STORIES AND ANECDOTES OF THE SAINTS OF INDIA
1) Our SAINTS were never sour-faced. They always maintained a cheerful appearance, smiling with everyone in spite of the fear of Divine Love consuming their heart.
2) It is not among the ways of our Akabir (seniors) to praise a person in his presence. Whateve r praises Maulana Gangohi (rahmatullah alayhi) lauded on me were in my absence. Friends conveyed such statements to praise to me. I cannot remember him praising me in my presence.
3) One philosopher wrote a letter informing me that after he had become a complete atheist he reverted back to Islam by studying the Mathnavi (of Mulana Rumi [rahmatullah alayhi]). I prescribe the Diwan of Hafiz and Mathnavi for those devoid of passion. The statements of these sages kindle yearning in the heart. The Molvi Saheb (i.e. the philosopher) had no faith in the Sufiya. I, therefore, advised him to sit in the dars (class) of Mathnavi. After a while a state of ecstasy settled over him. He became a great admirer of Maulana Rumi (rahmatullah alayhi).
4) In Kerana (a town In India) a lawyer once asked me: ?Why is Namaz [salaat] five times a day Fardh?? I said ?Why has your nose been created on your face?? He replied: ?It would have appeared ugly if it was on my neck.? I said: Never! If everyone?s nose was at the back of the neck, it would not seem unsightly.? He remained speechless.
5) When angered by someone, leave his presence or have him removed from your presence and drink cold water. If the anger is overwhelming then reflect: ?Allah Ta?ala too has rights over me and I frequently violate such rights. When He forgives us, we too should forgive the faults and errors of others. What will be my plight if He seeks to take vengeance??
6) People complain that those who pursue Islamic education are despised by the modernists. My advice is: You (i.e. Islamic students) too should despite them. This is the Sunnat of Nabi Nooh (alayhis salam) who said to his people: ?If you mock at us, we too shall mock at you just as you are mocking? My nephew was once traveling on a train during his childhood days. Along the journey he met a topranking police officer who asked: ?Why is it that every student of Arabic (Islamic Education) has a clean-shaved head?? (At that time my nephew was studying Arabic.) My nephew instantly responded: ?Why is it that every student of western education has a clean-shave face??. This witty answer silenced the police officer.
7) There are such clear incidents regarding the Divine Scheme controlling Rizq (man?s worldly sustenance), which even liberal and skeptical intelligence cannot deny. There are many extremely wealthy persons who are completely illiterate, not being able to write even their names. However, in their employ, working under them are graduates.
8) Health is a wonderful ni?mat (bounty of Allah). In Lucknow there was a nawab who suffered from a stomach ailment. His nourishment consisted of only sucking a bit of mince boiled in a cloth-bag. On account of his aliment he could only suck the cloth bag containing the boiled mince. One day while sitting on the bank of the river with some of his friends he saw a woodcutter approaching with a heavy bundle of wood on his head. The woodcutter dumped his load under a tree, washed his hands and face in the river and sat in the shade of the tree eating a piece of dry bread with much relish. After drinking some water he fell in a deep sleep, snoring loudly. Observing this scene the nawab said to his frie nds: ?I am prepared to exchange my wealth along with my sickness for the woodcutter?s poverty and health.? (i.e. if this was possible).
9) Hubbe jah (love for fame) and hubbe mal (love for wealth) are grave spiritual evils. They never leave man in peace. If a man is satisfied with his lot and remains contented with the little he obtains, he will have no cause for worry and frustration.
10) Presentation of one?s needs to other is disgraceful. A person who abstains from asking, suffers no disgrace even if he happens to be a pauper. It has never been observed that a man who renders Deeni service without presenting his needs to people, running around from pillar to post seeking the aid of people.
11) Molvi Muhammad Shafi Saheb contemplated the publication of a newspaper. I advised him that if he publishes a paper, it should be entirely Islamic in character. People should be able to say: ?This is indeed an Islamic paper.? The standard by which this can be achieved is to reflect in the light of Shari?i principles. Before deciding on the publication of any material ascertain by reflection whether it will be permissible to verbally express the statements, then it will be permissible to print them. If verbal expression is not permissible, printing too will not be permissible.
12) Someone sent a gift of some money. In his letter he mentioned: ?I am sending this gift as per my established practice.? I returned the gift, enquiring him: ?What is the meaning of this obligation??
13) One feels hurt when someone who claims to love one, behaves like a stranger. If the claim of love is not made, there is no complaint. A certain man reviled me throughout his life, but I paid no heed whatever. Mansoor (rahmatullah alayhi) at the place of execution, while he was being stoned by the crowd of people, remained unperturbed. Not a cry of agony escaped from his smiling lips. But when Hadhrat Shibli (rahmatullah alayhi) struck him with a flower, he let out a sigh a pain. People asked him for the reason for this strange behavior. Mansoor (rahmatullah alayhi) replied that the crowd did not know, but Shibli (rahmatullah alayhi) was aware of the reality, hence his striking with even a flower was not tolerable and caused him pain.
14) My brother, Akbar Ali, had once planned to give me a fixed monthly allowance. However, I refused. Such a stipend would bring me unnecessary concern, for one will remain in anticipation of receiving the money on the fixed date. Delay will lead to anxiety. There is no peace in such gifts. Allah Ta?ala grants sustenance from the least expected sources. Therein is total peace. My brother retorted: ?After all, you accept gifts from others as well.? I said that such gift as I accept are not fixed stipends. He then adopted this method- i.e. occasionally spending gifts.
15) When visiting the Masha-ikh (spiritual guides) do not consider it necessary to make gifts to them. By the compulsory presentation of gifts you corrupt their hearts. While they improve you spiritually, you engage in corrupting them.
16) Our Maulana Khalil Ahmad Saheb (rahmatullah alayhi) would say: ?We are in need, but we are not seller of the Deen.? Regarding gifts, when there is the urge to give, then make the presentation. Do not make it a fixed practice or custom, then one will be constrained to observe the practice even if one has no real desire for making a gift.
17) Hadhrat Shuraih (radhiallahu anhu) was appointed the Qadhi by Hadhrat Umar (radhiallahu anhu). During the Khilafat of Hadhrat Ali (radhiallahu anhu), Hadhrat Shuriah (radhiallahu anhu) was still the Qadhi. Hadhart Ali?s shield was stolen. Hadhrat Ali (radhiallahu anhu) recognised his shield when he saw it in the possession of a Jew. He instituted a claim in the court of Qadhi Shurhia (radhiallahu anhu) who asked that Hadhrat Ali produce his witnesses to prove his claim. Hadhrat Ali (radhiallahu anhu) presented his son and his emancipated slave. According to Hadhrat Shuraih (radhiallahu anhu) the testimony of a son in favor of his father was not admissible, hence he ordered Hadhrat Ali (radhiallahu anhu) to present another witness.
When Hadhrat Ali (radhiallahu anhu) was unable to do so, Qadhi Shuraih dismissed the claim. Hadhrat Ali (radhaillahu anhu), the Khalifah of the time, emerged from the court cheerfully. On seeing this high degree of justice, the Jew recited the Kalimah and embraced Islam. He presented the armour to Hadhart Ali (radhiallahia anhu) saying that, in actual fact, it belonged to him Hadhart Ali. Hadhart Ali (radhiallahia anhu) responded: ?I have made a gift of it to you.? Thereafter the Jew remained perpetually in the company of Hadhart Ali (radhiallahia anhu) and was martyred in the Battle of Siffeen. If today?s attitude had existed in those days, people would have exclaimed: ?What! Was Hadhart Ali a liar (that his word was not accepted)?? In spite of him being the ruler, he was not offended in the least bit by the dismissal of his claim.
18) Even if it was not imposed by the Shari?ah, Purdah (Hijab) is a natural demand. Honour dictates that women adopt Purdah. Everyday we hear of the increasing evil consequences of non-observance of Purdah, but people refuse to come to their sense. Shame and honour have taken flight from people. It is indeed an act of mercy that the Shari?ah has commanded the observance of Purdah.
The consequences ens uing in this time in the wake of moves to eradicate purdah are nothing other than the elimination of shame and modesty from women and their open involvement in immorality and rebellion against their husband?s authority.
19) If I observe in members of the general public who have no spiritual ties with me, ninety faults and virtue, my gaze goes to the virtue. In contrast, regarding those who have submitted themselves to me for self-reformation, if I observe in them ninety nine excellences and one fault, my gaze goes to the fault. It is the duty of the Shaikh to remedy the fault.
20) Nowadays the capacity of obedience is no longer to be found among people. Once Hadhrat Umar (radhiallahu anhu), while making Tawaaf observed a women with the disease of leprosy also making Tawaaf. Hadhrat Umar (radhiallahu anhu) forbade her from making Tawaaf, saying that since her ailment caused inconvenience to others, it was best that she remains at home instead of coming for Tawaaf. After some days the lady returned. People informed her to Hadhrat Umar?s (radhiallahu anhu) death and told her not to worry any longer since the one who had forbidden her from Tawaaf was no longer present to debar her.
The lady replied: ?I thought that he was alive, hence I came to plead with him. He is not the type of person whom one obeys in his presence and disobeys in his absence. He is a man of such caliber that his commands have to be obeyed after his death in the same way as they were obeyed during his lifetime.? So saying, she departed and never again returned to make tawaaf. Such lofty degree of obedience is no longer found.
21) Many instances have been narrated of certain dogs abstaining from food one day in every week. Those who fail to fast should take lesson from this.
22) I underwent much strain in writing the book, Hayatul Muslimeen, both in choice of topics and simplifying. I have no confidence in any of my acts (of righteousness) but, Alhamdulillah! I value this act (of having written Hayatul Muslimeen). I have hope in it. This kitab should be included in Madrasah Syllabi.
23) Sometimes, when sincere and conscious efforts are not made in the direction of self-reformation then a degeneration of moral character occurs despite begin in the close association of saints. One Molvi sahib who happens to be the right- hand man of a certain buzroog wrote a letter of intercession to me on behalf of a man. In his letter he described the man as prominent businessman, hence special attention should be paid to him. I severely reprimanded him (the Molvi Shabe) telling him that he sought to impress and awe me with the business and prominence of the man ?You attempt to dangle a bait in front of me?.
24) Nowadays the hearts of people are saturated with greed and desire, but the attainment of their desire is not within their control. They are therefore constantly consumed by worry and frustration. They just cannot find solace and peace. People yearn for luxurious mansions, expensive furniture and cars. Life is squandered in the pursuit of accumulating such material possessions. Why have they saddled themselves with so many worries? Instead of being contented with a simple life-style, they have burdened themselves with worries. Their peace of mind is, thus, completely shattered.
25) I shall show you a wonderful criterion by means by which Haqq and Batil may be recognized in ambiguous and doubtful cases. Even if there happens to be no Alim around, you will be able to distinguish between Haqq and Batil on the basis of this standard. Regarding new and innovated things, find out who are the originators. Are the originators laymen or pious Ulama. If the originators are pious Ulama, then such things, e.g. Madrasahs, Khanqas, Darul Iftas, etc are part and parcel of the Deen.
The introduction of such things was inspired into the hearts of the pious Ulama. Practices such as urs, fatiha, third-day, seventh-day khatm, etc., which were introduced by the laity (ordinary people ?non-ulama) are not part of the Deen. By means of this standard, all innovations and new practices may be distinguished and recognized to be either Haqq or Batil.
26) I wrote to the authorities of a certain madrasah informing them that if they participated in Meeladun Nabi celebrations, then I shall sever my relationship with the Madrasah.
27) It is among the etiquettes of dua that the bandah (servant of Allah) verbally proclaims his needs to Allah Ta?ala despite the fact that Allah Ta?ala is fully aware of his requirements. If the bandah refrains from verbal assertion, his humility and helplessness will not be displa yed whereas these qualities are of greater importance in dua.
28) When a woman attains nisbat-e-batini, she acquires a lofty and a wonderful pedestal. Once during a drought, people went to a saintly lady and asked her to make dua for rain. She went to a small raised platform whereon she usually performed her Namaz. She loosened her hair and swept the platform with it. After sweeping she raised her gaze towards the heaven and supplicated: ?I have done the sweeping, you now sparkle the water.? As she said this, rain started to come down in torrents. Humility and supplication are indeed wonderful. (Nisbat-e-Batini: A special, lofty relationship of proximity with Allah Ta?ala).
29) Once the people of the town of Sandelah performed Salatul Istisqa (Salat for rain). However, the rains did not come. One day the prostitutes of the town went to the mayor of the town and said: ?The dua which you people are making are efficacious and worthy of acceptance. The reason for rain not falling is the presence of our evil group. Rain has been withheld because of our sins. It is therefore, our wish to go to the forest to cry and supplicate to our Creator and to make taubah. We have approached take measures for preventing any male coming near to our gathering for casting evil gazes.?
The necessary arrangements were made and measures were taken to ensure that no make come nearby. These women gathered in the forest on the outskirts of the town. They performed Salat and then supplicated to Allah Ta?ala. They made taubah and poured out their hearts to Allah Ta?ala. There was no limit to their crying and expressions of regret for their past misdeeds. While they were engrossed in their humble supplication, the rain started to come and soon poured in torrents. Who can, after having heard this episode, be vain and proud of his piety and disdainful of the piety of others?
30) Acquisition of material wealth in worldly garb is not as harmful as the acquisition of worldly gain under guise of the Deen.
31) One Alim from Nadwa sent me a book which he had written. I was much elated to read the following passage in the book: ?The attempt to submit revelation to reason so that revelation conforms to reason is a grave error. Religion (viz. Islam) refers to pure Iman (Belief) and Inqiyad (submission to revelation). In deen there is nothing other than wholehearted submission to Divine Law. On the other hand, in matters of reason and intellect rational proofs are necessary.?
However, the Alim did not elaborate on the statement of rational proofs being necessary in religious matters. If rational proofs are to be totally discarded in religious matters, then everyone will be able to claim the truth of his religion on the basis of only faith. The Alim Saheb should have added that rational proofs are not necessary in relation to the Furoo? (Details & Particulars) of Deen. But in so far as the Usool (the principles or Fundamentals) are concerned, there is a need for rational proofs. Godhood and Risalat (Prophethood) should be substantiated by means of rational proofs whereas pure and total submission is required in the detailed rules of the Deen.
32) In some places, a person who prohibits customs and acts which are in conflict with the Shari?ah is branded a Wahhabi. One pious Alim saw and Alim wearing a ring of gold. When his attention was drawn to this violation of the Shari?ah, he responded: ?You are a Wahhabi.?
33) If a person witnessed oppression being committed and does not report the oppression to the seniors of the oppressor, then he (the observer) will be regarded as being a party of the oppression.
34) A contract which guarantees that the candidate will be successful in the acquisition of the education offered by the course, is not valid.
35) Corruption in fund-raising schemes have increased to suc h an extent that the path of truth has been abandoned and the ways of falsehood have been acquired. Nowadays the authorities of religious institutions regard the contributors as gods. They have become subservient to those who contribute funds. They do not differentiate between halal and haram. The existence of a Madrasah is meaningless if the pleasure of Allah and His Rasool is not acquired. In some cases it is better for a Madrasah to cease operation. In most cases, the management is more concerned with retaining the pleasure of the wealth even at the cost of Allah?s displeasure. Care is taken to avoid affronting donors even if Allah?s laws are violated in the process. It is quite apparent from the attitude of the officials and management boards (of religious institutions) that the aim is to achieve name and fame. They seek fulfillment of these aims via the Madrasha under their control.
Since the purpose of a Madrasha is the dissemination of the Deen and the acquisition of the pleasure of Allah and His Rasool, these ends should always be kept in view. Haqq (truth) is dominant. It has been said: ?Haqq will remain dominant and will not be dominated.? Resolve to maintain this work (of the Madrasah) as long as its activities are confined to the limits of the Shari?ah. The day these limits are transgressed, withdraw from the Madrasah, for then, the actual aim, viz. Allah?s pleasure, no longer exists. Hazrat Maulana Gangohi (rahmatullah alayhi) once wrote to Maulana Khalil Ahmed (rahmatullah alayhi) that Maulana Deobandi (rahmatullah alayhi) when they were being distressed by opponents: ?My Beloved Brethren! Why are you distressed? The goal is not the Madrasah. The goal is the pleasure of Allah Jalle Shanuhu. There are many ways of attaining this goal. One such way is the Madrasah. If the Madrasah remains with you, continue rendering your services. If it does not remain, find an alternate avenue for your services.?
36) Nowadays the degree of reliance on newspaper reports is greater than the reliance which people accord to even Shar?i proofs in spite of sensationalism and distortion employed in abundance by the papers. There appears to be no limit to erroneous reports published by newspapers.
37) From the external appearances which Muslims have adopted nowadays, it is difficult to recognize if they are Muslims.
38) Gazing intentionally at pictures (of living things) to derive pleasure, is haram. If the gaze falls on such pictures unintentionally it will not be sinful. (Someone asked:) ?What if the picture is viewed from an artistic point of view?? Hadhrat Thanvi rahmatullah alayhi replied: ?Forget about artistic achievement or value of a picture-maker. It is unlawful to look at some things created by even the True Artist, Allah Ta?ala. Gazing at females and young lads is haram. The Fuqaha have well-understood the danger of such viewing ostensibly for the sake of art. The Fuqaha have ruled that it is not permissible to look at wine to derive mental pleasure.?
39) A person makes waqf of his property and stipulates that while he is alive the income of the property will accrue to him and after his death it will accrue to certain of his heirs (mentioned by him); thereafter when there remains no one in progeny of the heirs, the income will go to the poor. This form of waqf is permissible.
40) Speaking in abundance and associating much with people are very harmful spiritually.
41) A man came and said: ?I am a habitual gambler. What is its remedy?? Hadhrat Thanvi replied: ?Courage is its remedy. Secondly, resolve firmly that whenever you indulge in gambling you will impose on yourself the performance of 100 raka?ts Naft Salat and abstain from two meals. Other than this, the original and actual remedy is nothing other than courage and striving against the dictates of the nafs.? The same man said ?My heart is devoid of love for my parents.? Hadhrat Thanvi (rahmatullah alayhi) replied: ?Serve them in abundance. Service to parents will create love for them.?
42) The beard is something wonderful. It enhances the dignity and handsomeness of a man. In fact a bearded man has a noble appearance. But, nowadays it is being vilified.
43) Hadhrat Shah Abdul Quddoos (rahmatullah alayhi) passed his days in great poverty. When his wife became restless because of hunger, he would placate her by saying: ?Fear not. In Jannat the most delicious and sumptuous dishes are being prepared for us.? By the fadhl of Allah, his wife taqwa was of such high caliber that this statement would reassure and satisfy her.
44) On the occasion of Hajjatul Wida? (The Farewell Hajj), Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) and distributed his blessed hair among the Sahabah. It is obvious that there are countless thousands of hair on the head, hence numerous Sahabah had the good fortune of receiving some of the mubarak hairs of Rasulullah (sallallahu alahi wasallam). Undoubtedly, they must have treasure those hairs and guarded them well. Therefore, should you hear that someone has some hair of Rasulullah (sallallahu alahi wasallam), do not reject it in haste.
45) On the occasion of Hajjatul Wida?, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) made qurbani of (sacrificed) one hundred camels. He slaughtered 63 with his own blessed hands wile Hadhrat Ali (radhiallahu anhu) slaughtered the remaining 37. At the time of thabah (slaughtering) a wonderful condition settled over the camels. Every camel was pushing forward in the attempt to be slaughtered first by the holy hands of Rasulullah (sallallhu alayhi wasallam).
46) Hadhrat Shah Abul Ma-ali (rahmatullah alayhi) said: ?Once we were sitting in the company of our Shaikh and we all were sobbing. A man who was there remarked that all of us were deprived of Divine proximity, hence our sobbing.? In reply to this comment Shah Abul Ma-ali (rahmatullah alayhi) wrote a treatise in which he explained that crying has seven causes, hence, crying is not proof of deprivation. Sometimes, the cause of crying is very experience of attainment of Divine Proximity.
Once during the Hadith lessons of Hadhrat Maulana Ya?qoob (rahmatullah alayhi), an anecdote of Hadhrat Abi Ibn Ka?b (radhiallahu anhu) was narrated. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) informed him: ?Allah Ta?la ordered me to recite Lam-Yakoen to you.? Ka?ba (radhiallahu anhu) asked: ?O Rasulullah! Did Allah Ta?ala mentioned me by name?? Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: ?Yes, Allah Ta?la mentioned you by name.? Hadhrat Ka?b (radhiallahu anhu) broke down sobbing. This crying was the effect of Muhabbat (Love). These states pertain to thauqiyat (natural disposition). Those devoid of such natural conditions lack the ability to understand these states.
47) Some Ahle-Zahir – those learned men who are bereft of thauq (a natural disposition with spiritual perception) have conceded the probability of Muhabbat-e-Aqil (intellectual love) with Allah Ta?ala while rejecting Muhbbat-e-Tabi (emotional love). They contend the improbability of emotional love with Allah Tal?ala because he is not visible to the corporeal eye. Vehemently refuting their contention, Hadhrat Imam Ghazali (rahmatullah alayhi) said that their denial is like the denial of an eunuch who is unaware of the pleasure of sexual intercourse. People have sacrificed their lives for the sake of love. Even animals have. If this is not emotional love (Muhabbat-e-Tab?i), the n what else is it? Such emotion cannot be stirred in the state of Muhabbat-e-Aqli.
48) Once Hadhrat Samnoon (rahmatullah alayhi) was giving a discourse on Divine love. A bird sitting on the roof of the veranda was listening attentively. It descended. Unable to restrain itself, it came and sat in the lap of Hadhrat Samnoon (rahmatullah alayhi). Within a few moments it laid down its head and died. Such is the burning flame of Divine Love.
49) In my wasaya (Last Testament) I have directed that my biography should not be written. People are not cautious.
They exaggerate much, attributing the performance of miracles to their Shaikh- such miracles which he did not demonstrate, but which they have imagined him to have performed. In their opinion if their Shaikh is not depicted as a man who had demonstrated Karamat (miracles), people will gain the impression that he was not a man of high spiritual rank of excellence.
50) A man from among the Ashab-e-Suffah had left a dinar (a gold coin) at the time of his death. On learning of this Rasulullah (sallallahu alahiy wasallam) said that on account of the dinar he will be branded once in Jahannum. Another man, alos form among the Ahl-e-suffah left two dinars at the time of his death. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said tha t he will be branded twice in Jahannum. There now arises the question: ?Is accumulation of wealth forbidden?? It is quite obvious that it is not forbidden. If it was forbidden, there would not have been the Laws of Inheritance (Meerath). Those who could not comprehend this Hadith asserted that the accumulation of wealth in that age was not permissible. Qadhi Thanaullah (rahmatullah alayhi), the author of Tafseerul Mazhari, presented a beautiful interpretation.
He explained that the cause for the punishment (mentioned in the Hadith) is not accumulation. On the contrary the reason for the punishment was their claim of having renounced the world. Since they had renounced the world in totality, it was highly unbecoming of them to treasure anything of the world. In fact, the community had believed the (Ashab-e-Suffah) to be men who had renounced the world for the sake of Allah Ta?ala. Thus, accumulation of wealth by such devotes in nugatory of their professed love for Allah Ta?ala. [Ashab-e-Suffah refers to the group of people who had renounced the world during the age of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). Their sole occupation was the acquisition of knowledge from Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) and Ibadat. They were confined to the precincts of the Musjid and were not permitted to engage in any worldly profession. Their lives were based on Tawakkul- Trust and reliance on Allah. ? Translator.]
Some years ago a woman envoy of the kuffaar from America had darkened the shores of South Africa. On her mission of kufr propagation she had revealed her true colours which left no Muslim in any doubt regarding her affiliations. We had at that time written a criticism of the abomination she was gorging out. We reproduce our article which had appeared in a past issue of The Majlis, for the benefit of Muslims.
Amina Wadud, the U.S. missionary of kufr, clearly displays the slave mentality which she has inherited from her colonial masters and which she has been unable to shed off. It is the profound mental and moral derangement which her slavery-roots have inflicted on her brains and heart that has constrained her to exhibit her lament of self-pity. She thus felt compelled to justify her kufr views with the justification of her colour and the type of hair which Allah Ta’ala in His infinite wisdom had chosen as best for her. There is no need for any Black Muslim to feel awkward with his/her blackness and natural hair. In justification of her kufr views, she lamented as follows at one of her silly talks:
“Usually I wear the hijab, and when I am wearing it, most Muslims do not consider me African-American; I pass off as a South Asian,” she said. “But when they see me without a scarf, they can see my African locks and they know I am Black and suddenly their attitude changes. The fact is I am a nigger and you will just have to put up with my blackness.”
The puerility and absurdity of her statements of self-pity should be manifest to all and sundry. It simply reveals the inferiority complex from which she suffers. This is the type of defence a supposed intellectual puts up for her filthy ideas of kufr among which are the following specimens which are theories usually espoused by the league of lesbians and homosexuals:
• Correctness of same-sex ‘marriages’
• Concealment of her aversion for some of the verses of the Qur’aan is hypocrisy, hence she needs to propagate her kufr openly.
• One should say, “NO!” to any Qur’aanic verse with which one disagrees.
• She cannot spiritually and intellectually accept some things in the Qur’aan.
• She does not agree with the Qur’aanic command of cutting off the hands of thieves inspite of the explicitness of the Qur’aanic command.
• She rejects the Qur’aanic permission to beat the insolently disobedient wife.
• She rejects the superiority of men explicitly stated by the Qur’aan
• She does not accept Islam’s law which does not permit women to lead in Salaat a mixed congregation of men and women.
• And, she entertains many more views of kufr and ideas of satanism
Her recent clown-act of a mock so-called ‘jumuah’ which she conducted in a Christian church for the enjoyment of some lesbians and homosexuals who usually grace such aberrations, is merely a practical demonstration of her inherent kufr. The views of this woman testify that she is not a murtaddah (renegade) in Ukhrawi terms (i.e. pertaining to the Law which will prevail in the Hereafter), inspite of the applicability of the irtidaad appellation in terms of the Zaahiri Shariah, i.e. the legal dimension of the Shariah. Her stark ideas and flagrant practices of kufr are abundant evidence for confidently making the claim that she was never a Muslim. We do not know her background. But even if she was born in a Muslim home to Muslim parents, then too, she was inherently a kaafirah. The Hadith which speaks about the Fitrah (natural state of Imaan) into which children are born, is not applicable to this woman, in the same way as it never was applicable to Iblees, and in the same way as it was never applicable to Abu Jahl, Namrud, Fir’oun and a myriad of other members of the League of Satanism.
If there was any validity to her monstrous claim of self-pity in which she tenders her natural hair-type and black colour as her defence, and as the reason for the Ummah’s rejection of her stercoraceous views of Satanism, then these self-same Muslims would not have had the great and profound love, honour and respect for Sayyiduna Bilaal (radhiyallahu anhu)—for Hadhrat Luqmaan (alayhis salaam), and for countless other Black Sahaabah and Auliyaa whose hair was exactly as the hair of today’s Africans. Every Muslim, be he/she a modernist, a faasiq, a faajir, a king or a pauper, is prepared to lay his head at the feet of these illustrious Black Stars of Islam with short hair. Every Muslim of every age, provided he/she has not been confirmed as an inmate of Jahannum by Divine Decree, is prepared to offer his life in defence of the honour of the noble Black Guides of Islam—those with short hair— such as Sayyiduna Bilaal and others. For this missionary of kufr operating at the behest of the crusading kuffaar enemies of Islam, to therefore, claim that her filthy views of Satanism are rejected by the entire Ummah of Islam, without a single exception, on account of her hair-type and blackness, may dupe the apes of the jungle. Not even Mr. Bush will be impressed by this ridiculous argument of self-pity.
There are innumerable Black Muslims of the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama’ah in America. We are certain that if a poll is taken of their views on this woman, it will be found that their thinking is the thinking of the Ummah. No Muslim, no matter how morally corrupt he or she may be, will ever condone the Satanism propagated by this missionary of kufr. As proof, the following extract from the modernist ‘MUUU! MUSLIM WAKE UP’, will be adequate:
“Addressing Wadud, a woman with peroxide blonde hair and hip hugging jeans said, ‘Even though I am not a practicing Muslim, I believe you do not know proper Islam.”
We are constrained to congratulate this modernist sister. Perhaps this statement which sprang from the innermost recess of the modern lady’s heart will be the basis of her Najaat (eternal salvation) in the Aakhirah. She spoke in defence of Islam.
The likes of this woman spring up only to disappear in the dirt bins of history. While it is acknowledged that every devil also gains supporters, since this world is the arena for the struggle between Haqq and Baatil –Kufr and Imaan, the kind of puny dajjaal and concept of Dajjaaliyat which she espouses can attract only lesbians and sodomites. May Allah Ta’ala save Muslims from the kufr fallacies of Satanism which she likes to propagate.
51) Riya (show) is not confined to the display of Ibadat. Riya is to display one?s Ibadat while being motivated by the desire to be known as a pious person. Ibadat in public does not necessarily reflect riya. If the thought of piety comes to mind unintentionally without one believing or entertaining the idea of one?s piety, then such thought is not riya. It is a waswasah of riya. [Waswasah is a stray thought which enters the mind at the behest of shaitan. Provided that such a whisper of shaitan is not fixed firmly in the mind by one?s volition and intention, no sin is occasioned. ? Translator]. As long as there is no intention to display one?s Ibadat, riya is not involved.
52) A Hadith states: ?A single faqeeh is harder on shaitan than a thousand aabids (pious worshippers).? (Faqeeh is an Aalim of the Deen) Shaitan devises schemes to deviate people. In devising his plots he spends a lot of time. The Faqeeh neutralizes and destroys his schemes without much difficulty. The Faqeeh by virtue of the insight of Ilm recognizes the deception of shaitan.
53) A man came and requested that dua be made for him. Hadhrat Thanvi (R.A.) said: ?Brother! You too make dua and I also sham make dua.? The man said: ?My tongue is not fit for dua.? (In other words, he did not consider himself worthy of making dua.) Hadhrat Thanvi replied: ?Do you recite the Kalima?? The man said: ?Yes.? Hadhrat Thanvi: ?Kalimah has greater blessing than dua. How come your tongue is worthy of reciting the Kalimah? In fact, shaitan made dua at the very time when he as being cursed by Allah Ta?ala.? He supplicated: ?Grant me respite until the day when people will be resurrected.? Allah Ta?ala answered his dua: ?You are among those who have been granted respite.? When even shaitan was not deprived of acceptance of dua, how can we be deprived? Shaitan has deceived us into believing that our tongues are not worthy of making dua. People consider this attitude to be humility.
54) A man entered the presence of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) without permission. Rasulullah (sallalllahu alyhi wasallam) ordered him out and instructed another man to teach him the manner of entering so that he may return observing the correct etiquette. This incident indicates that practical training is also sunnat. Without such training people with dense minds do not remember.
55) When a man strives (in the Deen) and adopts the correct means and procedures, he shall attain the promise of Najat (Salvation). This is in fact the beautiful end (to this earthly life). No one is compelled to dirft astray. One goes astray by one?s choice and free will. The state of death (i.e. whether in Kufr or Iman) being unknown means that it is not known what one will do tomorrow be one?s own free will. Whether one will choose Kufr or Iman volitionally ? of one?s free will ? is an unknown entity in regard to man. It does not mean that tomorrow Allah Ta?ala may compel us into Kufr. The incidence of Najat is a Ni?mat by itself. On entering Jannat, the Jannati will express his shukr (gratitude) in the following Qur?anic terms:
?All Praises is due to Allah Who has fulfilled for us His promise and granted us the ownership of the Land (i.e. Jannat) so that we may occupy Jannat wherever we please. Indeed, wonderful is the reward of those who practiced virtue.?
56) The mystery of Taqedeer will not be fully revealed to man even in Jannat. However there will remain not uncertainty and doubt. Even here on earth the Arifeen (the Auliya) have no doubt and uncertainly regarding Taqdeer. They are enshrouded with an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.
57) If someone raised on objection or expressed a doubt when Hadhrat Haji Saheb had given a discourse on any subject, he would comment:
?This is not a Madrasah. This (what has been explained) is for practicing. Give practical expression to it and then observe the result.?
Madrasah Ustads have the practice of disputing and entertaining objections. On the other hand, the Arifeen feel suffocated by such questions and answering. Those who are engrossed action, discern the reality and truth. Their condition is unlike that of general public. They (the Arifeen) are in peace and contentment. Hadhrat Haji Saheb (i..e. Haji Imdadullah) detested questioning and answering. Since the truths and unveiled realities (of the Deen) were in front of him, there remained no doubt and uncertainly. If it is said to a person that the sun has and he, instead of conceding, initiates an argument seeking proof for the rising of the sun, the repugnance and frustration which such disputation will cause are quite apparent.
The degree of certainly and conviction which the people of insight (the Arifeen, the Auliya) have regarding haqa-iq (realities and transcendental truths) is like the certainty which a man has regarding the identity of his father in which he has no doubt. In fact, the degree of certitude of the Arifeen is higher because there exits the possibility of doubt in a certain man being one?s father. Indeed, such a higher degree of certainty and clarity is a wonderful ni?mat (favor of Allah).
58) Whenever I give someone a ta?weez I wrap it in a piece of paper because it is not permissible to touch a Qur?anic ayat without being in the state of wudhu. People are not careful in this matter.
59) Once the Nawab of Dhaka questioned me regarding the permissibility of the tauliyat of a non- Muslim government. (Tauliyat, i.e. appointing an authority to administer Islamic Law). I replied: There are two types of tauliyat ? Shar?i and Qanooni. (Shar?i, i.e. legal or valid in terms of worldly law). A non-Muslim government cannot be a Mutawalla Shar?i because Islam is a pre-requisite for such an office. However, the govermant should be requested to appoint a Shar?i authority who will deal with Islamic matters. The government should promulgate the laws while the enforcement and imposition of the laws should be by the decree of the Shar?i authority. [The Muslim Shar?i authority appointed by the government should issue the verdicts and order enforcement of the Shari?ahs decisions. ? Translators]
60) Why focus the gaze on anyone other than Allah Ta?ala? The Qur?an informs: ?Unto Allah belongs the treasure of the heavens and earth.?
61) There always is the need for money, but to accept it with disgrace is not tolerable.
62) A man requested to be instructed with some formula of Thikr which will serve the purpose of reforming him. Hadhrat Thanvi said: ?Islah (self-reformation) is achieved by remedying the aliments of the nafs. Athkar (plural of Thikr) are like medicines and pills which can be prepared by studying medical books. However, there remains the indispensable need for a doctor to diagnose the illness and prescribe the remedy.
Similarly, thirk formulae and spiritual exercise (ashghal) are recorded in books. However, there remains the need for a Shaikh (Spiritual Guide and Mentor) to diagnose the aliment of the nafs and to prescribe remedies for its reformation.? Waza-if (forms of Thikr) are not too difficult upon the nafs. Within a short while the Thikr is completed, whereas the ailments of ujub (vanity) and riya show, for example, are not cured by only waza-if. Waza-if only create barkat and act as aids.
63) People now consider spiritual states of ecstasy (kayfiyat) to be the goal of Sulook (Tasawwuf). Even if animals at times experience certain conditions of ecstasy when influenced by music and singing. Once an expert, in a challenge, defied his opponent, saying: ?You will be able to measure my expertise and excellence when you behold the wild beasts of the jungle, subservient under the sway of my influence. Let us go to the jungle and sing our songs. At that time I will put a rope around the neck of every animal. It is left then to you to remove the ropes from their necks.?
They went into the forest and the expert commenced his bewitching singing. So enthralling was his singing that wild animals came out from all directions and submissively stood in is presence. He took hold of the animals one by one and put a rope around each one?s neck. He than ceased his singing; the animals scattered and disappeared into the forest. He now challenged his rival to start his singing, gather the animals and remove the ropes. However, he was rendered helpless. Emotional states are common to both man and beast. Such states in man, therefore, do not represent any achievement or excellence.
64) Nowadays, observance of customs has become dominant. The Sahabah honoured and respected Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), but were devoid of pretence. Their respect for Nabi-e- Kareem (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) was not a mere external display of customary etiquettes. Thus we see that they would not stand when Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) appeared on the scene since they were aware of the fact that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) detested the custom of standing in respect for him, yet there were no greater and more ardent devotees of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) than the Sahabah.
65) A man who had spent a considerable time in an asylum, on being released, came to visit Hadhrat Thanvi (rahmatullah alayhi). Hadhrat Thanvi (rahmatullah alayhi) commented: ?Whatever I prescribe for someone regarding his tarbiyat (spiritual training), is done with great consideration and affection. Whoever acted in conflict with the prescription had soon to suffer and harmful consequences. (Pointing to the man, he said:) Now he is sitting here after having experienced such consequences. I had warned him to refrain from specialized forms of Thikr and Shaghl (spiritual exercises), but he persisted. Finally he became insane.?
66) It is stated in the Hadith than an honest trader will rise on the Day of Qiyamah among the Shuhada (martyrs). Honestly in trade brings prosperity and success although initially some difficulty has to be borne. However, after a while there will be considerable barkat in the business. Later, people will gain full confidence in the honest trader.
67) Allah Ta?ala loves abdiyat (total obedience and submission- the quality of being a slave). A woman holding the hand of her child came to Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) and said: ?O Rasulullah! I cannot bear to throw this child in the fire. Will Allah Ta?ala assign His servants to the Fire?? Hearing this, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) cried and said: ?Allah Ta?ala will not assign to Jahannum anyone but a rebellious person bent on flagrant transgression.?
Only a person who deliberately and flagrantly rebels against Allah?s law ? one who knowingly and wantonly refuses to acknowledge the authority of Allah Ta?ala ? has chosen the fire for himself by his own volition. The humble ones will be treated with only mercy. Even a man who is unable to fulfill the rights of others on account of his lack of ability and means will obtain the aid of Allah Ta?ala provided that he always was concerned about fulfilling such rights. Allah Ta?ala will placate the people of right (e.g. creditors) by offering great awards to them on behalf of the debtor.
68) The Fuqaha have ruled that if a person after having served as the Imam of a place for twenty years says that he was all this time a Kafir, then notwithstanding his claim, all Salat performed behind him in the past is valid and discharge. He will be branded as a Kafir from the time he made his declaration of Kufr. It is quite possible that he desires to put Muslims to hardship hence, his claim in relation to the past.
69) Islam teaches us to refrain from pride; hence, it exhorts us to do our own housework ? with our own hands. Thus, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) would himself attend to the household chores with his own blessed hands. He milked the goat, mended shoes and assisted with preparing the food. When someone asked Hadhrat Aishah (radhiallaahu-anhu) about Rasulullah?s (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) program at home, she said: ?Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) did not stay idle at home. He would join us in the housework.?
70) The character and morals of people became corrupted from the time they participated in these political movements. Darkness has settled on all sides. Every person is steeped in liberalism. Respect for elders has disappeared. Ignoramuses have become leaders. The Ulama have joined ranks with the wealthy and become men of the world. Not even in centuries has so much change been wrought in the Deen as the change which occurred in the Khilafat movement of a few days.
71) A Shaikh ordered one of his mureeds to go for a while to a certain place and apply himself to Thikr and Shaghul (spiritual exercise). After sometime the mureed wrote informing his Shaikh of disunity and animosity prevailing between the Muslim and non-Muslim communities of that place. Hence, he requested the Shaikh for dua. The Shaikh wrote reprimanding the mureed: ?Have I sent you to dispatch news reports or for working (i.e. engrossing yourself in Thikr)?? Someone asked: ?Dua is Sunnat. Why the reprimand?? Hadhrat Thanvi replied: ?If a Sunnat act prevents a person from a Fardh act, he will be instructed to forgo the Sunnat act. Islah of the Nafs (i.e. self-reformation) is Fardh. (Involvement in the affairs of the community impeded the spiritual progress of the mureed, hence the reprimand).?
72) One should not ask one?s Shaikh (one?s Spiritual Guide) such Fiqhi Masa- il (rules of Fiqh) which entail debate and discussion. Debate and objection are highly detrimental in this Path of Tasawwuf.
73) Natural characteristics do not change. Only a diversion is introduced in them. The experts (in Tasawwuf) do not attempt to eliminate in them. The natural characteristics are the subjects of Allah?s Wisdom. Hence, attempts should not be made in the futile exercise of transforming the natural propensities in man. Only the direction should be changed. The natural propensities in man should be diverted from evil and channeled into the direction of virtue.
74) We Muslims have nowadays become total strangers to good culture and morality. An Englishman who had converted to Islam entered the Musjid to perform Salat. He notice that the gully in which the waste water flowed was dirty. Addressing those present he advised them to maintain the gully clean. Someone retored: ?It seems as if you are still influenced by Christianity, hence, you blabber about cleanliness.? They then evicted the convert from the Musjid.
When other respectable Muslims heard of this incident they sought to placate the convert. They told him not to take this unfortunate incident to heart since those who had rebuked him were ignorant. The convert replied honourably: ?What, do you think that I will become disillusioned with Islam and revert to Christianity on account of their treatment? I did not embrace Islam on the strength of these disrespectful persons. I have professed Iman in Rasulullah (salallahu alayhi wasallam) whose lofty morals cannot be compared with the characters of these people.?
75) In their letters to me even men of considerable sincerity write informing of their constancy in Thikr and Shaghl. They request dua to be made for them. It seems as if Islah of the nafs (self selfreformation) is insignificant to them. They regard exercise of Thikr and Shaghl to be the actual aim of acquisition. On the contrary, Islah is the actual purpose. Thikr facilitated in the achievement of selfreformation.
76) Do not be hasty in accepting a man as your Shaikh (Spiritual Guide). Study him well. When you are thoroughly satisfied with his credentials and credibility then only enter into the oat of allegiance (Ba?yt) with him.
77) When making dua at the graveside, do not lift the hands. Even at the time of burying, the hands should not be lifted when making dua. This ensures the observance of the Shari? ah? arrangement. Lifting the hands while making dua at the graveside may convey the impression that supplication is being made to the dead.
78) By the grace of Allah there are many wealthy Muslims with good intentions desiring to give loans to others. However, on account of wanton disregard of the terms of repayment agreed upon by debtors, they (i.e. those who wish to give loans) refrain from lending. A pious- looking (outwardly religious) man borrowed a small sum of money from his friend. On due date when the lender requested payment, the pious looking man said that he will pay later. After a while when he was again asked for payment, he once again said that he will pay later. When payment was requested the third time he (the debtor) said: ?Have you any written proof that I had borrowed money from you?? Indeed, morals have degenerated and have become decadent.
79) The Fuqaha have ruled that if a beggar comes to beg, a guest is not permitted to give him food from the table of the host. Similarly, it is not permissible to eat from a plate in which someone sent some food as a gift. The food should be put in one?s own container. However, if the type of food sent is such that its form and taste will be transformed or spoilt if removed from the plate/dish, e.g. pudding, salad, then it will be permissible to eat from the same plate in which was sent.
80) The Hadith prohibits hitting on the face, even if it is an animal. Most people hit on the face. One of the reasons for this prohibition is that hitting on the face is very prevalent. Furthermore, the face is an honourable and delicate part of the body. Prohibition is generally directed to evil acts which prevail in abundance. Thus, win is explicitly prohibited since indulgence in it is widely and abundantly prevalent, and also because it is something towards which people incline. On the other hand, we find no explicit prohibition for urine. Who will consume it?
81) The claim that the garments of a Nabi do not burn is false. According to the Hadith, once the musallla on which on which Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) was seated caught fire.
82) Nowadays people are terrified by islah (self-reformatio n). They prefer only Thikr and Shaghl (spiritual exercises). A man who became my mureed wrote saying that he suffered from the disease of zina (fornication). I prescribed the remedy of zina. He wrote back advising me not to be harsh with him. Since then he has terminated correspondence.
83) Numerous rights (huqooq) of neighbours are stated in the Ahadith. If a neighbour knocks a nail into your wall, do no prevent him as no harm is caused to you. Although the owner is permitted to prevent an operation in his property, nevertheless, consideration should be accorded to the rights of the neighbour. The argument of this issue between the Ulama-e-Mutaqaddimeen and the Ulama-e-Muta-akh-khireen is interesting. Muta-akh-khireen: It is not permissible to install a window in one?s wall facing the house of one?s neighbour so that the purdah and privacy of the neighbour are not violated. Muta-qaddimeen: It is permissible since an owner has the right to operate in his own property. Muta-akh-khireen: Only such operations by the owner in his property, which are not harmful to others are permissible. Muta-qaddimeen: It is permissible for an owner to demolish his entire wall (e.g. the fence or boundary wall) which faces the neighbour. Why is it then not permissible for him to open a window on the wall. Muta-akh-khireen:
He has the right to demolish his wall because in removing the whole wall there is not such harm as will be caused by a window opening into the yard of the neighbour. If there is no wall, the neighbour will be more cautious and make their own Hijab arrangements for guarding their purdah and privacy whereas one can remain concealed and peep through the window into the privacy of others. On the contrary, if there is no wall people will not have the audacity to stare into the houses of people while at the same time the inmates of the house will move cautiously.
84) People say that humility produces disgrace. This is wrong. On the contrary humility brings about respect. It comes in the Hadith: ?Whoever adopts humility for the sake of Allah, Allah elevates him.?
85) Atibba (physicians) have said that the digestive process commences with the hand. Allah Ta?ala has created a special property in the hand. Besides the fact that eating with the hand renders the food tastier, the special digestive property existing in the hand is not to be found in the knife and fork. This may be the reason for Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) saying: ?Do not cut the meat (when eating) with a knife.?
86) I am opposed to the system of written examinations which is prevalent in educational institutes. Great strain and stress are imposed on students by this system. The purpose of examinations is to ascertain the ability of the student. It will therefore, suffice to ascertain whether the student has understood the kitab which he has been taught. This fact can be ascertained even if the student is tested orally and the kitab given to him to look at. Memorising can be accomplished by the revision and teaching. In fact, in most cases, the student forgets what he had memorized during the student days. Such futile memorising strains the mind unnecessarily. It is sufficient to ascertain if the student possesses the ability to solve the problems in the kitabs by means of his own research. More than this is an exercise in futility.
87) A man wrote informing Hadhrat Hakimul Ummat that he (the writer of the letter) was involved in the disease of casting evil glances. Hakimul Ummat replied: ?What, is this not controllable?? Casting an evil glance is a volitional act (i.e. done by one?s one free will. It is not forced onto one). Hence, it is within one?s power and ability to control and abstain therefrom even though it may be difficult. However, people just refuse to undergo any difficulty. But the punishment of Jahannam is severe and most difficult. I asked a man who was involved in the disease of the evil glances: ?If the husband of the woman is watching you will you stare at her?? He said: ?No?. I said to him: ?The greatness of Allah in your heart does not even equal the greatness which your heart has for the husband. Allah Ta?ala is omnipresent. He watches our conditions at all times. At all times He is aware of our evil conditions; however, we are not deterred. We are not conscious of being watched by Allah Ta?ala every moment. If this consciousness is developed, there will not be the audacity to sin in this way.?
88) Qiyas (the analogical deductive system of the Fuqaha) merely makes manifest or brings to the fore a law. It does not formulate laws. Laws (of the Shari?ah) are formulated by Nass (Qur?an and Hadith ). Example: Rasulullah (sallallahu alayh wasalam) said: ?Every intoxicant is haram.? On the bases of this Hadith, Qiyas applies the ruling of prohibition to opium as well since it (opium) too is an intoxicant. Thus opium is haram. Thus, in actual fact, it is Nass which confirms the prohibition of opium as well.
89) Inherent in the instructions of Rasulullah (sallallahu alyhi wasalam) are some material advantages and benefits. However, we should not entertain the motive of gaining worldly benefit when executing the orders of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam. We should carry out these instructions with the intention of fulfilling the Sunnah. Example: Rasulullah (sallallahu alyhi wasalam) loved to eat marrow, which is a vegetable of the pumpkin family. It is beneficial for the physical health. Should one eat marrow with the niyyat of it being favourite dish of Rasulullah (sallallahu alyhi wasalam), such action will merit thawab.
90) After a ta?weez has served its purpose it may be given for use to another person.
91) An Alim wrote an unnecessarily lengthy letter containing all the frills and fanc ies of modernism. In fact, the Alim , in his letter, even expressed his apology for the excessive length of the letter. Replying to the letter, Hadrat Thanvi (rahmatullah alayhi) wrote: ?I do not regret so much the squandering of my own time (in perusing the inordinately long letter). However, I do grieve for your sake. You have abandoned the orthodox way and have adopted modernity. Indeed the ayat : ?What! Do you take in exchange something inferior in return for something better (and superior)??, is applicable here. When such transformation takes place in even the men of knowledge, what can we say about others? Indeed, the fitnah has overtaken all.?
92) Allah Ta?ala has distinguished and granted superiority to man over other species of creation by the virtue of Aql (intelligence). Aql should therefore be employed only in submission to Wahi.
93) If aql (intelligence) is not submitted to Wahi (Revelation), man becomes the victim of error, night and day.
94) The correct meaning of equality in common rights (rights which apply equally to all, such as legal rights). Equality does not mean that husband and wife, teacher and pupil, Murshid and Mureed are equal in every respect. Everyone has separate rights as well. The clamour of equality nowadays is ludicrous.
95) According to some Auliya the Haram Shareef is capable of containing as many Hujjaj as are present, irrespective of their numbers. This is one of the miraculous peculiarities of the Haram Shareef. It expands to take in the ever-increasing numbers of Hujjaj like the womb of a mother expands to accommodate the growing foetus.
96) The goal of Tasawwuf is the Pleasure of Allah Ta?ala. This divine Pleasure is attainable by obedience to the Shari?ah. However, nowadays some people have understood the goal to be absorption in some state of ecstasy while others think that the goal is self-oblivion. In fact, these states and conditions are of no significance. The Taalib (Searcher of Divine Pleasure) should not be concerned with the pursuit of such temporary states and conditions.
97) When on a journey the Sunnat Salats should never be abandoned without valid reasons. When time and comfort are available the Sunnats should not be omitted.
98) The maintenance of disabled children is the responsibility of the parents even if such children are adults. In the absence of parents, the responsibility devolves on close relatives. (In the absence of such relatives, on neighbours, then on the community. ? Translator)
99) One should not interfere with and oppose the things established by our saintly predecessors. Their methods are all correct.
100) A woman should not write letters without the approval of her mahram guardian (husband, father, etc.). There is the grave danger of mischief in females writing without the approval of their guardians.
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