The Venom Of Lustful Glances
Hazrat Moulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sahib رحمه الله has advised that nowadays one needs to exercise caution in even raising the first glance. One should adopt the same precaution against boys as one would do to save one’s life if there are snakes at every step. The venom of the snake can lead to physical death whereas the venom of evil, lustful glances leads to spiritual death. And a spiritual death leads to Jahannum (hellfire). Lustful glances are arrows that pierce the spiritual heart and kill it.
اللهم احفظنا!
Hazrat Moulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sahib رحمه الله discouraged young boys going to boarding schools and institutions, where they share rooms with the bigger boys. The young ones can easily become victims of abuse from the senior boys. They are young, innocent, weak and defenceless – it is as if we are placing the young children in the lion’s den.
Hazrat Moulana Yunus Patel Sahib رحمه الله has said that people criticise the Ulama who speak out on these issues; labelling them as obsessed and even accusing the Ulama of having sick hearts. The people say; “These Ulama are sometimes obsessed with these types of issues. Can it be that bad? What is wrong with boys being boys? Do they think that everyone’s heart is sick?….”
Hazrat Moulana رحمه الله has said that the Ulama are dealing with cases daily, knowing full well the extent of the fitnah (mischief). The Ulama cannot pretend that nothing is happening; they have a duty to caution and warn the community. There has to be close monitoring and supervision of both young girls and young boys.
(SOURCE: REMOVING THE SAFETY NET based on informal advices by Hazrat Moulana Yunus Patel Sahib رحمه الله)
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Encourage Towards Proper Values
Hazrat Moulana Yunus Patel Sahib رحمه الله has said that sometimes we encourage our children to befriend and keep company with their cousins or others. We witness a situation (and this is common nowadays) where a young girl who grew up wearing decent and modest clothing interacting with her cousins who follow fashion trends and are dressed immodestly. Naturally, the child who has been brought up with modesty will feel uncomfortable in the company of their modern cousins who are dressed provocatively and involved in singing and dancing. This is not an appropriate ‘territory’ or environment. The young child is amidst them in her cloak and scarf; who has placed her there? It is her parents….what is she going to do?
If the condition of the cousins are such, then she should not be placed in such a vulnerable situation where she compromises her modesty to be accepted in their company. This kind of situation can lead her to rebel against the efforts made towards her proper upbringing.
Hazrat Moulana رحمه الله has advised that in such circumstances, the parents should take their daughter to visit families whose daughters have been brought up with Islamic values who she can befriend. And explain to her that the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله comes first; we have to please Him. If we do so, we will be granted happiness in our hearts…Encourage them along these lines and reward them on their efforts.
Hazrat Moulana Yunus Patel Sahib رحمه الله has further explained; *”Make the child happy with Halaal so that he or she will grow up loving the beautiful Deen of Islam.”*
*”We need to create an environment of obedience to Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله, within our homes, within our society, family circles and friends – then there will be true enjoyment and happiness.”*
(SOURCE: REMOVING THE SAFETY NET based on informal advices by Hazrat Moulana Yunus Patel Sahib رحمه الله)
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Protecting Our Children
Hazrat Moulana Yunus Patel Sahib رحمه الله has said that those who keep their children with them, like the hen keeps her chicks near her at all times, remain protected. If the parents are pious and righteous, then the children generally grow up with those same values in life. Even though there are some adverse influences at the schools and the outside environment, by virtue of the major part of the time spent under the supervision of the parents results in protection for the children.
Hazrat Moulana رحمه الله has further explained that they have witnessed the effects of responsibility shown by some parents; they keep their children with them all the time, even on holidays. The best is to stay at home. Furthermore, children should be allowed to enjoy themselves through permissible activities but they should always be under the watchful gaze of the parents. Shariah does not deprive anyone of enjoyment; there is plenty of scope for permissible entertainment and relaxation.
With the proper upbringing, children will progress. If we take the example of Sheikhul Hadīth Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya Sahib رحمه الله, his respected father Hazrat Moulana Yahya Sahib رحمه الله committed himself entirely to the upbringing of his son by making a great effort on nurturing his character and piety. Through the blessings of proper tarbiyyah by the father, Hazrat Sheikh رحمه الله is an accepted and revered personality throughout the world. When the parents become active participants in nurturing the lives of their children, the benefits are realised both in this world and the Aakhirah.
Sayyiduna Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه وسلم has said; *”When a man dies, all his actions are cut off from him, except three: ever-recurring charity, or knowledge from which benefit is derived, or a virtuous child praying for him.”* (Sahih Muslim)
(SOURCE: REMOVING THE SAFETY NET based on informal advices by Hazrat Moulana Yunus Patel Sahib رحمه الله)
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Team Effort
Hazrat Moulana Yunus Patel Sahib رحمه الله has said that we need to understand that bringing up children requires effort from both mother and father.
Sometimes the mother is making a sincere effort in the upbringing of the children, but the father introduces all those elements which nullify the noble efforts of the mother; bringing in the television and giving excessive amounts of money to the children. This is then used for cellphones, going to the movies, drugs and illicit relationships. Mothers complain that they will not grant the child permission to go out with friends or certain family members due to the evil influence or due to the children being exposed to Haraam, but the father will respond; “No problem. Don’t listen to your mother.”
The children are indeed very perceptive in that they know which parent to manipulate for their agendas. Another vital point we have ignored is that we do not educate our children with regards the principles of usage of the various items we give them. Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Maseehullah Khan Sahib رحمه الله has advised that the children be not given any items or devices prior to educating them.
Hazrat Moulana رحمه الله has further explained; *”Bringing up children requires a team effort. Both husband and wife need to complement each other in their efforts to bringing up their children. There should be no opposition, rather co-operation. The demand is for both parents to be mature and responsible when it comes to children. There should be no negligence and irresponsibility in the fulfilment of this duty.”*
(SOURCE: REMOVING THE SAFETY NET based on informal advices by Hazrat Moulana Yunus Patel Sahib رحمه الله)
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Belivers! Lower Your Gazes!
Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله states in the Holy Qur’ān:
‘Tell the believing men and women to lower their gazes and protect their sexual organs. That is purer for them.’
(Surah an-Noor: Verse 30)
Hazrat Moulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sahib رحمه الله has explained that in this verse, Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله has mentioned the controlling of the sexual organs in conjunction with the protection of the gaze. He who does not protect his gaze is bound to lose control over his sexual desires and organs.
Furthermore, Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله states in the Holy Qur’ān:
‘And come not near unto adultery, verily it is an obscenity and an evil way.’
(Surah Banī Isrā’īl: Verse 32)
Hazrat Moulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sahib رحمه الله has said that Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله has prohibited us from even approaching *Zina* (adultery); we learn an important principle: *ANY CAUSE THAT LEADS TO A HARAAM ACT IS ALSO HARAAM*- and thus to be totally avoided.
Human instinct is such that no sooner do a strange man and woman meet in privacy, that a sensation of mutual attraction permeates the atmosphere between them. This attraction develops from stage to stage, from mere affection to uncontrollable passion and ultimately into the irreversible stage, where it is almost impossible to control the Nafs (evil desires), and finally the shameful act of Zina is perpetrated.
Therefore, Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله has made easy for us the beautiful pathway to chastity, purity and Taqwa (piety), by declaring unlawful all those factors that contribute to the shameless act of Zina.
(SOURCE: EFFECTIVE REMEDIES FOR SPIRITUAL MALADIES, pages 13/14)
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Purity Is From ALLAH TA’ALA Alone
It is stated in the Holy Qur’ān:
‘Had it not been for the Grace and Mercy of Allah (Ta’ala جل جلاله) upon you, none of you would have ever been purified, but Allah (Ta’ala جل جلاله) purifies whomsoever He desires to.’
(Surah an-Noor: Verse 21)
Ārif Billāh Hazrat Moulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar. Sahib رحمه الله has said that from this Āyah, it becomes apparent that together with striving to attain spiritual purification, it is also essential to attain the graces (goodness) and mercy of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله. We have to constantly entreat and implore Him for His mercy and beg Him to include us amongst those whom He has purified.
Allamah Jalaaluddeen Rūmī رحمه الله has written; “O Allah! If a thousand chains of carnal desires and satanic deceptions have shackled our feet, we have nothing to fear if Your graces are upon us.”
(SOURCE: EFFECTIVE REMEDIES FOR SPIRITUAL MALADIES, page 12)
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Even The Voice Is Purdah
Ārif Billāh Hazrat Moulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sahib رحمه الله brings to our attention a verse of the Holy Qur’ān wherein Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله states;
‘O Wives of the Nabi! You are not like any other women. If you fear Allah, then be not soft of speech (when conversing with strange men at times of dire necessity), lest he in whose heart is a disease (spiritual corruption) aspire (for you).’
(Surah al-Ahzaab: Verse 32)
The following are the regulations to be deduced from this verse:
1. At times of dire necessity, it is permissible to converse with a strange male from behind a veil.
2. This conversation, although permissible, must be conducted deliberately in a firm tone. It is not permissible for a woman to speak in soft, alluring tones with a male, even from behind a veil. (This point has to be carefully understood for the girls’ Madrassas, their students and teachers).
3. If this is the regulation for women, the same regulation will apply to men to a greater extent.
4. The pervert that derives pleasure and satisfaction from listening to the voice of a strange woman, has been declared as spiritually ill in the words of the Holy Qur’ān.
5. Those men who appoint females as receptionists, secretaries, etc. should scrutinise their intentions for doing so and take special heed to this verse.
(SOURCE: EFFECTIVE REMEDIES FOR SPIRITUAL MALADIES, page 16)
*NOTE*
In the light of the teachings of Shafeequl Ummah Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Farooq Sahib رحمه الله; for many, the restrictions placed on us may appear difficult but we must understand that Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله desires the best for us. The institution of modesty has to be uppermost in our lives. If there are any deficiencies, we need to make every effort to rectify the faults in our lives. Furthermore, we should never try to appease ourselves through our interpretations; it is essential that we refer to the upright and pious Ulama; and seek their advice and guidance in all our affairs.
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Sodomy And The Nation Of Sayyiduna Loot عليه السلام
Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله states in the Holy Qur’ān;
‘And Loot, when he said unto his folk: Will you commit an obscenity that none has ever committed before you? You fulfil your lust on men instead of women? Indeed you are a wanton nation.’
(Surah al-A’raaf: Verses 80/81)
Hazrat Moulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sahib رحمه الله has said that in these verses, Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله emphatically denounces the unnatural, perverted manner of sexual gratification that was practiced by the nation of Sayyiduna Loot عليه السلام, the people of Sodom (and which became known thereafter as sodomy).
At another juncture in the Holy Qur’ān, Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله has described the punishment inflicted upon this sick nation. Hazrat Jibra’eel عليه السلام lifted their entire city into the sky, inverted them and brought them crashing down onto earth with a terrific bang. Thereafter, boulders and rocks rained upon them from the sky. These stones were of a different composition altogether, and each had the name of the culprit to be pelted by it inscribed upon it. Hazrat Moulana Shah Abdul Ghanī Phoolpuri رحمه الله most aptly comments on this incident; “The actions of this nation were perverted and unnatural; thus the punishment meted out to them was a befitting one, *THEY WERE INVERTED!”*
Despite the sincerest of warnings from Sayyiduna Loot عليه السلام, they remained persistent in their foul deeds and doings; thus 400 000 of them were annihilated in a single moment.
Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله made them a lesson unto mankind right until the Day of Qiyaamah, that even today, traces of their destruction are present in the Dead Sea, the water of which is so dense and bitter, it will not permit any tree or vegetation to grow upon its shores.
(SOURCE: EFFECTIVE REMEDIES FOR SPIRITUAL MALADIES, pages 14 and 15)