A discussion about Riba/Interest in Islam

I decided to share this here so that perhaps more people could benefit from it. A discussion about Riba/Interest was initiated by someone who quite absurdly claimed that interest and Riba were not the same thing and that interest was allowed in Islam. Thereafter with the involvement of few others jumping into the discussion I realized that perhaps more people were under such or similar misconceptions. Therefore I am copy pasting the final concluding discussion here in the hope that if other people hold such idea's they too might receive an amount of clarification...

"You both seem to be well versed with islamic thought... I think interest is not haram in the banking system because it in turn is used in business by the bank whether be it in the form of a loan that is used in some business or directly in the form of asset purchase. The bank makes money on our money and from the spread keeps their profit and gives us our return...it wod be haram say if i give you $100 and ask for $200 back knowing fully well you have no means to invest or increase the money....if ur able to invest it then its my right to charge u for renting my capital..just like rentingy house... Its to stop exploitation of people who ae already disadvantaged.. well thats my opinion.."

I feel compelled to go forth with the instigated discussion solely because I understand and appreciate that the reason behind it is strictly self-correction and a better understanding of deen, inorder to apply it to our lives and correct our previous ways. I would initially like to make a few very pertinent and relevant points clear before getting to the main point of discussion, for it is essential for one to understand these essentials of Islam and Eemaan before delving further into any discussion regarding Islamic Jurisprudence and clearly defined and determined Islamic injunctions and laws. These matters are far too precarious for one to take casually and lightly. Moreover, a nonchalant indulgence in these discussions, merely for the sake of asserting one’s own opinions or other personal ulterior motives can cost one drastically on the Day of Judgment and in the eyes of Allah.

The thing is that there is no room for yours or mine or anyone’s opinion’s as such in Islam. Islam is not an amalgamation of a majority vote or consensus of ‘opinions’, it is infact a code of life sent to us by Allah-SWT and brought to us by the Prophet Muhammad-SAAW. Nothing in Islam is an isolated concept, just like life, everything is intertwined and interrelated. The Prophet-SAAW taught us Islam, with his-SAAW own example. He-SAAW along with his-SAAW Companion’s –RAU lived out Islam to the very detail and left an exemplary example for us to follow. An entire community was established and built around Islam from the very scratch, which progressively grew to be an Empire. There were no flaws in the system, the only reason for the downfall was the corruption in the Eemaan of people and the double standards that were brought forth in time because of it. And since Islam is based on basic justice and equality, there is no room for double standards, the moment double standards penetrate the system, the entire essence of Islam is lost!

Al Quran- 16:116 -
وَلاَ تَقُولُواْ لِمَا تَصِفُ أَلْسِنَتُكُمُ الْكَذِبَ هَـذَا حَلاَلٌ وَهَـذَا حَرَامٌ لِّتَفْتَرُواْ عَلَى اللّهِ الْكَذِبَ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى اللّهِ الْكَذِبَ لاَ يُفْلِحُونَ

Wala taqooloo lima tasifu alsinatukumu alkathiba hatha halalun wahatha haramun litaftaroo AAala Allahi alkathiba inna allatheena yaftaroona AAala Allahi alkathiba la yuflihoona

• Hence, do not utter falsehoods by letting your tongues determine [at your own discretion], "This is lawful and that is forbidden", thus attributing your own lying inventions to Allah: for, behold, they who attribute their own lying inventions to Allah will never attain to a happy state!

It is part of our Eemaan to believe in Allah-SWT as the Prophet-SAAW believed. The attributes of Allah-SWT told to us by the Prophet-SAAW are what we know and believe of Allah and we recognize that beyond this we do not have the capacity to understand or comprehend Allah atleast in the dimensions and parameters of this life. Amongst these attributes of Allah-SWT one of the most basic and essential traits that we believe in are that a) Allah is the One and Only, b) the Creator of everything, c) All-Powerful, d) All-Encompassing, e) The Wise, f) The all-Knowing, g) The All-Aware. Now had Allah willed He-SWT could have quite simply sent down the Quran with every individual at birth and every child could have naturally known Arabic. Nothing is impossible for Allah-SWT if Islam were as simple as reading the Quran and applying it based on every individuals understanding of it, well actually, if that were the case, we’d pretty much have what we’re left with today …’chaos in the name of Islam’! This is the result of the infiltration of random opinions and interpretations of Islam disregarding the explanation, interpretation, teachings and understanding given to us by the Holy Prophet-SAAW himself!

Understanding, verifying and deriving the Islamic Jurisprudence and its implementation are not a mere child’s play, therefore we must understand that it is solely our own ignorance and arrogance when we disregard the unanimously agreed upon verdicts and established laws of the Islamic Jurisprudence, on the basis of perhaps a couple of books that we might have read and the logic which appeals to our own personal senses. It’s just like my having studied science till eighth grade and perhaps having read a book or two about nuclear physics, getting up and not only commenting and giving my opinion of some verified established laws, but actually giving a gist of what they should be or what their implementation should entail as per my knowledge and my opinion. If I were to get up and do this, not only would no one take me seriously, but they would laugh at me and label me mad and not pay heed to anything I have to say thereafter. And they would be very right in doing so. And over here we are talking about laws concluded and derived by man not God. Just imagine our insolence and audacity when there are clear cut ayat about a matter and we choose to give our opinion about the matter on the contrary. It is almost like (Allah Taubah) challenging Allah Himself. May Allah keep us safe and protect us from ever consciously or unconsciously indulging in this act.

Although I have already mentioned the relevant Ayat and Hadith and the unanimously agreed upon law of Islamic Jurisprudence regarding Riba/interest. However It seems proper to copy it verbatim here, so that whosoever might be reading this can benefit from this as a whole.
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“Those who consume interest cannot stand [on the Day of Resurrection] except as one stands who is being beaten by Satan into insanity. That is because they say, ‘Trade is [just] like interest.’ But God has permitted trade and has forbidden interest. So whoever has received an admonition from his Lord and desists may have what is past, and his affair rests with God. But whoever returns [to dealing in interest or usury]—those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide eternally therein. God destroys interest and gives increase for charities. And God does not like every sinning disbeliever.” (Quran 2:275-276)

“O you who have believed, fear God and give up what remains [due to you] of interest, if you should be believers. And if you do not, then be informed of a war [against you] from God and His Messenger. But if you repent, you may have your principal—[thus] you do no wrong [to others], nor are you wronged.” (Quran 2:278-279)

In the Hadith:
“Avoid the seven destructive sins: associating partners with God, sorcery, killing a soul which God has forbidden– except through due course of the law, devouring interest, devouring the wealth of orphans, fleeing when the armies meet, and slandering chaste, believing, innocent women.” (al-Bukhari and Muslim)

In fact, another statement of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) should be sufficient to keep any God-fearing individual completely away from interest.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
“One coin of interest that is knowingly consumed by a person is worse in God’s sight than thirty-six acts of illegal sexual intercourse.” (al-Tabarani and al-Hakim)

The Companion Jaabir narrated that the Messenger of God (peace and blessings of God be upon him) cursed the one who takes interest, the one who pays interest, the witnesses to it [that is, the interest contracts] and the recorder of it. Then he said, “They are all the same.” (Muslim)

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said,

“If illicit sexual relations and interest openly appear in a town, they have opened themselves to the punishment of God.” (al-Tabarani and al-Hakim)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riba

Riba (Arabic: ربا, [rɪbæː]) means one of the senses of "usury"[citation needed]. Riba is forbidden in Islamic economic jurisprudence fiqh and considered as a major sin. Simply, unjust gains in trade or business, generally through exploitation.
There are two types of riba discussed by Islamic jurists: an increase in capital without any services provided and risk taking, which is prohibited by the Qur'an, and that prohibited in the Sunnah which comprises commodity exchanges in unequal quantities.

Riba is considered amongst the Seven Heinous Sins (Al-Saba al-Mubiqat - السَبعَ الموبِقاتِ), namely: [1]
 Believing in gods other than Allah.
 Magic.
 Murder.
 Riba/usury.
 Unlawfully taking orphans' money.
 Fleeing the battlefield.
 Accusing chaste, pious women.

The Qur'an states:[2]

“ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ لاَ تَأْكُلُواْ الرِّبَا أَضْعَافًا مُّضَاعَفَةً وَاتَّقُواْ اللّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ ”
3:130 O you who have believed, do not consume usury, doubled and multiplied, but fear Allah that you may be successful.

“ وَأَحَلَّ اللّهُ الْبَيْعَ وَحَرَّمَ الرِّبَا ”
2:275 Allah has permitted trade and has forbidden interest

Mohammad said in his farewell sermon: "God has forbidden you to take Riba, therefore all riba obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer inequity. God has judged that there shall be no riba and that all the riba due to `Abbas ibn `Abd al Muttalib shall henceforth be waived.".[3]

The Qur'an explicitly prohibits Riba, and since the Qur'an is an undisputed source of guidance for Muslims, all Muslim authorities unanimously agree on prohibition of Riba. There is no difference of opinion between any school of thought on the prohibition of Riba in Islamic Shariah.

The Qur'an mentions that the person who deals with Riba (ربا) will stand (on judgement day) as one who is beaten by Satan into insanity.[4] Here Qur'an makes it clear that "trade" and "riba" are not the same, and that God forbade "riba" and allowed "trade".[5] It further states that whoever accepts the guidance of God must immediately stop dealing in Riba, and those who return to Riba after God’s guidance has reached are dwellers in fire, because God destroys "Riba" and he will reward those who give to charity.
Mohammad cursed the one who deals with Riba. From Jabir: Mohammad cursed the receiver and the payer of riba, the one who records it and the two witnesses to the transaction and said: "They are all alike [in guilt]." [Sahih al-Muslim, Sahih Al-Bukhari, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, Bahiqi and Musnad Ahmad]

Islamic Shariah considers Riba as a tool of oppression and a means to unjustly take others' money[6] by exploiting their needs and circumstances. Hence it forbids a Riba based system altogether and promotes Charity as an alternative. Therefore, Mohammad said: "God has judged that there shall be no riba" [Last Sermon]

The crimes of dealing in Riba are so serious that God has declared war against those who deal in Riba.[7] Mohammad has cursed anyone who deals with Riba, the one who takes it, the one who pays it and the one who records it, as their sins are considered equal under the Quran.[8]

Riba is considered to be a greater sin, for Muslims, than that of eating pork or drinking alcohol. Mohammad declared the practice of Riba worse than adultery: worse than "to a man committing adultery with his own mother".[9]
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http://islamicbanksnetworking.com/CounselDetails.aspx?qid=1


Question Text:
Is there a majority accepted view amongst the jurists that modern day Interest is Riba? Or is this opinion just held by some scholars who happen to be well known? Also, does Riba only apply to what is known as Riba Al-Jahiliyya (pre-Islamic days of ignorance)? If no, on what basis can it be applied to modern day Interest?

This counsel answered by Dr. Monzer Kahf
Answer Text:
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.



All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Dear brother, the answer to your first question is YES, THERE IS ALMOST UNANIMOUS AGREEMENT AMONG SHARI`AH SCHOLARS THAT WHAT IS INTEREST IN BAKS AND THE LIKE TODAY IS RIBA. There is also a resolution to this effect by the OIC (Islamic Fiqh Academy). This is not a minority's opinion.

Your second question on Riba Al-Jahiliyyah is confused. Riba Al-Jahiliyyah is increment in debt and this is the financial Riba. You add to it Riba Al-Fadl that happens in certain exchange contracts, that is Riba that is prohibited in Hadith. Both carry unanimous agreement on their prohibition among contemporary Shari'ah scholars.
Your third question becomes answered already as Riba Al-Jahiliyyah is the same interest; there is not a single bit of difference!
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http://www.muftitaqiusmani.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29:riba-its-meaning-and-application&catid=10:economics&Itemid=17

RIBA, ITS MEANING AND APPLICATION

Q: Respectable Mufti Saheb: Kindly forgive me for intruding on your precious time and specially during the Holy Month of Ramadan when you will be too busy. Also please forgive me in addressing this letter in English as perhaps I may not be able to express myself more clearly in Urdu.

You have been making research on various Islamic laws and principles which remain not clear in minds of people like me who have no knowledge or study of matters. As a learned Scholar and having vast experience and knowledge of both Islamic Laws and practices of modern period, I hope to get a reply of my query from you. Matter is the same old one - What is the position of Bank interest or profit - by whatever name it is called according to Shariah. To express whatever I understand I give below my feelings:-

1. Authentic definition of 'Riba' which has been declared by Allah and Holy Prophet (S.A.W) in Qur'an as "Haram "?
2. As far as I can see the charges of profit or interest one expects to get in return of his providing money to a needy person to fulfill his requirement of daily needs in the absence of any source to fulfill these is 'Riba' but any such return on money used for business, to earn more money, should not come under the definition of 'Riba '.
3. Generally it is said that if rate of profit is fixed it comes under definition of 'Riba' and becomes 'Haram' but if it linked with profit earned, it is not 'Riba'. In my humble opinion this position is different. For example 'A' has got Rs. 100,000/= and he constructs a shop and gives it on fixed monthly rental for business. Or if he gives Rs. 100,000/= in cash for another business. What is the difference as far as 'A' is concerned. He is parting with his money, in one case he is giving it in kind and in another case in cash. Why return in both the cases be distinguished? Shop's rent is not dependent on profit or loss to the Shopkeeper. If rent paid for shop is 'rental for shop why fixed return on cash is not 'rental of money'?
This letter is just to clarify the position and correct my thinking and in no way to convert Haram into Halal. After all after 15 Centuries, our concept should be clear at least on basic principles of our faith and we should not find excuses for justification of our (mis) deeds.
I shall be grateful to have your considered opinion for my guidance at your earliest convenience.
(M.A. Siddiqui, Operations Director, Matiari Sugar Mills Limited)

A: I received your letter dated 27th January 1997 and apologize for the delay in replying it. It was due to my overwhelming involvements both here and abroad. I hope you will forgive me for this delay. The questions you have posed have been discussed thoroughly in a number of books written on the subject both in Urdu and English. If you wish to benefit from Urdu writings I would advise you to read the following books:
"The Questions of Interest: Mufti Shafei (R.A.)"
"Islam & Modern Business: Mufti Taqi Usmani”
You may also benefit from the book of Dr. Anwar Iqbal Qureshi, titled" Islam and the Theory of Interest ".

I think if you want to be very clear on this point you should at least study these books. However, I am giving here very brief answers to your questions:
1) The legal definition of any prohibited act is seldom given in the Holy Qur'an itself. For example, wine has been prohibited but no definition of wine has been given. Similarly, adultery, telling lies, back-biting and bribery have been prohibited by the Holy Qur'an but the definitions of these acts have not been provided. Reason for it is that all these concepts were too clear in the minds of the addressees to need any such definition. The same is the case of Riba. The concept of Riba was widely recognized among the addressees of the Holy Qur'an and it is that concept which is reflected in the legal definition provided for Riba either in the Hadith or in the later literature of Islamic jurisprudence. According to this definition any transaction of loan where the payment of an additional amount on the principal is made conditional to the advance of such loan is called Riba.
2) There is no distinction in Shariah between advancing a loan to a needy person or advancing it to a business concern. The principle is that the person who advances money to another person should clearly decide whether he wishes to assist him or he wants to share in his profits. In the former case, he should withdraw from any claim of additional amount (in the form of interest) while in the latter case he should share his loss also. It is not permitted by Shariah that he claims profit but does not agree to share his loss.
Another point which needs attention here is that the distinction between a needy and a rich person in commercial matters is totally irrelevant. If a Shopkeeper sells a commodity to a poor person with a margin of profit which is not excessive nobody can say that this transaction is Haram because of the poverty of the purchaser. One can say that it would be more advisable for the Shop Keeper to give him the commodity either as a charity or at cost without charging a profit but it cannot be said that the marginal profit charged here is not Halal. If charging an additional amount on a loan is not in itself Haram then the same analogy should have been applied here meaning thereby that if a creditor charges a marginal interest on the loan he has advanced to a poor person it should not be condemned or declared as Haram, but even the modernists who hold the commercial interest as Halal admit that this kind of transaction is Riba and prohibited by the Holy Our'an. It proves that the basis of the prohibition is not linked to the poverty of the debtor. Had it been so, charging profit from a poor person would also have been declared as Haram. Therefore, the only basis for distinction between a sale and a transaction of Riba is that the former relates to commodity while the latter relates to money.

3) There are several differences between interest and rent. The basic principle of Shariah is that profit is justified where a person has undertaken the risk of the thing given to another person. In a transaction of loan, after advancing money, the creditor does not take any risk of the money because if the money is lost in the hands of the debtor after he has taken delivery thereof the debtor is bound to repay the loan. As the creditor did not take any risk of it, therefore he cannot charge additional profit thereon. While, in the case of a property leased out to the Lessee, the Lessor has taken the risk of the property, If the property is destroyed, he will bear the loss, therefore, it is justified for him to-charge rent from the Lessee. Another difference is that the property is always subject to depreciation while money does not depreciate. Therefore, charging of rent in the first case is justifiable while it is not so in the later case.
I hope that these brief answers will at least explain the basic concepts. However, for greater details you should study the books I have referred to above.
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Now coming back to your opinion and understanding of the matter, you stated: “... I think interest is not haram in the banking system because it in turn is used in business by the bank whether be it in the form of a loan that is used in some business or directly in the form of asset purchase. The bank makes money on our money and from the spread keeps their profit and gives us our return...it wod be haram say if i give you $100 and ask for $200 back knowing fully well you have no means to invest or increase the money....if ur able to invest it then its my right to charge u for renting my capital..just like rentingy house... Its to stop exploitation of people who ae already disadvantaged..”

I completely understand your logic and partially you are correct and you have almost summed up Islam, rather accurately, in your last statement though it requires a little amending if you would so allow me. The correct statement would be:
“Islam stops the exploitation of people!” – nothing more nothing less. It is not just for the disadvantaged or poor, it looks out for everyone and the best of their interests. The logic you applied would have been correct, had it not been for the other law of Islam, which clearly states “it is forbidden to oppress or be oppressed!” In this case the bank would be the oppressor and you would be the oppressed.

Islam allows profit, it only bans interest. According to the Islamic banking system, you give your money to the bank and it takes the accumulated wealth of people and invests it. Thereafter taking a basic amount for its running expenses and maintenance and an amount as its pay or share for having invested your money etc (just like hiring a firm to invest your money for you) it is to give the rest of the profit back to all its clients equally dividing the share depending on their respective amount of investment/money. In the case that somehow the bank incurs some massive losses then too the loss would be divided equally amongst the investors/clients. Albeit it would rarely be the case, unless (Allah-Forbid) some calamity were to occur. Nonetheless, otherwise the profit rates would vary every month and would generally be far more than what the banks usually give. Fixed interest or a fixed percentage of interest or fixed mark up, is not allowed in Islam, because no one is allowed to oppress or exploit anyone, be it an individual or an institution.

Al-Quran (2:278-279)
O ye who believe! Fear Allah, and give up what remains of your demand for usury, if ye are indeed believers. If ye do it not, Take notice of war from Allah and His Messenger: But if ye turn back, ye shall have your capital sums: Deal not unjustly, and ye shall not be dealt with unjustly.

May Allah give us the taufiq to correct ourselves in the light of Islam and rid ourselves of usury and May we hitherto, for the sake of Allah and abiding by His Command, make an earnest effort to stop dealing in interest at any level. And May we place our money in the Islamic banking system (which is not 100% accurate as yet, but nonetheless they are making a sincere effort) in order to encourage and support it. Ameen
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I feel it is imperative that I mention here the following ayat, it’s translation and explanation, as a warning and a point to ponder about ourselves that may we never behave like these nations that preceded us, who transgressed and earned the wrath of Allah. May we never twist the Commands and Injunctions of Allah to suit our own vested interests, and the logic that merely appeals to our whims and fancies. And May we never be amongst those who fool none other but themselves by faking their eemaan and justifying the sins they indulge in or justifying the distorted interpretations of Allah’s Laws. Ameen!

Kindly go over the following – reading the translation and the tafseer, May Allah give us clarity. Ameen!

http://english-tafseer.com/Templates/Surah%202/Surah_2_8.html

وَلَقَدْ عَلِمْتُمُ الَّذِينَ اعْتَدَواْ مِنكُمْ فِي السَّبْتِ فَقُلْنَا لَهُمْ كُونُواْ قِرَدَةً خَاسِئِينَ
Walaqad AAalimtumu allatheena iAAtadaw minkum fee a(l)ssabti faqulna lahum koonoo qiradatan khasieen(a)
And you very well knew those of you, who transgressed in respect of Sabbath. So We-SWT said to them, “Be you apes, despised and rejected.”
(2:65)
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And those people who transgressed on Saturdays were also from amongst them. This incident took place during the period of Prophet Dawud-AS They lived along the coastline and fishing was their means of earning a livelihood.Allah-SWT had ordered them to abstain from fishing on Saturdays, as this day was sacred for them, and was dedicated for worship. Plenty of fish, more than usual, would muster up the shore on Saturdays and they could not resist the temptation to catch it. They invented an excuse for violating the ban. They dug out several ditches along the shore and connected them to the sea with ducts. When the ditches would fill up with fish, they would seal off the ducts, and would not lake any fish on that day. The next day they would catch the trapped fish. Some would lower a fishing rod in the water and the fish so hooked would be taken out the following day. Some of them who obeyedAllah-SWT strongly opposed this crime and tried their best to stop the violators. The dispute became so grave that the wrongdoers drove the noble men out of their settlement, and constructed a wall in between to keep them confined to their homes, out of sight.

One morning, the expelled heard no human voice from the evildoer’s settlement. All that could be heard was the cries of apes and the shrieks of pigs. When they checked it out they saw that all had transformed into apes and pigs. The young ones were turned into apes and the old ones changed into pigs. They recognised their relatives, and would toss around restlessly at their feet, but nothing could be done for them. After a few days all of them died. Accord¬ing to the ‘Hadith’ the nations subjected to such punishment had left no pedigree behind. The monkeys we see today are a separate species, which existed even before this incident, and have nothing to do with these condemned folk.

The Forms of Justification
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It has been clearly indicated that any justification, which negates or violates a law of Shari'ah, is not only wrong, but also a serious crime. However, the justifications of Islamic jurists, which aim at obeying the Shari'ah and not negat¬ing it do not fall in this category. Secondly, living with pious people is also a source of protection against a general Divine punishment. As long as the two Sabbath groups lived together, they were safe, but when the fundamentalists were separated, the so-called civilized were seized by Divine punishment. May Allah-SWT bless us with the company of nobles!

And We-SWT made this on example for their ... and a lesson for the Muttaqin.
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The Bani Israil caught the fish but, for this Allah-SWT turned them into apes and pigs, a sorry sight, a lesson and a source of repentance for their contemporaries and those to follow in time, whereas, for the pious it is a source of greater guidance. The Punishment of distortion was generally discontinued with the advent of the Holy Prophet-SAAW. It is one of his-SAAWBarakah. But it is not surprising to see individual cases of distortion. In our village, a woman habitually used abusive language, especially against Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddique-RAU, and generally for the Holy Prophet's-SAAWwives and other Companions-RAU. Before she died, her face got terribly disfigured and her tongue hung out four inches just like a dog’s, which simply would not retract. She could neither keep quiet, nor articulate any words and her voice resembled a dog's grumble. She was taken to Lahore for medical aid, but nothing seemed to help and after four months of torture she died. There are many such incidents, to list them all would be impossible here, but such exceptional cases of physical distortion do take place

State of Spiritual Distortion
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In case of the Spirit, it cannot retain its human appearance without Islamic faith and practice. It would resemble the beast or animal whose traits are pre¬dominant in a person. The Spirits of only those Muslims who have enlightened hearts retain their human appearance. Even the Spirits of the practising Muslims take the appearance of permissible animals, whereas those of the non-believers and the wrongdoers take the shape of beasts. They live cloaked in human form, but it would not last forever. If Allah-SWTbestows the power of spiritual observation, it can be seen that towns and cities are infested with beasts. This is the reason why people look human but behave worse than beasts. May Allah-SWT forgive us!

FREEDOM IS A SHAM!

1st August 2011

Ms. Ra'ana Khan

Perhaps the word ‘Freedom’ should have been spelt as ‘freedumb’. The concept is almost like an oxymoron.

Freedom- what exactly does it mean?

In my understanding true freedom would mean that everyone is free to do as they please, live as they please, think as they please, choose as they please, want as they please, give as they please, take as they please etc etc. And if this is what it is, then freedom negates all concept of crime, rights, judgment and all other laws. Because under the law of ‘freedom’ no other law can exist. There would be only one law and that is the law of ‘Freedom’ – everyone is allowed to do what they like, or please and whatever makes them happy.

Under the law of freedom, a rapist would not be a criminal, for he was exercising his right to do as he pleased. A cannibal would too be justified under the law of ‘freedom’. A mass murderer too would be just any other ordinary citizen enjoying his freedom. Because if true Freedom prevailed then you cannot discriminate between people and say only such and such people are allowed to exercise their right of Freedom since that would be confining and thus be conflicting with the utter concept of freedom. After all true Freedom entails ‘live and let live!’

Thus I conclude that Freedom is a sham! And true freedom would lead to nothing but absolute chaos and anarchy!

I wonder all those so vehemently pro Freedom and the philosophy of ‘live and let live’ if it really came to themselves how much of it would they be following. I wonder if one day they woke up to find their children indulging in a gay orgy in their lounge, whether it would shock their senses or they would simply smile nodding at them saying “Oh wow! I love freedom. I am so going to ‘live and let live’!” Or if their spouse decided to have an affair openly and blatantly would it offend them in the least or would they sincerely be happy for their spouse exercising his or her right to freedom?

In the so called environment of ‘freedom’ every moment is fluid and there is no concept of stability, for anyone can behave any which way and transform into a crazy person pulling the very ground from under your feet. Leaving you to feel like one does in a dream where they are falling falling falling into a bottomless pit!

I personally like the concept of Law, rights and accountability, for with these tools one can live in harmony and peace. Enjoying some balance and some consistency. Where one can be channelized to think, have values, aspirations and dreams and from there one can build minute to minute, thus growing in a direction which then leads them to the place they ultimately want to reach.

Moreover, I believe Allah-SWT is the Creator, the Originator of everything. In addition, I do realize that the Prophet Muhammad-SAAW, according to Allah-SWT has been sent as "Rehmat-ulil-A'alameen" (A Mercy for the entire created worlds). Thus there can be no concept of equality, love, peace and serenity outside of what he-SAAW delivered to us mankind. And when I look at everything around me and focus on something as minute as an ant or even a bee and see how perfect and meticulously Allah-SWT has made it, chalking out such a perfect system that it follows instinctively. There remains no doubt that the system that HE has chalked out for us humans has to be by far the most perfect system there ever can be and I certainly want to live by that perfection and to do so I need to have it implemented all over the world. And then and only then can there be perfect balance, harmony and peace.

Importance of Bai‘at (Oath of Allegiance)

Translated Speech of Ameer Muhammad Akram Awan 17-07-2002

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يُبَايِعُونَكَ إِنَّمَا يُبَايِعُونَ اللَّهَ يَدُ اللَّهِ فَوْقَ أَيْدِيهِمْ فَمَن نَّكَثَ فَإِنَّمَا يَنكُثُ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ وَمَنْ أَوْفَى بِمَا عَاهَدَ عَلَيْهُ اللَّهَ فَسَيُؤْتِيهِ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا (48:10)

Inna allatheena yubayiAAoonaka innama yubayiAAoona Allaha yadu Allahi fawqa aydeehim faman nakatha fainnama yankuthu AAala nafsihi waman awfa bimaAAahada AAalayhu Allaha fasayuteehi ajran AAatheeman

48:10 - Behold, all who pledge their allegiance to thee pledge their allegiance to Allah: the hand of Allah is over their hands. Hence, he who breaks his oath, breaks it only to his own hurt; whereas he who remains true to what he has pledged unto Allah, on him will He bestow a reward supreme.

Almighty Allah^-SWT says, “Those who take Oath of Allegiance with you, take Oath of Allegiance with Allah^-SWT.”

What is Bai‘at? (The literal meaning of Bai’at is “swearing allegiance”) Bai‘at means to sell oneself, one’s thoughts and freedom. Allah^-SWT has said, ‘they are the lucky ones that Allah^-SWT’s Hand is on their hands and His Support is with them. It is so important that anyone, who breaks it, breaks and destroys himself. And anyone who remains loyal to the promise that he made with Allah^-SWT, with reference to this oath, will soon receive immense reward from Him.’ (The Kalimah of a Muslim is in actuality, an Oath of Allegiance or Bai’at to Allah^-SWT and His Prophet^-SAW)

This Ayah was revealed about Bai‘at-e Ridhwan. On that occasion, when the Makkans had blocked their way, the Holy Prophet^-saws demanded a Bai‘at from the accompanying Companions that, if the Makkans fought them, they would never leave the field and fight back till the last man. Even if everyone were slain, the last man would still not flee and fight till his death. This was the first Bai‘at for death at the blessed hands of the Holy Prophet^-saws. This oath enhanced the importance to an extent that the Gracious Lord said, “Those who take Oath of Allegiance with you, take Oath of Allegiance with Allah^-SWT. Allah^-SWT’s Hand is on their hands.” As if they gave their hands in the Hand of Allah^-SWT, His help is with them. Apparent Bai‘at is thus taken with the Mashaikh / (Aulia / Imam), following this Sunnah. The Barakah can be achieved with respectful volition, even if Bai‘at is not taken. One can achieve the Barakah with sound belief, true desire and pure intention. However, Bai‘at can very significantly increase these Barakah. A heart to heart connection is further cemented by a handshake signifying relationship in the Name of Allah^-SWT, multiplying the Barakah many times. But remember, one has to stand by it!

Once, a religious scholar was asking many questions from Hadhrat Allah-Yaar^-rua, who finally asked, “What is the purpose of your visit here?” He replied, “I have come to take Bai‘at and learn Allah^-SWT’s Zikr. These are some of the doubts that I am trying to clarify.” Hadhrat^-rua told him, “Ask as many questions before taking Bai‘at and joining the Silsilah. Once you have joined the Silsilah, there won’t be any room for you to ask such questions. You shall only have to accept and obey. Therefore, ask questions, inquire, confirm, do whatever you like, but do it all before taking Bai‘at, and not afterwards.” Bai‘at surrenders the freedom to ask questions. Asking questions to learn is different, but questions as objections are not permitted. If someone disregards the importance of Bai‘at and starts criticizing, he has, as if, broken his Bai‘at. A thought crossing our minds about anybody may not necessarily be correct. The person may possess that weakness but it is also possible that our assumption may be totally wrong. However, there is no doubt that a person who breaks his Bai‘at will meet an inauspicious end, because this news has been given by Almighty Allah^-SWT. The one who breaks it breaks himself. It is because the greatest blessing ensuing from this Bai‘at is the protection of Allah^-SWT. Allah^-SWT’s Hand is on their hands. Allah^-SWT’s protection saves a person from mistakes, sins and evil. It does not mean that he won’t fall sick or that he won’t face any financial constraints or that no worldly affliction would ever touch him. The world is running according to a programmed and regulated system.

The Spirits were created before the bodies, but even before the creation of Spirits, Allah^-SWT had apportioned the sustenance for everyone, He had decided about the health and disease. According to the elders (Buzurg) if someone’s prayers are accepted in favour of somebody and he benefits, recovers from illness or improves, even this decision had been taken at the Dawn of Time. While this may be something new for the person who has prayed or the one prayed for, this is nothing new or unknown to Allah^-SWT. The decision about prayers has also been taken on the Dawn of Time; who would pray for whom, whose prayers would be accepted and cause someone to get healthy or be a source of deliverance for someone. Yes, man has been given one choice. Although, in actual fact, it is always the Will of Allah^-SWT that takes effect, but it is man who makes the basic decision within himself: what do I want to do, is my decision within the perimeters of or outside Allah^-SWT’s obedience and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet^-saws? On this decision is the man assessed. Allah^-SWT’s Help supports a man in his decision of virtue and not of vice.

There is a Hadith in al-Bukhari about the Companions of Badar. The Holy Prophet said, “Those who participated in Badar may do anything they like, from today onwards, Jannah is their lot!” Someone asked immediately, “O Allah^-SWT’s Messenger^-saws, even if they sin or do Kufr and Shirk?” “Do what they may!” replied the Messenger^-saws of Allah^-SWT. Here a question arises that Allah^-SWT has categorically declared that a disbeliever (Kafir) or a polytheist (Mushrik) would never be pardoned, while the Holy Prophet^-saws says that the Companions of Badar may do anything they like. When the scholars of Hadith discuss this point, they explain that when Allah^-SWT destines someone for Jannah, He protects him from vice including Kufr and Shirk, makes the way of virtue easy for him so that he behaves like the dwellers of Jannah. This Hadith means that such people will do only those deeds that befit the dwellers of Jannah. This signifies that when Allah^-SWT takes mercy on someone and destines him for Salvation, He grants him the capacity for such deeds that are necessary for Salvation. For that reason the Holy Prophet^-saws directed, “if, after me, there is difference on any issue and the whole Ummah is unanimous on one point, while a single living Companion of Badar maintains a different opinion, the whole Ummah will have to abide by his opinion. It is because he is amongst the Dwellers of Jannah, his opinion would be correct, he can’t think wrong.”

Similar is the case of Bai‘at. When someone is granted Bai‘at, he acquires some Divine Protection; Allah^-SWT’s Hand is on their hands. Then, whether anyone can himself see spiritually and perceive or not, but the Bai‘at is being taken on the blessed hands of the Holy Prophet^-saws and this is the responsibility of the one who is conducting the Bai‘at. But one thing can certainly be felt by everybody that his weakness for vice has decreased and desire for virtue has increased. No Kashf or spiritual vision is required for that.

The Jews accused Prophet Musa^-as. It is mentioned in Commentaries of the Holy Quran that he felt upset and once prayed to Allah^-SWT to protect him from the tongue-lashing of the Children of Israel. Almighty Allah^-SWT replied, “I haven’t restrained their tongues against Myself, how would I stop them from you? They shall certainly have to account for what they say about Me and also for what they say about you. But they are free to say what they want.” People slandered Hadhrat Aishah Siddiqah^-RAU, the beloved wife of the Holy Prophet^-saws, and Allah^-SWT revealed her exoneration, which is part of the Quran forever. But, people didn’t make any concessions even for someone like her. She is the only lady whose blamelessness and exoneration was stated by Almighty Allah^-SWT, and it became part of the Holy Quran. Readers of the Quran still read those passages of Surah Noor; the Imam leading the prayers still recites Allah^-SWT’s Testimony, and so they shall all continue to recite till the Last Day. If such personalities can be blamed, what do we matter? Once some persons went to Hadhrat Ji^-rua in Chakrala, blamed me and complained against me. Hadhrat Ji^-rua gave them a brief reply. He said, “I have conducted him to the Court of the Holy Prophet^-saws. Whenever I go there, he accompanies me. Nobody can enter that holy Court carrying the burden of felony that you are charging him with. I can’t believe you. Go and do what you may.”

The damage of levying such accusations is that the Bai‘at breaks. Connection of all Sufis or Zakirin depends upon their relationship with the Shaikh. It is just not possible that he leaves the Shaikh and is allowed direct access there. When we joined the Silsilah, Hadhrat^-rua already had students of astounding qualities. One of them, Mihar Ali Shah would refresh his Wudhu only once in twenty-four hours. He would do his Wudhu in the morning, remain in the same Wudhu through the day, sleep in it and refresh it early in the morning. I remember the Jinns seized a man of our area. I took him to Hadhrat^-rua, where he recovered in a couple of days. Hadhrat instructed us to take him to Mihar Ali Shah and keep him there for about a month for complete recovery. Mihar Ali Shah was living in a village near Sargodha. I sent the man with his brother to him. They returned after only three days. I asked Mihar Ali Shah as to why he returned the man so quickly. He replied, “That man could not retain his Wudhu for more than fifteen minutes. He was doing Wudhu the whole while. I can’t retain such a person.” He had amazing Kashf; he would continue to talk to people, while disclosing his spiritual observations about Barzakh, without even closing his eyes. At times I was also present when Hadhrat^-rua instructed him to ask something from Mashaikh. He would narrate the reply of Mashaikh, continue talking to other people and also keep looking around. How many of them have passed away; one is still alive and healthy, al-Hamd-o Lillah, and comes over occasionally to meet me. He had a friend, Ashraf who was murdered in broad daylight, but his murderer couldn’t be traced. He was sleeping in the front gallery of his home during hot summer afternoon of Chakrala and had placed his loaded 303-bore rifle beside him. One of his enemies passed by. When he found him sleeping, he picked up the rifle, shot him, placed the rifle back and vanished. Till today, nobody knows who he was. Once, some friends got hold of Mihar Ali Shah and said, “One of our friends Ashraf is buried in this graveyard. We want to know about him, please tell us.” He said, “There are many of them by this name. Tell me the name of his father.” When they told him, he said, “You say he had died, but he was actually murdered.” They said, “This is what we want to know.” He said, “You want to ask about the murderer. I won’t tell you, why should I?” But he had understood the whole matter.

He wrote to Hadhrat^-rua, “I hear every stone and tree calling me a Ghauth. I have become a Ghauth.” Hadhrat^-rua replied, “I am your Shaikh. I don’t have the status of a peon yet. I have no spiritual rank. How has the student become a Ghauth, when the teacher is still without any spiritual rank? It is Satan who is calling you from behind the stones and trees. You would be destroyed if you believe him.” He wrote back, “Hadhrat, you probably feel jealous of me. You don’t seem to tolerate that one of your students has attained to such a high rank.” Hadhrat^-RUA replied to him, “What is the reason for me to feel jealous, you fool? Everything you have is within my control. The door of the Court that you attend or the stations that you ascend was opened by me; I can close it if I want. If the father is a labourer and his sons become generals, he would never feel jealous but would always feel happy and proud. I’m only trying to advise you.” He wrote again, “Once the door of Divine Grace is opened, it can’t be closed by anyone.” Hadhrat^-RUA replied, “Then that be it! Now I won’t close it but would break it in a way that it won’t be fixed till Qiyamah.” It took just this one sentence to confiscate his everything. After two years he retuned with a cream colour suit in an envelope. I was also there. He fell on Hadhrat^-RUA’s feet and said, “I have searched every corner of Pakistan. I have been to Kashmir, Sindh and even the Northern Areas but found none who knew even the initial Three Meditations. I went in for their big names but there is really no one to guide. Forgive me for God’s sake!” Hadhrat^-rua said, “I will forgive you but the matter is with the One who has said, ‘whosoever breaks the Bai‘at, breaks himself.’ Forgiveness is for the one who still retains something, but when nothing is left…” Then we saw him totally denying the existence of Allah^-SWT. He would say, “Where is God? I say this stone is god, refute it if you can. I say everything is god; which god are you talking about?” He stopped differentiating between lawful and the unlawful, abandoned all worships and ultimately renounced Faith. Then he left his home, strayed in the land like mad people, and even his near ones do not know where he finally got lost and perished. This is how breakages take effect!

Then there was a Manzoor Shah. He lost his way similarly and finally reached a point where he forbade his followers to greet him with ‘Assalaam-o Alaikum’. “What is it that you have invented?” he would say, “It is not correct to recite the Kalimah, it is not right to recite Bismillah, and nothing is prohibited in the religion.” When he was about to die, he instructed that his body be cremated. That was in the days of Ayub Khan’s Martial Law. Fearing legal action, they did not burn his body, but let him lie in the room where he had died and closed, sealed and cemented its doors. No one knows what happened then.

I was saying that one could take Apparent Bai‘at whenever one likes, but it places many responsibilities on him. And when we talk of the Spiritual Bai‘at, it is as much delicate and subtle, and one has to keep much regard for it. It is not correct to feel proud that it is my personal achievement or that I have become great. Nothing of the sort!

There are many friends here who would have heard the last address of Hadhrat Ji^-rua at Langar Makhdoom. It would have been recorded and preserved. I think, someday, we should replay it for all of you. In brief, among other things, Hadhrat Ji^-rua said, “I guess, I may not be with you here during the next convention, therefore, I am going to assign certain responsibilities. I permit Major Baig and Bunyad Hussain Shah to conduct Zikr and conduct Ahbab to the Court of the Holy Prophet^-saws, but I don’t permit them to conduct Spiritual Bai‘at”. Mentioning me, he said, “He will be the only one to have this permission. All Ahbab trained and prepared by Major Baig and Bunyad Hussain Shah shall have to be brought to him for Spiritual Bai‘at.” This cassette had been preserved and is readily available. After sometime, the desire of Sheikhdom overwhelmed them and they separated. Fine, suit yourself; however, something is certainly amiss with them. Yes, they do travel around demanding, begging and collecting offerings, charity and Zakat, the permitted and the prohibited donations, all alike. But then, is collection of donations and Zakat the real religion? Does it befit anyone who attends the Court of the Holy Prophet^-saws to start begging from people? This single factor is enough. When one starts spreading his hands before people, like a beggar, it should be understood that he has been turned out of that honourable place. One may remember the name of meditations. Hadhrat Ji^-rua had taught these, therefore, these may remain in the memory, but conducting the meditations is nothing easy. All senior companions who went with them realised after sometime that the most important element was missing and they left one by one. Now if you ask a nincompoop to pose as a magician, he would also be able to attract a crowd. Ten persons may leave, two may stay and his cycle would so continue. But, it is not possible that an impostor could change hearts and reform people. It is just not possible that people are different when they come and different as they leave; their thoughts are purified, their conduct is reformed, and they develop the love of Allah^-SWT and His Holy Prophet^-saws. Such feelings are never born of untruth. Falsehood can never bear the same fruit as truth. Mangoes will always be borne by a mango tree and grapes will never grow on cactus. How can any effect be felt unless the connection is proper, the intention is sincere and the pledge is loyally adhered to? I am not saying this for the reason that I want that you should consider me very important. My only status is that I am a servant of that Court. I shall continue to discharge the duty given to me by Hadhrat Ji^-rua and the Mashaikh, till my last breath. I am not responsible to collect millions of disciples. My responsibility is to teach Allah^-SWT’s Zikr to those who come to me, and if they don’t listen to me, I stand absolved. My duty is to fulfil my commitment even if I am left alone. It is important to stand with truth, not with numbers. And if someone asks me the truth, I really want that this multitude leaves me so that I can peacefully do Allah^-SWT’s Zikr alone. I have no interest to sit as Peer amongst a large gathering of seekers; I do it only as my duty. Nor have I a claim to any high level of piety and virtue. I am what I am!

However, the One, Who assigns these duties, knows these matters perfectly well. The Mashaikh understand, who should be entrusted with which duty. But it is strange that some unfortunate ones cannot absorb this blessing. Instead of recognising the greatness of Allah^-SWT and His Holy Prophet^-saws, they are charmed by the thought of their own greatness and insist that others should also acknowledge their eminence. This outlook severs the Bai‘at. Sin does not sever the Bai‘at, rather one feels sorry and turns repentant. Bai‘at is not severed by mistake either. It rather helps to draw Divine Protection ‘Allah^-SWT’s Hand is on their hands’; one regrets the mistake and repents. Man cannot become an angel; he shall ever remain a human being. An occasional lie under duress or a mistake by chance, do not nullify the Bai‘at. Rather, it would help him in such situations. His conscience would prick him from inside and his Bai‘at would shake him, ‘what are you doing? Stop here and turn back repentant!’ For such reason is the Bai‘at taken, because we are not angels. But, when one starts thinking that he has become great, the Bai‘at would break. Such notion of greatness, even for a single moment would break the Bai‘at. When the Bai‘at breaks, it takes away the pleasure of Zikr. Gradually, one leaves Zikr, then forsakes good deeds, and may Allah^-SWT protect everyone, we have seen people finally renouncing their Faith also. Probably, not everyone may lose the Faith, but the ones we have seen leaving, lost their Faith also. If Allah^-SWT grants you this blessing and you get spiritual Bai‘at, then realize its greatness and significance, and try to preserve it even at the cost of your life. Lose your life, but do not lose your Bai‘at with the Holy Prophet^-saws. There is only one standard for every man. No one’s Kashf is a standard. The only criterion is that if you are inculcating the love for virtue and hate for evil, then you have really got the Bai‘at. But, if you feel no difference and continue to like evil, rest assured that you are being deceived and someone is lying to you. However, it is well nigh impossible that someone would dare to concoct lies about Allah^-SWT, while sitting in a mosque.

Does anyone who has been granted Bai‘at pay any subscription? Is there any tax for spiritual Bai‘at, that every person should pay a million so that huge funds are generated? Is there any such practice in vogue? On the other hand, no one asks here, whether someone has donated for the mess or not. Allah^-SWT provides for everyone! May He accept from those who donate. Even those who cannot donate anything also get their food. My own nature is such that I don’t care to know who pays and who doesn’t. Those persons who are responsible, like Ahmad Nawaz, who is sitting in front, may know such details. I have never tried to ask, because here everyone is the same for me, all are students. If anyone contributes his share, he does so for the sake of Allah^-SWT and Allah^-SWT knows very well who is doing what. Why should I ask? What can I give him, it is Allah^-SWT Who gives, and He knows everything.

This is the era of trials. It is the fifteenth century and each century heralds strange upheavals. For that reason, both ends of each century are occupied by great personalities. During old times there were no regular hotels. People would come and stay at the inns. Each inn had a couple of kitchenettes for the travellers and also some stables for their horses. During those days even men wore gold ornaments like big earrings. This custom was in vogue till my childhood also. One of my maternal uncles, who was later killed in war, was fond of wearing big earrings that touched his shoulders. The author of ‘Kitab al-Akhlaq’ has quoted an incident of the 11^th and 12^th centuries. He wrote, ‘I visited Delhi and booked a room in one of the inns. When I closed the door, I found two big earrings hanging behind it. Probably the person who was residing earlier had hung them, but didn’t remember to take them when he left. I felt concerned because it was lot of gold. I took them to the kitchenette manager and asked her if she knew who was staying in that room before me, as he had left his earrings. She replied that she didn’t know because people came to her only to take food, she didn’t know who was staying where. Then I took the earrings to the inn-master. He said, “I won’t even touch them. It is none of my business.” Then, I went to the Police Station. The officer in charge said, “Give these to the treasurer. I won’t touch them. If someone comes asking about them, he would get them, else they would be deposited in Government Treasury.” When I got up in the morning, I was full of remorse. I felt sorry for my foolishness as to why had I given so much gold to the Police. I should have kept it myself. None except Allah^-SWT knew about its owner. I was still scolding myself when I heard a knock on the door. There, I found the kitchenette manager. She said, “The owner of those earrings has been traced. Please give those to me.” I told her that I had given those to the Police and she should send the owner to the Police Station. When I got out, I saw the inn-master running towards me. “Where are the earrings?” he shouted. “Deposit those with me.” I told him that I had given them to the Police. Then I went to the Police Station and told them the owner had returned and they should return the earrings. The officer in charge said, “Their owner came to us last night and has already taken his earrings.” I returned to my room and wondered about the whole incident. Till yesterday, everyone, including myself, wasn’t willing to even touch the earrings, but today all of us are trying to grab them. What could be the reason for such a big change? I thought hard and suddenly remembered that yesterday was the last day of the 11^th Century and today is the first day of the 12^th Century, and the change of century affects human thought and conduct so much!’

That was the beginning of the 12^th Century. Now, even the 13^th and 14^th Centuries have passed and we have spent a quarter of the 15^th Century also. What would be the state of our thought and conduct now? Then, in this time of turmoil and commotion, if one gets an access to the Holy Prophet^-saws, can he think of any greater blessing? And if he leaves this, then what is left with him?

My brother, my prayer is that anyone who comes here should be blessed with spiritual Bai‘at. He should get a share from Allah^-SWT’s Mercy, should be blessed with the Nearness of Allah^-SWT, should become a Mujahid of Islam and a Ghazi, should stand fast against oppression and for the implementation of Islam and Allah^-SWT should bless him to join the Army that would participate in Ghazwa tul Hind and implement Islam in the sub-continent. My prayer is this, but everyone must also try to protect himself. I can make mistakes and so can you. Making an occasional mistake is not against Wilayah, but insistence on sins and making it a profession is certainly against Wilayah. The greatest advantage of Bai‘at is that, if one makes a mistake, the feeling of loss does not let him rest till he repents. This is meant by ‘Allah^-SWT’s Hand is on their hands.’ Man can never become an angel, but he does get Allah^-SWT’s Protection. It shall remain with him as long as he remains humble and humane, and retains the realization that he is weak and helpless and requires Allah^-SWT’s Help. But, if God forbid, he falls prey to the thought of his own greatness, then he neither retains Allah^-SWT’s Help nor his Bai‘at. And, in my opinion, if the Bai‘at is lost, nothing is left. It is not necessary that someone should curse him or that Mashaikh should do something to him. Why would someone require to pray for the death of a person who has taken poison himself? Who would take such a person to a doctor? I pray that Allah^-SWT grants everyone the ability to realize the greatness of Bai‘at, especially that of the spiritual Bai‘at. Leave the critics alone; a person who cannot do something will always try to criticize it. This is a matter of subtle feelings, unless they acquire them, how can they know them? According to a Persian proverb: they cannot know the taste of this wine, unless they drink it. Therefore, the objections of such critics are of no significance, but if those, who have got this blessing, also start criticizing, then it is indeed very strange and sorrowful. I pray that Allah^-SWT protects everyone. Our duty is to invite those who are wandering astray to the door of Allah^-SWT, and not to expel those who are there already. I don’t mind whether someone criticises me or appreciates, because the standard of good and bad is set by Allah^-SWT and not by people’s tongues. However, one thing is certain that the person, who criticises after taking Bai‘at, doesn’t retain anything. If someone desires to become a Shaikh by himself, he should separate and enrol his own students. Is it necessary that he must accuse or criticize us? Have we also criticized any one who left us? There is no need to do that. They would reap what they are sowing.

Those who left, remained as they were. Why didn’t they make a Jama‘at? Why couldn’t they collect people? Why couldn’t they conduct the meditations of their students? They knew everything, if they had the ability, they should have conducted the meditations of at least one student. Gradually, the students who had accompanied them from here started leaving one by one. This is what really happens. Realities cannot be fabricated. Great people cannot be made artificially; they are genuinely created by Allah^-SWT.

May Allah^-SWT protect all of us from mistrust and criticism! May He grant us His Love, love of His Holy Prophet^-saws, service of His Deen and Shahadah in His Cause! Ameen!

Those who joyfully leave everything in ALLAH'S Hand, will eventually see ALLAH'S hand in everything!

O’ ALLAH^-SWT I LOVE YOU

I believe there is no GOD but Allah^-SWT, and Muhammad^-SAW is HIS^-SWT Messenger! I believe Allah^-SWT is Absolute, Eternal, He^-SWT is Most Exalted, Most Merciful, He^-SWT is the Greatest of Planner. Infact I believe He^-SWT is the ONLY Planner. I believe everything happens according to His^-SWT Grand Plan and nothing in Life is a coincidence. I believe Allah^-SWT is the only one in charge and everything is under His^-SWT Command and Control. I believe this worldly life is a test. Not a test of hardships, but a test of Trust and Love.

I believe we are “Ashraf-ul-Makhlooqat”, the best of Allah^-SWT’s Creation. Why are we the best, because we have been given the capacity to choose and want to LOVE Allah^-SWT. Allah^-SWT in His^-SWT utmost Kindness, Mercy and Love has made this test a beautiful one, and He^-SWT has allowed us to be mini ‘creators’ (for lack of a better word). It sounds almost blasphemous, but one needs to understand this concept more clearly before jumping to conclusions. Infact better still perhaps mini designers.

It's like a mother makes a painting and her child wants to add to it. So she allows him to hold the brush and asks him "what do you want to make?" He suggests a sun. She holds the brush with him, completely controlling every move, guiding his hand, gliding the brush to make the sun that he so wanted to create. All the time allowing him to believe that he made it, when all he really did was; suggest that he wanted it there. And then she finally takes the brush in her own hands; fixing, improving and further enhancing the sun beautifying it to match the rest of the painting.

Allah^-SWT created the world and this life as a test, that amongst all the distractions and all the love of the created world, its beings and its material and all the dependencies, do we choose to LOVE and TRUST only Him^-SWT and do we choose to only depend on Him^-SWT?

It’s all very simple if you can just for a while allow yourself to step outside the box. Imagine this, you are in a virtual reality game.

Yusuf Ali What is the life of this world but amusement and play? But verily the Home in the Hereafter that is life indeed if they but knew.

Pickthall This life of the world is but a pastime and a game. Lo! the home of the Hereafter that is Life, if they but knew.

(29:64)

You are allowed to have anything you want, or almost anything you want, as long as you’re patient, and you believe. And over here when I say believe I don’t mean believe in Allah^-SWT. I mean just believe that you can have that something that you want. Whether you are an atheist, an agnostic, a non practicing Muslim, Christian, Jew, a Hindu, Buddhist, a magician etc. It doesn’t matter what colour, creed or religion you belong to, as long as you want something and you believe you can get it, so much so that you can almost taste it, or feel the contentment of having it before you actually do, sooner or later you will GET it.

Pickthall Every soul will taste of death. And ye will be paid on the Day of Resurrection only that which ye have fairly earned. Whoso is removed from the Fire and is made to enter Paradise, he indeed is triumphant. The life of this world is but comfort of illusion.

(3:185)

It’s virtual reality, nothing is impossible, if you want to, you could actually fly. And this is not so absurd, in the past we have episodes of Hindu Jogi’s and Muslim Aulia doing that quite easily. Getting to be able to do what you want to, is not the amazing thing. The amazing thing is the means you chose to acquire, in order to achieve it. If your belief in anything other than Allah^-SWT was the means for your achieving whatever you did, you might be successful in this world, but you’ll surely receive a rude shock in the hereafter and will not be content here either irrespective of all your material success.

Pickthall Know that the life of this world is only play, and idle talk, and pageantry, and boasting among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children; as the likeness of vegetation after rain, whereof the growth is pleasing to the husbandman, but afterward it drieth up and thou seest it turning yellow then it becometh straw. And in the Hereafter there is grievous punishment, and (also) forgiveness from Allah and His good pleasure, whereas the life of the world is but matter of illusion.

(57:20)

On the other hand if you decide to choose to want Allah^-SWT, and His^-SWT Love and Mercy. If you choose to believe in Allah^-SWT, and believe that Allah^-SWT is the Sole Provider and He^-SWT can give you anything and make it better for you, you will be forever at peace and at ease. You’ll be confident that inshaAllah you will get what you want sooner or later, and until then you will keep focusing on the positive that you have and that is around you and continue to thank Allah^-SWT and enjoy the blessings of this life while earning the best for your after life. You will never feel the need to oppress others, or to belittle them or to cause corruption in any which way, thus you will always live in harmony and allow others the same, because you’ll know that Allah^-SWT is on your side because He^-SWT Loves you and as long as you are genuinely making an ounce of an effort to love and obey Allah^-SWT, you will be confident that Allah^-SWT would never let you down. The same Allah^-SWT who provides for people and gives them whatever they want irrespective of whether they believe in Him^-SWT or not, would never deprive the people who are voluntarily wanting and choosing to love Him^-SWT of anything they want to achieve or have in this life or the hereafter. Especially because such people would only want good for themselves and for others. This is the act of creativity, imagining and wanting all that is good, then physically working towards achieving it and most of all asking Allah^-SWT to “make it so”, by saying AMEEN! No dua is complete without the saying of Ameen! It is also why Allah^-SWT has said in the Quran:

Yusuf Ali Do no mischief on the earth after it hath been set in order but call on Him with fear and longing (in your hearts): for the mercy of Allah is (always) near to those who do good.

Pickthall Work not confusion in the earth after the fair ordering (thereof), and call on Him in fear and hope. Lo! the mercy of Allah is nigh unto the good.

(7:57)

The system of life is simple, it’s the “LAW of Attraction!” you can attract whatever you want into your life depending on how much you believe and how positive you are. Negativity breeds and attracts negativity, so if you think you want success, but keep pondering over how unsuccessful you are and feeling miserable about it, you would inevitably only attract more negativity in your life. If you want success, keep running after it and feeling anxious about it, you’ll never attract it, because the feeling of not having success will always be dominant. But if you want success, ask Allah^-SWT for it, and then follow His^-SWT Commands, then you will become content before you even have it, because of your trust in Allah^-SWT and the fact that by following His^-SWT Orders, you automatically become an embodiment of the persona which rightfully deserves respect and success. Once you understand this concept, you understand ISLAM and you understand why Allah^-SWT said that “ISLAM is your BASIC INSTINCT”.

Islam is the secret of the law of this life being revealed to you in the best possible way. Depending on your spiritual IQ and understanding, which continually grows with each reading of the Quran, zikr and obedience, you understand the secret better and better. And for those who do not understand the secret, but they blindly follow the do’s and don’t of the Quran and Islam as best as they can, they too shall benefit with the goodies of this world and the next. Because Islam and the Quran is your personal guide to THE SECRET TO SUCCESS OF BOTH THE WORLDS! If your life is not taking a positive turn and you are miserable even after you supposedly think you believe in Allah^-SWT, then don’t expect any miracles to happen in the after life. There is something wrong with your belief. You need to worry about it now and work towards fixing your belief. You may believe in your mind, but the belief has not penetrated your heart. Until the belief and trust in Allah^-SWT sinks into your heart at least a dot, you will find yourself in trying circumstances, and feeling low. But if and when you are blessed with even an iota of belief, faith and trust in your heart, you’ll instantly fall in love with Allah^-SWT, then even when it seems that the circumstances are not what you had been asking for, you’d know that it’s just a matter of time and it’s Allah^-SWT’s Grand Plan in action, and all that is happening, no matter how opposite it may seem to your dreams and aspirations, is working towards bringing them about!

Hadith 20.129

Starting with Safa in the Say

Yahya related to me from Malik from Nafi that he heard Abdullah ibn Umar making dua on Safa saying, "O Allah, You have said, 'call on Me - I will answer you' and You do not break Your promise. So I am asking You, in the same way that You have guided me to Islam (Peace), not to take it away from me, and that You make me die while I am Muslim (spreader of Peace)."

So believe in Allah^-SWT, love Him^-SWT! Trust Him^-SWT! He^-SWT is surely the only One worthy of our trust and our love, for He^-SWTis the SUSTAINER, the PROVIDER, the ABSOLUTE ETERNAL, the KIND, the MERCIFUL, the PLANNER, the CREATOR, the ARTIST, the PERFECTION OF PERFECTION, the MOST GENEROUS, the MOST LOVING, and HE^-SWT is our ALLAH^-SWT, waiting for us to ask and Providing for us without our even asking!

Hadith 15.30

Dua (Supplication) (Tahajud)

Yahya related to me from Malik from Ibn Shihab from Abu Abdullah al-Agharr and from Abu Salama from Abu Hurayra that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Our Lord, the Blessed and Exalted, descends every night to the heaven of this world when the last third of the night is still to come and says, 'Who will call on Me so that I may answer him? Who will ask Me so that I may give him? Who will ask forgiveness of Me so that I may forgive him?' "

Al-Muwatta Hadith
Hadith 46.9

Yahya related to me from Malik that he had heard that this was said "Praise be to Allah who created everything as is necessary, who does not hasten anything He defers and determines. Allah is enough for me and sufficient. Allah hears whoever makes dua to him. Allah does not have a goal."

Sunan of Abu-Dawood
Hadith 1474 Narrated by
An-Nu'man ibn Bashir

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Supplication (du'a') is itself the worship. (He then recited): "And your Lord said: Call on Me, I will answer you" (xI.60).

Hadith 15.29

Dua (Supplication)

Yahya related to me from Malik from Ibn Shihab from Abu Ubayd, the mawla of Ibn Azhar, from Abu Hurayra that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "You will be answered as long as you are not impatient and say, 'I have made a dua and I have not been answered.' "

Sunan of Abu-Dawood
Hadith 4883 Narrated by
AbuHurayrah

I heard the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) say: There were two men among Banu Isra'il, who were striving for the same goal. One of them would commit sin and the other would strive to do his best in the world. The man who exerted himself in worship continued to see the other in sin. He would say: Refrain from it. One day he found him in sin and said to him: Refrain from it. He said: Leave me alone with my Lord. Have you been sent as a watchman over me? He said: I swear by Allah, Allah will not forgive you, nor will he admit you toParadise. Then their souls were taken back (by Allah), and they met together with the Lord of the worlds. He (Allah) said to this man who had striven hard in worship; Had you knowledge about Me or had you power over that which I had in My hand? He said to the man who sinned: Go and enter Paradise by My mercy. He said about the other: Take him to Hell. AbuHurayrah said: By Him in Whose hand my soul is, he spoke a word by which this world and the next world of his were destroyed.

We must never think that it is our efforts in the cause of Islam or our obedience that will earn us heaven, that would infact tantamount to arrogance. We must always remember we are obedient not because Allah^-SWT needs us to be obedient, but infact because it is we who need to be obedient for it is necessary for achieving success in this worldly life as well as the hereafter. It is the love for Allah^-SWTthat we feel inside our heart which in turn will invoke Allah^-SWT’s Mercy, thus winning us heaven in the eternal life. We are not sent here to judge, we are sent here to continue to Love, Trust and Belong to Allah^-SWT and long for His^-SWT Mercy for ourselves and for the rest of His^-SWT Creation, and this lesson was taught to us by the greatest teacher ever sent to humanity, Prophet Muhammad^-SAW, the Mercy for the entire Universe. “treat other’s the way you would want Allah^-SWT to treat you!”

O’ Allah^-SWT I can never thank You^-SWT enough for Islam, my beautiful religion, for making me Muslim, for giving me understanding and guidance, I am absolutely at peace and content with my religion. O’ Allah^-SWT my Perfect Creator, The Absolute Truth, The forever Merciful, The Generous, The Kind, The Compassionate, The Giving, The Absolute, The eternal, The Perfection of Perfection, I love YOU^-SWT! I could not be happier to have You^-SWT as my Lord! O’ Allah^-SWT, I can never be grateful enough for making me from the Ummah of my Prophet Muhammad^-SAW, the most exalted of Prophets, the best of the best of teachers, the most merciful of men! O’ Allah^-SWT I am forever grateful to You^-SWT for the kindness of sending me the most wonderful spiritual teacher, even in todays day and age, who introduced me to my Prophet^-SAW, my religion Islam, and You^-SWT, for until I met him, I had the Quran yet I had no understanding, I knew of Muhammad^-SAW,but I never really knew him^-SAW. I had heard some lies about You^-SWT and I had believed them, I was completely lost, wandering astray. In my ignorance I gave up on You^-SWT, but You^-SWT my Lord, never gave up on me!

O’ Allah^-SWT, I was so wrong, so lost, so miserable, so arrogant, until You^-SWT in Your^-SWT infinite Mercy, lead me to the kindest, most truthful, honest, humble person I know in today’s day and age, and he brought me to the light, which lead me to You^-SWT. Please bestow Ameer Muhammad Akram Awan with the best of the best in both the worlds, and allow all of humanity to receive benefit from him as I have, so that they too might see the light and be lead aright. O’ Allah increase me in my love for You^-SWT, for my beloved Prophet Muhammad^-SAW, for Islam, for my spiritual teacher, and for Your^-SWT Creation. Ameen!