Islam – The Greatest Favour of Allah Ta‘ala
Monday, 16 April 2018 14:42
Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) once mentioned:
In reality, even if a king ruling over all seven continents has to embrace Islam, his embracing Islam will not add any glory and honour to Islam. However, if he feels honoured and pleased that Allah Ta‘ala has honoured him with the favour of Islam, then it is something good for him.
Jibillah bin Ayham Ghassaani was a person who accepted Islam during the khilaafah of Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). He lived in such comfort and luxury that even Hercules (the leader of the Romans) could not match him. After accepting Islam, while performing tawaaf of the Ka’bah, a poor person accidentally stepped on the lungi of Jibillah, causing the lungi to become unfastened. Jibillah was enraged and immediately slapped the poor person. The poor person then came to Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and complained of the injustice that he suffered. After hearing his complaint, Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) summoned Jibillah and passed a judgement of equality, instructing the poor person to slap Jibillah in retaliation. When Jibillah heard the verdict of Hazrat ‘Umar (eadhiyallahu ‘anhu), he asked for some time to be given to him as respite before the retaliation would be taken. With the consent of the poor person, Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) accepted his request and granted him respite. However, that very night, he turned apostate and fled.
Bread in The Pond
Tuesday, 10 April 2018 15:30
The water in the pond is looking all calm, still and tranquil. A piece of bread is dropped into the pond. Hundreds of fish now rush for the bread. The attack is on, from all directions, thus disturbing the peace and calm that was once enjoyed.
This is exactly what often happens to our minds and hearts. In the very midst of a joyful and peaceful life, Shaitaan prompts within us an ill feeling or an ill thought regarding someone. Immediately thereafter, the nafs (carnal inner self) floods the inside with hundreds of more ill thoughts and feelings. The mind and heart become battlefields and all peace is lost. At times that is all it takes for the mind or heart to entertain an ill thought or feeling, and there we have it, the Shayateen are on the attack to magnify and amplify the thought or feeling. The war is on and all the joy is gone. If we do not remedy ourselves, then those thoughts and feelings will replay so much within us, that they will seem to be really true. Thus must immediately dispel any such thought or feeling. Don’t dwell on it. Ignore it and turn to Allah Ta‘ala seeking His forgiveness. Seek His protection from the whispers of Shaitaan. All power and might belongs to Allah Ta‘ala alone.
Child’s play
Thursday, 05 April 2018 15:19
Hazrat Mufti Mahmood Hasan Gangohi (rahimahullah) mentioned:
Sayyid Ahmad Shaheed (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) began ‘seeing’ certain supernatural visions on the nights of Lailatul Qadr and Lailatul Baraa-ah. He had seen the stars, the trees and the ocean prostrating. He related these experiences, to his Shaikh, Shah Abdul Azeez (rahmatullahi ‘alaih). Shah Abdul Azeez (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) advised him in the following manner, “These are experiences which the children of the spiritual path experience.”
These conditions are not worth paying any due attention towards. The only real objective and goal in life, is to attain the pleasure of Allah Ta‘ala. If our intentions and methodology are correct then, insha-Allah, we will be successful. If our actions are in accordance to the sunnah and done solely for the pleasure of Allah Ta‘ala we will, insha-Allah, be successful. (Discourses of Faqeeh-ul-Ummah Hazrat Mufti Mahmood Hasan Gangohi, vol. 1, pg. 111)
Sweet Words
Monday, 26 March 2018 06:27
If one’s feet slip, it can be extremely dangerous. One could lose one’s balance and fall. This could result in fractured bones, perhaps even a heart attack. Undoubtedly these are serious consequences. However, these effects of the slip of the feet can never compare to the harm that can ensue from the slip of the tongue. It can result in several people suffering a ‘heart attack’. When the tongue slips, it pierces hearts, breaks marriages, splits families, estranges bosom friends and results in a host of other social evils. The soft and fleshy tongue can cause a wound far worse than the wound of the hard teeth. As a poet says: “The wound of the sword will heal - But the wound of the tongue will not.”
Once Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was asked: “What is the path of salvation (from the fitnah that is engulfing us from all directions)?” He replied: “Guard your tongue, let your house be sufficient for you and cry over your sins” (Sunan Tirmizi #2406).
