Transcribed from the Islaahi Majlis conducted on 21/09/2023
When Nabi Aadam Alaihis Salaam was in Jannah, then all his needs were taken care of. Allah Ta’ala allowed him and Hadrat Hawa Alaihas Salaam to eat from wherever they desired in Jannah. But when Adam Alaihis Salaam was placed on earth, he was now responsible for himself and his family. Just to make one loaf of bread, he had to gather 360 items. Today, perhaps over a thousand items are used in the manufacturing of bread. A great deal of effort is required. Similarly, if a person goes out to work, he may have to leave in the early part of the morning while it is still dark, and he only returns after sunset in the evening. These are the efforts made for Dunya and likewise, effort for Deen should also be made. When a person encounters some difficulty in making effort for Deen, Allah opens his path. Allah Ta’ala mentions in the Quraan Sharif:
وَالَّذِينَ جَاهَدُوا فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَمَعَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ
“Those who strive in Our Path, most certainly we will guide them to Our Way.” [Verse 69, Surah 29]
There are approximately four Tafseers on this verse. One Tafseer states,
الذين اختاروا المشقة في ابتغاء مرضاتنا
Those people who undergo difficulty in seeking our pleasure
Hadrat Hakeem Sahib Rahimahullah mentions that sometimes the temptation to do wrong overcomes a person. And if a person suppresses his Nafs (at that time) and goes through some pain then Allah Ta’ala will open pathways for him. Hadrat says when one has a strong desire to sin, then he should go to sleep or go to the Masjid and make some Ibaadat. Thereafter one should make Shukr to Allah Ta’ala that the pain endured (from refraining) was for the sake of Deen.
Allamah Aaloosi Rahmatullahi Alaih says that the plural is used (We will guide him to our paths) which is indicative of a person striving at every step, and not that he does good once and thereafter becomes complacent and engages in various wrongs.
Allama Ayni Rahimahullah writes in the commentary of this Hadith that if a woman of honour and beauty invites a person towards Haraam,
دعته امراة ذات منصب وجمال (وفي رواية الي نفسها) فقال اني أخاف الله رب العالمين
But he says that he fears Allah, then this person will be under the Arsh of Allah Ta’ala on the Day of Qiyaamah.
The commentators of Bukhari Sharif, Allamah Badrudeen Ayni Rahmatullahi Alaihi and Hafez Ibn Hajar Asqalani Rahmatullahi Alaih, have both written that for a man to get a woman, he has to make a lot of effort. In this Hadith, Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam said that the man doesn’t have to make the effort, as the woman calls the man. She has wealth, honour, beauty yet a man suppresses his Nafs, then this is a sign of him having a very high level of connection with Allah Ta’ala.
Those who will be under the shade of the Arsh of Allah Ta’ala
The second Hadith, Allaamah Ayni mentions that during the era of monarchs, the Kings would be involved in a lot of sin.
دعاها الملك فقال اني أخاف الله
They would call the women to them but despite the women being so desperate for the money, they feared Allah Ta’ala. Due to this fear, they would be under the Arsh of Allah Ta’ala.
Allaamah Ayni mentions the third narration,
شابّ جميل دعاه الملك ليتزوج بنته فخاف ان يرتكب منه فاحشة فامتنع فقال اني أخاف الله رب العالمين
where the king calls a handsome, young boy and offers his daughter’s hand in marriage. However, the boy knows that the king is inclined towards him and knows that he will get involved in some wrong with him. So, despite wanting the honour and wealth that comes with marrying the king’s daughter, the boy says, “I fear Allah!” This boy will also be under the shade of Allah’s Arsh on the Day of Qiyaamah.
Whenever a person has a strong inclination to do wrong, but he suppresses it due to his fear for Allah Ta’ala, he will be granted the Shade under the Arsh of Allah Ta’ala on the Day of Qiyaamah. When Zulaykha tried to tempt Nabi Yusuf Alaihis Salaam, he said,
قَالَ رَبِّ السِّجْنُ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِمَّا يَدْعُونَنِي إِلَيْهِ (سورة يوسف اية 33)
“The prison is more beloved to me than what these women are calling me towards!”
Here, the commentators of the Quraan Sharif bring up an objection that it was only Zulaykha who tried to tempt Nabi Yusuf Alaihis Salaam, but the plural “women” has been used instead of the singular. The reason is because all the women in Egypt encouraged Nabi Yusuf Alaihis Salaam to fulfil the desire of Zulaykha. Therefore, they are equal in sin to Zulaykha.
Enjoying happiness while in a state of grief
Molana Jalaaludin Rumi Rahmatullahi Alaih mentioned that Yusuf Alaihis Salaam desired the prison over disobeying Allah Ta’ala. When he entered the prison, Allah Ta’ala sent His Rahmah in torrents on Nabi Yusuf Alaihis Salaam and the prison became a sanctuary for him. The Ulama extract from this that Allah Ta’ala can change grief into happiness for a person. Generally, the cause of grief needs to be eradicated first before a person can experience happiness, but here, we see that Allah Ta’ala can grant happiness while in that grief. Everything is under the power and control of Allah Ta’ala.
It is mentioned that when Nabi Ayub Alaihis Salaam was undergoing the test on his health, he derived enjoyment from the insects which plagued him. Allah Ta’ala told Nabi Ayub Alaihis to host these insects as they are the guests of Allah Ta’ala. If one came out of his body and moved away, Nabi Ayub Alaihis Salaam would bring it back and put it inside again as a father would run behind his children. On the other hand, Allah Ta’ala instructed the insects not to cause any injury to Nabi Ayub Alaihis Salaam-they were only sent as a test. So, in this seemingly miserable test, Allah Ta’ala granted happiness to Nabi Ayub Alaihis Salaam.
A mother who is tending to a toddler, in the middle of the night, it messes the bed. Due to the mercy in the mother’s heart for the child, she will get up, clean the child, clean the mess without a fuss, despite the disturbance in the early hours of the morning. This is the love a mother has for her child. So, what can be said about the love Allah Ta’ala has for his slave who strives in matters Deen for His pleasure?! This is just a portion of the mercy Allah Ta’ala has given the mother and remainder has been reserved for the Day of Qiyaamah.
Shah Abdul Qadir Sahib Rahmatullahi Alaih has written in Mudeehul Quraan that at the front of the Arsh of Allah Ta’ala, the following is inscribed,
سبقت رحمتي علي غضبي
“My Rahmah overpowers My Anger!”
This is the Royal Mercy of Allah Ta’ala. On the Day of Qiyaamah when a person cannot have his sins removed according to the book, then ask for the royal pardon of Allah Ta’ala. These people will never be disappointed.This concludes the first Tafseer of the Ayah quoted above.
The second Tafseer is,
الذين اختاروا المشقة في نصرة ديننا
“Those people who choose difficulty in order to assist the Deen of Allah Ta’ala.”
There are two types of people. The first is the one who does everything on his own-salaah, Ibaadah, etc. And it is extremely important that a person is concerned about himself that his ibaadah are up to date. Coupled with this, he has the Niyyah to assist the Deen of Allah. For example, an ijtima is taking place and he attends the gathering, he is counted as one who assisted in the gathering. The Ulama who impart their knowledge, they are assisting the Deen of Allah. A wealthy person who contributes to Deeni projects is assisting the Deen of Allah.
Hadrat Maulana Abraarul Haq Sahib Rahimahullah would advise the Ulama saying that, from their earnings, though it be little, they too can give even a minimal amount in charity. Mufti Shafi Sahib Rahimahullah used to say that wherever the Ulama go, they host a program there. The locals find it an honor to host the Aalim and to feed him, and the Aalim thanks them with Dua and leaves them. But there should be some time when the Aalim also invites and hosts people at his home because the Ambiya were extremely generous.
Nabi Ibraheem Alaihis Salaam did not partake of a meal unless a guest was present. On one occasion, Nabi Ibraheem Alaihis Salaam went out looking for a guest and came across a fire-worshipper. He invited him to eat with him. When he sat down to eat, Nabi Ibraheem Alaihis Salaam invited him to accept Islam. He retorted by saying, “Do you want to buy my Imaan?!” He left the food and walked away. Allah Ta’ala sent Wahi to Nabi Ibraheem Alaihis Salaam, “O Ibraheem! For seventy years I fed this man and not one day questioned him on his religion. For just one meal, you want him to give up his Deen? Bring him back and make him eat!” Nabi Ibraheem Alaihis Salaam went in search of this man. He begged him to come back to eat telling him that Allah Ta’ala reprimanded him. The person returned with Ibraheem Alaihis Salaam and eventually, he accepted Islam.
Earning the title of “Khaleelullah”
The definition of Khaleel is;
ان المحبة اذا اشتدّت ودخلت في خلال أجزاء القلب
When love becomes intense and enters the particles of the heart
Nabi Ibraheem Alaihis Salaam was blessed with “Khullah”. This refer to possessing intense love for Allah Ta’ala that enters into the deep recesses of the heart. When the title of Khaleelullah was bestowed to Nabi Ibraheem Alaihis Salaam, the Malaaikah (angels) objected to it. Allah Ta’ala instructed them to go and test Nabi Ibraheem Alaihis Salaam. One angel descended in the form of a human and he took the Name of Allah with such love that Nabi Ibraheem Alaihis Salaam went into a state of ecstasy. He said, “One more time, take the Name of Allah!” The angel replied, “I do not take the Name of Allah free of charge. If you want me to take the Name of Allah, you need to pay!” Nabi Ibraheem Alaihis Salaam said, “All my wealth is for you, whatever I own is yours. Take the Name of Allah!” So the angel took the Name of Allah. Again, Nabi Ibraheem Alaihis Salaam asked him to take the Name of Allah. So, the angel responded again that he doesn’t take the Name of Allah for free. Nabi Ibraheem Alaihis Salaam said, “All my children are for you. Take the Name of Allah!” The angel then told him that he is an angel and had come to test him, whether he was worthy of the title Khaleelullah or not. When Ibraheem Alaihis Salaam was prepared to spend his wealth, his children just to hear the Name of Allah Ta’ala, then this Ayah was revealed:
فلما بذلت إبراهيم ماله وأولاده سماع ذكر الله نزل هذه الاية وَاتَّخَذَ اللّهُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ خَلِيلاً
“Allah Ta’ala has taken Ibraheem as His Friend” [Surah 4, Verse 125]
The reward in giving charity in Allah’s Path
Imaam Ghazali has mentioned sometimes a person’s heart isn’t inclined to the obedience of Allah Ta’ala or doing Ibaadah- this is referred to as Qabz (constipation) in the terminology of the Sufis. And sometimes a person easily engages in the Ibaadat of Allah Ta’ala- this is referred to as Bast in the terminology of the Sufis. When a person goes through Qabz (constipation), then immediately take out some money and give it in charity. The reason is because Allah Ta’ala instructed Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam to tell the people to give charity so that they may be cleansed.
خُذْ مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ صَدَقَةً تُطَهِّرُهُمْ وَتُزَكِّيهِم بِهَا وَصَلِّ عَلَيْهِمْ
“Take charity from their wealth, it will cleanse them and purify them, and make Dua for them.” [Surah Taubah, Verse 103]
Allamah Aaloosi Rahmatullahi Alaih mentions in the commentary of this Ayah that when a person wishes to donate to a Madrassah, the person running the institute must immediately make Dua for him saying,
اٰجرك الله فيما أعطيت وبارك فيما بقيت وجعل الله هذا الانفاق طهورا لك وتزكية لنفسك
Allah Ta’ala reward you for that which you have spent in (His way), and grant you Barakah in whatever remains, and may Allah make this spending of yours a cleansing for you, and a spiritual reformation.
Hadrat Hakeem Sahib mentions when they were building his Masjid in Pakistan, someone from Jeddah contributed towards it. Hadrat wrote down these three Duas and sent it to him. After a few days, he sent more money. This time it was from his wife who requested the same Duas Hadrat made for her husband. So Hadrat made the same Duas for her. After some time, the wife’s sister sent money. She also requested the same Duas. If a person spends in the Path of Allah, he secures the Duas of the pious. This concludes the second Tafseer of the aforementioned Ayah. May Allah Ta’ala accept us to assist His Deen. Ameen!