A Little Unlawful Pleasure
Ārif Billāh Hazrat Moulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sahib رحمه الله has advised that any object whereby the Nafs derives unlawful pleasure should be discarded at once. Even a little unlawful pleasure for the Nafs is not free from imminent danger and calamity. A little opportunity for an enemy is surely destructive. The Nafs is the greatest of enemies, greater than Shaitān himself.
The Nafs gains strength and courage from little pleasures and grows stronger and stronger in this way, until it eventually drags the Saalik (seeker) and Mu’min (believer) into major sins.
Aided by the poisonous doses of satanic ideas and whispers, the Nafs grows bold and rebellious; overpowers the person, leaving him helpless to resist the temptation of sin and transgression.
Association with females and handsome youths is extremely detrimental, especially to the Saalik, because his heart develops a degree of sensitivity due to the blessings of Zikrullah and hence becomes extremely receptive towards any object of beauty. When Shaitān despairs of misleading him through any method or device, he attempts to ensnare the Saalik through illicit affairs with women and handsome lads.
Once Sayyiduna Mūsa عليه السلام requested; “O Allah! I wish to meet You.” The reply came:
دع نفسك وتعال
‘Leave your desires (Nafs) and come!’
As a saint has admonished;
“Place no trust upon the deadly carnal-self (Nafs),
Even though it becomes as obedient as an angel always remain suspicious of it’s motives.”
(SOURCE: EFFECTIVE REMEDIES FOR SPIRITUAL MALADIES, page 19
[hr height=”30″ style=”default” line=”default” color=”” themecolor=”0″]
Reckoning For Senses
Ārif Billāh Hazrat Moulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sahib رحمه الله shares two verses of the Holy Qur’ān;
‘Verily the ear, the eye and the heart, with regard to each of these, it will be questioned.’
(Surah al-Isrā: Verse 36)
‘Verily, thy Lord is Ever-Watchful.’
(Surah al-Fajr: Verse 14)
Both these verses indicate the great responsibility attached to the correct usage of the senses, a reckoning which will have to be rendered for on the Day of Qiyaamah.
We should understand that the object of our lives is to attain the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله. Therefore, the closer a person draws towards satisfying the unlawful desires of the Nafs, the further he draws away from Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله. Hence, this mortal enemy should be kept under constant surveillance and control at all times.
Hakeemul Ummah Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thaanwi Sahib رحمه الله has said; “The person that begins to derive pleasure of another male or by gazing at his features, etc should immediately leave his company, (for this is the beginning of a calamity).”
(SOURCE: EFFECTIVE REMEDIES FOR SPIRITUAL MALADIES, page 18)
Furthermore, the Ahlullāh have advised that to listen to the alluring voices of the opposite sex, ogling at their bodies and fantasising about them is destructive to the extreme. This can ruin one’s ta’alluq with Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله. We seek His protection and guidance.
آمين
[hr height=”30″ style=”default” line=”default” color=”” themecolor=”0″]
Woman – A Commodity?
Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib دامت بركاته has said that today the family system has collapsed in Europe (and in most western countries). The relationship between a mother and father is obsolete. The relationship between a brother and sister is unknown. The woman has been used as a form of amusement; nude pictures of women are displayed everywhere and trade merchandise is advertised in this way.
The woman was deceived into going out of her home in the name of progress. The woman was told that she could advance and even become the head of state, prime minister or hold other offices. But look at the past of the United States; no woman has been president. Just a few have been in office for which hundreds of thousands were brought out of their homes. Women work where there is no respect; they are street sweepers, waitresses, sales ladies, air hostesses, etc. The woman who served her family at home was regarded as backward; she was a ‘prisoner’ in her home. But now the enlightened woman serves thousands of men in restaurants, hotels and in the aeroplanes – each man ogling at her.
A poet has said; “The intellect baptised with lunacy and so the lunacy with intellect. You’re at liberty to play wonders.”
In this way, the proponents of women’s freedom movement have committed excesses on women, the like of which has not been committed in human history. She is sold, limb-by-limb and disgraced mercilessly; yet they claim to be faithful to women. But for that individual who has crowned her with innocence and chastity and put the necklace of respect around her neck; he is blamed for having imprisoned her. Sadly the Muslim woman has been deceived and she has begun to believe the lies propagated in the name of freedom.
(SOURCE: PRINCIPLES ADAPTED FROM ‘THE WOMEN’S VEIL’ – page 189 *ISLAM IN TODAY’S WORLD* by Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib دامت بركاته )
[hr height=”30″ style=”default” line=”default” color=”” themecolor=”0″]
Our Society
Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib دامت بركاته has stated that a well known dignitary of Pakistan had suggested that men should bear the expenses of women so that they do not have to go out unnecessarily and earn their livelihood. The reaction was that the (so called) enlightened women of society who call themselves champions of women’s rights led a protest meeting against him blaming him for usurping the rights of women. Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib رحمه الله explains that they should have been happy that someone spoke in their favour, but they preferred to fabricate lies. They do not care to understand the problems women face, living as they do in posh palaces. They never look at the hardships experienced by village women. The objective of the so called elite women is to attain some certificate from the west acclaiming them to be enlightened.
The west have falsely accused the religious Muslims of restraining their women within their homes. On the contrary, the truth is that Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله has determined two separate spheres of life; both men and women have their unique responsibilities. They have different temperaments and capabilities. Therefore if anyone raises the slogan of equality whereby a women would do the same things as a man; then he rebels against nature. The consequences of this is that the family system has collapsed. If we wish to preserve the institution of modesty, the rules of the Shariah will have to be observed. It is necessary that we, as Muslims, weed out the influences of western culture from our society. Muslims offer no apologies for the system of modesty promoted by our blessed Deen.
(SOURCE: PRINCIPLES ADAPTED FROM ‘THE WOMEN’S VEIL’ – page 190 *ISLAM IN TODAY’S WORLD* by Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib دامت بركاته )
[hr height=”30″ style=”default” line=”default” color=”” themecolor=”0″]
Submit Our Desires Before ALLAH TA’ALA جل جلاله
Ārif Billāh Hazrat Moulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sahib رحمه الله has said that the person who makes a created object the ambition of his life; he has sold himself into the slavery of a slave. It is as if he brings on himself “bondage upon bondage” – the need is that a servant prostrates and submit his desires before Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله; then observe the pleasure and sweetness of ibaadah.
The one that shatters his desires for the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله becomes a means of guidance of others; he will witness the path to Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله through the effulgence of his shattered heart.
While walking in a public place, if the gaze is directed at a strange woman, the Noor of the heart is extinguished and the heart becomes unsettled and restless. If there is a beautiful woman or lad living in the vicinity, then the possibility of committing a major sin is highly probable and such a person is in mortal danger. He should leave the vicinity (if he cannot control himself) or lead a life of extreme precaution and abstinence.
Hazrat Hakeem Sahib رحمه الله has shared that some people that were afflicted by this malady requested him for some remedy; Hazrat رحمه الله directed them towards Zikrullah and prohibited them from meeting or seeing the objects of their desires. The proper cure for this malady is redirecting the heart towards the Real Beloved. This is achieved by abundance of Zikr and the companionship of the true lovers of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله, the Ahlullāh.
The one who discards his personal desires for the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله is generally considered by the ignorant masses as a person who is leading a very restricted and deprived existence; whereas he alone knows what joy Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله pours into the depth of his heart.
When a person who suffers from the malady of illicit relationships and evil glances repents at the hands of a true friend of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله; and thereafter traverses the path of Divine Love, will quickly reach his destination. Experience has shown that those whose hearts are moved and affected by beauty, when directed in the correct avenue, become extremely valuable and precious.
One needs to clearly understand that when the soul is leaving the body, it matters not whether it is sapped away in a gutter or on a king’s throne; the only differentiating factor is whether the heart is attached to Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله or not!
(SOURCE: EFFECTIVE REMEDIES FOR SPIRITUAL MALADIES, pages 36/37)