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“Why are you burning in the fire of jealousy!’ Why are you walking towards Jahannam?!Are you angry with the distribution of Allah?! Why are you rubbing the palms of your

hands in regret?!”

In the Hadith Sharif we are taught to be desirous regarding two categories of people,

1. The person blessed with the wealth of Quraan Sharif and he is engaged in the service/recitation of Quraan Sharif day and night.2. A person blessed with wealth and he spends it in good causes day and night.To be envious of a person who does not have Akhlaaq and A’maal is foolish since his wealth will take him to Jahannam. In other words we are being envious of that person going to Jahannam!

Unfortunately this Hasad is burning the hearts of people. We are living in such a time where father’s cannot see their sons progressing. An ustaad becomes jealous of his pupil who surpasses him in knowledge. Mureeds are jealous of mureeds. Non-mureeds are jealous of the mureeds of others. Was Allah obliged to make mashwara (consult) with us in His distribution of bounties?

The burning which a jealous person experiences all the time is sufficient as an Azaab and punishment. This Hasad then leads to hatred and all the persons good qualities disappears when we are jealous of him. Is this Akhlaaq (good character)! How long are we going to live in this world with such Akhlaaq, which is nothing but the Akhlaaq of hypocrisy. We just do not want to polish our hearts and we pride ourselves with the Umrahs we have performed.

Shah Muhammed Ahmed Saheb (Rahimahullah) used to say:

Hasad-Jealousy

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“O advisor do not advise me as my heart experiences palpitations!I regard him as my enemy who tries to make me understand!”

Is there any changes after our Haj/Umrah?

After our Haj/Umrah we should see whether there is any decrease in our greed, jealousy, malice etc.Similarly is there an increase in our Taqwa,Ibaadat (worship), Shukr (gratitude), Sabr (patience), controlling of the gaze, etc...

Unfortunately the opposite is happening.

People are writing that after performing Hajj suddenly the desire came to watch porn. Although we do not look down upon anyone but whereas this desire did not arise before. (May Allah protect us all)

This does not mean we should give up the Haj, the Umrah, the Tilaawat and Ibadat. Whatever we are doing we should make shukr (express gratitude) but we must not be satisfied and shower ourselves with ‘titles’. Keep on making Istighfaar and continuously express regret and remorse over our sins.

(Hazrat R.A then sincerely asked for forgiveness from the congregation as he would be leaving for Umrah soon.)

Islaah-ReformationThose who are close to me and have come for Islaah may have been reprimanded on certain occasions. This is because I consider it khiyaanat and a betrayal of trust if I do not warn them, inform and reprimand them depending upon the degree of ta’alluq (relationship). Without ta’alluq even one word will be offensive and a person will feel that ‘my reputation’ has been effected. A person said:

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“He will not open his door, We will not leave his door!

We both have our own governments, that is his and this (pavement) is mines!”

Look at the love of Khwaja Azizul Hasan Majzoob (R.A) for his Shaykh Moulana Ashraf Ali Saheb Thanwi (R.A). Once he was chased out of the khanqah and instructed to take his bedding and leave. (1)

He obeyed the instruction and put his bedding on the pavement infront of the khanqah.

He then composed the following couplet:

That is the sign of a true Aashiq (lover)! Nowadays we express years of Muhabbat (for the Shaykh) yet if one word (of reformation)is said we get angry.(Once again Hazrat R.A asked for maaf).The programme was concluded with a touching dua.

To experience the true flavour and feeling of the majlis readers are encouraged to log onto

the website of Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Nawwara Allahu Marqadahu) at

www.yunuspatel.co.za The bayaan may be found under the majlis link. The date of the

bayaan was 26/01/2010.

May Allah grant us all the ability to develop and strengthen our Nisbat with Him and

our beloved Nabi . May Allah illuminate Hazrat Moulana Yunus Patel’s (R.A) qabr

with Noor. Ameen.

1) This was done as a form of discipline and in order to make his Tarbiya

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1. Immediately upon awakening rub the face and the eyes with both the palms in order to remove the effects of sleep. (Shamaaile Tirmidhi)2. When the eyes open in the morning recite this dua:

Translation: All praise is due to Allah who brought us to life after having granted us death and to Him will we be resurrected. (Bukhari, Abu Dawood, Muslim)

3. When awakening from the sleep cleanse the mouth with a miswaak. (Musnad Ahmad, Abu Dawood-pg 8)The use of the miswaak should be repeated when making wudhu. Using the miswaak upon awakening is a separate sunnat.(Bazlul Majhood, “commentary of Abu Dawood” vol.1 pg.35)4. When wearing ones trousers, first put on the right leg, then the left one. When putting on a kurta or shirt, first put on the right sleeve and then the left one. The same procedure should be followed when wearing a vest. When wearing a shoe, first put on the right shoe. When removing any garment or shoe, first remove the left, then the right. This is the sunnah method when removing any garment from the body. (Bukhari, Tirmidhi, “the chapter on clothing” and Shamaaile Tirmidhi)5. Before immersing the hands into any utensils, wash them thrice thoroughly. (Tirmidhi – vol 1, pg.13)

SUNNATS UPON AWAKENING

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A common complaint of many who seek reformation, is their lack of concentration in Salaah, and finding themselves wanting in the spirit of Salaah. They write or ask for some prescription to bring in that spirit and that love of Allah Ta’ala through Salaah.

The following guidelines will, Insha-Allah, assist in improving the quality of one’s Salaah :

• Men should try and reach the Musjid before the Azaan, so that they may with etiquette and ease, read the Sunnat Salaah – and this should take them about 5 minutes. • In the remaining few minutes before the Fardh, make Istighfaar, Taubah, or Zikrullah, or think of the Aakhirah (the Hereafter) and accountability and presentation of one’s deeds in the Court of Allah Ta’ala. Reflect over one’s life: What if my death has to come now ? …Try and cut off from the business and worldly activities as much as possible through this little meditation and Zikr. Now comes the Fardh Salaah : Insha-Allah, by this time, much of one’s heart will be in that Salaah. Insha-Allah, with a little effort and perseverance, there will be full attention and concentration.

• Ladies should try and read Salaah in its early time, thus giving themselves the opportunity of making preparation for Salaah, without any haste. They too should make a little zikr before commencing with Salaah, to get into the right frame of mind.

Bringing Concentration in Salaah

by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (rahmatullah alayh)

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Moreover, if we give priority status to fulfilling the Rights of Allah Ta’ala, then He will assist us in fulfilling our tasks. He will grant Barakah in time so that our undertakings are completed, Insha-Allah. • Condition the mind; address yourself – I am standing before the King of Kings. SubhanAllah. …I have been chosen, from millions, to converse with ‘Rabbul ‘Aalameen’ and I am being afforded the greatest honour and privilege (above millions of others), to make sujood to Allah Ta’ala… to be nearest to Allah Ta’ala. [ …If we could truly fathom the greatness of the gift, this ultimate honour, this good fortune – we would never want to leave the position of sujood.] • And whilst reading the Qur`aan Sharif in Salaah (and even outside Salaah) then think : This is the Kalaam (speech) of my Allah – of my Beloved. By contemplating the meaning of the verses that you are reading, think : I am listening to the speech of Allah Ta’ala.

And since you are reading His Speech, He is also listening to you … Therefore learn the meaning of the Surahs we normally recite in Salaah. It will not take long to do so, if a little is learnt every day. • And think : In this Salaah, in this Tilawat, in this Zikr, in this Hamd – I have the special attention of Allah Ta’ala. I have exclusive attention because this is my ‘Me`raj’; this is my conversation and communication with the Master of the Worlds. ….What a compounded bounty – SubhanAllah : So many gifts in the gift packaged as Salaah. How can any sane thinking Muslim ever refuse such a gift ?

In contemplating this, we will experience the beauty and sweetness and pleasure of Salaah … we will understand the Hadith in which Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) says that the coolness of his eyes is in Salaah. May Allah Ta’ala grant us the reality.Download and listen to the Majlis Programme on www.yunuspatel.co.za “Guaranteed Success” – (27–03–2006) which is an elaboration of the above prescription.

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A certain dervish once went up a mountain pass and there made a promise to Allah:

“I am turning my back on all worldly connections. Now I shall remain here in solitude busy worshipping You. When I feel hungry, I shall wait for sustenance from Your side. I will not ask anything from any person. I will not pick any fruit of the trees of this mountain. But in the wind if any fruit falls from the trees, that I shall eat”.

For some time he remained steadfast on this promise to the tests that came from Allah’s side. The tests came along because in his vow, the dervish did not say: ‘Insha-allah’ - if Allah so pleases. This omission of ‘lnsha-allah’ gave a sign of the dervish’s pride, arrogance and over-confidence in his own courage and ability. For this reason, the punishment for his deed involved him in a great test and the no or from his heart left him, so that the ability to bear the difficulties of hunger became lost. Allah ordered the wind not to blow in that part of the mountain. For five days, the wind failed to blow, as a result of which no fruit fell from the trees. The dervish suffered unbearable hunger. He could no more have patience and the hunger made him feel weak. He was forced now to break his promise to Allah. He began picking the fruit from the tree to eat. When that happened, Allah punished him, because it is a command of His:

“Carry out your promise.”This is what happened. A group of thieves came to hide along the foot of

The Story of the Saint

in the Mountain

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the mountain. Someone informed the Chief Police Officer of the town that a group of thieves were hiding in the mountain. Before the Police Officer could arrest the actual thieves, he saw the dervish and thought that he was one of them. Hence he immediately arrested him. The dervish made a big noise protesting his innocence and proclaimed that he was not a thief, but the Police Officer and the other soldiers did not listen to him. The punishment was that they cut off his right hand and his left foot.

At that time a traveller passed that way and when he saw what had happened, he scolded the Police Officer and the soldiers:

“You dogs, what have you done to this holy and saintly Dervish? He is a real saintly man and the abdaal of our era. He has broken away from the world to settle in solitude in the mountain “.

When the Police Officer heard this, he began trembling in fear. In fear and with great grief and sorrow he came to the dervish with his bare head and feet, crying bitterly over the mistake that he had made, saying:

“I swear, I did not know that you were a saintly man. I made a mistake and considered you as one of the thieves. For Allah’s sake, forgive me, otherwise I will become a victim of Allah’s anger and will be destroyed. “

The dervish replied: “Brother, it is not your fault. I am the guilty one. I broke my promise to my Lord and for that I have been given this. punishment. “

“I know the cause of this and my inner self is aware thereofThat for which sin of mine, this misfortune befell me.I broke my agreement with Allah and as a resultThe punishment for my deeds was the severing of my hand and foot.The sincere ones are at all times in danger, In Allah’s path, there are great tests awaiting them.Such promises and vows should not be made which you cannot fulfil.And sit not in places of danger where you are bound to be tested with trials.”

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LESSON

Firstly a person should never take an oath for anything which is against the Shariat e.g. “I will not eat” or “I will not drink water” etc. The oath of the dervish was of this type. Secondly, a person should never depend upon his own courage and strength. In all matters one should depend upon Allah and seek His help. If one intends doing anything, then one should always say: ‘Insha¬ Allah’. If for some reason, one forgets to say so, then the moment he remembers it he should say ‘Insha-Allah’. One must remember at all times that without Allah’s power nothing can take place.

“Allah’s one atom of favour is much betterThan a thousand efforts from the obedient ones. Humility in the path of Allah and indigenceIs better than to be proud of our devotion and obedience.”

One should, with steadfastness on the deen, pray to Allah at all times, “0 My Lord, do not leave me to my nafs for one moment. Rectify my condition in such a manner that at all times it is in accordance with Your pleasure, till You make my ending upon Imaan.Ameen

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I would like to know about Sufism. Is it a part of Islam or is it something which has just been made up by fraudulent people who are marketing it as religion? What I hear sometimes makes me think this is a “hoax” – a money-making racket. Many talk about shaykhs, peers, taking bay`ah with such people, Islaahun nafs, etc. I would appreciate a correct understanding of the ideology. What is the purpose ?

REPLY

Bismihi Ta’ala

Respected Sister in Islam,

Wa-alaykumus Salaam wa-Rahmatullahi wa-Barakaatuhu

1.) “Sufism”, or Tasawwuf / Tariqat is very much a part of Islamic teachings. Shariah is knowledge and Tariqat is acting upon that knowledge. It covers all aspects of Deen, by following in the footsteps of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), and revolves around the purification of heart and soul, the reformation of the nafs (self / ego), developing intense love for Allah Ta’ala and a connection with Him, such that we submit to Him, with heart, mind, soul and body. The Qur`aan Sharief alludes toTazkiyya and Islaah a number of times.

2.) Unfortunately, many have spoilt the good name of “Sufism” or tasawwuf by introducing actions which are not in conformity with Islamic teachings. Some people have made Sufism appear like another religion, or they have brought

LETTER ONE

QUESTION

Relating to Bay’ah & Tasawwuf

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into Sufism, the ideas and rites of mysticism from other religions. Moreover, there are many bogus ‘peers’ that are just in it for money. Therefore caution needs to be exercised in choosing a spiritual mentor.

3.) Bay`ah is a practice (Sunnah) of the Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa-Sallam), which has been carried down, through the ages, by our Spiritual Guides.It is through the barakah (blessings) of Bay`at that a person is able to easily and steadily traverse and progress through the different stages in the spiritual world. The seeker is constantly drawing direction and guidance from the spiritual guide who has proficiency and expertise in the field.

Bay`ah is choosing a spiritual doctor (a Shaykh) for your spiritual ailments. The Shaykh must be one whom you are most compatible with, and whose teachings, you readily accept and follow. Of course, the Shaykh must be on Haq. There are many fraudulent people in the guise of the pious. The Shaykh must be learned, experienced, pious and wise – for such a person must have your best interests at heart.

The objective is Islaah (reformation), and complete Obedience to Allah Ta’ala and Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa-Sallam). The mureed (disciple) should therefore inform the Shaykh of his or her spiritual weaknesses – whether it be hasad (jealousy), kibr (pride), riyaa (ostentation), hirs (greed), Hubbud-Dunya (Obsessive love for the world) – or whatever it be, missing out his Salaah due to laziness, casting lustful gazes, listening to music, being involved in an illicit relationship, etc.

The Shaykh, if he is ‘Kaamil’, will not look down upon his mureed when informed of such sicknesses – just as a doctor will not look down upon his patient, because his patient has cancer, or a brain tumuor, etc.

The right of the mureed over the Shaykh is that the Shaykh then makes Islaah of that spiritual malady – thus the Shaykh prescribes some remedy and also makes dua. For the mureed to experience the benefits and curative properties in the Shaykhs treatment and dua, it becomes absolutely necessary to now follow the

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Shaykh’s advice. This is the mode and manner to restore spiritual health.

As an example : The mureed considers and thinks himself to be pious and great, and better than other people. He looks down upon those who do not do good deeds as he does, who do not dress in the Sunnah libaas like he does or who do not have a beard as he does… He considers himself better and superior, and considers others as sinful, immoral and condemned to hell-fire. This then is ujub (conceit) and takabbur (pride).

He should thus explain his condition by informing his Shaykh : I think of myself as great. I look down upon those who do not do what I do. I consider myself, an accepted servant. I consider my piety to be my achievement and effort. I think of others as evil and despicable. …I don’t keep their company because I consider them as evil, and think of myself as too pure and pious to be with them, that it is below my dignity and honour to sit amongst such people …. etc. etc.

So then the Shaykh will prescribe some suitable remedy – depending on various other aspects of the mureed.

If the mureed has a problem in controlling his anger, then he should inform the Shaykh: I am very temperamental – and I lose my anger when my wife does something wrong, even if it is something small. I sometimes slap or kick in that anger. I swear her and I threaten her with Talaq….

The mureed must spell out his weakness by giving an example of his behaviour.Just saying that I have anger, pride, hasad is not very helpful to the Shaykh. …What makes you feel that you have pride or hasad ?

The more specific you are in informing of your sickness, the more specific and exact will be the remedy.

4.) In this journey of love, the mureed will experience different spiritual states and conditions. However, this is, as I generally describe, the scenery enroute, as we travel to reach our destination. The scenery, no matter how beautiful, is not

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the destination. …But this also requires much explanation. You could listen to the talk: Feeling spiritually low? – which you will find on the website www.yunuspatel.co.za

5.) You can also listen to the talks: “Tasawwuf made Easy”, and can download the book ‘Ikhlaas’ from this website. The book includes some discussion on Tasawwuf.

6.) May Allah Ta’ala fill our hearts with His Love and guide us all on the Path of Divine Love, and grant us the crowns of His Friendship. May Allah Ta’ala grant taufeeq of obedience and protect us from anything that is displeasing to Him.

Was-Salaamu alaykum wa-Rahmatullahi wa-Barakaatuhu

Yunus Patel (Maulana)

Seating place of Hazrath Moulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sahib, and his son, Moulana Hakeem Muhammad Mazhar Sahib, from which Majaalis and Lessons of Hadeeth would be conducted.

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It is narrated in a Hadîth that by doing some nafl (optional) acts a person becomes the favourite of Allâh Ta’ala. What better optional acts can there be than those encouraged in the Hadîth?

AWWAABEEN SALÂH

It is narrated that a person who performs 6 Rak’ats after the Fardh of Maghrib Salâh, it will be Awwaabeen. The whole Ummah performs 2 Sunnah and 2 Nafl after the Fardh of Maghrib, so 4 Rak’ats we are already performing, we just have to add another 2 and we will have performed our 6 (the minimum) of Awwaabeen.

1) A person who performs Awwabeen gets the reward of 12 years of Ibâdah.2) A person who performs Awwaabeen, his sins are forgiven even if they are equal to all the foam of all the seas of the world.3) Awwaabeen is another name for Tawwaabeen i.e. those who make a lot of Taubah and Allâh Ta’ala loves those people who make taubah in abundance. A person who makes taubah from his sins is like a person who has committed no sin.

TAHJJAUD SALÂH

This Salâh is the most virtuous and the easiest of all optional Salâh. Shaytân has deceived us into thinking that it is impossible for us to manage Tahajjud, to deprive us of this great good! It is narrated in a Hadîth that all Nafl that is performed after Isha Salâh (which is the 4 Fardh of Isha and the 2 Sunnat-e-Muakkadah) is Tahajjud. Allamah Shaami RA has declared on the basis of this

An easy way to become a favourite of Allâh Ta’ala

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Hadîth that all Nafl Salâh after Isha, even before sleeping and even before the middle of the night is Tahajjud Salâh. So after performing Isha Salâh – 4 Fardh and 2 Sunnat-e-Muakkadah- just by performing 2 Rak’ats, even sitting, Tahajjud will have been performed!!! There are 4 great virtues narrated in the Hadîth for Tahajjud:

1) It is the way of the pious2) You become a favourite of Allâh Ta’ala3) Sins are forgiven4) It is the power house to do good and abstain from wrong

By performing Tahajjud, a person gets the namaaz duas of the whole world’s namaaz’s (even if he is your enemy) i.e. every namaazi says in his namaaz “peace be upon us and all righteous slaves of Allâh Ta’ala” – by performing even just 2 Rak’ats of Tahajjud Salâh, even straight after Isha, one is amongst the righteous, thereby qualifying for the dua of all the namaaz’s of the world. ISHRAAQ SALÂH

Every person does Tilawah of the Qur’an, makes zikr, reads wazifahs, duas, etc. After Fajr, Ishraaq time comes in after about 13/15 minutes after sunrise. The minimum Rak’ats of Ishraaq are 2. Even if a person engages in some dunya’s work (e.g. sleeps, etc) and then he performs Ishraaq, his Ishraaq will be made though the Thawaab will be less.

1) Ishraaq is more superior than spending all the gold, silver etc., of the world in the path of Allâh Ta’ala.2) By performing Ishraaq Salâh one gets the reward of performing Hajj and Umrah3) All one’s needs of the day will be fulfilled.

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CHASHT (DHUHA) SALÂH

The time of Chasht starts immediately after one has completed his Ishraaq Salâh and lasts till midday. Thus, once a person has completed his Ishraaq Salâh, he can perform his Chasht; he will be having wudhu still and will be in the Masjid/on the Musallah. Chasht Salâh is the sadaqah of all the joints of the body. To save oneself, or those already suffering from gout, arthritis, etc., one should perform Chasht Salâh, but the intention should be for the pleasure of Allâh Ta’ala – this benefit will be a by-product – it should not be the object.

In Nafl Salâh, one will get the reward of as many intentions as one makes. Therefore, one can make the Niyah of Salatut-Taubah, Salaatul-Hajah, Salaatus-Shukr, Salaatul-Istikhaarah, Salaatul Awwabeen/Tahajjud/Dhuha/ (whichever Salâh is being performed) Salaatus-Safr, Tahiyyatul Wudhu, Tahiyyatul Masjid (if applicable) – Eemaanau wa Ihtisaaba. Also, make the niyah to pass the thawaab to Nabi Karim r the wives, children, family, Sahabah, Tabi-een, Tabe Tabi-een, Ulema and Mashaaikh of the Ummah, Mujahideen, Shuhadah, all the favourites of Allâh Ta’ala, one’s parents, family, all the Marhum, friends, associates, students, asaatizah, mashaaikh and those whose favours are upon one, helpers, the whole Ummah and all the Muslims. Muhammad Ali Moosa

Khanqah Imdadia Ashrafia- Gulshan Iqbal

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