The Three Essential Requirements for One to Benefit from the Sheikh
Monday, 15 April 2019 15:38
Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) once mentioned: When a person takes someone as his Sheikh or Deeni guide, then in order for him to benefit from the Sheikh, he will have to fulfil three essential requirements. These three requirements are among the rights which he owes to the Sheikh and should be borne in mind at all times. These requirements are:
- He should have I’tiqaad in him i.e. he should have mahabbat and respect for him and accept him to be a pious, rightly guided person who follows the sunnah.
- He should have I’timaad in him i.e. he should have confidence in the guidance and knowledge he imparts and regard him capable of guiding him correctly in Deeni matters.
- He should have Inqiyaad for him i.e. he should follow the advices and teachings of the Sheikh diligently with complete commitment and dedication.
(Malfoozaat Hakeemul Ummat 23/77)
Source: Ihyaauddeen.co.za
Speaking to Allah Ta‘ala
Monday, 08 April 2019 09:08
In this era of advanced technology, we can easily connect and communicate with the entire world. However, when last did we communicate with the Creator of the world? We speak to people about the different problems and challenges that we go through. Yet, when will we speak to our All-Hearing Allah Ta‘ala, the only Being who can resolve our problems?
If we ask people to fulfil some of our basic needs, we are humiliated and are regarded as beggars. However, if we ask Allah Ta‘ala for our needs, then we are honoured and we become the beloved of Allah Ta‘ala. Our duty is to turn to Allah Ta‘ala in du‘aa (supplication) over and over again. Allah Ta‘ala, in his divine wisdom, will definitely answer our du‘aas in unique ways.
At times our minds are so anchored in wanting to see our du‘aas answered in a certain way, that we completely fail to see and appreciate that our du‘aas have been answered, but in many other ways. Allah Ta‘ala knows best when to give us, how to give us and how much to give us. All we need to do is to keep on asking Allah Ta‘ala.
Have a Heart
Monday, 25 March 2019 09:05
The heart is a most fascinating organ of the body. It is indeed the king of the body. The proper function of the heart is vital for the good health of the body. Likewise, one’s spiritual well-being is also dependent upon the spiritual condition of the heart being in order.
If the heart is filled with the love of Allah Ta‘ala and His beloved Rasul (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and is kept clean of malice, jealously, pride, suspicions and other evils, one’s spiritual state will also be “healthy.” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) has explained this most concisely in a hadeeth which states: “Verily in the body is an organ which, if it is in order, the entire body will be in order. And if it is corrupt, the rest of the body will be corrupt. Behold, that organ is the heart.” (Saheeh Bukhaari #52) Thus, a constant effort must be made to keep the heart clean.
The most effective way of cleansing the heart and filling it with the love of Allah Ta‘ala is to sincerely associate with those who have true hearts — hearts that are brimming with the love of Allah Ta‘ala. The effect of their piety and love for Allah Ta‘ala is bound to rub off onto those in their company. It is also important to protect the eyes, ears and tongue from all evil as these are the pathways to the heart.
Coolness of our Eyes
Monday, 11 March 2019 08:54
Every parents’ desire is to have such children who will be the coolness of their eyes. The child’s contact with Allah Ta‘ala will determine the child’s level of obedience to his or her parents.
An easy way to develop the child’s contact with Allah Ta‘ala is by establishing salaah in the child’s life. From the age of seven, the child should be encouraged to be punctual on the five daily salaah. This punctuality will be established when the importance of salaah has entered the child’s heart.
To impress on the child’s mind the importance of salaah, we can use the forty short ahaadeeth on the virtues of salaah which is found in the Fazaail-e-Aa’maal, a book dealing with the virtues of good deeds. Our child should be taught and explained one hadeeth at a time. Thereafter the child should relate to us the very same hadeeth in his or her own words. Ask the child to try and memorize the hadeeth and convey it to others as well.
By this constant repetition of the blessed words of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), insha-Allah, the child will become convinced of the importance of salaah.
Balance Sheet
Monday, 25 February 2019 15:17
The end of the financial year brings along a flurry of activity in the business world. Stocktaking, preparing of financials and other related aspects are given top priority. The crucial question at the end of the exercise is: “What am I worth?” If the balance sheet indicates huge assets and little or no liabilities, one is elated. Otherwise there is gloom and sadness.
Indeed halaal wealth in the possession of a pious person is a great blessing. Besides being a means of comfort and ease for him in this world, he will use this gift from Allah Ta‘ala to earn the Hereafter. His wealth will not be wasted on sinful or futile things. Instead, the orphans, widows and destitute will benefit from it. He will also spend it in the many avenues of uplifting Deen.
Friend Indeed
Monday, 11 February 2019 15:17
A well know Arabic saying advises, “Don't talk about a person. Ask about his companions.” This simply means that if you want to enquire about a person — about his character, what are his habits, is he responsible, etc., then do not enquire specifically about him. Instead enquire about the company he keeps. If he keeps good company, insha-Allah he will be likewise a good and upright person. On the contrary if he remains in the company of people accustomed to sin and vice or people of low character and morals, he will generally be judged accordingly.
