUSLIM SISTERS...(3)
The letter has been written by a sister who preferred to remain anonymous. Sharing her experiences of wearing hijăb and the delight it brought, she has sought to encourage other sisters to do the same.
We hope that this letter will become instrumental in bringing about the desired change in the lives of our mothers and sisters.
My dear sister-in-Islăm,
Assalămu alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakătuh.
I would like to share with you my experiences of putting on the ‘DREADED VEIL’. You see, I too was afraid to put it on. I was afraid of the changes it would bring in my life, the inconveniences, the ridicule from the ignorant ones on the streets and of course, the reactions of my family members and friends.
I knew what Allah’s Command was on this matter, however, Shaytăn and Nafs, as helpful as ever, brought a lot of important matters to my attention. “It's going to be so awkward at the bar-b-ques and other social gatherings”, said the knowledgeable Nafs. How are you going to eat at restaurants, and what about holidays and fun days out?” prompted the Shaytăn. “You will miss out on so much!” they both whispered, “Leave it. It will be easier this way!”
However, Allah, Allah the All-Powerful, Allah the Most Patient, Allah the Most Merciful, Who had been watching while I transgressed every law of hijăb you could think of, and who had been waiting ever so patiently while I disobeyed the laws sent down in His Book, through His infinite Mercy put a spark of light in my heart, which grew till I had no choice, but to put on the oh-so-dreaded piece of cloth on my face.
My dear beloved sister, no one told me of the deep sense of happiness I would feel. No one told me I would walk down the street dressed in black from head to toe and still feel like a million dollars. No one told me how special it would make me feel.
It didn't matter that many of my friends were not so friendly any more, or that my female relations took offence because I was hiding from their husbands and sons, or that my husband was not exactly over the moon about it. Conversations became stilted, social gatherings became awkward, but my heart knew a peace it hadn't known before. The feeling of being chosen and gifted remains with me even today.
Try it my dear sister-in-Islăm. You won't know till you try it. When the Pleasure of Allah touches your heart you won't ever want to go without the ‘DREADED VEIL’,
Inshă’allah!
Wassalăm.
Your Sister-in-Islăm.
Messages for Muslim Sisters
©Islāmic Da‘wah Academy (Da‘wah Series 35)
» posted by ummi taalib on 16th June 2010 - 0 comments
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