Dua My Friend - It is Dua

Hazrat Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam has made utmost efforts throughout his noble life to show the Light of Hidayat to His Ummah. His Noble Life has been so vividly depicted in the Hadith described by His Noble-Companions the Sahaba-ye-Keram Radiallahu Anhum! We with all our sins must NOT at all be frustrated and get depressed. Let us make Tawba and strive on the path shown by Our Beloved Nabi Sallallahu Alaiyihi wa Sallam. Dua - my friend is One Great Solution to all problems, worries and obstacles of Muslim Life. No specific time, No specific place, No specific situation is required - Just Make Dua! Allah Tala is listening. He is our ONLY LORD to whom we belong. Allah Tala, in Sura Qiyamah States: Meaning: Towards your Lord is the destiny that day (of everyone) This life is nothing but an Opportunity. Now you are here. in this world, after some moments/days/weeks/years (Don't expect decades and centuries....!!!!) I and you will not be in this world my friend! No one will probably discuss me in his meeting and moments. For that time is the preparation. Going back to our discussion: Dua my Friend - is Solution to all difficulties. Seek the Guidance of Allah Tala! Hazrat Thanvi (R) once said, if one cannot make dua, he should seek the ability to make dua. See what Hazrat Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam informed: "One who has been provided the ability of making dua, for him the door of acceptance has also been opened." In another narration, it has been mentioned, "For him the door of Paradise (Jannah) has been opened." In another narration, it has been mentioned, "For him the door of Blessing (Rahmah) has been opened." A Wonderful Dua: "O Allah! It is Your Ability - Sustain me in bliss and into Your Blessing provide me some room and end my life being on Your obedience and in the best of Good Deeds provide me death and Provide me its reward in Paradise" - (Dua collected from 'Munajate Makbool: the book in which Hazrat Thanvi (R) has collected Dua from Quran and Hadith, available in PDF in www.islamibayanaat.com) We must first make dua for ourselves, then for our near and dear ones. And also for the whole Ummah or Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam. How blessed those servants are who at the middle of night stand in front of their Lord and weep like Genuine Sinners. O myself! Don't ever even think that they are similar to you who after sinning the whole day become tired and sleep like a bitch! They indeed are the Friends of Allah Tala who has attained proximity of Allah Tala. The Love of Allah has entered into their noble heart and made them so unconscious of this trivial world that they become totally oblivion. They are indeed the ones who will be Highly Rewarded. O myself! If you had the bit sense about their status! O Allah! Don't deprive us! Who will forgive us (the sinners) if You only shower Bounty on Your closest of Friends. Definitely You shower Bounty upon us as well. However, for our misdeeds, we cannot understand if. Please provide us the understanding and provide us ability to earn Your Love! Ameen.

Firm Intention, Utmost Efforts & Steadfastness

From the lecture of our Beloved Khatib Saheb, Hz Ubaiydul Haq (R), who passed away in the Ramadan of 1428, who was the Light Bearer and Leader of Ulama in Bangladesh, a very Humble Servant of Allah Tala, a Great inspiration for us yet.....;
He studied the complete Bukhari under Hz Hussain Ahmad Madani R and was the classmate of Hz As'ad Madani R in Deoband. Khatib Saheb taught Mufti Taqi Usmani in his childhood! May Allah Tala Bless Him! May Allah Tala Bless us through achieving his lessons and turn those into reality....

(From a lecture broadcasted in Radio Pakistan in 1969-70)

Allah Tala states in the Quran: "Do you think that you have been created just with no objective and you will not return to me? Allah Tala is the Master; free off such words and most High"
By creation human beings inherits desire and attraction to some objectives. Man spend the life to achieve his objectives. However, whatever might be his desire - may it be very little or huge, only by desiring he cannot attain it. Undergoing hardship is necessary to achieve it. And to make the efforts a success firm intention is a prerequisite. 

We need to have Az'm, which means to make firm intention. Isteqlal is another thing needed, which means to be firm in the intention while accomplishing the task; firmness should be such that whatever difficulties and hinderance may impede, be steadfast. Az'm is related to intention and Isteqlal with Deed (Amal). However these two cannot be separted - complementary to each other. Isteqlal is the inevitable consequence of genuine Az'm. Because steadfastness in Deed or Amal is found only when there is firm desire of accomplishment. 

How great and noble desire may man posseses, it doesn't come true overnight. It is patience and perserverance through which man can attain objective, just like the diligent farmer, who undergoes hardship and finally wait for harvest.

Whatever may be the desire, achieve a worldy matter or for the salvation in the life hereafter - all achievement needs a lot of hardship and efforts to be made. Don't lose hope when you have made a good intention and intiated work; carry on continuously.

Quran has used the words 'patience' and 'utmost effort' to indicate 'firm intention and continuous hardship'. Quran has used another word - Isteqamat, which is the jist of Az'm and Isteqlal. To be steadfast on the path of truth, patience and utmost effort is essential. Allah Tala states, "O Prophet! Invite towards Deen (Islam) and be steadfast - just as you have been ordered and do not follow their will". (Sura Shura: 15)

Allah Tala then has given glad tidings for those who remain steadfast on the path of their Prophet and announces - they (the followers) will (surely) come out successfull and have no fear. (see Hameem Shazda: 30)

While accomplishing good deeds there is another name for A'zm and Isteqlal, that is: Mudaowamat, which means - continue the good deed till death. Not that sometimes we will do and sometimes we will not. Rather such steadfastness will come that we will always, i.e. regularly doing it - whatever situation may be encountered. In Hadith it is stated, "Such deed, though very little is liked by Allah Tala that is accomplished regularly".

Obstacle will come into the roads of righteous. Those have to be handled with patience.

Allah Tala has inspired the Believers who stive on the right path and with firm intention keep steadfast: "O Believers! Seek support through Patience and Salat. Certainly Allah Tala is with the patient."

We pray humbly to Allah Tala: "Rabbana Afrig 'Alaiyna Sabra-oo Wa Sabbit Aqdamana Wansurna 'Alal Qa-oomal Kafireen" - Ameen!

Easy Prescription on Changing Life

Extracted from a Bayan  of  Hazrat Manzur Numani (R): (delivered in 1374 Hijri, at Ahmadabad)

I would like to tell you a word in short, that is: make two decisions regarding your life. First is, start making efforts on shaping your life right – rectify yourself. Secondly, make efforts to help change others’ lives as much as possible. To initiate efforts to develop life (in terms of Iman & Amal) is not at all hard, rather very easy. Whatever wrongdoings had been committed against the command of Allah Tala and His Rasul Sallallhu Alaiyhi wa Sallam, should be compensated through Tawba (sincere repentance). Make firm intention of obeying Allah Tala’s orders. If you again make mistake, i.e. if again you commit sin – keep on making Tawba. Through Tawba you will always be able to establish the broken relationship between you and Allah Tala.

Besides making Tawba, make dua. There are men & women who cannot make Tawba for lack of courage. They think that there are so and so sins which we cannot refrain from right now. These people should at least pray to Allah Tala, “O Lord! Cleanse us and provide us the courage that we can refrain from these sins forever.” Besides dua, make efforts to refrain from the sins too. By the Rahmah of Allah Tala it is hopeful that to decide on refraining from the sins will become very easy.

To be steadfast on Tawba you may keep yourself steadfast on some deeds. Recite Kalima Taiyiba “La Ilaha Illallahu Muhammadur Rasulullah” regularly with sincerity. This would always refresh Iman – inner belief. Every day in the morning and afternoon read it 100 times, if not – at least ten times – with complete attention.

Surely you all say your prayers. Say prayers (Salat/Namaz) regularly – attentively. The least level of saying prayers is: the love and fear of Allah Tala is present in your heart and you contemplate on Allah Tala is seeing you (definitely He is!)

Make a habit of regular Zikr. Rasulullah Sallallhu Alaiyhi wa Sallam taught the following words: “Subhanallah walhamdulillah wa laa-ilaha illallahu wallahu akbar”. Many glad tidings have been reported for doing this Zikr. Read this 100 times a day. If anyone among you wants to do much more Zikr, you make contact a Sahebe-Zikr (A Spiritual Guide for Zikr), who can provide you more. In rectification of life, Zikr plays a vital role. The condition is that we do it attentively, that is: ruminate sincerely what we utter.

The final thing you must do is, everyday make a little time to engulf yourself in meditation on death. Remove your thoughts from all and think over on point –one day I have to leave this world, just the way life terminates for all. My soul will depart – it will be taken away. Then the body will be showered and after Janaza prayers it will be buried under the soil. Then on the Judgment Day I have to stand in front of Allah Tala with my Book of Deed. Alas! What will happen? – Keep on think over these incidents, as if all are in front of your very eyes. Think that it is only through the Blessing of Allah Tala, I would be able to get free. With firmly believing so you must repent sincerely – make Tawba and pray for Allah Tala’s shelter and support.

These four points which I mentioned are not complete Deen. Don’t think that through this you can be completely pious. Rather, if you accomplish these deeds continuously the bondage between you and Deen will become stronger day by day. By the Grace of Allah Tala your life will develop high.

All sins are wiped away after conversion to Islam

All sins are wiped away after conversion to Islam

If someone enters into Islam, his/her all previous sins are eradicated. This belief is evident from the verses of Sura Anfal in the Holy Quran: “O Messenger! Inform them – those who are in disbelief (kufr) – if they return (from kufr), all the past sins of them will be pardoned.”

A portion of Muslim’s Hadith (where Hazrat Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam told Hazrat Amr Ibne ’As (Rad): “……Embracing Islam annihilates all sins of the past…..” (Maariful Hadith – 1st Part, Hadith: 20)

Our Great Mistake

Extracted from a Bayan of Hazrat Manzur Nomani (R)

Though you might be angry with me, still….still I would say these words. Yes I would.

The enemies of Islam are representing Islam in an evil way – true, they are writing against Islam – true, they are spreading misleading information against Islam – true. But my dear brothers! What are we the Muslims doing? How are we today representing us? What are our acts in the homes? What are our way of life in the offices? How do we behave in the society? What do we demonstrate in our day to day life? Isn’t every day and every moment the non-muslims seeing the Muslims? Aren’t they reading the Muslims to a greater extent than we do their anti Islamic materials? But is our ‘Conduct of Life’ the Islamic Way? Does our life portray any sketch of Sunnah of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam and His Sahabas? Ask yourself. Be rational. What were we supposed to give this world and what had been given by us? O my dear brothers! Shocking it is that my lifestyle is not drawing any impression on the people with whom I talk and with whom I deal…..

We, bearing the names of Muslims, are actively participating in the mission against Islam. And this is rather much more dangerous than what our enemies are engaged at.

O Brothers in Islam!

Make pure intention to setback, make Tawba, initiate the Noble deeds that would represent you as a slave of Allah Ta’la. Pay serious attention in refinement of life style. Help other brothers do so and pray to Allah Ta’la – May He help us!

Make the Intention Now

Make an intention to lead a noble life. Make this intention NOW - At the eve of Holy Ramadan.

You have been created by SomeOne. He is the Master and Sustainer of the universe. You have to consider the fact that you have to come into this world without your will and have to leave without your own will as well. So what is your consideration about the time in between?

Yes, if you are wise you will spend it just unwillingly. However, by doing so you'd not be a loser. Rather today, the ones leading a very willful life are the sufferers.

Therefore, lead a Noble Life. Always remember what the Messenger of Allah Ta'la our beloved Prophet Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaiyhiwasallam has informed:
If you knew what I know then you would have smiled less and weeped more.

Social Etiquettes Part 1

Etiquettes of listening to others when they speak

Etiquette: When someone is talking, he must be listened with care. If the listener faces any ambiguity in understanding, he must ask the speaker and make it clear. Do not act without understanding and only assuming. Sometimes if someone is requested/ordered to accomplish a task and he starts doing it without clearly understanding, such act fetches pains for the person being served.

Etiquette: When someone is speaking to you, don’t be inattentive towards him. Such behavior hurts the speaker. Especially when someone is speaking for your benefit or answering your question, much more attention must be paid in these situations. Even if there is intimacy between you and speaker to be inattentive while he speaks is very unfair.


Etiquettes relating to visiting the patients

Etiquette: If someone has a blister on his covered limbs (sexual organs etc) do not repeatedly ask him about it. Because, this makes him ashamed.

Etiquette: Return soon after you visit a patient, so that the patient himself or his relatives don’t face troubles. If the patient needs to accomplish a personal task, he must directly tell his visitors that he now needs to be alone. Sometimes in such cases through gesture and posture the patient expresses his intention; however, the visitors don’t understand clearly. As a result, the patient suffers.

From Adabul Muwasharat, Hazrat Thanvi R

Hazards of Overeating

From Gazzali’s famous book Tablige Deen (2nd Part: Greed)

Hazrat Abu Sulaiman Darani states: Eating too much will fetch the following hazards:

i. No taste in worship (Ibadat)

ii. The sharpness of knowledge impairs; as a result, the Marifat of Allah cannot be attained

iii. The sympathy towards creation impairs; as are assumed as glutton just as ownself

iv. Stomach becomes plump and laziness appears

v. Desire of luxury intensifies

vi. May be such a situation would prevail: Muslims are going to mosque and the stomach-lovers would run towards the toilet!

Where is Geebat Not a Sin?

Following are the circumstances, where Backbiting (Geebat) is Not a Sin:

1. Complain the Judge against an oppressor to seek refuge and get rid of torture

2. If one is indulge in innovation (bid’at)/acts against rulings of Shariah that threat the people to fall in his pitfall – warning them (to save them from sin and wrongdoing) against such a man would not be a Geebat.

3. To know the right way to act upon, one may complain a Scholar against someone while seeking Ruling of Shariah. However, if there is no benefit (of own self/Muslims) in exposing such fault, Sin of Geebat will incur.

4. If a person while marriage/trading is being cheated and another knows the fact, the second can warn the first about the deception.

5. Often people are well-known with names; though the names carry a negative meaning, however, the negative meaning isn’t the purpose of calling him/her. The person can be recognized by the name. Such utterance would not be considered as Geebat.

6. If one bears a fault, which all knows and s/he shamelessly perform it very openly – uttering against such faults are also not Geebat.

Warning: Please be careful of this Major Sin – Geebat. Often we indulge in Geebat and confidently feel ‘it is not a Geebat’, whereas, it is! Please be cautious.

Four major deeds for every Muslim

Hazrat Ashraf Ali Thanvi R’s eminent Disciple Dr. Abdul Hai R says
(abridged keeping the main theme):

Among all inward deeds the following four vital. If someone can make a habit to perform these deeds by the Grace of Allah Ta’la all mischievous deeds would be wiped out.

1. Gratitude (Shukr): Always mediate the blessings and bounties of Allah Ta’la on you. Always express gratitude in words by uttering Alhamdulillah from the core of the heart by ruminating how Allah Ta’la has gifted you which you never applied for. This would open the door of being contented with what you have. Definitely this practice would increase peace and happiness of your life – its is a Promise made by Allah Ta’la.

2. Patience (Sabr): Firmly believe that all dangers, worries and difficulties reveal upon us in different forms are as tests. We must keep steadfast on the rulings of Shariah. Utter “Innalillahi wa Inna Ilaiyhi Ra-ji-oon”. Just for reciting this from heart the Holy Quran promised Blessings as reward. Not only so, people uttering these words (“Innalillahi…..) in difficulties and pains had been named as “Muhtadun” – the ones who are on the Right Path!
Remember my dear friend! None of our dangers and difficulties (those reveal) are in our control! So being overwhelmed with those and becoming frustrated is not at all wise. Say two rakats of Salat. Lift your hands – Seek the support of Allah Ta’la – He would definitely help….Allah Ta’la is too Gracious toward his servant.

3. Seek forgiveness (Istegfar): For the wrongdoings whatever we’ve performed in life – seeking forgiveness is a must. However, do not be overwhelmed with your past sins and after performing Tawba (being ashamed and hold firm intention of not performing sins) just keep on performing good deeds and try to compensate as much possible. Lead a humble life. The result of seeking forgiveness is Special blessing from Allah Ta’la. Moreover, he attains Taqwa – becomes fearful to Allah Ta’la and draws closer to Him.

4. Seek refuge (Iste’aza): This worldly life is full of risks and unwanted encounters. Threats of so many enemies, so many dangers and so many adverse situations surround us daily! Therefore seeking refuge of Allah Ta’la becomes obligatory for a servant. However, very unfortunately most of the Muslims today do not realize this. Future is completely in dark. We do not know what are we to face just after a second even. Therefore, a servant must routinely seek Allah Ta’la’s refuge Who is indeed not only the Creator but Protector of all. This would put us directly under the shelter of Allah Ta’la. In the Hadith special supplications (short and easy) have been mentioned. For instance, always recite Sura Iklas, Sura Falaq and Sura Nas – three times daily after Fajr and Magrib prayers. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaiyhiwasallam informs us nothing evil will be able to harm us if you do so!

May Allah Ta’la provide us the ability to perform these deeds with pure intention. And May by His Mighty Grace He may accept our supplications and deeds – Ameen!