Physical worship such as prayer and Hajj are not the true standard of worship, nor the basis of success. Rather, they are a part of worship and are dependant upon another form of worship. If we fail to fulfil this worship for which the Prophet ﷺ was sent, our physical acts of worship will be rejected.
This worship refers to adopting good character. This is the first worship which the Prophet ﷺ demonstrated to Mankind. It is the greatest worship due to which our other acts of worship are accepted. Only with good character, we will depart this world successfully.
Whoever has poor character, his worship will be rendered futile and his good deeds will go to waste in the Hereafter. Furthermore, he will be ordered to hand over his good deeds to the one he wronged.
What is Good Character?
Simply smiling and inviting others to our home whilst harbouring hatred and jealousy for them, is not considered good character. We have a habit of speaking well to people in their presence, yet, backstabbing and cursing them behind their back. This is not considered good character. Rather, to have clean heart towards others, sincerely wishing well for them and praising them with a pure heart, is considered good character. If we fail to meet others with a pure heart, then we are considered hypocrites and our worship has gone to waste.
Excellent conduct refers to refraining from causing harm to others with our hands, our tongue and feet, spiritually and physically. We should be extremely cautious of causing distress and difficulty to others. We should avoid even causing harm to animals. This is the glory of a believer.
If we cannot benefit anyone physically, then we should at least not cause them pain. If we end up harming someone, we should apologise profusely.
We are all able to perform physical forms of worship, but good character is the true worship for which we visit the Khankah. One is able to perfect his character only by those who have already perfected their character, such as the great Mashaikh. It is essential for every student to complete the daily Tazkiyah sheets. The sheets system is the key to Paradise.
Lying, slandering and deceiving others should be avoided. Womenfolk have a habit of mocking and gossip-mongering which they should work towards eliminating as it brings severe harm to others.
It is inevitable that we will commit sins, however, we should work hard to protect ourselves.
If we improve our conduct, our worship will become safeguarded. If our worship is safeguarded, then Allah ta'ala will become pleased with us and in return, we will receive Paradise.
Which sin ruins good conduct?
Most of all, it is the sin of anger which destroys our character and our Hereafter. Anger is the most dangerous sin. It is from amongst the greatest attacks of Shaytan. Shaytan is created from fire, so when a person becomes angry, there is fire present in him. At times, he becomes inhumane. Anger destroys the faith of a person and his character is destroyed. The worst person is he who is always enraged.
We must control our anger and the cure for our anger is the dhikr of Allah ta'ala. We will certainly be given opportunities to become angry through Shaytan’s influence upon others. If someone is causing us anger, we should display love towards them and grant them a gift. This means we are fighting against ourselves. In moments of anger, we should splash ourselves with water to cool ourselves as per Ahadith. The true Mujaahid is he who controls his anger and fights his desires.
How to control anger?
Sit in the company of a Sheikh and perform abundant dhikr. If we assign ourselves to a Sheikh, we have assigned ourselves to Allah ta'ala. However, the student must have love for the Sheikh which is acquired by begging Allah ta'ala for the love of the Sheikh.
Allah ta'ala created the boundaries of Shariah and the rights of society, to develop and improve our character. We must not oppress and violate the rights of others, otherwise, we will be cursed.
We will be questioned regarding the rights of our spouses. We must not demand our wives to cook and clean. It is not her duty to. However, if she does it out of her own good will, then she is doing a great task. In-laws should not demand her to serve them as a slave. She has rights which must be upheld. If the husband desires her to serve him and his mother, then they must be loving towards her so that she feels comfortable and happy enough to serve out of her own good will. If she desires to reside alone and not with her in-laws, the husband must provide a separate accommodation for her.
On the other hand, it is stated that, "When a man invites his wife to his bed and she does not come, and he (the husband) spends the night being angry with her, the angels curse her until morning." [Muslim Shareef]
In the Hereafter, our good deeds will be given to our spouse for our wrongdoing against them.
The husband must not demand the wife to work, nor should he consume her wealth. When spouses truly love each other, they are able to sacrifice for each other like friends. If out of love for her husband, she wishes to work and contribute financially, then she may do so.
We must abide by the rules of the land as long as they do not go against the laws of Shariah. That is part of having good conduct.
We claim to be followers of the Prophet ﷺ and expect his intercession in the Hereafter, however, we are ashamed to imitate his lifestyle and adorn his form of clothing. In the Hereafter, we will be rejected by the Prophet ﷺ for our opposition and in turn, rejected by Allah ta'ala too.
Whoever revives the Sunnah during difficult times, he becomes very beloved to Allah ta'ala. This is the standard of a true lover of the Prophet ﷺ. The more difficulty we face in implementing the Sunnah, the more reward we will receive.
Our standard of life should be to follow the way of the Sunnah. Adopting other paths will become the cause of our destruction and deviation. If we desire success in both worlds we must leave hypocrisy and become a living follower of the Prophet ﷺ. Allah ta'ala has not concealed any actions of the Prophet ﷺ and this is because the value of all his actions are priceless.
The noble companions were great individuals as they were developed and spiritually reformed by the Prophet ﷺ. There were no fighting or enmity between them. Even if a dispute or a difference of opinion rose amongst them, they did not differ due to their dislike for one another. Rather, any dispute or anger displayed, was for the sake of Allah ta'ala or to promote the deen. We should avoid the company of those who criticise the companions, no matter how learned they may be.
May Allah ta'ala allow us to implement these precious pearls. Ameen
Physical worship such as prayer and Hajj are not the true standard of worship, nor the basis of success. Rather, they are a part of worship and are dependant upon another form of worship. If we fail to fulfil this worship for which the Prophet ﷺ was sent, our physical acts of worship will be rejected.
This worship refers to adopting good character. This is the first worship which the Prophet ﷺ demonstrated to Mankind. It is the greatest worship due to which our other acts of worship are accepted. Only with good character, we will depart this world successfully.
Whoever has poor character, his worship will be rendered futile and his good deeds will go to waste in the Hereafter. Furthermore, he will be ordered to hand over his good deeds to the one he wronged.
What is Good Character?
Simply smiling and inviting others to our home whilst harbouring hatred and jealousy for them, is not considered good character. We have a habit of speaking well to people in their presence, yet, backstabbing and cursing them behind their back. This is not considered good character. Rather, to have clean heart towards others, sincerely wishing well for them and praising them with a pure heart, is considered good character. If we fail to meet others with a pure heart, then we are considered hypocrites and our worship has gone to waste.
Excellent conduct refers to refraining from causing harm to others with our hands, our tongue and feet, spiritually and physically. We should be extremely cautious of causing distress and difficulty to others. We should avoid even causing harm to animals. This is the glory of a believer.
If we cannot benefit anyone physically, then we should at least not cause them pain. If we end up harming someone, we should apologise profusely.
We are all able to perform physical forms of worship, but good character is the true worship for which we visit the Khankah. One is able to perfect his character only by those who have already perfected their character, such as the great Mashaikh. It is essential for every student to complete the daily Tazkiyah sheets. The sheets system is the key to Paradise.
Lying, slandering and deceiving others should be avoided. Womenfolk have a habit of mocking and gossip-mongering which they should work towards eliminating as it brings severe harm to others.
It is inevitable that we will commit sins, however, we should work hard to protect ourselves.
If we improve our conduct, our worship will become safeguarded. If our worship is safeguarded, then Allah ta'ala will become pleased with us and in return, we will receive Paradise.
Which sin ruins good conduct?
Most of all, it is the sin of anger which destroys our character and our Hereafter. Anger is the most dangerous sin. It is from amongst the greatest attacks of Shaytan. Shaytan is created from fire, so when a person becomes angry, there is fire present in him. At times, he becomes inhumane. Anger destroys the faith of a person and his character is destroyed. The worst person is he who is always enraged.
We must control our anger and the cure for our anger is the dhikr of Allah ta'ala. We will certainly be given opportunities to become angry through Shaytan’s influence upon others. If someone is causing us anger, we should display love towards them and grant them a gift. This means we are fighting against ourselves. In moments of anger, we should splash ourselves with water to cool ourselves as per Ahadith. The true Mujaahid is he who controls his anger and fights his desires.
How to control anger?
Sit in the company of a Sheikh and perform abundant dhikr. If we assign ourselves to a Sheikh, we have assigned ourselves to Allah ta'ala. However, the student must have love for the Sheikh which is acquired by begging Allah ta'ala for the love of the Sheikh.
Allah ta'ala created the boundaries of Shariah and the rights of society, to develop and improve our character. We must not oppress and violate the rights of others, otherwise, we will be cursed.
We will be questioned regarding the rights of our spouses. We must not demand our wives to cook and clean. It is not her duty to. However, if she does it out of her own good will, then she is doing a great task. In-laws should not demand her to serve them as a slave. She has rights which must be upheld. If the husband desires her to serve him and his mother, then they must be loving towards her so that she feels comfortable and happy enough to serve out of her own good will. If she desires to reside alone and not with her in-laws, the husband must provide a separate accommodation for her.
On the other hand, it is stated that, "When a man invites his wife to his bed and she does not come, and he (the husband) spends the night being angry with her, the angels curse her until morning." [Muslim Shareef]
In the Hereafter, our good deeds will be given to our spouse for our wrongdoing against them.
The husband must not demand the wife to work, nor should he consume her wealth. When spouses truly love each other, they are able to sacrifice for each other like friends. If out of love for her husband, she wishes to work and contribute financially, then she may do so.
We must abide by the rules of the land as long as they do not go against the laws of Shariah. That is part of having good conduct.
We claim to be followers of the Prophet ﷺ and expect his intercession in the Hereafter, however, we are ashamed to imitate his lifestyle and adorn his form of clothing. In the Hereafter, we will be rejected by the Prophet ﷺ for our opposition and in turn, rejected by Allah ta'ala too.
Whoever revives the Sunnah during difficult times, he becomes very beloved to Allah ta'ala. This is the standard of a true lover of the Prophet ﷺ. The more difficulty we face in implementing the Sunnah, the more reward we will receive.
Our standard of life should be to follow the way of the Sunnah. Adopting other paths will become the cause of our destruction and deviation. If we desire success in both worlds we must leave hypocrisy and become a living follower of the Prophet ﷺ. Allah ta'ala has not concealed any actions of the Prophet ﷺ and this is because the value of all his actions are priceless.
The noble companions were great individuals as they were developed and spiritually reformed by the Prophet ﷺ. There were no fighting or enmity between them. Even if a dispute or a difference of opinion rose amongst them, they did not differ due to their dislike for one another. Rather, any dispute or anger displayed, was for the sake of Allah ta'ala or to promote the deen. We should avoid the company of those who criticise the companions, no matter how learned they may be.
May Allah ta'ala allow us to implement these precious pearls. Ameen