The Debate on Grave worship

THE DEBATE

THE VENUE: LAKEHOUSE (Publication – Letters to the Editor)

THE TEAMS: Ayesha Yusuf of the Sunnath Jama’ath - vs

M.Sadique & .M. Haniffa –On Behalf of Tomb worshippers

THE JUDGE: Abdul Aziz al Shoumar (Saudi)

SUBJECT: Islamic View on Graves - (Tomb) Worship:

NARRATOR: A.R.Abdeen,

Opening Speech:- (Islamic view on Graves)

Madam Ayesha Yusuf: Grave worship was among the last things that the Prophet (Sal) warned against before he left the world thus indicating that this practice would be a test for the Ummat (followers). God says :

47:33 “ O ye who believe! obey Allah and obey the Apostle and make not vain your deeds!

59:7 - So take what the Messenger assigns to you and deny yourselves that which he withholds from you”

Abu –Saeed al Khudri reported – all the earth is a Masjid, except graveyards and toilets.

(Tirmidhi, Abu Dawood, Ibn Maajah.)

Ibn Umar reported – Pray in your houses, do not make them graveyards. (Bukhari, Muslim).

Prophet (Sal) prohibited praying in the direction of graves, because it may be understood by the ignorant as praying to the dead themselves. Do not pray towards graves nor sit on them. (Muslim, Ibn Maajah)

In Islam funeral service is not held in the graveyard, but in an area set aside for prayers or in a mosque. The bier is placed in front of the congregation, does not include Ruku or Sajada so as not to give the impression that we pray to the dead.

The recitation of the Quran in graveyards is not allowed, but only salams and a supplication but did not say recite Fathiha or any other chapter from the Quran.

Abu Huraira-reported that the Prophet (sal) said - do not make your houses graveyards

Quran should be read in houses and not in graveyards. Satan will flee in houses Surah Baqarah is read.

35:22 - Nor are alike those that are living and those that are dead. Allah can make any that He wills to hear; but thou canst not make those to hear who are (buried) in graves. 3905

27:80 - Truly thou canst not cause the Dead to listen nor canst thou cause the Deaf to hear the call (especially) when they turn back in retreat. 3311

The Prophet (Sal) forbade the erecting of structures over graves, inscriptions on them or raising them above ground level He ordered them to be demolished and made level with the ground. (Abu Dawood, Muslim ,Tirmidhi.) Such Hadeeth have been forgotten by Muslims even in Islamic countries.

Prophet (Sal) said “Do not make my grave an Eid (place of celebration), nor make your houses graveyards and seek Allah’s blessings for me.

If gatherings around the Prophet (sal) grave are forbidden, then celebrations held on various occasions at the shrines built over the graves of saints, is totally forbidden and unislamic. Not only should these shrines be demolished and the so-called rituals too should be stopped. Journeys to pay homage to such shrines was also forbidden. Allah’s Messenger said: Do not travel except to three Masjids – Masjid Haram, :Prophet’s mosque in Medina

and masjid Al Aqsah. He has said that the most evil of mankind are those who make graves as places of worship.

What exactly is meant by making graves places of worship. Possible meaning are:

1. Praying towards a grave in Sajda

2. Building a Masjid over a grave, or a grave in a Masjid,

3. Praying in a Masjid containing a grave.

The presence of the :Prophet’s(sal) grave in his Masjid in Madinah, can never justify the placing of graves in Masjids, nor the building of Masjids over graves. The Prophet (sal) did not order that he be buried in his Masjid, nor did his companions do so. The companions of the Prophet (sal) wisely avoided burying the Prophet (sal) in the local graveyard, fearing that later generations would become overly attached to it. When Aisha’s (ral) house was included inside the Masjid, a high wall was built around it, that it would not be visible from inside the Masjid, and to prevent anyone from directly facing the grave.

Even in the Bible, Jesus addressing the Rabbis said: ”Woe to you. You build tombs for the Prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. (Mathew Ch.23)

Janab SADIQUE: (in reply to Islamic view on Graves)

Ayesha – why is this sudden provocation in expressing your views on graves?

This reminds me of an old adage (often quoted by our grandmas) STEP NOT INTO AREAS WHERE LUNACY REIGN SUPREME.

Ayesha – fanned by the hot blowing of the land of the Saudis….quotes at random most unwarrantedly to charge the Muslim community as a community of GRAVE WORSHIPPERS. While delving deep into her well of wisdom she has lost sight of the meaning and difference between Sajda (prostration) and supplication. She takes pride to quote the Bible Is she aware that almost the entirety of the Christian world are idolators? Perhaps it would have been appropriate had she mentioned, plucking from her wisdom, who are grave worshippers.

Hundreds of Muslims visit the graves of their parents, kith and kin, friends and moomins at cemeteries to supplicate for the inhabitants of the graves, and to seek mercy and forgiveness of Allah for them.

Aisha (ral) reported : every time it was my turn to be with the Prophet (sal) towards the end of the night, he would go out to the cemetery of al-Baqi (and pray for those in the graves). Were the Holy :Prophet (sal) and his wife, Aisha (ral) grave worshippers?

Ayesha – remember that no one in the Muslim world worships graves or tombs. When they do visit these places it is merely to pay respects to such places – the resting abodes of the sacred servants of Allah. No Muslim would sajda before a grave or sit on a grave. How foolish! In the wildest dream will not a Muslim worship towards graves or sit on graves.

Thousands visit the shrine of the Holy Prophet (sal) daily. Can she say that they all go there to worship his grave? Does Ayesha understand ‘do not make your houses graveyards’ – *where did the Holy Prophet (sal) say that and when?

*Ayesha says recitation of the Quran at graveyards is prohibited. Read a little more to understand this.

reference. What did the Prophet (sal) do when he visited al-Baqi?

Imam Shafie, and Muhammed bin Al-Hassen and Maliki school consider it desirable, because by it, the deceased might be blessed. Imam Malik and Imam Abu Haniffa view this as not desirable.

So Ayesha – take a little more time to make a good study without giving expression to the enthusiastic bubles of your wisdom.

Can the dead person hear in the grave. Ahmed and Abu Hatim (RA) reported that the Prophet (sal) said” When a deceased person is laid in the grave, he hears the sounds of the steps of people as they go away”

She must remember that a large number of mosques are built on sites where there are shrines of awliyas. Of course worshippers, after or before prayers, recited Fathiha and paid their respects to the moomins enshrined in the already existing dhargas. Can you call them grave worshippers? Even the Prophet (sal) and the Shahabas visited the graves of their compatriots at cemetery and offered prayers for them.(M. Sadique)

NEXT SPEAKER: Janab HANIFFA – ( Tomb worship & Muslims)

Ayesha – time and again accusation is being levelled against Muslims of Sri Lanka that they are worshipping the tombs of Saints and Martyrs. This allegation against innocent and pious Muslims might, according to Holy Prophet (sal), will boomerang on the accusers themselves. If two Muslims accuse each other of “Kufr”, one of them will certainly stand expelled from Islam automatically. No one has said that the Saints and Martyrs who have passed away are in any way equal to the Omnipotent Lord Almighty Allah nor do they ever worship any tomb.

3:169 - Think not of those who are slain in Allah's way as dead. Nay they live finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord. 477

A true Muslim believes that Martyrs who are undoubtedly Saints are alive and are finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord.

Also rejoice in the Bounty provided by Allah. If this is the case with Martyrs who have sacrificed their lives wielding their weapons in the war, then what is the case of Saints who have undergone much penance, sacrificed their whole lives in the fight against the evil and gave up their passion, health, wealth, comfort and everything else for the sake of the welfare of the humanity? Are they not to be considered very much alive more than the Martyrs?

5:35- O ye who believe! do your duty to Allah seek the means of approach unto Him and strive with might and main in His cause: that ye may prosper. 740 741

Moomins are asked to be pious and seek the means of approach unto him and strive with might and main in his cause so that they may be successful in their affairs.

Prophet (sal) has also asked us to seek Allah’s Blessings placing before him our good deeds and beg of him for the sake of those good deeds like “Salat”, charity, repentance etc to be merciful.

The prayers of the Prophet (sal) for Fathima (RA) getting down into her grave and making Allah to be merciful on her for his sake and for the sake of the other Prophets, is found in the books of traditions.

Based on these instructions, that pious Muslims go to the Saints. These Saints are entreated to beseech Allah on behalf of others on the grounds of their (Saints) sacrifice and service to humanity.The practice of visiting Shrines and reciting Fathiha is very much in vogue in all the countries of the world especially in the Holy cities of Makkah and Medina, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Iran and all North African Muslim countries. In several countries state patronage is also extended.

It is highly ridiculous to say that neither the Prophet (sal) nor his companions did order that the Prophet (sal) should be buried in his mosque and if so who on earth attended to the Janaza arrangements?

Ayesha arrogates to herself to be in possession of some mysterious information against all the authentic versions ( as if she was present at the janaza) she herself must provide the answer to her unexplained statement.

Praying Salat near the Shrine of the Prophet (sal), Abu Bakr (RA), Umar (RA) and Medina and near the Shrine of Ibnu Abbas (RA) Taif is considered to be a meritorious act, not to speak of the garden adjacent to the Shrine of the Prophet (sal) which is incomparably superior to any piece of land on the face of the earth. MAA BAYNA QABREE –MIMBAREE RAWDATUM MIN RIYAADIL JANNAH. (Miskat)

Finally, let us ask our brothers who have been misled by false notions not expel the members of our commulnity from Islam, lest they may face a calamitous situation at the time of their “Sakarat”.(M.B.M. Haniffa)

THE JUDGE - A Visitor’s Observations: (From - Saudi Arabia)

I was very astonished to see some of the practices of Muslims in Sub continent., and may I say they border the very state of jahiliya which Islam eradicated.

I found that the Muslims do not worship any idol, a picture, an element or any living being standing vertical which is very correct. But unfortunately, they tend to worship the dead ancestors or the so-called Holy Men who are dead and lying horizontal in their grave. In other words they worship the graves of their dead.

The very foundation of Islam is that Allah is the only One worthy of worship.

108:2 - Therefore to thy Lord turn in Prayer and Sacrifice. 6287

6287 He who grants these blessings is Allah, and to Allah alone must we turn in adoration and thanksgiving

Next, all our needs are to be addressed to Allah alone, and no one else. Why? Because He says in the Quran:

40:60 - And your Lord says: "Call on Me; I will answer your (Prayer): But those who are too arrogant to serve Me will surely find themselves in Hell in humiliation!" 4434

Is this different from what was preached by Prophet Jesus (PBUH)?

I was told that Muslims do not worship the graves, but address those in the graves as intermediaries to seek Allah’s Help. The people of Makkah in the pre-islamic period used the word Allah , and they knew what it denotes. They knew fully well that it is Allah Who created the heavens and the earth. Yet they said that they do not worship the idols of ancestors, but use them as intermediaries to plead with Allah on their behalf.”Those who take Auliyia besides Allah say we worship them only that they bring us near to Allah”:

39:3 - Is it not to Allah that sincere devotion is due? But those who take for protectors other than Allah (say): "We only serve them in order that they may bring us nearer to Allah." Truly Allah will judge between them in that wherein they differ. But Allah guides not such as are false and ungrateful. 4243 4244 4245

THE WORDS AND THE ARGUMENT HAVE NOT CHANGED WITH TIME.THEY ARE THE SAME EVEN AFTER 14 CENTURIES. WHY DO WE NEED INTERMEDIARIES, WHEN ALLAH NEVER CONSULTED THESE DEAD MEN TO CREATE US IN THE FIRST PLACE.? Are we so inferior that we cannot address our needs to the CREATOR DIRECT? IS THE CREATOR FAR AWAY FROM HIS CREATION? Are we not aware that Allah says ”WHEN MY SLAVES ASK YOU O MUHAMMAD (Pbuh) CONCERNING ME, THEN I (ALLAH) AM INDEED NEAR. I RESPOND TO THE INVOCATIONS OF THE SUPPLICANT WHEN HE CALLS ON ME?”W here is the need for an intermediary?

2:186 - When my servants ask thee concerning Me I am indeed close (to them); I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me; let them also with a will listen to My call and believe in Me; that they may walk in the right way. 194

I found one common aspect in all these places of grave worship. That is, they had a till for the collection of money and the ignorant Muslims piously drop money in these tills. The sad story is- they assume that they are doing a good deed in Islam. What can a dead person do with this money?

All worldly things of a person are left behind at his death except his good deeds and evil deeds which will accompany him. Of the good deeds - Three things will continue to be beneficial to him even after his death. They are:

1. A continuous act of charity that benefits the society – such as digging a public well or building common amenities for the welfare of the society.

2. A contribution to Knowledge – such as writing a book or doing a research for the benefit of mankind.

3. A righteous son who prays to Allah seeking the forgiveness for his dead parents.

THESE ARE THE DEEDS THAT BENEFIT THE DEAD PERSON THROUGH THE LIVING ONES – BECAUSE THE LIVING GET BENEFITS FROM THE PAST ACTS OF THE DEAD PERSON. THE DEAD PERSON FROM HIS GRAVE CANNOT GRANT ANY OTHER BENEFIT OR RELIEF TO THE LIVING, HOWEVER MUCH THEY MAY INVOKE HIM.

Comments by the Narrator:

There is no need for any comments as the above statement by brother Abdul Aziz Shoumar is self explanatory. A fitting reply to brothers Sadique and Haniffa. However, I shall endeavour to strengthen this with more authentic Hadhis etc. for the benefit of our Muslims.

The Dictionary meaning of Worship is – submissive respect, to pay divine honours to or to adore.

In Islam - any Righteous Act - amounts to Worship. (Not necessarily bending in Ruku or Sujud)

INTENTION is fixing of the mind on any object / the object aimed at.

In visiting the grave of a Saint – what is the basic intention of the visitor ? To adore him, recite a fathiha for him to get him more blessings of Allah - in other words to save him from the Fire etc.? But what is his lurking feeling which he is trying to hide, is the fact that he would receive in return some sort of blessing from that saint! Otherwise why is he so concerned about that Saint? That man has already made him a saint and he knows that his place is assured in paradise. So why pump him with more merits? Surely, an evil person buried deserves such visits for his salvation, but who dares to visit him in such graves?

3:169 - Think not of those who are slain in Allah's way as dead. Nay they live finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord. 477

477 A beautiful passage about the Martyrs in the cause of Truth. They are not dead: they live,-and in a far higher and deeper sense than in the life they have left.. In their case, through the gateway of death, they enter, the true real Life, as opposed to its shadow here. (3.169)

(This is one of the reason adduced by brother Haniffa to visit such graves) See: ( “Abodes of the souls

in BARZAKH”)

These Martyrs achieved this position by actually fighting in the cause of Allah and not by chance merely by visiting the graves of their ancestors or the so-called holy men by making Duwa and reciting a Fathiha etc. The question is: ARE WE DOING THE SAME KIND OF FIGHTING TO ACHIEVE A HIGHER POSITION LIKE THIS or taking a shortcut to achieve this by a Duwa , Fathiha etc., thus making him an intermediary.

Then again he quotes 5:35:-

5:35 - O ye who believe! do your duty to Allah seek the means of approach unto Him and strive with might and main in His cause: that ye may prosper. 740 741

740 - Taqwa here too might be translated "fear of Allah", but the very next clause shows that "fear of Allah" does not mean "fear" in the ordinary sense, which would make you avoid the object of fear. On the contrary the "fear of Allah" is the intense desire to avoid everything that is against His Will and Law. It is in fact duty to Allah, for we are told to seek ardently the means by which we may approach Him, and that can only be done by striving with might and main for His cause. (5.35)

Is brother Haniffa trying to take shelter under this? Does he mean that the means by which we may approach Allah is through the Martyrs and Saints? This is Shirk and Allah will not pardon this sin. Please see Hadhis in the following pages:

As regards Mr. Sadique’s comments on Ayesha Yusuf’s speech – his remarks about the hot blowing of the land of the Saudis – is uncalled for and unpardonable and this tends to bring our debate to a very low standard and may Allah guide brother Sadique on the straightpath. May I say this: If not for the Saudis, Islam would have been only in the books and the Muslims would have been in the graves. Just look at the tremendous amount of work the Saudis had done and are doing to maintain Islam in its present degree of of excellence.!

Then about brother Sadique’s question “Were the Holy Prophet (sal) and his wife, Aisha (RA) grave worshippers as they had gone out to the cemetery of al­-Baqi toward the end of the night and prayed for those in the graves and therefore the Muslims in Sri Lanka are following this practice.

This is a misconception dear brother, as a Prophet he did this , but no where has he asked us to do this and thereafter his Companions too had not done this. Please read on Sharia below:-

About your statement: “when a deceased person is laid in his grave, he hears the sounds of the steps of people as they go away” –( yes they hear only at this stage as the people go away.) Please read on further.

THE MUSLIMS: (TODAY)

59:14 – Their enmity among themselves is very great. You would think they were united, but their hearts are divided, that’s because they are a people who understand not.

5;41 - O Apostle! let not those grieve thee who race each other into unbelief: (whether it be) among those who say: "We believe" with their lips but whose hearts have no faith; …They change the words from their (right) times and places;….. For them there is disgrace in this world and in the Hereafter a heavy punishment.

744 Two classes of men are meant, viz., the Hypocrites and the Jews. For both of them Al-Mustafa laboured earnestly and assiduously, and it must have been a cause of great grief and disappointment to him that some among them showed so much insincerity, cunning, and hardness of heart. These are types not yet extinct. (5.41)

SHARI’A

The Shari’a is the total sum of injunctions, that address those who qualify for being obligated to regard the religious duties. It details the way of life that the Creator intends for the created, who believe in him, to abide by and to follow.

The number one source of the Sharia of course is the Quran, the very words of Allah.

The Prophet, Peace and Blessings be upon him, draws our attention that whatever he says as a Prophet, becomes a part of the Sharia and a part of our religion.

This is in distinction to what he said or did as a mere ordinary human being. Whatever he told us that this is part of our religion, we have to take.

“Whoever obeys the Prophet, has obeyed Allah”

“Do whatever the Prophet commands you to do, and abstain from that which he forbade us.”

The Hadith of the Prophet, Peace and Blessing be upon him, was narrated and collected after his death.

There are things which the Quran did not detail. The Quran ordered us to observe our prayers, but it was the Prophet, Peace and Blessing be upon him, who taught us how to pray, how many ‘rakas’ in each prayer, what to do and how to perform the prayer. This is the Sunna which compliments the Quran. These are the two basic sources of the Shariah;.

In order to get to know what the Prophet said and taught, one of the most exact sciences, and one of the most precise branches of the science of History, was created. That is the ‘Science of the Hadith’, to determine what Hadith are authentic, what are less than that, what Hadith are possible and what are to be rejected. The Science of the Hadith is practically one of the most exact branches of the science of History that humanity has ever known.

The Quran and the Hadith are the constants of the Sharia, they are the unchangeable part of the Sharia. Provided there is the good, intelligent, knowledgeable deep understanding.

Other sources of the Sharia are about things not specifically mentioned in the Quran or the Hadith of the Prophet, Peace and Blessing be upon him. Because the Sharia is progressive and is suitable for all times and places. So the third source of the Sharia is the ‘Ijtihad’, the reasonable deduction, within the limits of the Quran and the Sunna of the Prophet, Peace and Blessing be upon him.

For example, alcohol was specifically forbidden to drink in the Quran. But the Quran and the Prophet never mentioned anything about Cocaine, or Heroin. But then Ijtihad tells us that since the reason for forbidding alcohol is its’ effect on the human mind, and since cocaine has the same effect on the human mind, then according to the Sharia, it also becomes Haram, forbidden, although it was never mentioned specifically by name in the Quran or the Hadith.

Muslim World !!

Tremors in the Muslim World !

RAFAEL EPSTEIN: In Australia Liberal backbenchers pushed for a ban on Muslim girls wearing headscarves in public schools. And it's an issue that resonates in Britain as well.

Great Britain - The latest contribution comes from Jack Straw. The former Foreign Secretary says when Islamic women with a hijab that covers their face come to his electorate office, he asks if they could consider removing it.

Pope Benedict XVI believes that unlike other religions, Islam cannot be reformed and, therefore, is incompatible with democracy,

Gamal al-Banna (Egypt) - Gamal - expressed more daring ideas with regard to the renewal of Islamic thought and traditions. These included a stark rejection of the veil as a religious obligation for women, on the basis that a woman's hair should not be considered part of her "intimate areas." For women to show their hair in public, therefore, should not be considered an illegitimate act. Gamal went on to denounce gender-based segregation in schools and various walks of life, denouncing it as an act of cruelty. He also encouraged women to take a more active part in the religious leadership, including leading public prayers.

Anousheh Ansari Tours Space with Help from Space Adventures Anousheh Ansari, ( Iranian born muslim (female) domiciled in the USA) a U.S. entrepreneur making history as the world's first female space tourist. said hello to astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) early Tuesday while she and two professional spaceflyers continued their trek towards the orbital laboratory. ( 25 million dollar pricetag)!

US official: 4,000 Iraqi police killed in 2 years…

Last Friday Khutbah – the imam showed off a great deal by sobbing unnecessarily and shouting so loud and made a mockery of the Friday Prayer.

Heard of Rushdie and Nasrin ?

Muslims Wake up
By Shariffa Carlo

The ignorant among us that we failed to teach because we thought it would make him/her hate Islam or think it was too hard? What will we say when Allah asks us about the deeds that supported our beliefs? What will we say????
”Ya Allah! Wake up the Muslims! Ya Allah! Wake up the Muslims! Ya Allah! Wake up the Muslims! Ameen.”
She said this many years ago.!

Woman's Role

What do you say about the woman’s role in calling to Allah?

She is like the man. She should call to Allah, and order the good and

forbid the evil, since the texts from the Noble Qur’an and the Pure

Sunnah prove this, and the words of the scholars are clear about this.

So she should call to Allah, order the good and forbid evil in

accordance with the manners prescribed in the sharee’ah which are

required from the man.

Along with this, she should not be diverted from calling to Allah by

impatience and by lack of perseverance due to the fact that some

people belittle her or abuse her, or make fun of her. Rather, she

should bear that and patiently persevere – even if she sees something

from the people which may be counted as being mockery. She should also

take care of another matter, which is that she should be an example of

chasteness and cover herself with hijaab in front of males who are not

mahrem for her and she should avoid mixing with men. Rather her d’awah

would be done while taking care to avoid everything for which she

would be censured.

So, if she gives da’wah to men, then she does so while wearing proper

hijaab and without being alone with any one of them. And if she gives

da’wah to women, she does so with wisdom and pure manners and conduct

so that no one remonstrates with her and asks her why she does not

begin with herself.

She should also avoid clothing which will be a trial (fitnah) for the

people and she should keep far away from every cause of fitnah, such

as revealing her beauty and speaking in a sensual manner – which would

be censured. Rather she should take care to call to Allah in a manner

which will not harm her deen or her reputation. – Shaykh Abdul-Aziz

Ibn Baz

[From Majmoo’ Fataawaa wa Maqaalaat Mutanawwi’ah of Ibn Baz (Vol 4. p.

240)]

Jum"ah

Todays' Jum'ah ( 26.1.07) : I faced more than half a dozen bid'ah !

Are we seeking His blessings or His wrath ?

Deviant groups, mainly the Tablighi movement is responsible for all these innovations, and what is more, they are controlling the affairs of most of the masjids and they are actively powered by all the muslim politicians of this country.

The jamaet-e- islam, jamiatul Ulama etc., and the reformists if any are powerless.

Some of them are:-

1.Azan - they commence with a salawat on the Prophet (sal),

2, The muazzin asking the people to pray the prior sunnah prayer of Jum'ah,

3. The muazzin holding a club and reciting the "mahshar",

4. The Khutbah being held too long - for almost an hour,

5. The people raising their hands and shouting 'Ameen',

6. After Khutbah, people start praying the sunnah prayers at the same spot without moving or without a break,.

7. The people pray their sunnah prayers in the masjid and not going home and praying there.

FIQH OF THE FRIDAY PRAYER (J.ZARABOZO)

The Friday Prayer is one of the most important acts of worship in Islam. Allah has vouchsafed wonderful blessings and benefits through this magnificent act. Hence Muslims should do their best and strive and sacrifice for the sake of this prayer by performing it in the best way possible.

99% of the crowd at this jum'ah participated in all these bid'ah.

We have already lost the wonderful blessings which Allah had promised and is there any remedy now.?

JUSTICE

Justice !

16:90 -

Allah commands justice the doing of good and liberality to kith and kin and He forbids all shameful deeds and injustice and rebellion: He instructs you that ye may receive admonition

· Justice is a comprehensive term, and may include all the virtues of cold philosophy. But religion asks for something warmer and more human, the doing of good deeds even where perhaps they are not strictly demanded by justice, such as returning good for ill, or obliging those who in worldly language “have no claim” on you; and of course a fortiori the fulfilling of the claims of those whose claims are recognized in social life. Similarly the opposites are to be avoided everything that is recognized as shameful and everything that is really unjust, and any inward rebellion against Allah’s Law or our own conscience in its most sensitive form.

Meelaad-un-Nabi Celebrations ?

Subject: [moslems_society] 'Eed Milaad an-Nabee' : The Prophet's Birthday

3 - Besides being bid'ah and an imitation of the Christians, both of which are haraam, celebrating the birthday of the Prophet Sall Allaahu alaihi wa sallaam (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is also a means that leads to exaggeration and excess in venerating him, which even goes as far as calling upon him (making du'aa' to him) and seeking his help, instead of calling upon Allaah, as happens now among many of those who observe the bid'ah of the Mawlid, when they call upon the Messenger instead of Allaah, and ask him for support, and sing qaseedahs (odes) of shirk praising him, like Qaseedat al-Burdah etc. The Prophet Sall Allaahu alaihi wa sallaam (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade going to extremes in praising him, as he said: "Do not extol as the Christians extolled the son of Maryam. For I am just His slave, so say, the slave of Allaah and His Messenger" (narrated by al-Bukhaari, 4/142, no. 3445; al-Fath, 6/551), i.e., do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians exaggerated in praising the Messiah and venerated him until they worshipped him instead of Allaah. Allaah forbade them to do that when he said (interpretation of the meaning):

"O people of the Scripture (Christians)! Do not exceed the limits in your religion, nor say of Allaah aught but the truth. The Messiah 'Eesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), was (no more than) a Messenger of Allaah and His Word, ("Be!" - and he was) which He bestowed on Maryam (Mary) and a spirit (Rooh) created by Him"

[al-Nisaa' 4:171]

Our Prophet Sall Allaahu alaihi wa sallaam (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade us to exaggerate concerning him lest the same thing happen to us as happened to them, so he said: "Beware of exaggeration, for those who came before you were destroyed because of exaggeration" (narrated by al-Nasaa'i, 5/268; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Sunan al-Nasaa'i, no. 2863).

4 - Observing the innovation of the Prophet's birthday opens the door to other kinds of bid'ah and being distracted by them from the Sunnah. Hence you find that the innovators are very active when it comes to bid'ah and very lazy when it comes to the Sunnah; they hate it and regard those who follow it as enemies, until their entire religion is innovated anniversaries and Mawlids. They have split into various groups, each of which commemorates the anniversary of its imaam's birth, such as the births of al-Badawi, Ibn 'Arabi, al-Dasooqi and al-Shaadhili. No sooner do they end the celebration of one birthday but they start the celebration of another. This results in exaggeration concerning these dead people and others, and in calling upon them instead of Allaah, believing that they can bring benefit and cause harm, until they deviate from the religion of Allaah and go back to the religion of the people of the Jaahiliyyah of whom Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And they worship besides Allaah things that harm them not, nor profit them, and they say: 'These are our intercessors with Allaah'" [Yoonus 10:18]

"And those who take Awliyaa' (protectors, helpers, lords, gods) besides Him (say): 'We worship them only that they may bring us near to Allaah'" [al-Zumar 39:3]

Discussing the specious arguments of those who celebrate the Mawlid

Those who think that this bid'ah should be continued produce specious arguments which are flimsier than a spider's web. These specious arguments may be dealt with as follows:

1 - Their claim that this is veneration of the Prophet Sall Allaahu alaihi wa sallaam (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him):

The response to that is that the way to venerate him is to obey him, do as he commanded and avoid that which he forbade, and to love him; he is not to be venerated through innovations, myths and sins. Celebrating his birthday is of this blameworthy type because it is a sin. The people who venerated the Prophet Sall Allaahu alaihi wa sallaam (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) the most were the Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them), as 'Urwah ibn Mas'ood said to Quraysh: "O people, by Allaah I have visited kings. I went to Caesar, Chosroes and the Negus, but by Allaah I never saw a king whose companions venerated him as much as the companions of Muhammad venerated Muhammad Sall Allaahu alaihi wa sallaam (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). By Allaah, whenever he spat it never fell on the ground, it fell into into the hand of one his companions, then they wiped their faces and skins with it. If he instructed them to do something, they would hasten to do as he commanded. When he did wudoo', they would almost fight over his water. When he spoke they would lower their voices in his presence; and they did not stare at him out of respect for him." (al-Bukhaari, 3/178, no. 2731, 2732; al-Fath, 5/388). Yet despite this level of veneration, they never took the day of his birth as an 'Eid (festival). If that had been prescribed in Islam they would not have neglected to do that.

2 - Using as evidence the fact that many people in many countries do this.

The response to that is that evidence consists of that which is proven from the Prophet Sall Allaahu alaihi wa sallaam (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and what is proven from the Prophet is that innovations are forbidden in general, and this is an innovation. What people do, if it goes against the evidence (daleel), does not prove anything, even if many of them do it.

"And if you obey most of those on the earth, they will mislead you far away from Allaah's path"

[al-An'aam 6:116 - interpretation of the meaning]

Nevertheless, in every age, praise be to Allaah, there have always been those who denounce this bid'ah and state clearly that it is false. Those who persist in following it after the truth had been explained to them have no proof.

Among those who denounced the celebration of this occasion was Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah, in Iqtidaa' al-Siraat al-Mustaqeem; Imaam al-Shaatibi in al-'I'tisaam; Ibn al-Haaj in al-Madkhil; Shaykh Taaj al-Deen 'Ali ibn 'Umar al-Lakhami who wrote an entire book denouncing it; Shaykh Muhammad Basheer al-Sahsawaani al-Hindi in his book Siyaanah al-Insaan; al-Sayyid Muhammad Rasheed Ridaa wrote a separate essay on this topic; Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem Aal al-Shaykh wrote a separate essay on it; Shaykh 'Abd al-'Azeez ibn Baaz; and others who are still writing and denouncing this bid'ah every year in the pages of newspapers and magazines, at the time when this bid'ah is being done.

3 - They say that by celebrating the Mawlid they are keeping the memory of the Prophet Sall Allaahu alaihi wa sallaam (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) alive.

The answer to that is that the memory of the Prophet Sall Allaahu alaihi wa sallaam (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is constantly kept alive by the Muslim, such as when his name Sall Allaahu alaihi wa sallaam (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is mentioned in the adhaan and iqaamah and in khutbahs, and every time the Muslim recites the Shahaadatayn after doing wudoo' and in the prayers, and every time he sends blessings upon the Prophet Sall Allaahu alaihi wa sallaam (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in his prayers and when he is mentioned, and every time the Muslim does a waajib (obligatory) or mustahabb (recommended) action that was prescribed by the Messenger Sall Allaahu alaihi wa sallaam (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). In all of these ways (the Muslim) remembers him and the reward equivalent to the reward of the one who does that action goes back to the Prophet Sall Allaahu alaihi wa sallaam (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Thus the Muslim constantly keeps the memory of the Messenger alive and has a connection with him night and day throughout his life through that which Allaah has prescribed, not only on the day of the Mawlid and things which are bid'ah and go against the Sunnah, for that puts one at a distance from the Messenger Sall Allaahu alaihi wa sallaam (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and the Messenger will disown him because of that.

The Messenger Sall Allaahu alaihi wa sallaam (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) has no need of this innovated celebration, because Allaah has already bestowed veneration and respect upon him, as He says: "and raised high your fame" [al-Sharh 94:4]

For Allaah is not mentioned in the adhaan, iqaamah or khutbah, but the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is mentioned after Him; this is sufficient veneration, love and renewal of his memory, ad sufficient encouragement to follow him.

Allaah did not refer to the birth of the Messenger Sall Allaahu alaihi wa sallaam (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in the Qur'aan, rather He referred to his Mission, and says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Indeed, Allaah conferred a great favour on the believers when He sent among them a Messenger (Muhammad) from among themselves" [Aal 'Imraan 3:124]

"He it is Who sent among the unlettered ones a Messenger (Muhammad) from among themselves"[al-Jumu'ah 64:2]

4 - They may say that the celebration of the Prophet's birthday was introduced by a knowledgeable and just king who intended thereby to draw closer to Allaah.

Our response to that is that bid'ah is not acceptable, no matter who does it. A good intention does not justify a bad deed and even if a person died as a knowledgeable and righteous person, this does not mean that he was infallible.

5 - They say that celebrating the mawlid comes under the heading of bid'ah hasanah ("good innovation") because it is based on giving thanks to Allaah for the Prophet!

Our response to that is that there is nothing good in innovation. The Prophet Sall Allaahu alaihi wa sallaam (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Whoever innovates anything in this matter of ours (i.e., Islam), that is not part of it will have it rejected." (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, no. 2697; al-Fath, 5/355). And he said, "Every innovation is a going astray" (narrated by Ahmad, 4/126; al-Tirmidhi, no. 2676). The ruling on innovations is that they are all misguidance, but this specious argument suggests that not every bid'ah is a going astray, rather there are good innovations.

Al-Haafiz ibn Rajab said in Sharh al-Arba'een: "The words of the Prophet Sall Allaahu alaihi wa sallaam (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), 'every innovation is a going astray' is a concise but comprehensive comment which includes everything; it is one of the most important principles of religion. It is like his words 'Whoever innovates anything in this matter of ours (i.e., Islam), that is not part of it will have it rejected.' (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3/167, no. 2697; al-Fath, 5/355). Whoever innovates anything and attributes it to Islam when it has no basis in the religion, this is a going astray and is nothing to do with Islam, whether that has to do with matters of belief ('aqeedah) or outward and inward words and deeds."

(Jaami' al-'Uloom wa'l-Hakam, p. 233)

These people have no proof that there is any such thing as a "good innovation" apart from the words of 'Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) concerning Taraaweeh prayers, "What a good innovation this is." (Saheeh al-Bukhaari, 2/252, no. 2010 mu'allaqan; al-Fath 4/294).

They also said that things were innovated which were not denounced by the salaf, such as compiling the Qur'aan into one volume and writing and compiling the hadeeth.

The response to that is that these matters had a basis in Islam, so they were not newly-invented.

'Umar said: "What a good bid'ah" meaning innovation in the linguistic sense, not in the shar'i sense. Whatever has a basis in Islam, if it is described as an innovation, is an innovation in the linguistic sense, not in the shar'i sense, because innovation in the shar'i sense means that which has no basis in Islam.

Compiling the Qur'aan into one book has a basis in Islam, because the Prophet Sall Allaahu alaihi wa sallaam (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) had commanded that the Qur'aan be written down, but it was scattered, so the Sahaabah compiled it in one volume so as so protect and preserve it.

The Prophet Sall Allaahu alaihi wa sallaam (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) led his companions in praying Taraaweeh for a while, then he stopped doing that, lest that become obligatory on them. The Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them) continued to pray it separately during the life of the Prophet Sall Allaahu alaihi wa sallaam (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and after his death, until 'Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allaah be pleased with them) gathered them behind one imaam as they used to pray behind the Prophet Sall Allaahu alaihi wa sallaam (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). This was not an innovation introduced into the religion.

Writing down the hadeeth also has a basis in Islam. The Prophet Sall Allaahu alaihi wa sallaam (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) ordered that some ahaadeeth should be written down for some of his companions when they asked him for that. In general terms writing it down during his lifetime was not allowed, for fear that the Qur'aan might be mixed with things that were not part of it. When the Prophet Sall Allaahu alaihi wa sallaam (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) died, this fear was no longer a factor, because the Qur'aan had been completed and arranged in order before he died. The Muslims compiled the Sunnah after that in order to preserve it and keep it from being lost. May Allaah reward them with good on behalf of Islam and the Muslims, because they preserved the Book of their Lord and the Sunnah of their Prophet Sall Allaahu alaihi wa sallaam (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) from being lost or being tampered with.

We may also say to them: why was this act of thanksgiving, as they call it, not done by the best generations, the Sahaabah, Taabi'een and followers of the Taabi'een, who loved the Prophet Sall Allaahu alaihi wa sallaam (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) most and who were most keen to do good and give thanks? Are those who introduced the innovation of the Mawlid more rightly-guided than them? Do they give more thanks to Allaah? Definitely not!

6 - They may say that celebrating the birthday of the Prophet Sall Allaahu alaihi wa sallaam (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is indicative of their love for him; this is one way of showing that, and showing love of the Prophet Sall Allaahu alaihi wa sallaam (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is prescribed in Islam!

The answer to that is that undoubtedly loving the Prophet Sall Allaahu alaihi wa sallaam (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is obligatory for every Muslim; he should love him more than he loves himself, his child, his father and all the people - may my father and mother be sacrificed for him - but that does not mean that we should introduce innovations for doing so that have not been prescribed for us. Loving him dictates that we should obey him and follow him, for that is one of the greatest manifestations of love, as it is said:

"If your love is sincere then obey him; for the lover obeys the one whom he loves."

Loving the Prophet Sall Allaahu alaihi wa sallaam (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) implies keeping his Sunnah alive, adhering firmly to it, and avoiding words and deeds that go against it. Undoubtedly everything that goes against his Sunnah is a reprehensible innovation (bid'ah) and a manifest act of disobedience. That includes celebrating his birthday and other kinds of bid'ah. A good intention does not mean that it is permissible to introduce innovations into the religion. Islam is based on two things, purity of intention and following [the Prophet Sall Allaahu alaihi wa sallaam (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)]. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Yes, but whoever submits his face (himself) to Allaah (i.e. follows Allaah's religion of Islamic Monotheism) and he is a Muhsin (a doer of good) then his reward is with his Lord (Allaah), on such shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve" [al-Baqarah 2:112]

Submitting one's face to Allaah means being sincere towards Allaah, and doing good means following the Messenger and implementing the Sunnah.

7 - Another of their specious arguments is when they say that by celebrating the Mawlid and reading the biography of the Prophet Sall Allaahu alaihi wa sallaam (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) on this occasion, they are encouraging people to follow his example!

We say to them that reading the biography of the Prophet Sall Allaahu alaihi wa sallaam (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and following his example are required of the Muslim all the time, all year long and throughout his life. Singling out a specific day for that with no evidence for doing so is an innovation, and every innovation is a going astray." (Narrated by Ahmad, 4/164; al-Tirmidhi, 2676). Bid'ah does not bear any fruit but evil and it leads to a person distancing himself from the Prophet Sall Allaahu alaihi wa sallaam (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).

In conclusion, celebrating the birthday of the Prophet Sall Allaahu alaihi wa sallaam (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), whatever form it takes, is a reprehensible innovation. The Muslims should put a stop to this and other kinds of bid'ah, and occupy themselves with reviving and adhering to the Sunnah. They should not be deceived by those who promote and defend this bid'ah, for these types of people are more interested in keeping innovations alive than in reviving the Sunnah; they may not even care about the Sunnah at all. Whoever is like this, it is not permissible to imitate him or follow his example, even if the majority of people are like this. Rather we should follow the example of those who follow the path of the Sunnah, among the righteous salaf and their followers, even if they are few. Truth is not measured by the men who speak it, rather men are measured by the truth.

The Prophet Sall Allaahu alaihi wa sallaam (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Whoever among you lives (for a long time) will see many differences. I urge you to follow my Sunnah and the way of the rightly-guided khaleefahs who come after me. Hold on to it firmly. Beware of newly-invented matters, for every innovation is a going astray." (Narrated by Ahmad, 4/126; al-Tirmidhi no. 2676). So the Prophet Sall Allaahu alaihi wa sallaam (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) explained to us in this hadeeth what we should do when there are differences of opinion, just as he explained that everything that goes against his Sunnah, be it words or deeds, is a bid'ah, and every bid'ah is a going astray.

If we see that there is no basis for celebrating the birthday of the Prophet, whether in the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allaah Sall Allaahu alaihi wa sallaam (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) or in the way of the rightly-guided khaleefahs, then it is one of the newly-invented matters, one of the bid'ahs which lead people astray. This principle is what is implied by this hadeeth and is what is indicated by the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):

"O you who believe! Obey Allaah and obey the Messenger (Muhammad), and those of you (Muslims) who are in authority. (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allaah and His Messenger, if you believe in Allaah and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination" [al-Nisaa' 4:59]

Referring to Allaah means referring to His Book, and referring to the Messenger Sall Allaahu alaihi wa sallaam (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) means referring to his Sunnah after he has passed away. The Qur'aan and Sunnah are the reference point in cases of dispute. Where in the Qur'aan or Sunnah does it indicate that it is prescribed in Islam to celebrate the Prophet's birthday? Whoever does that or thinks that it is good must repent to Allaah from this and from other kinds of bid'ah. This is the attitude of the Muslim who is seeking the truth. But whoever is too stubborn and arrogant after proof has been established, then his reckoning will be with his Lord.

We ask Allaah to help us adhere to His Book and the Sunnah of His Messenger until the Day when we will meet Him. May Allaah grant blessings and peace to our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions.

Huqooq al-Nabi Sall Allaahu alaihi wa sallaam (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) bayna al-Ijlaal wa'l-Ikhlaal, p. 139

Shaykh Dr. Saalih ibn Fawzaan al-Fawzaan

Member of the Committee of Senior Scholars,

Saudi Arabia.

Contributed by:

amatullah-n@juno.com

Umm Fatih via The RightPath Group

e anniversary of its imaam’s

A Life of Piety.

A Life of Piety

Hadhrat Moulânâ Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sâheb (Dâmat Barakâtuhum) Translated by Moulânâ Ebrahim Muhammad

Introduction

After taking an oath of the sky, earth and other great signs, Allâh took an oath of the nafs. "I take an oath by the nafs and the One that corrected it."

"He inspired the nafs with evil and piety."

Allâh has created the ability to sin as well as to be pious in man. Man now has a choice of accepting the slavery of the nafs and preparing his way to hell or he could muster some courage, become pious and thereby become a friend of Allâh. He could either become Abdur Rahmân (the slave of the Merciful) or Abdus Shaytân (the slave of satan). Allâh has granted man a choice to either adopt the path of piety or the path of sin. Retribution and punishment will be based on this choice.

Now the question arises why Allâh mentioned taqwâ after mentioning sin. Normally a good thing is mentioned first. When you enter the musjid, you step in with the right foot first. You eat with the right hand. Every good thing is placed first but Allâh mentioned sin first in this verse. This has a very great secret and if one comes to know this secret, one will not be grieved by the urge to sin. The urge to sin is not harmful. Fulfilling the urge is however sinful. If you do not have the urge to sin, you cannot become pious.

The Blood of Hopes

The blood shed by sacrificing one’s desires is the horizon of becoming a saint. Taqwâ means to curb the fulfilling of the desires of the heart. Shed the blood of all your desires and all the four horizons of your heart will become red. The sun of this world rises from one horizon, that is from the east. But when the saints adopt piety by sacrificing all their desires and enduring grief in the path of Allâh, then all the horizons of the heart become red and the sun of Allâh’s friendship and relationship rises in the heart.

And if one did not sacrifice his desires, then what will he achieve? He will attain darkness upon darkness and pollution over pollution. He will get a foul odour and a disgraced name. No one on earth will call him Hadhrat. When the creation comes to know that a person is the head (of evil), they snatch all noble titles away from him. One of the punishments of sin in this world is that all titles of honour are snatched away from one in this world.

What will be the condition of that heart whose every horizon has the sun of Allâh’s proximity rising from it? When a man called KhurshTd (sun) came to me one day, I recited the following couplet to him:

When Khurshîd obtained the creator of Khurshîd (the sun) in his heart, then ask Khurshîd the condition of his world.

The Secret of Mentioning Sin First

The fact that Allâh took an oath of the nafs is proof that He wants to explain something very important. I was travelling from Lahore to Karachi by train with a very great scholar. On the way, he recited this verse in Fajr Salâh. During salâh the thought occurred to me why Allâh mentioned sin first. I asked the scholar who smiled and told me to explain.

Taqwa’s Dependence on the Ability to Sin

I replied that Allâh has inspired me with the answer. Just as salâh cannot be performed without wudhu, similarly one cannot study Sahih BukhârT without doing the pre-final year. In the same way, taqwâ is dependent on the substance of sin. Had this substance not been existent, how could one prevent it? Every prohibition requires the existence of the prohibited act. For example, I tell you not to look at the tasbTh in my hand. The existence of the tasbTh is essential. If I do not have a tasbTh in my hand and tell you not to look at it, everyone will say the statement is wrong. There is no tasbTh in the hand.

The Urge to Sin

Allâh has exhorted man to curb the urge to sin. Man has to obey Allâh and become His slave because Allâh has created man and not the nafs. This indicates that the urge to sin is essential. That is why He is commanding us to prevent the nafs. Had there been no urge to sin, taqwâ would not have existed because taqwâ means to subdue the urge of the nafs to sin and to endure the grief that follows.

The Greatness of the Grief of Allah’s Path

Allâh is reached by this grief. But how regretful it is that man is prepared to endure the grief of the entire world, but he hesitates and fears undergoing the grief of Allah’s path. The grief of Allah’s path is so honoured that if all the crowns and thrones of the kings of the world are placed in one pan of the scale together with the beauty and love of all the lovers of the world, the entire wealth of the world and all the deliciousness of the shâmT kababs and biryânT of the world cannot equal one atom of the grief of Allah’s path. How aptly Allâmah Sayyid Sulaimân NadwT (Rahimahullâh) has said,

When I obtain the wealth of Your grief I become independent of the grief of both the worlds.

The grief of Allah’s love and the grief of abstaining from sin is better than the whole world. You can attain heaven by this grief. This is the grief that brings one into close proximity to Allah, makes one a walTullâh, keeps one at ease in this world and makes one reach jannah. Who can pay the price of this grief? If all the joys of this world present a guard of honour to the grief of Allah’s path, they cannot fulfil the rights of this grief. I implore you with a painful heart that this grief is extremely valuable. This grief leads one to Allah.

My crown is hidden in the lap of poverty. One atom of Your grief is not less than both the worlds.

Allâh is not so oppressive so as to neglect the one who undergoes so much pain and worry by not committing sin. Allâh is most merciful. He knows that first His servant did not have a beard. Now he is sporting a beard in spite of the fact that people are mocking him. Today the people can mock and jest but on the day of Qiyâmah, Allâh will not mock at me.

The Rule of the Moustache

Initially he had a long moustache. After hearing the rule, he trimmed it. It is mentioned in a hadith that Rasûlullâh will not intercede on behalf of the one who keeps a long moustache. A long moustache is one that conceals the upper lip. It is not permissible to sport such a moustache. If the hair is short and does not conceal the upper lip, it is permissible. However, Sheikhul Hadith Moulânâ Zakariyyâ (Rahimahullâh) has written that it is best to trim the moustache with a scissors so that no hair remains. According to some scholars, it is an innovation to shave off the hair with a blade. Therefore, a scissors or machine without a blade is best. Similarly, Allah’s slave had a habit of listening to music. Now he has abandoned it and undergone the grief of abstention. But who can fulfil the right of the honour of this grief?

A True Incident

One of my friends who is also my khalîfah in the island of Reunion initially had a habit of listening to music. He was such an expert that he used to put all the European tourists to sleep with his flute at the foot of the mountain. But when Allâh chose him and granted him guidance, he broke all the instruments and buried them. Now he is pious from head to toe. He has the attire of a pious man and all praise is due to Allâh that his heart is also attached to Allah. If you listen to him, you will think that he is a very great saint. But did he not endure the grief? He still undergoes grief. If he hears the voice of anyone singing, his heart undergoes pain. His heart wants to listen but he suppresses his urge to do so.

Disobedient Limbs

Whoever does not have the habit of this grief is useless. His foot is worth chopping off. Moulânâ Rûmî (Rahimahullâh) states that it is better for the feet that do not walk in the path of Allâh or towards the mosque to be cut off. It is better to amputate the hands that do not worship Allah, do not touch Hajre Aswad or shake hands with the saints. The ears that do not listen to Allah’s talk should be torn off. The eyes that do not appreciate Allah’s manifestation and disobey Him should be thrown away.

The one who disobeys Allâh should not remain alive. However, this does not mean that you should go and kill someone or tear off his eye or cut off his ear. What is meant here is that a disobedient person has no value in the eyes of Allah. Allah, through His forbearance and grace grants him the opportunity to repent. But our insistence in sinning has no limit. Had Allâh not been forbearant, we would not have existed.

What is Taqwa?

Allâh did not mention taqwâ first. He first mentioned the fact that He created the ability to sin within man. Now it is your duty not to fulfil the urge to sin. This will create taqwâ (piety) in you. If you want to obtain piety, then all you have to do is abstain from sin. Achieve Reward without Doing any Work

The owners of factories first make their employees work and then reward them. But in this case, Allâh is granting reward for not doing any work. Do not steal, speak lies and do not look at women. By not doing these things, you will be rewarded with piety and Allah’s friendship. What is taqwâ? Taqwâ is when you have the urge to sin but you abstain due to the fear of Allah. Then you must endure the pain and not regret adopting piety. Do not say, "I wish I should have looked at least once." Remember that it is shaytân’s ploy to make you regret. One who regrets has an undeveloped heart and his Imân is weak. Imân will be complete when he abstains from sin, endures grief, thanks Allâh and becomes ecstatic with joy.

Who is a Muttaqi?

A muttaqi is one who protects himself from sin, protects his gaze from women, protects himself from speaking lies, from bribery, from disobeying his parents, from oppressing his wife and neighbours. He keeps away from all impermissible acts and does not regret. He does not regard Islam as oppressive. Islam has protected him from troubles otherwise if he had to eat from every farm like a cow, people would beat him so much that it would be impossible for him to stay alive. Go to the villages and have a look at the cow that grazes from everyone’s farm. It is beaten by everyone. Not an inch of its back is safe. When it falls ill, there is no one to cure it. When it dies, there is no one to bury it. Vultures and crows feed on its corpse.

The Reality of Bay’at

Is this life? The one who becomes free from the limits of Allâh has a cursed life. And the one who is pious is actually sold on the hand of the saints. Allâh has kept His representatives on earth who ‘buy’ the people and make them reach Allah.

An Example of Bay’at

If the prime minister wants to send some wheat somewhere, he does not go himself to the farmers. He appoints a commissioner as his representative in every area to contact the farmers, buy the wheat and pay them using official money. Then they must send the commodity to Islamabad, the capital city.

Similarly, the Ahlullâh are the representatives of Allâh. They ‘purchase’ people and ‘send’ them to Allâh, that is, they show the path of becoming a saint. By treading this path, one becomes a walTullâh. They do not purchase them for themselves.

The Ahlullâh make bay’at to teach the worship of Allâh. The meaning of bay’at is to be sold. He is actually sold to Allah. The hands of the Ahlullâh are representatives just as Allâh says that those who make bay’at on the hand of Rasûlullâh ?, that is actually not the hand of Rasûlullâh ?. It is the hand of Allâh. The hand of the Nabi ??is a representative. The one who makes bay’at is sold on the hand of Allâh. He then joins the group of the Ahlullâh and becomes a walTullâh. Do not be perturbed by the urge to sin. These urges are steps to your sainthood. The one who does not have these urges becomes a hermaphrodite. He can never attain sainthood.

The Superiority of the Ahlullah

Therefore the Ahlullâh are superior to the angels because they have the urge to sin within them. By not fulfilling this urge, they endure the grief of abstention in their hearts. Angels do not have any urge and they see man continuously enduring grief. In spite of the urge, they do not obey their nafs and remain engrossed in the worship of Allah. Piety is obtained by not acting on the urge to sin.

An Example of the Inspiration of Sin and Piety

The example of virtue and piety is that of a match. A match only produces fire if it is rubbed. The match of virtue and evil which we have within ourselves has virtue on the one side and evil on the other. Allâh has kept both these capabilities within us. He has given us the ability to sin as well as commit good acts. But neither will the evil be ignited nor the virtue until they are rubbed. Both have their matchsticks. If you live in the company of the pious saints, then you have rubbed the matchstick of virtue. Now the lamp of piety will be illuminated. When the urge to sin is aroused in you, you stamp it out. You have thus rubbed the matchstick of virtue. Now the light of piety will be created. But if you cast evil glances, and began sitting by ghair mahrams and soothing yourself with attractive women, you have rubbed the matchstick of evil. The fire of evil will be lit. You will burn in the fire of love affairs. You will be uneasy and worried. This is not the oppression of Allah. Allâh is pure of oppression. We have oppressed ourselves. No harm is caused by the urge to sin. The one who acts on his urge to sin is caught out and he is the one who has lit the match of evil. Allâh has commanded us to refrain from fulfilling these urges. The match cannot do anything itself. These urges are not harmful as long as you do not fulfil them. Do not adopt the causes of intensifying these urges otherwise a fire will be lit. Then in spite of a beard and round hat, this person will run behind beauty. This is a dangerous disease because he has cast evil glances and removed the shadow of Allâh’s mercy. He has now entered the curse of Allah.

Earning Sin

Therefore Allâh says, "Shaytân has misled them due to the sins they committed." Shaytân cannot mislead anyone unless the person commits a sin and goes far away from Allah’s mercy. It is impossible that the shadow of Allâh’s mercy be present and shaytân destroys a person. Allâh has created the nafs. It urges man to sin excessively. It creates severe urges to sin. But remember, O people of the world, if Allah’s mercy exists, then the nafs cannot cause any harm. But when you commit a sin, the shadow of Allah’s mercy moves away.

When a person commits one sin, then he commits the second and the third and so on. If a person casts an evil glance once, for example, at a bus stop in Gulshan Iqbal, then he will continue casting evil glances the whole way until he reaches the final stop, Keamari. And if he protected his gaze the first time, then Inshâ Allâh, his gaze will be safeguarded the whole way. Some people delay in repenting because they feel that the enjoyment experienced at the next stop of staring at attractive females will be terminated. In order to eat faeces, he does not repent from faeces in order to continue his enjoyment at the next stop.

A Benefit of Repenting Quickly

Allâmah Âlûsî (Rahimahullâh) states in Tafsîr Rûhul Ma’ânî that one should repent immediately after committing a sin because sin creates darkness and due to this darkness, Iblîs makes the heart his headquarters. If you keep him in control for a long time, many sins will be committed. Therefore, illuminate the heart by repenting quickly and shedding tears of regret. Shaytân will then have to flee. Just as a bat survives in darkness, similarly, shaytân also has the same nature. He survives in the darkness of sins. If you delay in repenting, he will remain there for longer. Do you wish to keep your enemy for a long while in your home? Therefore, if you repent quickly, shaytân will flee due to the nûr of taubah.

Allah’s attribute of Grace

At this point, Allâmah Âlûsî has narrated the incident of Ibrâhim Ibn Adham (Rahimahullâh) . He was a king who sacrificed his kingdom for Allâh’s sake. He worshipped Allâh for ten years in a cave in Nishâpfr. Due to his blessing, the tafsîr of Allâh’s words is being presented to you. Now my name will also be mentioned with Your name.

Many kings have left their kingdoms but no one blesses them with Allah’s mercy. But this king abandoned his kingdom on Allah’s name due to which Allâh granted him the honour of being mentioned on the tongue of the Auliyâ. Allâmah ÂlûsT has narrated his incident in the fourth part of the Qur’ân. After worshipping Allâh for ten years, Ibrâhim Ibn Adham set off for hajj. Whilst making tawâf, he requested Allâh to make him sinless. He heard a voice saying within himself, "O Ibrâhim, I know that you have abandoned the kingdom for My sake. I appreciate your love. But all of mankind is making the same request as you have made. O Ibrâhim, if We accept everyone’s duâ, then on whom will Our grace and honour be manifest? On whom will My attribute of forgiveness be shown? Supplicate in this manner that Allâh should protect you from sin and grant you the ability to repent. Seek steadfastness and if you commit any sin, immediately resort to repentance.

Two Paths Leading to Allâh

Allâmah Isfarâînî (Rahimahullâh) , the teacher of Imâm Ghazâlî (Rahimahullâh) supplicated for thirty years to Allâh to make him sinless. He wanted to be completely free from all types of sin. This was a special status he sought. Only the one who does not want to displease Allâh can make such a duâ. One day he thought that although he had been supplicating for thirty years, Allâh had not accepted his duâ despite being Karîm (generous in giving).

Taqwa and Taubah

A voice emanated from the sky saying, "O Isfarâînî, you want to become sinless when I have made two paths for becoming a walT. One is the path of piety and the other the path of repentance. Have you not recited the verse in the Qur’ân wherein Allâh says that He loves those who repent. When there are two windows, why are you specifying one? If due to human weakness, you commit a sin, come in close proximity to Me by repenting. Do not commit sins intentionally. When there is excessive mud, even an elephant can slip. Therefore, if you commit a sin, repent and become My beloved. Why do you only want to come via the route of piety when I have opened the door of repentance as well? When I have opened two doors, why are you appointing only one for yourself? Become My beloved via the path of repentance. Supplicate for protection from sin, not for becoming sinless."

Two Destructive Illnesses

If you commit a sin, do not delay in repenting. Go all out in refraining from sin. I am summarising the entire tasawwuf in two sentences. There are only two diseases that keep a sâlik away from Allâh. One is jâh (seeking status) while the other is bâh [sexual sins]. Due to bâh, one becomes overpowered by the nafs and becomes involved in casting evil glances, adultery and all sins of carnal desire. Jâh is pride and arrogance and the desire to become famous among people. If a person removes these two illnesses, he will become a walî.

Âh and the Proximity of Allâh

If you remove the jîm of jâh and the bâ of bâh, you are left with âh. This âh brings one into close proximity to Allâh. You will find this âh in the word Allâh. Allâh has included this âh in His name so that when man experiences grief in sacrificing his status and desires, he will find solace in Allâh’s name. Has not the whole of tasawwuf been encompassed in two sentences. These two illnesses make one rejected and entrapped by shaytân. He then becomes distant from Allâh. Some people, due to their arrogance, think of themselves as being very great. Some people are involved with women. The carnal desires have overpowered such people. Hâjî Imdâdullâh Sheikhul Arab Wal Ajam (Rahimahullâh) says that there are basically two illnesses of the nafs. The remaining are all branches. One is jâh while the other is bâh. Wipe out the feeling within you of becoming great. How can you decide now whether you are great or not? Allâh will make this decision on the day of Qiyâmah. Our value will be determined by Allâh. The slave that determines his own value is foolish and insane. Allâmah Sayyid Sulaimân Nadwî states,

We remained like this or like that. There we have to see how we will be.

When Allâh will determine our value on the day of Qiyâmah, then enter jannah while expressing gratitude over His grace and bounty. But the one who determines his own value in the world and regards himself superior to others is arrogant.

The Atom Bomb of Pride

Rasûlullâh said that the one who has an atom’s weight of pride in his heart will not enter jannah. He will not even get the scent of Jannah. This is the material of the atom bomb of pride that it deprives one of the scent of heaven. Therefore, one should have concern about it. We should not have this atom bomb within ourselves without knowing about it. Consult the bomb disposal squad, namely the Ahlullâh to rid oneself of this bomb.

Two Ingredients of Pride

What is pride? Rasûlullâh has apprised us of its ingredients namely, non-acceptance of the truth and regarding people as inferior. Some people don’t accept the truth even though they know it is the truth. They say, "We do not accept what the Molvis have to say." This is pride. The second sign of pride is that one regards others as inferior. Rasûlullâh did not use the word ‘believer’ in the hadith but he said, ‘an-nâs’, that is all the people. Thus, even if you regard a kâfir as inferior, you have pride. Now you may ask how can we not regard a kâfir as inferior. Well remember that it is obligatory to dislike kufr [disbelief] but it is harâm to regard a kâfir as debased. It is possible that he may recite the kalimah and die with faith.

Disliking Kufr

Moulânâ Qâsim Nânotwî (Rahimahullâh) saw a Bunya (Hindu) walking in jannah. He asked the latter how he entered jannah. He replied that he had recited the kalimah at the time of death. He spent his whole life saying Ram, Ram but he was successful at the end of his life. Therefore, it is harâm to regard a kâfir as disgraced. We don’t know how his end will be. Moulânâ Rûmî (Rahimahullâh) says:

Do not regard any kâfir as debased, because there is hope of him embracing Islam before death. It is possible that his death be on Imân. We don’t know what our end result will be. We don’t have any guarantee.

The Great Mujaddid

That is the reason why Hadrat Thânwi (Rahimahullâh) regarded himself as lower than all the Muslims of the world during his time. He would regard every Muslim as superior because there was a possibility that some act of his being accepted by Allâh and an act of mine not being accepted by Allâh and He becoming angry. With regards to the future, he said that he regarded himself worse than all the kuffâr, dogs, pigs and animals of the world, that is, regarding the end result because no one knows what his end result would be. When one does not know the consequence, how can one regard oneself as better. Subhânallâh, what knowledge Hadhrat had and how illuminated were his words. "I regard myself lower than the Muslims now and lower than the disbelievers and animals in future." He used to say that when he thought about the final result, he would tremble and wonder what Ashraf Ali’s condition would be. He said that if he got a place where the people of jannat left their shoes, that would be indeed sufficient for him. This also, he said he was not entitled to but because he could not withstand hell. On the other hand, we perform a few raka’ât nafl salâh and think we have become the owners of jannah. This is pure foolishness.

The Bomb Disposal Squad of Pride

The disease of pride is so dangerous that it will deprive one of the scent of jannah. Even though one would have performed hajj, umrah, tahajjud and ishrâq, then too one would not smell jannah. This is the statement of Rasûlullâh. When this bomb is so dangerous, why then don’t you meet with the bomb disposal squad. Who are they? They are the Ahlullâh, the friends of Allâh. Ask them whether you have pride. If you live with them, they will indicate this to you, Inshâ-Allâh. Hadhrat Hakîmul Ummat states that when a person places his foot in the khanqah, he comes to know of all his internal illnesses. It is as if he takes an x-ray of the person. He comes to know whether the person has pride in him or whether his eyes are full of lust. He knows whether the person glances at attractive faces. At the very first glance he comes to know all this. Allâh grants this ability to those who are given the responsibility of reforming people. Salvation from Pride

Therefore refrain from two things. Firstly, do not regard yourself as great. Regard yourself lower than all the Muslims of the world. In this way you would have saved yourself from ‘ghamtun-nâs’

- regarding people as inferior. Sometimes as a means of precaution, utter this verbally. "I regard myself lower than the Muslims now and lower than the disbelievers and animals in future." If you continue uttering this statement verbally, you will not regard others as inferior. And secondly, always accept the truth. When you come to know that a certain fact is true, accept it immediately. You will be cured of pride because you have been freed of the two major ingredients of pride. The one who accepts the truth and does not regard himself as superior is free of pride.

The Method of not Despising Disobedient People

Do not despise anyone no matter how bad a condition he may be in, even though he may be an adulterer or drunkard. Despise the actions of the disobedient; not their persons. It is compulsory to hate the disbelief of the disbelievers and the transgression of the sinners. Hate the act, not the doer of the act. Hadhrat Thânwî (Rahimahullâh) said that this is very easy. This is similar to a situation where a prince whose face is radiant comes with ink all over his face. Will you despise the prince or his act of applying the ink. You will not hate the prince because you know that he is a prince. You don’t know when he will wash his face and make it radiant once again. From this you can understand that one should hate the act and not the doer of the act. Perhaps he may repent and become a walTullâh. However, when you see someone committing a sin, supplicate to Allâh to protect you from that sin. And express gratitude to Allâh for not involving you in that sin by reading the du'â

If perchance you saw someone staring at a woman, then protect your gaze and thank Allâh for protecting you from this spiritual malady.

An Easy Way to Achieve Piety

Now I will narrate to you the statement of my Sheikh, Shâh Abdul Ghani (Rahimahullâh) . He said that Allâh, due to His perfect mercy, indicated the prescription for taqwâ after making taqwâ incumbent. "Remain with the truthful ones (the people of piety)." Till when will you continue sinning. By living with them, your temperament will one day change. The one who once lived in the sewerage area but has now begun living in a garden among fragrant flowers, will find that his nature will change. Now he will not go back to the sewerage area to smell a canister of faeces. Muster up the courage and leave the sewerage for a few days. The Prescription for Reformation

If you fear reverting back to the sewerage area and committing sin if you have to come out of the khânqah, then abandon going out for a year or two. Sacrifice even your relatives for Allâh’s sake. Tell them to come and meet you in the khânqah. No matter what they say that the path to Allâh is very difficult, do not worry about them. These very relatives will eventually fall at your feet when you don the crown of piety, when piety flows from your eyes and the scent of piety is effused from your tongue. Allâh promises that He will love the one who leaves sin. He is in no need of amulets. When he belongs to Allâh, Allâh makes the creation love him. Do not worry about people saying that the path of Allâh is difficult. Tell them that you are ill and that your Sheikh has prescribed a two-year stay for you in the khânqah.

The Incident of Allamah Khalid Kurdî

Allâmah Khâlid Kurdî was a very great scholar of Syria who came to spend forty days in the khânqah of Shâh Ghulâm Alî in Delhi. Shâh Ghulâm Ali was the khalîfah of Mirza Manhar Jâne Jânân (Rahimahullâh) . Shâh Abdul Azîz Muhaddith Dehlwî (Rahimahullâh) came to meet Allâmah Khâlid. The latter wrote a note to him saying that he was not able to meet anyone as he was spending time in the company of his Sheikh. After completing his forty days, he would go and meet him. This is the status of the Sheikh that one should do as he says. Until you do not sacrifice the whole creation, your relatives, businesses and desires, you cannot reach Allâh. Make yourself subservient to the wishes of Allâh and see what you achieve. Those who are deeply involved in love affairs should spend two years in the khânqah. They should not go outside even to eat pân [betel leaf]. Then see whether you become a saint or not. If a person lives among flowers but in between he also goes to the sewerage area, will not be able to change his nature. If after two months or four months you make an excuse of visiting some relative or your brother has arrived from abroad, you leave the khânqâh, then you have reached the centre of sin. You have in actual fact entered the sewerage area and smelt the faeces. Your nature will also be spoilt and all your effort will be wasted. May Allâh raise the status of my Sheikh. What an amazing person he was! He used to say that one should live with the people of taqwâ and hold firmly onto them. He said that wherever Allâh revealed any command, He also prescribed an easy method of fulfilling that command. As in the case of taqwâ, He has prescribed living with the pious ones.

Allah’s Independence

Allâh has revealed the word ‘ahad’ in Sûrah Ikhlâs and not the word ‘wâhid’ although ‘wâhid’ also means one. What is the difference between ‘ahad’ and ‘wâhid’? The word ‘ahad’ is only used to refer to one entity while ‘wâhid’ can be used for several entities as well eg. wâhid mi’ah - one hundred and wâhid alf - one thousand. Wâhid is one but here it refers to thousand as well. When Arabs speak, they use ‘wâhid’ for hundred and thousand but they do not use the word ‘ahad’. ‘Ahad’ is only used for one being. Therefore Allâh used this word to specify the unity of His being. Shâh Abdul Ghanî (Rahimahullâh) used to say that the proof of this is the following verse, "Allâhus Samad" Allâh is independent. Sharing is a proof of need. To form a coalition government or a limited company is a sign of need. When a person cannot run a company himself, he forms a limited partnership. A partnership is always a proof of need. Allâh says that He is not forming a partnership because He is independent. Abû Hurairah (Radhiallâhu anhu) states that ‘samad’ means one that is independent of everyone else while everything is dependent on him. Because Allâh is independent of everyone and everyone is dependent on Him, this independence is proof of His unity. Therefore, no one can be a deity besides Him. This was the inspired knowledge of my Sheikh. How amazing that he proved Allâh’s unity from His independence.

An Example of Changing Sins to Virtue

Now I will present an example given by Moulânâ Rûmî (Rahimahullâh) and conclude my talk. Moulânâ Rûmî (Rahimahullâh) states that Allâh has kept the ability to sin as well as the ability to do good within man. He gives an example that when the sun shines on cow dung that lies in the forest, it becomes dry. Then the baker places it in the oven where it becomes completely red and makes the oven red. The baker is now able to bake roti (bread). The dung became dry and pure, then it became red in the fire. Now it was used for baking roti as well as giving light. Who granted it this benefit? A mere creation of Allâh, the sun produced this effect that it made cow dung clean.

The Effect of the Sun on Impurities

The rays of the sun dried up the liquid part of the dung and converted it into fertilizer. This very fertilizer now produces fragrant flowers like the rose and jasmine. Moulânâ Rûmî (Rahimahullâh) states that the sun’s rays made one part of the impure dung illuminated in the oven while the other part was converted into flowers. When this is the effect of the sun’s rays, then what will be the effect of Allâh’s grace on evil character? What will happen to the urge of sinning that one has? Why will it not change into good character and the desire to worship? Then he recited this verse: O Allâh, Your sun has an effect on apparent impurities. And Your general grace does not search for capability.

Had it searched for capability, then the sun in the sky would not have had an effect on impurities. The sun would have said that it was beyond his dignity and honour to have an effect on dung. The sun would have changed its speed.

The Sun of Mercy

When the sun in the sky can convert impurities to fragrant flowers and creating bread in the oven, then what will be the condition of Allâh’s sun of grace? When the rays of Allâh’s mercy shine on the evil thoughts in the heart, those thoughts are changed to the light of piety. Allâh does not require capability or a certificate for giving. When Allâh can grant filthy impurities such garments, then what will He be able to give his pure servants. Jalâlud-dîn Rûmî (Rahimahullâh) is at a loss of vocabulary to express what bounties Allâh grants those who tread His path. The Effects of a Relationship With Allâh

When the sun of Allâh’s grace rises on people’s hearts, their evil character changes to virtuous character. The love which was being sacrificed for decaying corpses is now being sacrificed for Allâh in prostration. That love is expressed now by placing the head on the ground in prostration by saying, "Subhâna Rabbiyal A’lâ". Honour belongs to the one who places his head at the feet of the Creator of the head. He will have no difficulties.

The Light of Piety

Life is a matter of just a few days. Muster up some courage and do not fulfil your urge to sin. Make the urge of sin dry up in the rays of the sun of mujâhadah (striving) just like how the sun in the sky dries up dung. If you do not fulfil the urge to sin, the light of taqwâ will be created. But if a person does not allow the dung to dry up and lets the cattle continue defecating fresh dung, then whatever was dried up by the sun will also become soft and will not be allowed to become dry. The earth which had become hot will now become cold. The bounty of the sun’s rays will be destroyed. In the same way some people waste the efforts of their Sheikh by not being cautious. To Allâh do I present my complaint.

The Meaning of Success

Allâh says, "The one who purified himself has succeeded."

He has achieved the success of this world as well as the hereafter. ‘Falâh’ means all the good of this world and the hereafter. Successful is the one who listened to his spiritual mentor and obeyed him. Listen to the sheikh and do not look at your family or relatives and your habits of eating pân. The very same family will carry your shoes. Make duâ that Allâh grant us the ability to practise.

O Allâh, accept this discourse of mine. O Allâh, accept me and all the listeners. Change our criminal hearts to saintly ones. You are capable of changing fire into water and vice versa. You can change joy into grief and vice versa. Make our hearts full of pain and hearts like those of the saints. Grant us life with the safety of limbs and Imân. Take us away from this world with the safety of limbs and Imân. Accept this duâ for us, our progeny and all the Muslims of the world. O Allâh, grant us the final stage of the Siddiqîn. O Allâh, grant us such Imân and conviction so that every breath of ours is sacrificed for Your sake. We should not displease You even for one breath. Every breath of ours should be spent in actions that please you. If we commit any sin, grant us the ability to moisten our places of sajdah with tears of remorse and repentance. Make our dunyâ and hereafter.

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