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Mar

2010

UNDERSTANDING BY ANALOGY - (3)

posted by ummi taalib on 11th March 2010 - 0 comments

(From the lectures of Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat) A hadeeth of our beloved Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu alayhi wasallam: [i]The example of the scholar who teaches the people good things but forgets himself is that of a lantern, it gives light to the people but burns itself out. Tabrani[/i] Valuables A jewellery case is only valuable with jewels in it, otherwise it has no value. Similarly the heart will only be valuable if there is love for Allah Taala within, otherwise it is just a lump of flesh.

Jan

2010

UNDERSTANDING BY ANALOGY - (2)

posted by ummi taalib on 24th January 2010 - 0 comments

(From the lectures of Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat) The following is a beautiful example of an analogy used by our Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu alayhi wasallam, often used by our respected Shaykh. Abu Musa Al- Ashari radhiyallaahu anhu narrated that he had heard Allahs Messenger sallallaahu alayhi wasallam saying, The similitude of good company and that of bad company is that of the owner of musk and of the one blowing the bellows. The owner of musk would either offer you some free of charge, or you would buy it from him, or at least you would smell its pleasant odour; and as for the one who blows the bellows (i.e. the blacksmith), he would either burn your clothes or at least you shall have to smell a repugnant smell. (Bukhari, Muslim) Shaykh lays great stress on keeping good company. Quoting the above hadith he explains that good company is like having a perfume seller for a friend from whom you will either get free perfume if he is a generous friend or at the least you will get the fragrance of musk in your clothes when you visit him. As for the friend who is a bad influence and described as the blacksmith, on visiting him, if one was not careful, ones clothes would get burnt and if one was to be very careful, ones clothes would be safeguarded from getting burnt however the repugnant smell would most definitely get in ones clothes. Entertaining Guests Good and bad thoughts are like guests. If we entertain and treat guests with respect and show hospitality they will feel welcome and will incline to visit again. If they were to be made unwelcome or shown disrespect, they would not return. No self respecting person would return after being shown disrespect. So it is with thoughts which enter our hearts. If it is a good thought i.e. one feels inclined to perform salaat or give in charity, one should act on these good thoughts. If one was to ignore them, they may not reoccur. When beseeched by bad thoughts i.e. the whispers of Shaytaan or inclining toward sins, one should ignore them. In this case they will occur again and again as they are similar to guests who have no self respect, but eventually they will disappear.

Jan

2010

UNDERSTANDING BY ANALOGY - (1)

posted by ummi taalib on 11th January 2010 - 1 comment

(From the lectures of Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat) I have always found Shaykhs use of analogies and similitudes very inspiring. Simple everyday occurrences used to explain a concept of Deen creates deep understanding and inspiration. This method is found in the teachings of our beloved Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wasallam. I quote a hadith from Fazail Aamaal - by Shaykh Muhammad Zakariyya wherein an analogy is used to describe forbidding evil and enjoining good. It has been reported by Numan bin Bashir that the Holy Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wasallam said, There are people who do not transgress the limits (laws) of Allah, and there are others who do so. They are like two groups who boarded a ship; one of them settled on the upper deck, and the other, on the lower deck of the ship. So, when the people of the lower deck needed water, they said, Why should we cause trouble to the people of the upper deck when we can easily have plenty of water by making a hole in our deck. Now if the people of the upper deck do not prevent this group from such foolishness, all of them will perish. (Bukhari & Tirmidhi) The following are taken from Shaykhs lectures and I pray that readers will find them beneficial. Hate the Sin, not the Sinner

Jun

2009

LESSON FROM AN ORDINARY INCIDENT

posted by ummi taalib on 10th June 2009 - 0 comments

SHAYKH ASHRAF ALI THAANWI ra relates that once a person sat next to me to fan me (with a hand held fan presumably). With such love he continued his service however I was not happy as he was not doing it properly. The fan kept coming so close to my face that I feared it would hit my face any time. My fear soon became a reality and the fan did indeed hit my face, and irritated, I told him to stop! The poor fellow stopped and sat down.

This incident brought a thought to my mind; I was not pleased with the mans service to me as he was fanning me incorrectly and causing me discomfort. Yet he must have been so happy thinking he was rendering me a service and in so doing was pleasing me whereas in reality he was causing me to become irritable. Similarly we become so pleased when we perform any good deeds. We are so certain that Allah subhaanahu wataaalaa must be very pleased with us. On reflection we will find that what is the reality of our worship??? We cannot even perform our salaat in the correct manner and with presence of heart and mind, yet we are so proud of it believing that we are making Allah subhaanahu wataaalaa happy!

This was the state of our pious predecessorswhat about us?