To become a Muttaqi, we are required to develop and improve our nafs otherwise, we cannot become a Muttaqi.
Tazkiyah (purification) refers to rectifying and controlling the nafs. This is a form of knowledge which we must acquire in order to control our desires.
"O believers! Be mindful of Allah in the way He deserves and do not die except as Muslims (in a state of full submission to Him.)" [3:102]
Our success in the Hereafter is based upon our taqwa and not upon our physical deeds. Only the deeds of the Muttaqi will be accepted in the court of Allah ta'ala. This is why Allah ta'ala commands us to adopt taqwa as much as we can. If we wish to die as a believer, it is essential for us to adopt taqwa during our life.
The commentators state that it is necessary to become a Muttaqi in order to receive a death of Imaan. Therefore, it is not an option, rather, it is something we must all attain. For our self purification, we must visit those places where we learn the knowledge of purifying the nafs. These places are called the Khankah wherein the Mashaikh coach their students.
We should work hard to attain taqwa and even if we are not be successful, Allah ta'ala will accept us. It doesn’t matter how weak we are. What matters is that we are constantly trying and making effort as Allah ta'ala appreciates this effort.
Our task is to follow the path which Allah ta'ala has guided to us. We all have spiritual sicknesses such as lying, ostentation and fraud. These sins become habits and they multiply when we fail to control them.
In the Naqshbandi order, there are two things which enable purification. The first, is that you must visit a Sheikh and adhere to his instructions and guidance. The objective of visiting a Sheikh is to adopt Taqwa and prepare for our Hereafter, not to attain worldly things and became a Sheikh ourselves.
The first thing the Sheikh emphasises on is repentance. The condition of self purification is that you must repent first and this repentance is taught by the Sheikh.
Thereafter, the Sheikh teaches you the lessons of dhikr and he teaches you the principles of the Naqshbandi order.
Some students focus on dhikr and overlook the principles of the order which are also essential in order to attain Tazkiyah. Dhikr and Mujaahadah are equally important.
There are eleven principles in this order which you must implement otherwise, you won't have rectified yourself.
The second principle of the Naqshbandi order is to protect the gaze. Our gaze directly impacts our faith, so if we fail to control it, we have no Imaan and our worship will not benefit us.
Nabi ﷺ states, "The furtive glance is one of the poisoned arrows of Shaytan, on him be God's curse. Whoever forsakes it for the fear of Allah, will receive from Him a faith, the sweetness of which he will find within his heart." (Al Haakim)
When a person protects his gaze, he will depart this world with faith and with reciting the kalimah. If he does not protect his gaze, then it is from the poisonous arrows of Shaytan.
It is such a dangerous arrow that it directly impacts our faith. It were to pierce an individual, he would not remain alive. This becomes our state when we use our eyesight incorrectly. We may be alive physically but our faith disappears. We may perform deeds, but it will not impact us. This refers to both women and men.
Unfortunately, we engage in all sorts of worship, yet, we struggle to protect our gaze. We should assess the level of our faith through this Hadith. Shaytan wishes to spoil our faith so he inclines us towards this sin. He develops such scenes through which our eyes are put to test.
Today, we live in such a generation where we are constantly tested and we may fall prey to Shaytan's temptations and traps at any time.
If one connects himself to a Sheikh, sits in his company and works hard on his faith, then he will learn how to control his eyesight due to his effort. He will feel the strength and power to fight his nafs. His spiritual strength will increase and he will receive the help of Allah ta'ala. This is because he tried and made effort, although he may be a weak individual. When Allah ta'ala assists him, he becomes safe from that sin.
The entire deen is based upon our eyesight. We become complacent upon our abundant worship even if we are sinning alongside. One's rectification takes place where his nafs is crushed. There are two types of worship. One is done for Allah and one is the worship of the nafs. We should fulfil the worship Allah ta'ala has commanded according to His desires and instructions. The reason we worship according to our own desires is because we do not experience the enjoyment of faith.
To protect our gaze in this day and age is a great struggle and a display of hard work. It is not any minor effort. Even the eighty year old man struggles to protect his gaze. This is because our desires never make us feel old or weak. Our desires paint the impression that we are strong and energetic. It tempts us and ensures that we are always prepared to perform those actions which distance us from Allah ta'ala. It constantly attacks us.
Through the taste and enjoyment of controlling the gaze, a person experiences the sweetness of his deeds. This is the taste of faith and once he tastes it, he will not hesitate upon performing any good deed. He will not feel tired. Rather, if he fails to implement, he will feel distress. He will feel enjoyment and satisfaction in reciting and praying Tahajjud and performing other acts of worship. He will feel eager to rise and pray during the night. He will not consider Ramadan as a burden.
We should visit a true Sheikh and not a teacher who tells us what we desire to hear. Allah ta'ala has instilled the Mashaikh, the knowledge and methodology of assessing their students and supporting them through their weaknesses.
Rectification occurs where a person's nafs is challenged and he experiences difficulty in implementing deen. Allah ta'ala's instructions are always difficult in the beginning. When you worship according to your desires, it is performed with ease and enjoyment. On the other hand, the Sheikh encourages that worship which goes against one's own nafs as it helps a person crush his desires.
A true Muttaqi is he who is cautious of abstaining from sin. He shuns the sins. A Muttaqi is not he who performs abundant worship.
The solution to control our gaze is to gaze towards the direction of our feet. Such a person who does this, receives the taste of Imaan and he departs this world upon the kalimah. He implements the Sunnah so he receives the reward of a hundred martyrs.
We should make a firm promise to protect our gaze from now on. We should not worry because once we have made an intention, Allah ta'ala will assist us. To extract the disease takes time, however, we should be continuous in our effort.
The connection between the Sheikh and the student is very deep and it stretches beyond merely attending the dhikr gatherings. We should save ourselves from Hellfire and expose our deficiencies to our Sheikh so that we can receive his love and affection.
The one who does not consider his sins as defects and considers himself pious, he has the biggest disease. If we consider ourselves pure, we are only deceiving ourselves.
Women are forbidden to expose themselves in front of their non mahram relatives no matter how closely related they are. They should not gaze towards non mahram, nor be in their presence with niqab. They shouldn't sit with them or gaze directly at them. They shouldn't communicate with them.
It is not permissible to attend mixed gatherings. Those women who exit their homes without adorning Niqab and those who beautify themselves, are inviting other men towards sin. Such women will receive the punishment for the gaze of her viewers. However, Allah ta'ala is merciful. If she repents today, all her sins will be forgiven and her sins will be transformed in to good deeds.
When we make a habit of lowering our gaze, we are also safe from comparing our worldly status with others. We are safe from witnessing the assets of others. This in turn prevents us from envy, backbiting and gossiping. Thousands of sins are caused just by a person's gaze.
When a person sits in the company of the Sheikh and begins dhikr, his heart is purified and all the defects are removed from his heart. He will have no desire to gaze at unlawful things. He will implement good deeds out of his own will and his heart will invite him towards good. He will not perform good deeds due to law or fear.
Until we take steps and work hard to eliminate the problem, Allah ta'ala will not show us the solution.
May Allah ta'ala allow us to implement. Ameen.
21st Sep, 2024
Eagerly waiting for the Naat Sharif recited by our beloved Hazrat Sahib last night, If possible can the Admin team please share it, Jazakallah
To become a Muttaqi, we are required to develop and improve our nafs otherwise, we cannot become a Muttaqi.
Tazkiyah (purification) refers to rectifying and controlling the nafs. This is a form of knowledge which we must acquire in order to control our desires.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ
"O believers! Be mindful of Allah in the way He deserves and do not die except as Muslims (in a state of full submission to Him.)" [3:102]
Our success in the Hereafter is based upon our taqwa and not upon our physical deeds. Only the deeds of the Muttaqi will be accepted in the court of Allah ta'ala. This is why Allah ta'ala commands us to adopt taqwa as much as we can. If we wish to die as a believer, it is essential for us to adopt taqwa during our life.
The commentators state that it is necessary to become a Muttaqi in order to receive a death of Imaan. Therefore, it is not an option, rather, it is something we must all attain. For our self purification, we must visit those places where we learn the knowledge of purifying the nafs. These places are called the Khankah wherein the Mashaikh coach their students.
We should work hard to attain taqwa and even if we are not be successful, Allah ta'ala will accept us. It doesn’t matter how weak we are. What matters is that we are constantly trying and making effort as Allah ta'ala appreciates this effort.
Our task is to follow the path which Allah ta'ala has guided to us. We all have spiritual sicknesses such as lying, ostentation and fraud. These sins become habits and they multiply when we fail to control them.
In the Naqshbandi order, there are two things which enable purification. The first, is that you must visit a Sheikh and adhere to his instructions and guidance. The objective of visiting a Sheikh is to adopt Taqwa and prepare for our Hereafter, not to attain worldly things and became a Sheikh ourselves.
The first thing the Sheikh emphasises on is repentance. The condition of self purification is that you must repent first and this repentance is taught by the Sheikh.
Thereafter, the Sheikh teaches you the lessons of dhikr and he teaches you the principles of the Naqshbandi order.
Some students focus on dhikr and overlook the principles of the order which are also essential in order to attain Tazkiyah. Dhikr and Mujaahadah are equally important.
There are eleven principles in this order which you must implement otherwise, you won't have rectified yourself.
The second principle of the Naqshbandi order is to protect the gaze. Our gaze directly impacts our faith, so if we fail to control it, we have no Imaan and our worship will not benefit us.
Nabi ﷺ states, "The furtive glance is one of the poisoned arrows of Shaytan, on him be God's curse. Whoever forsakes it for the fear of Allah, will receive from Him a faith, the sweetness of which he will find within his heart." (Al Haakim)
When a person protects his gaze, he will depart this world with faith and with reciting the kalimah. If he does not protect his gaze, then it is from the poisonous arrows of Shaytan.
It is such a dangerous arrow that it directly impacts our faith. It were to pierce an individual, he would not remain alive. This becomes our state when we use our eyesight incorrectly. We may be alive physically but our faith disappears. We may perform deeds, but it will not impact us. This refers to both women and men.
Unfortunately, we engage in all sorts of worship, yet, we struggle to protect our gaze. We should assess the level of our faith through this Hadith. Shaytan wishes to spoil our faith so he inclines us towards this sin. He develops such scenes through which our eyes are put to test.
Today, we live in such a generation where we are constantly tested and we may fall prey to Shaytan's temptations and traps at any time.
If one connects himself to a Sheikh, sits in his company and works hard on his faith, then he will learn how to control his eyesight due to his effort. He will feel the strength and power to fight his nafs. His spiritual strength will increase and he will receive the help of Allah ta'ala. This is because he tried and made effort, although he may be a weak individual. When Allah ta'ala assists him, he becomes safe from that sin.
The entire deen is based upon our eyesight. We become complacent upon our abundant worship even if we are sinning alongside. One's rectification takes place where his nafs is crushed. There are two types of worship. One is done for Allah and one is the worship of the nafs. We should fulfil the worship Allah ta'ala has commanded according to His desires and instructions. The reason we worship according to our own desires is because we do not experience the enjoyment of faith.
To protect our gaze in this day and age is a great struggle and a display of hard work. It is not any minor effort. Even the eighty year old man struggles to protect his gaze. This is because our desires never make us feel old or weak. Our desires paint the impression that we are strong and energetic. It tempts us and ensures that we are always prepared to perform those actions which distance us from Allah ta'ala. It constantly attacks us.
Through the taste and enjoyment of controlling the gaze, a person experiences the sweetness of his deeds. This is the taste of faith and once he tastes it, he will not hesitate upon performing any good deed. He will not feel tired. Rather, if he fails to implement, he will feel distress. He will feel enjoyment and satisfaction in reciting and praying Tahajjud and performing other acts of worship. He will feel eager to rise and pray during the night. He will not consider Ramadan as a burden.
We should visit a true Sheikh and not a teacher who tells us what we desire to hear. Allah ta'ala has instilled the Mashaikh, the knowledge and methodology of assessing their students and supporting them through their weaknesses.
Rectification occurs where a person's nafs is challenged and he experiences difficulty in implementing deen. Allah ta'ala's instructions are always difficult in the beginning. When you worship according to your desires, it is performed with ease and enjoyment. On the other hand, the Sheikh encourages that worship which goes against one's own nafs as it helps a person crush his desires.
A true Muttaqi is he who is cautious of abstaining from sin. He shuns the sins. A Muttaqi is not he who performs abundant worship.
The solution to control our gaze is to gaze towards the direction of our feet. Such a person who does this, receives the taste of Imaan and he departs this world upon the kalimah. He implements the Sunnah so he receives the reward of a hundred martyrs.
We should make a firm promise to protect our gaze from now on. We should not worry because once we have made an intention, Allah ta'ala will assist us. To extract the disease takes time, however, we should be continuous in our effort.
The connection between the Sheikh and the student is very deep and it stretches beyond merely attending the dhikr gatherings. We should save ourselves from Hellfire and expose our deficiencies to our Sheikh so that we can receive his love and affection.
The one who does not consider his sins as defects and considers himself pious, he has the biggest disease. If we consider ourselves pure, we are only deceiving ourselves.
Women are forbidden to expose themselves in front of their non mahram relatives no matter how closely related they are. They should not gaze towards non mahram, nor be in their presence with niqab. They shouldn't sit with them or gaze directly at them. They shouldn't communicate with them.
It is not permissible to attend mixed gatherings. Those women who exit their homes without adorning Niqab and those who beautify themselves, are inviting other men towards sin. Such women will receive the punishment for the gaze of her viewers. However, Allah ta'ala is merciful. If she repents today, all her sins will be forgiven and her sins will be transformed in to good deeds.
When we make a habit of lowering our gaze, we are also safe from comparing our worldly status with others. We are safe from witnessing the assets of others. This in turn prevents us from envy, backbiting and gossiping. Thousands of sins are caused just by a person's gaze.
When a person sits in the company of the Sheikh and begins dhikr, his heart is purified and all the defects are removed from his heart. He will have no desire to gaze at unlawful things. He will implement good deeds out of his own will and his heart will invite him towards good. He will not perform good deeds due to law or fear.
Until we take steps and work hard to eliminate the problem, Allah ta'ala will not show us the solution.
May Allah ta'ala allow us to implement. Ameen.