Transcribed from the Islaahi Majlis conducted on 26/10/2023
Last week we discussed the love that Allah Ta’ala has put in the hearts of parents for their children. There is one more aspect regarding children that we will highlight before we move on to the aforementioned topic.
Mufti Saeed Palanpuri Rahmatullahi Alaih was the Sheikhul Hadith of Darul Uloom Deoband. Allah Ta’ala blessed him with high status and lots of knowledge. Many Ulama who sat in his Majlis would comment on the high calibre of Muftisahib’s Bayaans. Initially the Aalim course only spanned until the fifth-year class which is Mishkaat. When Shah Waleeullah Sahib Rahimahullah went to Hijaaz Muqaddas, he introduced the Sihah Sittah (the six authentic Kitaabs of Hadith). This is why every Aalim that graduates, his chain links up to Shah Waleeullah Sahib Rahmatullahi Alaih.
Allah Ta’ala had blessed Shah Waleeullah Sahib with various secrets of Deen regarding Salaah, Zakaah etc. Mufti Saeed Palanpuri wrote the commentary on Shah Waleeullah Sahib’s Kitaab Hujjatullahil Baaligah. Once, while we were studying, our Ustaadh asked if we had the Kitaab of Mufti Saeed Palanpuri which is entitled “Rahmatullahi Waasiah” which comprises of five volumes. Only one student raised his hand in the affirmative. The Ustaadh commented that it was enough for the entire class of 50 students that just one student had the Kitaab.
In his commentary on Tirmidhi Sharif, Mufti Saeed Palanpuri says, “I saw the era of my grandfather, and that of my father. Then I saw my era and the era of my children and grandchildren. If the nurturing and Tarbiyat of the child is not made, within a span of fifty years we could lose our children.” Half a century ago, what was the condition of children then as compared to now?
Muftisahib goes on to explain that parents nowadays, are deeply concerned about the financial security of their children’s future. They make so much effort in searching for fruitful investments that it’s like we have forgotten that Allah Ta’ala is Ar-Razzaaq (The Sustainer). We are weak and we worry about our children, but we must remind ourselves that Rizq is in the Hands of Allah Ta’ala-we can’t even look after ourselves so how can we look after our children? Muftisahib said our concern should be about the Tarbiyat of our children. If we overlook this important aspect, our children will be destroyed in the future. Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said:
عن جابر بن سمرة قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم لأن يؤدب الرجل ولده خير من أن يتصدق بصاع (سنن الترمذي)
“Nurturing a child is better than giving one Sa’a (approx. 3.2kg) of grain in Sadaqah.”
Another Hadith states:
حَدَّثَنَا أَيُّوبُ بْنُ مُوسَى، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ جَدِّهِ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: مَا نَحَلَ وَالِدٌ وَلَدًا مِنْ نَحْلٍ أَفْضَلَ مِنْ أَدَبٍ حَسَنٍ (سنن الترمذي)
“No father gives a better gift to his son than teaching him proper Adab.”
In the past, where parents fell short in making Tarbiyat of their children, Allah Ta’ala reward the Asaatizah (teachers) who made a great effort on this matter. If a child would get up and leave the Masjid after the Fardh Salaah without making Dua, his Ustaadh will reprimand him for not participating in the Dua. If he misses it the next time, that child will face consequences for doing so. If a boy did not raise his trousers above his ankles, the Ulama would chastise him for it, out of their concern for the child’s upbringing. At one of the annual Jalsas in Azaadville Darul Uloom, approximately 50 students were graduating with their families in attendance. As one student stood up, Hadrat Maulana Abdul Hamid Saheb noticed his trousers were hanging below his ankles. Hadrat Maulana instructed someone to inform the student, despite the occasion. We should have great concern about our children, their whereabouts, their spending, the company they keep etc. otherwise, we risk destroying our children. If a student was not present for Salaah in the previous time, the student will be questioned by the Ustaad regarding his Salaah. The teachers merely do their job of teaching nowadays and leave without any concern for the child’s Tarbiyat.
There are those people who have their Tarbiyat done by sitting with the Mashaaikh and pious people. It it obvious that their lifestyle is different to the layman. There is a difference of opinion amongst the Ulama whether one should stand and perform the two Rakaats Nafl Salaah after Witr or sit and perform it. For Nafl Salaah, a person is allowed to sit and perform the Salaah even without a valid excuse, except that the reward will be halved. Those who would sit explained that they were following the Sunnah of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam and due to this, they hoped they would receive the full reward. How should Ruku be made while sitting and performing Salaah? A person should bend forward slightly until his forehead is in line with his knees. It is recorded in Fataawa Shaami:
وَلَوْ كَانَ يُصَلِّي قَاعِدًا يَنْبَغِي أَنْ يُحَاذِيَ جَبْهَتَهُ قُدَّامَ رُكْبَتَيْهِ لِيَحْصُلَ الرُّكُوعُ
Molana Mazhar Sahib was visiting at the time and this person happened to perform Salaah in this manner and he executed the Ruku perfectly. After his Salaah, Molana Mazhar Sahib called him and remarked, “It seems as though you have stayed in the Suhbat (company) of some pious person.” He replied that he had stayed with Molana Abdul Hamid Saheb. Molana Mazhar Sahib expressed that just through the manner of his Ruku, he was able to deduce this.
In the time of Hakeemul Ummat, Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi Rahimahullah, when travelling, even in those days, people would try to get away with overweight baggage at the railway station. However, the disciples of Hadrat would declare their baggage and pay whatever was due. Through their honesty, they became known that they were students of Hadrat. This is why Tarbiyat is more important than investing in the future of the child. Make the effort of taking the child into the company of the pious and into the gatherings of Zikr, as this exposure will have an astounding effect on the child.
The Jews and the Christians
In the Aayah of the Quraan Sharif that was recited, Allah Ta’ala says:
لَتَجِدَنَّ أَشَدَّ النَّاسِ عَدَاوَةً لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا الْيَهُودَ وَالَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوا وَلَتَجِدَنَّ أَقْرَبَهُمْ مَوَدَّةً لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا الَّذِينَ قَالُوا إِنَّا نَصَارَى [المائدة:82]
“You will find that the people with the most amount of enmity for the Mu’mineen, are of two categories i.e. the Jews and the Mushrikeen.”
Currently in the world, the greatest enemies of Islam are Israel (Jews) and India (Mushrikeen). They are prepared to spend 30 million USD to rid Palestine of every Muslim therein. The US have threatened to snatch and steal Jerusalem from the Muslims. Who finances them? Companies like Starbucks, for example, contribute 2 billion USD to Israel annually. Along with them, KFC, Coca Cola, Pepsi, McDonald’s etc. are all major donors to Israel. And we, the consumer, are party to this when we purchase from these outlets. Ultimately, this money is used in the slaughter of our own Muslim Brothers, Sisters and Children!
In another verse, Allah Ta’ala says:
وَلَنْ تَرْضَى عَنْكَ الْيَهُودُ وَلَا النَّصَارَى حَتَّى تَتَّبِعَ مِلَّتَهُمْ [البقرة: 120]
“They (the Jews and Christians) will never be happy with you, until you follow their Deen.”
Maulana Bilaal Badat Sahib had recently visited Palestine and mentioned his experience. He states that they had travelled via Tel Aviv and were surprised to see how much information the Israelis have of every visitor. From your background, to your profession, your family, your political interests, every minute detail. Maulana advised that if you speak the truth regarding the reason of your visit i.e. Masjidul Aqsa, they allow you in without a hassle. But if you lie, you will encounter difficulties.
Maulana also noted how in Tel Aviv, five times a day Adhaan is called out, yet on the side of Gaza, Adhaan is played out from a recording in numerous Masajid. Maulana also said they met a Muslim man who worked for a Jew for about 20 or 30 years. At the time of Salaah, the Jew would hasten the Muslim to go for Salaah.
Ultimately, their goal is to dominate us. They will never be satisfied with us until we follow their Deen. Allah Ta’ala says:
ليسوا سواء
“All the Jews and Christians are not equal”
Of the 14 million Palestinians, approximately 3.5 million are Christians. Among the Jews and Christians, there are some who have stood in solidarity with us against these atrocities.
The Quraan Sharif says:
وَلَا يجرمنكم شنآن قوم على أَلا تعدلوا اعدلوا هُوَ أقرب للتقوى
“Your enmity for a nation should not provoke you to commit injustice; always be just in your matters!”
Lebanon is Muslim country but 62% of the population are Christians. The President of Lebanon is Christian as well, yet they have pledged their allegiance with Palestine. Ireland, a Catholic country, what a show of support they have illustrated for Palestine! A political party here in South Africa, the EFF, have stood up for Palestine, showing their loyalty in return for the support that was shown to them during Apartheid South Africa. They recalled how Nigeria financially backed the oppressed citizens of South Africa and how Sheikh Yasin Khalid provided support to Nelson Mandela. The same way Apartheid South Africa referred to non-white citizens as “animals”, Israel refers to the Masoom children of Palestine as snakes and their minister has called for the killing of the “snakes and those who gave birth to the snakes”! Malema corrected their deceptive statement that this is not a holy war, calling it rather, an evil genocide!
History of Palestine
It is important for us to learn and understand the history of Palestine. After World War 2, the Jews were seemingly displaced, with no place for them to settle. The British directed them to the land of Palestine. A Jewish man had in his possession some currency and some transportation tickets, all which bore only the stamp of Palestine. Similarly, an elderly woman states that she held a Palestinian passport as there was no such thing as an Israeli passport. There was no existence of Israel. In 1948, the illegitimate state of Israel was born. Still feeling unsatisfied, they set their sights on Masjidul Aqsa, claiming that there is no Israel without Aqsa. In 1967, the Nakbah took place, where they pushed their way into Masjidul Aqsa.
Looking at the flag of Israel, it consists of a white background with two blue stripes stretching horizontally in a parallel fashion along the flag. This white represents land and the blue represents the Nile and Euphrates Rivers, symbolizing that all the land between these two rivers belongs to Israel. One Aalim questioned this exaggerated claim of theirs and they answered that it is mentioned in the Torah (that this land belongs to them). The Aalim asked them if it was given to them by Allah Ta’ala’s Divine instruction, or was it manipulated by one of their Rabbis? They had no answer to this.
They have an intention of establishing the Temple of Sulaiman. On the Ramadhaan 16th, 1994, in a Masjid Ibraheem while Fajr Salaah was in progress, 70 people were made Shaheed by a Jew called Goldstein. Even at that time, they left the people of Palestine without peace.
The Resilience of an Oppressed People
In 1992, a Jamaat visited Palestine and met a 10 year old boy called Qa’qah outside the Masjid. One of the senior Aalims invited this boy to reside South Africa, offering him a place at school and Maktab. This boy pointed to Masjidul Aqsa and said, “If I leave, who will take care of Masjidul Aqsa?!” These children have given their lives to Masjidul Aqsa. Our children can’t even come close to comparing. The promise of Allah Ta’ala is:
إِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا
“Verily after difficulty comes ease!”
وَعَسَى أَنْ تَكْرَهُوا شَيْئاً وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ — وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ. {البقرة: 216}.
“And perhaps you dislike something whilst it is best for you, Allah knows and you do not know!”
Hamas, whatever popular opinion of them may be, what they accomplished on the 7th of October 2023, the Muslim Ummah hasn’t come close to in decades. They sent 1400 of the oppressors to Jahannam and took over 200 senior ranking officials as hostage. When they released an 85 year old hostage, she spoke only of their good treatment towards her. They held her hand and led her out. Sheikh Ahmad Yasin was the founder of Hamas. He was wheelchair-bound and yet he instilled such awe and fear into the Israelis. He was given Shahaadat after exiting the Masjid from Fajr Salaah. But Sharon, the designer behind these atrocities, didn’t get very far. Allah Ta’ala says:
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: ” إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى يَقُولُ: مَنْ عَادَى لِي وَلِيًّا فَقَدْ آذَنْتُهُ بِالْحَرْبِ ” أَخْرَجَهُ الْبُخَارِيُّ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عُثْمَانَ
“Whoever has enmity for any Wali of Mine, I declare war against such a person.”
Ariel Sharon suffered for eight years in Sakaraat, to the point where he had insects crawling out of his ears and eyes. The Doctors would remove them, and no sooner would they return. The stick of Allah Ta’ala has no sound!
Allah Ta’ala says:
“The grip of Allah is painful and it is severe!”
To date, 17000 Palestinians have been injured and displaced, 6000 have been made Shaheed, but their strength of Taqwa and Imaan is unwavering. A man who lost both his sons on the same day, proclaimed, “Read Inna lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Rawjioon! We are all Shuhada! Say Alhamdulillah our children have been made Shaheed.” A lady said, “If Allah Ta’ala lifted the veil, we would see the Malaaikah hastening to take all these souls to the Heavens, and the scent of musk is emanating from the heavens.” This is how Allah Ta’ala has blessed them. What is to come of this, we do not know, but we are happy with the Decree of Allah Ta’ala.
From our side, we should financially contribute towards them, and if we do not have means, Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam said, “Protect your wealth through Zakaah, cure your sick with Sadaqah, and face the waves of difficulty with Dua.” We should take some time after our Salaah and beseech Allah Ta’ala to assist the Palestinians. When it just happened, everyone was impassioned and driven by the hurt they felt, but, as time passes, we become complacent again and go back to our normal ways. This should not be our condition-we should empathize and exert ourselves in Dua!