Time and health is a great treasure for a human being. Both cannot be replaced once they pass. We should not waste the time we have. Similarly, we should take advantage of our health to work for the Hereafter. This is the message of the Prophet ﷺ.
Hadhrat Hudhayfah رضي الله عنه reported: Nabi ﷺ said, “Tribulation will be exposed to the hearts of people like a reed mat woven, stick by stick. Any heart afflicted by them will have a black mark put into it, but any heart that rejects them will have a white mark put into it. Thus, there will be two kinds of hearts: one is pure like a white gemstone; it will not be harmed by any trial as long as the heavens and earth endure. The other is black and dusty like a worn-out vessel, neither acknowledging good nor rejecting evil, rather absorbed in its desires.” [Sahih Muslim]
The individual with a black heart submits to whatever fulfils his desires. He does not consider the standards of deen. He is not able to distinguish between good and bad and does not accept what is unlawful because his heart is stained. He leads his life according to his desires which is why he doesn't take heed to advice or warning.
What is the fitna which will arrive?
This fitna is not connected to the world such as worldly tragedies. It is the fitna which has an impact upon our life. The real fitna is when a person leaves the deen. He falls in to deception whilst he is practicing. This is the trial which we must be aware of.
"Have you not seen that Allah has subjected for you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth, and has lavished His favours upon you, both seen and unseen?" [31:20]
Allah ta'ala has granted us complete treasures and resources which are externally apparent and internally present within us. He has given us a body with organs and limbs, alongside the capacity to move. Furthermore, mankind has been gifted with the ability to worship.
Unfortunately, we use these blessings for our own desires although these blessings are not connected to this world. Thus, we should not use them for worldly benefit. Rather, the spirit and the body are given to us for the purpose of connecting to Allah ta'ala and achieving His nearness. This is their primary function. These blessings are given to us for Allah ta'ala's sake and they become treasures when we utilise them for the sake of becoming closer to Allah ta'ala.
What is the treasure of our inner state? One's closeness, love and connection with Allah ta'ala is based on his internal state. We have all the qualities within us which are developed and conditioned so that a person may achieve the closeness to Allah ta'ala. Allah ta'ala reminds us not to spoil our inner state because it is our soul which will grant us the power to achieve good.
The evil which we will fall prey to, is utilising these blessing (our qualities) to fulfil our desires and to attain worldly benefit and temporary materialism. We should utilise these resources for the Hereafter and develop concern for it. The Hadith explains that the impact of our negligence, will cause us to make more material gain and be detached from Allah ta'ala.
The heart is what will receive this fitna. Thus, if we wish to be safe from the fitna which will destroy our deen and divert us from Allah ta'ala's orders, we must protect our heart. In doing so, we will not receive the harms and evils and our external and internal qualities will be utilised to maintain a connection with Allah ta'ala. Such a person will not become trapped and deviated in this world.
We ask Allah ta'ala for guidance multiple times a day during our prayers. We consider to be on the straight path although we may not be.
The straight path is the path of Nabi ﷺ's imitation - The lifestyle in which one practices the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ. When we ask Allah ta'ala for guidance, we ask for his ﷺ emulation. No contamination should be mixed with the Sunnah. This is the definition of seeking guidance from the verse of Surah Fatihah.
Deen refers to the Sunnah. There is no greater reward for any other action compared to following the Sunnah. Whoever revives a Sunnah today, he will be given the reward of a hundred martyrs. This is the impact of the blessed Sunnah.
We must not resemble or imitate any one else besides the Prophet ﷺ. A person who departs the world in this state will have a great death. If we contaminate the Sunnah by following others, then we are liars and hypocrites and will be given a severe punishment. Such people will die as a disbelievers. This is because they keep love and friendship with those who have incurred Allah ta'ala's anger and curse.
Nabi ﷺ was sent to us with a complete deen and lifestyle. We should not prefer anything or anyone else over his lifestyle and his manners. We should not criticise the Sunnah otherwise we will be destroyed. The Sunnah is not a strict or difficult path. It is not a burden. It is a way of life. If we want to die as a Muslim, we must practice our deen according to the Prophet ﷺ as this is the path to prosperity and success.
No part of his ﷺ lifestyle was hidden. You will not find clarity regarding any other human being in the history of mankind compared to what we know from the Prophet ﷺ's lifestyle. Allah ta'ala made him apparent and sent him here so that we can learn from him. We should love him more than anything else in this world.
What is the reason for this evil and corruption today?
We have left the ways of the Sunnah. Wherever the Sunnah has been abandoned, corruption and evil is created there and the heart will accept these evils. Unfortunately we are currently passing through this era.
A Muslim is not he who simply believes. Rather, a true Muslim is he who obeys the guidance and instructions of Allah ta'ala and Nabi ﷺ. Today, we question and criticise the Sunnah, yet the Sahaabah never questioned the Prophet ﷺ.
If our dhikr and prayer is not detaching us from immodesty and bringing us towards emulation of the Sunnah, then it is no benefit to us. It means that we are not praying and engaging in dhikr properly. Dhikr is actually a healing and a cure from Allah ta'ala and the sign of a successful person is he whose dhikr has brought him towards the Sunnah.
Our body is a treasure which we must utilise to fulfil Allah ta'ala's instructions. Thus, we should not reject the invitation for prayer and we should utilise our body for worship. There should be no obstacle between us and prayer.
Children should be encouraged to pray once they reach maturity whether or not they attend school. As parents, we should avoid taking pity on our children and make excuses for them not to pray. This is because the child is benefitting when he is praying. He will be granted reward, guidance, love of Allah ta'ala and love of the deen in return. Preventing them from prayer is oppression. Even if one person doesn't pray, it becomes the reason for punishment in the home.
We may face troubles and hardships when practicing the deen but it is nothing compared to Paradise which we will receive.
We avoid speaking ill of others and harbour nothing against non Muslims. We don't criticise their religion or lifestyle and we have no issue with them. We do not emulate the Sunnah out of enmity or opposition to others, nor to compete, challenge and look down upon others. Rather, we follow his ﷺ lifestyle so that we can become successful.
No action draws a person closer to the Prophet ﷺ greater than acts of his emulation. If we repent and act upon the Sunnah we will make a connection with him. The beloved follower of the Prophet ﷺ is he who is steadfast upon the Sunnah despite facing difficulties and being mocked and cursed at.
If we abandon the Sunnah due to fear, then we are free of faith and have failed the test. We have sold our Imaan so we should repent and recite the Kalimah again.
Allah ta'ala allows the Masaajid to be constructed for the sake of facilitating prayers for us. We should prioritise prayers even at our workplaces and never consider it difficult because leaving congregation is a great sin.
Sometimes we are prevented from congregation due to a reason and we know that we will miss it. However, we should still hasten towards the masjid and pray there. We should be hopeful of Allah ta'ala's mercy and we will be granted the reward of prayer in congregation.
The connection with Allah ta'ala is made through Prayer and all the rewards and ranks of Tasawwuf are achieved through prayers. Everything is attained via prayer. Sustenance, health, your happiness is all acquired via the mosque.
If your business is not flourishing or you are faced with difficulties, you should flee to the masaajid. The more distant you become from the masjid, the more your problems of life will increase. You will face poverty, debts and other difficulties.
We do not criticise others. Rather, we practice the deen to save ourselves from Hellfire. No one will prevent us from practicing the deen and if they mock us, our ranks will being elevated. From experience, such colleagues will support you and assist you. They never interfere with your deen unless you disturb them. This is why we shouldn't worry and waver when it comes to practicing.
We should admit our mistakes in Allah ta'ala's court and make our hearts pure so that it does not absorb any fitna. The cure to be safe from fitna is to engage in dhikr of Allah ta'ala in the heart. Allah ta'ala desires that we take His name silently in the morning and evening. All goodness is placed in this action, thus, we shouldn’t be negligent. If we abandon dhikr and become lazy, it won't help us. If we remain steadfast, we will be safe from the evil and depart this word with pure faith, free from contamination. Our heart will not be able to absorb the fitna and Shaytan's invitation will be distanced from us.
Time and health is a great treasure for a human being. Both cannot be replaced once they pass. We should not waste the time we have. Similarly, we should take advantage of our health to work for the Hereafter. This is the message of the Prophet ﷺ.
Hadhrat Hudhayfah رضي الله عنه reported: Nabi ﷺ said, “Tribulation will be exposed to the hearts of people like a reed mat woven, stick by stick. Any heart afflicted by them will have a black mark put into it, but any heart that rejects them will have a white mark put into it. Thus, there will be two kinds of hearts: one is pure like a white gemstone; it will not be harmed by any trial as long as the heavens and earth endure. The other is black and dusty like a worn-out vessel, neither acknowledging good nor rejecting evil, rather absorbed in its desires.” [Sahih Muslim]
The individual with a black heart submits to whatever fulfils his desires. He does not consider the standards of deen. He is not able to distinguish between good and bad and does not accept what is unlawful because his heart is stained. He leads his life according to his desires which is why he doesn't take heed to advice or warning.
What is the fitna which will arrive?
This fitna is not connected to the world such as worldly tragedies. It is the fitna which has an impact upon our life. The real fitna is when a person leaves the deen. He falls in to deception whilst he is practicing. This is the trial which we must be aware of.
أَلَمْ تَرَوْا أَنَّ اللَّهَ سَخَّرَ لَكُم مَّا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَأَسْبَغَ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعَمَهُ ظَاهِرَةً وَبَاطِنَةً
"Have you not seen that Allah has subjected for you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth, and has lavished His favours upon you, both seen and unseen?" [31:20]
Allah ta'ala has granted us complete treasures and resources which are externally apparent and internally present within us. He has given us a body with organs and limbs, alongside the capacity to move. Furthermore, mankind has been gifted with the ability to worship.
Unfortunately, we use these blessings for our own desires although these blessings are not connected to this world. Thus, we should not use them for worldly benefit. Rather, the spirit and the body are given to us for the purpose of connecting to Allah ta'ala and achieving His nearness. This is their primary function. These blessings are given to us for Allah ta'ala's sake and they become treasures when we utilise them for the sake of becoming closer to Allah ta'ala.
What is the treasure of our inner state? One's closeness, love and connection with Allah ta'ala is based on his internal state. We have all the qualities within us which are developed and conditioned so that a person may achieve the closeness to Allah ta'ala. Allah ta'ala reminds us not to spoil our inner state because it is our soul which will grant us the power to achieve good.
The evil which we will fall prey to, is utilising these blessing (our qualities) to fulfil our desires and to attain worldly benefit and temporary materialism. We should utilise these resources for the Hereafter and develop concern for it. The Hadith explains that the impact of our negligence, will cause us to make more material gain and be detached from Allah ta'ala.
The heart is what will receive this fitna. Thus, if we wish to be safe from the fitna which will destroy our deen and divert us from Allah ta'ala's orders, we must protect our heart. In doing so, we will not receive the harms and evils and our external and internal qualities will be utilised to maintain a connection with Allah ta'ala. Such a person will not become trapped and deviated in this world.
We ask Allah ta'ala for guidance multiple times a day during our prayers. We consider to be on the straight path although we may not be.
The straight path is the path of Nabi ﷺ's imitation - The lifestyle in which one practices the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ. When we ask Allah ta'ala for guidance, we ask for his ﷺ emulation. No contamination should be mixed with the Sunnah. This is the definition of seeking guidance from the verse of Surah Fatihah.
Deen refers to the Sunnah. There is no greater reward for any other action compared to following the Sunnah. Whoever revives a Sunnah today, he will be given the reward of a hundred martyrs. This is the impact of the blessed Sunnah.
We must not resemble or imitate any one else besides the Prophet ﷺ. A person who departs the world in this state will have a great death. If we contaminate the Sunnah by following others, then we are liars and hypocrites and will be given a severe punishment. Such people will die as a disbelievers. This is because they keep love and friendship with those who have incurred Allah ta'ala's anger and curse.
Nabi ﷺ was sent to us with a complete deen and lifestyle. We should not prefer anything or anyone else over his lifestyle and his manners. We should not criticise the Sunnah otherwise we will be destroyed. The Sunnah is not a strict or difficult path. It is not a burden. It is a way of life. If we want to die as a Muslim, we must practice our deen according to the Prophet ﷺ as this is the path to prosperity and success.
No part of his ﷺ lifestyle was hidden. You will not find clarity regarding any other human being in the history of mankind compared to what we know from the Prophet ﷺ's lifestyle. Allah ta'ala made him apparent and sent him here so that we can learn from him. We should love him more than anything else in this world.
What is the reason for this evil and corruption today?
We have left the ways of the Sunnah. Wherever the Sunnah has been abandoned, corruption and evil is created there and the heart will accept these evils. Unfortunately we are currently passing through this era.
A Muslim is not he who simply believes. Rather, a true Muslim is he who obeys the guidance and instructions of Allah ta'ala and Nabi ﷺ. Today, we question and criticise the Sunnah, yet the Sahaabah never questioned the Prophet ﷺ.
If our dhikr and prayer is not detaching us from immodesty and bringing us towards emulation of the Sunnah, then it is no benefit to us. It means that we are not praying and engaging in dhikr properly. Dhikr is actually a healing and a cure from Allah ta'ala and the sign of a successful person is he whose dhikr has brought him towards the Sunnah.
Our body is a treasure which we must utilise to fulfil Allah ta'ala's instructions. Thus, we should not reject the invitation for prayer and we should utilise our body for worship. There should be no obstacle between us and prayer.
Children should be encouraged to pray once they reach maturity whether or not they attend school. As parents, we should avoid taking pity on our children and make excuses for them not to pray. This is because the child is benefitting when he is praying. He will be granted reward, guidance, love of Allah ta'ala and love of the deen in return. Preventing them from prayer is oppression. Even if one person doesn't pray, it becomes the reason for punishment in the home.
We may face troubles and hardships when practicing the deen but it is nothing compared to Paradise which we will receive.
We avoid speaking ill of others and harbour nothing against non Muslims. We don't criticise their religion or lifestyle and we have no issue with them. We do not emulate the Sunnah out of enmity or opposition to others, nor to compete, challenge and look down upon others. Rather, we follow his ﷺ lifestyle so that we can become successful.
No action draws a person closer to the Prophet ﷺ greater than acts of his emulation. If we repent and act upon the Sunnah we will make a connection with him. The beloved follower of the Prophet ﷺ is he who is steadfast upon the Sunnah despite facing difficulties and being mocked and cursed at.
If we abandon the Sunnah due to fear, then we are free of faith and have failed the test. We have sold our Imaan so we should repent and recite the Kalimah again.
Allah ta'ala allows the Masaajid to be constructed for the sake of facilitating prayers for us. We should prioritise prayers even at our workplaces and never consider it difficult because leaving congregation is a great sin.
Sometimes we are prevented from congregation due to a reason and we know that we will miss it. However, we should still hasten towards the masjid and pray there. We should be hopeful of Allah ta'ala's mercy and we will be granted the reward of prayer in congregation.
The connection with Allah ta'ala is made through Prayer and all the rewards and ranks of Tasawwuf are achieved through prayers. Everything is attained via prayer. Sustenance, health, your happiness is all acquired via the mosque.
If your business is not flourishing or you are faced with difficulties, you should flee to the masaajid. The more distant you become from the masjid, the more your problems of life will increase. You will face poverty, debts and other difficulties.
We do not criticise others. Rather, we practice the deen to save ourselves from Hellfire. No one will prevent us from practicing the deen and if they mock us, our ranks will being elevated. From experience, such colleagues will support you and assist you. They never interfere with your deen unless you disturb them. This is why we shouldn't worry and waver when it comes to practicing.
We should admit our mistakes in Allah ta'ala's court and make our hearts pure so that it does not absorb any fitna. The cure to be safe from fitna is to engage in dhikr of Allah ta'ala in the heart. Allah ta'ala desires that we take His name silently in the morning and evening. All goodness is placed in this action, thus, we shouldn’t be negligent. If we abandon dhikr and become lazy, it won't help us. If we remain steadfast, we will be safe from the evil and depart this word with pure faith, free from contamination. Our heart will not be able to absorb the fitna and Shaytan's invitation will be distanced from us.
May Allah ta'ala allow us to implement. Ameen