Introduction
Our Hazrat Shafeequl Ummah, Hajee Moulana Muhammad Farouq Saheb رحمه الله advised us that in the path towards the recognition of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله, we are never exhorted towards sin by Shaitaan but rather we are made negligent. Negligence can be defined as not attaching importance to the order of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله. When we slip into this form of disrespect, the second plan of action by Shaitaan comes to the fore and that is the aspect of laxity. Lack of importance coupled with laziness clouds our perception with regard to the demands of our Deen. When we become lazy in our attitude towards Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله, the third plan of action of Shaitaan grips us in that we then entertain distant hopes of success without the corresponding actions. Due to our inattentiveness, we systematically weaken our resolve and then become vulnerable to the forces of sin. After succumbing to the temptations of transgression, our minds lack clear thinking because our hearts have become blackened due to the forces of sin. Once this stage is reached (May Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله forbid and protect us), modesty departs and then we openly commit acts of rebellion. Being a rebel is an act of hypocrisy. The need is therefore that we stay away from the root cause of the impediment in reaching Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله and that is by never allowing ourselves to slip into negligence. As our respected Sheikh رحمه الله advised us on numerous occasions that one moment of forgetfulness equals one hundred moments of ungratefulness.
A Warning From Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله
Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله states in the Quraan:
“Do not be like those who forgot Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله.”(Surah Hashr:19)
In simple words, let us never become disobedient like the hypocrites who abandon the orders of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله, who acted against Him, who took enjoyment from hankering after the world and who were inclined towards its deception.
The world is like a deceitful treacherous woman; it adorns itself for its admirers but, when the admirers become enamoured of its false glitter, it betrays them and upsets their plans. The world bewitches man with its enchantment and thereafter gives man a taste of its fatal poison. When the world is befriended and man begins to trust its friendship, it forsakes man when in dire need of help; thus causing endless grief and sorrow — no success is achieved in this world and the Hereafter is barren of virtuous deeds.
Rasoolullah صلّى الله عليه وسلم once passed by the dead body of a kid (goat). Addressing the Sahabah رضي الله عنهم he asked: “Do you think that this dead animal is of value to its master?” The Sahabah رضي الله عنهم replied that it was obvious that it is of no value to him and that is why he has thrown it away. Then Rasoolullah صلّى الله عليه وسلم said: “The world is more contemptible in the sight of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله than this dead kid to its master. If the world was equal in value to a gnat’s wing in the estimation of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله, He would not have given a disbeliever a draught of water out of its resources.” He further advised that the love of the world is the basis and source of every sin. (Sahih Muslim #2957)
What Is The Difference Between A Believer And A Hypocrite?
Rasoolullah صلّى الله عليه وسلم has given an amazing analysis which compels us to contemplate on our condition.
- The believer’s main concern is in Salaah and fasting whilst the hypocrite’s main concern is food and drink like an animal, abandoning worship and Salaah.
If we carefully examine the value we attach to the injunction of Salaah and fasting, we will ultimately reach this conclusion that our carelessness has become a source of disrespect. What is our attitude and behaviour to this great institution? On the contrary, we require to do some soul searching and evaluate how we consume ourselves with food and drink.
It has been mentioned that when Hazrat Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه was presented with some water mixed with honey, he held it to his mouth and wept so bitterly that those around him were also moved to tears. After regaining his composure, he said that he witnessed Rasoolullah صلّى الله عليه وسلم pushing away something with both his hands yet he did not see anything. Upon asking Rasoolullah صلّى الله عليه وسلم as to what he was driving away, he was told that the world presented itself to him and he drove it away. He did not wish to approve anything rejected by Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله. The world then came back and said that He had guarded himself against it but there will follow a people who will be unable to protect themselves against it. (Mustadrak Hakim #7856)
Imagine, a simple drink of water with honey caused this great son of Islam to weep because he regarded it as worldly and yet we devour so many delicacies and we consider ourselves to be deserving?
- The believer is engrossed in charity and seeking forgiveness whilst the hypocrite is engrossed in greed and entertaining high hopes.
When a believer is granted the good fortune of spending in the path of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله, he becomes appreciative that Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله has accepted his wealth for the purposes of Deen but at the same time is fearful whether his act of charity has not been contaminated by the delusion of the nafs. How far away have we stooped from the temperament of Deen that we expect praise from our acts of generosity whereas the wealth that has been given to us by Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله is merely a trust which we are trustees of. Have we not attached ourselves in hoarding the adornments of the world, giving a little in charity and expecting praises from the public with regard to our well-wishing?
- One of the unique traits of a believer is that he never slips into despondency irrespective of the situation. Let us examine the battle of the trench where the companions were at times collapsing out of starvation but when they witnessed two stones on the stomach of Rasoolullah صلّى الله عليه وسلم, they did not adopt pessimism. Rather, they developed more courage and determination. In these dire straits where there was seemingly no hope, they absolutely believed in the promise of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله for the glad tidings of the collapse of the Roman and Persian empires.
- The believer sacrifices his wealth for his Deen whilst the hypocrite sacrifices his religion for his wealth. May Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله be praised! A believer spends to preserve his Deen having full hope in the promises of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله. He never doubts the promises of his Creator and regards spending his wealth for Allah Ta’ala’s جل جلاله pleasure as a form of protection. On the opposite side, we find a disbeliever compromises his religion because of wealth. Just for few worldly coppers, the Shariah is re-interpreted for worldly gains. What a calamity! Let us identify with this incident where a pious servant was involved in ibaadat when a thief enters his house. He calmly carries on and tells the thief that he may try as much as possible but he will not be able to steal because Zakaat on the wealth has been observed and thus has the right to be protected by Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله!
- The believer feels safe from everyone but Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله whilst the hypocrite fears everyone but Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله. Never does a believer adopt complacency. He will adopt indifference towards people and exert himself in pleasing Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله yet he remains fearful whether his acts of virtue are accepted. A disbeliever becomes so ensnared by the world that he fears losing– his possessions. In this drunkenness, he loses his direction and adopts various means to protect his wealth but forgets Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله.
- The believer does good but still weeps before Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله whilst the hypocrite does evil yet he laughs about it.
Hazrat Habib Ajmi رحمه الله after exerting himself in the obedience of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله still lamented the fact that the road to the Hereafter is very long but his provision of virtues were scarce. On the opposite side, we witness daily that sins are regarded as inconsequential; we laugh at our acts of transgression not taking heed of the Omnipresence of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله where we deliberately fail to realise that our actions have indeed been recorded.
- The believer loves solitude whilst the hypocrite loves to intermingle and be in company.
Solitude is the fort of a believer and a great habit sustained by our pious predecessors. What was the factor that propelled them to spend their time in contemplation of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله? In the words of Hazrat Ibraheem bin Adham رحمه الله ; he said that if the kings would come to know of the joy of our moments in solitude with Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله, they will wage a war against us. We have become slaves of the world, thereby fearing solitude. To appease our evil inclinations, we desire association to forget Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله. Our lives give witness to the acts of futility we are involved in daily but we do not consider them harmful. Imam Ghazaali رحمه الله has mentioned that acts of futility serve as springboards to evil. Again, we require to acknowledge the demand of association:
a) our knowledge of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله increases,
b) our hearts disincline towards the world and
c) our hearts become conscious of the consequences of our actions,
- The believer initiates good deeds but fears destruction whilst the hypocrite does away with good but still entertains hopes for rewards.
A pious servant of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله said that:
a) he is astonished at him who believes that death is inevitable, it will come at any time but he still persists in worldly pursuits;
b) he is astonished at him who believes in Jahannum and that nobody knows for sure as to what his abode is in the Hereafter but he still finds occasions to laugh;
c) he is astonished at him who witnesses the shifts of fortune occurring in the world but still feels satisfied on receiving a worldly gain;
d) he is astonished that everything is preordained and everyone will get their allotted share but man still endures pains for worldly gains.
The message is that we consume ourselves in the deeds of the Hereafter. A necessary qualification given by our Hazrat Moulana Maseehullah Khan Sahib رحمه الله is that a person who acts in this world within the parameters of Shariah cannot be termed as worldly because his acts, worldly as they may seem, are in conformity to Shariah. A person who acts within the limits of Shariah is in actual fact earning his Aakhirah! Many entertain incorrect notions with regard to wealth attained from permissible means. Our Hazrat Shafeequl Ummat رحمه الله explains that wealth can be attained lawfully or unlawfully. In the lawful pursuit of wealth, a person is in fact in the obedience of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله and all his efforts are recorded as Zikrullah.
Hazrat Thaanwi رحمه الله has shared a unique incident of a wealthy person who was in Salaah. Whilst performing his duty to Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله, it started pouring. He very calmly finished his Salaah and then came under the shelter. When questioned regarding his behaviour, he responded that he was enjoying his communion with Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله and he did not allow himself to be distracted that his expensive clothing would become drenched. He rather focussed on the the Khushu (devotion) in Salaah. Hazrat Thaanwi رحمه الله commented that Subhaanallah! Such an individual has a right to fancy clothing because these have not deviated him from his Creator!
- The believer commands towards virtuous deeds, prohibits from evil as a religious duty and he subsequently reforms whereas the hypocrite commands and prohibits merely for leadership and causes corruption. In fact he commands evil and prohibits good.
One of the greatest tragedies that we are experiencing is that we have ignored by choice the divine injunction of Amr bil ma’roof and Nahy anil munkar (to command towards virtuous deeds and prohibit from evil) . We have become so immersed in futile pursuits that our activities have become a source of great trials for us. Let us examine our homes; we have so many items that go completely against the core values of Shariah. Yet, we do not even consider it as a misfortune to be in possession of these impermissible items. We do not admonish ourselves nor do we admonish our subordinates. What we are really witnessing is the propagating of evil and there is very little exhortation towards virtues. Our values have shifted direction and we now see, as an example, that novels have invaded our homes. When there are incidents of adultery discussed, we cheerfully read them not wanting to realise the contamination of our Imaan. The reading of literature written by transgressors and disbelievers dilute our Imaan and thus give inclination to the ways of the kuffaar. Have we not become the reason of our deviation? Have we not patterned by choice our path to destruction? What values are being put into our hearts? If we examine our possessions, they will give a very clear indication of our preferences in life.
Another point of distress is that we witness the disbelievers enjoying great bounties and think that they have been favoured by Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله. We are actually admiring the enemies of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله and making their lifestyles a yardstick of success. People unfortunately do not apportion a value to the greatest bounty of Imaan.
A Simple Illustration Of The World
Hazrat Yunus bin Ubaid رحمه الله admonished himself with regard to the world as: “A man is asleep and dreams of many things, good and bad. Suddenly, he wakes up and the dream is shattered. Similarly, all men in the world are asleep; and all they do and see is a dream. When they die, they awaken from their slumber and witness that there is no substance in worldly joys and sorrows.”
The Advice Of Hazrat lsaa عليه السلام
Hazrat Isaa عليه السلام says: “Let me tell you the truth! Just as a patient when seriously ill cannot enjoy food, so a worldly-minded person cannot experience devotion in his ibaadaat. Just as a riding beast gets stubborn if nobody has ridden it for a long time, similarly, the hearts of men if not softened with the remembrance of death and rigorous devotional practices, become hard and disinclined to worship. And let me tell you another truth about life. A goat skin bag proves a good container for honey (or water,etc) as long as it is not torn. But when it is torn, honey is not put into it anymore. Similarly, the human heart can contain wisdom as long as it is not torn by lusts, corrupted by greed or hardened by indulgence in the good things of life. Besides, there is another point worthy of note: the lusts of this world have a honeyed taste but, in the end, at the time of death, they become noxious and disgusting.”
Love For Rasoolullah صلّى الله عليه وسلم
Once, Rasoolullah صلّى الله عليه وسلم said to the Sahabah رضي الله عنهم “On the day of resurrection, a man will be with those whom he loves.” It is mentioned that the Sahabah رضي الله عنهم were never so happy about anything after their acceptance of Islam as they were elated upon hearing this Hadith. (Sahih Bukhari #3688)
They had every reason to be happy because their hearts were inspired with the love and corresponding commitment to Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله and Rasoolullah صلّى الله عليه وسلم. Their faces were radiant and shone more radiantly than the sun in the skies. The reason? They were true in their commitment in belief and actions. Our situation is indeed lamentable in that we say that we love Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله and His Rasool صلّى الله عليه وسلم but our actions are contrary to our hollow slogans. Let us question ourselves…have we adopted the life of a believer or that of a hypocrite? Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله grant us the ability to distinguish the treachery of shaitaan and nafs and grant us the ability to be committed to our Deen.
Aameen!