The Three Graves

One pious man describes, Once I saw three graves on a high place. In every grave there were some verses written.

On the first grave it was written: "The person who knows that one day he has to return to Allah Tala- answer for his deeds and would be rewarded or punished accordingly - How can he engage himself in the luxuries of this world?"

On the second grave it was written: "The person who believes that one day death will snatch away all his worldly belongings and all authority and make him a resident of grave - How can such person be absorb in sensual pleasures of this world to such high extent?"

On the third grave it was written: "The person who is well aware that one day it is a must that he has to reach the grave and all his youth, beauty and flesh in the body will disappear, on the reliance of what is he so engrossed in the worldly affairs so lavishly?"

Seeing this the pious man asked a Shaykh about these three graves. The Shaykh informed him that these three are the graves of three brothers. One was a soldier, one a businessman and another was a very pious and noble man. The Shaykh further described:

When the pious and noble man's death drew near, his two brothers brought a huge amount of money and asked him to make Sadaka. The noble brother replied, I do not need your money for Sadaka, however, you make a promise to me. And I hope you would keep the promise. Then he told them, After my death bury me on a high place and write these verses on my grave.
The Shaykh said, the first verses which you read are on the grave of that noble brother. The Shaykh continued, the noble brother also asked his two brothers to regularly visit his grave - at least once a day. After the death of the noble brother, his two brothers continued to do as their brother requested them to. On the third day of visiting the grave of the noble brother, his two brothers heard a very loud metallic noise. The soldier dreamt the noble brother at the very night and asked, what was that heavy sound in your grave dear brother? The noble brother replied, I was then being asked why I hadn't helped one needy, when he was oppressed.

This dream made the soldier very worried. In the morning he called his brother (the business man) and told him that he believes that the verses on their brother's grave are for teaching great lesson. The soldier resigned from his service and started absorbing him in worship of Allah Tala completely.

Then one day death of the soldier drew near. Upon the news of illness of his brother, the business man met him. He asked his ailing brother for some advice. The soldier replied, I do not have any wealth that I can make a will; however, I request you one thing. Bury me beside our brother and write these verses on my grave. The Shaykh continued, you have seen the verses on the second grave - that is the soldier's. Before the death the soldier requested his brother to visit his grave till three days regularly and asked him to make dua. After the death of the soldier, the businessman regularly started visiting the grave and on the third day he started weeping beside his brother's grave. Suddenly he heard a huge sound coming from the grave. Instantly he returned home very frightened. At night the soldier came to meet him in his dreams. The business man asked him, O dear brother have you come to meet us? The soldier replied, Is this the time to meet? I am living in my permanent residence. The business man asked his brother, How did Allah Tala receive you? The soldier replied, Allah Tala has blessed me with great pleasure. Man achieves great blessing through Tawba. The businessman asked him, where is our noble brother? The soldier replied, He is in the place of Pious Imams. The businessman asked, What should I do now? The soldier advised him, Whatever man send in the life hereafter from this world are received by him after death. Therefore, anticipate this life as valuable.

In the morning the business man woke up and made Tawba from all his sins. He then gave away all his wealth and absorbed in worshiping Allah Tala completely. His son then took control of the business he had. After some time his death drew near. His son came for advice. He advised his son to bury him near his two uncles and write some verses. The Shaykh continued, You have seen the verses on the grave and that is the businessman's. In addition, the businessman advised his son to visit his grave the consecutive three days after his death and seek forgiveness. After the death of the businessman, his son did so as advised. On the third day of visit, the son heard a loud noise in his father's grave. At night he dreamt his father. His father advised him, O Son! You are meeting us soon. However, after death it is not possible that you prepare yourself. Don't waste time in this world being caught in the trial and tests. Many were making big plans in the world. They had to die before their plans came into reality. All the repentance after death could not benefit them. (Be careful!) Your outcome may not be the same. Therefore O Son! Don't neglect! Don't neglect any more!

Waking up in the morning the son called all family members and told them, I think my time has ended. He payed all debts and gave away the rest of his wealth away. On the third day he faced the Qibla and reciting the Kalima Shahadat he passed away.

From Nujhatul Bastin

The reason for my solitude

Taken from Nujhatul Basatin - a Famous Book consisting of Stories of the Freinds of Allah Tala (very beneficial to quench the thirst of the Seekers), written by Hazrat Yafeyee Yameni (R)

One individual came to Hazrat Hasan Basri (R) and informed, "O Abu Sayeed! (Hazrat was called in this name) There is a person in our area, who always remain in solitude. We could not know the reason for his solitude."

Later - one day, Hazrat Hasan Basri (R) went to the place and asked the man (living in solitude), "I think you like solitude and dislike the company of people; however, what is the reason?" The man replied, "I am always busy with my work, for this reason I cannot meet people."

Listening to him, Hazrat Hasan Basri (R) said, "In that place lives a man named Hasan Basri - at least you can sometimes go there and meet Hasan." The man replied, "The reason, for which I cannot meet general people, is the same for which I cannot meet Hasan Basri." Hazrat Hasan Basri (R) asked him, "What is the work in which you are engaged in?" He answered, "When I open my eyes I see the unlimited bounties of Allah Tala over me, on the other hand, I see my large amount of sins. Then I initate Gratitude towards Allah Tala and seek His forgiveness - engaging in Istegfar. Therefore, I get no time for any other job."

Listening to the man Hazrat Hasan replied, "O Abdullah (the slave of Allah)! You are wiser than Hasan; be engaged in what you are."

Note: This state, as of the man in the story, is not permitted for all - i.e. staying a solitude life. Though in many situations solitude is praiseworthy, just as stated in the story. Asking your Spiritual Mentor or an Alim regarding when to do what is important. My Allah Tala guide us!

The First Step toward Self Rectification

Even if hundred times you break off Tawba - still make a Comeback!

If an individual wants that his inward remains pure, i.e. free from all spiritual diseases; if he wishes that consequently he may achieve the Satisfaction of Allah Tala, then the first step for him is Tawba. For this reason today I discuss about Tawba.

Generally people think that Tawba is to utter the words: Astagfirullaha Rabbi min kulli.....However, this is a very big mistake. The real meaning of Tawba is: Repent for past sins and be ashamed; compensate as much as possible and to make firm intention not to commit the sin again in future.

Imam Gazzali (R) has explained the matter very effectively. He said that, in this world good and evil are mixed. As there are factors which inspire toward Taqwa, there are also things which attract toward sins. There are things which attract you toward good deeds and there are opposite things which attract toward wrongdoings. Your task is to defeat the desire of committing sin and make the enthusiasm of accomplishing good deed the winner. He adds, take for example the gold in which there is some impurity - some impure materials are mixed in the some gold. The way to make such gold pure is to burn it in fire. If such impure gold is burnt in fire, only then it is freed from its baser metal. This is the only way to purify the impure gold. Just in similar way, to free man from sins - burn is a requirement. The burn which can free human from unwanted things (sins) is of two kinds: One is the fire of Jahannam. Because, if a believer is put in Hell-fire, it is to purify him - not only for punishing. Rather the main reason behind burning him there is to take him to Jannah. On the other hand, the non-believers are taken into the Jahannam forever for punishment. The other burn, which wipes out sins and purify is the burn i.e. the repentance and remorse. This is such a burning mean, which in this very world - burns the adulterated materials and purify a human.
Imaam Gazzali (R) said, to purify oneself, one has to burn in either of the two (stated above). Now it is up to him - through which mean does he wants himself to purify. If one feels that it is going to be very hard to be purified through Hell-fire, he may in this world burn his heart in the fire of Repentance. This repentance is Tawba. Just as it is in the Hadith: "Being regretful is Tawba."

From 'Dil ki Dunya' - Mufti Shafi Saheb R

Pure Tawba

Tawba is the first step for a Traveler on the Road of Allah Ta’la. Thus we felt important to depict what is Tawba-tun-Nasuha (Pure Repentance):

“O The Believers! Repent towards Allah Ta’la with Tawba-tun-Nasuha (Pure Repentance). It is expected that your Lord would eradicate all your sins and place you in Jannah, underneath of which river flows.” Sura Tahreem: 08

In the Ayat good news and salvation had been promised for Tawba-tun-Nasuha.
According to Hazrat Hasan Basri R, to repent for past sins and pledge not to repeat those in future. Hazrat Qalbi R states: Tawba-tun-Nasuha is seek forgiveness orally, repent by heart and refrain the limbs from those sins in future. (Maariful Qur’an)

My dear friends! There is a great news regarding Tawba, which many people don’t understand; many don’t even know it.

If any sin is occurred by someone today – and he makes Tawba as mentioned above, Inshallah he will be forgiven. If the same person commits the same sin again in future this sin doesn’t refute (Because that had been a pure one – bearing no intention of performing sin again) the previous Tawba! He must again sincerely perform Tawba.
If it repeats, i.e. if the person again performs the same sin….he must again, yes: again sincerely perform Tawba. Inshallah the Most Gracious will grant his repentance.
Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaiyhiwa Sallam has informed his Beloved Ummah:
All men are sinners, better among those sinners are the ones who perform Tawba
Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaiyhiwa Sallam has informed through another Hadith:
One who seeks forgiveness after committing sin, even if s/he commits the sin seventy times on a day, still the individual would not be treated as defiant against sins.

If you are not performing Tawba, you are becoming steadfast on your sins!
On the other hand, performing every Tawba would cleanse your heart every time and make you pure Inshallah. Remember the Condition! Every Tawba must bear the intention of not performing the sin again. Only then can it be considered Pure.

May Allah Ta’la bless us with Tawba tun Nasuha –Ameen.