Self Purification

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّ حِيْمِ

Every human being should concentrate on the removal of undesirable growths and impurities from the personality.  It involves the self-imposition of efforts for eradicating those tendencies that are obstacles in the path of moral development.  In this way, it puts an end to the conflict of good and evil that rages in the human breast.

Theologically, the process for do doing is called Tazkiyah, (self purification).  To abide by the requirements of attaining self purification is one of the most important ingredients for success in both the worlds physically and spiritually.  When practiced, it brings spiritual health, morality, love for Allah, love for the Prophet (pboh) and engaging in Zikr (i.e. to be God-conscious all the time).  When this is done one becomes a model of Compassion, piety and truthfulness.

This is one of the reasons why Allah says:

Truly, he succeeds who purifies it, and fails who corrupts it (the heart). (91:9-10)

Tazkiyah e nafs is the purification of the physical self by subduing the evil desires that may be plaguing a person.  Such desires come from the whispering of Satan in the breast of men; and because it is from Satan it is evil.  In this connection Allah says, the nafs (physical desires) order one to commit sins.

The result of self-purification is love.  The person cultivates love for Allah, for the Prophet (pboh), and for mankind at large.  Allah says:

All who obey Allah and the Messenger are in the Company of those  on whom is the Grace of Allah; of the Prophets; the sincere, the witnesses and the righteous. Ah, what a beautiful fellowship. (4:69)

Tazkiyah or self-purification is a comprehensive program, as, in addition to the purification of the body, one also has to focus on the purification of the heart. Allah says:

He is indeed successful who purifies himself, and remembers the name of his Lord and prays. (87:14-15)

Self purification is an individual matter, and every person will benefit based on his effort. Allah says:

And whoever purifies himself does so for the benefit of his own nafs. (35:18)

Prophet Muhammad (pboh) used to pray to Allah as follows:

O Allah, grant my inner soul piety and purify it, for You are the Best Purifier; You are the Guardian and Master.

One of the best ways of developing tazkiyah both physically and spiritually is to keep fast, as in fasting one has to restrain himself from all the negative things, and during fasting in Ramadan he engages himself in extra acts of worship, charity, patience and reading of the Holy Qur'an.

It is now left for the individual to continue practicing tazkiyah in the daily life and also as special acts of worship in order to be a successful person.  And Allah will bless him.  Allah says:

Those devoted to Allah shall be removed far from it (i.e. the blazing fire), who spend their wealth for the increase in self purification, and have in their minds, no favour from any one for which a reward is expected in return. (92:17-19)

Remember that, it is because the purification of the personality, both physical and spiritual is very important that Allah swore seven times to emphasize the culminating promise that it is tazkiyah that plays a significant role in success.  Here is the English translation of Verses 1 through 10 of Surah al Shams (91).

"By the Sun and his (glorious) splendour; By the Moon as she follows him; By the day as it reveals (the Sun's) glory; By the Night as it conceals it; By the Firmament and its (wonderful) structure; By the Earth and its (wide) expanse; By the Nafs (Soul), and the proportion and order given to it and its enlightenment as to its wrong and its right: - truly he succeeds who purifies it, and he fails who corrupts it!"

Let us all strive with our wealth, health, education, etc. to purify ourselves, because it should never be forgotten that Allah says: Whoever purifies himself does so for his own benefit.

May Allah forgive and bless all believers.

Unconditional obedience

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّ حِيْمِ

In the process of establishing the Israelites as the upholders of the true religion Allah gave them numerous blessings.  For example He sent down from the sky their sustenance.  Everything that they would have needed came from Allah.  So they didn’t have to labour for their wants. 

Even though they received so many blessings from Allah they found it difficult to worship Him at least once for the day.  Even when the Torah was revealed they complained to Moses (as).  They said its either they pray or read from the revealed Book; even though they didn’t have to do anything,

The same was in the case of Jesus (as).  He invited his people (the Israelites) to the way of Allah and they placed a condition of firstly receiving a table of food from the sky in return for their cooperation. 

Allah says about Prophet Muhammad (pboh);

‘Never think that the dua of the Prophet (pboh) is like that of an ordinary man’. 

If he made dua to Allah it would have been granted. 

Even then when the Quraish issued the boycott against the early Muslims they were forced, for more than a year, to live in a valley.  The conditions at that time were so severe that some of the believers ate stones in order to survive.  Even then they never made conditions with the Messenger of Allah (pboh).  And Prophet (pboh) never prayed to Allah for food to fall from the sky for him and his people.

Why?  He wanted to show and demonstrate that if Allah loves you He will take care of you.  Prophet (pboh) wanted to establish the understanding that we all belong to Allah and He can allow/disallow what He wants. 

Thus Prophet (pboh) and his blessed Companions never made conditions and their sacrifice is preserved for us to take pattern from.  And to go a step further the same obedience and reliance on Allah is seen in the fast that we are commanded to keep. 

Fasting is one of the Divine gifts from Allah to His servants.  Fasting helps to establish this unconditional obedience to our Creator.  We are denying our baser selves the material desires out of love for Allah.  And we all try to earn the maximum benefits associated with this great month so we abstain from vain talk and despicable attitude. 

The Israelites wanted to see Allah so Moses (as) took 72 of their priests’ up the mountain and Allah caused them to die and revived them and still they faith was not developed.  The Muslims on the other hand obeyed; once a command was sent down.  They never issued any pre-requisites in exchange for their obedience.

May Allah make this Ramadhan peaceful and tranquil for all the believers’.  May He make the trials easy and bearable for us and may He remove most of it in this most special month.  Let us benefit from it, and whatever you do, do it solely for the sake of Allah.

Why was the Holy Prophet (pboh) shadowless

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّ حِيْمِ

Today insha Allah, we will deal with an unusual topic which is why Prophet Muhammad (pboh) was shadowless. 

Firstly we need to understand that Prophet Muhammad (pboh) was a human being.  Allah says;

Say (O Muhammad): "I am only a human being like you.  It is inspired in me that Your God is one God.  (41:6)

One of the possible reasons why Allah gave us this info in the Holy Qur’an is because of the birth of Prophet Jesus (as).  Jesus (as) was the second-to-last Messenger and he came into this world in a very miraculous way.  His ruh was placed in his mother and then the physical aspect of his personality was formed.  After the coming of Jesus (as) came Prophet Muhammad (pboh) and Allah is telling us that this Messenger is normal human just like everyone else.  The difference lies in the fact that he is the recipient of Divine revelations.

The next thing important point of reference is that although Prophet Muhammad (pboh) was a normal human being he was indeed special.  His soul existed long before Hazrat Adam (as) was created.  Allah says in Surah Maa-idah;

There hath come to you from Allah a (new) light and a perspicuous Book.  (5:15)

A lot of scholars opine that a (new) light is a reference to Prophet Muhammad (pboh).  He contained a special light that was radiating from his personality.  And there are a lot of narrations from his Companions that stated that his countenance was physically brighter than the full moon.  For example when he was 3½ years old and was in the care of Halima he went missing one day and when Halima and her family went looking for him they saw from a far a bright light perched on a tree.  Upon closer observations they found that the light they saw was in fact Muhammad (pboh) sitting on one of the branches.

Allah says in Ayat an-Nur light upon light.  In other words Prophet Muhammad (pboh) was a reflection of pure and refined light.  Thus emanating from his personality was only light.

Now with all this in mind to answer the initial question, i.e. why was Prophet Muhammad (pboh) shadowless we need to understand that a weaker source of light cannot cast a shadow on a brighter and more refined source of light.  For example you cannot see the shadow of the stars because of the brightness of the sun.

This was the case with Prophet Muhammad (pboh).  The light emanated from his personality was so refined and bright that the sun or other sources of light could not have cast a shadow from his blessed personality.  There are other matters pertaining to his status and relationship with his Lord such as a cloud shaded him whenever he was in the open.  But that is as a result of his exalted status. 

What is the implication of this?  There must been a reason and lesson in all of this for us.  After all, he is our model.  Prophet Muhammad (pboh) came to remove darkness from the earth.  And what is a shadow?  Something dark.  So Allah has caused it to be that not even a dark shadow came from him.  All that came from him was light.  His personality was so bright and beautiful that whenever Hazrat Aisha (ra) wanted to mend a piece of clothing late in the afternoon she never lit a lamp but instead sat next to the beloved Messenger (pboh) and was able to use the light that emanated from him to see.

Can you imagine this blessed personality?  He is so special and because of this we should acquaint ourselves with these nice and remarkable things about him.  And if we can connect ourselves to him we can also benefit and share in his light. 

May Allah enable us to connect to this magnificent source of light and through our effort may it be a means of eradicating the darkness and blemishes from our personality.

Physical Purity

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّ حِيْمِ

We are in the blessed month of Rajab and consequently the event of the Mir’aj will be highlighted.  The Mir’aj is the greatest event that could have ever happened to a creature in this universe.  So when the topic of the Mir’aj is raised there are many dimensions to it that can be expounded on.  Today I would like to draw your attention to one pertinent aspect. 

The goal of the Mir’aj was to meet Allah.  But you cannot meet Allah if you are unclean.  Allah says;

Truly, Allah loves those who turn unto Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves.  (2:222)

This is the first important lesson for us.  Purity is a comprehensive term because it deals with the body, mind and soul.  But today let us just look at the physical aspect of it.

If you have to consciously make an effort to meet your Lord you first have to observe physical cleanliness.  Because it is such an important ingredient to meet Allah, Allah says of the unbelievers;

O you who believe!  Verily, the Mushrikun are najasun (impure) so let them not come near Al-Masjid-al-Haram (at Makkah).  (9:28)

The next important point is Salaat.  In the institution of Salaat we are actually standing in front of our Lord.  Prophet Muhammad (pboh) is reported to have said“worship Allah as if you see Him, for if you don't see Him then truly He sees you”.  And he (pboh) is also reported to a have said ‘salaat is the Mir’aj of a believer’.  Why is this so?  In salaat we are standing in front of our Lord and conversing with Him. 

And the prerequisite of salaat is physical cleanliness.  Once cannot perform the salaat if wudu and or ghusl have not been observed. 

We need to keep in mind that if one wants to feel the presence of Allah you have to first be physically clean.  Not only when it comes to salaat, but even if you want to enter His House or read His Glorious Book.

Also we don’t know when the angel of Death will visit us so it’s prudent that we observe physical cleanliness so that whenever he comes we would be in a fit state to return to our Lord.  Part of spirituality is to observe cleanliness and the Mir’aj confirmed this.  If you are not pure and clean it would be improbable to meet Allah.

Make this Mir’aj that point where you try to attain cleanliness for your entire personality and start off with the physical aspect of it.  May Allah make it easy for us and take care of our affairs.

What do you keep in your chest?

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّ حِيْمِ

The ending of Surah Adiyat is quite interesting because Allah says;

And that which is in the breasts (of men) shall be made known.  Verily, that Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection) their Lord will be Well-Acquainted with them (as to their deeds), (and will reward them for their deeds).  (100:10-11)

 
When we see the word breast mentioned it usually denotes to the human chest and everything inside it, particularly the heart.  As we’ve mentioned in previous discourses the heart is the seat of the personality and it is from the heart where all our emotions emanates from.

So what Allah is telling us is that on the Day of Accountability everything in ones chest will be revealed; whether it is good or bad. 

When we commit any wrong doing it is not whipped out or taken out completely from our book of records.  We know that the Qur’an says good removes evil but it is not completely erased.  Instead it is covered.  This is why we pray Allahummas turrnaa bi satrikal jameel (O Allah!  Cover us (i.e. our faults) with a beautiful covering).

On the Day of Judgement Allah will look at these evil deeds and will ask the person if he/she did commit them.  In relation to this Prophet Muhammad (pboh) is reported to have said;

Allah will bring the believer very close and privately and ask him “Do you know this sin?  Do you know that sin?” The believers reply will be, “Yes Oh Lord,” until he is reminded about all of his sins, and he thinks he will perish.  Then Allah will say “I covered up your sins during your life, and I will forgive your sins today”.  Then he will be given his book of good deeds.

It is only then will all your evil deeds be completely erased as you cannot go heaven with stains against you.

The higher you ascend the thinner the air becomes and the more constricted the chest will be.  This is possibly why Prophet Moses (as) prayed O My Lord! Open for me my chest (20:25).  And possibly why before he was taken up in the Mir’aj Prophet Muhammad’s (pboh) chest was opened and washed.

So to we don’t want a constricted heart and in order to safe guard against this we must prepare from now.  Satan doesn’t want this.  This is why it is recorded in Surah Naas concerning Satan’s motives: who whispers in the breasts of mankind.

And on that point a noteworthy mention is that some people argue that it is impossible for Prophet Muhammad (pboh) to be present at more than one place at one at the same time.  If Satan can whisper to the hearts of men at one at the same time; what about the greatest creature that has ever been created?  But that is a different subject.

We need to take note that all our deeds and all the secrets we hold in our chest will come to light on that Day and no one will want any impurity and evil to come out in front of the Lord and Master.  So start preparing for that great meeting from now. 

Work hard to cover the blemishes that are recorded against you.  Remember Satan doesn’t want this and he will try tirelessly to divert your focus away from Allah.  That is an individual battle.  No one else can ward off Satan from you.  You need to put your faith and trust in Allah and let him take care of your affairs.

We beg Allah to enable us to cover up our wrongs by engaging in good and beneficial deeds and may He bless us and reward us so that on the Day of Accountability when our chest is opened up it will be pleasing to Him, insha Allah.

Clothe not your beliefs with wrong

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّ حِيْمِ

Allah says in Surah An'am;

It is those who believe and confuse not their beliefs with wrong - that are (truly) in security, for they are on (right) Guidance.  (6:82)

Allah warns against clothing up our beliefs with dhum (wrong) as it will inevitably lead to distress.  To clothe ones belief means to cover it up with something, and in this case it is covering it with wrongful deeds and actions.  This has a greater spiritual implication as oppose to the theological.

All the varying categories of dhum will cover the qalb and will bring about grief and misery.  The Christians for example believe in the Oneness of God but worship Jesus (as).  Thus they will find themselves among the unfortunate ones.

Allah talks about the signs of the Day of Judgement.  Understand that this world is His and He allows what He wants to take place.  It is not our business to question His workings.  Our goal is to find peace and tranquillity.  How can this be achieved?  Do as Allah says in the ayat mentioned above; and confuse not their beliefs with wrong. 

On the Day of Judgement Allah, through His Divine capacity to forgive, will pardon whomever He wants, but you should not wait for that Day.  While your posses the capacity and ability wash away your blemishes with tauba.  We are taught to pray;

Allahummas turrnaa bi satrikal jameel

“O Allah!  Cover us (i.e. our faults) with a beautiful covering”

Your mission in life is to leave here with a shinning qalb.  Yes you may do wrong, but whenever you do hasten to wash it away.  This is how life is; we are not angels.  We sometimes falter along the path. 

One day, the Sahaba, Hanzalah al-Usaydi met Hazrat Abu Bakr and confessed to him that he was convinced he was a hypocrite because he felt divided between contradictory feelings.  In Prophet Muhammad’s (pboh) presence, he almost saw paradise and hell, but when he was away from him, his wife and children and his affairs caused him to forget.  Hazrat Abu Bakr in turn admitted that he experienced similar tensions.  They both went to the Prophet (pboh) to question him about the seemingly dismal state of their spirituality.  Hanzalah explained the nature of his doubts and Prophet Muhammad (pboh) answered,

“By He who holds my soul in His hands, if you were able to remain in the [spiritual] state in which you are when in my company, and remember God permanently, the angels would shake your hands in your beds and along your paths. But it is not so, Hanzalah: there is a time for this [devotion, remembrance] and a time for that [rest, amusement].”

We have entered the blessed month of Rajab, which means Ramadhan is fast approaching and the beauty of Ramadhan is that if you keep the fast and pray to your Lord all your sins will be forgiving.  So start training yourself from now so that when Ramadhan arrives you will be able to fully benefit.

Remember no amount of money can buy peace and tranquillity.  The greatest thing you can achieve in this world is peace and tranquillity.

We don’t want to clothe our beautiful bright shinning ruh with dhum.  If you can maintain this, insha Allah you will find peace, and on the Day of Accountability you will find yourself amongst those whose personality will be bright and shinning.

Being equal in the sight of Allah

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّ حِيْمِ

Allah has given every physical thing a capacity.  The capacities in human beings vary.  It is not the same as some are physically stronger or, intellectually advanced.

Allah says that he made us in tribes and nations so that you can be identified;

O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and Tribes, that ye may know Each other (Not that ye may despise (each other).  (49:13)

This being said we know that in Allah’s sight we are all equal.  How then are we equal if we vary in capacity?  The answer is the soul.  While physically we vary each soul has the same potential to get closer to Allah. 

Each soul is made from the same refined light so in essence each soul has the same capacity, regardless of time and place.  The difference comes in the extent each individual takes in keeping the soul bright and shinning.  Allah says;

Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you.  (49:13)

The most righteous can possible be those who made the effort to polish their souls, working hard to keep any blemishes away from it.  And this exercise extends to all of mankind regardless of physical deformities.  In so doing those who can achieve this will be equal in the sight of Allah.

Our mission is to keep your soul bright and shinning.  This will increase your capacity to get closer to Allah. 

If you should put a flammable object next to fire it will obviously burn.  So to the dirt one puts on the heart is flammable.  Allah says in Surah Humazah;

The Fire of Allah, kindled, which leaps up over the hearts.  (104:6-7)

It is the impurities one puts around the heart will burn in the fire.  However through effort of making polishing the soul all those impurities can be erased. 

The brighter the soul, the greater the possibility of getting closer to Allah; regardless of physical deformities.

The best ingredients of achieving this are sincerity and humility.  They both are of great benefit and value with regards to our ascent to our Lord.  Satan was not sincere and humble in his worship and it eventually came to light and lead to his downfall.  Allah has preserved these lessons for us to take note.

Prophet Muhammad (pboh) established trustworthiness and truthfulness, and he was physically taken up in the Mi’raj.

Keep this in mind and work hard to get closer to Allah .  Use the physical capacity that He has given you to assist you in achieving this goal and not utilize it for things that will bring about unfortunate results.

Remembering Allah Frequently

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّ حِيْمِ

This week we continue highlighting the stages in God consciousness. 

We started out by addressing the benefits of engaging in the remembrance of Allah.  Last week we spoke of the best time to remember Allah.  This week we address what Allah makes mention of in many places in the Qur’an;

O you who believe!  Remember Allah with much remembrance.  (33:41)

Don’t only remember Allah when you are in a tranquil state of mind.  True, these times are more optimal but remember your Lord throughout the day and night. 

How is this possible, especially when we’re preoccupied with our job, family etc?  Allah gives us the answer in the Qur’an in the story of Zachariah.  Allah records in Surah Imran;

There did Zachariah pray to His Lord, saying: “O My Lord! Grant unto me from Thee a progeny that is pure”: for Thou art He that heareth prayer!  While he was standing in prayer in the chamber, the angels called unto him: “(Allah) doth give Thee glad tidings of Yahya, witnessing the truth of a word from Allah, and (be besides) noble, chaste, and a Prophet, - of the (goodly) company of the righteous”.  He said: “O My Lord! How shall I have a son seeing I am very old and my wife is barren?”  Thus was the answer doth Allah accomplish what He willeth”.  He said: “O My Lord! Give me a Sign!"  Thy Sign, was the answer, Shall be that Thou shalt speak to no man for three days but with signals.  Then celebrate the praises of Thy Lord again and again, and glorify Him in the evening and in the morning”.  (3:38-41)

Based on this the scholars have conclude that you don’t have to remember Allah only with your speech, but you can engage in God consciousness with your heart.  

One way of achieving this is through Zikirullah.  Cultivating your heart and body to engage in the glorification of Allah.  In relation to the Prophet Muhammad (pboh) is reported to have said “the eyes of Allah's Apostle sleep but his heart does not sleep”.  Regardless of what activity he was engaged in his heart was glorifying Allah.

Allah loves all His servants and He wants us to love Him.  If you become overflowing in your love for your Lord it’s obvious that you will remember Him constantly.  And He will look after you and take care of your affairs.  It goes hand in hand.  

Once a man came to Prophet Muhammad (pboh) and said, “O Rasulallah, the laws and conditions of Islam have become too many for me.  Tell me something that I can always keep”.  Prophet Muhammad (pboh) said: “Keep your tongue always moist with zikirullah”.

It cannot be that you are making all this effort to remember Allah and He will let you down.  And what we are teaching you in our weekly zikir sessions is the technique to cultivate your entire personality to engage in the remembrance of Allah.

You can actually reach a stage where you can sit and listen to your heart palpitations glorifying Allah.  So no matter what you are doing you can engage in some form of Godly remembrance.  And this is what true success is; when your personality can remain in the remembrance of Allah regardless of the time and environment.

With this in mind can you imagine the personality of our Prophet Muhammad (pboh)?  He reached such a stage where his physical countenance shown with light.

May Allah enable us to cultivate our personalities to such an extent that we are capable of remembering Him constantly and continuously.