Jameah Mahmoodiyyah

Posted by Mohammad Ashhad Bin Saeed [Gufiralahuma]

People are often distinguished by their thoughts and ideas, and a person is only ranked by his peers according to his level and depth of thinking. Likewise, by speaking to someone and listening to his/her speech, their level of intelligence, their depth of reflection and extent of contemplation is displayed.

Some statements regarding al-Tafakkur (Thought and Contemplation):

Salim ibn Abi al-Ja’d: I asked Umm al-Darda (radhiallahu `anha), ‘What was the best of Abu al-Darda’s deeds?’ She said, ‘al-Tafakkur (contemplation).’

Al-Hasan al-Basri: ‘Contemplation is a mirror that shows you your good and bad deeds.’

Wahb ibn Munabbih: ‘The believer is the one who contemplates, remembers and restrains (himself from evil). He contemplates such that tranquility raises him and he remains calm and peaceful such that it humbles him. He (the believer) was content so he did not fall into distress, he refused his desires so he became free, he cast off jealousy so love became widespread for him and he was ascetic in every temporal thing so his intelligence became complete. His heart is connected to his aspirations and his aspirations overlook his Hereafter. He does not take delight when the people of the world take delight; rather the reality of eternity has saddened him so he remains sad in his life. But when eyes fall asleep, then he takes delight; reciting the Book of Allah Ta’ala and repeating it in his heart – at one point his heart feels fear and at another point, his eyes weep. The night passes him by while he is reciting, and the day passes him by while is in seclusion, pondering over his sins and belittling his good deeds. Such a person will be called on the Day of Judgment in that great gathering at the head of all creation: ‘Stand up O’ noble one and enter Paradise!’

Ibn Abi al-Hawari: I said to Abu Safwan (‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan), ‘Which of these two is better: That a man should go hungry and sit in contemplation or that he should eat and get up to pray?’ He said, ‘That he should (first) eat then get up and contemplate in his prayer is more beloved to me.’ So I told that to Abu Sulayman and he said, ‘He (Abu Safwan) has told the truth. Contemplation during the prayer is better than contemplation outside of the prayer, because contemplation in the prayer is in reality two deeds (combined), and two deeds are better than one.’

Al-Hasan said to Sufyan ibn ‘Uyaynah: ‘Tafakkur is the key to Mercy. Don’t you see how a person contemplates and consequently repents?!’

Al-Fudhayl: ‘The speech of the believer is wisdom; his silence is contemplation and his vision is a lesson (for him). If you are like that, then you will not cease being in a state of worship.’ Then he read the verse, “I have not created Mankind or Jinn except to worship Me.” [al-Dhariyat: 56]

Ka’b al-Ahbar: ‘Whoever wishes to attain the honour of the Hereafter, let him increase in contemplation for he will then become knowledgeable.’

Labels: Tazkiyah Posted by Mohammad Ashhad Bin Saeed [Gufiralahuma]

Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah [d.751]
Source: Zaad al-Ma'aad (4/304-305)

- Prayer -

Allaah the Exalted has said:

( And seek help in patience and in prayer. Surely that is something quite difficult on (people) other than people of humility and submissiveness ) [2]

And He has said:

( O you who believe! Seek help in patience and in prayer! Verily, Allaah is with those who are patient. ) [3]

And He, the Exalted One, has said:

(And command your family to pray, and be patient upon that. We are not asking you for any provisions, (rather) We provide for you, and the favorable outcome is for (those with) taqwaa (consciousness of Allaah that produces righteous actions). ) [4]

And in the Books of Sunnah it is reported that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) used to hasten to prayer whenever an affair disturbed him. And he, Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) used to seek ailment through prayer before seeking out other ways of dealing with them.

- 1 -  Prayer is something that causes one to receive sustenance.

- 2 -  It is something that safeguards one's physical health.

- 3 -  It keeps away harmful things.

- 4 -  It casts away illnesses.

- 5 -  It strengthens the heart.

- 6 -  It brightens one's countenance.

- 7 -  It delights the soul.

- 8 -  It gets rid of laziness.

- 9 -  It makes the limbs active.

- 10 -  It increases one's physical strength.

- 11 -  It expands the chest (making one at ease and giving him insight).

- 12 -  It is nourishment for the soul.

- 13 -  It illuminates the heart.

- 14 -  It safeguards one's blessings.

- 15 -  It repels catastrophes.

- 16 -  It brings on blessings.

- 17 -  It keeps away the Shaytaan (the Devil).

- 18 -  It draws one close to Ar-Rahmaan (Allaah, the Most Merciful).

And overall it has an amazing effect on the health of the body and heart, and in strengthening them and expelling harmful pollutants from them. No two people have been afflicted with any disability, disease, or other calamity, except that the portion of the one who prays is less and his outcome is cleaner.

Also, prayer has an amazing effect on the evils of the dunyaa (the worldly life) and how it repels them, especially when the prayer is performed properly and completely, inwardly and outwardly. Nothing keeps the evils of the dunyaa at bay and brings on the benefits of it like prayer.

The reason behind this is that prayer is one's connection to Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic. So based on the strength of a person's relationship with his Lord, the Mighty and Majestic, the doors of goodness will accordingly be opened up for him, bad things and the reasons for them befalling him will be cut off, and the elements of success granted by His Lord, the Mighty and Majestic, will begin pouring in, along with safety and good health, wealth and worldly riches, relaxation, bliss, enjoyment, and all types of joyful affairs will be brought to him, and in an expedient manner, too. [5]

FOOTNOTES

[1] The title and the numbering of the 18 benefits are both additions from the translator: Moosaa Richardson.

[2] A translation of the meaning of Soorah al-Baqarah (2):45

[3] A translation of the meaning of Soorah al-Baqarah (2):153

[4] A translation of the meaning of Soorah Taa-Haa (20):132

[5] Zaad al-Ma'aad (4/304-305) of Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah, Mu'assasatur-Risaalah, 4th ed., 1424.

Labels: Articles Posted by Mohammad Ashhad Bin Saeed [Gufiralahuma]

The following I have translated from "Zafrul Muhasileen Bi Ahwaalil Musanifeen". It is an excellent book for students of knowledge to read and extremely beneficial.

Imam Raazi rahmatullahi alayh would become extremely sorrowful at the time of eating as he would no longer be engaged in attaining Islamic knowledge. So much so that he would say, “I swear by Allah! At the time of eating I feel so sorrowful from being disengaged from knowledge. Without doubt, (the utilisation of) time is magnificent.”

The madressa Sheikh Abu Ishaaq used to study in had 10 flights of stairs. On every staircase, Sheikh Abu Ishaaq would read his sabak 100 times. By the time he got to the top, he had read his sabak 1,000 times. Now, where is this effort today? The state of the common folk became such that when Sheikh Abu Ishaaq travelled to Kharaasaan, whichever big or small district he went to, people came out in their masses to meet him and every working person would place their prized possessions in the transport Sheikh was using.

Hafiz Abul Qasim Sulayman ibn Ahmad Tabraani rahmatullahi alayh passed away 360AH. He spent 33 years travelling around and sought knowledge from 1,000 scholars. Despite this, his thirst for knowledge remained till his death.

Hafiz ibn Taahir Muqqadasi rahamatullahi alayh would never ever use any form of transport when travelling for hadith. He would take the job of transport and conveyance upon himself alone. At times of difficulty, his urine would be blood (due to his situation and lack of food).

Ibn al Maqri rahmatullahi alayh relates: I travelled to 70 destinations to acquire a document (written) by ibn Fuzala. The external appearance of this document was such that even a baker would not exchange one chapatti for it. (i.e. to some it may look so poor but he still went for it.)

Qadhi Thanaullah Panipati rahmatullahi alayhwould spend his bedtime in the obedience, worship and prayer of Allah Ta’ala. He would read 100 rak’at every day and would have the habit of finishing one Qur’an per day in his tahajjud prayer.

Imam e Adab, Sebuwee rahmatullahi alayh started his search for knowledge in fiqh and hadith. At this point, he did not have much of a connection with Nahw (syntax). During this period, Sheikh Hammad ibn Salamah would narrate hadith. One day, Hammad used the words, “laysa AbAAd Darda radiallahu anhu” and Imam e Adab had written down, “laysa AbUUd Darda radiallahu anhu”. Thereafter, he (Sebuwiya) recited this hadith to other listeners. Sheikh Hammad instantly spotted his mistake and said, “Do not recite the hadith incorrectly! It is ‘laysa AbAAd Darda radiallahu anhu!'" At this, Hazrat Sebuwee felt so sad and made a firm intention in his heart that he will learn that topic (Nahw) that will prevent him from making many mistakes. As a result of that, he began to seek knowledge upon Nahw and he studied with such firmness and determination that many students came after him would refer to him as Imam e Adab Sebuwee Nahwee.

May Allah Ta'ala give us the ability to tread in the footsteps of our Akaabireen. Ameen.

Posted by Mohammad Ashhad Bin Saeed [Gufiralahuma]

Neglect of Zikr is starvation of the soul.
One who is an Aashiq,a lover of Allah,even though not entangled in sin will yet remain a Mustaghfir(penitent).
Stay away from sins as well as the preludes,those things that lead to sin.
The connection,the link between the ,the outward and inward is such that neither can be seperated from the other.
Taqwa means that one has the urge to disobey and one prevents oneself from doing so.
The true lover of Allah is the one who knows how to to endure the grief of Allah’s path.
One evil glance causes several diseases even though it may be for only one minute.
Piety creates the light of tranquillity.
Ask Allah Ta’ala to muster ones courage to leave all sins.
Casting evil glances at beautiful faces is a filthy and polluted act.
No taste can match the joy experienced when one sacrifices every breath for Allah’s sake.
In old age potency diminishes,but desires and passion remain virile,at the same time to combat the nafs weakens.
Some people desire to acquire Allah’s pleasure but refuse to sacrifice any of their pleasures and desires.
Due to constant striving,the heart is nutured,and fertile to absorb the rays of Hidayat and Wilayat(sainthood).
Controlling the gaze creates a lustre(nur) within the heart which quickly manifests on the face of such a person.
In proportion to the severity of the urge and desire to commit sin,will be degree of nur created, on suppressing this urge.
One lustful gaze leads to another,just as one sin leads to another and one good deed to another.
Some people claim their total helplessness with regard to controlling the gaze,its a deception of shaytaan.
Striving against the nafs is indeed a struggle and an allegorical Jihaad of the highest form.
The person that desires to taste the pleasures of Jannah on earth,should spend with the Ahlullah(people of Allah).
The religious harm of jealousy is the destruction of righteous deeds,its worldly harm is perpetual grief.
When a servant of Allah considers himself unworthy and inferior,
he is elevated in Allah’s sight.
The Awliya-Allah become even more humble when praised, becoming more grateful to Allah,for concealing their faults.
One of the most reprehensible forms of Riya(show) is to publicize one’s Ibadat and deeds beore friends and family.
Regular visits to the graveyard and reflecting ,will create disdain
for the world in the heart.
Constant desire and aspiration for name and fame is a destructive spiritual illness.

Labels: Naseehah Posted by Mohammad Ashhad Bin Saeed [Gufiralahuma]

- Mâlik ibn Dînâr (rahimahullâh) said, “Whoever proposed to the world, then the world would not be satisfied until he gave up his Deen as dowry.”

- Bakr ibn ‘Abdullâh al-Muzanî (rahimahullâh) said, “If you see someone older than you then respect him saying, ‘He has beaten me to Islâm and righteous action.’ If you see someone younger than you then respect him saying to yourself, ‘I have beaten him in sins.’ If the people honour you then say, ‘That is from the grace of Allâh, but I do not deserve it.’ If they degrade you then say , ‘This happened as a consequence of a previous sin.”

- Sufyân ath-Thawrî (rahimahullâh) said, “Whoever’s knowledge makes him weep, then he is a scholar (‘âlim). Allâh the Most High said, ‘Verily those who were given knowledge before it, when it is recited to them they fall down on their faces in humble prostration.’ [Sûrah Banî Isrâ’îl (17):107] He also said, ‘When the verses (âyât) of Ar-Rahmân (The Most Merciful) is recited to them they fall in prostration weeping.’ ”

- Fudayl ibn ‘Iyâd (rahimahullâh) said, “A believer plants a palm tree and fears that thorns will grow. The hypocrites plant thorns expecting ripe dates to grow!”

- Once ‘Umar ibn ‘Abdul ‘Azîz (rahimahullâh) was advised, “O ‘Umar, beware of being the ally of Allâh in open, while being His enemy in secret. If one’s nature in open and secret do not equate then he is a hypocrite, and the hypocrites occupy the lowest level in Hellfire.”

- Ahmad ibn Harb (rahimahullâh) said, “There is nothing more beneficial to a Muslim’s heart than to mix with the righteous and to watch their actions, while nothing is more harmful to the heart than mixing with the sinners and watching their actions.“

- One of the Salaf said, “I disobey Allâh to find its effect in the way my animal behaves and my wife.”

- Ahmad ibn Harb (rahimahullâh) would say, “If six mannerisms are gathered in a woman, her goodness is perfected: Guarding the five prayers, yielding to her husband, pleasing her Lord, guarding her tongue from backbiting and gossip, forsaking worldly possessions, and being patient following a tragedy.”

- Yahyâ ibn Mu‘âdh (rahimahullâh) said, “Renew your hearts with the remembrance of Allâh because it rushes into forgetfulness.”

- ‘Abdullâh ibn Mubârak (rahimahullâh) would say, “The world is the believer’s prison. The best action in the prison is patience and control of one’s anger. The believer has no country in the world, His land will be there tomorrow in the Afterlife.”

- One of the Salaf used to say, “If you want to be close to Allâh then put an iron wall between yourself and your desires.”

- Fudayl ibn ‘Iyâd (rahimahullâh) said, “If Iblîs conquers the son Âdam with one of the three [things] he says: I will not seek anything else from him – 1) being fond of himself, 2) deeming his deeds to be plentiful, and 3) forgetfulness of his sins.”

- Al-Hasan (rahimahullâh) said, “If shaytân saw you consistently obeying Allâh he will seek you time and time again. If he sees your consistency he grows weary of you and rejects you. If you changed, however, each and every time, then he begins to have hope in you.”

- Ash-Shâfi‘î (rahimahullâh) said, “Whoever spread gossip for you spreads gossip against you. Whoever relates tales to you will tell tales about you. Whoever when you please him says about you what is not in you, when you anger him will say about you what is not in you.”

- Fudayl ibn ‘Iyâd (rahimahullâh) said, “Whoever’s admonition is much, his friends will be few.”

- “If you can be unknown, be so; it doesn’t matter if you are not known and it doesn’t matter if you are not praised. It doesn’t matter if you are blameworthy according to people if you are praiseworthy with Allah, the Mighty and Majestic.”

Al Fudayl ibn Ayyadh, Al Bayhaqi, Al Zuhd Al Kabir p100.

Labels: Naseehah Posted by Mohammad Ashhad Bin Saeed [Gufiralahuma]