ibaadah

Exert Ourselves and Engage in Ibaadat Whilst in I’tikaaf

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We have come here to the Khanqah to spend time in I’tikaaf, in fact our I’tikaaf is an Islaahi I’tikaaf. The primary objective here is our Islaah (spiritual reformation) whereas the objective of I’tikaaf generally is to engage in the Ibaadaat (worship) of Allah Ta'ala. KHANQAH OF HADRAT SHEIKH R.A We had noticed that our first Sheikh, Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Zakariyya Saheb R.A held many programmes for the Mua’takifeen during the day (in his Khanqah) with the objective of reformation. We too have tried to emulate those programmes in our Khanqah although there will be minor differences between the two. The focus there was not only on Ibaadat. THE HIGH LEVEL OF IBAADAT However, Ibaadat also used to take place at a very high level there. Our friend Mufti Basheer Amod of Stanger would spend the entire night in Ibaadat at times in the Khanqah of Hadrat Sheikh R.A. The Fajr Salaah in the Khanqah during the month of Ramdaan would be kept very short, but Mufti Saheb would be on the verge of collapsing in the Fajr Salaah due to lack of sleep. This was the high level of Ibaadat carried out during I’tikaaf, and together with Ibaadat was the task of spiritual reformation. The need for engaging in such Ibaadat can be understood from the following verse of the Quraan wherein Allah Ta'ala commands Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam,   فاذا فرغت فانصب والي ربك فارغب So when you have completed (with the task of propagating Islam during the day), then exert yourself (in other forms of Ibaadah at night)... And turn (your heart) to your Rabb (asking your needs only from Him). – (Surah Inshiraah verse no. 07 / 08) In our terms, if an Alim has completed teaching in the Madrasah for the day, or given a Bayaan to the masses, or a Daa’ie has completed his Ghusht, then one should engage in so much of Ibaadat that he feels the tiredness. Many of us only remember one Malfooz of Hadrat Maulana Thanvi r and quote it, that is, when you feel tired then stop your Ibaadat and recitation and take rest, whereas we are also required to engage in so much Ibaadat that the tiredness can be felt. However, engaging in excessive Ibaadah is not everyone’s cup of tea nor is it everyone’s slice of cake, but each one should do that which is within his ability, and a little more. IBAADAT IN THE HARAM OF MAKKAH SHARIF A friend involved in Jamaat work had gone for Umrah, he would spend the nights in the Haram of Makkah from 01.30am until Ishraaq Salaah engaging in Ibaadat. This is the spirit that we should also have within us. A person in I’tikaaf gets reward whilst sleeping, or whilst sitting silently in the Masjid, etc. We should therefore always make intention of I’tikaaf when entering the Haram Sharif of Makkah, the Haram Sharif of Madinah or any other Masjid in the world. Another important point that I wish to share with those visiting Madinah Sharif, make Niyyat of visiting Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam and being in the Suhbat (companionship) of Rasulullah  Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam as well. Can there ever be a greater bounty than being in the company of Rasulullah  Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam ? A person that travels to Madinah Sharif with this intention will spiritually benefit and increase all the time. May Allah Ta'ala grant us the Taufeeq! Ameen.                   

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The Days of Dhul Hijjah

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In the Quraan-e-Kareem Allah Ta'ala takes qasm (an oath) of some of His creations. These oaths are taken to point out the great importance of these things. Amongst the things Allah Ta'ala takes an oath of is the time of Fajr, وَالْفَجْرِ By the oath of dawn Allah Ta'ala has kept tremendous blessings and goodness in the time of Fajr. These blessings apply to our Deen, Dunya and Aakhirah. The time between Subh Saadiq (dawn) and sunrise contribute tremendously to the progress of wealth and health of a person. One should therefore be punctual with his Fajr Salaah, especially during these ten days of Dhul Hijjah. The recitation of the Quraan Sharif at the time of Fajr also holds extra value as it is witnessed by the angels. Allah Ta'ala says, إِنَّ قُرْآنَ الْفَجْرِ كَانَ مَشْهُودًا Verily the Quraan recited at Fajr is witnessed by the angels Similarly the Duas and Zikrullah of the time of Fajr are extremely valuable. Thereafter Allah Ta'ala takes an oath of the ten nights. The ten days and nights of Dhul Hijjah وَلَيَالٍ عَشْرٍ And by the ten nights These ten nights refer to the ten nights of Dhul Hijjah. Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ أَنَّ النَّبِىَّ -صلى الله عليه وسلم- قَالَ :« مَا الْعَمَلُ فِى أَيَّامٍ أَفْضَلَ مِنْهُ فِى عَشْرِ ذِى الْحِجَّةِ ». قَالُوا : يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَلاَ الْجِهَادُ فِى سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ. قَالَ :« وَلاَ الْجِهَادُ فِى سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ. إِلاَّ رَجُلٌ خَرَجَ بِنَفْسِهِ وَمَالِهِ فِى سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ، ثُمَّ لاَ يَرْجِعُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ بِشَىْءٍ No actions are more virtuous during the days (of the year) than the good deeds carried out in the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. The Sahaaba enquired, “O messenger of Allah! Not even jihaad in the path of Allah?”  Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam replied, “Neither is jihaad more virtuous (than the good deeds carried out during these ten days) except a man leaves home physically and with his wealth then does not return with anything (i.e. his is martyred in the path of Allah).  What Ibaadah should one carry out during these ten days? During these ten days one should recite the fourth kalimah excessively which is as follows, لاَ إلٰهَ إلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَهُ ، لَهُ اْلمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ يُحْيِيْ وَيُمِيْتُ بِيَدِهِ الْخَيْرُ وَهُوَ عَلىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيْرٌ There is no diety except Allah alone, He has no partner, to Him belongs kingdom and to Him belongs all praises, He gives life and causes death, all goodness is in his hands and he has power over everything. This was the Waazifa of all the ambiyaa and the leaders of all ambiyaa Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam. We had learnt this Kalimah in Madrasah but without the spirit and reality of it. Tasawwuf is to return to these basics once again and make them part of our life. Another great Ibaadat for these days is the recitation of the third kalimah which is, سُبْحَانَ اللهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ وَلَا إلٰهَ إلَّا اللهُ وَاللهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوّةَ إلاَّ بِاللهِ الْعَلِىِّ اْلعَظِيْمِ When Nabie Moosa Alaihis Salaam asked Allah Ta'ala for a Waazifa that would be specially prescribed for him, he was given the Kalimah-e-Tauheed which is لا إله إلا الله There is no diety except Allah However these Kalimah will only be weighty on the scale of deeds if they are recited with Ikhlaas and concentration. Allah Ta'ala does not look at numbers but rather at the quality of the actions. Not quantity but quality is required in Aamaal Allah Ta'ala mentions, الَّذِي خَلَقَ الْمَوْتَ وَالْحَيَاةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا He has created death and life to test which of you carry out the best of acts In this verse Allah Ta’ala did not say that He has created life and death to test which of you carry out the most amount of actions, thus the quality is of utmost importance. Imaam Shafi R.A used to say that a person should have some Nafil actions or Mustahab actions which no person is aware of except the one carrying it out and Allah Ta'ala, meaning that it should be done with total Ikhlaas and sincerity. These internal qualities are of importance in the court of Allah c. Therefore the fourth Kalimah should also be recited with Ikhlaas during these days. When a person recites with the reality then the words have an effect. To explain this point Hadrat Maulana Umar Saheb Palanpuri r used to say that a person had heard of the devastating effects of a hydrogen bomb. He starts uttering the words “hydrogen bomb” repeatedly but it has no effect whatsoever. The words cannot even kill a fly. The hydrogen bomb will have to be used using the correct procedures then it will produce the required results. Similarly, if the various Wazaaif are recited correctly it will have an effect as mentioned in Ahadith. Wazaaif Many people go onto either extremes in Wazaaif. Some people don’t recite their Wazaaif which is the one extreme whilst others only recite their Wazaaif but there is no concern of the Faraaidh. There are many that are merely concerned of Karaamat (super natural acts carried out by the pious) such as flying in the air and walking on water. We should not be concerned and worried of such Karaamaat and acquiring powerful Taweez etc. Hadrat Maulana Shah Hakim Muhammad Akhtar Saheb R.A. used to say that my Tasawwuf is one hundred percent according to the teachings of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam. We should simply follow these teachings of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam. Rewards of fasting during the ten days of Dhul Hijjah عن أبى هريرة ، قال : قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم " ما من أيام الدينا أيام ، أحب إلى الله سبحانه أن يتعبد له فيها ، من أيام العشر . وإن صيام يوم فيها ليعدل صيام سنة ، وليلة فيها بليلة القدر " Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, “the fast of every day during these (first ten days of Dhul Hijjah) is equivalent to fasting for a year and every night spent in Ibaadah is equivalent to spending Lailatul Qadr in Ibaadah. Hadrat Thanwi R.A says that we should at least try and perform Esha and Fajr Salaah with Jamaat, and thereafter try and do a little extra Ibaadat. Try and perform two Rakaats of extra Nafil Salaah, recite a few pages extra of Quraan Sharif etc. One should try to perform Salaatut Tasbeeh, Ishraaq, Awaabeen etc. One will wake up for Sehri so one should perform a min of two rakaats of Tahajjud Salaah. Removing hair and nails (حديث أم سلمة أن النبي (ص) ، قال : (إذا دخل العشر ، وأراد أحدكم أن يضحي فلا يأخذ من شعره ولا من أظفاره شيئا حتى يضحي) . رواه مسلم Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, When the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah enter and any one of you intend doing Qurbani then he should not remove his hair nor should clip his nails until he slaughters his Qurbani animal.  This is an act that is Mustahab (preferable). What is the wisdom behind this? During this time of the year the Hujjaj (those intend performing Haj) have gathered in the holy land of Makkah Mukarrama. One of the requirements of performing Haj is that a person has to adorn the Ihraam. A person has to adhere to various rules whilst in Ihraam such as not being able to clip the nails, trim the hair, applying itr, wearing sewn clothing, etc. We were unable to undertake this journey of Haj so we are asked to resemble the Haji by not trimming our hair and clipping our nails. By doing so we will also attain the mercy of Allah Ta'ala that descends upon the Hujjaj even though we are at home. Imitating also holds great value in the court of Allah Ta'ala. Khawaja Azizul Hassan Saheb Mazjoob R.A used to say, تیری محبوب کی یا رب شباہت لیکر آیا ہوں حقیقت اسکو تو کردے میں صورت لیکر آیا ہوں O Allah, I have come with the outward appearance of your beloved You make it a reality, I have merely come with the outward form Although we were unable to go for Haj, our hearts should be connected to Makkah Sharif and Madinah Sharif. A person that is not well cannot go personally to his shop due to health reasons. However, he will ensure that he calls and enquires if everything is in order and running well. He is physically not present but his heart is connected to the shop. We should also be connected to the holy lands. Takbeeraat-e-Tashreeq  From the Fajr of the ninth of Dhul Hijjah till the Asr Salaah of the 13th of Dhul Hijjah we should recite the Takbeerat-e-Tashreeq after every Salaah in an audible tone. It should be recited softly. On the 9th of Dhul Hijjah the Hajis go to Arafaat and they recite the Talbya, so we resemble them by reciting the Takbeeraat-e-Tashreeq. (Women should also recite it at home after every salaah but softly). Obedience to the command of Allah A haji is commanded to perform his Maghrib Salaah when he reaches Muzdalifa on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah even though it is Esha time. A person may be such that he was punctual with his Salaah with Takbeer-e-Ula throughout his life yet he performs Maghrib Salaah in Esha time. We learn that we will obey the command of Allah Ta'ala at all times even though it may contradict our logic and understanding. Also, our condition should not be such that we obey the commands of Allah Ta'ala when we in Makkah and Madinah yet we follow our desires the moment we return. Qurbani Qurbani refers to that action by which a person gains the closeness of Allah Ta'ala.  A person that performs Taraweeh Salaah in the months of Ramdaan performs 40 Sajda by which a person gains the closeness of Allah Ta'ala. Similarly a person gains closeness by performing Qurbani. A person should therefore open his heart and make Qurbani as Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi wasallam has mentioned in the Hadith, عن عائشة أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال ما عمل آدمي من عمل يوم النحر أحب إلى الله من إهراق الدم إنها لتأتي يوم القيامة بقرونها وأشعارها وأظلافها وأن الدم ليقع من الله بمكان قبل أن يقع من الأرض فطيبوا بها نفسا No person carries out any action on the day of Qurbani that is more beloved to Allah Ta'ala than the flowing of blood. Verily the Qurbaani animal will come on the day of Qiyaamah with its horns, hair and hooves, and certainly the blood of the Qurbani animal is accepted by Allah Ta'ala before it reaches the ground therefore do the qurbani happily. May Allah Ta'ala grant us the taufeeq of spending these days correctly and acting upon these advices. Ameen!

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Nikah, A great Ibaadat

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Nikah is an integral part of Deen. Nowadays, the universities promote and teach that one may do as he wishes thus implying that Nikah is not important. We shouldn't treat Nikah as a mere routine (i.e. a boy or girl that reaches marriageable age should get married), rather it should be treated as a command of Allah Ta'ala and the Sunnah of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam and be done as an Ibaadat. Similarly Salaah also should not be treated as a mere routine. Some of the Fuqaha are of the opinion that if a person performs Salaah but does not make the intention of fulfilling the command of Allah c then Salaah will not be discharged. When a person carries out the various forms of Ibaadah and makes the intention of fulfilling the command of Allah Ta'ala then this is true servitude. If a person gets married with the intention that he is fulfilling the command of Allah Ta'ala then such a person will always fulfil the command of Allah Ta'ala throughout marriage. Such a person will not miss his Esha or Fajr Salaah on the first night of marriage. Such a Nikah will then give a person the enjoyment of Jannat in this very world. On the contrary, if we get married regarding it as a ritual then one will commence his marriage with honeymoon which is purely done for satisfaction and against the command of Allah Ta'ala. A Nikah filled with blessings Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, ان اعظم النكاح بركة ايسره مؤنة Verily the Nikah that contains the most Barakah is that Nikah in which the least amount of expenses is incurred. Due to the teachings mentioned in the above Hadith, simplicity should be adopted in our Nikahs. The need and importance of pre-marital classes There are certain restrictions and commands of Allah Ta'ala in Nikah that have to be adhered to, therefore one should acquaint himself with these laws and restrictions. A person studies the relevant manuals prior to learning how to drive a vehicle. A person intending to perform Haj attends Haj seminars or classes prior to undertaking the spiritual journey of Haj. Similarly one should do a course wherein one is educated regarding the rights of one's spouse, in-laws, knowing one's own rights, etc. Knowledge is the leader and Amal (action) is the follower. One cannot act upon the injunctions of Shariat without possessing the relevant knowledge. The Ulema of every town should offer marriage classes. Rights of women In the Quraan Sharif Allah Ta'ala states, وَلَهُنَّ مِثْلُ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَلِلرِّجَالِ عَلَيْهِنَّ دَرَجَةٌ And they (women) have rights (that men owe to them) similar to those (that men have) over them (which should be fulfilled) in kindness. (However) men have a degree(of responsibility and guardianship) above them (above women). Hadrat Shah Hakim Muhammad Akhtar Saheb R.A says, "Why has Allah Ta'ala mentioned the rights of women first?" The women are generally weaker than men and many of them have even lost their parents, therefore Allah Ta'ala fights on their behalf. He is the defendant in their case. So the men should fulfil their rights just as they (the wives) have to fulfil the rights of the men. However, men enjoy a degree of superiority. The example of fulfilling rights from both sides is like the wheels of a car. If both the wheels of a car are placed on one side then such a car is unable to move. If the wheels are placed in their respective places then one will get the desired usage of the vehicle. Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam had taught Hadrat Ali and Fatima R.A their rights, that the external chores are the duty of Ali R.A and the internal work is the duty of Fatima R.A. In this age and era, the women are going to work thus this can be likened to placing both the wheels of the car on one side.   Many people are of the opinion that if both spouses are working then more wealth will be earned whereas in reality the Barakah of one's wealth is lost when the women go out to work. When the women go out to work they have to dress in a certain way and to maintain such a code of dress is costly. The kids that are at home require their mother therefore she is replaced with a maid which is again a costly affair. Also, the maid can never nurture and bring up the children as the mother does, nor can she show affection to the children as the mother does. In short, the loss suffered by one is greater than the benefit. Choosing a partner When choosing a wife, the man should select such a woman that will be a wife to him and not a model nor a career woman, as such women are unable to serve their husbands. They leave a note on the fridge stating that the food has been placed in the refrigerator and should be warmed. If the women play their role correctly according to Shariah then the children will be coolness of their eyes. Today, 99% of the children are not coolness of their parent's eyes. The saying "coolness of the eyes" refers to extreme joy. This extreme joy is part of Jannat which is given to one in this world in advance.            Treating the wife with kindness In another verse Allah Ta'ala states, وَعَاشِرُوهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ Live with them in kindness (treating them well). What is meant by "Ma'roof" (kindness)? 1.Treat them in a kind manner according to the manner Allah and His Rasul Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam has commanded. 2. Treat them according to the manner that is accepted in society. 3.The third explanation of living with the women with kindness is as follows, فيه تعليم الاحسان الى النساء والرفق بهن والصبر على اعواجهن In it is the teaching of kindness to women and being kind to them and being patient upon their difficultness. Different forms of interaction There are different ways of dealing with a person. The first is called "Adal" which is justice or equality. You treat a person according to the manner he treats you. The second method is Ihsaan (i.e. even though one is bad to you, you treat him kindly). Allah Ta'ala states in the Quraan, وَلَا تَسْتَوِي الْحَسَنَةُ وَلَا السَّيِّئَةُ ادْفَعْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ Good and evil cannot be equal. Resist (the harassment and insults of your enemies) with that (form of resistance) which is best (by being kind and forgiving). This is the method that was adopted by Imaam Abu Hanifa R.A. A person used to speak ill of Imaam Abu Hanifa R.A so he used to send sweetmeats to such a person.  This person had finally stopped speaking ill of Imaam Saheb. When he stopped Imaam Abu Hanifa R.A stopped supplying sweetmeats. He then asked Imaam Abu Hanifa R.A the reason. Imaam Saheb replied by saying that you were doing me a favour by speaking ill of me therefore I used to send sweetmeats to you. Now that you stopped speaking ill of me, I also stopped supplying the sweetmeats. So, repel evil by doing good. A man should exercise patience when a woman is difficult as she has been created from his left upper rib which is most crooked. When he had supplied the raw material, which was defective the end product will also be defective. May Allah Ta'ala grant us the Taufeeq of following the teachings of Shariah and the Sunnah of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam in regards to Nikah, due to which the enjoyment of Jannat will be experienced in this world. Ameen!      

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