What do Muslims believe about Muhammad peace be upon him ?
All praise is due to Allah and may peace and blessing be upon his servant and Messenger Muhammad and on his household and all of his Companions.
Muhammad Was Sent To All Of Mankind
The first implication of the testimony that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah is the belief that Allah sent the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) to all mankind and the jinn until the Day of Judgement. Allah states in the Qur'aan in Soorah 7 Al-'Araaf Aayah 151 Say (to them O Muhammad): O Mankind! I am the Messenger of Allah to you all, (the Messenger) of Him to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and of the earth. There is no god but He. He gives life, and makes to die.Believe then in Allah, and in His Messenger (Muhammad), the Prophet who could neither read nor write, who believes in Allah and in His Words (the Qur'aan), and follows him so that perhaps you will be guided.
The Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) has said: And the prophets were formerly sent to their people only, whereas I have been sent to all mankind. [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
The Finality Of Prophethood
The second implication of the testimony is to believe that the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) is the final prohet to be sent to mankind. Allah states in the Qur'aan in Soorah 33 Al-Ahzaab Aayah 40 Muhammad is not the father of any one of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets.
The Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) has said: And the line of the prophets is closed with me [Muslim] And: Before the Last Hour there will be great liars, so beware of them [Muslim]
The above proofs are sufficient to refute any of the heretical groups who claim any prophet or messenger after the Prophet Muhammad such as some contemporary groups do namely: the Nation of Islam who believe that Elijah Muhammad (deceased) was the Messenger of Allah the Qadianis and Ahmadiyyahs who state that Ghulam Ahmed (deceased) was the prophet the so called Submitters or followers of Rashad Khalifah (murdered) who claim that he was a prophet
Two Revelations
The third implication of the testimony "Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah" is to believe that Allah senth two revelations with the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam): the Qur'aan and the Sunnah.
Allah said: Allah was verily gracious to the believers by sending them a messenger from themsleves, to recite them His signs, and to purify them, and to teach them the scripture (the Qur'aan) and the wisdom (the Sunnah) though before that they were in manifest error. [Soorah 3 Al-An'aam, Aayah 164]
The Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) has said: I have been indeed been given the Qur'aan and something like it along with it. [Abu Dawood]
The Messenger Has Rights
The fourth implication of the testimony is that there are rights due to the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) that must be observed. Among these are:
To believe in all that the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) has said. To obey the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) in what he has commanded and forsake what he has forbidden or discouraged. To worship according to the shari'ah (law) of the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) and not by whims and innovations. To judge by the shari'ah of the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) and not by any other law. To love the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) more than our parents, children, mankind, indeed our very selves.
Allah Most High states: Say (to them O Muhammad): If you love Allah, follow me, and Allah will love you, and forgive your sins. Allah is All-Forgiving, Alla-Merciful. Say : Obey Allah and the Messenger. But if they turn away Allah loves not the disbelievers (kaafireen). [Soorah Aali 'Imraan Aayatain 31 - 32]
And let those who oppose his (Muhammad's) command beware, lest a trial befall them (that would lead them to disbelief) or a painful punishment be inflicted on them. [Soorah An-Noor Ayyah 63]
You have indeed a good example in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad) for whosoever hopes for Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah much. [Soorah Al-Ahzaab, Aayah 21]
It is not fitting for any believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter, to have a choice in their affair. And whosoever disobeys Allah and his Messenger, he has gone astray into manifest error. [Soorah Al-Ahzaab, Aayah 36]
But no, by your Lord (Rabb), they can have no faith until they make you the judge in all disputes between them, and find in their souls no resistance against your decisions, but accept (them) fully with submission. [Soorah An-Nisaa Aayah 65]
The Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) has said: All my people will enter Al-Jannah (The Garden) except those who refused. (On being asked about those who refused, he replied:) He who obeys me will enter Al-Jannah, he who disobeys me has refused. [Al-Bukhaari]
If anyone introduces into this affair of ours anything which does not belong to it, it is rejected. [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
None of you believes until I am dearer to him than his father, his child, and all of mankind [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
There are three qualities for which anyone who is characterized by them will experience the sweetness of faith: He whom Allah and His Messenger are dearer than all else; He who loves a human being for Allah's sake alone; and who has as great an abhorence of returning to unbelief after Allah has rescued him from it as he has of being cast in Hell. [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
Muhammad (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) Was A Man, Not Divine
The fifth implication of the testimony "Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah" is to believe that Muhammad (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) was only a man sent to us by Allah to be obeyed and that we do not worship him. Allah has said: Say to them (O Muhammad) 'I am only a man like you; it is revealed to me that your God (ilaah) is only One God; so let him who hopes for the meeting with his Rabb do righteousness and not associate anything in the worship of his Rabb'. [Soorah Al-Kahf Aayah 111]
The Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) has said: Do not over praise me as the Christians over-praised the son of Mary. I am His slave so say: 'Allah's slave and messenger' [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
Let each an every claimant to the religion of Islam be aware of the proofs of his faith and the essential aspects of his testimony. This is especially important in these times when anyone can make any claim and get support for it no matter how outlandish or unfounded by making unauthentic historical or textual claims. We thank Allah for preserving His religion for those who would seek to know the truth and we ask Him to put us and keep us upon the Straight Path, Ameen.
Showing posts with label Islamic Section. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Islamic Section. Show all posts
Human Rights in Islam
Since God is the absolute and the sole master of men and the universe, He is the sovereign Lord, the sustainer and Nourisher, the Merciful, Whose mercy enshrines all beings; and since He has given each man human dignity and honour, and breathed into him of His own spirit, it follows that, united in Him and through Him, and apart from their other human attributes, men are substantially the same and no tangible and actual distinction can be made among them, on account of their accidental differences such as nationality, colour or race.
Every human-being is thereby related to all others and all become one community of brotherhood in their honourable and pleasant servitude to the most compassionate Lord of the Universe. In such a heavenly atmosphere the Islamic confession of the oneness of God stands dominant and central, and necessarily entails the concept of the oneness of humanity and the brotherhood of mankind.
Although an Islamic state may be set up in any part of the earth, Islam does not seek to restrict human rights or privileges to the geographical limits of its own state. Islam has laid down some universal fundamental rights for humanity as a whole, which are to be observed and respected under all circumstances whether such a person is resident within the territory of the Islamic state or outside it, whether he is at peace with the state or at war.
The Qur'an very clearly states: { O ye who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not there be hatred of others to make you swerve to wrong and depart from Justice. Be just: that is next to Piety: and Fear Allah. For Allah is well -aquainted with all that you do } (Quran 5:80)
Human blood is sacred in any case and cannot be spilled without justification. And if anyone violates this sanctity of human blood by killing a soul without justification, the Qur'an equates it to the killing of entire mankind: { ..... Whoso slays a soul not to retaliate for a soul slain, nor for corruption done in the land, should be as if he had slain mankind altogether }
It is not permissible to oppress women, children, old people, the sick or the wounded. Women's honour and chastity are to be respected under all circumstances. The hungry person must be fed, the naked clothed and the wounded or diseased treated medically irrespective of whether they belong to the Islamic community or are from amongst its enemies.
When we speak of human rights in Islam we really mean that these rights have been granted by God; they have not been granted by any king or by any legislative assembly. The rights granted by the kings or the legislative assemblies, can also be withdrawn in the same manner in which they are conferred. The same is the case with the rights accepted and recognised by the dictators. They can confer them when they please and withdraw them when they wish; and they can openly violate them when they like. But since in Islam human rights have been conferred by God, no legislative assembly in the world or any government on earth has the right or authority to make any amendment or change in the rights conferred by God. No one has the right to abrogate them or withdraw them. Nor are they basic human rights which are conferred on paper for the sake of show and exhibition and denied in actual life when the show is over. Nor are they like philosophical concepts which have no sanctions behind them.
The charter and the proclamations and the resolutions of the United Nations cannot be compared with the rights sanctioned by God; because the former is not applicable on anybody while the latter is applicable on every believer. They are a part and parcel of the Islamic Faith. Every Muslim or administrator who claim themselves to be Muslims, will have to accept, recognise and enforce them. If they fail to enforce them, and start denying the rights that have been guaranteed by God or make amendments and changes in them, or practically violate them while paying lip service to them, the verdict of the Holy Qur'an for such government is clear and unequivocal: { Those who do not judge by what God has sent down are the disbelievers } (5:44).
Human Rights in an Islamic State :
*
1. The Security of Life and Property: In the address which the Prophet delivered on the occasion of the Farewell Hajj, he said: "Your lives and properties are forbidden to one another till you meet your Lord on the Day of Resurrection". The Prophet has also said about the dhimmis (the non-Muslim citizens of the Muslim state): "One who kills a man under covenant (i.e., Dhimmi) will not even smell the fragrance of Paradise".
*
2. The Protection of Honour: The Holy Qur'an lays down-
1) {You who believe, do not let one (set of) people make fun of another set}
2) {Do not defame one another}
3) {Do not insult by using nickname}
4) {Do not backbite or speak ill of one another}
*
3. Sanctity and Security of Private Life: The Qur'an has laid down the injunction-
1) {Do not spy on one another}
2) {Do not enter any houses unless you are sure of their occupant's consent}
*
4. The Security of Personal Freedom: Islam has laid down the principle that no citizen can be imprisoned unless his guilt has been proved in an open court. To arrest a man only on the basis of suspicion and to throw him into a prison without proper court proceedings and without providing him a reasonable opportunity to produce his defence is not permissible in Islam.
*
5. The Right to Protest Against Tyranny: Amongst the rights that Islam has conferred on human beings is the right to protest against government's tyranny. Referring to it the Qur'an says. "God does not love evil talk in public unless it is by some one who has been injured thereby". In Islam, as has been argued earlier, all power and authority belongs to God, and with man there is only delegated power which becomes a trust; everyone who becomes a recipient or a donee of such a power has to stand in awful reverence before his people towards whom and for whose sake he will be called upon to use these powers. This was acknowledged by Abu Bakr who said in his very first address: "Cooperate with me when I am right but correct me when I commit error; obey me so long as I follow the commandments of Allah and His prophet; but turn away from me when I deviate".
*
6. Freedom of Expression: Islam gives the right of freedom of thought and expression to all citizens of the Islamic state on the condition that it should be used for the propagation of virtue and truth and not for spreading evil and wickedness.
The Islamic concept of freedom of expression is much superior to the concept prevalent in the West. Under no circumstances would Islam allow evil and wickedness to be propagated. It also does not give anybody the right to use abusive or offensive language in the name of criticism. It was the practice of the Muslims to enquire from the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H.) whether on a certain matter a divine injunction had been revealed to him. If he said that he had received no divine injunction, the Muslims freely expressed their opinion on the matter.
*
7. Freedom of Association: Islam has also given people the right to freedom of association and formation of parties or organisations. This right is also subject to certain general rules.
*
8. Freedom of Conscience and Conviction: Islam has laid down the injunction: There should be no coercion in the matter of faith.
On the contrary totalitarian societies totally deprive the individuals of their freedom. Indeed this undue exaltation of the state authority curiously enough postulates a sort of servitude, of slavishness on the part of man. At one time slavery meant total control of man over man - now that type of slavery has been legally abolished but in its place totalitarian societies impose a similar sort of control over individuals.
*
9. Protection of Religious Sentiments: Along with freedom of conviction and freedom of conscience Islam has given the right to the individual that his religious sentiments will be given due respect and nothing will be said or done which may encroach upon his right.
*
10. Protection from Arbitrary Imprisonment: Islam also recognises the right of the individual that he will not be arrested or imprisoned for the offences of others. The Holy Qur'an has laid down this principle clearly: {No bearer of burdens shall be made to bear the burden of another}
*
11. The Right to Basic Necessities of Life: Islam has recognised the right of the needy people that help and assistance will be provided to them: And in their wealth there is acknowledged right for the needy and the destitute.
*
12. Equality Before Law: Islam gives its citizens the right to absolute and complete equality in the eyes of the law.
*
13. Rulers Not Above the Law: A woman belonging to a high and noble family was arrested in connection with theft. The case was brought to the Prophet, and it was recommended that she might be spared the punishment of theft. The Prophet replied, "The nations that lived before you were destroyed by God because they punished the common-man for their offences and let their dignitaries go unpunished
for their crimes; I swear by Him Who holds my life in His hand that even if Fatima, the daughter of Muhammad, had committed this crime, I would have amputated her hand".
*
14. The Right to Participate in the Affairs of State: {And their business is (conducted) through consultation among themselves} (42:38).
The shura or the legislative assembly has no other meaning except that: The executive head of the government and the members of the assembly should be elected by free and independent choice of the people.
Lastly, it is to be made clear that Islam tries to achieve the above-mentioned human rights and many others not only by providing certain legal safeguards but mainly by inviting mankind to transcend the lower level of animal life to be able to go beyond the mere ties fostered by the kinship of blood, racial superiority, linguistic arrogance, and economic privileges. It invites mankind to move on to a plane of existence where, by reason of his inner excellence, man can realise the ideal of the Brotherhood of man.
Every human-being is thereby related to all others and all become one community of brotherhood in their honourable and pleasant servitude to the most compassionate Lord of the Universe. In such a heavenly atmosphere the Islamic confession of the oneness of God stands dominant and central, and necessarily entails the concept of the oneness of humanity and the brotherhood of mankind.
Although an Islamic state may be set up in any part of the earth, Islam does not seek to restrict human rights or privileges to the geographical limits of its own state. Islam has laid down some universal fundamental rights for humanity as a whole, which are to be observed and respected under all circumstances whether such a person is resident within the territory of the Islamic state or outside it, whether he is at peace with the state or at war.
The Qur'an very clearly states: { O ye who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not there be hatred of others to make you swerve to wrong and depart from Justice. Be just: that is next to Piety: and Fear Allah. For Allah is well -aquainted with all that you do } (Quran 5:80)
Human blood is sacred in any case and cannot be spilled without justification. And if anyone violates this sanctity of human blood by killing a soul without justification, the Qur'an equates it to the killing of entire mankind: { ..... Whoso slays a soul not to retaliate for a soul slain, nor for corruption done in the land, should be as if he had slain mankind altogether }
It is not permissible to oppress women, children, old people, the sick or the wounded. Women's honour and chastity are to be respected under all circumstances. The hungry person must be fed, the naked clothed and the wounded or diseased treated medically irrespective of whether they belong to the Islamic community or are from amongst its enemies.
When we speak of human rights in Islam we really mean that these rights have been granted by God; they have not been granted by any king or by any legislative assembly. The rights granted by the kings or the legislative assemblies, can also be withdrawn in the same manner in which they are conferred. The same is the case with the rights accepted and recognised by the dictators. They can confer them when they please and withdraw them when they wish; and they can openly violate them when they like. But since in Islam human rights have been conferred by God, no legislative assembly in the world or any government on earth has the right or authority to make any amendment or change in the rights conferred by God. No one has the right to abrogate them or withdraw them. Nor are they basic human rights which are conferred on paper for the sake of show and exhibition and denied in actual life when the show is over. Nor are they like philosophical concepts which have no sanctions behind them.
The charter and the proclamations and the resolutions of the United Nations cannot be compared with the rights sanctioned by God; because the former is not applicable on anybody while the latter is applicable on every believer. They are a part and parcel of the Islamic Faith. Every Muslim or administrator who claim themselves to be Muslims, will have to accept, recognise and enforce them. If they fail to enforce them, and start denying the rights that have been guaranteed by God or make amendments and changes in them, or practically violate them while paying lip service to them, the verdict of the Holy Qur'an for such government is clear and unequivocal: { Those who do not judge by what God has sent down are the disbelievers } (5:44).
Human Rights in an Islamic State :
*
1. The Security of Life and Property: In the address which the Prophet delivered on the occasion of the Farewell Hajj, he said: "Your lives and properties are forbidden to one another till you meet your Lord on the Day of Resurrection". The Prophet has also said about the dhimmis (the non-Muslim citizens of the Muslim state): "One who kills a man under covenant (i.e., Dhimmi) will not even smell the fragrance of Paradise".
*
2. The Protection of Honour: The Holy Qur'an lays down-
1) {You who believe, do not let one (set of) people make fun of another set}
2) {Do not defame one another}
3) {Do not insult by using nickname}
4) {Do not backbite or speak ill of one another}
*
3. Sanctity and Security of Private Life: The Qur'an has laid down the injunction-
1) {Do not spy on one another}
2) {Do not enter any houses unless you are sure of their occupant's consent}
*
4. The Security of Personal Freedom: Islam has laid down the principle that no citizen can be imprisoned unless his guilt has been proved in an open court. To arrest a man only on the basis of suspicion and to throw him into a prison without proper court proceedings and without providing him a reasonable opportunity to produce his defence is not permissible in Islam.
*
5. The Right to Protest Against Tyranny: Amongst the rights that Islam has conferred on human beings is the right to protest against government's tyranny. Referring to it the Qur'an says. "God does not love evil talk in public unless it is by some one who has been injured thereby". In Islam, as has been argued earlier, all power and authority belongs to God, and with man there is only delegated power which becomes a trust; everyone who becomes a recipient or a donee of such a power has to stand in awful reverence before his people towards whom and for whose sake he will be called upon to use these powers. This was acknowledged by Abu Bakr who said in his very first address: "Cooperate with me when I am right but correct me when I commit error; obey me so long as I follow the commandments of Allah and His prophet; but turn away from me when I deviate".
*
6. Freedom of Expression: Islam gives the right of freedom of thought and expression to all citizens of the Islamic state on the condition that it should be used for the propagation of virtue and truth and not for spreading evil and wickedness.
The Islamic concept of freedom of expression is much superior to the concept prevalent in the West. Under no circumstances would Islam allow evil and wickedness to be propagated. It also does not give anybody the right to use abusive or offensive language in the name of criticism. It was the practice of the Muslims to enquire from the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H.) whether on a certain matter a divine injunction had been revealed to him. If he said that he had received no divine injunction, the Muslims freely expressed their opinion on the matter.
*
7. Freedom of Association: Islam has also given people the right to freedom of association and formation of parties or organisations. This right is also subject to certain general rules.
*
8. Freedom of Conscience and Conviction: Islam has laid down the injunction: There should be no coercion in the matter of faith.
On the contrary totalitarian societies totally deprive the individuals of their freedom. Indeed this undue exaltation of the state authority curiously enough postulates a sort of servitude, of slavishness on the part of man. At one time slavery meant total control of man over man - now that type of slavery has been legally abolished but in its place totalitarian societies impose a similar sort of control over individuals.
*
9. Protection of Religious Sentiments: Along with freedom of conviction and freedom of conscience Islam has given the right to the individual that his religious sentiments will be given due respect and nothing will be said or done which may encroach upon his right.
*
10. Protection from Arbitrary Imprisonment: Islam also recognises the right of the individual that he will not be arrested or imprisoned for the offences of others. The Holy Qur'an has laid down this principle clearly: {No bearer of burdens shall be made to bear the burden of another}
*
11. The Right to Basic Necessities of Life: Islam has recognised the right of the needy people that help and assistance will be provided to them: And in their wealth there is acknowledged right for the needy and the destitute.
*
12. Equality Before Law: Islam gives its citizens the right to absolute and complete equality in the eyes of the law.
*
13. Rulers Not Above the Law: A woman belonging to a high and noble family was arrested in connection with theft. The case was brought to the Prophet, and it was recommended that she might be spared the punishment of theft. The Prophet replied, "The nations that lived before you were destroyed by God because they punished the common-man for their offences and let their dignitaries go unpunished
for their crimes; I swear by Him Who holds my life in His hand that even if Fatima, the daughter of Muhammad, had committed this crime, I would have amputated her hand".
*
14. The Right to Participate in the Affairs of State: {And their business is (conducted) through consultation among themselves} (42:38).
The shura or the legislative assembly has no other meaning except that: The executive head of the government and the members of the assembly should be elected by free and independent choice of the people.
Lastly, it is to be made clear that Islam tries to achieve the above-mentioned human rights and many others not only by providing certain legal safeguards but mainly by inviting mankind to transcend the lower level of animal life to be able to go beyond the mere ties fostered by the kinship of blood, racial superiority, linguistic arrogance, and economic privileges. It invites mankind to move on to a plane of existence where, by reason of his inner excellence, man can realise the ideal of the Brotherhood of man.
Islam: Misunderstood throughout the World
James A. Bill (professor of government and director of the Reves Center for International Studies at the College of William and Mary in Virginia) writes - 'By the turn of the century, for the first time in history, the number of Muslims (those who practice Islam) will have surpassed the number of Christians in the world.
Islam is a monotheistic religion, civilization and way of life now practiced by 1.1 billion people. Easily the world's fastest growing religion, Islam is not confined to the Middle East. It is a truly universal force. More Muslims live in America today than all the Presbyterians and Episcopalians put together.
There are more than 1,200 mosques in the United States and 1000 mosques in England, where the Muslim community has established its own national parliament. There are more Muslims in Indonesia than in Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Syria and Saudi Arabia put together. More live in Malaysia than in Jordan, Lebanon and Kuwait combined. Nearly 20 million Muslims live in China.
Wherever one looks, Islam is on the move. As the people of many societies find themselves rootless, disconnected and alienated, they increasingly seek help in a comforting Islamic ideological refuge. In a world of incoherent violence, widening inequities, political corruption and shattered families, many are massing behind the green flag of Islam. This is essentially a populist movement, a bubbling up from below, a march of the distressed, the dispossessed and the oppressed. ....
… Although the great bulk of Muslims seek to improve their status through quiet, moderate and pacific means, violent methods have been adopted by fringe groups—elements also present in Christianity and Judaism. Oblivious to their own profound ignorance and often harboring crude political motivations, many Western opinion leaders consistently label all Muslims with words such as 'aggressive', 'militant' and 'uncivilized'. Islam is the 'religion of the sword'; Muslim activists are 'terrorists,' and Muslims countries that challenge Western policies are 'outlaw states'.
Muslims themselves maintain quite a different worldview. It is in the deepest interest of the United States to attempt to understand this perspective. In brief, Muslims see themselves as the afflicted, not the afflictors; they feel themselves desperately on the defensive, not on the offensive; they consider themselves the objects of violence, not the initiators of violence. In sum, Muslims across the world consider themselves victims. In support of their position, Muslims will take their Christian and Jewish neighbors on a quick tour of the world. They inevitably begin with Bosnia, where nearly 200,000 Muslims have been slaughtered by Serbian Christians. Muslims are horrified and sickened by the fact that 22,000 Muslim women, aged 9 to 82, have been raped by Christian troopers. Muslims wonder privately about the weak and very late Western response.
In Kashmir, Indian occupying forces violently oppress Muslims, killing thousands of Kashmiris. Elsewhere in India in December 1992 and January 1993, violent Hindu mobs went on a rampage in Bombay, killing over 800 Muslims, destroying 5000 Muslim homes and forcing 200,000 Muslims to flee the city. Mosques were firebombed and mothers watched as their sons were pulled from their homes and slain or burned alive. In Tajikstan and other places in Central Asia, the Communists have made a comeback and, with the help of Russian troops, have attacked and killed more than 20,000 Muslims. Another 350,000 have been forced to flee.
Even in China, Muslims find themselves under heavy military pressure. Chinese troops oppress Muslims in the western province of Xinjiang.
Even in many of the predominantly Muslim countries of the Middle East, Muslims find themselves under attack where the leadership is essentially secular. In Iraq, Saddam Hussein continues his war of genocide against the Shi'ites in the south.
In Algeria, when the Islamists scored a surprise victory in the December 1991 elections, the regime declared the election null and void. Since then, Algeria has been the scene of a bloody civil war. The government blames Islamic fundamentalists of striking terror in the very same areas where they had received majority of votes from. The governments explanation of fundamentalists unleashing waves of terror in their own strongholds, sounds very plausible indeed and casts shadows of dound over the credentials of the secular government instead.
In Egypt, Hosni Mubarak's regime, facing widespread disaffection of its people, pursues a policy of torture and execution of members of the Muslim opposition. In March 1993, his troops fired upon 500 unarmed Muslims at prayer in the Rahman Mosque in Aswan, killing nine and injuring 50. In the West Bank, another more widely publicized mosque massacre occurred a year later in Hebron when a Jewish settler killed 30 in a group of praying Muslims before the survivors could beat him to death. This litany of anti-Islamic violence is recognized and recited by Muslims everywhere. The situation is exacerbated when Muslims incredulously find themselves labeled as terrorists and when Western governments encourage their secular Middle Eastern allies to confront Muslim populist movements with brute force. One result of these Western perceptions and policies, of course, is that they begin to radicalize the huge mass of moderate Muslim believers. Meanwhile, the extremists on the fringes become more active and militant.
A vicious cycle of misunderstanding, misguided policy and increasing violence has been set in motion. Before this vicious cycle begins to spin wildly out of control, it is essential that non-Muslims make a major effort to slow it down. Such an effort will, as the very first step, require that stereotypes be discarded.
Second, recent history shows that the application of force is not always an effective way of countering a system of deeply held ideas and beliefs. The steady flame of resurgent Islam will not be extinguished by the breeze of bullets or the blast of missiles. A recently published report in Washington Post, confirms Islam to be the fastest growing religion in the United States despite hostile government policies and negative media stereotyping, only goes on to prove the truth of this statement. It is time for everyone to take a crash course on Islam. More recently, CNN too published a report, first of US kind ever done in this part of the World, titled as: Islam in US - Growing and maturing.'
Islam is a monotheistic religion, civilization and way of life now practiced by 1.1 billion people. Easily the world's fastest growing religion, Islam is not confined to the Middle East. It is a truly universal force. More Muslims live in America today than all the Presbyterians and Episcopalians put together.
There are more than 1,200 mosques in the United States and 1000 mosques in England, where the Muslim community has established its own national parliament. There are more Muslims in Indonesia than in Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Syria and Saudi Arabia put together. More live in Malaysia than in Jordan, Lebanon and Kuwait combined. Nearly 20 million Muslims live in China.
Wherever one looks, Islam is on the move. As the people of many societies find themselves rootless, disconnected and alienated, they increasingly seek help in a comforting Islamic ideological refuge. In a world of incoherent violence, widening inequities, political corruption and shattered families, many are massing behind the green flag of Islam. This is essentially a populist movement, a bubbling up from below, a march of the distressed, the dispossessed and the oppressed. ....
… Although the great bulk of Muslims seek to improve their status through quiet, moderate and pacific means, violent methods have been adopted by fringe groups—elements also present in Christianity and Judaism. Oblivious to their own profound ignorance and often harboring crude political motivations, many Western opinion leaders consistently label all Muslims with words such as 'aggressive', 'militant' and 'uncivilized'. Islam is the 'religion of the sword'; Muslim activists are 'terrorists,' and Muslims countries that challenge Western policies are 'outlaw states'.
Muslims themselves maintain quite a different worldview. It is in the deepest interest of the United States to attempt to understand this perspective. In brief, Muslims see themselves as the afflicted, not the afflictors; they feel themselves desperately on the defensive, not on the offensive; they consider themselves the objects of violence, not the initiators of violence. In sum, Muslims across the world consider themselves victims. In support of their position, Muslims will take their Christian and Jewish neighbors on a quick tour of the world. They inevitably begin with Bosnia, where nearly 200,000 Muslims have been slaughtered by Serbian Christians. Muslims are horrified and sickened by the fact that 22,000 Muslim women, aged 9 to 82, have been raped by Christian troopers. Muslims wonder privately about the weak and very late Western response.
In Kashmir, Indian occupying forces violently oppress Muslims, killing thousands of Kashmiris. Elsewhere in India in December 1992 and January 1993, violent Hindu mobs went on a rampage in Bombay, killing over 800 Muslims, destroying 5000 Muslim homes and forcing 200,000 Muslims to flee the city. Mosques were firebombed and mothers watched as their sons were pulled from their homes and slain or burned alive. In Tajikstan and other places in Central Asia, the Communists have made a comeback and, with the help of Russian troops, have attacked and killed more than 20,000 Muslims. Another 350,000 have been forced to flee.
Even in China, Muslims find themselves under heavy military pressure. Chinese troops oppress Muslims in the western province of Xinjiang.
Even in many of the predominantly Muslim countries of the Middle East, Muslims find themselves under attack where the leadership is essentially secular. In Iraq, Saddam Hussein continues his war of genocide against the Shi'ites in the south.
In Algeria, when the Islamists scored a surprise victory in the December 1991 elections, the regime declared the election null and void. Since then, Algeria has been the scene of a bloody civil war. The government blames Islamic fundamentalists of striking terror in the very same areas where they had received majority of votes from. The governments explanation of fundamentalists unleashing waves of terror in their own strongholds, sounds very plausible indeed and casts shadows of dound over the credentials of the secular government instead.
In Egypt, Hosni Mubarak's regime, facing widespread disaffection of its people, pursues a policy of torture and execution of members of the Muslim opposition. In March 1993, his troops fired upon 500 unarmed Muslims at prayer in the Rahman Mosque in Aswan, killing nine and injuring 50. In the West Bank, another more widely publicized mosque massacre occurred a year later in Hebron when a Jewish settler killed 30 in a group of praying Muslims before the survivors could beat him to death. This litany of anti-Islamic violence is recognized and recited by Muslims everywhere. The situation is exacerbated when Muslims incredulously find themselves labeled as terrorists and when Western governments encourage their secular Middle Eastern allies to confront Muslim populist movements with brute force. One result of these Western perceptions and policies, of course, is that they begin to radicalize the huge mass of moderate Muslim believers. Meanwhile, the extremists on the fringes become more active and militant.
A vicious cycle of misunderstanding, misguided policy and increasing violence has been set in motion. Before this vicious cycle begins to spin wildly out of control, it is essential that non-Muslims make a major effort to slow it down. Such an effort will, as the very first step, require that stereotypes be discarded.
Second, recent history shows that the application of force is not always an effective way of countering a system of deeply held ideas and beliefs. The steady flame of resurgent Islam will not be extinguished by the breeze of bullets or the blast of missiles. A recently published report in Washington Post, confirms Islam to be the fastest growing religion in the United States despite hostile government policies and negative media stereotyping, only goes on to prove the truth of this statement. It is time for everyone to take a crash course on Islam. More recently, CNN too published a report, first of US kind ever done in this part of the World, titled as: Islam in US - Growing and maturing.'
Golden Words of Wisdom by Sayyiduna Ghawth al-Aa‘zam
Golden Words of Wisdom by Sayyiduna Ghawth al-Aa‘zam
* Though I be in the west and my disciple in the East, if a world goes to attack him, I know. I will save him.
* Look towards that person who looks towards you. Love that person that loves you, listen to that person that listens to you and give your hands in his hands that are prepared to grasp it.
* A mans position in life is such that though he is mortal he is reborn with pleasure in the winds of afflictions. It is that very same life whose consequence is not death. It is that very same comfort which has no extreme anguish.
* That person who has enmity against a well to do companion, he totally rejects the wisdom and foresight of the sustainers.
* Many wealthy people because of greed are poor and needy, in reality the brave person is he who wrestles and defeats the devil of greed and thereafter becomes independent and without want of need from this material World.
* The person who backbites and speaks ill of us are actually our success because they pay homage to us by writing their good deeds into our deed books.
* Look carefully at the previous graves lying in ruin. How the sands of beautiful people are turning bad.
* If you do not find the sweetness of doing a good deed then be aware that you have not done that deed.
* Disrespect earns the displeasure of the creator and the creation.
* To please the enemies of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala is beyond comprehension and wisdom.
* O! Gifts do not imprison me so that I become unmindful to the benefactor.
* O! Doers of good deeds giving birth to sincerity in your deeds can never be a wasted effort.
* Among the creation, silence is not bravery but rather impatience.
* The person who cannot educate his own soul, then how is he going to educate others.
* The love of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala and the Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam is intertwined in poverty and starvation.
* The love of the World generally blinded the eyes, those eyes which should have been used to identify the specialties of the Almighty Creator.
* The person who becomes aware of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala then he becomes hospitable towards the creation.
* Preach only in accordance to religion otherwise remaining dumb is better.
* To adopt anonymity and unwholesomeness relative to it is peaceful.
* As long as there remains on this earth one person in your heart whom you fear or have high expectations of, then until then your Faith is not complete.
* Until you still possess arrogance and anger you cannot classify yourself amongst the learned.
* That sustenance whose extent is expansive but no thanks is given for it and that means of livelihood which is difficult but no patience is shown for it become a source of revolt and mischief.
* Always hold the best opinions about others and think ill of yourself.
* O! ‘Alim do not soil your knowledge by sitting in the company of Worldly people.
* Your speech will tell what is in your heart.
* An oppressor destroys the World of the oppressed, and his own in the hereafter.
* To start something good is your job and to see it completed is the work of your creator.
* A wise person first question his heart thereafter speaks with his mouth.
* To remain alone is protection and safety and to every sin there is a period of execution.
* Except for the needs of your children and family do not leave the house unnecessarily.
* Endeavor not to start a conversation and your speaking becomes necessary only to answer a question.
* Keep your mouth closed from answering unnecessary questions so that you can remain safe from unnecessary talk.
* That person who is never distressed, has no virtue.
* Material people chase the World while the World chases the friends of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala .
* This World is a World of exertion for a Mo’min while the hereafter is a World of relaxation.
* Suspicion closes all the benefits to be accrued.
* An understanding person finds no joy in anything, for it has accountability, for being lawful or a punishment for it being unlawful.
* To make the soul receive the truth is its existence while making it receive failures, errors, falsehood and wrongdoings is its annihilation.
* Those who belong to Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala carry out his commands and even their hearts are reinforced by it. You carry on committing sin then to you have no fear. This is obvious evidence of betrayal. Beware; safeguard yourself for you may be caught out unawares when your allotted time is up.
* A disrespectful becomes the object of displeasure and wrath of both the creator and the creation.
* Iman (Faith) is the root while deeds and actions are its branches. Therefore stay away from associating with your Iman and sin with your actions.
* First there is ignorance, thereafter knowledge, then follows practice upon your knowledge, thereafter sincerity upon that action and finally comes understanding and wisdom in the heart.
* If you do not have patience then poverty and sicknesses become a misfortune and if you adopt patience then it becomes nobility and graciousness.
* To gain the happiness of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala is impossible if you cannot make a poor person happy. The treatment for afflictions upon oneself is to gain the happiness and pleasure of the poor.
* Whosoever asks of the creation is blind to the doors of the creator.
* You are busy in fulfilling the desires and wishes of the soul (nafs) while the nafs is busy in destroying you.
* That person is close to Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala who is kind and affectionate towards the creation.
* Rejection (kufr) of the divine blessings and providence is contrary to achieving closeness to the truth.
* Hundreds of thousands of people just like you have been fattened and then swallowed by this World.
* Do not be fooled by your youthful appearance for very soon it would be taken away from you.
* Poverty saves one from sin and wealth is a trap for sins regard poverty as your protector.
* To make a poor person happy makes one the inheritor of and undisclosed amount of reward.
* What are you going to do by taking the bounties? Take the merciful and compassionate one. Every pious person is from the progeny and following of Muhammad SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam.
* He whose fate is ultimately death then what is the need for happiness.
* People do not regard you with respect because you are proud and vain but rather they look up to you when you are polite and hospitable.
* Keep your hearts open only for Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala and to busy yourself in earning a means of livelihood for your family is also following the commands.
* To remember death is the best treatment for all ailments.
* Worship and prayers breaks unwanted habits and should not be but a habit only.
* The person who wishes to tame his soul should bridle it with silence and good etiquettes.
* Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala asks a loan of his servants and the messengers of this are the beggars.
* For the whole period I spent in the companionship of my sheikh (spiritual guide) I have never seen the whiteness of his teeth.
* Whenever it is possible reform each morsel for the foundations of good deeds lies in it.
* The creation are like children in relation to the saints of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala .
* It is a lie if one says by sitting in the company of those women with whom relationships are lawful and young boys; one has absolutely no inclination towards them. Islamic principles (Shari‘ah) is neither definitely not in agreement nor does a sound mind allow for such conformities and this is total rejection of Shariat for Shari‘ah has never given anyone exemption from this.
* When the angels do not enter a house in which there are images pictures then how do you expect Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala to enter your heart which is full of thousands of statues and idols. Anything else besides Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala presence in the heart is images and idols.
* A visit to the pious person communicates the condition of the person.
* The key to the closeness to the truth is in private consultations and journeys.
* Do not become subservient to the gifts in such a manner that you forget the bestowal of the gifts.
* The provisions and luggage undoubtedly is modesty, such that, because of it, the doors of sovereignty and reality seem closed.
* It is not becoming of a mo’min to sleep until he has kept his will and testimony ready.
* The obedience of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala is by asking and not by desiring.
* You are busy in building mansions and palaces for others to stay in while; its accountability rests entirely on you.
* O! Children of Adam Alaihis Salaam be modest towards Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala as you would be modest towards your religious neighbor.
* When a person commits a sin, he closes the doors, draws the veils and hides from the creation and goes against the commands of the creator in private, and then the creator says, O! Son of Adam Alaihis Salaam you have regarded me the least amongst those that can see you because you found it necessary to hide yourself from the creation yet you have not shown modesty and shame even equivalent to that of the creation towards me.
* It is not beneficial to be a master at speech when you are immature at heart.
* Be obedient with a direction; don’t become obedient to the masses.
* Do not become a polytheist by regarding your wealth as absolute and total power of assistance.
* O! You who make fun of others very soon you will know the answer to your own fate.
* O! Munafiqa (Hypocrites) very soon you will see the punishment of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala descending upon you in this World and the hereafter. The times are pregnant and very soon you will see what it gives birth to.
* Your actions are proof of your belief and your exterior appearance is a sign of your interior condition.
* To turn your face towards the creation is to turn your back towards Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala .
* Empty desires are the jungle of stupidity and folly and only the foolish hustle and bustle aimlessly within it.
* Make silence your habit, anonymity you clothing, escape from the creation your aim and if it is possible then dig the hole and sit down in it. This habit should stay with you until such time that you Iman (Faith) has reached an age of maturity and is unquestionable.
* Those that wish the approval of the creation should show patience of the oppression of the created.
* Do not turn away from the creator because of some misfortune, because he may be testing you with it.
* Moderation is half of one’s sustenance (livelihood) and good manners is half of religion (Deen).
* O Doers of good deeds! Adopt sincerity otherwise it is wasted effort.
* If you are afraid of your destination then whichever way or wherever you look at, you will find that you are surrounded by ferocious beasts.
* Good deeds are done in privacy and not in public except that which is Fard (compulsory) which is performed in exposure.
* Everything that you rely on, every person you afraid of or you keep that trust in, becomes your God.
* 1. Special testimony 2. Making the commands of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala compulsory upon yourself 3. Not to fear or trust anyone 4. To make all your needs aware only to Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala and put your Faith in him, To ask of him alone and never put your trust in anyone except Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala .
* A seeker is not truthful until he places the needs of sustenance of his companions over and above the sustenance of his soul and desires.
* Remain honourable among the people, for by revealing your poverty you will fall in status in their eyes.
* Meet the wealthy and rich with dignity ad prevalence and the poor with humility and humbleness.
* Your keeping the company of careless and negligent people is a sigh of your carelessness and negligence.
* To love of the creations is in its well wishing.
* To give is better than to receive.
* That person who is generous with the creation then he is close to Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala .
* A residence that is fit to be called a house, clothes that cover the body, a stomach full of sustenance and a wife is not regarded as Worldly but to face towards the Worldly while showing your back to your creator is Worldly.
* Even if you have said Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala aloud, then even then you would be interrogated whether it was said in sincerity or in show.
* When the remembrance of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala finds a place in the heart then for servant to remember Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala continuously becomes continuous and everlasting even though the lips are closed.
* Carry out the rights that the ruler has upon you and do not question that which is obligatory upon you.
* There is greater dignity in the remembrance of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala than in death; at the time of cutting someone short by razing them to the ground and thereafter realising it was fruitless to sow the seeds of hate.
* Hide your troubles and you will receive closeness to Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala .
* A mo’min leaves his family in the care of the creator while a munaafiq leaves his family in the care of his dirham and dinaars (wealth).
* There are 3 types of creation 1. Angels 2. The Devil 3. Man. The Angels are entirely good and the devil is entirely bad. Man is a mixture of good and bad. Whoever is overcome with good he can be likened to an Angel and whoever is overcome with evil he can be likened to the devil.
* Do not laugh with those that are laughing but cry with those that are crying.
* If your thoughts are with the creator then you are subservient to the creator. If your thoughts are with the creation then you are subservient to the creation.
* Give priority to the hereafter over the World and you will benefit in both, but priority is given to the World over the hereafter then you would suffer losses in both.
* Do not spend even one night in the hate and malice of anybody.
* The sign of your sincerity is that you praise the creation and you do not turn your attention towards derogatory remarks nor do you show greed and avarice towards their wealth but you give your lord his right and your deeds are for your benefactor and not for the gifts, for the king and not for the kingdom and for the truth and not for falsehood.
* As long as the doors of good health are open to you then regard it as a blessing for very soon it will be closed upon you. So as long as you have the strength and power to do good deeds regard it as a blessing.
* It is wrong to claim respect towards your creator as long as you have no respect whatsoever for his creation.
* When an ‘Alim is not an ascetic then, he is a punishment upon those that follow him.
* A Mu’min, as he grows older Faith becomes stronger.
* To search for good fortune is an unnecessary trouble and to search for that which is not your destiny is to anger Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala and disgraceful.
* You do not concern yourself in making the creator angry by pleasing the creation. In exchange for Worldly mansions and building you destroy your hereafter. Very soon you will be caught. He will definitely catch you whose imprisonment is very, very fearful.
* What, you do not become ashamed ordering him to change your fate? Are your more commanding, more just and merciful than him? You and the entire creation are his servants. It becomes compulsory upon you to adopt, peace, solitude and silence.
* Saying without deeds and deeds without sincerity are not worthy of acceptance.
* A person once came to the Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam and said that he loves him (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam) very much. The Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam said to him “lay down a cloth or spread a cloth for Poverty.” Another person said that he loves Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala , The Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam said “spread a cloth for misfortune, for the love of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala and the Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam is intertwined with poverty and misfortunes.”
* You are busy accumulating that which you would not be able to eat. You desire for that which you cannot attain. Construct those buildings in which you will not stay. All this makes you blind to the status of your creator.
* Be happy in the changes and choices that the creator made for you. If you stay in this manner with him then he will definitely change your fears and horrors.
* Adopt patience for this World is an assembly of troubles and calamities.
* When somebody approaches carrying tales or gossiping or informing you about what another has said to him about you then admonish him and tell him that he is worst than that person that was gossiping about you for that person spoke behind your back while he is telling it straight to your face. That person has not made you listen yet he made you listen to it.
* What an unfortunate person is he who had not been given the habit of being merciful in his heart for all living things?
* Your biggest enemies are those that are your biggest supporters.
* The sum total of all the essence of good is to seek knowledge, practice upon it and teaching it to somebody.
* Look towards that person who looks towards you. Love that person that loves you, listen to that person that listens to you and give your hands in his hands that are prepared to grasp it.
* A mans position in life is such that though he is mortal he is reborn with pleasure in the winds of afflictions. It is that very same life whose consequence is not death. It is that very same comfort which has no extreme anguish.
* That person who has enmity against a well to do companion, he totally rejects the wisdom and foresight of the sustainers.
* Many wealthy people because of greed are poor and needy, in reality the brave person is he who wrestles and defeats the devil of greed and thereafter becomes independent and without want of need from this material World.
* The person who backbites and speaks ill of us are actually our success because they pay homage to us by writing their good deeds into our deed books.
* Look carefully at the previous graves lying in ruin. How the sands of beautiful people are turning bad.
* If you do not find the sweetness of doing a good deed then be aware that you have not done that deed.
* Disrespect earns the displeasure of the creator and the creation.
* To please the enemies of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala is beyond comprehension and wisdom.
* O! Gifts do not imprison me so that I become unmindful to the benefactor.
* O! Doers of good deeds giving birth to sincerity in your deeds can never be a wasted effort.
* Among the creation, silence is not bravery but rather impatience.
* The person who cannot educate his own soul, then how is he going to educate others.
* The love of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala and the Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam is intertwined in poverty and starvation.
* The love of the World generally blinded the eyes, those eyes which should have been used to identify the specialties of the Almighty Creator.
* The person who becomes aware of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala then he becomes hospitable towards the creation.
* Preach only in accordance to religion otherwise remaining dumb is better.
* To adopt anonymity and unwholesomeness relative to it is peaceful.
* As long as there remains on this earth one person in your heart whom you fear or have high expectations of, then until then your Faith is not complete.
* Until you still possess arrogance and anger you cannot classify yourself amongst the learned.
* That sustenance whose extent is expansive but no thanks is given for it and that means of livelihood which is difficult but no patience is shown for it become a source of revolt and mischief.
* Always hold the best opinions about others and think ill of yourself.
* O! ‘Alim do not soil your knowledge by sitting in the company of Worldly people.
* Your speech will tell what is in your heart.
* An oppressor destroys the World of the oppressed, and his own in the hereafter.
* To start something good is your job and to see it completed is the work of your creator.
* A wise person first question his heart thereafter speaks with his mouth.
* To remain alone is protection and safety and to every sin there is a period of execution.
* Except for the needs of your children and family do not leave the house unnecessarily.
* Endeavor not to start a conversation and your speaking becomes necessary only to answer a question.
* Keep your mouth closed from answering unnecessary questions so that you can remain safe from unnecessary talk.
* That person who is never distressed, has no virtue.
* Material people chase the World while the World chases the friends of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala .
* This World is a World of exertion for a Mo’min while the hereafter is a World of relaxation.
* Suspicion closes all the benefits to be accrued.
* An understanding person finds no joy in anything, for it has accountability, for being lawful or a punishment for it being unlawful.
* To make the soul receive the truth is its existence while making it receive failures, errors, falsehood and wrongdoings is its annihilation.
* Those who belong to Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala carry out his commands and even their hearts are reinforced by it. You carry on committing sin then to you have no fear. This is obvious evidence of betrayal. Beware; safeguard yourself for you may be caught out unawares when your allotted time is up.
* A disrespectful becomes the object of displeasure and wrath of both the creator and the creation.
* Iman (Faith) is the root while deeds and actions are its branches. Therefore stay away from associating with your Iman and sin with your actions.
* First there is ignorance, thereafter knowledge, then follows practice upon your knowledge, thereafter sincerity upon that action and finally comes understanding and wisdom in the heart.
* If you do not have patience then poverty and sicknesses become a misfortune and if you adopt patience then it becomes nobility and graciousness.
* To gain the happiness of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala is impossible if you cannot make a poor person happy. The treatment for afflictions upon oneself is to gain the happiness and pleasure of the poor.
* Whosoever asks of the creation is blind to the doors of the creator.
* You are busy in fulfilling the desires and wishes of the soul (nafs) while the nafs is busy in destroying you.
* That person is close to Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala who is kind and affectionate towards the creation.
* Rejection (kufr) of the divine blessings and providence is contrary to achieving closeness to the truth.
* Hundreds of thousands of people just like you have been fattened and then swallowed by this World.
* Do not be fooled by your youthful appearance for very soon it would be taken away from you.
* Poverty saves one from sin and wealth is a trap for sins regard poverty as your protector.
* To make a poor person happy makes one the inheritor of and undisclosed amount of reward.
* What are you going to do by taking the bounties? Take the merciful and compassionate one. Every pious person is from the progeny and following of Muhammad SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam.
* He whose fate is ultimately death then what is the need for happiness.
* People do not regard you with respect because you are proud and vain but rather they look up to you when you are polite and hospitable.
* Keep your hearts open only for Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala and to busy yourself in earning a means of livelihood for your family is also following the commands.
* To remember death is the best treatment for all ailments.
* Worship and prayers breaks unwanted habits and should not be but a habit only.
* The person who wishes to tame his soul should bridle it with silence and good etiquettes.
* Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala asks a loan of his servants and the messengers of this are the beggars.
* For the whole period I spent in the companionship of my sheikh (spiritual guide) I have never seen the whiteness of his teeth.
* Whenever it is possible reform each morsel for the foundations of good deeds lies in it.
* The creation are like children in relation to the saints of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala .
* It is a lie if one says by sitting in the company of those women with whom relationships are lawful and young boys; one has absolutely no inclination towards them. Islamic principles (Shari‘ah) is neither definitely not in agreement nor does a sound mind allow for such conformities and this is total rejection of Shariat for Shari‘ah has never given anyone exemption from this.
* When the angels do not enter a house in which there are images pictures then how do you expect Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala to enter your heart which is full of thousands of statues and idols. Anything else besides Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala presence in the heart is images and idols.
* A visit to the pious person communicates the condition of the person.
* The key to the closeness to the truth is in private consultations and journeys.
* Do not become subservient to the gifts in such a manner that you forget the bestowal of the gifts.
* The provisions and luggage undoubtedly is modesty, such that, because of it, the doors of sovereignty and reality seem closed.
* It is not becoming of a mo’min to sleep until he has kept his will and testimony ready.
* The obedience of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala is by asking and not by desiring.
* You are busy in building mansions and palaces for others to stay in while; its accountability rests entirely on you.
* O! Children of Adam Alaihis Salaam be modest towards Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala as you would be modest towards your religious neighbor.
* When a person commits a sin, he closes the doors, draws the veils and hides from the creation and goes against the commands of the creator in private, and then the creator says, O! Son of Adam Alaihis Salaam you have regarded me the least amongst those that can see you because you found it necessary to hide yourself from the creation yet you have not shown modesty and shame even equivalent to that of the creation towards me.
* It is not beneficial to be a master at speech when you are immature at heart.
* Be obedient with a direction; don’t become obedient to the masses.
* Do not become a polytheist by regarding your wealth as absolute and total power of assistance.
* O! You who make fun of others very soon you will know the answer to your own fate.
* O! Munafiqa (Hypocrites) very soon you will see the punishment of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala descending upon you in this World and the hereafter. The times are pregnant and very soon you will see what it gives birth to.
* Your actions are proof of your belief and your exterior appearance is a sign of your interior condition.
* To turn your face towards the creation is to turn your back towards Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala .
* Empty desires are the jungle of stupidity and folly and only the foolish hustle and bustle aimlessly within it.
* Make silence your habit, anonymity you clothing, escape from the creation your aim and if it is possible then dig the hole and sit down in it. This habit should stay with you until such time that you Iman (Faith) has reached an age of maturity and is unquestionable.
* Those that wish the approval of the creation should show patience of the oppression of the created.
* Do not turn away from the creator because of some misfortune, because he may be testing you with it.
* Moderation is half of one’s sustenance (livelihood) and good manners is half of religion (Deen).
* O Doers of good deeds! Adopt sincerity otherwise it is wasted effort.
* If you are afraid of your destination then whichever way or wherever you look at, you will find that you are surrounded by ferocious beasts.
* Good deeds are done in privacy and not in public except that which is Fard (compulsory) which is performed in exposure.
* Everything that you rely on, every person you afraid of or you keep that trust in, becomes your God.
* 1. Special testimony 2. Making the commands of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala compulsory upon yourself 3. Not to fear or trust anyone 4. To make all your needs aware only to Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala and put your Faith in him, To ask of him alone and never put your trust in anyone except Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala .
* A seeker is not truthful until he places the needs of sustenance of his companions over and above the sustenance of his soul and desires.
* Remain honourable among the people, for by revealing your poverty you will fall in status in their eyes.
* Meet the wealthy and rich with dignity ad prevalence and the poor with humility and humbleness.
* Your keeping the company of careless and negligent people is a sigh of your carelessness and negligence.
* To love of the creations is in its well wishing.
* To give is better than to receive.
* That person who is generous with the creation then he is close to Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala .
* A residence that is fit to be called a house, clothes that cover the body, a stomach full of sustenance and a wife is not regarded as Worldly but to face towards the Worldly while showing your back to your creator is Worldly.
* Even if you have said Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala aloud, then even then you would be interrogated whether it was said in sincerity or in show.
* When the remembrance of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala finds a place in the heart then for servant to remember Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala continuously becomes continuous and everlasting even though the lips are closed.
* Carry out the rights that the ruler has upon you and do not question that which is obligatory upon you.
* There is greater dignity in the remembrance of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala than in death; at the time of cutting someone short by razing them to the ground and thereafter realising it was fruitless to sow the seeds of hate.
* Hide your troubles and you will receive closeness to Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala .
* A mo’min leaves his family in the care of the creator while a munaafiq leaves his family in the care of his dirham and dinaars (wealth).
* There are 3 types of creation 1. Angels 2. The Devil 3. Man. The Angels are entirely good and the devil is entirely bad. Man is a mixture of good and bad. Whoever is overcome with good he can be likened to an Angel and whoever is overcome with evil he can be likened to the devil.
* Do not laugh with those that are laughing but cry with those that are crying.
* If your thoughts are with the creator then you are subservient to the creator. If your thoughts are with the creation then you are subservient to the creation.
* Give priority to the hereafter over the World and you will benefit in both, but priority is given to the World over the hereafter then you would suffer losses in both.
* Do not spend even one night in the hate and malice of anybody.
* The sign of your sincerity is that you praise the creation and you do not turn your attention towards derogatory remarks nor do you show greed and avarice towards their wealth but you give your lord his right and your deeds are for your benefactor and not for the gifts, for the king and not for the kingdom and for the truth and not for falsehood.
* As long as the doors of good health are open to you then regard it as a blessing for very soon it will be closed upon you. So as long as you have the strength and power to do good deeds regard it as a blessing.
* It is wrong to claim respect towards your creator as long as you have no respect whatsoever for his creation.
* When an ‘Alim is not an ascetic then, he is a punishment upon those that follow him.
* A Mu’min, as he grows older Faith becomes stronger.
* To search for good fortune is an unnecessary trouble and to search for that which is not your destiny is to anger Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala and disgraceful.
* You do not concern yourself in making the creator angry by pleasing the creation. In exchange for Worldly mansions and building you destroy your hereafter. Very soon you will be caught. He will definitely catch you whose imprisonment is very, very fearful.
* What, you do not become ashamed ordering him to change your fate? Are your more commanding, more just and merciful than him? You and the entire creation are his servants. It becomes compulsory upon you to adopt, peace, solitude and silence.
* Saying without deeds and deeds without sincerity are not worthy of acceptance.
* A person once came to the Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam and said that he loves him (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam) very much. The Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam said to him “lay down a cloth or spread a cloth for Poverty.” Another person said that he loves Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala , The Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam said “spread a cloth for misfortune, for the love of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala and the Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam is intertwined with poverty and misfortunes.”
* You are busy accumulating that which you would not be able to eat. You desire for that which you cannot attain. Construct those buildings in which you will not stay. All this makes you blind to the status of your creator.
* Be happy in the changes and choices that the creator made for you. If you stay in this manner with him then he will definitely change your fears and horrors.
* Adopt patience for this World is an assembly of troubles and calamities.
* When somebody approaches carrying tales or gossiping or informing you about what another has said to him about you then admonish him and tell him that he is worst than that person that was gossiping about you for that person spoke behind your back while he is telling it straight to your face. That person has not made you listen yet he made you listen to it.
* What an unfortunate person is he who had not been given the habit of being merciful in his heart for all living things?
* Your biggest enemies are those that are your biggest supporters.
* The sum total of all the essence of good is to seek knowledge, practice upon it and teaching it to somebody.
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