Haqeeqat- by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel (RA)

Were we to analyse the eras when Muslims throughout the world were dominant, then we will find that they had the haqeeqat (reality) of Islam in their lives; they were living Islam – happily, willingly and enthusiastically. They understood their purpose in this world. They understood that they had higher and nobler objectives to aspire for, because they looked beyond this life.

Before them was their return to their Creator, to Allah Ta’ala; before them was Aakhirah (the Hereafter); before them was Jannah … and so they exerted themselves in the direction of obedience to Allah Ta’ala and securing His Pleasure.

Allah Ta’ala put into the hearts of people, love for these sincere and obedient servants and granted them success. There was a dynamic effect when people met with these Muslims because they not only had the ‘soorat’ (outer form), they had the Haqeeqat as well. People changed their religion, their culture, their dress and their language because they were seeing the beauty and blessing of Islam.

In the early days of Islam, we see how a small number grew to 500, then 700 and thereafter 1500 - which was something of a great and wonderful accomplishment, considering the odds against the Muslims at that time…

Today, we are plus one billion – but what a difference between the early Muslims and us!

In the 1950s, as a young boy, I recall visiting the museum. There were different animals – wild animals, omnivores, carnivores and so forth… but they were all stuffed with sawdust. And there were signs near the animals, which read : ‘PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH.’

Now would we find such a sign in the Kruger National Park when we go on a safari, wanting to see the Big Five…?

When does the king of the jungle require a sign such as : Please do not touch?

Yet, in the museum, this sign was placed next to the lion because there was no life in that lion. There was no haqeeqat (reality). Even if it was the king of the jungle – he was now stuffed with sawdust. Rats too could nibble without fear because there was no life, there was no worry of even a roar.

Looking at the present scenario of the Muslim Ummah – globally, and we see our likeness to those stuffed creatures. …We have lost that power and supremacy which is otherwise reserved for the Believers.

The majority of Muslims today have no reality. …We have ‘stuffed’ our hearts with the love of dunya and therefore our great weakness and overwhelming incapacity – a prophecy which is so clearly manifest today.

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) said: "The People will soon summon one another to attack you as people, when eating, invite others to share their food."

Someone asked, "Will that be because of our small numbers at that time?"

He replied, "No, you will be numerous at that time: but you will be froth and scum like that carried down by a torrent (of water), and Allah will take the fear of you from the breasts (hearts) of your enemy and cast al-wahn into your hearts."

Someone asked, "O Messenger of Allah, what is al-wahn?" He replied, "Love of the world and dislike of death."

[Abu Dawud and Ahmad]

One billion in number, but how shameful, humiliating and dishonourable that we are subservient to the minority. …Who is influencing the political and economic climate? Who is manipulating global dynamics? … Certainly not the Muslims.

The early Muslims had the reality and spirit of Islam. As such, success and victory was theirs for the taking. On the other hand, we want to conquer the world with soorat (form) or with talks and literature.

Dominance, Supremacy, Power and Authority do not come with soorat. In fact, the majority cannot even be recognized as Muslims – so even soorat seems to fall by the way side.

In one of my trips to Pakistan, I visited someone at his home. There was a bowl of plastic fruit which looked so real – but it was “good for looking”, not good for eating.

Many of us Muslims today are not even good for looking. The plastic fruit was a good imitation - but in our soorat, there is no imitation also… very much like the munafiqeen: neither here nor there.

Success and supremacy come with engendering sincere piety in the heart and living Islam … not selecting what we like and leaving off what our nafs does not incline to.

Allah Ta’ala wants us completely IN Islam.

"O you who Believe!  Enter into the Fold of Islam completely. … "

[Surah Baqarah 2: 208]

This is the recipe of success. But we will have to bring together the correct ingredients to make that “flop-proof” success.

40 Durood

This was recited in Musjid-us-Saaliheen last year in a Zikr Majlis by Mufti Muhammad Rawat Daamat Barakaatuhum.

Moulana Yunus Patel saheb would encourage us to use our imagination in good thoughts. So, imagine standing before Nabi Salla Allahu Alayhi wa Sallam and reciting these 40 durood for him.

SubhaanAllah. May Allah Ta'aala give us all the tawfeeq to love His Beloved as he deserves to be loved. Ameen.

Eh Mere Datta

This is a poem by Hazrat Khwaja Majzoob Rahmatullahi 'Alayh. It is known as Eh Mere Datta.

This recitation is by Moulana Yunus Patel Rahmatullahi 'Alayh. He recited some verses from this poem in his last Zikr Majlis in Durban before leaving for the Haramain and eventually staying there forever, as decreed by the Most Merciful Allah.

May Allah Ta'aala grant all of our pious predecessors Jannatul Firdaws, Ameen.

The Rejected Dog

Mullah Ali Qaari  (Rahmatullah ‘alaih), in his commentary of Mishkaat Sharief, which is entitled  Mirqaat, states that Shaytaan is like a dog, outside at the door, having been chased out by its owner. 

My Sheikh, Hazrat Maulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (Daamat Barakaatuhum), had explained in one of his talks that some people who own palatial homes, keep huge dogs from foreign countries. 

What are these dogs kept for? …To bark at people when they come. In doing so, these people are kept at bay and are thus unable to enter that house. 

What would happen if a person, wanting to enter the house, begins to fight that dog? When that dog barks viciously and threateningly, the person challenges the dog :  “I’m going to fight you.”. The dog barks, so he also barks at the dog … and the bark of some dogs is like the roar of a lion. 

If this person engages the dog in a barking contest, he is not going to enter that house. All he has to simply do is ring the bell. The master of the dog will come out and he will address the dog in some code language. The dog will then drop its tail and sit down, or it will then move away. Is not this the sensible thing to do? …Just summon the master of the dog.

Turn towards Allah

Therefore, when this Shaytaan barks  (whispers), then don’t argue with him. Don’t bark back. His knowledge is  extensive . He has got the knowledge of all the Shariats. At such times, read ‘Ta’awwuz’… “A’oozu billahi minash shaytaanir rajeem.”  Seek protection in Allah Ta’ala from the mischief  of this rejected dog, Shaytaan. Allah Ta’ala did not direct us to challenge and fight Shaytaan. He did not also say that we punch, kick, boot and shoot him. Allah Ta’ala says : ‘You turn towards Me.’

It is mentioned in the Qur`aan Sharief :  “And if an evil whisper comes to you from Shaytaan then seek refuge with Allah. Verily, He is All-Hearer, All Knower.” (Surah Al-A’raf  7 : 200)

This Shaytaan is the dog of Allah Ta’ala that does not want the believer, in fact, all of mankind to come to Allah Ta’ala. Shaytaan knows that if a person has to establish ‘nisbat’ (a connection) with Allah Ta’ala and enjoy the sweet taste of obedience to Allah Ta’ala, he will then never go towards anything sinful. 

Since Shaytaan does not want any of us to receive Allah Ta’ala’s Mercy and enjoy the bounties of His Eternal pleasure, he will then surely bark.

Don’t waste time and energy fighting a rejected dog; turn towards Allah Ta’ala and He will grant protection.  

Taken from Combatting the Whispers of Shaytan pg 18-20

by Moulana Yunus Patel Rahmatullahi Alayh

LINK

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I highly recommend those who suffer from doubts and troublesome thoughts to read this book. This has indeed helped many people.

Where is Peace?

For the past few days I have been remembering my late Shaykh Hazrat Moulana Yunus Patel saheb Rahmatullahi Alayh quite a bit.

Today I was reading a thread on everyone's favourite forum. The thread reminded me of a lot of problems I had before I came in ta'alluq with Hazrat Rahmatullahi 'Alayh. However, there was one particular zikr majlis of Hazrat that completely changed my way of looking at the world. In this majlis Hazrat recited a naat, and the following verses really did sum up the problems of the world and the only solution.

Sukun-e-jahaan tum kahan dhoondte ho?

Sukun-e-jahaan hai nizaam-e-Madeenah

Where are you going searching for peace?

Peace is in the nizaam of Madeenah

What does nizaam-e-Madeenah mean? Quite simply, it is referring to the system by which the people of Madeenah lived, ie the following of the sunnah of Rasulullah Salla Allahu Alayhi wa Sallam. People go all over looking for peace. They spend money upon money in the search of peace, but it is to no avail. Why? Because unless one inculcates the teaching of Rasulullah Salla Allahu Alayhi wa Sallam, there will be no peace. 

As for he who is following the sunnah, it does not mean that wordly troubles will not afflict him. However, on the outside the person may be going through some tests and trials, but on the inside he will be at peace, because he knows that His Allah is pleased with him.

My words do no justice to the Zikr Majlis that took place on 4th November, 2010, so I request readers to listen to this audio.

Zikr Majlis- 04/11/2010

May Allah Ta'aala grant Hazrat Moulana Yunus Patel saheb Rahmatullahi Alayh the highest rank in Jannah, Ameen.

"In the Midst of Thorns..."

Moulana Yunus Patel Rahmatullahi 'Alayh mentioned in his talk known as Sukoon-e-Dil that sukoon (peace/contentment) only descends upon that dil (heart) that contains taqwa.

So if a person wishes to attain contentment of the heart, the key to this is to adopt taqwa in Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala.

Hazrat Rahmatullahi 'Alayh mentioned that this does not mean that a person will not have worldly problems like with health, or money etc. However, even in these stressful situations, a person will have some sort of peace in their heart.

And Hazrat Rahmatullahi 'Alayh mentioned :

Quote by Hazrat Moulana Yunus Patel saheb Rahmatullahi 'Alayh

"...Creator of hearts..." - A Quote of Hazrat Moulana Yunus Patel Saheb Rahmatullahi 'Alayh

 "The weakness of all those who are drowning in the ocean of illicit love is that they have given their hearts to bodies which are going to turn to dust. Instead of giving their hearts to the Creator of hearts, they have given their hearts to faces; the beauty of which will inevitably be lost with the passage of time or with illness.

Many are the lovers who run off like mules when age snatches away the beauty of the faces of their beloved ones ? Those who give their hearts to Allah Ta’ala enjoy unending happiness, because Allah Ta’ala’s beauty neither decreases nor perishes."

Taken from this link

 

The Taqwa of Maryam Alayhas Salaam - An Extract from Aashiq-e-Sawdiq by Hazrat Moulana Yunus Patel saheb Rahmatullahi 'Alayh

Hazrat Maryam (‘Alaihas Salaam) was a young and lovely woman, pure and chaste, who had secluded herself from her people. Whilst in seclusion, Hazrat Jibra`eel (‘Alaihis Salaam) appeared before her in the form of a most handsome young man.

Allah Ta’ala narrates the incident as follows :

“…Then We sent to her our Ruh (Hazrat Jibra`eel A.S.), 

and he appeared before her in the form of a man in all respects.”

According to some Tafseer, Jibra`eel (‘Alaihis Salaam), who appeared before her in such a handsome form, could have been a test for her. (She did not know, at the time, that he was an angel).

As piety would direct, her immediate reaction was :

“…Verily! I seek refuge with the Most Beneficent (Allah) from you, if you do fear Allah.”
[Surah Maryam 19 : 17/18]

Hazrat Maryam (‘Alaihas Salaam) was also a human being, with the disposition, nature and sentiments of a young woman.

However, due to her piety, nobility and chastity, she sought protection in Allah and said : ‘…if you do fear Allah… then do not come near to me’.  In other words, she did not want to engage in anything Haraam because it would displease Allah Ta’ala.

Hazrat Maryam (‘Alaihas Salaam) has set an exemplary pattern for our women.

Ayaaz and the Priceless Pearl - An Extract from Tafweez by Hazrat Moulana Yunus Patel saheb Rahmatullahi 'Alayh

Maulana Jalaluddeen Rumi (Rahmatullah ‘alaih) mentions in his Mathnavi, a story of Sultan Mahmood : One day the Sultan decided to test his ministers and ordered them to crush the most prized pearl of his treasury. One by one, each of 65 ministers declined, stating that the pearl was far too valuable to be destroyed. 

The King then summoned his closest and trusted courtier, Ayaaz, and ordered him to crush the pearl. Without any delay or hesitation, Ayaaz crushed the pearl into fragments. When the ministers expressed disbelief and shock at such audacity, the King asked Ayaaz to inform them as to the reason for him having broken the pearl.

In response, Ayaaz asked these ministers : “ Which is more important, the Royal Decree or the pearl ? ”

The question we pose to ourselves is : “ Which is more important, the command of my Allah or the desire of my heart ?”

The desires of the heart are akin to pearls, which appear to be quite beautiful but we should not fulfil these desires at the cost of breaking the decrees of Allah Ta’ala.

Break your fast a few minutes early? by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb Rahmatullahi 'Alayhi

For many years, without fail, I have been giving an example in the month of Ramadaan, that at the end of a very, very hot and long day of Summer, a person is sitting at the dastarkhaan (table cloth), close to the time of Iftaar, waiting patiently to open his fast. There is just 3 minutes left for the setting of the sun when he is told: "Eat! .. , What difference will it make if you break your fast now? What is another 2 or 3 minutes? ... You have already stayed away from food and drink for almost 15 -~ 16 hours."

 

Even if this happens to be the weakest Muslim, in respect to obeying Allah Ta'ala, he will respond: "It is the ruling of the Qur'aan and the Ahadith that I break my fast after the setting of the sun and not before that time. It is the command of Allah Ta'ala and I cannot disobey Him."

 

The weakest person's Imaan becomes so strong at this stage of his fast, that he will not break his fast. He will refuse to break his fast, even if the world's great personalities have to say so.

So we should question ourselves and also answer truthfully: Is it not the Hukm, the Command of that same Allah, to perform Salaah five times a day and for the men, in the Musijd, in Jamaat as far as possible? Is it not the Command of that same Allah to correctly discharge our Zakaah, perform Haj, treat our parents with love and respect, be faithful to our wives and treat them with compassion and vice versa for the wives, be honest in our business dealings and be kind and just to those under our authority? 

*****
 

Taken from here

"We Cannot Point..." - A Quote from Hazrat Moulana Yunus Patel saheb Rahmatullahi 'Alayh

'Nowadays we cannot point to anybody and say that “You’ve got nifaq or hypocrisy in your aqeedah”, that “You’re pretending to be a Muslim”, unless of course if there are very clear signs.

Sometimes a person comes and says, “I want to accept Islam”. So we explain to the person what Islam is, and he reads the kalimah, gives the shahada, and thereafter he says, “Now I want to make nikah to that certain Muslim woman”.

So, straight away we come to the conclusion that this person accepted Islam because he wanted to marry a certain Muslim woman. Now, we have no right to conclude like that. We don’t know what is his niyyat, we haven’t sliced his heart and seen*…

So we will see what are his actions after that. After the nikah, then we will see whether he goes to church, he goes to temple, he makes namaz (salah) or what does he do; what are his actions, what are his beliefs; does he still hold on to those cultural and religious practices of his past religion? Those are the things we are going to look at, before declaring whether he is a Muslim or not a Muslim.

But at the time that he is accepting, we are going to believe in him, because we can’t slice his heart.*'

*This means we cannot open his heart and see what his true intentions were. So, we will judge a person on the outside and leave the inside to Allah.  For example, as Hazrat mentions ahead, if a person wears a cross, pray in a church etc, then we will see him as a Christian.

*****

taken from Informal Majlis, Saturday December 4th, 2010 at Musjid Nur, Asherville.

Download from this link

Radha-bil-Qadha - An Extract from Tafweez by Hazrat Moulana Yunus Patel saheb Rahmatullahi 'Alayh

The quality of Radha-bil-Qadha has also been cultivated within the person who has this sweetness of Imaan and is implemented under all conditions.

Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Rahmatullah ‘alaih) once asked Hazrat Maulana Abdul Ghani Phulpoori (Rahmatullah ‘alaih) : “Is there any stage higher than Ikhlaas (sincerity) ?”

Hazrat Maulana Abdul Ghani (Rahmatullah ‘alaih) replied : “Ikhlaas is a very high stage; I cannot think of anything higher than that.”

Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Rahmatullah ‘alaih) then said : “Higher than even Ikhlaas, is Radha-bil-Qadha - that you be satisfied with whatever Allah Ta’ala gives to you.”

This does not mean that a person can do the wrong thing and expect Allah Ta’ala to decide in his favour. We must not blame Taqdeer for our own mistakes. If a person takes a knife and slashes his throat, this is not ‘Taqdeer’. But if someone else slashed this person’s throat, then yes, this is Taqdeer.

One person gave his very young daughter in marriage to a very old man. For some wealth and property, the father pressurized his daughter and so, even though unwilling and unhappy, she was left no choice. As would be expected, plenty of problems surfaced. When the matter was brought before Hazrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Rahmatullah ‘alaih), he asked the father as to where his intelligence had disappeared for him to have arranged such an unsuitable match for his daughter. The father replied : “Taqdeer.”

Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Rahmatullah ‘alaih) got very angry, saying: “You made the mistake and now blame Taqdeer.”

We should not deliberately do the wrong thing and then blame Taqdeer for the end result. Using the means which are available, the correct effort should be made; thereafter accept whatever transpires.

Handing all matters to Allah Ta’ala, resigning oneself to the decisions of Allah Ta’ala and believing that there is great wisdom in His decisions, creates peace in one’s life.

Allah Ta’ala has mentioned in a Hadith-e-Qudsi : “... Some of My slaves are keen to offer special type of (optional) prayers, but I do not let them do so, for it may lead to vanity; some of them are such, who can have sound faith only when in good health, if I destine sickness for them, they are adversely affected; there are others who can maintain their faith only in sickness, if I order health for them, they may go astray. I give orders befitting the affairs of My slaves, because I know all that which is in their minds.”

Thus, to protect the Imaan of His servants, Allah Ta’ala, out of His Infinite Kindness, grants some people favourable conditions and blesses them with plenty of wealth and prosperity and keeps them happy; for if He inflicts them with poverty and difficult conditions they may commit Kufr.

To some people Allah Ta’ala gives them poverty and less material wealth, because He knows fully well that if He were to give them plenty of wealth, then instead of coming to Him, making Ibaadah and Shukr, they will expend and squander this money in Haraam avenues e.g. gambling, prostitutes, etc. So Allah Ta’ala deprives these people of wealth so that their Imaan remains intact... such is the wisdom Allah Ta’ala has in everything which He does.

Due to the deficiency in our understanding we do not accept, acknowledge and appreciate Allah Ta’ala’s benevolence, loving-kindness and favours upon us as we should. Yet Allah Ta’ala informs us in the Qur’aan Sharief :

“Many a time you dislike a thing while (in fact) it is good for you, and many a time you love a thing while it is evil for you. And Allah knows while you do not know.”
[Surah Baqarah 2 : 16]

*****

Taken from this link

Taqdeer & Failure - An Extract from Tafweez by Hazrat Moulana Yunus Patel saheb Daamat Barakaatuhum

A person had in mind that when a certain property or building comes onto the market, or comes under his control then, because of the ideal location, etc., business will thrive and he will be successful. The person bids but someone else is successful and the property is gone.

If this person has Tafweez then he will think : I did what was in my capacity to do but it was not in my Taqdeer. It was written in the Taqdeer of the other person, thus he got it. I must search for something else. Allah Ta’ala does not provide rizq (sustenance) through one business house in the world. It is not that I would have succeeded and received my sustenance and livelihood through only that.

The effort, which needs to be made, must then be made. What transpires thereafter is Taqdeer.

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) has said : “Strive to acquire what is beneficial for you; seek the aid of Allah; do not lose courage and if a setback overtakes you, do not say : ‘If I had done this then it would have happened like this (i.e. not what had happened).’ Instead say : ‘Allah has ordained this. Whatever He has willed, has happened.’”

If a person fails after having made the correct effort, there is no need to resort to alcohol, drugs and suicide.

*****

Many students succumb to such drastic measures. Some students work and study extremely hard but fail. Due to failure, they sink into such depression that they feel they have to take or inject themselves with drugs, tranquilizers, etc. for sleep. Why ? …Because they failed. 

If a person did not make Tadbeer, i.e. did not make a serious and concerted effort and thereafter fails, then he must blame himself. However, generally, we do make a reasonable effort but sometimes still meet with failure. For example : A person is fit and healthy when he started something but later becomes sick and is unable to complete what he undertook.

Tafweez is placing our matters before Allah Ta’ala, handing them over to Him, and trusting completely in Him, believing that there is goodness in whatever Allah Ta’ala has decided. Outwardly, it may appear as if there is some problem that we are faced with, but great wisdom lies in the decisions of Allah.

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Taken from this link

Move with Times? Absurd. - From the Malfoozat of Hazrat Moulana Ashraf 'Ali Thanwi saheb Rahmatullahi 'Alayh

Here's an interesting something I read today in the Malfooz of Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi saheb Rahmatullahi 'Alayhi. It reminded me of something Moulana Yunus Patel saheb mentions a lot in his bayans:

1. Mahawl par parho 'La Hawal'! (Read La Hawl upon environment!)
2. Zamana hum ko badal sake ye zamana mein dum naheen; zamana hum se hain, hum zanana se naheen! ((That) Times have the power to change us, this power times do not have; times are from us, (it is) not that we are from times!)

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"Judge Akbar Hussain, who was a very wise man, made a wonderful statement.

He said, 'The statement "We should move with the times" is absurd. The times refer to our collective actions which are under our control.

'How then should we become subservient to these?' "

Taken from Malfoozat (Statements and Anecdotes), page 52

Compiled by Mujlisul Ulama of South Africa

Incentives - An Extract from Feeling Spiritually Low? by Hazrat Moulana Yunus Patel saheb Daamat Barakaatuhum

I say yet again, do not become an aashiq of kaifiyyaat. Make shukr over the kaifiyyaat, but consider them the toffees we give to children as incentives to continue with their good work and good behaviour.

If the child learns his sabak, then the mother or father gives him a toffee as an incentive. Similarly, Allah Ta’ala also gives us toffees.…It doesn’t matter, if you learnt only a little, but since you made the effort, there’s a toffee for you too. If the person learns a little more sabak, and he also read the best, he may even get a big chocolate as a reward.

Depending on the person’s performance, attendance and efforts, he will be duly rewarded on the Awards day. Kaifiyyaat too will remain, according to the person’s performance. If he was doing what was in his ability to do and he performed well, then he gets a bigger and better award.

There are even those institutions or organizations  that present a certificate, and then add a book prize and sometimes even a cash prize, and sometimes even more “plus” factors are given. In these days, we even hear and read of the first prize being Umrah or Haj; it all depends of the performance.

In a similar way, Allah Ta’ala gives some, small toffees, some, chocolates, and others much more. Allah Ta’ala takes them to a level we cannot understand. Outwardly they appear the same to us…there’s no difference : they’re human beings, just as we are. …In this gathering, does anyone look different to others in  respect to the physical body ? Alhamdulillah, we all have two hands, two eyes, two ears, etc.

Download the book from HERE!

"..Toffee.." - An Extract from Aashiq-e-Sawdiq vol 2 by Hazrat Moulana Yunus Patel saheb Daamat Barakaatuhum

A little child was brought to my Sheikh, Hazrat Maulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (Daamat Barakaatuhum). When Hazrat offered this child a toffee, the child turned and looked at the father, questioningly. The father said : “Take it.” - so the child took the toffee.

To us this is common behaviour of children, well trained by their parents. But take heed of the lesson derived by Hazrat.

Hazrat then said : “What a beautiful lesson…. These children are trained by their parents not to accept gifts and sweets from strangers. This is exactly what a Believer should be doing. There are many black, white and brown ‘toffees’ (ghair mahareem) to be found on the streets. The nafs says : “Take a lustful glance.”

The one who has recognized Allah Ta’ala, the one who knows that he has to stand before Allah Ta’ala and render an account for the bounties of his sight, hearing, etc. will turn to his ‘Rabba’ (Allah Ta’ala) – “Must I accept this ‘toffee’ or not?”

The child will turn to ‘Abba’ but this person now turns to his ‘Rabba’ and  asks : “What is Your instruction ?”, “Do I accept it or not ?”

The one who is an Aashiq of Allah will not fall for such temptations because he looks to the instructions of Allah, be it in trade, on the streets, at home, marriage, walima – in fact in every circumstance.”

His concern is : Is my Allah pleased with this or not ? If Allah is not pleased, then the whole world can express their pleasure and approval but it will accrue to nothing but misfortune and disaster, in this world and the next.

Taken from this link

Dangers of the Rose Garden

Funnily enough, I did not actually like roses much when I was growing up, although that definitely changed. Then there was the time in 2000 when my father went for Hajj and bought me a bottle of rose oil. Masha Allah what beautiful scent. I still have some left. The first (so called) meaningful poem I wrote was a metaphor of a rose...




...Moving along...

Here's a beautiful poem I heard in one of Moulana Yunus Patel saheb talk named Sukun-e-Dil (Tranquility of the Heart). He mentioned that when he returned from India, he went to his uncle's house, who was an artist. He looked at the paintings and saw one with a hand holding a rose. The rose's thorns had injured the hand so it was bleeding. Moulana saheb told his uncle he wanted that painting. His uncle asked why, and Moulana saheb replied that it had great lesson in it.

I thought it was really nice so want to share the poem. It is in Urdu. I will attempt to translate it Insha Allah. (The explanation is basically what Moulana saheb said, in my own words.)

Think not the rose garden possesses no danger

Behind the veil of roses are thorns, hidden

Keep safe your clothes as you pass through

As there is no trusting of the thorns

This life is like a rose garden. There are many beautiful sights, many beautiful places to go and people to meet. However if this life is like a rose garden, then thorns will naturally be there as well. What are the thorns? They are the non mahram faces, the alcohol, the singing, the dancing... all that is haraam.

So while there are many wonderful things in this world, we must take care that no sin comes and taints us, in the same way we will protect our clothes to make sure they do not get snagged on a thorn. Enjoy the halaal, but always be cautious, because Shaytaan is there at every step, waiting for you to make a mistake and injure yourself on a thorn.

Do Not Look Down Upon Others - A Quote of Hazrat Moulana Yunus Patel Saheb Daamat Barakaatuhum

"We cannot and should not look down upon anyone. Once, a drunkard found a piece of paper with the name of Allah written on it. Although he was half-drunk, he picked it up, cleaned it, put itr (scent) on it and kept it in a safe place.

When he passed away, someone saw him in a dream in which he informed the person that he had gained salvation because of that good deed. This action of his was the means of his forgiveness and salvation.

As Muslims, our Imaan dictates that we disapprove of and hate sins, but not the person indulging in sin. We do not know over which deed or action a person could gain forgiveness. We should neither consider any good deed as insignificant nor should we consider any sin, too trivial or small.

It is mentioned in the Ahadith, that once Nabi Salla Allahu 'Alayhi wa Sallam said to Hazrat Ayesha : “O Ayesha! Take special care to guard yourself against sins that are regarded ‘minor’, for even these will be brought to account by Allah.”

Even though one may abstain from major sins, one should not be indifferent to those sins categorised as minor sins, for it may well be, that one is taken to task for something which one considered ‘trivial’."

Taken from this Link

"When Does the Sun Rise?" - An Extract from Aashiq-e-Sawdiq by Hazrat Moulana Yunus Patel saheb Daamat Barakaatuhum

My Sheikh presents a wonderful and splendid analogy. He asks: “When does the sun rise?” and then he, himself, gives the reply:  “When the horizon turns red.”

Then he continues to describe the spiritual condition of the heart in the same light : When the heart turns red with the blood of one’s evil desires which have been sacrificed for the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala, then Allah Ta’ala causes not just one ‘sun’ but many ‘suns’ of His Muhabbat (Love) and Ma’rifat (Recognition) to rise in such a heart.

The sun of this world has restrictions : It neither lights up the entire world at once, nor is its heat always the same. Moreover, whilst it brings light and warmth as it rises; it inevitably sets, leaving behind darkness.

The ‘suns’ of Allah’s love rise within the heart and lights it up. These ‘suns’ do not set unless the person becomes a persistent sinner, without Taubah (repentance). Added to this, the one in whose heart, the ‘suns’ of Allah’s love and ma’rifat have risen, will generate such light that will in turn light up the hearts of people all over the world. 

…The pain endured by the heart brings in its wake, happiness, satisfaction, the noor of Imaan and the sweetness of Imaan. In fact, the sorrow of the heart on this path of Divine Love is the very envy of happiness. Such a person is blessed with the companionship of Allah Ta’ala, for Allah Ta’ala says : ‘I am with those of broken hearts.’

Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi (Rahmatullah ‘alaih) mentions the exceptional stage reached by those who adopt patience in abstaining from fulfilling their evil desires : On subscribing to sabr (patience) and sacrifice, the ‘Ahh’ which continually and invariably issues forth from that ‘bleeding’ heart transports one to the supreme and absolute stage of Wilayat. Maulana Rumi (Rahmatullah ‘alaih) says :

Those who resort to Sabr on the Path of Allah;
Have acquired the Wilayat of the Siddiqeen

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" A Muslim is Ibnul Waqt "- A quote from Moulana Yunus Patel saheb Daamat Barakaatuhum

"Zikrullah at all times does not mean that the person reads SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah all the time, but, as I explain always in the Zikr majlis, that the person is conscious of Allah Tabaaraka wa Ta’aala’s presence at all times and he fulfills the ahkaam and the law of Allah Tabaaraka wa Ta’aala, whichever is focused on him at that moment in time.

A Muslim is Ibnul-Waqt. Ibnul-Waqt. What does Ibnul-Waqt mean? That whatever is the requirement and the need of that time, then he fulfills that need, or fulfills that hukm. When it is time for salaat, then he makes salaat. When it is the time for recitation of Qur’aan Shareef, then he recites Qur’aan  Shareef. He’s got a kind of time table. When it is time to make khidmat of one’s parents, then he makes khidmat of the parents. When it’s time to fulfill the rights of the wives and the children, then he does that. When it’s time to make Zikrullah, then he makes Zikrullah. When it’s time to help the poor and the needy and the destitute, then he goes and does that. Whatever is the requirement of that time, whatever hukm of Allah Ta’aala is focused on him at that time, then he fulfills that hukm and that order. That is a Muslim. 

So when he has his Zikrullah in his life, then that is what he will be doing. And Muraqaba of mawt, when a person remembers mawt, his death, then he will not be negligent, then will not be ghaafil. He will not be in a dream world."

Taken from this audio