Gambling & The Effects

...There are those who, on reading of some person winning 6 million Rands in the lottery, desire to also buy a lottery ticket.
And this desire increases in intensity when reflecting o ver so many digits in a winning. Once more, the command of Jihad is declared against the nafs.
I always say that a Muslim should consider every Haraam Rand, Dollar or Pound won in a lottery or in gambling or coming in any Haraam way (Interest, Fraud, theft, Insurance, etc.) as one pig. If we do not consider every Haraam Rand as a pig, then there is a weakness in our Imaan. If a person wins 6 million or 13 million Rands, Dollars or Pounds, then we should consider that the person has won 6 million or 13 million pigs. If a Muslim is told that he has won 6 million pigs, which are accommodated on a very large farm, then immediately that Muslim wi l l s ay : 'La haula wa la qoowata illah Billlah' whereas, just as that pig is filth and Haraam, so too are the winnings of the National Lotto or any other form of gambling

Why a Shaykh?

"Take the example of a person who wants to lose weight. In the initial weeks, with self motivation at its peak, he will exercise regularly, follow a special diet and do all the necessary things required to achieve his objective. However, after a few weeks once the initial motivation wanes, he will return to his old ways and will end up as he started, with no long term benefit whatsoever.

In contrast, if this person had taken professional advice from the outset, he would have been able to set a timetable and develop a manageable action plan under expert guidance. This in conjunction with the continued supervision of the dietician would have resulted in long term benefit and success in his objective.

This is precisely the example of the relationship between a shaykh and a murīd. A murīd will find great difficulty in purifying his soul and acquiring the recognition of Allāh ta'ala by himself. Thus he needs someone to slowly - but surely - guide him and take him along the path that leads to soul rectification and the recognition of Allāh ta'ala. That someone is the Shaykh."

Why a Shaykh?

"Take the example of a person who wants to lose weight. In the initial weeks, with self motivation at its peak, he will exercise regularly, follow a special diet and do all the necessary things required to achieve his objective. However, after a few weeks once the initial motivation wanes, he will return to his old ways and will end up as he started, with no long term benefit whatsoever.

In contrast, if this person had taken professional advice from the outset, he would have been able to set a timetable and develop a manageable action plan under expert guidance. This in conjunction with the continued supervision of the dietician would have resulted in long term benefit and success in his objective.

This is precisely the example of the relationship between a shaykh and a murīd. A murīd will find great difficulty in purifying his soul and acquiring the recognition of Allāh ta'ala by himself. Thus he needs someone to slowly - but surely - guide him and take him along the path that leads to soul rectification and the recognition of Allāh ta'ala. That someone is the Shaykh."

It is stated in one hadith that the zikr of Almighty Allah cures all diseases of the mind, such as arrogance, jealousy, malice, etc. The author of 'Fawaa'id fis Salaah wal Awaa'id' has stated that constancy in zikr is a sure safeguard against all kinds of calamities. According to another hadith, Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) has said, "I enjoin on you to do zikr of Allah profusely. It is like taking refuge in a fort against a strong enemy. One who practises zikr is as if it were in the company of Almighty Allah." Can there be any benefit greater than that of being in the company of the Almighty Lord? Moreover, it leads to satisfaction of the mind, it enlightens the heart and removes its callousness. In addition, there are many other material and spiritual benefits, which are enumerated, upto a hundred , by some Ulama.

Giving Up Sin Wednesday,

Just before Eid-Ul-Adhaa our respected Shaykh hafizahullah was sitting with a group of youth following the Friday Majlis. In the gathering the concept of giving up sin was discussed in a lucid and comprehensive manner. Below are some points to the nearest meaning

A person can only give up sin if he strives to give it up. A person can adopt precautionary measures, such as the adoption of good company and the recitation of Dhikr, which goes in the way of assisting tremendously. However, to go even further, one must frequently make effort and duaa to save themselves from sin.

Nothing comes into existence without a cause. We blame the result of our actions by saying what can I do, I just can't help it; I did not want to do it. But remember:

no action comes into existence without a cause.

If we, do not cause the action to come into existence then there will be no consequence, for without a causal action the result of that action cannot exist.