Buying takeouts and disposing the litter on the streets, spitting in the public areas and throwing banana peels on the pathways are actions that are taking its toll. Muslim areas unfortunately, tend to be more unhygienic and dirty, thus making it seem that we are the most uncivilized people. What is wrong with us oh Muslims? Did the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi wasallam not teach us that cleanliness is half of Imaan? In addition to our bodies and clothes, we need to keep our houses and the environment clean?
Money and greed have overtaken relationships. Blood brothers and sisters are seen fighting over money due to inheritance or business matters. The siblings that came out from the same womb have now become each other's enemies. What is wrong with us oh Muslims? Did the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam not teach us that maintaining family ties shall increase the blessings in our wealth and not decrease it?
As the children grow up and become involved in their own lives, their parents start to become a burden for them. Old age home becomes one of the options for their elderly parents. Too busy in their pursue for career, wealth and making a family, the sons and some daughters too forget that their parents are still alive. What is wrong with us oh Muslims? Did the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi wasallam not teach us that Jannah lies under the feet of mothers and fathers are one of the doors to jannah?
Women nowadays like having a get togather and gossip about those people that are not present. Mocking and backbiting others in their absence has become a hobby for social gatherings. What is wrong with us oh Muslims? Did the Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wasallam not teach us that backbiting is worse than adultery? A sin that cannot be forgiven until we seek forgiveness from those whom we have backbited about?
Running big businesses that earn high profits is a common trend. Richness and fame has become an identity for these successfull businessmen. Yet these men become miserly when it comes to bear the expense of the sick widow living down the road. What is wrong with us oh Muslims? Did the Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wasallam not teach us about spending for the sake of Allāh Ta'ala and that charity always increases the wealth and not decrease it.
Wishing the downfall of the fellow Muslims due to envy and jealousy is an epidemic that is on the rise between families, friends and neighbours. Just because his brothers son got a better pay then his own son or her neighbour's daughter got married before her own daughter causes such individuals to break family ties, gossip or wish evil for those prospering. What is wrong with us oh Muslims? Did the Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wasallam not teach us that envy and jealousy eat away good deeds just as fire eats away wood?
Trying to please all the guests at a family wedding, women tend to dress up in the most elegant manner and pay huge amounts of money for the best hair and makeup. Trying to keep up with the latest trends of outfits and being the centre of attraction is their aim. They actually succeed in their attempt by getting many compliments from guests and relatives but in addition to that they even recieve many looks from non Mahram men. What is wrong with us oh Muslims? Did the Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wasallam not teach us about the modesty of a woman and the importance of practicing Hijab?
Parents have become busy with their own lives in the pursue of career and wealth. They have given their children all the latest gadgets in the name of love. Yet they do not have the patience and time to teach the importance of Deen to their children. What is wrong with us oh Muslims? Did the Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wasallam not teach us that the mother is the first teacher of her children and that the best gift that a father can give to his chidren is good manners?
Dating and chatting with the opposite gender is a common trend nowadays. "We are already engaged so what's the harm in going for a coffee", is a common statement used by the engaged couple. And to top it all, such behavior is supported by the adults too. What is wrong with us oh Muslims? Did the Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wasallam not teach us that between a non Mahram man and a woman, the third is shaitaan? And that the Nikah is the only bond that allows free mingling of the engaged couple?
Youngsters nowadays want to have fun and enjoy life. Discos, clubbing, gambling, fornication and drinking has become a "normal" thing within the youth, hence resulting into loss of respect and dignity, suicide, depression and rape. What is wrong with us oh Muslims? Did the Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wasallam not teach us about the evils of music, fornication, gambling and alcohol?
Supermarkets, restaurants and retail shops are a booming economy for many Muslims. Interacting with customers on a day-to-day basis and earning high profits becomes their aim. In the process they do not care of the quality of the product neither do they worry about the expiry date. Lying and deciet are normal deeds as long as they sell the products and produce profits even at the risk of the lives of other people. What is wrong with us oh Muslims? Did the Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wasallam not teach us about honesty in business transactions?
In the era that we live in, we as Muslims are always being targeted and given bad names. Cleanliness, modesty, truthfulness, generosity, kindness, tolerance, charitable, merciful and hospitable were traits that were our identity. Islam has covered all the aspects of our day to day living taking into account of our betterment only. So where did we go wrong. Why have we left our identity behind in the pursue to imitate those that are a threat to our Deen? We need to go back to the basics - Salaah, Qur’an and Sunnah. Through these only we shall prosper and uphold our identity again. In sha Allah
Sitting With The Pious Scholars
There was a time when people would spend most of their days and nights sitting with the ulemaa e kiraam and mashaaikh e kiraam.Then slowly by slowly people became busy and would visit the ulema on a daily basis, weekly basis, monthly basis.We then became so busy in our worldly affairs that this visit became an annual visit.Times changed again and social media whattsapp etc took over our lives.
We are in a state now where even if an Alim e Deen messages us we do not have the time to read or reply.Our problems are increasing yet our connection with Ilm and our relationship with the Ulema is decreasing if not non existent .The benefit of keeping sohbat and connection with the Ulema is immense.*Seven benefits for one who sits in the company of Ulama*
Faqih Imam Abul-Laith Samarqandi RadiAllahu ánhu states that there are seven benefits for one who sits in the company of Ulama even though one does not understand the lectures:
1. As long as one remains in the company of the Ulama, one will be free from sins and disobedience
2. One will be classed as a student of Deen
3. One will receive the blessings of seeking knowledge for the period one sits in their company
4. One will enjoy the Mercy of Allah Almighty that will shower the gathering
5. As long as one hears knowledgeable things, one will get blessings for it
6. There are times when one hears intricate discussions of the Ulama and does not understand them. If one becomes sad due to one’s ignorance, then this sincere sadness is also a virtue
7. One will develop the distinction between the virtue of the Ulama and their knowledge and the evil of ignorance and its destruction
May Allah Almighty grant us the Towfeeq to keep connection with our Ulema e kiraam
Ameen Thumma Aameen.
The Story of Imam Ja'ffar Al Tayyaar Radi Allahu Anhu
Huzoor Maulana Rumi Radi Allahu Anhu states in the mathnawi shareef regarding nisbat
"It is a well known that the fox is not renowned for its bravery." However, the fox that has a lion as support behind its back saying to him: "Fear not, my hand is upon your back", in spite of lacking courage, becomes very brave indeed.
His new found bravery is of such a nature that he will not hesitate to attack a leopard. He now has the support of a lion at his side, he will show no fear for a leopard.
Similarly, is the case of the chosen servants of Allah Ta'ala. In spite of their apparent physical weakness , they show no fear in the face of a multitude of evil forces and do not shy away from speaking the truth come what may.
It is said by the Sufiyaa e kiraam : "O people! Look not upon my physical weakness. Do you know that within my heart I am connected to the King of kings."
Maulana Rumi Radi Allahu Anhu tells the story of Hazrat Sayyiduna Jaa'far Radi Allahu Anhu.
Once Hazrat Sayyiduna Jaa'far Radi Allahu Anhu attacked a fortress all by himself. His attack was so fierce that it seemed that the fortress would soon become a prey to the hoofs of his horse. The inmates of the fortress were so struck by awe that they closed the gates of the fortress and no one dared to come out to engage in battle with him.
The king discussed with his Wazir as to what to do. The Wazir advised him : "The best line of action is to cancel all plans of making war against this man. It is best to take your kafan and your sword, go to him and lay down your weapons".
The king replied: "But this man is all alone. How is it that you give me such advice?"
The Wazir informed him: "Do not underestimate his being one man only. Open your eyes and look at the fortress and see how it trembles. Look at the inmates of the fortress, and see how their heads are bowed downwards. Even though the man is alone, the heart that he has is not like the hearts of ordinary men.
Look at his courage, he challenges them into battle with a naked sword in his hand and in a confident and victorious manner, calls them to fight. It seems that all the battle forces of the East and West are with him.
One man alone, but he appears like hundreds of thousands. Do you not see that whichever soldiers are sent out to fight him are soon seen lying under the hoofs of his horse?
After seeing the courage and bravery of this man, O king, I have realised that the multitude of soldiers, which are with you, will not be able to do anything against him.
Do not rely upon numbers. The main thing is the unity of the heart and this is actually what is so striking about the heart of this man.
In this respect, he has been endowed endlessly with it. This is a gift from Allah Ta'ala, which is attained through the acquisition of contact with Him.
This connection you will not be able to attain while you are in this state of Kufr.
Hence, it is best for you to throw down your weapons in defeat before this courageous believer, and to open the gates of the fortress, because your numerous soldiers are of no use."
Then Maulana Rumi Radi Allahu Anhu gives examples in which the majority becomes useless in front of minority:
Millions of stars shine and produce light, but at the rising of the sun, their light becomes nonexistent.
If a thousand mice were to attack a weak cat, it would appear that they would be victorious in their endeavour. A few of them can grab him by the neck. One or two of them can then take his eyes out. One or two of them can tear off his ears with their teeth. One or two of them can make an opening at his side, enter and begin chewing the internal organs. It would appear to be a reasonable plan. However, experience proves otherwise.
As soon as the weak cat utters one "meow" the whole multitude of mice become scared and one by one, they flee to safety.
