After Difficulty is Ease
Transcribed from the Islaahi Majlis conducted on 12/01/2023
One quality common amongst our Akaabireen was that they were very particular about monetary matters. In aspects of income, employment, Madrasah funds, Masjid funds, etc. they exercised careful precision despite going through difficult financial conditions themselves. To a great extent, there exists a great deal of negligence in these matters in our lives today.
Hadrat Shah Abdul Qadir Saheb Raipuri Rahimahullah, a Wali (friend) of Allah Ta’ala, mentions that during the first year of his student days, he experienced a harsh winter where he didn’t have sufficient clothing to keep himself warm, nor did he have a blanket to cover himself with. He did not have the courage to approach anyone to tell them of his plight as he felt ashamed. In this is a lesson for us to acquaint ourselves with those in our community who find themselves in such conditions. Allah Ta’ala speaks of these poor people in the Quraan Sharif:
“Those poor people who have been held back in the Path of Allah,” meaning that they are so involved in the work of Deen, that they are unable to go out and earn their sustenance, and the ignorant people assume that they are wealthy because they do not ask of people to fulfil their needs. Allah Ta’ala goes on to say that these people will be recognized by “their signs” viz. their humility in supplicating to Allah Ta’ala for their needs. These people are not persistent in their begging, unlike the beggars we encounter in our times on the roads.
A person was approached by a Muslim beggar who asked him for Lillah at a traffic light. Whatever few coins he had in his car was given to the beggar. On seeing the small amount, the beggar labelled the man a Kaafir demanding that he should be given more. Allah Ta’ala says further that whatever good a person does for another, Allah Ta’ala is fully aware of it.
Coming back to Hadrat Shah Abdul Qadir Saheb Rahimahullah, he explains further how he would keep himself warm at the Masjid Hammam. Hammam is a bathing house, or Wudhu area, commonly found in the previous times. During the winter, the water was kept warm through the means of burning firewood. Hadrat Shah Abdul Qadir used to sit at the room where they burned the firewood to keep himself warm, but never informed anyone of his plight. After Ishaa, once the Musallees vacated the Masjid, Hadrat would enter the Masjid and roll himself up in one of the rugs. This was a make-shift bed and blanket for him, despite his feet and head remaining exposed. He experienced this level of difficulty only in the first year of his studies. After that, at the onset of every winter, people would send gifts to him made up of two high-quality Eiderdowns. We learn that when one is afflicted with difficulty, it is followed by ease, as is mentioned in Surah Inshiraah that, after difficulty is ease.
In those days, the Madrasah would not provide boarding facilities nor food for the students. For those students who were from outside of the locality, they would stay in a nearby Masjid. The madrassah provided the destitute students with a grant which was enough to buy some Roti and Dhar. They would share the food among them. On a Thursday night, some local resident would invite these students home for a meal where these students would eat to their heart’s content.
Hadrat Maulana Ilyaas Saheb Rahimahullah once wrote a letter to his nephew, Hadrat Sheikh Maulana Zakariyya Saheb Rahimahullah stating that he intended to write this important letter for a long time now, but did not have sufficient funds to purchase a postcard to write the letter. This shows the plight of our pious elders.
Haji Imdadullah Muhaajir Makki Saheb Rahimahullah. who was the Sheikh of Hadrat Maulana Gangohi Saheb and Hadrat Maulana Thanvi Saheb, lived in Makkah Sharif. He also suffered extreme hunger for days which was a test from Allah Ta’ala. At its peak, Hadrat Haji Saheb asked a friend of his to borrow him two Halalahs (Makkah coins). Unfortunately, his friend could not assist him. Haji Saheb became so grieved that he had reached out and asked of a human being, and even then, that person was unable to help him. He regretted his action, realizing he should have turned to Allah Ta’ala. That night, Hadrat Haji Saheb saw a dream in which he was told that his difficulty has now ended, and after this, he would only experience ease. When he woke up, Hadrat Haji Saheb found that Allah Ta’ala had fulfilled all his needs. We learn that a person will go through tough times, but thereafter, Allah Ta’ala will pour His Bounties upon his servant. We should not become despondent, but rather, we should persevere.
When Hadrat Maulana Ilyaas Saheb Rahimahullah started the effort of Dawat and Tabligh, he found himself in the Nizaamudin Markaz. In the month of Ramadaan he would engage in loud Zikr between Asr and Maghrib. An Imaam from Delhi decided to spend some time with Hadrat Maulana Ilyaas Saheb Rahimahullah. The Imaam arrived just before Asr, and after Asr, found Hadrat Maulana Ilyaas Saheb Rahimahullah engaged in Zikrullah. Just before Maghrib Adhaan, he asked one of the attendants as to what was available for Iftaar. The attendant replied that they had wild figs. Today, hundreds of thousands of people eat meals prepared in the Markaz but in those days, not even dates were available. Hadrat asked for the figs upon which he broke his fast and drank water. He then made Shukr to Allah Ta’ala for this bounty.
The person visiting also ate the figs and drank water. After Maghrib salaah, he found Hadrat Maulana Ilyaas Saheb engaged in Nafl salaah, which ended just before the Ishaa Salaah. He then took a short rest and performed Esha Salaah, followed by Taraweeh and thereafter, continued with his Ibaadah. The Imaam was left waiting and wondering if iftar would be served, but it never came. Some students in the Markaz ate their share of roti and curry, but the figs and water sufficed Hadrat Maulana Ilyaas Saheb Rahimahullah. The next morning at Sehri, Hadrat Maulana Ilyaas Saheb Rahimhaullah enquired what was available, and the same figs from the previous iftar were presented. The Imaam was in much distress as they sufficed on just figs for both Iftar and Sehri. The Imaam then requested Hadrat’s permission to go home as he had some work to attend to. Hadrat did not permit him to leave but instructed him to stay on. The day progressed as usual and the Imaam was worried that once again, they would be served with figs and water for Iftaar.
After Asr, Hadrat Maulana Ilyaas Saheb engaged in loud Zikr until Maghrib. Just before Maghrib, a horse and cart arrived laden with streaming hot biryani, the aroma of which filled the entire Markaz. Hadrat called the Imaam and told him that the biryani had come especially for him and he should partake of it. For sehri, he was served the biryani again. The Imaam recollects that with such relish he enjoyed the biryani that he could still taste it. When a person is confronted with a adversities and difficulties, then Allah Ta’ala will undoubtedly open the way beyond his expectations. So, we should turn to Allah Ta’ala when confronted with adversities and He will open our way from the Unseen as well. Never lose hope or become despondent even though it takes time. May Allah Ta’ala grant us all the understanding. Ameen!