Lectures Text

Superiority (fazeela’t) and Importance of Remembering Allah Almighty

اَلْحَمْدُ ِﷲِ رَبِّ الْعٰلَمِیْنِ۔اَلصَّلوٰۃُ وَ السَّلاَم ُ عَلیٰ خَاتَمَ النَّبِیینِ ۔اَمَّا بَعْدُ فَاَعُوذُ بِاﷲِ مِنَ الشَّیْطٰنِ الرَّجِیْمِ بِسْمِ اﷲالرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ فَاذْكُرُوۡنِیۡۤ اَذْكُرْكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوۡا لِیۡ وَلَا تَكْفُرُوۡنِ
(So Remember Me, and I will remember you, and be thankful to Me, and be not ungrateful to Me.
Al-Baqra, 152) Elders and Friends
Allah Almighty is very gracious and kind to the humanity. He has provided the necessities of life in abundance. Things needed the most are more in number while the less needed are lesser. This is a proof enough that Allah Almighty wants to bestow His bounties and reward us.
Most Important Things are Common This principle applies to both the worldly objects and things in the life hereafter. Air is a clear manifestation of the principle in this world. One can live without it barely for a few moments. So it has been spread all around us in abundance and is free of cost. It is difficult to take out the air from a place than to bring it in there. Then water is another essential commodity which exits in abundance. A down pour has no limits of quantity and spread. On the earth size of water is much greater than the land. Allah Almighty has devised a sequential system for water. It evaporates from the oceans, turns into clouds and then it pours down in the form of rains. After being lavishly used it flows back to the seas. This cycle repeats itself and then it goes on and on. Look at our connection with the trees. What they eat is our refuse and we enjoy their excrements. Allah Almighty created the foliage and trees for us and we are their source for living. Next commodity is the food grain like wheat, rice and corn etc. It grows much more in quantity than other things. This source of our sustenance is available in abundance and relatively cheaper than many other objects. All these things were created by Allah Almighty to ensure that human life could continue on this planet. In the same vein, the thing most essential for the spiritual system abounds and is unrestricted. This is remembrance (zik’r) of Allah Almighty.
How important is Remembrance (zik’r) of Allah Almighty? The importance of remembrance (zik’r) of Allah Almighty can be gauged from this statement of our holy Prophet (PBUH),” The difference between the one who is doing zik’r and another one who is not doing it like the living and dead.” One doing zik’r is living while the one not doing it is dead. You can judge from it the importance Allah Almighty has attached to zik’r for our spiritual well being. No restrictions of place, purity or ablution except the need for a clean place have been imposed. It can be performed everywhere, sitting, standing or lying down. In the Quran Allah Almighty has stated that there are signs for the wise people in this universe and in the turnover of day and night. And the wise are those who remember Allah Almighty standing, sitting and lying down and ponder over the creation of the universe and what it contains. Their hearts then exclaim that all these creations are not without a purpose and beg Allah Almighty for mercy and His benevolence and pray to be saved from fire of the Hell.
We have been exhorted to remember Allah Almighty frequently; day in and day out. It is also stated in Quran that when Allah Almighty is remembered collectively He reciprocates it by remembering you in the company of angels. And when you remember Him alone in your heart, He thinks of you all by Himself.
Above narrations have been based on a Hadith. These days it is common to question the authenticity of Hadiths. However no one can/should doubt what is written in the holy Quran.
فَاذْكُرُوۡنِیۡۤ اَذْكُرْكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوۡا لِیۡ وَلَا تَكْفُرُوۡنِ"
(Remember Me, and I will remember you, and be thankful to Me, and be not ungrateful to Me.
Al-Baqra, 152)
Can anyone question this Quranic injunction? It points to the same thing i.e. the importance of remembrance of Allah Almighty. The Hadith that I had quoted is primarily the explanation of this verse. Simply put it is stated here that Allah Almighty remembers those who remember Him. Religious scholars have explained it further in many forms. One interpretation based on the Hadith is that He mentions them in the company of angels and also thinks of them. The second interpretation is that He remembers them and thinks about them by Himself and also makes His creations to commemorate those blessed ones.
Those who remember Allah Almighty (zakaree’n) are commemorated You must have witnessed this phenomenon of the chosen ones being commemorated by the masses. Has the world forgotten Hazrat Moin ud Din Chishti Ajmeri (RA)? Very few know when he departed for his eternal abode but the whole world knows him. Have Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA), Hazrat Mujadid Alf Sani (RA) and Imam Ghazali (RA) been forgotten? Allah Almighty makes sure that zakree’n are remembered and also revered. This vividly shows that remembrance of Allah Almighty is a treasure of goodness in all its forms and manifestations. Hazrat Ibraheem AS (Abraham) conveyed through our beloved Prophet (PBUH) that the Paradise is like a wide plain of wilderness. If one desires to grow trees there then he should remember Allah Almighty. These are the trees of the Heavens. When ‘Subhan Allah’ ,’Alhamd o Lillah’ , ‘Allah o Akbar’ and ‘ La Ilaha il Lillah’ are recited by someone a tree each gets planted there. The more Allah Almighty is remembered better the paradise turns. This precisely is the reason that the Prophet (PBUH) had urged not to discourage those with softer beds from remembering Allah Almighty. He (PBUH) meant the rich people who possess the luxuries of life. Yet if they submit before Allah Almighty and remember Him; their wealth becomes a resource of goodness for them. A contented person when sits in his car and remembers to thank Allah Almighty for the comfort provided to him; adds to his piety. On being graced, eating or drinking he expresses his gratitude to Allah Almighty. On going to the market, if he recites the fourth Kalma, he is rewarded with three million virtues. In time of difficulty he recites
انا للہ وانا الہ راجعون.
He thanks Allah Almighty in happiness and joy. All these acts become a way of his elevation and for grant of Divine rewards. A Muslim is always a winner provided he remembers Allah Almighty. Our tongue is a small organ of our body. It does not require much of an effort to move it. When it is correctly used it can yield splendid results. Remembering Allah Almighty is very beneficial. One can elevate his spiritual status by his own personal effort. To beg forgiveness and recite ‘Is’taghfar’, send benedictions (darud) to the Prophet (PBUH) to invite blessings of Allah Almighty and recite the holy Quran to draw the Divine attention. Every way is rewarding and beneficial. The life has been given to us to earn virtues for the life hereafter. Be mindful and take advantage of this time. Ensure that zik’r becomes our second nature and we do it perpetually. What I am talking is purely informative. Many of you must have heard these things before also. So despite knowing well about all its benefits why do we forget to remember Allah Almighty( zik’r) on time? Why do we sound thankless, impatient and indulge in irrelevant gossip ignoring zikr. It, indeed, is a problem. The root cause of this problem is the sickness of hearts. How can Allah Almighty be expected to manifest into a sick heart? To achieve this end, there is need for an effort of another kind. Apparently this academic discussion when accepted wholeheartedly, acted upon perpetually can inculcate sincerity. Once this sincerity is accepted by Allah Almighty only then the desired result of emancipation is achieved. I have seen people who make the best use of their time. Once I was travelling with a scholar. We were discussing religious matters. Suddenly he took out his rosary and said that we have done enough of talking; let’s get to work now. Do you appreciate the subtlety in this beautiful sentence? Are those who do zik’r these days are taken seriously and thought as doing a useful work? Certainly not. Considering zik’r as a work is a great notion. What can be better than being remembered by Allah Almighty? In our offices people do all sorts of things to get into the good books of their bosses. Many kinds of dubious tricks and flattery are employed to please the seniors. This is all done to get promotions and a good ACR (Annual Confidential Report).
Allah Almighty has rewarded us a precious verse which is a treasure from the Heavens.
ولا حول ولا قوۃ الا بااللہ العلی العظیم
All the things expected from a good ACR should be associated with this verse and Allah Almighty. It is basically to stay away from harm and get benefits that a person tries to get into the good books of his boss. This verse exactly manifests it i.e. Allah Almighty alone has the power to harm or reward someone because He is the most powerful and magnificent. The moment this is understood; we shall consider zik’r as a work/job. We will be conscious that everything is being written as it happens unlike an ACR which is written once a year. Not a single deed is missed or ignored. Everything is noted and saved. This record is indestructible; no fire can burn it. It shall be handed over on the Day of Judgment to see and read before the weighing of the deeds. One shall be shocked to notice that nothing has been missed out whether small or big, done openly or behind covers. This is a complete set of records which cannot be eliminated except by the One who made it. We have been also taught the method to erase misdeeds provided there is a desire to do it. What is the method? It is repentance and to seek forgiveness of Allah Almighty. Repentance wipes out all the misdeeds and sins as if never committed. The records turn neat and clean with no foul entries.
In the presence of this concession, what is it that lures us away? It is the Devil. It is surprisingly despite knowing things fully well we fail to repent or stay away? Logic does not have an answer for this negligence. We know the method and also have the guarantee and assurance of Allah Almighty – Who fulfils all His promises, is benevolent and kind, bestows more than what is sought. Still we ignore it. Have you ever considered the reason for this failure? When repentance was allowed by Allah Almighty, one of the devils cried out that despite their concerted efforts to lure the humans to err and sin; yet they can get away so easily. The other devil suggested to him to make them commit mistakes that they ignore and do not consider as sinful thus, not repent and beg forgiveness. This is exactly what is happening these days. Point out a mistake to someone, he will frown in rage and start arguing. For example lowering of trousers below the ankles is a major sin for men. This is a Divine Command and not our sweet wish. In books by the renowned scholars including Imam Ghazali, it is included in the list of major sins. Women have been forbidden to raise their garments above the ankles. What do we see when we look around us; a complete reversal of the Divine order with men’s garments coming down and those of the women going up? What is sought out of this defiant practice? Nothing. But if pointed out it draws anger and rebuke. People react harshly. How do you expect them to repent and beg forgiveness when it is not considered as a sin or a mistake?
During my stay in Germany, once I was meeting a few Arabs. In the course of our conversation, I mentioned to them about the lowering of garment below ankles as a major sin. Refuting me, they quickly retorted that it actually applied to only those who lowered their clothes as a mark of pride and arrogance. Correcting their assertion, I told them that it was never described by the holy Prophet (PBUH) the way they understood it. He (PBUH) had classified the whole act as a symbol of arrogance (takb’r) not leaving an iota of doubt. So it could not be interpreted differently. I also narrated to them that while the Prophet (PBUH) was mentioning it a companion, Hazrat Abu Bakr (RH) who was close by started trembling in fear and said that sometimes he also defaulted. Putting him (RH) at ease, the Prophet (PBUH) told him that it was not for him. One interpretation of this episode is done by those linking the sin with pride. They contend that since Hazrat Abu Bakr (RH) had not lowered the clothes because of arrogance so he was exempted. Let’s look at it differently, Hazrat Abu Bakr (RH) out of sheer fear admitted that his trousers were also low some times. Do you think that a person so fearful and conscious would ever allow the mistake to continue? An error committed inadvertently does not fall in the realm of sins provided it is not continued and persevered. In the whole incident the point to register is that why Hazrat Abu Bakr (RH) got scared as soon as he learnt of it as being a major sin. This is the spirit that we must strive to emulate.
Hazrat Hanzala (RH) once while walking was repeatedly saying that he had turned into a hypocrate. Hazrat Abu Bakr (RH) interrupted him and inquired what was he saying and why? He replied that while in the company of the holy Prophet (PBUH) he felt differently but as soon as he was outside he was a changed person. Was it not hypocrisy? Hazrat Abu Bakr (RH) felt scared and told him that he also felt the same way. So he too was a hypocrite? They both decided to immediately go to the Prophet (PBUH) to explain their dilemma. The Prophet (PBUH) told them that if their condition in his (PBUH) presence persisted outside then the angles would shake hands with them even in their beds. That state of trance is possible occasionally and only in the company of the Prophet (PBUH).It was the effect of the Divine splendor transmitting through the heart of the Prophet (PBUH). Anyone would get cleansed with his obscurity gone. As soon as one got away then a veil appeared in between; the light waned and the situation changed which could be felt pronouncedly. It was this change of state that had made both the Companions (RH) uneasy.
We were talking about the remembrance and how to perpetuate it. This is only possible with the change in the condition of heart. The Prophet (PBUH) had said:-
حب الدنیا راس کل خطیۃ
Love of world is the mother of all ills. It is the single source of obscurity and darkness and is associated with all types of worldly love. Pleasure and sapidity, love for wealth, love of social status and position etc all have their negative ramifications. How can they be erased? These could only be wiped out by Allah Almighty only if we remember Him. Once in that state we shall be able to see and feel the darker side of things. This will make us worried to overcome our handicaps. Reformation only begins with realization and feelings. The moment this realization sets in; one will run away from all the vices and rush to the right places. An elder narrated a joke in a lighter tone (these are not actual happenings but are fabricated to prove a point). There was this woman on the family way. She asked her grandmother to wake her up when the baby was to be delivered. Her grandmother smilingly replied that when the moment arrived there would no need to wake her up. She would be one waking up whole world.
Similarly if it is dawned on someone and he remains worried about happenings in the grave, the Day of Judgment, the Divine Scale and how shall he present himself before Allah Almighty then the door to his reformation has opened. The Quran gives the glad tidings that a person who is afraid to stand before Allah Almighty will be bestowed with two heavens. Some scholars have explained that one of the two heavens will be in this world in the form of peace and spiritual tranquility.
As I was saying that as soon as a person realizes that one day he shall have to appear before Allah Almighty; then he would do all the right things. Here is a man who is in deep slumber or reading an interesting book or watching TV or listening to the radio while sipping tea. He is totally relaxed. All of a sudden someone informs him about the result of his blood test being negative with hepatitis C diagnosed. Can you imagine his condition? Would he continue to relax, read or sip tea? He will be flabbergasted and worried thinking only about curing of his disease. He would quickly read through an article on medical sciences appearing in a newspaper to look for a cure. He would keenly listen to the medical news on the radio and TV. Browse through the internet to know the latest research on hepatitis C. His sole worry will be to treat his ailment. No one has to remind him about it. Rather he may already be on anxiety reducing drugs to lower his tension. Similarly when a person realizes that he shall be produced before Allah Almighty one day and will have to answer for his deeds. Now his sole effort will to find someone who can save him. At that moment he will call out that there is someone who came and his teachings are available. He is our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He has framed the right course for us to succeed. So far it is clearly understood, but how to be convinced of the Hereafter and be crystal clear about it. It will need hard and rigorous effort. That effort comprises of going to the pious people, remembering Allah Almighty frequently, to remember death, the happenings after it ,and read about those who treaded this straight path.
Two women from my locality started the daily repetition (wa’zeefa) of
اِھدِ نَا الصِّرَاطَ الۡمُسۡتَقِیۡمَ
It is a very good wa’zeefa and quickly yields results. Both of them requested to be administered the oath of allegiance. I told them to first seek permission of their husbands. Anyway they were both pledged (bai’t). One of them who was a political worker called me after ten days or so and told me that she had been associated with her Party for a long time but never found any faults in them. Now she only sees mistakes and more mistakes. Only damage and loss is discernable and nothing else. What has happened? I told her that since she had asked for guidance from Allah Almighty and that was now being bestowed. What else is guidance then? It is to be able to differentiate between the right and wrong. Now you see them both separately and clearly like black and white. With this enlightened state of mind I advised her to continue working there. She is still associated with the party and guiding others onto the right path. It is that thought when granted by Allah Almighty which would lead you onto the right path. This is a Divine blessing which has to be sought with a little kind of effort. Allah Almighty is kind enough to grant it provided you make a move and beg for it. Ordinarily one is always looking for an ideal person for guidance; it’s again a satanic ploy. The quest for best mentor with all the pluses is good but how far can you go? I will narrate an incident without any exaggeration. Someone looking for a spiritual guide called me to inquire if it was possible to get someone like Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jalani (RA).I told him that what to talk of Sheikh Abdul Qadir (RA) one cannot even find one like Mufti Mahmud (RA) who lived in the recent times. The reason is with the passage of time we are drifting away from the holy Prophet (PBUH) and the spiritual light is also receding. Every coming day is darker than the previous one. In this situation find the best available rather chasing the shadow of an ideal. A sick person is told about a renowned specialist in the USA. This man is now insistent on being treated by him. Apparently it’s a good thing but does he have the US visa or will he granted the visa, can he afford to pay the expenditure. All this will have to be taken into account before the treatment can considered. One has to be practical and pragmatic rather than being an idealist. Only a fool will lose a practical advantage in search of an ideal one. A sick man rather than relying on a doctor from the USA will begin his treatment from the one who is readily available. With the increase in the gravity of the disease the nearest available doctor is approached.
One should be practical and pragmatic in his approach. Secondly Allah Almighty should be beseeched to find the right man. Before my college days, I used to read quite lot .It also included mysticism (tasawu’f), which I read in the digests. Then the impression that I form was that to so I would have to a forest. I prepared myself mentally and pended it till my graduation. Whereas my objective was correct but my thought process was wrong. Since my aim was right, Allah Almighty saved me from going to a jungle and provided me a mentor right in the university. Allah Almighty made all the arrangements for without my praying for it. Shortly after joining the campus I was introduced to Maulana Ashraf (RA). As soon as I joined his company I knew that I was at the right place. Without much ado I started going to him regularly. Then I did not know that he was a Sufi saint and no one had even mentioned it to me. His style was very informal and friendly. The reformation process was casual but enlightening. Slowly and gradually things were revealed to us. It was probably in 1975 that syed Tasnim ul Haq Sahib inquired if I had taken an oath of allegiance (bai’t) from Maulana Ashraf (RA). On my ignorance that Maulana Ashraf (RA) was a saint and pledged people he was utterly surprised. He then told me that the cordial and religious environment in the university and hostel were because of Maulana Ashraf (RA). It was only then I realized his true self and spiritual stature. Despite knowing it, I still did not think of taking the oath of allegiance due to carelessness which normally prevails in young age. When Allah Almighty accepts someone’s request and wants to bless then things start happening. In my case I started getting a series of dreams with increasing intensity. I was being scolded repeatedly and told to take the oath. I apprised Maulana Ashraf (RA) about the whole matter. He advised me to get into the tutelage of a preceptor lest getting detracted. On my request to suggest a name, he told me to select anyone who suited my temperament and I liked. So I asked him to become my sheikh (spiritual guide) and take me into his tutelage. Had I not it then after being sternly admonished things could have taken a turn to the worst. I do confess here that went through the whole process like a complete illiterate. A hint is more than sufficient for the wise people; they do not wait to be scolded to act. My routine remained unchanged. I continued with my studies and other activities except that my focus of attention centered on Maulana Ashraf (RA). I started sharing everything with him.
One has to beg Allah Almighty from the core of his heart. Words are unnecessary but one should be earnest in his plea. Allah Almighty shall then provide the guidance to find a suitable mentor. Today the world is full of deceit and imposters. They are everywhere be it the medical profession, engineering, law or business etc. So the scholars and saints have identified a few indicators to find the right person for spiritual reformation/guidance. First of them is that the potential guide must have the basic knowledge of the obligatory rituals (farz e ain). He must know to the twenty fours according to the teachings of the holy Prophet PBUH (sunnah) and should be able to make others do it. This knowledge encompasses how to pray, fast, pay obligatory elms (zaka’t), and the pilgrimage. To behave at home and in the market and other similar matters of human dealings also form part of this list. Every Muslim has an obligation to seek this knowledge.
طلب العلم فریضۃ علی کل مسلم و مسلمۃٍ
The knowledge imparted in the schools and colleges is an optional obligation (farz e kafia). They are specialist to be consulted in time of need. The second indication for a guide is that he himself must practice the compulsory knowledge and spending his life accordingly. Thirdly he should belong to a recognized convent of the Sufi order (Silsila) which can be traced back to the Prophet (PBUH). Fourthly He must have bonafide permission. The fifth indicator is that those under his tutelage should visibly be benefitting from him. The next is that putting curtsey and kindness aside, he should only focus on rectification and reformation of his disciples. Lastly one must be reminded of Allah Almighty in his presence.
These were the main indicators. If you are seeking a sheikh and find the above signs in a person, accept him without much ado. Do not wait for an exhibition of super natural power or revelations from him. These days’ people believe in the gimmicks more than mysticism. Life story of a saint published in a news paper mostly lists down his super natural powers. What direct benefit can one accrue if one finds out about ten million kara’mats of Hazrat Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA)? Despite knowing a single exposition of Hazrat Maulna Asraf I benefitted by acting on his teachings. The Prophet (PBUH) had said that his (PBUH) Companions (RH) were like the stars. Following in the footsteps of anyone of them could lead to righteousness and guidance. Exposition of super natural powers by the Companion (RH) is hardly known or narrated yet they have been declared as a beacon light for guidance. The Prophet (PBUH) had issued a direct command to emulate them. Actually miracles are not the desired and ultimate end. When we seek them, then the devil becomes active to convince and confuse us to give up the quest as something beyond our reach. He portrays the chosen elders as people who are way beyond our reach to imitate and follow. He convinces us to give up and continue as hitherto fore. Whereas the great saints spent their life time ensure to make the quest easy and workable. Strangely people want to drift to something unworkable leaving aside the easier course. They want and desire something which beyond control. What advantage can we gain from miracles? I do not deny the existence of miracles and super natural powers as these are part of our belief. One cannot start saying “miracle miracle” as a repetitive ritual (wazifa). How successfully has the Devil befooled the Christians into believing in the Christ (AS) to be beyond the level of humans beings. Merely submitting to him is sufficient for salvation. Ordinary sin can be pardoned by any bishop. Do you think that after this belief will anyone work hard for salvation? Why should they work when the devil has shown them an easier course of action? Accept Jesus to be the son of God who had atoned for their sins with his crucifixion. Just stay in touch and nothing is to done. Aren’t we Muslims also indulging in similar practices? Intoxicated with marijuana and hash people clamour and shout “Lee”. They do not even pronounce the name of Hazrat Ali (RH) properly. Undoubtedly he is a revered person but is it right to misuse his name as a license to sin and do all kind of none sense? Some believe and claim that the ‘Black Clad Lord’ (an acronym for the Prophet PBUH) is sufficient to procure pardon for them and that is it. They have to do nothing themselves?
One day a person visited me along with my friends. On my inquiring as to what did he do? He replied that he need not do anything as he was under the cover of the ‘Black Clad Lord’ and everything was going well. On my insistence to clarify as to what had he exactly meant? He went mum and could not speak. I told him not to forget the teachings of the Prophet (PBUH). Had they become redundant? Were they merely a waste of time? We must have high hopes from him (PBUH) but that was just not sufficient. Life of our holy Prophet (PBUH) is well recorded and documented that hardly anything is obscure form us to emulate and practice. His (PBUH) life can be analyzed by anyone. Actually it is an ongoing process to ensure that to act on sunnah becomes easy.
اَطِیۡعُوا اللہَ وَاَطِیۡعُوا الرَّسُوۡلَ
(O ye who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger
Al-Nisa, 59)
To follow the sunnah should not be only theoretical but it must be physically implementable. Our religion basically is governed by the understanding of sharia, then to practice it with conviction and sincerity and praying for its acceptance by Allah Almighty. The whole process has been devised towards this end. May Allah Almighty grant us the fortitude to understand it.
وآخر دعوانا ان الحمد اللہ رب العالمین۔