Showing Appreciation to those from whom One Acquires Deeni Knowledge
Monday, 13 January 2020 17:18
Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Ilyaas (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) once mentioned the following:
My dear brothers! In order to get people on Deen, one should make an effort to strengthen their imaan, create the concern for the Hereafter within them, and instill the importance of Deen in their hearts.
The bounties and favours of Allah Ta‘ala are countless. However, Allah Ta‘ala’s honour is such that He does not bless His special favours to those who are ungrateful. Thus, when you acquire Deeni benefit from your seniors and elders then ensure that you express your gratitude to them. The demand of gratitude is that you regard yourself to be indebted to all those from whom you acquire Deeni knowledge and you honour and respect them. This is the lesson which we are taught in the mubaarak hadeeth.
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said:
من لم يشكر الناس لم يشكر الله
The one who has not shown appreciation to people has not shown appreciation to Allah Ta‘ala. (Sunan Tirmiz #1955)
(Malfoozaat Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Ilyaas (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) pg. 95)
Source: Ihyaauddeen.co.za
Perpetual Investment
Monday, 13 January 2020 15:23
No person is prepared to invest in anything if he is not certain of earning a profitable return on that investment. The greater the returns, the more profitable is that investment. Nevertheless, investments of this world will benefit at the most, until one's death – and that could be extremely near. After death, all these investments would be transferred to the heirs who would use them or abuse them (which is not uncommon). The person who has toiled and laboured to acquire this wealth cannot, after death, benefit from that wealth in the least bit.
However, certain investments are such that one continues to reap benefits even after death. When one can no longer do any good deeds, these perpetual investments continue to earn him great rewards. These are the investments of the Hereafter which are permanent and perpetual. Allah Ta‘ala says, “But you give preference to the worldly life whereas the Hereafter is better and more enduring (remaining eternally)” (Surah Aa’laa v16-17). Furthermore, in reality, only what has been deposited in the Hereafter is what belongs to a person for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) has said, “Verily your wealth is what you have sent ahead (to the Hereafter). What is left behind is the wealth of your heirs.” (Saheeh Bukhaari #6442)
Salaah and Sustenance
Monday, 18 November 2019 09:11
If a father has to press the light switch and tell the child, “Look, magic! The light has come on.” The child will be amazed because he does not understand that there is a link between the switch and the light bulb; he is unaware of the hidden wiring in between, whereas the father is fully aware. When it comes to the spiritual part of life, we are all children, whilst Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) has seen the realities and is informing us of the links behind the scenes. Allah Ta‘ala says in the Quraan Majeed, “Command your family to perform salaah and adhere to it yourself. We do not ask provisions from you. We provide sustenance to you. And the ultimate end is for taqwa (Allah fearing and piety).” (Surah Taaha, v132)
As far as sustenance is concerned, Allah Ta‘ala is the One who provides for us. We are not asked to provide for ourselves. Yet, due to one’s work or some other appointment, the salaah is made qadhaa (read after its time) or left out altogether. This is despite the fact that Allah Ta‘ala informs us that sustenance will come via salaah and not the other way around. If we perform our salaah on time and correctly, Allah Ta‘ala will grant us sustenance with barakah (blessings) and ‘aafiyah (ease). He will grant such lawful and wholesome sustenance that will be productive. It will bring joy, happiness, and serenity, and our needs will be fulfilled with respect.
A Knock at the Door
Monday, 21 October 2019 15:34
Often we listen to a talk of Deen or we read some Islamic literature. Through the blessing of the words of Allah Ta‘ala and Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), our hearts are most definitely affected. It is at this point that a person intends to give up his life of sin and start a life of righteousness. This intention to do good or to leave sin is actually a guest that is knocking at the door of our heart, sent to us by our loving Allah Ta‘ala.
In life, if a guest knocks at our door and we receive the guest with warmth and respect, then most definitely the guest will feel welcomed to visit again. However if we chase the guest and close the door on his face, he will never return to visit us. In the same way, if a good intention knocks at the door of our heart, then we should act upon it immediately. By ignoring it, we may deprive ourselves of this good intention ever knocking at the door of our heart again.
