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“Listen always to preachings (wa’iz) because the heart, separated from preachings, becomes blind.” – words of Huzoor Ghaus-e-Azam Hazrat Shaikh Sayyid Abdul Qadir Jilani (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh).
The following advice is given to us by Fakhrul Islam Qutbe Mauritius Hazrat Allama Maulana Muhammad Ibrahim Khushtar Siddiqui Qadri Razvi (Rahmatullah Alaih) on obtaining the path of salvation. We must try to Insha Allah practice upon these words of wisdom as much as possible.
We must stand firm in our religion of Ahle Sunnat Wa Jama’at, the religion of our Saints and of our elders. Those corrupt sects that want to snatch away our Imaan from us such as the Wahaabis and Qadianis should be avoided at all costs. Let us not live with them; let us consider them as our enemies. Neither must we listen to them nor sit in their company. Abhor their publications, for the devil is quick to change our hearts and cause confusion. A person will never venture to go to a place where his wealth will be in danger or his honour at stake. Without doubt, not even the wealth of the entire world is more precious than our religion and our faith; then why would a person go to a place where his Imaan is at stake? It is incumbent on us to make every effort to protect our Imaan. Worldly honour and wealth last only so long as life lasts, while complete faith, on the contrary, lasts for eternity. It is obligatory on every Muslim to safeguard his or her Imaan zealously.
Be steadfast in your daily prayers. It is incumbent (Wajib) on men to perform their prayers in congregation in the mosque. A Muslim who does not offer his prayers is but the caricature of a Muslim. He resembles a human being externally but his existence as a man is meaningless. Whether self-employed, in another’s employment or for some other reason one neglects prayers, he is one who lacks gratitude towards his Creator. An employer, be he a non-Muslim, has no right to deny his employee the obligation to pray. If an employer refuses his employee time out for prayers, it is haraam to continue in such employment. Any form of self-employment is devoid of blessings if one does not pray. Is it not Almighty Allah who provides us with our livelihood and is it not Himself who has made prayer obligatory? Those prayers which have become qaza should be prayed as soon as possible according to one’s capacity, and should not be delayed for death comes suddenly. Remember, no nafl prayers are accepted as long as the qaza prayers have not been read.
Observe all the days of fasting which were left undone. This should be done before the approach of Ramadaan. It is mentioned in the Hadith that our fasts are not taken into account so long as the fasting days of the previous Ramadaan remain unobserved.
Wealthy people have to pay their zakaat. Make a calculation of the amount that has not yet been paid and pay it immediately. The zakaat of each year should be paid before the end of the respective year. If the amount due has been paid before the end of the year, it is well and good. If, after calculation, it is found that there is still some money to be paid, then it should be settled at once. And, in case more than the amount actually due has been distributed, the excess should be deducted from the zakaat money due for the following year. Our good deeds never pass unnoticed by the Glorious Allah.
Hajj is a duty cast upon people who can afford the necessary expenditure. No doubts whatsoever should be entertained in regard to the performance of this obligatory function. Having made it compulsory, Allah Ta’ala has said, ‘But if any is ungrateful, verily Allah is free of all wants, independent.’ The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has said that people who, in spite of their capacity, do not perform Hajj, may die a Jew or even a Christian. Do not let the occasion pass in mere reflection.
Miserliness, backbiting, discrediting others and misappropriation of trusts are acts that are abominable. Pride, shaving of the beard or having it trimmed to suit one’s taste, fastidious dressing and other undesirable habits stand condemned. Those who avoid these bad habits and follow the Sunnah of the Beloved Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) will certainly find peace of mind, and will in addition, be loved by Almighty Allah. Allah Ta’ala and His Beloved Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) have promised paradise to those who keep steadfast in all these advices.
Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Ibrahim Khushtar (Rahmatullah Alaih) also mentioned the following words of wisdom:
“Oh brother! Bear in mind the fact that at the time of your birth everybody was rejoicing while you were crying. Live such a life that when you die everybody weeps on your departure from this worldly life while you are smiling. If you always wholeheartedly think of your Creator with devotion and with enthusiastic zeal, then as a matter of fact, when you are on the point of leaving this world, you will remember your Lord and your heart will be illumined with the light of Almighty Allah.
Oh brother! Always remember your death. If you constantly bring to your mind the fact that you would die one day, you will, by the Grace of Almighty Allah abstain from bad deeds and your faith will be safe.
Oh brother! Keep awake today so that you may enjoy a peaceful rest after your death. Keep awake underneath the sky, for you will sleep till judgment day in the lap of the earth. Do not enslave yourself with this world because this will make you forget Almighty Allah.
Each passing breath is a jewel of inestimable worth, and each passing day takes us one step closer to the grave.”
May Allah Ta’ala grant us the taufeeq to understand these beautiful words, to put it into practice as well as to pass this knowledge onto others, Ameen.
