Lessons from Hadith Shareef ~ The Harms of Ostentation and Harming the Friend of Allah

Excerpts from ~ Ramadaan 1435 Programmesbismillahh

Hadith

، عَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ، أَنَّهُ خَرَجَ يَوْمًا إِلَى مَسْجِدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ فَوَجَدَ مُعَاذَ بْنَ جَبَلٍ قَاعِدًا عِنْدَ قَبْرِ النَّبِيِّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ يَبْكِي فَقَالَ مَا يُبْكِيكَ قَالَ يُبْكِينِي شَىْءٌ سَمِعْتُهُ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ يَقُولُ ‏ “‏ إِنَّ يَسِيرَ الرِّيَاءِ شِرْكٌ وَإِنَّ مَنْ عَادَى لِلَّهِ وَلِيًّا فَقَدْ بَارَزَ اللَّهَ بِالْمُحَارَبَةِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الأَبْرَارَ الأَتْقِيَاءَ الأَخْفِيَاءَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا غَابُوا لَمْ يُفْتَقَدُوا وَإِنْ حَضَرُوا لَمْ يُدْعَوْا وَلَمْ يُعْرَفُوا قُلُوبُهُمْ مَصَابِيحُ الْهُدَى يَخْرُجُونَ مِنْ كُلِّ غَبْرَاءَ مُظْلِمَةٍ ‏“‏ ‏.‏ 

Sunan Ibn Majah ~ 3989

It was narrated from Hazrat Umar bin Khattab (RA) that he went out one day to the mosque of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, and he found Hazrat Mu’adh bin Jabal (RA) sitting by the grave of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, weeping.

Hazrat Umar bin Khattab Radiyallahu Anhu asked: “Why are you weeping?”

Hazrat Mu’adh bin Jabal Radiyallahu Anhu said: “I am weeping because of something that I heard from Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam.

I heard Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam say: *(1) A little showing off (Riya) is polytheism (Shirk) and *(2) whoever shows enmity towards a friend of Allah has declared war on Allah. *(3) Allah loves those who are pious, righteous, and keep a low profile (unostentatious);  those who, if they are absent, are not missed, and if they are present, they are not invited or acknowledged. Their hearts are lamps of guidance and they emerge from every dark and remote place’”

DOWNLOAD HADITH AND EXPLANATION HERE ~ 11 MINS

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*(1) Riya ~ Ostentation

Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam mentioned :Verily, a little bit of RIya (show/ostentation) tantamounts to Shirk (polytheism). When ever we do any actions (Salaah, Zakaat, Hajj, fasting, or any good deed) it should be done ‘solely for the pleasure of Allah Subhaanahu Wa Ta’ala. It should not be done to show people, that we get some praises from them.

In a Hadith of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, Riya has been termed as ‘Ash Shirk-ul-Khafi’.

• Ash Shirk-ul -Jali (Major Shirk) ~ When a person knowingly, deliberately associates partners with Allah Subhaanahu Wa Ta’ala … He believes in Allah and believes that Allah has got partners … He does not believe in the “oneness” of Allah.

• Ash Shirk-ul-Khafi (Minor Shirk) : Although not minor in the true sense, it is a very serious offence. It is minor as compared to Ash Shirk Ul Jali.

When a person does believe only in Allah and he is praying to Allah, but he also does these good actions so that others may observe him and think him to be pious and praise him. He is ostentatious.

It is mentioned in a Hadith :

Hazrat Abu Huraira RA reported: Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam said: Allah Almighty said:

أَنَا أَغْنَى الشُّرَكَاءِ عَنْ الشِّرْكِ مَنْ عَمِلَ عَمَلًا أَشْرَكَ فِيهِ مَعِي غَيْرِي تَرَكْتُهُ وَشِرْكَهُ

Allah the Exalted said: Verily, I am most independent of any partner. Whoever performs a deed in which he associates someone with me, I will leave it to his partner (I will not accept the deed as done solely for me) ~ Sahih Muslim 2985

Allah Ta’ala says : I am the most independent from any type of partnership. i do not require any partners. If anyone did any action for me and partnered me with somebody else (in any action), (whereas i did not require any partner), then on the day of Qiyamah, Allah will tell the person that in reality he did those actions for others … now he should go and collect his rewards from them … and not from Allah Ta’ala.

In another Hadith it is mentioned :

Hazrat Abu Sa’eed RA reported that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam came to us while we were discussing about Dajjaal and said: “Should I inform you of that which I fear for you even more than the dangers of  Dajjaal? It is “hidden Shirk”: A person stands to pray, and he beautifies his prayer because he sees the people looking at him.” ~( Sunan ibn Maajah)

Some times people go for Umrah and Hajj and want people to know how long they spent in the Haram Shareef, how many Tawaafs they made, and how much of Ibadat they made, and how much of Tilawat they made … all for people to praise them. This tantamounts to Shirk Al Khafi.

A person who fasts for people to praise him … then he too has committed shirk.

These are important things that we should refrain from. We should rather develop in ourselves Ikhlaas (sincerity) … ie : doing something only for the pleasure of Allah Subhaanahu Wa Ta’ala

Ikhaas : Sincerity

Ikhlaas is the root of all our deeds and actions (A’maal). Ulema give the analogy of the roots of a tree : The roots of a tree are hidden beneath the soil. If the roots are good and they are cared for, then the tree will also grow well and bear good fruit. If the roots are destroyed, the entire tree will decay and become decomposed and will not flourish. Similarly, the roots of the tree represent Ikhlaas … One must conceal one’s deeds (like the roots of a tree) to develop Ikhlaas …

In Deen we require this “Ikhfaa” (concealment) and should hide our deeds, and not do things for show and ostentation. Deeds performed privately and in public done solely for the pleasure of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala ie Ikhlaas (the concealed ‘roots’) brings about the beauty of Islam.

No matter what achievements we may achieve in this world, always think and reflect that whatever achievements we have, whatever bounties we possess, (eg: intelligence or a certain skill) all this is only from Allah.

Ibn Al-Qayyim (Rahimahullaah) said, “Deeds without sincerity are like a traveler who carries ‘sand’ in his leather bag instead of provisions (food and drink). The carrying of it only burdens him and it brings him no benefit whatsoever. ”

Like that, a person may do actions in this world and get praises of people in this world but in the Aakhirah he only gets Azhaab (punishment) for this because he did not do it for the sake of Allah.

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*(2) Declaration of War

Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam then mentioned : That person who becomes an enemy of any friend of Allah…ie : He opposes a Wali (friend) of Allah, then in reality he is challenging Allah with war. He is waging war against Allah! Can anybody wage war against Allah? Therefore, we should be extremely cautious when dealing with the friends of Allah … We should not harbour malice against them … nor make any blasphemous statements against them,  nor oppose them in any way …because Allah Ta’ala will take revenge on their behalf…and we will be destroyed …

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*(3) Allah Loves those who are Righteous and Pious

Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam then mentioned : Allah loves the pious and those who are ‘hidden’ and have a low profile. They are not prominent people in society. They are inconspicuous, low profile people. Such people, when they are not present, they are not even asked about, i.e. : No one checks or enquires about this person and his whereabouts. Even if they are in the town, they are not invited for any function or meal. If they are present in any gathering, then they are not called closer or given any special treatment. They are quiet, modest, unnoticeable,  low profile people.

But, their condition is such that Allah loves them! Why? They are pious … They may not be well known and famous in society but, they are ‘well known’ in the eyes of Allah. Their hearts are lanterns and lamps of guidance. They are the true Guides that emerge from every dark place (dwelling). Their homes are dark but their hearts are illuminated … and such people are close to Allah.

Mullah Ali Qari RA has given another explanation (in which he explains) : These people emerge (come out) of every difficulty no matter what they are burdened with or entrusted with. They are able to fulfil all those tasks because they have illuminated hearts …

Others have explained : Even though they are born in an evil environment, they are not affected by that environment because their hearts are full of light and noor and they move out and guide the rest of mankind.

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DOWNLOAD HADITH AND EXPLANATION HERE ~ 11 MINS

The Abounding Mercy of Allah Ta’ala and a Recipe for Combating Depression

Excerpts from ~ Ramadaan 1435 Programmes

bismillahh

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In Surah Al-Fatir :

Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala, after Praising Himself (and Only Allah deserves all Praise and is worthy of all Praise), mentions :

مَّا يَفْتَحِ اللَّهُ لِلنَّاسِ مِن رَّحْمَةٍ فَلَا مُمْسِكَ لَهَا ۖ وَمَا يُمْسِكْ فَلَا مُرْسِلَ لَهُ مِن بَعْدِهِ ۚ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ

Whatever Allah grants to people of mercy  – none can withhold it;
and whatever He withholds – none can release it thereafter. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise
~ Surah Al’Fatir 35:2

When Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala opens His doors of Mercy, then there can be no person that can hold back that Mercy from coming down… no person in the world, no person on the earth, no being (Angel or jinn) in the skies, can hold back that Mercy from coming upon that person. And, when Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala, withholds that Mercy from coming down upon any person, then nobody can bring that Mercy down.

• All Power and Qudrat (Might) lies with Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala alone.

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In another verse :

 لَا يَعْزُبُ عَنْهُ مِثْقَالُ ذَرَّةٍ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَلَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا أَصْغَرُ مِن ذَٰلِكَ وَلَا أَكْبَرُ إِلَّا فِي كِتَابٍ مُّبِينٍ

Not hidden from Him is an atom’s weight within the heavens or within the earth or [what is] smaller than that or greater, except that it is in a clear register ~ Surah Saba 34:3

Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala’s knowledge is All-Encompassing and Infinite. A tiny particle, be it in the earth, above the earth, below the earth, above the skies, between the skies and the earth, no matter how big, no matter how small is all recorded in a Book and in the knowledge of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala …Nothing is hidden from Allah.

Man may need a binoculars, or a microscope to see tiny particles, but Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala requires none of these. Even the thoughts that run through our mind … the thoughts that are contained in our heart … the evil thoughts and intentions that go through our mind, Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala is well aware of them all.

• We are all dependant upon Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala.

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Allah has conferred a title upon all of us. Allah has called us Fuqaraa (beggars).

Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala mentions :

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ أَنتُمُ الْفُقَرَاءُ إِلَى اللَّهِ ۖ وَاللَّهُ هُوَ الْغَنِيُّ الْحَمِيدُ

O mankind, you are those in need of Allah, while Allah is the Free of need, the Praiseworthy ~ Surah Fatir 35:15

Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala says, Oh people, every single one of you are beggars. You are totally dependant upon Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala. But Allah Himself is  Al-Ghani (Independent), and Al-Hameed (full of Praise). Allah does not need our praises. Allah has many other creation of His to praise Him. He has Angels to Praise Him …

The Riwayaat (Narrations of Hadith) mention that from the time Allah created certain Angels, some are in the Ruku (bowing) position (reading the tasbeeh of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala), others in Sujood (prostration), some in the Qiyaam (standing) position … Allah is infact not even in need of these Angels to praise him!

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Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala mentions :

وَإِن مِّن شَيْءٍ إِلَّا يُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِهِ وَلَٰكِن لَّا تَفْقَهُونَ تَسْبِيحَهُمْ ۗ إِنَّهُ كَانَ حَلِيمًا غَفُورًا

And there is not a thing except that it exalts [ Allah ] by His praise, but you do not understand their [way of] exalting. Indeed, He is ever Forbearing and Forgiving
~ Surah Isra ~ 17:44

Every single thing that Allah has created Glorifies HIM and makes HIS Tasbeeh, but man will not understand their Praises of Allah. Allah does not need anyone to Praise Him. Allah is absolutely Independent! We require Allah every second of our life … And therefore we should make Dua to Allah to bless us with His Mercy.

Hazrat Moulana Yunus Patel RA, gave a very simple example saying that in the month of Ramdaan, the mercies of Allah begin descending like torrential rains. We do not have the type of hearts to ‘see’ those mercies descending, because of our sins. Everyone goes out with buckets to fill his bucket with water, but, one person decides to go out with his bucket turned upside down. He will deprive himself and never fill that bucket with any water. Similarly, Allah’s Mercy comes down like torrential rains … Let us not deprive ourselves of this Mercy of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala …

All of us know deep down what sins we have committed. Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala is so kind and so Sattaar (concealing) that He hides our faults and does not expose us. In the time of the Bani Israeel, if any person committed a sin at night, then the following morning, it would be written on his front door, that last night this person has committed such and such sin …. Allah has not done this to the Ummat of Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam. We commit sins and Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala hides those sins. Allah looks for opportunities to forgive us! When we make Taubah and Istighfaar, Allah completely washes away those sins. We sin again and again and Allah repeatedly hides those sins from mankind … We make Taubah and Allah washes it away again and again … Allah continues to be so Kareem, so Merciful.

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A RECIPE FOR COMBATING DEPRESSION

Allama Aalusi RA, (in his Tafsir of the Qur’an, Ruh al-Ma’ani) mentions a remedy/recipe for all those who suffer from depression, distress, anxiety, fear, and various worries of Dunya. All of us (professionals and the ordinary laymen), go through different worries. Peoples natures differ … some people become extremely stressed and anxious. They become overwhelmed with worries, fears etc …

So he mentions that : “Every morning he contemplates on four verses of the Quraan Shareef, and through the blessings of these verses, Allah removes all his worries and gives him such strength and conviction in Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala, that he does not bother about anything thereafter” …

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* These verses are :

1

مَّا يَفْتَحِ اللَّهُ لِلنَّاسِ مِن رَّحْمَةٍ فَلَا مُمْسِكَ لَهَا ۖ وَمَا يُمْسِكْ فَلَا مُرْسِلَ لَهُ مِن بَعْدِهِ ۚ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ
Whatever Allah grants to people of mercy- none can withhold it; and whatever He withholds – none can release it thereafter. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise
~ Surah Fatir 35:2

Whatever Mercy Allah opens and sends down… there can be no person that can withhold that Mercy from coming down; and when Allah decides to hold back that Mercy then there can be nobody that can force it down … If this is the decision of my Allah, then I am happy. If i am going to be prosperous today, then it is the Mercy of Allah and if Allah is going to hold back His Mercy, then there is no need for me to become distressed.

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2

وَإِن يَمْسَسْكَ اللَّهُ بِضُرٍّ فَلَا كَاشِفَ لَهُ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ وَإِن يُرِدْكَ بِخَيْرٍ فَلَا رَادَّ لِفَضْلِهِ ۚ يُصِيبُ بِهِ مَن يَشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ ۚ وَهُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
And if Allah should touch you with adversity, there is no remover of it except Him; and if He intends for you good, then there is no repeller of His bounty. He causes it to reach whom He wills of His servants. And He is the Forgiving, the Merciful
~ Surah Yunus 10:107

When Allah sends some pain or suffering upon anyone, then there is no person who can remove that harm and pain from him, besides Allah. If Allah decides Khayr (good) for any person then nobody can repel that good. No power can repel that good because Allah has decreed good for that person. And Allah is most powerful.

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3

إِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا

Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease
~ Surah Ash-Sharh ~ 94:6

After every difficulty, there is always ease and comfort. Many people go through some challenges in life and when it seems as though it is just increasing and not decreasing, they begin to lose hope. They become frustrated …

However, in reality, Allah loves those whom He tests. Ambiya AS encountered the most difficult tests, and then those after them who were close to Allah faced difficulties in life.
Remember, after every difficulty there must be an opening … This is the promise of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala. Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala does not send tests upon tests and gives one no comfort or relief whatsoever. We sometimes feel that these difficulties are coming in succession, yet we don’t ponder and reflect that there were indeed intervals of ease that we enjoyed as well, which we overlook and take no notice of. Perhaps one may have experienced some financial difficulty or ill health, BUT was also able to breathe, see, hear and move one’s limbs….

Allah Ta’ala Tests Those Who HE Loves:

An example : A father loves his child most dearly … and this child wants a sweet or chocolate from the father … The father will give it to him…..But before he gives it to him, he picks up the chocolate higher and higher and makes the child jump for it. The child is desperate for the chocolate and tries to jump higher .. But after a while, the child’s face changes colour and is almost tearing. It  tries again harder and harder to aim and reach for the chocolate. Then suddenly the child bursts into tears and begins to scream and cry …The father feels pity  and then quickly gives the child the chocolate …

Similarly, Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala loves us and does the same to us. We have read in the Quraan and Hadith, about how loving Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala is and how Allah loves every single one of us. We all require to have hope in the mercy of Allah. Tests will prevail … but there is always ease thereafter. After every difficulty must come ease and we are required to put all our hopes in Allah.

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4

وَمَا مِن دَابَّةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ إِلَّا عَلَى اللَّهِ رِزْقُهَا وَيَعْلَمُ مُسْتَقَرَّهَا وَمُسْتَوْدَعَهَا ۚ كُلٌّ فِي كِتَابٍ مُّبِينٍ
And there is no creature on earth but that upon Allah is its provision, and He knows its place of dwelling and place of storage. All is in a clear register ~ Surah Hud ~ 11:6

Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala has taken it upon Himself to sustain and feed His Makhlooq (Creation), whether it is a human being, animal, jinn, insect, bird. Of course, Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala wants us to make an effort and acquire our sustenance in a halaal way.  After making a halaal effort, Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala will most assuredly grant us halaal rozi (sustenance). So, there is no need for stress that will ultimately lead us to depression.

• Whatever is allotted to you will most definitely be yours.

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If a person ponders over these “four verses”, he will discover that it is a prescription/ recipe from all types of Depression Insha-Allah.

… Why should one stress then?

Beg from Allah and place our reliance only upon Him!

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DOWNLOAD EXPLANATION HERE ~ 20 MIN